Combining his desire for a fun party with his parents’ wish for a minimalist design, we created Hank’s dream BAR MITZVAH party at Moulin at Sherman Mills. An urban loft space able to host thousands was chosen for Henry aka Hank’s party of 200, but our design plan would incorporate a variety of white lounge settings, light up elements, a giant LED dance floor, and the latest in intelligent lighting into a smartly-designed event floor plan that would bring it all together perfectly.
So as not to fall into the typical category of another light-up mitzvah, and in deference to the industrial-themed location, we enhanced the all-white upholstery pieces with over-sized rustic wooden tables, high gloss white furnishings, contemporary and handmade artistic pieces, as well as architectural flowers and warm candlelight. Add that to the savvy culinary stylings of Brulee Catering and the insanely hot deejay/emcee crew from Norma Michaels Entertainment and the party CRUSHED IT!
But take a look at two things that are easily shown here in this #partystudy; first, the BEFORE AND AFTER photos of the event design that take you from daylight to full-scale event lighting transformation; and second, the clean, thoughtfully laid out floor plan our team produced for design and function.
{Photos courtesy of Pictures by Todd Photography}
BEFORE
We turn on the lights and crank up the tunes ((keep scrolling down)) we just have to share the light and airy event design we created for Hank’s bar mitzvah celebration. Frankly speaking, it was a pretty cool party look in bright day light! Moulin at Sherman Mills is an old converted warehouse in the trendy East Falls neighborhood of urban Philadelphia. It is one gloriously BIG loft space with wide, open floors, high-paned windows and exposed industrial-style ceilings. A beautiful thing, really. At least for us party planners who love blank canvases!
When we work in Moulin, which is OFTEN, or any other cavernous space, floor plan design is more than crucial. It’s critical to the success of the party. A floor plan for any event needs to be created carefully, for functionality as well as for style, purpose, and, well, drama. (Party planners, HELL-OOO!). We even draw plans for each table setting and centerpiece design! We’ve said it many times before: planning is everything.
But in this particular case, when we designed Hank’s Hip Hang at Moulin, we wanted to draw attention and energy where it needed to be, when it needed to be according to the timeline, as well as how we wanted it to unfold for the most theatrical appeal. But that same floor plan needed to make everything else disappear, bring walls in closer for intimacy, or hide unsightly distractions found in the urban setting. Smoke and mirrors, folks, that’s what party design is all about.
For instance, as you look at the following photographs of Hank’s party taken in daylight by Pictures by Todd, you will see cars parked just outside the building. Is that a big deal for some people? Not at all. For others? All they see. But when the sun went down and the lights inside Moulin came up, who noticed anything but the party? With the furniture facing each other in groupings or pulled away from the windows and positioned towards the focal spot in the immediate room, the flow and attention was drawn away from the outside distractions. But then, it got even better. We turned down the perimeter lights, lit the ceiling and interior focal walls in blue, projected Hank’s logo on key walls, and added spot lights on the flowers and cocktail bars.
PRESTO, CHANGO! What cars? The distractions faded away into nothing. Like magic, the guests only saw what was happening within the event space. But better still, Hank’s guests FELT the energy and ambiance around them.
If you would, take a look at the BEFORE and AFTER photos from Hank’s Hip Hang at Moulin at Sherman Mills. They’re pretty darn cool.
AND NOW, THE AFTER
When we can really see the dramatic transformation that layers of incredible lighting provided the party space and how it highlighted the floor plan. From the curb to the dance floor. As Hank’s guests arrived in early evening for cocktails they experienced the space one way, and then watched the changes happen before their eyes as the party progressed. By the time Hank and his friends were on the dance floor, all the lights were up and the music was cranking! Energy and emotion make memories that last a lifetime.
