Sometimes I just have to pinch myself. I really can’t believe I’m here.
I'm just a small town Texas girl. When I was young, I never would have imagined myself doing some of the things I do.
I’m a designer, working in a major metropolitan area, shopping in the most gorgeous showrooms, and people pay me for it.
How lucky am I?!
Click to enlarge
One of the perks of being a designer is that I always have wonderful design events to attend - never do they fail to WOW me. The design you see is awe-inspiring, the insights you gain are enlightening, and the people you meet are fascinating.
And this past Monday night, at The Houston Design Center’s Holiday Tabletop Tour I was WOWed by all of the above, plus another special attraction:
Todd Fiscus | "The Sultan of the Soiree"
Todd Fiscus | Todd Events
Todd Fiscus, of Todd Events, is the delightfully engaging event planner extraordinaire from Dallas who describes himself as being “somewhat bossy, with relatively good taste.”
(As he said, the perfect personality for an event planner.)
Everyone in attendance was anxious hear Todd’s fabulous advice on holiday decorating and party planning, and he did not disappoint in the least. I couldn’t help but pull out my iPhone and begin taking notes. Not only did I want to jot them down so I wouldn’t forget them, but I had a hunch that all of you would want to hear what he said too.
Enjoy ;-)
Todd's Tips
{ Note: Todd's tips were paraphrased. }
*Make your event all about YOU. If you’re the casual type, go casual. If you make great hamburgers, serve them.*
Related side-story: Todd has one client who loves the color pink, and she’s collected pink ornaments ever since she was a child. Year after year, her Christmas tree and decor uses this color as its theme, because she wants everything to portray a perfect reflection of who she is.
✦
*Fresh flowers and even food make for great decorations.*
✦
*Odd shaped wreaths, like rectangles or ovals make interesting decorations.*
✦
*Inspiration images are for just that, inspiration. Not for copying.*
Todd created this table for the Alkusari Showroom, inspired by the decor on the cover of this month's issue of Veranda magazine this month, using limes and blue and white china.
*Reference the past in today’s designs. Todd doesn't use big bows or ribbons when decorating a tree. Early Christmas trees wouldn't have had big bows.*
✦
*Decorate your tree from the inside-out. Start by placing larger, bolder ornaments on the inside of the tree, and then place your finely-detailed ornaments, or the jewelry, along its outer edges so your guests can enjoy how beautiful they are.*
✦
*When decorating your very first Christmas tree, K.I.S.S. it! (Keep It Simple S... ;-)
Invest in a quality tree, one you can use year after year - decorate it with white lights and big pine cones. Then, each year thereafter, add more to the mix, move on to larger ornaments, add some colored lights, and maybe -- after a few years have passed -- bring in the jewelry!*
✦
And there you have it! Great tips from the Sultan of the Soiree!
Design House Showroom - Connie LeFevere and her team created this beautiful Christmas vignette!
Oh, what a night!
With the Salvation Army choir singing carols, and cocktails and Christmas decor at every corner, the Holiday Tabletop Tour was a designer Christmas party not to be missed. And by the looks of things, I don’t think many of them did, because so many of the Houston-area designers were there!
But you non-Houstonians don’t need to feel left out! Because, tomorrow, I’ll be posting pic, after pic, after pic of all the pretty that was laid across the tabletop-exhibits featured by many of the talented designers who decorated this gorgeous event. (The image to the right is just one of many I'll show you.)