Reader Inspiration Board
Before I jump into our next board, a quick reminder that the giveaways we featured yesterday by Bel Canto, Every Jot and Tittle, Paloma’s Nest and Elle F Designs are open until 3PM EST today…if you haven’t already, make sure to enter! I’ll announce the winners later today.
Our next reader designed board was sent to me by Liz, who has a quick question about her color palette…
From Liz…
Because I have such strong colors in my palette, I would love some ideas for table settings with these colors. I was considering black tablecloths with pops of color but I don’t want it to be too dark. The venue is going to be a loft space in downtown providence. I also considered white with red and orange. I just don’t want to overdo it.
What do you guys think?
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A loft space sounds very modern and I think that black tablecloths would work. However, it seems to me that it would help if you minimized your color palette some and streamlined the inspiration board.
I would actually stay away from the black tablecloths... I don't think it will give you the look you want. Would it be possible to find tablecloths in the second color you have in your palette... that kinda blushy color you have below the black? If the tablecloths were blush you could do gorgeous red flowers (I'm picturing gorgeous red and deep pink ranuculus -same flower you have up there) and some turquoise accents. Like turquoise vases or knicknack. It would still be a burst of color but more flattering and sophisticated.
love that necklace!
On the Krylon (spray-paint) website I saw a great idea for spray-painting vases of various sizes all the same color.
I think that black is a great accent color and will really make your bright hues pop - but I agree that a black table-cloth would probably skew very dark.
I think the blush tablecloth is a fantastic idea Tori - but I also think your flowers will really stand out if they are in matte black vases - which would be really easy to do and very thrifty since different size and shape vases could be unified by the same color spray paint.
Or maybe even a black runner over colorful table cloths.
Either way I think black is a great accent color, but think of it more as a frame than anything else. You'd never paint your walls black. But you would definitely put black frames on a colored wall or contrasty black-and-white pictures in bright frames.
M
If you want a mod loft wedding than black would work, with simple clean lined accessories. But by the look of your board its more of a 50s vintage eclectic style (which I love BTW). Why not do mismatched tablecloths with all the centerpieces the same... maybe cluster vases with bunches of ranuculus and some succulents.
Love the vibrant colours but as the others said I agree that black tablecloths might be a tad too dark maybe even too 80s. I would go with a silk shantung colour that changes from goldish orange to red. You wouldnt need so much decoration and the different hues would really pop.
i would go with a neutral colored table cloth - not white or black though - cream or tan would be a nice soft backdrop. the flowers would really pop, but not be so harsh off of this.
I love your inspiration board! I suggest doing a table linen in "raffia" to pick up the earthiness and texture of the wheat in the background of one of your photos. Most of the linen companies I have worked with offer a raffia, which is like a beige textured burlap, but with a nice, soft drape. Then I would pick up the beautiful reds, oranges and aquas in the chair cushion, napkin and floral. Definitely work those succulents in to your table decor...I think they add the modernity that will go along with the loft venue space.
If you want to add a nice, custom touch, maybe you can look for an Asian print fabric in aqua to have cut into napkins (like the wrapping paper swatch you feature). If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could easily do it yourself! (as long as you don't have 300 guests attending -- I wouldn't want to sew THAT many squares!)
I think the more important question here is, where did you find that clutch? it would match my shoesies perfectly. :)
Many of your colors remind me of this post: http://www.stylemepretty.com/2008/06/13/reception-ideas-by-beth-helmstetter/
Who makes that bridesmaid dress. I love it! Thanks!
black would be too harsh i think, as other people mentioned above. i would consider a lighter neutral cloth- like the rafia, or a shantung, blush would be beautiful, too. the color would be much warmer. also if you plan on using a lot of votives and candles, the light will reflect much better and warm things up, where as black can look flat and cold, especially in photographs. table cloths are hard, because it is just so much of one color. i had a hard time too, but in the end, i too decided to go with a light neutral color. it will make your flowers pop but in a more elegant way.
I see two good options for you:
1) If you want to keep all of the colors you have shown and retain a balance between them, you will need to include a heavy dose of a neutral--which for this palette I think would have to be white. I envision a very quirky, mod-ish look with white table cloths that feature table runners or wide ribbons in a variety of colors and patterns. I'm imagining a combo of a red cherry blossom print, a green paisley, a black and tan animal print, and an aqua polka dot working beautifully.
2) If you'd like to go for a more cohesive look, pick out your favorite pairing of colors to feature and let the other elements play much smaller roles. I like the idea aqua with crimson and neutral accents as well as green with black and coral accents.
Either way, the colors you've selected will be beautiful and vibrant. Best of luck!
Hi ! I just did strong colors in a Moroccan-esque sytle. Orange roses, yellow orchids, purple tulips and mango callas. Also used red Moroccan tea glassed with LED lights, same colors used as again as place cards and guests has orange/white escort cards. I had wanted red or mango cloths, never followed up with the florist but in the end the white was the right choice. The colors really popped to the point that guest raved on and on and on about the impact of the flowers and the candles and how festive they made the room look.
Hi! I love your color palette, BTW! I think you can go with the black tablecloths if your heart is set on it. Judging by the pic on the upper right hand corner, you can kind of get an idea what the flowers would look like with a black backdrop. The black would be kind of dark if it was alone so it would definitely need a tablerunner or overlay of some sort of lighten it up.
For my wedding, I had a the same issue. I didn't want it to be too dark with the bright colors I'd chosen for the flowers. I ended up listening to my florist who told me that the best color to showcase color is white! Makes sense! It was the best decision, I think. The most comments I heard from my wedding was how colorful it was. Exactly what I wanted to hear. :)
Have you considered using black sashes or black ribbon on the chairs to bring in your black?
I like two of the ideas posted above....one, using all different colored tablecloths, and two, using the orange-red tablecloths that change color. How dramatic! What is the name of your venue? It sounds lovely, so I am wondering if there are pics of it online?
I just saw an awesome centerpiece that was a fishbowl with black river rocks. The fishbowl was filled with water and had two bright colored orange and pink flowers floating in it. Thought I'd share. Hope it helps!
I'm not a professional and have no "training" but, I have done the flowers for four weddings now. I'd be affordable and I'm totally willing to do whatever you want design-wise! I live in Norwalk. Email if you're interested....silva1214 AT hotmail DOT COM.
Thanks all for your suggestions-- I'm really into the ideas you've put forth here. I agree now that the black tablecloths might be too 80s. But black chair sashes could be very cool.
The venue is privately-owned. Mismatched table clothes or making the aqua napkins are at the top of my list.
BTW, the bridesmaid dress is Siri and the clutch unfortunately was an old item from target found on alilovescurtis.blogspot.com
Thank thank thank you!
PS-- the glass necklace is available at michellemerchant.com