First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

Shelly Johnstone Orchid Dinner 2018 table

How delightful during the midst of frigid temps and freezing rain to step inside the Plaza Hotel for an evening surrounded by the most glorious table settings enhanced by a profusion of exquisite orchids. Wednesday evening was the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner 2018, the much anticipated annual event that benefits the Garden’s orchid research collection and orchid preservation. Sponsored by Hearst, VERANDA and Louis XIII cognac, the event was chaired by editor in chief Clinton Smith with Director of Decoration and Special Projects Carolyn Englefield serving as Decorations Chair. There was a plethora of pretty tables, including CeCe Barfield‘s, below.

Cece Barfield NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018Inspired by Alexandre Serebriakoff’s watercolor of the writing room at Ditchley Park, Cece wanted to capture Nancy Lancaster’s quintessential spirit, perfectly marrying the relaxed with the refined to create a comfortable, elegant and romantic space.

Ditchley Park

Working with sponsor One Kings Lane, Cece sourced the Royal Copenhagen Plates, the Amanda Lindroth containers, and the Ricci flatware all from the site.

Cece Barfield Orchid Dinner 2018 placesetting

The table skirt and chair covers were made from Soane’s Seaweed Lace, charming menus and place cards by Stephanie Fishwick,

Cece Barfield menus for her NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018 tableclassic stemware from William Yeoward, and the large center urn is from Ballard with blooms by Plaza Flowers.

Cece Barfield Orchid Dinner 2018 tableThe finishing touch was lemon porcelain tureens, below, created for her by The Vladimir Collection.

Vladimir Collection lemon container

Designer Shelley Johnstone‘s table was inspired by many of the things she loves. Similarly to how she decorates, fills her Design Showroom in Lake Forest, Illinois and lives her life, it is a curated mix.

Shelley Johnstone Orchid Dinner 2018 table

With Soane’s Tendril Vine as the tablecloth, Shelley created a fresh green and white mix including Creel and Gow wicker placemats (which I own and love), rattan containers from Amanda Lindroth, plaster candlesticks from artist Stephen Antonson, Tory Burch white Lettuce Ware from her Dodie Thayer collaboration, and beautiful white blooms from Plaza Flowers.

Shelly Johnstone Orchid Dinner 2018 table

Ashley Whittaker‘s table was inspired by her childhood in Florida. “My mother always tied her orchids to the palm and ficus trees growing in the backyard. After a few years they would naturally attach themselves by the roots to the tree and would live there happily with the warm breeze blowing through their roots and blossoms. It make for the most magnificent tropical garden.”

Ashley Whittaker Orchid Dinner 2018 table

On a lush green Madeline Weinrib tablecloth,

Ashley Whittaker Orchid Dinner 2018 table

Ashley paired Matouk napkins with green cut velvet napkin rings fashioned from Samuel and Sons Épinglé trim

Samuel and Sons trim at Ashley Whittaker Orchid Dinner table

with their embroidered borders on the chair covers.

Samuel and Sons trim on Ashley Whittaker chairs at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018two photos above courtesy of Samuel and Sons

A fresh interpretation echoing Florida’s natural pink and green with charming calligraphy by Rachael Reding on place cards from The Printery!

Ashley Whittaker Orchid Dinner table

Scrolling through her sponsor Thibaut’s beautiful fabrics was Kimberly Schlegel Whitman‘s inspiration. “The moment I found the pretty blush birds and branches, I remembered the pagoda bird cage that had been sitting in my garage for years. I knew it would be just right filled with quince and mocha orchids!”

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

Herend sent her the beautiful china and Kimberly made the tassel rust napkins with metallic threads form Halo Home by KSW.

Kimberly Schlegel Whitman NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

all photos, unless otherwise specified, by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

Stop back next time for more beautiful tables from the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

8 thoughts on “First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

  1. These are some of my favorites…Kimberly Schlegel Whitman‘s is just…ethereal!! THANK YOU for these fantastic photographs!! franki

  2. Oh! To be there amid such glorious settings — I’m coveting everything! (And making copious notes.) Thank you for sharing.

  3. This is all so lush and lovely , thank you for bringing some color and warmth into this grey and cold weather ! By any chance, do you know who makes the gorgeous emerald green wine glasses on Shelley Johnstone’s Green and white table? They just sing “garden” with elegance next to the bamboo flatware ,and the cane containers. from the natural world… the whole effect is wonderful. All the tables are wonderful!

  4. Ohhh!!!All the tables and everything you’ve shown us are looking soooo grand…!!! Thank youso much for sharing..

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