I'm back again with more from the NYIGF! This time, I'm starting off with the bright and colorful Motel Deluxe booth, which also included a few letterpress cards and coasters from Sesame Letterpress:
Search Results for: silhouette
Decorating with Paper: Not Just for Kids’ Birthdays Anymore
Image from Martha Stewart Weddings
Hello, guys! It's Maddy from the Inspired Bride again, popping in once more to cover for Nole while she's out.
Slowly but surely, I'm starting to see more and more couples stop thinking about paper details in their weddings as favor tags and programs. I'm obviously thrilled about this emerging trend, as a paper fan girl and as a wedding blogger always looking for fresh ideas for her budget-minded readers. Martha showed us how to blow it out with her fantastic paper decor wedding in this summer's issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, but not all of us have a host of stylists at our command to help us decide when we're crossing that really fine line between "fashionable" and "five year old's birthday party". Here's some thoughts I have, from a full time art director's perspective:
Choose a sophisticated color palette. It sounds obvious, but it's important. I think the fact that the image from Martha above is toned down in color and uses picks from a similar family with fresh pops of white helps it read more "classy festive". That's not to say you can't use bright colors, but think about editing – for example, your color palette may be the oh-so-hip red, white and aqua, but if you use all three colors, your guests might start wondering where the Patriotic Pin the Tail on the Donkey is. Instead, consider the aqua and white only – calm and refreshing, and still ties in. If you're looking for more depth, consider using a similar color like a deeper aqua shade in the case of the example scenario.
Image from Rebecca Thuss for Simple Silhouettes
Play with scale shifts. Bigger isn't always better. Try incorporating paper decorations in similar shapes but different sizes to add variety and texture without going overboard. The change in size will help break the decor apart visually, too, so it won't be aesthetically overwhelming.
Layer. While it's true you don't want to go overboard, it's not good to underwhelm either. I think the best example is Martha's wall of paper garlands in pink, peach and white above – if you have only a few hanging up, they'll look like sad little streamers. Layered the way they are, they start to mesh together and become an interesting visual of color and texture. You stop reading them as paper garlands and start seeing them as more abstract forms. In the case of Rebecca Thuss' bunting set she did for Simple Silhouettes, the dynamically strung layers helped break up the strong graphic quality of the flag shape that helps make it look surprisingly sophisticated and festive.
Don't be afraid to incorporate pattern. To take it to another level, try using papers with prints on them. Solids are great staples, but to add a little more personality and to take it one step further away from the dreaded "birthday party aesthetic", try bolder, modern patterns that tie back into your event.
Silhouette Wedding Invitations
I love the way this couple incorporated the idea of silhouettes – but in a slightly different way – into their wedding invitations, designed and printed by Studio on Fire:
The couple, Dana and Katie, commissioned a custom silhouette of their own hands creating the shape of a heart. Â The silhouette was made by Le Papier Studio, which specializes in making custom silhouettes, and was carried throughout the invitation suite:
So simple and lovely! Â Check out more over at Beast Pieces right here.
{images via Beast Pieces}
Home Inspiration
While it’s still overcast and rainy outside, I’m busy daydreaming about gorgeous and sun-filled interiors…
{silhouettes via abby sharp}
{cozy kitchen nook and living room flat filing cabinet, both via remodelista}
{black + white stripes and artwork, from Elle Decor via Oh Happy Day}
Sigh. Hoping the rain goes away in time for the weekend…
Ski-inspired Save the Dates
These adorable Save the Dates from Lucky Luxe Couture Correspondence prove that you don't have to have a winter wedding to have a ski-themed wedding or invitation suite! Plus, I'm loving the kind of reverse-silhouette design element:
Check out more over at the Lucky Luxe blog right here.
{images via Lucky Luxe}