Start with imagination

Glessner House Wedding on BeSpoke-Bride

April 26th, 2014

We could not be more excited to see our lovely couple, Katie & Evan, on Bespoke-Bride.com. They are such a fun and vibrant couple, and this colorful wedding blog is a perfect platform to show off their fun and creative wedding that they hosted at the Glessner House. It was a thrill to work with them, creating their vision and setting the mood for their guests. Our staff created the lighting for this beautiful wedding, with over head lamps  and vintage globe lighting.

Venue: Glessner House//  Officiant: Rev for Whatev// Photographer: Brian Morrison// Catering:D’Absolute// Lighting: Art of Imagination// Music: Cary Kanno, Zach Coulter and Rusty Bass-Ehler// Bride’s dress, groom’s suit and bridesmaids dresses: JCrew// Favors: Chicago Honey Co-Op//

BeSpokeBride

Posted in: All in the Details, Glessner House Museum
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Brides Choice Event, Room 1520

April 22nd, 2014

The Brides’s Choice Event hosted by Room 1520 invited designers, paired with planners, to create unique and inspirational settings, ultimately voted upon by the brides themselves. Our design team at Art of Imagination was paired with our dear friend Anthony Navarro of Liven It Up Events. Our space to create was the bridal Head Table. Since Room 1520 is a clean, white canvas, we created an urban outdoor setting bringing nature indoors, with the added essences of chic enchantment.

Birch trees that Art of Imagination often uses, framed the couple and brought in a Spring-like color when we added the cherry blossoms and other pink flowers. The elegant, white voile fabric added an airy lightness, while the diffused white light behind provided the sunny happiness.  The essence of enchantment was a subtle touch, accomplished using a projection of crystal white water waves. The magical ambiance could be felt immediately. To ground this etherial setting, we incorporated one of our grandiose chandeliers with hanging crystals.

In collaboration with Liven It Up Events, Windy City Linen, and Tablescapes our designers personally selected the glassware, flatware, tableware, and other couture rentals that brought the whole tablescape together. Deborah customized the fold on the luxury napkins to include tiny details inspired by the glassware, china, and florals. She tied each with fresh greenery and accented with a galax formed flower nestled inside. Speaking of flowers, Deborah and Anthony both ventured to the wholesale florist to choose the Spring favorites that completed the look. From magnolia tips to seeded eucalyptus, galax leaves were selected, as well as the lovely and vividly fuchsia agonis. Fresh greenery was displayed throughout, from the accents in the small black basket at each place setting (repurposed from Deborah‘s Flower and Garden Show set-up) to the bountiful garland edging the table, beautifully placed and fluffed by Anthony.

The vintage farmwood table is a repurposed piece of furniture from Art of Imagination‘s personal collection, as well as the damask dining chairs. The gorgeous, charcoal studded bench was on loan from Platinum Events and give a unique options to our newlyweds for their sweetheart table seating.

All in all, the challenge was enjoyed by our entire team and it was so much fun collaborating with our fellow industry friends to create this whimsical outdoor/indoor setting. And, as the cherry on top, our beautiful head-table setting won the event’s competition! We are blessed and so grateful to be designated as the Bride’s Choice! Thank you to everyone involved in the makings of this luxurious setting, the event itself and everyone on our Art of Imagination staff. Can’t wait to see what next year will bring!

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Posted in: All in the Details, Local Events, Room 1520, Wedding Design
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Flower & Garden Show 2014

April 15th, 2014

This year, our Art of Imagination team was invited to partake in the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier. We were elated. if you have followed our brand, you know that we love finding and sharing inspiration. Whether it is in fashion, home decor, color trends, patterns or cultures of the world, our designers find inspiration everywhere. And we love to share our inspirations and inspire others.

For this particular vignette, we were inspired by nature and the appeal of greenery sprouting in the gardens. While it may seem that Spring will never truly come… or has possibly already passed us by, our designers embrace the au natural color palette and brought in Earthy textures like wood, moss and stone to complete the overall look.

We hope this table setting inspires you to bring in natural textures and plants to your dining room decor. If outside is looking bleak and white with snow, browse through these details and be inspired to put your green thumb to work indoors! The overall theme of the show was “Do Green. Do Good” and along those lines we incorporated many recyclable and repurposed details. This tablescape is created tapping into inspiration derived from nature and Deborah’s love of being “green.” Sustainability is the future for our society and using our “imagination” for innovative designs. From the fabric backdrop being 100% organic cotton to the table and floor designed from recycled and refurbished wood. The beautiful chinaware is an heirloom collection from her grandmother and the green plants and herbs are edible.

Special Thanks to Tuan Bui Photography for these darling photos.

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Posted in: All in the Details
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Moroccan Tea Party

April 11th, 2014

It was absolutely wonderful partnering up with Debi Lilly and her team at A Perfect Event for an afternoon tea with Pure Kitchen Catering, M&M Special Events, Private Label Linens and Angela Eve dancers at Chicago’s newest hot spot event venue, City View Loft in the West Loop. With a Moroccan theme, our designers at Art of Imagination created the custom luxury draping and light patterns to reflect the mood and color palette of the event.

We created an entrance with stripes of white, platinum and gold fabrics, swaged open with gold tassels accented with fringe.  Fit for royalty, we hung a burnished gold sheer fabric over the dining area and hung globe lights underneath the fabric to create the intimate feel.

The light pattern design was inspired from Moroccan architecture. We custom created special lighting frames to display the patterns along the entire wall. Each table and vignette was accented with an array of colorful flowers and linens, the use of custom lanterns and paper patterns complimented the theme. The variety of food items on the menu, provided by Pure Kitchen Catering, added an ethnic flair bringing the whole event together. They even poured Moroccan gunpowder green tea infused with mint as a welcoming beverage in authentic and colorful glassware.

A Perfect Event – Florals, Event Design, Lanterns, Teacups, Favors
Art of Imagination – Custom Drapery & Ambient Lighting Design
City View Loft – Venue
M&M Special Events – Rentals, Lounge Seating
Private Label Linens – Tablecloths
Pure Kitchen Catering – Menu and Beverages
Angela Eve – Dancers

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Posted in: All in the Details, Fusion Weddings, Wedding, Wedding Design
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Easter Table Settings & Decor Ideas

April 9th, 2014

While the Spring season should be filling our days with sunshine, and blooming color… sometimes mother nature throws us a curve ball. This winter has been brutal and never-ending, but the Easter weekend and so many other Spring festivities are coming fast. So, we welcome bright color palettes, pastel trends, and the beginning of wedding season.

To get into the Spring spirit, our creative design team at Art of Imagination decided to let the light shine into Room 1520 and break out the china. The vintage china, of course. Similar to Friendsgiving, our team built an entire tablescape around the idea of hosting multiple friends for an Easter weekend dinner. We introduced a Spring color palette featuring a soft purple tablecloth with lavender, pink, soft butter yellow, and sage green details. The beautiful chinaware from Tablescapes resembles a pattern from the French Royalty, and compliments the beautiful colored glassware.

Our event planners  also came up with a few kid-like traditions that are sure to make your adult guests smile. Guests can dye eggs during the cocktail hour, to later be used as place cards on the table. A colorful candy buffet is not only a trend that’s booming, but also a great reason for guests to make up their own Easter baskets.

Special Thanks to our friends at Tablescapes and Private Label Linens for the beautiful tablecloths and napkins. Art of Imagination provided all chinaware, glasses, decor and liquor. And, a special thanks for these amazing photos by Room 1520’s own Stephen Hamilton for the photos!

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Posted in: All in the Details, DIY Tips, Easter, WomensForum.com
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Bridal Fete Chicago 2014

April 8th, 2014

We were overjoyed to be a part of Bridal Fete Chicago. The unique event fuses couture wedding fashion with creative and artistic cake designs.  Deborah, Art of Imagination’s creative director, simply adores the architecture and history of the Fainman Lounge located at Roosevelt University. Inspired by Chicago’s own Frank Lloyd Wright, the beautiful ballrooms, stairwell, and even restrooms are filled with architectural intricacies that simply make us swoon.

The event took place among three separate areas, and our designers were in charge of the Congress Lounge ballroom featuring the #BridalBeautyBar.  To highlight this interactive area, Art of Imagination designers wanted to create a clean soft look to the existing low lit room. Our designers at Art of Imagination draped a luxury white crepe fabric throughout the room from floor to ceiling, creating a modern yet romantic setting.

The #BridalBeautyBar offered brides the opportunity to hold various bouquets designed by some of Chicago’s top florists. Surrounding the tablescape, our wedding structure was designed with custom ivory crepe back satin gathered and cuffed with satin & rhinestone cuffs.

See a list of all the sponsors involved in this year’s Bridal Fete Chicago at their website: www.bridalfetechicago.com

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Posted in: Bridal Fashion, Local Events
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Payal & Justin, Harold Washington Library

April 1st, 2014

Loving this video of Justin and his smooth dance moves. Payal’s new husband lit up the dance floor in her honor to the tune of Michael Jackson. You just have to watch it for yourself.

Posted in: Fusion Weddings, Harold Washington Library, Indian Weddings, Real AOI Weddings, Wedding, Wedding Design
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