Danielle Couick never thought she would have her own business, a tradition that has now been carried down for several generations in her family. “I thought I was going to be an interior architect and, in fact, started my degree in that field,” Danielle reflected. “It was at the end of my first year – with 7:00 am classes through midnight studio sessions – that I realized I didn’t want another professor to give me a subjective D for my interpretation of an art project. I knew that I had a gift for design and craved a social element to my life.” Now Principal of Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events with a growing list of accolades, she is a third generation female entrepreneur in her family. “I guess there are some things that are just in your blood.”
Growing up in North Carolina, Danielle learned about the art of entertaining and hospitality from her grandmother, Edith, who would often host gatherings in a variety of sizes and formality but always made each guest feel like they were the only person in the room. “She taught me that entertaining should be comfortable for your guests and to take their needs into consideration,” she said, “but you should also be true to what is comfortable for you as the host.” No matter what type of spread she served, she always had Ruffles Potato Chips and French Onion Dip at the ready – a tradition that Danielle carries on whenever she hosts. “There was nothing fancy about it – Lipton Onion Soup Mix and Daisy’s Sour Cream. It’s a small (and delicious) way to honor her.”
In our latest design collaboration with the teams at Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events, the LINE DC Hotel, and Sarah Khan Event Styling, we caught up with Danielle on her path to success, what inspires her, and her experience designing on the rooftop at the LINE DC – the eclectic hotel built from a 100 year-old church in the heart of the Adams Morgan neighborhood. “The roof. Well, there is no other view of the city like it,” she said, “D.C. is known for its literal monumental skyline. The LINE DC shows the roofline, the cityscape, and the realness of the neighborhood surrounding you.”
Each of the three looks incorporated unique floral arrangements and centerpieces along with a subtle mix of textures (i.e. mixed flatware, salt and ground pepper in the votives, finger bowls set in napkin rings). Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind them?
From what I hear, if you ask people what our design aesthetic is, we are known for texture, our use of color and layering. We channel our clients’ aesthetics to produce for them. I’ve never been called a minimalist but that doesn’t mean we don’t use restraint. We wanted to design tablescapes that felt inviting, that you could envision in your own home for the holidays. We wanted to tap into the community vibe of the hotel. The LINE DC is known for their sharing feasts for weddings and events which are truly incredible. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I am actually not a huge fan of turkey, but I love spending time with family, sharing stories, getting caught up and we always have a fierce game night.
We designed three independent looks and styles but they could effectively all work together. When we were exploring the incredible selection of items from Party Rental Ltd., we used products in ways that may be unexpected; like serving trays for votive collections and finger bowls set in copper napkin rings as salt and pepper cellars.
If we don’t have the opportunity to rent all of the fabulous wares for holidays, we generally have a collection of tried and true platters, plates, etc. that we use. I like to reimagine them from year to year to keep an amazing tradition interesting.
Look 1: BoHo Rectangular Table
The rectangular table with the amazing Koda Grey Print linen was the starting point for all three looks. The linen lends itself to traditional, BoHo, hipster (is that a style?) and tribal. There are so many ways you can interpret it. We also knew we wanted to use Finley Elmwood Walnut chair for it’s Mid-Century Modern look. The LINE DC is very mid-century, we wanted to give a nod to that look.
Get This Look: Finley Elmwood Walnut Chair, Athens Flute Glass 7 oz., Frosted Glass Votive Square, Inverted Votive Clear, Pandora Smoke Glass 12 oz., Roly Poly Votive Amber, Stockholm Tinted Amber Glass 15 oz., Village Carafe 17 oz., Village Carafe 33.25 oz., Village Carafe 8.5 oz., Eclipse Glass Cocktail Plate 7.75″, Eventi Charger 13″ Silver, Faux Oak Wood Melamine Bowl 10″, Faux Oak Wood Melamine Bowl 12″, Faux Oak Wood Melamine Bowl 8″, Glass Smoke Tray Rectangle 16″ x 5″, Presidential Hammered Diamond Tray 14.5″, Resin Rectangle Tray 24″ x 4″ Black, Resin Tray Oblong 17″ x 4″ Honey, State Plate Platinum Border 11.25″ Pewter, White Coupe Platinum Border Lunch Plate 9.25″, Charcoal Nu Weave Dinner Napkins, Brushed Stainless Salt and Pepper, Hammered Stainless Napkin Ring, Sedona Flatware Collection, Stainless Hammered Serving Fork 10.25″, Stainless Hammered Serving Spoon 10.25″, Stainless Hammered Serving Tong 9.5″, Tribeca Flatware Collection, Wood Pepper Mill 6″, Wood Salt Mill 6″, Koda Grey Print Premium Tablecloth, Spice Velvet Cushions
A long-lush arrangement would have worked here but wouldn’t have left room for the turkey! By elevating the floral we kept the view of the cityscape wide open, and kept the tabletop clear for platters, carafes and passing. We envisioned you and your closest friends laughing and catching up in an intimate space amongst the expanse of the city – toss a few wraps on the backs of the chairs and you are set.
We collaborated with Sarah Khan Event Styling on our floral vision. We wanted something with intentional movement and structure but nothing too serious or visually heavy. Sarah has been producing these killer organic garlands and swags. We wanted a play on that movement. Because the table design itself is very geometric, symmetrical and patterned, we wanted to break it up with the floralscape. Pops of metallic silver sprayed foliage allowed the metallic accents from the table to shine a little brighter and made sure the table didn’t read “Halloween” but Fall and Festive.
Look 2: Lush Traditional Table
The round table…well….we have this thing with velvet. I am actually not a huge fan of the color orange. I find it hard to work with in mass because it demands so much visually. But this shade of pumpkiny-terracotta was perfection and the linen itself is so soft and cozy. There is a ballroom within the LINE DC that has these amazing terracotta tiles, it kind of spoke to us in the same way. The weight of it just feels so regal.
Get This Look: Alexander Elmwood Chair, Copper Mule Mug 18 oz., Cypress Smoke Goblet 15.5 oz., Ecru Gold Border Cream Soup Bowl 4.75″, Stockholm Crystal Highball Glass 16.25 oz., Tri-Sided Votive Amber, Tri-Sided Votive Smoke, Cambridge Antique Acrylic Charger 13″, Ecru Gold Border Cream Soup Liner 6.5″, Gio Gold Glass Charger 12.5″, Rattan Round Charger 12.5″ Brown, Resin Square Tray Copper 12″, Tasting Ceramic Round Bowl 2.5″, Tasting Ceramic Round Bowl 3″, Yorkshire Cream Dinner Plate 10.875″, Yorkshire Cream Salad/Cake Plate 8.25″, Ecru Church Linen Dinner Napkins, Brushed Copper Napkin Ring, Vanderbilt Gold Flatware Collection, Spice Velvet Tablecloth
I knew I wanted a lush traditional look but with most tradition these days, it calls for a refresh. There were so many ways we could have taken the table but rose gold is having a moment, which ends up translating to richer tones of copper and brass in the Fall. We love the hammered copper bowls from the serving collections but used them as vessels for the lush, all white floral. We imagined that you could use an heirloom serving bowl or soup tureen. As formal as this table could be, we believe in relaxed refinement. The idea of taking a perfectly pressed hemstitch linen dinner napkin and tying it in a knot or serving a crisp spiced signature Mule out of a copper mug instead of a heavy red wine glass keeps this table relatable and fun.
Look 3: Contemporary Fall Table
If you ask anyone that knows me, I am a bit obsessive over symmetry and balance. There are actually a few venues that I have an extremely challenging time working in because the spaces aren’t visually even. The square table was intended to inspire an amazing multi-course dining experience, removing one layer at a time.
Get This Look: Bellini Chair Black, Double Reed Votive Clear, Frosted Glass Votive Square, Hearst Votive Smoke, Madison Flute Glass 8 oz., Madison Red Wine/Water Glass 12 oz., Madison White Wine Glass 9.5 oz., Tasting Glass Bowl 3.5″, Aster Black Dinner Plate 10.75″, Aster Grey B and B Plate 6.25″, Aster Grey Lunch Plate 8″, Brushed Stainless Charger 12″, Ceramic Stackable Bowl 6″, Ceramic Stackable Bowl 9″, Melamine Slate Round Platter White Large 12.75″, Mini Ceramic App Plate Round 4.5″, Tasting Ceramic Cube 1.5″, Black Shantung Dinner Napkins, Brushed Stainless Napkin Ring, Glass Salt Cellar & Spoon, Vanderbilt Stainless Flatware Collection, Charcoal Grey Rattan Tablecloth
I wanted it to be contemporary and Fall-focused but not in the traditional sense like the other two tables. I imagined a family or group of friends going pumpkin picking for Halloween or Fall and using a monochromatic grouping of gourds to represent the community on the table, inspired by everyone and representative as such.
We also wanted to make the table a little moody. Sarah Khan suggested a high gloss black and silver metallic accent of the silver dollar eucalyptus. It was the perfect detail to keep the table from looking too sterile and even. We believe every design should incorporate some type of botanical element. I think it breathes life into everything. The small touches of green that show through the gloss and metallic are just sexy.
What elements do you like about the space at the LINE DC when you’re designing there, on the rooftop or in other spaces at the hotel?
The LINE is such an interesting space to me. It is a hotel built from a 110-year-old church. It’s a partial new build attached to the historic building. I’ve always been a believer that we should honor a space and environment that we get to work in. We love transformation but it should never fight with the bones that we are working with or feel forced or contrived.
The designers of the LINE DC did an impeccable job of honoring the spirit and structure of the church while creating an incredible communal experience for the neighborhood and the guests that grace it’s halls. There are so many wonderful architectural elements and textiles that call to me there.
There is a grandness as you walk up the stairs into the massive lobby that makes you feel like a small part of something big but it also captures a warmth, a sense of community and a coziness that makes you feel like you are in your living room with friends.
Are you seeing any color or design trends for the upcoming wedding season?
Ironically, I am seeing a ton of neutral palettes in play right now. Everyone is craving calm and balance in their lives with so much going on around us. Mid-century Mod is definitely having a huge moment. I think we can thank the hotel industry for that. It feels that every new property or remodel is pulling in a ton of gold and brass detail, clean lines and a utilitarian approach.
On the flip side our clients love us for our use of, and fearless approach to color. I think folks can be afraid of color when it comes to their wedding for fear that 30 years from now they will say, “what were we thinking?” We know how to use it in a way that still creates a timeless look and that honors our clients need for self-expression without entirely upsetting the apple cart. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should but we ask the right questions to find out the “why” and that is what we design from.
With a degree in hospitality and a passion for architectural design, what led you to where you are now in your career?
I’ve always been inspired by home and architectural design and textiles. My mom was a real estate agent and I spent many days running through new builds (pretty sure I was violating some laws…I wasn’t exactly in close-toed shoes and a tiny hard hat) or through open houses. It got me curious about flow, style, layout and lines.
My father had a wallpaper hanging business for 20 years, so textiles and patterns were always around. We had grass cloth wallpaper in our basement and it’s fun to see it back in vogue. My grandfather was the head of menswear buying for a major Southern department store. He was always incredibly fashionable, I got to select his cufflinks and tie on most days, and he had velvet wallpaper in his bedroom. I guess I was always surrounded by incredible design elements and positive influences growing up.
I was always in pursuit of a creative profession, interning with architecture and planning firms, pursuing my degree, stretching my wings as whatever chair within my sorority would allow me to plan something. But I also had to make money. My parents taught me that I could have whatever I want. I just have to pay for it (that included everything from car insurance to rent to groceries in college).
I tried retail at age 15 but it was too slow for me and the potential to earn was capped at my hourly rate. I went into the restaurant business and worked every FOH (front of house) and almost every BOH (back of house) position I could. I loved that I could control my earnings and create a positive experience for my guests.
I majored in Recreation, Parks and Tourism which was the closest I could get to Hospitality without going into Hotel Management. “Event Planning” wasn’t really a profession in the social sense of the word at the time, but the corporate world had meeting planning. I minored in Business just to be safe.
When I graduated, I needed a job and I was ready to move anywhere. That is a whole other serendipitous story, but I landed just outside of DC working for an off-premise catering company. I had enough grit, determination, knowledge, skill and naiveté to move to a city where I knew no one and make a go of it. I learned more about sales, logistics, operations, hospitality, design and people in those five years than I ever imagined possible. From there I was offered a position with one of DC’s top event planning firms and I knew I wanted a greater challenge, so I made the move. Three years after that I was hanging the shingle for Magnolia Bluebird.
Events at the Line DC Hotel
Once a neoclassical 1912 church, the LINE DC Hotel now boasts 10,000 square feet of event space inside and out, a live internet radio station broadcasting from the lobby and a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the Washington D.C. skyline.
Set in the eclectic Adams Morgan neighborhood, the LINE DC offers a comfortable, yet energetic vibe with plenty to look at, outside of its grand entrance with 60-foot ceilings and dramatic chandelier crafted from the church’s original organ pipes. The church pews are now adorned with blue velvet, sharing the space with vintage furniture, wooden sculptures and framed artwork displayed throughout the halls and in the guest rooms.
With three restaurants, two bars and a coffee shop, there is a diverse culinary experience to be had without ever leaving the premises. Karen Bambrick, Director of Catering at the LINE DC, shared a little bit more about the overall experience.
The LINE DC is quoted as being “like no other venue Washington, DC has ever seen.” Could you tell us a little bit about the history and who designed the space?
The LINE is partially-housed in a neoclassical church that has been thoughtfully renovated to preserve the building’s architectural features – including 60-foot vaulted ceilings, millwork and brass detailing, and large copper entry doors – the 20th century structure sits alongside a contextual addition connected through the lobby. The design of the overall project was a collaboration between our parent company, Sydell Group, and New York City based firm, INC Architecture and Design.
The LINE DC is known for their sharing feasts for weddings and events which we hear are truly incredible. Could you tell us a little bit more about them?
We have partnered with Chef Spike Gjerde of Baltimore’s Woodberry Kitchen and the LINE’s own A Rake’s Progress, to oversee the design and execution of all our private event food and beverage. The culinary team is focused on making a positive impact on the Mid-Atlantic/Chesapeake Watershed region of the country by only sourcing ingredients from a small group of about 100 different smaller family farms and growers.
The menus are responsive to the seasons and beautifully highlight the freshest and most seasonal vegetables, fish, and meats. The Feast Style menus are a particular favorite of both chefs and guests alike, offering a variety of starters, entrées, sides, and desserts served to each table in more of a family style setting. The feast style menu was designed by Chef Spike Gjerde to even better achieve his goal of bringing people together over really delicious local cuisine.
Do you typically end up working with a certain type of bride and groom or wedding theme? Has there been anything that was truly outside of the box that might inspire our audience of wedding and event planners?
Our couples are as diverse as the neighborhood we call home. We have celebrated with couples from all walks of life and backgrounds and embrace the fact that no two of our weddings are ever the same. One thread that does unite many of our couples is a love for stellar food and drink, beautiful design, and seeing DC from a different perspective. We’ve seen some really creative elements over the last 2 years, but some favorites include a live Gospel Choir to welcome guests and a “sky full of stars” ceiling installation of twinkle lights to mimic the night sky.
Given the popularity of the neighborhood, are there any places nearby that wedding parties incorporate into their wedding weekends?
There is certainly no shortage of fun to be had in Adams Morgan. For couples who choose to venture beyond our in-house A Rake’s Progress or Brothers and Sisters restaurants for any portion of the wedding weekend, Meridian Hill Park, Jack Rose Dining Saloon, Tail Up Goat, and Jug and Table tend to be a few of the popular choices.
Our special thanks to Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events, the LINE DC Hotel, and Sarah Khan Event Styling for their partnership in this collaboration.