Pepper Design Blog

{Summer Inspiration} for a Red & Teal Dinner Party

Kevin and I love to host impromptu dinner parties every couple of weeks at the house. We might find ribs perfect for smoking on sale at the grocery store that morning or perhaps Kev just carbonated another round of his favorite home brew (we always have a batch going…) but by 7 that night we love nothing more than good friends and good food crowded around the outdoor fireplace.

So while we keep it mellow… I couldn’t help but recently be inspired by a fancier version of an outdoor dinner party. SMP recently featured this red & teal San Francisco-themed spread (and all of the gorgeous details) by photographer Edyta Szyszylo.

I love love the printed tablecloth (so easy to make yourself with a fabric remnant and a bit of hem tape or spray glue) and the brilliant green viburnum (hydrangea’s little sister) centerpiece made out of a thrift store two-tiered planter.

Details: “Brocade and broach napkin rings, vintage demitasse cups as favors and place card holders, as well as the wrought iron lounge furniture were all added for Victorian appeal. The gold-rimmed dinnerware, gold flatware, gold dining chairs and gold-rimmed wine glasses added some glamour and elegance to our outdoor setting.”

To keep the photo gallery going… follow the jump for a many more delicious pictures! Read more »

A French-Themed Celebration… Ooh La La!

This party is adorable! From the vintage furniture vignettes to the clothespinned pictures to the hanging frames it’s a perfect match-up of delicious entertaining and interior design.

I love the antique suitcase used to prop up handmade favors and the little chalkboards with various party labels – of course the menu is French heaven. Chris of Celebrations at Home threw this French-Themed Birthday Party for her husband just a few weeks ago.

From Chris: “We went with a French Happy Hour theme as sort of a nod to the time we spent in France, BC (before children). For the decor, I used what I already had, and was so pleased with the result.”

H’orderves themed “A little taste of France” included: Goat cheese toasts with caramelized onions, Brie tarts with strawberry preserves, mini quiches, and “french” fries served in paper cones with a fleur de lis embelishment. An old suit case was used to serve the toasts out of, and pictures from the couple’s actual trip created a ‘banner’ out of clothespins.

Guests were greeted with French wine and champagne in front of the adorable hanging frames (see top image). Chris created this area using a pvc pipe frame system to hold old frames (I use this same idea to create ‘outdoor curtain’ areas), a ‘C’ for Chuck (her hubby), and curtain panels. An old chest stood in as the perfect bar and a garden urn held iced champagne.

The dessert table served up fruit tartlets, palmiers, croquembouche, and macarons from Petites Bouchees.

Take home favors consisted of various monogrammed items: note pads, coaster sets, and note cards. The bags were wrapped with coordinating paper used throughout the party, and a monogram tag was attached with fleur de lis wax seal. I love this vintage suit case was used to help display the favors.

More photos at Celebrations at Home’s Facebook album and be sure to check out Chris’s great website for all sorts of entertaining inspiration!

Beautiful Paper Flowers for a Summer Party

These are beautiful! A simple and elegant paper flower garland lights up a summer party – and it’s so easy to recreate. Erin Heath handmade these paper flowers for Grace Bonney’s wedding (of design*sponge). I adore the garland swags and would replicate this idea in a minute for a baby or bridal shower this summer.

For an easy paper flower tutorial (from my vintage nesting shower this spring) using the same button embellishments, check out this link here.

Erin made the garland by cutting different shades of green paper into leaves; to make the flowers cut your petal forms from similar paper and fold to create the ridged texture. Add a complimentary center using vintage buttons, trimmings and handmade paper.

There are so many wonderful details to share from Grace and Aaron’s wedding, to get an overview of the rest of their DIY projects jump out to d*s’s wedding roundup.