The 50th Birthday Party is trending in New York City as the concept of creating experiences continues to grow in popularity.
We recently planned a fabulous 50th birthday dinner party in a hidden gem....tucked away on Canal Street, NYC.
Lees Private Dining is a two floor "old" New York City loft. Guests creep up a steep rickety staircase hidden behind an unassuming door on Canal Street to find this gem.
The second floor loft offers a full working kitchen.....brilliant for all catering needs. The loft remains with it's original detail: brick walls, hardwood floors and is complimented with farm tables + wooden folding chairs.
The third floor loft offers the same open floor plan with a built in bar.
My clients were keen on providing their guests with an experience. And, in so making this happen upon arrival guests were escorted to to the 2nd floor loft. A magnificent assortment of green plants framed the space and so we settled on adding one accent floral arrangement at the bar and votive candles through-out the space.
As guests mingled, staff passed champagne served in the elegant coupe. Our incredible caterer, Leonard Street Provisions, prepared a well edited selection of canapés.....including blini with caviar, smoked tuna & cucumber.
The hosts are originally from South Africa......honoring the birthday "boy" our bartender mixed up a a cocktail of CAPETOWN GIN + TONIC. I am a big fan of these details that speak to the hosts and reflect their unique sensibility.
At the end of cocktails, dinner bell rang for guests to move to the second floor loft for a seated dinner.
Act II of the celebration begins with a room with a view:
I collaborated with the host, Sonia, on the design direction. A clean statement done with attention to fine detail led us to a a color palette of grays, aubergine, greens with white accents.
The art of a small gathering considers guest place seating to ensure a comfort level and social dynamic.
I absolutely love these place cards designed by Vidhi Dattani Designs.
The organic distress of the deckled edge paper perfectly complimented the tablescape.
In collaboration with Flower Girl, NYC, we set the tablescape. A mixture of texture felt ideally intimate while the high taper candles added a moody glow.
A little snap of me and Trevor over at Flower Girl.... feeling very pleased:)
Guests enjoyed....sipped, laughed,chatted.......best sign of success!
The seated dinner finale was a champagne toast and birthday wishes.
Our fabulous caterer, Frances Janisch owner of Leonard Street Provisions, takes in a well deserved note of gratitude from our hosts......Sonia and Sven.
Following speeches from guests to the guest of honour.......guests were invited into the open loft for sweets, cheese board and dessert cocktails.
As a parting treat, guests were given a box of stick to me sweets for the ride home.
I really loved planning this celebration and was incredibly humbled when my client, Sonia Jacobson, along with thanking her guests for being apart of the festivities thanked me for bringing her vision to life. There is no better reward than a client treasured memories for a lifetime!!
Looking to celebrate YOU? Give a ring.....See you at the party. Loretta xx
