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A corporate holiday party at the Fox Theatre offered the perfect setting for bringing to life Van Gogh’s famed Starry Night painting. At this event, which welcomed 400 guests, we aimed to make the inspiration apparent without being too obvious. We put the focus on the star aspect and incorporated lights and candlelight everywhere possible to create a sparkling, fantasy evening.
But we started with a couple of clear homages to the great artist. A photo area featured a backdrop of a swirling, starry night, and we wrapped the dance floor in a custom graphic with the painting image. The interactive photo area featured an abstract Starry Night-inspired backdrop framed with a trellis strung with twinkle lights. We placed topiary around the photo space to impart the feeling of being outside under a starry sky.
From there, we took our palette from the painting and carried it through rugs, furnishings, linens, florals and the stage backdrop.
Translating this iconic work of art, which is a favorite for many people, into a holiday party provided a stylistic challenge. We wanted to show guests they had entered the magical painting without telling them that they had. This is why we focused on honoring the palette and adding our own version of stars rather than continuously replicating the painting, even if it did show up more directly in a few places.
Holiday Lights and Sparkle in the Reception Area
Leading into the event, we framed the stairs with 19th-century cast-iron street lamps then lined them uplights for additional illumination. A themed blue drapery package delineated the coat check area.
In the pre-function event, which took place in the Fox Theatre‘s Grand Salon, we added three tired, white Christmas trees wrapped in lights. Uplighting was added to the architectural elements of the room to set the mood, and more iron streetlights were placed around the perimeter. Cocktail tables were topped with designer linens and geometric firefly-light centerpieces, along with numerous votives to create a warm glow. Additionally, six black communal highboys were surrounded by chameleon barstools and accented with designer runner and brass branch centerpieces. We paired these with two serpentine tables topped with specialty linens and a mirrored table where desserts were placed at the end of the evening. Golden bar shelving was styled with accent pieces and floral arrangements, as well as offering another space to place diffused lighting, which bounced off the gold for an extra glow.
Of course, as a holiday event, the Christmas trees wrapped in lights and placed in the reception area added glam and festive excitement to the evening. The trees twinkled with light, and all ornaments maintained the event palette, so they seemed to blend right in with Van Gogh’s vision.
A Luxe Dining Room
Guest seating in the ballroom included lounge groupings with gold velvet sofas, deep blue velvet chairs, and golden leather poufs. The sofas, beneath the resplendent Christmas trees, were dotted with a variety of pillows in luxurious fabrics, including one with the Starry Night pattern.
In the dining room, we topped 30 tables with designer linens and floral centerpieces in the theme palette of blue, gold and purples. We dressed the glamorous tables with coordinating linen napkins and floral centerpieces surrounding with votives to bring a twinkle to each location.
On the stage, where a band played throughout dinner, we installed a backdrop that shimmered in navy velour and gold with crystal beads. The entire room was enchanted by gobo lights that illuminated the ballroom ceiling with stars.
This holiday party provided guests with a starry night to remember.
