Finding The Paper: Boboli
During a busy season filled with packing, wrapping and shipping (not to mention parties) I welcome the brief lull of holiday festivities within the sample studio. I need those moments to recalibrate and get back into my favorite routines. It was during one of those reprieves that I came upon the brand refresh of Vancouver’s luxury boutique, Boboli. In this installment of Finding the Paper, we’ll see how Glasfurd & Walker updated and unified a brand through the use of its paper and print techniques. – Jill of Parse & Parcel
Established in 1985 and situated in Vancouver’s South Granville Shopping District, Boboli is a luxury boutique known for its exquisite collection of clothing and accessories for women and men. The team at Glasfurd & Walker were tasked with updating the existing brand across an extensive number of touch points including packaging, stationery and signage as well as some bespoke interior elements.
Glasfurd & Walker drew inspiration for the design from the original logo (which had the building in it and had been in existence since their launch in 1985), with an updated more modern typographic system featuring a classic, minimalist sensibility to compliment the many brands that Boboli showcases.
All of the print elements are unified in look and feel, with the logo and crest featuring a stunning a gold foil stamp. The letterhead, business cards, thank you notes and envelopes are all printed offset on Classic Linen Recycled 100 Bright White stock with Pantone 405 as the flood of gray or type.
The business cards are actually two 80# Cover sheets laminated together to create a custom duplex sheet, lending some nice heft and stature to reinforce the brand’s classic style. The letterhead follows suit, using 100# Text as the paper stock, imparting a feel of importance coupled with the tactile hand of the linen finish.
The minimalist design lends itself beautifully to the print techniques and papers selected, the gold foil of the crest on the envelope makes one do double take, closely resembling engraving. The stationery suite is a great example of how minimal paper specifications paired with the right print production techniques can have maximum impact on a project.
How to Host a Backyard Fire Pit Party
As if a bathroom renovation wasn’t enough, my husband and I are getting ready to do a bit of work in our backyard! When we first moved in almost three years ago, we were thrilled to have a little outdoor space where we could grow some plants and entertain friends. I’ve been working on the garden, but we’re planning to make our backyard a little bit more friendly for the entertaining part. And with these cold winter nights, I’ve got backyard fire pit parties on the brain! A warm fire, cozy blankets, and s’mores, all while sipping a mug of something hot and delicious? Winter is the perfect time of year to invite a few friends over and hang out in the backyard around a fire pit. Here are a few ideas for how to host a backyard fire pit party – on cold winter nights or any time of year!
1. The Invitations
A backyard fire pit party is the perfect opportunity for a whimsical rustic invitation. And since it’s your backyard, it doesn’t need to be too serious. I love the idea of handwritten text on cotton paper with rustic branch and leaf illustrations. Add some leather cord and vintage tree postage stamps and you’re good to go!
2. The Fire Pit
So, obviously you can’t have a backyard fire pit party without the fire pit. But you have options! You can go with something more permanent – built of stone or installed in a backyard patio – or something a bit more mobile that can be moved around a yard or patio as needed.
3. Cozy Blankets
Whether it’s the middle of winter or the dog days of summer, the night air is bound to have some chill. Help your guests stay cozy with some wool camp blankets.
4. String Lights
Photo Credit: Stephen Michael Photography via Country Living
No need to go overboard with decorations. Some additional soft lighting around the backyard should be all you need. I’m a big fan of white string lights and globe patio lights for backyard get togethers.
5. Sage Bundles
Did you know that sage helps keep mosquitos away when thrown into a fire? Super handy for midsummer get togethers!
6. S’mores
Photo Credit: My Life At Playtime
I think anyone who sits next to a fire automatically gets the urge to roast marshmallows! Berry baskets come in quite handy for making s’mores kits for your guests.
7. The Drinks
Mugs and fire pit parties go hand in hand. Enamel mugs are perfect for everything from hot chocolate to a warm Mulled Winter Sangria!
p.s. For those of you as obsessed with pink and gold as I am, I put a collection together with some pink and gold glassware! A few champagne, water, and wine glasses to make the prettiest glassware cabinet EVER.
Also, How to Host a Modern Tiki Party, What to Grow in a Cocktail Garden, and a recipe for Mulled Winter Sangria.
Photo Credit: Allan Zepeda for Scribe Winery
Tropical Hawaiian Calligraphy Wedding Invitations
I’m still in love with the tropical foliage trend, and what could possibly be a more perfect application of this gorgeous motif than invitations for a wedding in Hawaii?? Anna from Cast Calligraphy created these tropical Hawaiian calligraphy wedding invitations for a sophisticated and modern wedding in Kauai. I’m absolutely loving the delicate letterpress printed palm leaf pattern on the invitation – and of course Anna’s gorgeous calligraphy throughout the suite!
From Anna: When Portia and Daniel mentioned their wedding was in Kauai I was immediately brainstorming ideas for their tropical invitation. I had been vacationing there for years and knew the character of the island. I also knew that Portia and Daniel were looking for a sophisticated and modern invitation suite, with simple imagery and clean lines.
We landed on a neutral color palette with hints of yellow and green. The invitations, printed by Birdwalk Press, were letterpress printed lightly with the palm tree leaves in a light buttery yellow color and with the custom calligraphed text on top. The rsvp card was printed digitally on a matching pearl white paper, with a vintage pineapple image to pay homage to the island’s local treasured fruit.
The envelopes matched perfectly and were calligraphed in white ink and addressed to their list of close family and friends. A rubber stamp was made to stamp the return address in white and a custom liner of a banana leaf detail was assembled inside (not shown). I was thrilled with the result and lived vicariously through the bride and groom during their romantic tropical getaway. Congrats Portia and Daniel!
Thanks Anna!
Design and Calligraphy: Cast Calligraphy
Letterpress Printing: Birdwalk Press
Check out the Designer Rolodex for more talÂented wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂers and the real inviÂtaÂtions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!
Photo Credits: Orange Photographie
Cozy Christmas Eve Wedding Invitations
Happy Monday everyone! Since it’s Christmas week and all, I thought it would be fun to share these cozy Christmas Eve wedding invitations from Lauren at Darling + Pearl! With metallic silver envelopes, burgundy ink, wool yarn to tie everything together, and gorgeous envelope calligraphy, these invitations are perfect for a winter gathering!
From Lauren: This invitation suite was inspired by Christmastime in the Northeast: warm and cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, seasonal baked goods, cocktails, friends and family all gathering around an adorable little christmas tree farm for a winter wedding. The invitation and reply cards are letterpress printed with and additional enclosure that adds a really great graphic element and keeps everything exciting.
The envelope calligraphy was done by Therese Swift Hahn of Bella Scrittura. Everything was wrapped in merino wool yarn (kinda like a little present) to lend another nod to the season and the envelope liners bring in dash of metallic silver that complements Therese’s work on the reply envelopes.
Thanks Lauren!
Design and Letterpress Printing: Darling + Pearl
Envelope Calligraphy: Therese Swift Hahn of Bella Scrittura
Check out the Designer Rolodex for more talÂented wedÂding inviÂtaÂtion designÂers and the real inviÂtaÂtions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!
Photo Credits: Darling + Pearl