"My Grand Opening is coming and I want your giant balloons and custom garland!" Lauren came to me while she was setting up her charming, delightful vintage dress shop: The Rose Time of Day in the Rivertown District of Antioch, CA. It started with wanting some balloons for her soft opening and Grand Opening.  

When we met and I was able to walk through the Victorian space with its stunning brick walls , I knew that her vision and my partnering was going to be a match made in heaven. Initially, she had wanted curtains for her front window area but declined when she received an exhorbetant quote. I felt that garland draped in the windows could be a nod to curtains, but not as big of a commitment. I drew her a sketch of how it would look from the curb and she loved it! 

In the beginning design stages I asked Lauren for fabric ends and trimmings to incorporate with the one of a kind offerings of her shop. Later when Lauren chose the image for her business cards, I knew that the 98 feet of garland would be created with my signature hand painted tissue. I was also inspired to add silk rosettes to it- I mean- The ROSE Time of Day!!! The vision was to create a color palette from a bouquet of roses in all the colors, and flanked between soft creamy white neutrals- just like the business card! It would weave from whites, to the natural soft greens to the bold blossoms and then we'd come back, back and forth.  

These garlands, five in all, draped from my ceiling for days and Friends, it is stunning! It was so hard to let them go. I fell in LOVE! The fact that this was a shop and not a one day event really helped me go forward with excitement. I could always go and visit them again because they wouldn't be coming down any time soon.  

Installation day was so much fun! Lauren's granny was there arranging flowers, men were installing fixtures, Lauren was mending and steaming garments, aunties were cleaning and hanging a flower wall that was hand sewn by Lauren and the ladies in her family and my True Love was on the ladder consistently moving Handsome the Cat from the top spot. It was a beautiful song of everyone working together and you could feel the love in the air! 

The shop is a charming and delightful space to escape to and to travel back in time through the art of well designed fashion. I love it! Since the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting, Lauren has hosted a myriad of exciting events. I have been lucky enough to enjoy a few of them. She has hosted music nights, rotating showcases from vintage wedding, stars and stripes, Lily Pullitzer to lingerie and many more. She has also expanded her offerings to include party venue rental, so you can have your next party in the magical space. Lauren is a prolific creative and if you do not follow her Instagram feed and Etsy store, then you are missing out! And by doing so, you may also catch a glimpse of some Lifted Balloon magic as well!