an organic "desert retro" tablescape for 944 magazine

when i was asked to do a tablescape for 944 magazine's first ever weddings issue, i was ecstatic...944 is a national lifestyle magazine dedicated to local businesses and scenes and i have been dying to be in it...my tablescape would be for their orange county edition so i wanted to really design something that was personal to me...the way i would celebrate here locally...

so i did it at my own home! the tablescape was set up on the deck off my kitchen and i used my own personal set of white bertoia chairs, along with all my own glassware, china and napkins...the deck was built by my husband and we planted all our own landscaping that you see in the background...the candles on the wood wall are up year round, as well as our cafe lights...so as you can tell, this shoot really is the epitome of me and my own style...

i wanted to bring in a very clean and modern aesthetic but give it a bit of a retro vibe...i also wanted to showcase a table that didn't use a lot of florals, but focused more on sustainable elements...

i used white ceramic vases with some curve and shape to them to keep the feel from getting too masculine...i then filled them with all white ranunculas for a ruffly but monobotanic look...

i found these white retro-inspired pieces at the long beach flea market...i actually think they were originally sold at target so they aren't very authentic...but i loved them and they fit the vibe :) they are letter/mail holders but i flipped them upside down and used them to hold some candles and airplants...

green succulents spilled out of white ceramic vases from ikea...

rachelle from wiley valentine did an amazing job with all the printed items! they were the exact vibe i was going for...modern, breezy, fresh and masculine...

i accented chollah wood branches with green airplants so they looked like they were "growing" out of the holes...

i whipped up some signature cocktails that i personally love and drink...my take on a "palm springs mojito" uses muddled mint and cucumber, vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, simple syrup and a splash of soda water...and isn't the color so pretty?

for a "desert margarita" combine muddled cilantro and serrano chilis with tequila, fresh lime juice and raw sugar...strain over ice and garnish with lime, sliced serrano chili and a sugared rim...

the gorgeous wood and metal table was borrowed from my sweet friends over at found rentals...i really did NOT want to return it afterwards...in fact, i was so in love with it, i hosted 2 back to back dinner parties with it while i had it in my posession...that's right jeni and allison...it's confession time ;)

the killer hand carved wood candlesticks were from anthropologie...we popped an airplant on top of each one instead of a candle...

every napkin was accented with a woven braid that i made out of twine and canvas rope...

as the sun set, it just kept looking better and better...

the glass candles hanging on our wall are from cb2 and they are a steal at $2.00 each!

i loved being able to set up the tablescape and then actually ENJOY it with some friends afterward...what a perfect night!

i have to give a HUGE thank you to aaron young (who lives only a couple blocks away from me) for coming over, bringing his little french bulldog kona and blowing these photos out of the water!! they are so amazing and i want to live in them forever...

also to leila khalil at be inspired pr who hooked us up with this opportunity and allowed us to design for 944 - it was a dream!

and lastly to my girls over at

found vintage rentals - for the use of their table

and

wiley valentine - for the printed perfection