In our latest Clients that Inspire design collaboration series, we were falling for autumn and the three looks inspired by the season that we created with Brian Bowman and Dan Dahl of Bowman Dahl. Based in New York City, Bowman Dahl creates their signature classic-with-a-twist floral and event designs for everything from weddings to corporate events, using Brian’s background in fashion and high-end floral and Dan’s extensive experience creating innovative floral displays and designs.
Together with Brian, Dan, and the Constellation Culinary Group team, we set our styled shoot at the New York Botanical Garden’s historic Stone Mill. The charming Stone Mill overlooks the Bronx River, offering a unique, serene setting for weddings and events. With a beautiful backdrop, some of our newest product additions, and lots of laughs along the way, we captured three unique designs that are sure to inspire countless fall events.
Could you describe the designs you created and the inspiration behind them?
Brian Bowman: The three looks in today’s shoot were created to highlight some of the newer items in your collection using the autumn season as inspiration. Whenever we design for an event, we take the venue into consideration, so the looks have a rustic autumnal feel with contemporary elements to balance everything out. For the third look, the Constellation team requested we use the Country Dining Table, since they like how it looks at Stone Mill. We thought it would pair perfectly with the Hunter Green Velveteen.
Dan Dahl: [Business Development Manager] Eileen introduced us to some of your new products, so we designed around them, keeping the integrity of the Stone Mill in mind. We loved two print linens — Camille and Ziva — since they gave us a great opportunity to incorporate color. Often when we’re designing floral for events at NYBG, clients request low centerpieces, so we wanted to mix it up and show what a taller piece would look like in the space. I like using an irreverent mix of different styles and time periods to give a design balance, so we designed the Country Table look to be a mix of modern and rustic.
Are there any colors, styles, patterns, or textures that you or your clients have been gravitating toward lately?
Dan: I love color, and I truly believe that all colors go together. If you look in nature — to fish or flowers, for example — there are so many unique color combinations to find inspiration. A popular color now is a dusty mauve, and we’re starting to see roses and other flowers pop up in that hue. For linens, I like using neutral colors, like Ivory or White Irish Linen. It’s very elegant, and you can pair them with any color flower, depending on the space.
Brian: We’re seeing a great trend towards sustainability. Clients have been approaching us and requesting sustainable designs, so we’ve been getting creative with the flowers we use to support their vision, like using orchids and other flowers that don’t need to be uprooted. On the other hand, we’ve been working with genetically-modified flowers that can be altered through a dying process that results in some very unique colors.
Do you have a favorite Party Rental Ltd. product or linen?
Dan: Our favorite product is Eileen Koen! [laughs]
Brian: Yes, Eileen! She always so helpful and partners with us on so many events.
What do you like about working with Party Rental Ltd.?
Brian: You’re only two blocks away! [laughs] We like working with you because you have more products, and you’re always bringing in something new. We’ll call before an event to see what’s coming in, and most of the time, you’ve got something new that I can offer our clients. Sometimes, we’ll even get to be one of the first events that uses a particular tablecloth or product, which makes us and our clients look like rockstars! You also partner with many of the venues we work with, and you have so many different price points that allow any budget to look elevated.
Dan: Your selection is always changing, and it’s so exciting to see and use what’s new in our designs.
What is your design philosophy?
Brian: My design philosophy is, “Dan, I sold this. You have to make it now.” [laughs] Dan designs the most classically beautiful things, but every design has a beautiful twist to it. He has a recognizable, signature look that’s classic and not contrived. From a design perspective, we try to take every client into consideration and design something unique for their special event while simultaneously keeping client, venue, and budget in mind. And we always try to do it with humor! As we hand bouquets to our brides, we always remind them to enjoy themselves, because that’s the most important part.
Dan: It depends on what Brian sold them! [laughs] It’s hard to explain my process, but I’ll look at certain colors, flowers, or elements that spark inspiration. Something just clicks, and I create.
Get the look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the first look:
Ziva Red Print, Cross Back Chair Chestnut with Velveteen Cushion Wine, Maeve Blue and White Charger 12″, Baldwin Dinner 11″, Baldwin Lunch 9″, Carnegie Hill flatware, Sapphire Sussex Goblet 12oz, Sapphire Regency Flute 4oz, Copper Mule Mug 18oz, Blue Etoile Print Dinner Napkin, Napkin Ring Gold Band Teak Wood, Votive Holder Roly Poly Burnt Orange
Get the look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the second look:
Camille Print, Cross Back Chair Chestnut with Velveteen Cushion Chocolate, Whisper Bloom Plate 11.5″, Whisper Bloom Cocktail Plate 8.75″, Sedona Wood flatware, Stockholm Tumbler Crystal 10oz, Stockholm Rocks Crystal 13.5oz, Pandora Amber 12oz, Teal Cotton Dinner Napkins, Napkin Ring Textured Stainless, Votive Holder Straight Sided Amber, Lantern Iron Square Large 17.5″ with Candle Pillar White 3″x6″, Lantern Iron Square Small 13.5″ with Candle Pillar White 3″x3″
Get the look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the third look:
Country Dining Table 60″ Square, Bellini Chair Dark Grey with Hunter Green Velveteen Cushion 10″x16″, Hunter Green Velveteen Table Runner 114″x14″, Marble Glass Dinner 11″ White, Marble Glass Salad 7.5″ White, Vanderbilt Stainless flatware, Berlin Goblet 15oz, Berlin White Wine 12oz, Pandora Clear 12oz, Taupe Natural Irish Linen Dinner Napkins, Napkin Ring Twisted Wire, Brooks Votive Clear
A big thanks to Brian, Dan, the Constellation team at the New York Botanical Gardens, and the New York Botanical Gardens team for helping us bring this design collaboration to life!