“’Cotton Club’ Product Promotion”
The corporate client decided to encourage excitement by calling for a "Cotton Club" or Mardi Gras theme. The caterer and client left to us the execution of the theme -- featuring black and white and silver colors. The use of the large white feathers conveyed the night-club atmosphere succinctly yet stylishly. The use of green antherium with occasional wands of dendrobian orchids retained the floral element, and the splashy use of feathers and tall silver-sprayed palm fronds punctuated the large spaces with bright whites spotlighted.

On each of the tables, using gray striped cloths, was a small tall glass vase containing one or two green antherium, aspidistra leaf, some razor grass, and a large white feather -- specifically designed not to interfere with table talk. A few supplied a low profile for variety, amplified with a stem or two of white dendrobian orchids.

Finally, at the large meeting room's critical focal points, free-standing displays of white feathers, green and white orchids and antherium and silvered fronds hammered home the "Cotton Club" theme.

For a recent meeting of the Smithsonian's Board of Directors marking the opening of the new Marine Exhibit of the National History Museum, an "underwater" theme was to be captured.

To do so, a large clear glass bubble bowl as a centerpiece for each of the glass-topped tables was filled with yellow pin-cushion protea and green floating baubles of diplocycles spiral melon balls -- all firmly affixed to the bottom of the bubble bowl under a half-foot of water. The slim bright yellow hairs of the protea seemed to wave in the water like underwater plant life, and pin-spotlighted to contrast with the overall blue lighting effects.