All-white luxe, black tie with a bright pop, prints with a preppy twist, and a modern lounge — our latest collaboration with the creative forces at Boston-based catering and event company The Catered Affair was designed to inspire countless styles and occasions. From weddings to corporate to social and beyond, each look was created with a unique aesthetic and celebration in mind and styled to perfection.
Our photoshoot was set in the sleek event space at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, located in the heart of the Boston Seaport. Photographer Corinna Raznikov capture the four looks with the ICA’s breathtaking architecture and spectacular views of Boston’s harbor and skyline as the backdrop. Floral creations by Winston Flowers and lighting by Frost Productions gave the final enchanting touches.
We caught up with Emily Kent from The Catered Affair to learn more about their inspiration, what trends to look out for in 2019, and their philosophy on design. Check it out!
Could you describe the three looks you created and the inspiration behind them?
Modern Luxe Monotone
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the Modern Luxe Monotone look:
Dining Table White Shimmer, Miro Chair, Valencia White Glass Charger 13.25″, Origami Lunch Plate 9″, Origami Soup Bowl 9″, Gramercy Hammered Gold flatware, Stockholm Crystal Red Wine Glass 15oz, Stockholm Crystal White Wine Glass 11oz, Eleanor Gold Rim Flute 6oz, White Shantung Dinner Napkin || Cake Table Ivory Sequin Textured, Eleanor Gold Rim Flute 6oz
Emily Kent: So often the idea behind creating a “luxe” look is grounded in how over-the-top the design is. We wanted to challenge that concept. Luxury is not just scale, but detail work. The white-on-white with clear and gold accents brings the eye up to find those details—like the handwritten glass menu cards, the stunning floral displays from Winston Flowers, and the chandelier installation from Frost Productions.
Similarly with the lounge and bar, we wanted that set up to reflect the room and the mirror bar did that perfectly!
Corporate Pop
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the Corporate Pop look:
Griffin Grey Nu Weave, Cross Back Chair Black with Cushion Cotton Black, Silver Dot Pattern Coupe Charger 12″, Aster Matte Black Dinner Plate 10.75″, Aster Matte Grey Lunch Plate 8″, Aster Matte Black B&B Plate 6.25″, Vanderbilt Black flatware, Madison Red Wine/Water Glass 12oz, Madison White Wine Glass 9.5oz, Pandora Smoke Glass 12oz, Brick Shantung Dinner Napkin
Emily Kent: Black tie is classic. But to make it modern and contemporary, it needs a pop to liven it up. Enter: orange—exciting, motivation, zesty. Paired with the grey and black matte Aster plates and Vanderbilt Black flatware for that extra dash of modern simplicity, the orange napkin linen brings the eye in to your setting and where you and your guests are going to enjoy our amazing menu… which is always the most exciting part for us!
Floral Perfection
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the Floral look:
Zadie Floral Print, President Chair Gold with Cushion Cotton White, Circle Glass Charger 13″, Whisper Bloom Dinner Plate 11.5″, Whisper White Lunch Plate 9″, Vanderbilt Gold flatware, Madison Red Wine/Water Glass 12oz, Madison White Wine Glass 9.5oz, Madison Flute Glass 8oz, Laguna Bengaline Dinner Napkins with Brushed Napkin Ring Gold
Emily Kent: This look was really built off the love of the Zadie Floral Print linen. As we pulled coordinating items, it started to develop into a preppy garden party à la Kate Spade. This look could be used for a a variety of social events and is a perfect look for a client who isn’t afraid to mix colors and patterns. A modern take on a feminine aesthetic.
Are there any colors, styles, patterns, or textures that you or your clients have been gravitating toward lately?
Emily Kent:Marble details are really big right now and we’re excited to use the marble chargers on an upcoming wedding or social event.
Do you have a favorite Party Rental Ltd. product or linen?
Emily Kent:The Miro chair — it is a fresh take on the classic acrylic ghost chair.
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the lounge look:
Bar Mirror Bar 6′ || Lounge Furniture Two L-shaped configurations with (4) Metro Armless Chairs in Tufted White and (1) Metro Corner Chair in Tufted White in each || Accents Upholstered Ottoman White with Tray Resin Square 12″ White || Pillows Forest Mixed Metal 10″x16″ Rectangle Pillow, Silver Sequin Textured 10″x16″ Rectangle Pillow, White Shantung 10″x16″ Rectangle Pillow
What is your design philosophy?
Emily Kent:Design should be a reflection of someone’s personality; guests should look at a dressed up space and say “this is so (insert your name here).”. While it is important that a design complements its surroundings, it should still be true to your personal style.
We also caught up with Emily Pacini from ICA to learn more about how their beautiful space and the secret to creating of their clients’ dreams. Check it out!
What makes ICA so special as an event venue?
Emily Pacini: ICA’s modern architecture, and waterfront location make it make it one of the most unique venues in Boston. There’s a youthfulness and vibrancy in this venue that is attractive to celebration and lends perfectly to being an event space!
How do you bring your clients’ event vision to life?
Emily Pacini: It starts with listening. Our clients know what and why they’re celebrating, and it’s our job to translate that why into a visual — flavorful! — experience. But to do this exceptionally, we need to hear the thought behind it. We live for the story of an event, how it unfolds from beginning to end.
When we work with a client on design, we develop from their inspiration until we’re speaking to the same vision. Sometimes it starts with a charger or chair that a client absolutely loves; sometimes it’s a phrase. But however it starts, we build piece by piece until it’s a full performance of texture, light, pattern and taste. It’s very much like good food—there’s always a recipe you can follow, but when you experiment and season to taste, it turns into a one-of-a-kind experience.
Thank you to our friends from The Catered Affair, Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, Corinna Raznikov Photography, Winston Flowers, and Frost Productions for being such spectacular partners on this shoot!