Maison Moschino

I love fashion…design…architecture…transforming people, things, places into things they have never been…things they want to be…things they only dream about. I am extremely intrigued with the new Moschino hotel opening soon in Milan. It is fashion – it is design – it is architecture -- rolled into one marvelous experience…or so it seems it will be. To be housed in an old railway station, the exterior façade may contradict the very modern Moschino style that will be reflected inside. It is a fantasy world that real people can escape to and this environment will truly reflect a bold, creative and brave sensibility. As the hotel’s website explains, “The common thread connecting the rooms is a fairy tale theme because to sleep is perchance to dream, and dreams are fairy tales that we are allowed to experience first hand, the fables of a fantasy world that we have created. This is an alternate life in which we direct and stage the scripts of our very own play. The hotel interior reflects Moschino’s distinctive style where the ordinary world is painted with a brush of surrealism.”

How lovely it might be to enter this enchanted world. Does anyone want to go to Italy with me for some inspiration????

by Julie Pike, Event Planner

East Hotel in Hamburg, Germany

Last winter, I went to Hamburg, Germany to visit my family. If you ever get the chance to travel there, I would highly recommend that you to go check out East Hotel. Located in Repabaun, it is the place to be seen. It is my favorite place to be when in Germany. The architecture of this building is not only stylish and modern but also inspirational. I had never seen anything like it. There is no other word to describe this awesome venue than futuristic. If the modern look is what you are into, let this place be your inspiration.














The columns are carved with curves and up lighted to extenuate the modern feel. Every napkin is garnished with a purple wild orchid, used as a napkin treatment. Their unique and exquisite taste just blew my mind. The restaurant uses crystal glassware that was just simply gorgeous. They used glass bubble curtains, like the ones in the shoe department in Saks Fifth Ave., New York, to distinguish apart rooms in the hotel restaurant and bar.















As an event planner, you always want to think outside the box. Jordan Mozer, the Designer of this building, just blew it out of the water. Not only was the architecture of the building amazing but also each furniture piece looked like a piece of art. The restaurant is three floors, which turns into a lounge bar at night. What makes this place so different from any other place I visited was not only the design of the building but the lighting as well. Neon colors were used at different bars on different floors. Bright tones in pinks, yellows and oranges lit up the place after dark. It truly was breath taking.













My FAVORITE part of this venue was the distressed brick walls. It was so sophisticated it just looked magnificent.













Anywhere you step foot looked as if you were in a “Cave of Wonders.”













Oh and if I may add, the food was just excellent. Let’s just say that was an added BONUS!

by Tala Farr, Event Planner

Harbour View- A Unique Wedding Venue

I had the pleasure of visiting Harbour View on the river’s edge in Northern Virginia and I am happy to say I was so impressed with this lovely space. It was quite an exciting and fun wedding venue. A bride’s total dream, where she can be whatever she wants to be in creating her fantasy wedding. The spacious open air veranda is perfect for saying your vows or just for having cocktails.

I loved the open concept of floor to ceiling windows, which are overlooking the beautiful Occoquan River, surrounded with a warm ambiance. The wrap around porch is a great spot for cocktails as well as just socializing and enjoying the view, and what a view! The neutral palette allows you the flexibility of creating your vision in this event planner’s dream. I am looking forward to working in this space and creating your fairy tale wedding with memories that will last a lifetime.

by Rosie Goulette, Event Planner

Volt of Downtown Frederick

Executive Chef Bryan Voltaggio has opened a new restaurant in historic downtown Frederick called VOLT. VOLT has exquisite dining and is available for private parties and events. Everything from menu selection to wine pairings can be custom designed for a memorable occasion.
They offer a number of settings for your private event.
• The Conservatory is available for parties of up to 12 guests. Audio/visual capabilities are available in the conservatory.
• Chef's Dining Room can be reserved for parties of up to 20 guests.
• The lounge may be available for larger parties. Audio/visual capabilities are available.
• For a wedding reception, social affair or corporate event, they offer the possibility of exclusive use of the restaurant. They can accommodate up to 70 guests for a seated dinner and 175 guests for a cocktail reception and provide the full attention of their entire staff.
VOLT is located less than 50 miles from Washington, D.C., Leesburg, Annapolis and Baltimore. Check out their website for more details. http://www.voltrestaurant.com




by Tom Kemp, Art Director

Space

Let’s chat about space…
Big, small, wide, narrow…
Whatever you are planning

Large or small
It is all in the vision…
One of the greatest parts of event planning
is turning a vision into reality.

A little money, a lot of money
making something yours is the way to an awesome event.

Atmosphere in the space
This is also about the translation of the space selected and how it is used for the event
Will we want it to be light; will we want it to be dark?
Will we drape, will we need atmosphere lighting to hit all focused parts of the party, will we perimeter light the room, will we use candle light?
These are decisions that have a huge impact in the usage of an event space.

Every venue has potential as long as the parameters
are well thought out.
How many people will fit the space?
How will the space be used?
Will all guests be seated, will all guests be standing?
It’s all in the planning.

As you can see space is all about what is done with it..
Using a planner to help select your space is an advantage
to the result of the creation of a space.

By Nancy Radin, Senior Event Planner

DC's New W Hotel

Last week, I had the opportunity to work on my first event at DC’s new W Hotel. The W is definitely impressive. Both the first floor lounge and the rooftop bar were packed! The event I helped with, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now Wednesday Warm-up, was in the W’s Altitude Room. The Altitude Room is on the top floor and allows access to the nearby rooftop. My two favorite features of the room are the fireplace and the 15 foot ceilings. The W’s in house chairs (pictured below) are very sleek and modern. Windows on the north wall are also a great feature that is often difficult to find in a hotel ballroom space. I think the space lends itself well to intimate social events and I am excited to design more events at the W soon!

by Laura Miller, Event Planner

Museum Event Space

This past week I visited several museums to check out their event space. Moving to D.C. only two months ago, I am still not too familiar with the unique quality of the city. After visiting places such as the Corcoran Gallery, National Building Museum, and the DAR Museum I have come to appreciate and better understand the culture of D.C. The DAR museum in particular offered spectacular views of the Washington Monument and the National Mall. This venue would be the perfect spot for a bride who wants a wedding with distinct D.C. feel. I am excited to continue touring more venues and to learn more about the city that I now call home.

by Jessica Marzelli, Event Planner Intern

Nationals Stadium

Last night I attended my second rained out baseball game of the year at National’s Stadium. As I sat in the nose-bleed section getting absolutely soaked by the mid-summer downpour, I should have been miserable. Instead, I was having a ball! There’s something about a baseball field that puts everyone in a good mood. From the amazing food smells to the silly crowd games, baseball stadiums never fail to make people feel like kids again. For this reason, I think National’s Stadium is a fabulous place to hold an event. Event guests are immediately put at ease in a location that evokes both nostalgia and playfulness. The next time a client asks me for venue suggestions, I won’t hesitate to mention the ballpark as a unique option.

by Laura Miller, Event Planner