I wanted to continue the series of showing you some of my old work and “bloopers’” I made. Mostly I’m sharing these to express my hope that as designers you should never be fearful of taking risks. I also hope that your future “tries” end up working out better than some of mine.
Tents, circa 1985
As much as I still love doing events in tents, I have learned not to ignore the ugly ceilings of tents. Draping with fabric or covering is essential.
“Water,” circa 1986
My first attempt at creating a cascading water effect. (Hey, you can’t blame me for trying. At the time I thought it was so cool–not.)
Setting the Stage
I still think after all these years that this stage decoration looks good. However, can you believe those floral balls were supposed to be floral planets? I learned about the art of sculpting with flowers many years later.
The fun part about designing is the attitude that if you can think it, you can do it. Even though these are design bloopers, you can never blame me for not trying.
Tell me about an out-there idea you had for an event. Was it one of your biggest challenges and how did it turn out? I’d love to see any of your bloopers if you want to share them on my Facebook page. Also, what do you think of tents that are not draped with fabric? Is it just me who thinks they should be covered up?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Karla DeLong
August 5, 2010
I plan weddings in Alaska and summertime is definately our most busy time of the year with almost every bride wanting an outdoor tented event. I am with you on the guts of a tent needing to be covered up. Not only are the metal poles and cables unsightly but here we also have the bug problem. Flies, bees, and other critters just love to congrugate in the high places. ugh!
Erica Scott
August 5, 2010
I agree 100% about the tents….you can create some awesome events under tents but you MUST drape the “guts” of the structure.
Kelly McWilliams
August 5, 2010
I am all for draping a tent ceiling. The only time I don’t prefer it is with a clearspan clear-topped tent. I hear many objections that “you’re pulling away from the fact that you’re outdoors” at first, but if the tent space is designed properly, the ceiling isn’t where the focus is.
Mary Aghedo
August 5, 2010
I still dont understand what’s going on with the cascading water effect. i’ve looked at the picture from different angles but still cant make anything of it. But the other 2 still came out beautiful.
katyrosess
August 18, 2010
In my early days I decided I would have about 20 feet of metal arbor that I would cover in cedar and lights for a corporate Christmas party and use as an entrance way into the main ballroom. Half an hour before the 1200 guests are to arrive, while still madly putting the finishing touches on the arbors, the client comes to me ashen and says that I was right a few months earlier when I said the hotel doesn’t supply centerpieces- she was determined at that time to convince me she had it in her contract. I had 30 mins, 120 tables, 5 staff, no floral or extra candles. I ended up taking all the cedar off the arbors and trying to make cedar rings on the tables and use battery mini lights to surround some candles- ghastly!! Not only were the tables horrendous, but the metal arbors were stripped bare. What else could I do?? I made her promise never to tell anybody I did the centerpieces..I still have nightmares!!
Laura
August 21, 2010
I love this post…as a young floral designer, it gives me that much more confidence knowing that even the great Preston Bailey can have “bloopers”. We can only learn through experience!
Joy
October 25, 2010
Question: What do you find to be the most efficient way to drape the tent? I have horrible fears of it coming down in the middle of the event…inevitably landing on candles of course
LFS little flower shop
February 23, 2011
Tents are nice but cielings are ugly!! I like tio drape them and also uplight them for even more drama ..