Behind the Design: Tiers of Joy

One of the most important lessons in Interior Design is examining the room's layout and creating a design that works best in that space. This may include a number of factors such as the height, scale, and flow of the room. I've found that the same principles also apply to table-scapes design. The most alluring and awe-inspiring table designs adhere to some of the most basic design industry principles of balance, proportion, scale, etc. Understand all of the principles, methods and terms can be a little overwhelming but I've developed a few simple techniques for planning and creating a table layout using these principles that can be as easy as 1, 2, 3... "Tiers" that is. This one works for both low and tall centerpieces and it begins with you looking at the table's surface and switching on your imagination.

Let's think about word "table-scape", a fairly new term that has gained popularity in the last few years but is most often thought of as the "landscape of the table". But let's not dwell on that right now. I'd like you to visualize a peaceful, lush country landscape instead. You are not on a paved road but a beautiful, rolling green field. In the distance you see a very tall hill and you are slowly moving towards it. Suddenly the hill appears taller. You realize it's more of a small mountain as you draw near it's base. More than likely the mountain doesn't just shoot out of the ground into the sky instead, you'd probably see tall grass, rocks, tree stumps, foliage, lots of trees and other elements of various heights gradually leading your eyes up the mountain. Next image pulling yourself back... further and further. Now envision the surface of a table. A well designed table-scape will reflect the same design principles we see in nature and just as the field transistioned into a tall mountain the surface of the table may consist of many tiers or zone that transition your eye long it's surface.

Tier 1:
This is the most exterior surface, the area in front of the guests. You could consider this the flattest part of a landscape but as you recall, natural landscapes are not perfectly flat. This is the place where items like napkins, silverware, chargers, glassware, guest place markers, and other small decorative accents will make here home. It's the beginning of your eye's journey.

Tier 2:
This is most overlook (and under-designed) portion of the table and can truly define the flow of the table. I'm referring to the area between the guest's place-setting and the table's centerpiece. This area should actually have two goals. The first is to be a "bridge" - creating a consistent visual flow from the guest to the center of the table. This area should have elements designed specifically to tie the two areas together. The second goal is to create a second level (or height) on the table's visual surface of the table. In our earlier mountain-side landscape scenario this would be the area slightly higher that the grass were shrubs or even trees started to draw your eyes upward. These elements should be slight lower than the centerpiece and in the case of tall centerpieces, they should also create a transitional flow up-toward. Often times I see the mistake of very little height variation from the guests place-setting and the centerpiece (example: a centerpiece on a mirror surrounded by a few tealight or votive candles). Unless the table-scape was designed to take scale in mind the centerpiece looks like it was simply "plopped" on the table with very little thought to the flow of the table. As a result it can be very visually jarring. Placing decorative items that are at a slightly higher level than the place-setting and lower level than the height of the centerpiece will prevent this common mistake.

Tier 3:
Last tier is the centerpiece or the focal point of the table. Every element of the first two tiers should be designed to complement the design of the centerpiece. The same way an opening act should lead up to the fail performance. Even if it is a slow centerpiece it should still be the tallest or most prominent design of the table.

Hope you find this method useful. Feel free to email me with your feedback, I'd love to hear what you think! Cheers!

Details... Sleek, simple and a little sexy!

Inspired by the Calla Lillies, Orchids and the color lavendar - Enjoy a few "design details" that are simple, sleek and just a little sexy.

"Before" Sketch...

"After" Design...

(www.tasha-prescott.com)

Other Details...

(www.creativesilence.net)

(www.tasha-prescott.com)

Questions? Comments? Contact me... I'd love to hear from you. Cheers!!

New

Congratulations Tarah & Ronald!!

It is my most distinct honor and pleasure to congratulate Tarah & Ronald "Damone" Davidson on their simply enchanting wedding this past weekend! We were so delighted to be a part of this fun and oh so loving couple's special day on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 as they exchanged vows at the exquisite Founders Inn & Spa in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

I'm so anxious to share images from this lovely celebration but until then here's a sneak peek thanks to up and coming video-grapher Victoria Shirley Productions... cheers!

Sneak Peek: 5.8.2010 from Victoria Shirley Productions on Vimeo.

Bright and Vibrant Bouquet - Yellow, Green & Teal

I wanted to share a design drawing and the final bouquet comprised of bright yellow and green Parrot Tulips (which I love - they are so unusual and fun), soft cream Tulips, romantic jade Roses and the contrasting texture of yellow Statice in a yellow, green and teal inspired design... enjoy!

Behind the Design: Tablescape Scale & Proportion - Prt1

Can I share something with you? I love Orchids... oh how I love Orchids. They are actually one of my favorite flowers. Image the perfect Orchid. Vibrant in color, the petals are soft and lush, flawless in shape and completely unblemished - an element that would be the perfect accent to any design. Imagine placing that same exquisite Orchid in water... can you see it? The perfect Orchid gracefully floating on a shimmering surface, perhaps creating the ideal centerpiece - beautiful isn't it? Now, image that the "water" is actually the size of a "kiddy pool". Let's take it a step further and image the orchid in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The gorgeous flower is now lost in a vast landscape.... not so impressive huh.

It doesn't matter how beautiful a centerpiece is if it's the wrong scale and is in the wrong proportion for the table's design. One of the biggest mistakes I notice in tablescape design is ignoring the scale of the surface area (table) and using a centerpiece that doesn't work with the total proportion of the table.

In Art and Design the "Proportion" (comparative parts of or measurable ratio of an object) and "Scale" (referring to size) of items are essential in the development of design graphics, layout of interior designs, the creation of sculptures and even the content seen in paintings. In wedding or event design, proper scale doesn't just apply to the massive "over the top" centerpieces seen in some sweeping tablescape designs, it also refers to the most simple, sleek, modern and minimalist designs. Proportion and scale should be utilized to create any well thought out design. The key is for the design to be the right scale for the area in which it will be displayed. Generally speaking, a centerpiece should take up about 1/3 of the total surface area of the table. It should also be designed in balance with all the other items that will take up the space on the table such as glassware, china, place cards, etc. Remember, a "good design" traditionally results in; a fully functioning concept that respects the materials, suites the methods used, and combines them in an imaginative expression.

Why do we dye eggs?

What color are your eggs? Yes, as an Artist I hand-painting Easter eggs with creative zeal but do you know what color the 1st Easter eggs were and why? As I glance down on my slightly stained fingers, I thought it would be interesting to share some information with those who may suggle to explain, "Why we dye eggs for Easter?" to their children tomorrow.

As clever Marketers and product placement evolves it not uncommon for the true meaning of Holidays and symbolism to get lost. And Easter is no different but believe it or not there is a religious foundation behind the colorful little Easter Egg. Easter, of course, is one the most profound events of the Christian religion - referring to the miracle of the Resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion and death. But it is at "the cross" where the egg make an appearance.

Throughout history and across the spectrum of human civilization food has held great value, especially animals. The ownership and gift of animals have historically been used in establishing status and wealth. They can provide everything from transportation, labor, and even sustenance. Eggs, in some points in history and areas of the earth, can be offered as a value token. In some early Easter stories, it is said that as Jesus hung lifeless from the cross a brave follower offered a basket of eggs and left them at his feet. Blood dripped from his beaten body onto the eggs - dying them red. For centuries many cultures dyed Easter eggs red to symbolize this offering however, over the years more and more festive, spring-like colors were introduced until they take on the vibrant colors we see today.