Chronicle Featuring Ilex Designs

I would like to invite you to take a look at my latest venture into television. I recently was asked to do a segment for Chronicle featuring Ilex Designs Sips and Stems, a design class featuring cheese and an informal wine tasting along with a flower design presentation.

Check it out at the following link:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/21664368/index.html

Host your next event at Ilex Designs!

Looking for an alternative space to host your party in? Let us host you at Ilex! A great alternative and fun space for your next event! Call to set reserve your date today! We can help you coordinate a fabulous caterer, and the flowers are already there!

Ilex Designs on Chronicle

Check it out! Ilex Designs will be featured on Chronicle's Night Out Segment this Wednesday November 18th (Chronicle airs at 7:30 PM EST). Hope you watch or DVR the show, get some ideas, and book your very own Private Sips and Stems.

It is that time of year. Think Thanksgiving! Don't forget to order your centerpieces ahead of time for local or national delivery! We can take care of everything for you - all you need to do is call. 617-422-0300

Holidays with the Pros

If you are looking for a little inspiration for the Holiday season, and want to do something other than hibernate (which is all I want to do after the time change and darkness sets in at 3:30 PM) then come to "Holidays With The Pros" Presented by the Culinary Guild of New England. Barbara Lynch, John Gertsen and Myself will be presenting tips tricks and ideas for Holiday Entertaining and decorating.

The event is Monday 09 November at 6:30 PM a the Commander's Mansion in Watertown. For Directions and to purchase your ticket (which I might add includes a copy of Barbara Lynch's new cookbook Stir - she will be signing them as well) at www.cgne.org

I hope to see you there for cocktails and and hors d'oeurves and a little inspiration for those fast approaching Holidays!

An inexpensive refresh!

On the side of my regular job as an event planner and florist I dabble in interiors space design. An ongoing client of mine, Bosse Sports and Soma Spa and Style recently expanded their offerings to include a salon.

My goal, to unify a meandering space that includes a day spa with treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, product displays, and now a salon. The solution: add elements that pop and carry through the overall space to unify the design - of course with budget at the forefront. What we did: give focal presence to three of the existing walls throughout the space with a great Ferm Living wallpaper called "Tree Bomb" in purple with gold branches. As an interesting twist we actually hung the wallpaper upside down to give it a more lively presence rather than the cascading presence it was designed with.

A great treatment for a formerly beige space!

Say It With Flowers - Live Demonstration and Hands On Design

Check out Say It With Flowers, a great event to support The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter. The event will be hosted by Kelli Pedroia and Ashley Pappelbon. I will be performing a live hands on Master class that all attendees will be designing a modern take on a fall centerpiece along with me. Tickets are still available so check out the web-site and get your ticket today.
http://web.alsa.org/site/Calendar/221447691?view=Detail&id=122501

Art and Flowers

South End Studios are here, so it must be fall! This is the weekend that all of the artists in the South End open up their studios to show and sell their work, a
great excuse to get out and enjoy the gorgeous fall weather.

This year Ilex Designs is on the Gallery Tour featuring artist David Palmquist. We will be open all weekend for your convenience, and hope to see you.

To kick off the weekend, join us for an informal Friday Sips and Stems from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, and make sure to walk around the neighborhood and take in the amazing artwork and artists the South End has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you here.

Art and Flowers

South End Studios are here, so it must be fall! This is the weekend that all of the artists in the South End open up their studios to show and sell their work, a
great excuse to get out and enjoy the gorgeous fall weather.

This year Ilex Designs is on the Gallery Tour featuring artist David Palmquist. We will be open all weekend for your convenience, and hope to see you.

To kick off the weekend, join us for an informal Friday Sips and Stems from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, and make sure to walk around the neighborhood and take in the amazing artwork and artists the South End has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you here.

Fall is here!

There is that certain chill in the air and the nights are cooler. Summer is fast coming to a close and it is time to switch back to red wine. I do love fall, just feel a bit shorted on summer this year. My goal is to enjoy the last of the nice days to their fullest. Sweater or blazer and all.

For fall this year I am thinking tailored lines, suiting fabrics into events and a pop of color - red and purple are hot this fall for fashion, and why not bring it to your home or next event? I like to keep it clean, simple, and warm! Candles, wine and good friends.

Here's to Fall!

Simple Ideas for Entertaining

I am one who likes layers and textures, yet with a modern aesthetic that can be perceived as an oxymoron. Not necessarily though, all you need to do is edit your layers. When entertaining think about separating the layers out and using them individually on a very tailored ground. Color, texture, pattern, and elements can be your layers as in this table I recently designed for a clients dinner party. The design is simple, yet the end result is lush, yet with a sense of humor. Of course candles are always my favorite layer!

Remember it is about having fun.

The Ultimate Hostess Gift

Looking for that perfect hostess gift? Perfect thank you? Need to make a statement without being too showy? Here is a sneak peak at one of our signature looks for fall. The Floral Gift Box, coming in September from Ilex Designs. A simple and chic gift for you or others, it works as a centerpiece, perfect for a desk, and won't break the bank.

Order yours at Ilex designs.
www.ilexflowers.com
617-422-0300

Watch for our web redesign, new product lines, and shopping cart availability coming in the fall.

Entertaining on a budget - Tip #3

Think outside the box. A cocktail party is simpler to put together than a dinner, never-mind less expensive. Go for a few simple appetizers - I love to shop at the farmers market where the produce is far less expensive and the the quality is great. A simple Caprese salad on a skewer makes an appetizer that everyone will talk about.

Keep your cocktails to a minimum, and everyone will love tasting a fabulous new wine you found for under $15. a bottle! My favorite wine shop is Brix Wine Shop in the South End of Boston, they have all the greats, but can point you in the direction of some amazing affordable bottles.

When throwing a cocktail party the points that I think are the most important are:

Guest list: People that will mix and mingle

Music: A fun playlist that will keep everyone awake and enjoying the tunes while not taking center stage. I love the Hotel Costes series, as well as the Verve Remixed series.

Cocktail: Make a fabulous seasonal cocktail that everyone will like, then jsut back it up with a coupel simple mixers (think vodka, gin, cran, and tonic) along with wine and perhaps a sparkling you are good to go.

Decor: Simple is best - people will be mingling and chatting, so make one or two larger statements with your decor budget, maybe a large flower arrangement then lots of candles. People will notice one larger rather than ten smaller things.

These ingredients make for a fun and high energy party without breaking the bank!

Cheers!

Entertaining on a budget - Tip #2

You don't always have to do flowers to have interesting and colorful decor for a party. Think beyond and use plants or just foliage. The bonus of using plants is that you will most likely spend less for them than flowers and they will last a lot longer.

Currently I am loving the tillandsia's (Air Plants), they are a relative of the bromeliad (an epiphitic plant) and they do not require soil, just a periodic dousing with water and some spritzing in between. They come in a variety of colors and textures and make a great conversation piece. If you use them consider giving one as a gift to your guests at the end of the party.

Another great optioin are always orchids. There are so many varieties and colors now. My current favorites are the smaller (mini) varieties in shades of apricot / pink. They make a great simple centerpiece with lots of candles.

Plants aare also very "green" as they are good for the environment, and are compostable (for those whose thumbs are not so green) so you can feel good about your purchases.

*the photo shows three varietis of Tillandsia in a glass trifle bowl at Lekker Home. www.lekkerhome.com

Summer Entertaining on a Budget Tip #1

For anyone who doesn't know me very well - one of my favorite tools in designing a table is candlelight. There is nothing more inviting, or sparkly than fire. Don't tell the Boston Fire Department though!

Candles are economical and festive with or without flowers, and they come in so many colors and styles that you can't miss. Save your pennies by thinking out of the box and use votive candles and tea lights in barware, dishes, and vases you already have. That cool sake cup or dipping bowl you never use could be the perfect thing for a few candles to scatter about. A secret tip though, if you are using votive candles in a special dish, add a few drops of water in the base so the candle does not stick to the finish. It makes clean-up a breeze.

Another favorite method of fire for entertaining are tiki torches, these somewhat primitive torches are great for clustering around patios (if you don't have dirt, think of putting them in large vessels filled with rocks to hold them). I also love them lining a long driveway or path into a party. They can be found very inexpensively so you can use them profusely. Of course if you want to up the ante, look for really cool ones like the ones they carry at Lekker Home. http://www.lekkerhome.com/Detail.asp?ProductID=3001

Have fun with it - just don't leave flames unattended!

Friday Sips and Stems @ Ilex Designs Boston MA

A fun Friday tradition that we have started at Ilex Designs is coming to a close for the summer. If you have not been you should stop by. If you miss it though - look for the invite in the fall when we start again.

Now that summer is arriving and we are all off to the beach, courts, and courses for some activities in the sun, join us for our final spring Sips and Stems. Let's kick off the summer with some tasty wine and a great flower bunch.

Of course we will start up the tradition in September
when we all settle back into the city for the fall, until
then watch for a few special events during the summer
and we hope to see you this Friday!

Join us at 73 Berkeley Street in Boston on Friday, June 19th, 5:30-7:00 PM. Sip BRIX Wine Shop's weekly pick $15. and under, while taking in the weekly flower specials $15. and under

A great way to kick off your weekend
and summer!

Thinking of Summer

It has been a long cold and grey spring, after an even longer and colder winter. A little sunshine and summer weather is all we need now - maybe...

In thinking of the summer weather that may someday arrive, I am thinking of summer parties and BBQ. Nothing says summer to me like sipping a French Rose on the steps of my house and chatting with neighbors. Then again a picnic by the river or on the Common is a great summer outing.

This year for me it is all about friends and family, throwing a festive party does not have to be extravagant and expensive. Look for my upcoming tips and tricks for budget friendly summer entertaining!

The sky didn't fall with the like our stock portfolios, so let's get back to enjoying life.

Green and gorgeous!

I am always looking to keep design green as well as affordable. What better way to do so than to use countertop remnants? There are always scraps left over from construction, and it is a great way to reduce the mount of waste and re-use the leftovers.

I have recently discovered a local Massachusetts company that specializes in granite, silestone, and soapstone remnants. Check them out at http://buythebundle.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

Indeed you can have that fabulous high end counter in your new kitchen!

Paintings by David Palmquist

I am loving the paintings that we currently have hung in the shop. They are abstracted Satellite views of planned communities and sections of windows of apartment blocks that look like they could be in Berlin or some Eastern European country. You can check out his work at Ilex Designs or on his site at http://spraylux.com/

Check them out.

If you haven't joined already, do so. This is a wonderful cause for supporting the preservation of modern architecture.
http://philipjohnsonglasshouse.org/joinglasshouse/
This is the sort of house that could potentially convince me to move out of the city (maybe).

Contemporary Entertaining

In this economy small businesses need to form alliances and stick together while finding creative ways to market each others services. I will be doing just that this week with some very good friends and fellow business owners. Ilex Designs will be teaming up with Lekker Home, Brix Wine Shop, and No. 9 at Home to throw a contemporary entertaining event. Whether you are getting married, planning a party, or hosting friends for dinner it will be a great event to gather some insider tricks and ideas for hosting a fabulous event.

Of course it wouldn't be a proper event if there weren't small bites from No. 9 and a little something bubbly from Brix!

Hope to see everyone there!

Wednesday June 10th 5 to 8 PM
Lekker Home
1317 Washington Street
Boston, MA

Valentine's

Working in events and flowers tends to make one numb to a Holiday like Valentine's Day. This I think is a good thing because I am now immune to the pressures of the day. That feeling that if one does not meet some unspoken expectation it could be the end of an otherwise perfectly stable relationship.

The one piece of advice I can give, is do something out of the ordinary. My favorite is to not succumb to the traditional, stand out from the crowd! For instance, avoid the traditional dozen red roses and go for something more unique and tailored to your loved ones personality (if their favorite color is orange - go with it). Basically think outside the box a little it will make you stand out and in the end be more memorable. Think of the points you'll score!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am a huge fan of Sustainable design and products. Just watching the amount of garbage (and now recycling) that both my home and business put on the sidewalk every week I am appalled! We as a society need to demand that more of what we consume be recyclable and sustainably manufactured.

With that in mind I have been closely watching the developments in prefab housing design. Roccio Romero is one of my favorite, but there are many out there. Take a look at their site, and here is an image of one of their fabulously modern designs. In my opinion think Case Study House. Get inspired to live a little simpler and more eco-friendly.

www.rocioromero.com

The Nex Step

I have found that I spend so much of my "relaxation" time searching for interesting things for me and my clients in the world of design that this is the next logical thing for me to do. So here goes...