The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

Wednesday evening I was thrilled to attended the New York Botanical Garden‘s annual Orchid Dinner. This year’s event honored Tiffany & Co. for their foundation’s decade of support as the Founding Sponsor of The Orchid Show. There was also reason for celebration as the iconic company is about to celebrate its 175th anniversary. In addition to Tiffany, BNY Mellon and Veranda Magazine were again sponsors for the evening. I had heard what a beautiful event this was but must admit I was not prepared for the truly spectacular tables and centerpieces that were designed for the evening. Although I didn’t make it to every table, here is a round up of several I loved.

New York Botanical Garden

Anchoring the room was the gorgeous Tiffany and Co. table designed by Richard Lambertson with David M. Handy Events. Elegant yet fresh and modern, it handled its size with grace and glamour.

New York Botanical Garden

As soon as I saw this striking table, I knew it was the work of Alessandra Branca. Using her signature black, white and red color palette, she created a dramatic look. It was my pleasure to have a chance to chat with the talented designer whose effervescent personality is often expressed in her interiors.

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden

I loved how Angelica Gomes of Angelica Flowers and Events set off her fabulous colorful bouquet against the dark tablecloth. And you can’t really see the vase but it was a fun handpainted almost graffiti-esque container that was a great counterpoint to the elegant flowers. Be sure to visit her website – it is as colorful and beautifully designed as her table.

New York Botanical GardenJust like his work, architect/designer Rafael de Cardenas‘ table with Baccarat, reflected  his cosmopolitan respect for tradition with an eye toward the contemporary. The crystal was a sparking addition to the elegant bouquet.

New York Botanical Garden

Bowman Dahl Floral & Event Design had a very clever solution to the centerpiece. Set in a very thin candlestick like structure, the bouquet explodes at the top in a canopy of color, leaving room below for across-the-table conversation.

New York Botanical Garden

My photo does not do justice to designer Campion Platt‘s jubilant ode to Chinese New Year. The fantastic paper dragon towered ceremoniously above an elegant table display.

New York Botanical GardenNew York Botanical Garden Orchid DinnerThe table of antiques dealer David Duncan was a carnivale worthy display of color. What a great mix of size and form in the centerpiece.

New York Botanical Garden

Felipe Sastre created a majestic statement for FlowerSchool New York. With such a fabulous tree-like structure, I think it was the right decision to keep the table neutral. It was all about texture and proportion.

New York Botanical GardenBoutique owner Laura Vinroot Poole‘s table, executed with John Lupton, Andrew Thomas and Leontine Linens, was an explosion of color. And I of course loved the orange monogramming on the napkins!

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical GardenLMD Lewis Miller Design set an elegantly simply table where the pure white of the orchid was offset by the metallic tablecloth and napkin rings.

New York Botanical Garden

How beautiful is this riot of purple at MagnaFlora Design‘s table.

New York Botanical GardenMichael Walter for Lexington Gardens created a fun vertical ode to the garden with tools and bird houses at practically every level.

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden

Philip Gorrivan partnered with Lalique to create a table inspired by the classic Normandie. With flowers from l’Olivier Floral Atelier, Sferra Linens, Christofle flatware and china and deco style embroidery courtesty of Villa Savoia, the table was a spectacular contemporary nod to the amazing style of that iconic liner.

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical Garden

Robert Marinelli, RMID Enterprises purposefully created a low centerpiece to enable conversation. The incredibly youthful looking designer’s table had a lovely natural organic feel.

New York Botanical Garden

It’s always fun when designers set the stage. Roric Tobin for Geoffrey Bradfield created an entire safari theme, hats and all. The rustic chic worked perfectly with the beautiful yellow.

New York Botanical Garden

One of the most creative centerpieces of the evening was by Selina van der Geest – NL-GB with Brett McCormack. Constructed entirely of paper, this was truly a work of art.

New York Botanical GardenNew York Botanical GardenHow fabulous is their signature, reminiscent of childhood tree carvings.

New York Botanical Garden

Sherrill Canet with Phillip Jeffries table had a sophisticated sort of Out of Africa appeal. I loved the play of textures and the jolt of slightly acid green.

New York Botanical Garden

New York Botanical GardenLastly, Stephen Elrod for Brunschwig also gave a nod to Africa with his giraffe topped bouquet. The riot of color in the flowers was echoed in the colorful new Brunschwig pattern.

New York Botanical GardenNew York Botanical GardenThe crowd was happy as the proceeds from the evening, around $600,000, support the Garden’s orchid research and education.

New York Botanical Garden Left to right, Thierry Chaunu, Georgia Fleming, Philip Bershad, Decorations Chair and Veranda Director of Decoration and Special Projects Carolyn Englefield, Event Chair and Veranda Editor-in-Chief Dara Caponigro, Cobus Gauche, James Steinmeyer, Alexa Wilson, and Jennifer Levene-Bruno. I was delighted to discover that friend Maureen Chilton is now Chairman of the Botanical Garden Board and did a lovely job making all the presentations.  Starting on March 3rd, The 10th annual Orchid Show will feature the spectacular vertical wall creations of French Botanist and artist Patrick Blanc. Blanc’s “living tapestries” will be accompanied by orchid related classes and workshops. Tickets are available on the NYGB website.

31 thoughts on “The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

  1. Wow! These tables are extravagant and stunning! I have never seen so much beauty in one room. I know that you were happy to be able to be a part of such a worthwhile benefit.
    I am so happy to see the Leontine Linens napkins with their orange monogram. Just added that to my list of thing to do this weekend.
    Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful event. So many great companies and designers taking part, and happy birthday to Tiffany and Company, my favorite store.
    Teresa
    xoxo

  2. Amazing. I can’t imagine what it must have been like just to walk into that room. The Tiffany table is my favorite as I tend to lean towards the understated. Plus, who wouldn’t enjoy a little blue gift bag :)
    I think the safari hats on the chairs were a fun addition.

  3. I hope they hire you as their PR agent, you do such a fantastic job of bringing us inspiring treats.
    Orchids are in fact one of my favorites, they immediately add a cultured elegant touch and wow those displays are incredible. I think I need to add a set of Leontine Linens with a PvE!
    pve

  4. Oh the tables are all gorgeous!! The Tiffany design and Alessandra’s are my favorites!
    What an exciting event!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  5. What an incredible event! One beautiful table after another. And those orchids! How lucky you were to be able to go to this. Thanks for bringing all that beauty to us.

  6. Thank you for sharing this! This is my favorite blog post this week! Down here on the “Redneck Riviera” , events with this much style and glamour are few and far between. Thanks to your expert photography and commentary, I’ll be able to “hijack” a few ideas from this lovely event. Have a great weekend….k

  7. Lucky you! I am so jealous that you were there and saw such beautiful works of art!! I am so glad you shared this exquisite evening with us. WOW! Every table is more amazing than the next. Can I come next time??

  8. Tiffany – 175 yrs??!! Love those blue boxes. Stunning tables, eye candy everywhere. I like the linen napkins with orange monogram!

    enjoy your day ~ leslie

  9. Spectacular is just the right work for this Orchid fantasy! I don’t know what table is my favorite -although I do love the Canet/Jeffries combination of zebra, fresh green and abundant white. And just when I think I like white orchids best, the bright colors capture my gaze. A brilliant roundup, Stacey. Thank you!

  10. Stacey – what a gorgeous event!
    How great to have a room filled with orchids (one of my favorite flowers, and the flowers of my wedding table center pieces too!)
    Great designs, great uses of colors and materials.. and like Cathy commented ~ what was in those goodie bags?
    xo J

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