HAND PAINTED GARLAND IS ON TREND FOR HOME DECOR

Hand painted garland is trending in home decor and party styling for Lifted Balloons' clients this year.

Tissue tassels hand painted with gold metallics, or mixed metallics, seem to be flying out of the studio!

I love this home decor trend for so many reasons. Here is a list, in no particular order. It's visual impact is beautiful-soft, airy, and light. It's festive and cheerful, even in the most serious dramatic color palettes.

Garland is versatile. By simply adding a custom hand made garland in your accent colors, you can change the entire look of a room, without much effort or expense. They could not be easier to hang! Indoors, one only needs a couple of clear command hooks and a slip knot on each end of the garland. That's it. Slip those knots over the hooks, finesse the fringe and you're done! They are simple to hang, to move and even to restyle. Our Lifted Balloon's custom garland is inexpensive. When you consider the spacial impact of one garland in the expanse of a focal wall/or interior space, compared to most design elements, it's pretty amazing. AND, no need to poke holes in your walls!

This above photo just blew me away! Actually, this was my first client to ever request custom garland that wasn't attached to a giant, luxury balloon! It's the perfect example of the versatility of Lifted Balloons offerings. She ordered the garland for her niece's bridal shower and used one to trim the dessert bar and one to party style the drink station. I suggested that when she had recovered from the celebrating, thinking it could be several days, that she should see how pretty the custom garland looked on the fireplace mantel. Within an hour or two, she sent me this GORGEOUS picture! As far as I know, it may still be there!

I have several styling ideas that excite me.

Custom garland gives presence to a beautiful desk, like in the charming Lace & Bustle bridal salon in Lafayette, CA. It creates atmosphere for a lovely bridal in-store event!

Another fun way to use festive garland is as valance over windows.

I love the sound and the airy look of them when a breeze brushes through the tassels.

The fringe moves with the breeze like leaves on a tree and they make the most beautiful soft, wispy sounds. As previously mentioned, above a bed is wonderful interior application. It can be dramatic, romantic, sexy and/or all of the above. Especially when treated with sheer, dazzling fabrics. It's still lightweight and where I live, in California earthquake country, having a garland drop on me as opposed to a heavy mirror or art piece seems like the smartest decorating choice. 

A custom garland hovering over the dinner table will make every meal feel like a special occasion.

I absolutely love it

Although this photo features a custom garland hanging above a handsome dining table for an intimate birthday brunch, I love the idea as a permanent styling idea. Why not? If you have a rustic beam like this, a lower ceiling or you just want to add some visual interest, then this is a fantastic idea. I absolutely love it. 

 

Calli asked me to make her some hand painted custom garland for her seventeenth birthday.

I was so flattered of course that I made her two!

Here I taped the string to an embroidery hoop to mimmic the look of a pendant light fixture. I thought that in our tiny little kitchen with about 15 of her close friends that a giant, luxury balloon would be a bit much. I also didn't want 15 teenagers fighting over the helium. For a fun alternative I thought the custom garland as a make shift light fixture would be super fun and girly. Everyone loved it and I just added some extra touches to the party like mini pearl balloons and scattered photos & flowers. The lamp inspired me to consider actual light fixture decor, baby mobiles and small 70's inspired pieces. You'll have to track with me and see what we come up with! 

Veteran's Day Giant, Royal-Blue, Luxury Balloon

A giant, royal blue, luxury balloon hit the mark for a glorious Veteran's Day Assembly.

What an honor! I was asked to create a balloon for a special school assembly hosted by Berean Christian High School. My client fashioned a beautiful hospitality table with breakfast treats and coffee. She wanted a Lifted Balloon- giant, luxury balloon to lavish the veterans with praise and honor. It was my joy to participate. I cried during the whole assembly and marveled at the amazing quilts presented to the brave men who received them. 

As mentioned, we decided that a giant, royal blue, luxury balloon would coordinate the best in the school gym that is painted blue and gold. For the tassels on the custom, hand painted tissue tail/garland, I chose to let the bright red tissue shine, threading in a little creamy white and royal blue. To showcase this custom garland I went heavy handed with the gold metallic fringe! It really was spectacular as it spun softly under the spot lights of the assembly.

It's very important when custom ordering a giant balloon, and selecting a color palette that you consider thoughtfully the space and room decor that it will live in. For patriotic party ideas red sometimes needs only to be an energetic accent color, especially in a busy background like the one in this gymnasium. When we say " elevate the atmosphere ", this is what we're talking about right here!

The giant, royal blue, luxury balloon hovers like fireworks above a sweet spread.

This blog post would be amiss without a photo of the guests enjoying the yummy treats that are showcased under this fantastic giant balloon in red, white and blue. It is hovering about the sweets and treats like a burst of fireworks! If you are looking for patriotic party ideas then look no further. Lifted Balloons are a party decor gift for Fourth of July parties, Memorial Day presentations, Veteran's Day assemblies, summer picnics, and parades. 

luxury balloons for water

Lifted Balloons bring luxury balloons with custom tail/garland to a Wine4Water Benefit hosted by World Vision at the Behring Auto Museum in Blackhawk, California. It was an "elevate the atmosphere" kind of event styling that I was so honored to collaborate with giant balloons.  

My client chose white balloons to stand apart from the gorgeous blue linens and exquisite orange tones of the florals. The Wine4Water colors are "Sunkist Orange" and "California Blue". They remind me of sunshine reflecting off of fresh, clean water, so I packed a punch of sparkle -- all I could get into the custom tails with these vibrant colors. There was plenty of dazzle to compliment the exquisite car collection and memorabilia on display in the museum. This event was stunning in every way! A standing ovation is due in praise of the phenomenal work performed by World Vision all over the world to bring the gift of clean water access, and so much more, to our brothers and sisters in the greatest of need.

Color Palette

Just for fun, I thought I'd flank the bar with these 2 giant white balloons, just for a quick, fun photo. The event coordinator happened to see it and said, "Perfect! Leave them there! The bar need them!." In an event space like a museum that is spacious, almost cavernous, It's easy for a a piece of floating furniture like the bar to disappear, or worse, be difficult for guests to find. Giant balloons are perfect for giving the bar presence and ensuring that it is not missed.

twin balloons flank the bar

A luxury balloon is a beautiful, welcoming first impression in a dramatic lobby entryway. I love this photo even though I snapped it during set up. You can even see a bit of the reflective sparkle in the custom ribbon tail/garland. It plays well naturally next to that spectacular arrangement by Pairs and Pieces

registration table during install

A giant balloon is an great compliment to a photo booth and often times, is the only photo booth idea needed. This giant balloon draws guests to the photo area, which is decorated with such thoughtfulness and meaning for the event's purpose. I love it!

A giant, luxury balloon next to a super car! Who could resist? Certainly, I could not. I think they look stunning together! I love how the luxury balloons harmonized with all of the fantastic memorabilia in the auto museum. The classics and the luxury balloons are exciting, fun and memorable! Perfect match!

This balloon wanted a picture with a supercar! 

Lifted Balloons, event styling in Klamath Falls

 I offer my services of event styling for my Lifted Balloons' clients, just as I always have for friends like Jeanine, who summoned me for a large dinner party event. Luxury balloons elevate the atmosphere, but some venues have plenty of atmosphere, like the spectacular view of Klamath Lake from this spacious jewel box of a great room. Contact me for a consultation if you'd like me to "sprinkle magic" at your next dinner party, celebration or special event. I was thrilled to lend a hand at this private dinner party for 31 guests from all over the world, in a gorgeous lake view home. "Now, do what you do and make it look pretty," Jeanine said which is music to my ears and much similar to what most of my clients say during a project. I love it!

Event Styling

Lifted Balloons will travel.

This event was super special because I had the joy of working with two long-time close friends and my husband!

My friend Jeanine is an extraordinary hostess, bash thrower and gracious, accommodating, exceptional cook. She is meticulously organized and well seasoned at party planning and hosting, but what makes her so successful is knowing when and who to call for help. She and I brainstormed a menu for a "glamorous summer grill out," which would include gluten free, grain free, vegan, vegetarian, dairy free- basically something for everyone! We showcased fresh, locally sourced food - even the flowers and wine were local!

Food Styling

fresh . local. beautiful.

I had a blast arranging gorgeous flowers from Floranthropy in Redding, California.  This charming floral studio gave me a great "cheat", meaning Jeanine ordered a gorgeous studio designed centerpiece for the hors d'ouvres table. They also provided me with a giant bucket stuffed with blooms to create smaller, complimentary arrangements for dining tables and food stations. They lent a " wild, just-picked " vibe to the space and looked cheerful and happy in a collection of Jeanine's vintage milk bottles and colored glass. My event styling is the same as my party styling, food styling, and interior decorating: less-is-more! If you follow this blog, you know that my style is informed by hospitality. Guests aren't impressed if the decorations block their view, their walking path, or overwhelm a space. I like to choose a few things to tell the story. In this space, for this event, styling was all about the view, the flowers and the fresh, local, home cooked food! Oh and a great mucic playlist! I am a big believer is using what you have. Jeanine's glass ware was gorgeous and we used it ALL thoughtfully and beautifully. The beautiful Farmers Market apples and cheeses were showcased and became party styling decor. I love using food as the style elements. They need little finessing when they are full of color, texture, variation and beauty!

Floral Styling

Blooms can elevate the atmosphere too!

A small bundle of blooms in the powder room. 

The three of us performed like expert caterers, but unlike most caterers, we had the luxury of sitting at the table and enjoying the food with the guests. Each one of them graciously thanked us over and over again for our exceptional food and lovely hospitality. 

Tip! Hearty make ahead salads and baked potato bar make simple and satisfying dishes for large parties. 

This dinner party was a professional event marking an exciting transition in their company's development. Jeanine had a clear vision to open her home, cook for the colleagues and treat them like family. She did not want a catered, formal ,fussy feeling evening. Her plan was  to glam up and dazzle in a relaxed inviting way.  I got it!

appetizer table

States Coffee and Mercantile celebrates Anniversary Party with giant Balloons

One year anniversary party balloons in black and white were on the menu at States Coffee & Mercantile in Martinez, Ca.  Paired together like coffee and cream were giant luxury balloons in jet black and crisp white, both styled with custom tails-were simply the perfect celebration decor to elevate the atmosphere . Exceptional coffee, hip decor and authentic people who take pride in every meticulous detail. States Coffee & Mercantile is one of my happy places.

When I was invited to their one year anniversary party, I was handed a black and white invitation with a clean, modern illustration of their van with a giant balloon tied to the back. A conversation was started!

Black balloon is a beauty. 

It was so fun to create balloons for this special event. It was a delightful collaboration as these guys at States have impeccable design sensibility. I proposed we tie the balloons with a thin black leather cord and they suggested black string. I opted to use black shimmer/sparkle ribbons only, in lieu of my usual hand painted tissue tassels because I wanted them to be streamline, masculine and simple! We tied one to an entry railing in the main coffee shop wing and another we tied to one of their bottled cold brews in the newly opened Roasting Room. 

Hovering over the community table in the Roasting Room an hour before the festivities.

They were STUNNING! 

Truly every order is custom! States is an ample space and one in each room was enough to elevate the atmosphere! I mention this because sometimes we think we need balloons everywhere, but one giant luxury balloon is enough! It sets the tone, it captivates attention, it's architectural, it's mobile and guests go crazy over them! 

They threw a great party! It was a spectacular celebration with street tacos in the parking lot, a killer band inside, wine and beer and affagattos featuring their exquisite espresso! Wall to wall people spilling out onto the sidewalk meant I had to snap some balloon close ups from the outside.  

In the front window. 

I drove around the block to see them through the window again.  

I know they loved their balloons! It was a day maker for me to stop in two days later and see the giant balloons still being showcased!  

Beautiful Instagram post on States Coffee feed the next day.