Exhibit City News article on FormDecor. From Hollywood to Tradeshows
Read MoreFeatured Professionals
Orange County Wedding at Monarch Beach Resort
Style Unveiled featured a charming wedding at the Monarch Beach Resort this week put together by Intertwined Events. Using emerald, gold, and black details, we can’t help but love this Orange County wedding! FormDecor was happy to help furnish with our rentals being used in the lounge and dining area to create a luxurious and….
Read MoreStyle Unveiled featured a charming wedding at the Monarch Beach Resort this week put together by Intertwined Events. Using emerald, gold, and black details, we can’t help but love this Orange County wedding! FormDecor was happy to help furnish with our rentals being used in the lounge and dining area to create a luxurious and modern setting. See some of the beautiful images below! Photography by Studio EMP. Left: The bride and groom overlooking the stunning scenery. Right: This adorable shot is a quirky counterpoint to the modern Snap Bench (Black) and Rondo Table (Malachite) Right: The Royalton Chandelier lights up the room with a opulent elegance. For more wedding inspiration take a trip to Wedding Wonderland on FormDecor’s Pinterest channel. To learn more about Style Unveiled, be sure to check out their website: http://styleunveiled.com/ Remember to stay connected with FormDecor onFacebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube! Full Vendor List for Intertwined Events St. Regis Wedding: Planning: Intertwined Events Photography: Studio EMP Venue: Monarch Beach Resort Florist: Jenny B Cake: Susie’s Cakes and Confections Sationary: Posh Paper Reception Music: Tim Espinosa Fabric & Linens: Fusions Hair and Make-Up: Michelle Moore
Read Less#WeddingWednesday Love: Carmen Fuentes of Expressionary Events
For our inaugural weekly #WeddingWednesday Love, we are spotlighting the always vivacious, bubbly and talented Carmen Fuentes of Expressionary Events! As you may have already seen, Carmen sat down with our president, Fritz Williams, to discuss upcoming trends for wedding aesthetics and furniture rentals in this video interview. It was such an honor to be….
Read MoreFor our inaugural weekly #WeddingWednesday Love, we are spotlighting the always vivacious, bubbly and talented Carmen Fuentes of Expressionary Events! As you may have already seen, Carmen sat down with our president, Fritz Williams, to discuss upcoming trends for wedding aesthetics and furniture rentals in this video interview. It was such an honor to be included in the list of highly-reputable vendors she has worked with.
#WeddingWednesday Love is a weekly tribute to outstanding event planners and designers specifically within the wedding industry. Carmen was no doubt one of the first to come to mind as she has creatively used FormDecor furniture to wow her clients and audience – we were floored by this styled wedding shoot! One look at her portfolio and you’ll instantly see “expression in every detail.” Carmen’s weddings are one of a kind and tailor made to fit the needs and specifications of her clients and we approach our furniture rentals in a similar manner, as no event or wedding design should resemble another.
Here is another great example of Carmen’s love for the wedding planning industry, as she interviews Niloufar Gibson of the Bridal Hotlist!
To learn more about the fabulous Carmen Fuentes and her work at Expressionary Events, feel free to check out her blog and website at:
www.expressionaryevents.com
www.expressionaryevents.com/blog
Come back soon to see who our next #WeddingWednesday Love will be! Remember to stay connected with FormDecor on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube!
Read LessInspired by Sterling Social
FormDecor consistently finds inspiration from the various event and wedding planners that we work with — the work you do is simply incredible! Sterling Social was part of the collaborative effort who put together this Urban Wedding we’ve raved about, so we were thrilled to have Angela and Erin, the creative duo behind Sterling Social,….
Read MoreFormDecor consistently finds inspiration from the various event and wedding planners that we work with — the work you do is simply incredible! Sterling Social was part of the collaborative effort who put together this Urban Wedding we’ve raved about, so we were thrilled to have Angela and Erin, the creative duo behind Sterling Social, team up to create two beautiful wedding inspiration boards featuring various FormDecor furnishings. Whether you’re a bride looking for retro-chic decor or a sleek Hollywood Regency look, these girls will have you inspired — check out the wedding Pinspiration they’ve created with FormDecor furniture!
There is nothing quite as kitschy and cool as a Palm Springs wedding. Playing off the signature retro vibe and mid-century modern aesthetic, this styled theme is sure to keep your guests talking past the big day. For the ceremony, the couple can exchange vows in front of FormDecor’s Chrysalis Screens, allowing the colorful accents of bright bridesmaid dresses and vivid floral bouquets to pop. As the sun begins to set, an intimate outdoor reception can feature lounge vignettes with Dunbar Daybeds adorned with patterned pillows, and café-style groupings of Saarinen Tulip Side Tables with Cherner Arm Chairs. No one will want to leave!
Perfect for an evening cocktail-style engagement party or rehearsal dinner, this swanky color palette of black, white and gold is sure to make a statement. Inspired by clean lines and opulent accents, we would pair FormDecor’s Black Cube Sofa with the Columbo Coffee Table to create a lounge-style setting. Side Tables adorned with their Jerre de Verre lamp will play up a residential vibe and create warm ambiance. It’s not a party without a specialty cocktail station! The Drake Tea Cart can feature Hollywood Regency inspired glassware for guests to enjoy while they sit back on a sexy Viceroy Ottoman. Cheers!
Loving these event ideas? Be sure to check out Sterling Social’s blog and Pinterest to see more of their creative celebrations!
For more wedding inspiration, be sure to follow FormDecor’s “Wedding Wonderland” Board on Pinterest!
Read LessjesGORDON/properFUN Guest Blog: All Pros, No Cons at FormDecor
The nice thing about being an event producer is shopping! Every venue demands that I do just that. There is always a need for first-rate providers who “get it” when you describe what you are looking for. Since I have been shopping event materials for as long as there have been parties, (I missed a….
Read MoreThe nice thing about being an event producer is shopping! Every venue demands that I do just that. There is always a need for first-rate providers who “get it” when you describe what you are looking for.
Since I have been shopping event materials for as long as there have been parties, (I missed a few quickie coronations, but that’s it)
I have had the opportunity to visit most of these companies. Every client’s celebration is meaningful and requires your best effort.
For me, that means FormDecor. For example, I needed to bring in a turn of the century lounge section reminiscent of parlors with opulent seating. This is becoming the trend in today’s festivities as their intimacy lends contrast to large banquet halls.
So I went to FormDecor, and before I could start whining, I was taken to the warehouse. OMG! What a wonderful collection of everything! And, maintained so impeccably, I was immediately ashamed of my own closet.
Fritz (the owner) is amazing. He travels the world and finds one-of-a-kind pieces and when I met him, I knew I had found someone sharing my passion for detail and design.
If you would be my Valentine, you’d get me this room! And yes, that would absolutely be the right thing to do. This is a perfect example of a lounge vignette.
[V Day Series Sofa, Pucci Ottoman (Pink/Orange), Pucci Pillow (Warm), Saarinen Tulip Side Table (Rosewood)]Uses of select pieces of lounge furniture in a vignette configuration create seating areas within an event. They usually consist of a couch, a couple of chairs, coffee table, side tables as well as accessories such as rugs, pillows, lamps and softening touches. It is basically a living room brought into a party.
Like this. I know. It made me so sad when we had to return this grouping. I had just imagined a life led entirely on this patio. You know when you’ve had a tough day and you tell yourself to “go to a better place” in your mind? This is it.
Here we combined Florence Knoll Bench (White), Baroque Rug, Parker Lounge Chair, Lana Sofa (Black), Choix Coffee Table (Mirror), Rococo Pillow (Ruby), and Alligator Ottoman (Black)
Or maybe here
[Chesterfield Ottoman, Melrose Sofa, Noble Wingback Chair, Viceroy Pillows]This is fine, too
[Noguchi Table, Large Cloud Sofa, Cloud Loveseat, Boxwood Hedge Planter, Saarinen Tulip Side Table (White), Home Turf Circle]Of course I see these settings in concert with my own work but with FormDecor’s imaginative collections, my job becomes twice as enjoyable.
Here’s another plus at FormDecor. Their website is to die for. Not only do you get a full tour of their facilities and inventory, you can, with the help of a mouse, design a whole venue right on the website, submit it, and pick up (or have it delivered!) the entire room!
The professional can see the possibilities in such a vast array of inventory and somehow magically throw it together for eye-catching art. But that doesn’t mean the rest of the world can’t do the same. The website allows you to experiment with myriad ideas and FormDecor can guide you as well.
Now THAT’s service.
Now let me share with you some of the vignette installations I love.
A living room can be wherever you want it to be! “Honey, what did you do with the living room?”
[Wingback Chair Tall (White) and Wingback Chair (White), Florence Knoll Bench (White)]Or in an actual living room!
Don’t just stand there, Sit! Relax! And keep your feet off that table!
How come everything that isn’t supposed to go together, DOES go together?
Like this grouping.
As you can see, the possibilities go on forever.
I, for one, am a total fan. No animals were hurt in the production of this space.
In your quest for just the right piece, you need look no further than FormDecor.
. . .
For more information about jesGORDON/properFUN, visit their website and blog!
Congratulations to Ian Schrager!
FormDecor would like to send congratulations to Ian Schrager for receiving a 2012 June Briggs Award Jan. 7th. Schrager, who introduced the concept of the “boutique hotel“, has created an array of phenomenal hotels and residential spaces, including the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, 50 Gramercy Park in New York and the Sanderson Hotel in….
Read MoreFormDecor would like to send congratulations to Ian Schrager for receiving a 2012 June Briggs Award Jan. 7th. Schrager, who introduced the concept of the “boutique hotel“, has created an array of phenomenal hotels and residential spaces, including the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood, 50 Gramercy Park in New York and the Sanderson Hotel in London. See below for some designs that have consistently inspired the FormDecor design aesthetic and our inventory of Phillipe Starck, Isamu Noguchi, Eames, and more!
Read LessGet to Know Industry ‘Phoenix’ Russell Harris
Who has amazing design talent, an energetic soul and knows his career inside and out? Russell Harris of Russell Harris Event Group! FormDecor caught up with Russell during this busy event season for an interview for the Featured Professionals Blog. In our one-on-one with Russell, you’ll learn how he made a career out of event….
Read MoreWho has amazing design talent, an energetic soul and knows his career inside and out? Russell Harris of Russell Harris Event Group! FormDecor caught up with Russell during this busy event season for an interview for the Featured Professionals Blog. In our one-on-one with Russell, you’ll learn how he made a career out of event planning, what he’s most passionate about and what continues to drive him to succeed.
FormDecor: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Russell Harris: Being from Texas we were raised in sports. My sport was Tennis and it was my dream to be a professional tennis player. As a High School Senior it changed to Olympic Volleyball when my cousin was playing with a team and invited me to play.
One of the players on the team took an interest in my ability, started to coach me and I found a new love… VOLLEYBALL! In Texas, playing Volleyball wasn’t really considered a “men’s sport” so I got a late start. At age 25, I got to play for a US Club team in Europe; it was then that I realized the early twenties were considered the retirement age.
FD: At what point in your life did you realize you had the talent to plan events?
RH: My first job when I moved to LA was a personal assistant to a Hollywood Columnist at the Hollywood Reporter. Dealing with his private schedule and rsvp’ing for events, I came across every major event company in Los Angeles. After I left the Hollywood Reporter, I worked for a Neon Rental company that did décor for all the major events. That’s when I realized my talent and dream job.
FD: What was the first event you planned? Do you have photos to share?
RH: The first event was an Oscar party for a dot company called “HSX.com” and it was one of the largest post parties in Los Angeles. We took over the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard, tented the whole parking lot, carpeted the entire driveway, and made a 100’ step and repeat on the sidewalk.
The budget was large and I had carte blanche on design, so I chose Asian inspiration. With technology progressing, we took “Feng Shui” and made it “Tech Shui”. We had the opportunity of having a Feng Shui Master come to our event and walk the space. He gave us a blessing and critiqued our event flow. It’s his words that have been my foundation ever since.
FD: Most recently, you planned a successful After Party for X-Factor which took place at Sadie in Los Angeles… What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
RH: The challenge was to create more seating including VIP areas for the X-Factor judges. The main thing was to use furniture that complimented the existing venue design. I overcame the challenge by calling Jeff Sigler [FormDecor, VP of Sales]. He and I had been to a networking event at Sadie a couple weeks earlier. So when I talked to Jeff he had the perfect solution to our challenge.
FD: You’ve been in the event industry for more than 20 years. How is the world of special events today different from when you started?
RH: When I started in the industry, there was no education, courses, or books on how to plan an event. It was learn as you go, watch other people, and don’t make the same mistake twice. Now, young professionals in the field have college courses, certifications, and conferences with peers, which is priceless.
One thing I am grateful for is that I was able to work on many high-end events where I learned the life lesson to be a good listener. Listening to what the client wants is the starting point in all of my events and my focus is to understand their priorities and goals to deliver a successful event.
FD: You’ve had lots of success with high-profiled clients, like FOX, The Walt Disney Studios, American Heart Association and more. What “words of wisdom” do you have to share with up and coming professionals working with high-profiled clients?
RH: Research. Always know who your client is. The industry is very vast with resources so you should always have knowledge on all the new ideas, design, and technology. With good research, you can always find something new and engaging. Presentation is everything.
My favorite resource is my industry colleagues. A lot of us have been in the industry for many years, seen everything, and done it all. I truly believe in relationships, networking and referrals.
FD: If you could choose one design of FormDecor’s for your home or office, what would it be? Why does that one design stand out among the rest for you?
RH: I like the Bubble collection by Philippe Starck. I’m a big fan of simplicity; it’s more elegant and sophisticated. My number one rule is “lighting will make it or break it” and with this design you get the best of both.
FD: When you’re not working, what do you love to do?
RH: I’m a big Equestrian. I have a horse named Meritage that I spend all my free time riding and showing. I’ve been riding in the Gold Coast Series at the LA Equestrian Center, the Verdugo Hills Show at my facility, and recently rode in the Santa Barbara Show.
What I love most is the athleticism of the sport. Her athletic ability is amazing when it comes to height jumps. She’s moved up to the 1-meter class and won in the last two shows we’ve entered. The combination of the rider’s ability and the horse’s ability becomes a winning combination.
FD: What are you most proud of in your life?
RH: I’m a big dreamer with very high goals. In my life I’ve been given many obstacles that were extremely hard to overcome. One of my clients told me one time that I was a “Phoenix”. I always rose from the ashes. I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve accomplished every goal I’ve made no matter the circumstances and I’m blessed to look forward to more new adventures.
My company is growing and every day is a new adventure with new clients and new challenges. The biggest accomplishment is finally being able to do a Super Bowl party for a corporate client. I think 2013 is going to be a great year for all event industry peeps!
FD: If you had one legacy to leave behind, what would it be?
RH: Dream. People sometimes mistake dreaming as being irresponsible. I’m from a small Texas town in the middle of nowhere with big dreams. The most successful people in the world are the ones that take the biggest risks and because of that, I think I’ve been quite successful.
Read LessMeet Ed Coco, Senior Designer at MTV
FormDecor got together with Senior Designer for MTV, Ed Coco for a one-on-one Featured Professionals interview. Well known for his creative special event planning skills, Ed Coco has also been involved with theatre design for major Broadway shows as a scenic designer. As a well-rounded individual in the special events industry, he continues to push….
Read MoreFormDecor got together with Senior Designer for MTV, Ed Coco for a one-on-one Featured Professionals interview. Well known for his creative special event planning skills, Ed Coco has also been involved with theatre design for major Broadway shows as a scenic designer. As a well-rounded individual in the special events industry, he continues to push the envelope when designing and planning events. But we don’t want to give it all away in the introduction! FormDecor invites you to get to know Ed Coco!
FormDecor: Were you always creative as a child? What was the first creative project you did?
Ed Coco: You know, I really don’t think that I was any kind of “exceptionally creative” child. I just had a really normal, fun childhood and I was very fortunate to have an incredibly supportive family. I would say that I was always VERY curious. I would take things apart and put them back together (or sometimes not). When something became of interest to me, I would find out as much as I could about that thing.
As a child, I started playing the piano when my brothers were taking lessons and ended up teaching myself, and I would show their teacher when she came over for their lessons. Eventually I took over those lessons, and I think I was like that with a lot of things as a child. Once something caught my attention, I became absorbed in understanding that thing.
FD: Your biography on www.ecocodesign.com says that you were the Associate Scenic Designer for the Broadway productions of Spring Awakening and Green Day’s American Idiot. That sounds like an amazing opportunity! What was your experience like in the theatrical industry?
EC: I love being involved in theatre! I have a Masters Degree in theatrical design and I continue to teach in the graduate programs at NYU and Rutgers University. It has taught me so much, and still continues to teach me things today. I’ve been fortunate to take part in eight Broadway shows and they were all brand new experiences.
Most of my professional theatre experience has been through my long association with Scenic Designer Christine Jones. Christine has always told me that it’s important to always have at least one project that you’re doing “for your soul”. Theatre is what I do for my soul!
FD: You are well known for your party planning skills for television channels such as Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, VH1, Spike and many others. Are there particular steps you take from concept to actualization? What is your favorite part of the process and why?
EC: I think what keeps me in this business is that I’ve been able to throw the recipe book away. I approach every project very differently, and I have the luxury of getting to work on a myriad of vastly different projects… So it always feels fresh and new. Sometimes I get the opportunity to get really detailed on a design in isolation where I can create a wonderfully intricate 3D model and research materials and technology before revealing anything. Other times, I’m creating things very quickly on the fly, and I’m calling a scene shop to collaborate with the actualization as ideas come into my head. I love every part of the process no matter what kind of process I end up having to utilize. Sure, things drive me crazy at times, but when I walk into the office every morning, I think about how lucky I am to be doing this for a living.
FD: At what point in your career did you realize you wanted to plan special events? How did you start?
EC: Well, honestly, I came into the events world at a bit of a late age. I was purely designing for theatre and broadcast when another designer brought me on to help with some large events for McDonalds. I was blown away at the opportunity to apply my skills to this brand new world.
Designer Evan Alexander brought me into MTV Networks. Like me, he was from a very hardcore theatre education and had discovered the opportunities in events. I think the appeal for many of us was the chance to show our skills to so many people. The theatre world can be a little insular, and there aren’t as many opportunities. The field of Special Events has grown to involve so much these days; from parties and concerts to sponsor activations and integrated marketing events. It’s exciting to think about all of the things in which I can participate.
FD: Out of the many special events you have planned for MTV, which one is the most memorable for you? Do you have photos to share?
EC: I don’t know that I’d say that any one in particular is the MOST memorable. I have so many great memories from so many events. That’s one of the benefits of working in a Special Events department, with so many fantastic co-workers and friends. But the post party for the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff is a great example. It was really a wonderful collaboration between the events area, the production area, and the design area of our department.
We were at Sony Studios and turned the lawn outside of the cafeteria into a giant beach/boardwalk/lounge. It was all on such a grand scale, from the 30 or so giant palm trees to the full scale lifeguard station that served as the DJ Booth. It was great to see the studio employees pass by during our load-in and look impressed. They’re a tough crowd to impress! But what made it memorable for me was the collaboration across the board, from our internal staff to the producers and clients at Comedy Central.
Careful and non-intrusive sponsor integrations, unique food and drink offerings, fun activations, and clever technical enhancements all came together with the design elements that I’d help create. When you have a lot of amazing people working together and hitting their stride at the same time, it’s pretty cool! Those are the productions that I remember the most.
FD: When you take on a new event planning project, where do you draw your inspiration from?
EC: I suppose my theatrical training has taught me to try and look for clues from the source. In theatre that can mean the Director, the performers, and the script.
In the events world it can mean properly listening to and asking questions of your clients, producers, and collaborators. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I like to try and design something “cool” that comes purely from what I’m interested in at a particular time, but for the most part I look for the little inspirations that are hidden in what people are saying about the project. Whether they know it or not, they’re leaving those clues behind to be found. They can be mentioning a cool club they’ve been to, a movie they’ve seen recently, or an artist that they admire. The key is to try and listen, and not jump in too quickly or jump to conclusion. Otherwise you’re designing just for yourself and trying to talk someone into something they really don’t want. There is a delicate balance between getting input and guiding a client. But as a designer you just know when you’ve hit the points correctly. Things just start to fit and come together.
FD: What has been one of the most challenging events you’ve worked on since being in the industry? Please share with us how you overcame those challenges. Do you have photos to share?
EC: Well there are certainly various levels of “challenges” in this business. I feel like my biggest challenges come from dealing with producers, clients, and sponsors because they can be hard to read and interpret at times. With any project you, really have to determine what you’re trying to do and what you’re trying to serve before you can succeed. And there often isn’t an easy answer to that; especially when you have to please various parties who you can start off with completely different ideas about an event.
One example is our MTV Upfront event. It’s a business meeting, a product reveal, a sales event, and a PR opportunity all in one. Oh, and there are at least two musical performances thrown in and it’s usually being taped in the same manner as an on-air production. The final twist is that at the end of the program it has to turn into a party for two thousand people. You have outside sponsors, corporate executives, and internal producers to please. And they aren’t even your clients; that’s the Press Department and Integrated Marketing area. So you walk the line between creating a design that has a lot of built-in flexibility.
For two years, I designed sets that could be lifted into the air to reveal the party that was hidden in the backstage area. I was particularly happy with the 2011 Upfront where we created an intimate thrust stage in New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. I think the set served all of its purposes equally well; which at one time seemed impossible. But, again, you overcome those obstacles with close collaboration between various areas. And having an internal events department here at MTV allows all of the elements to really stay in touch.
FD: What “words of wisdom” do you have to share with young professionals entering the events industry in this day and age?
EC: I’m probably biased since I work at two major universities, but if it’s possible I would really encourage young professionals to make sure they’ve had a good education. It’s really invaluable. I won’t pretend to know what programs and schools are best suited for this field (that’s a very personal choice and match), but I feel like too often we’re an industry that’s very in-bred.
People get a job working on an event when they’re young and they eventually stick around and move up the ladder by being available. They know how to get a specific type of job done well through repetition, but not because they’re creating something new and challenging. I think that’s what often leads to the “cookie-cutter” type events that happen so frequently and sometimes give “special events” a bad reputation. I know great designers with degrees in Art, Philosophy, and Theatre (I have an undergrad in English Literature, for heaven’s sake). And I know wonderful Event Producers who have degrees in things like Psychology and Media Studies. The point is that they went to school, learned “how to learn”, and then applied their skills to our field. Plus, college is just fun! It’s one of those few times in your life when you can just apply yourself to random new things without having a lot of worries and obligations. It’s important to go through that experience.
FD: If you had the chance to design any event in the world, what would it be? What is significant about that event that makes it your dream?
EC: I think what I would do is assemble all of my favorite collaborators from every area and create a charitable event from scratch. Look at some of the stuff that Joe Lewis from the Joe Lewis Company is doing with charitable events and self-initiated projects; it’s really amazing to be able to use your professional skills to give back something.
When you get to a certain point in your career, you stop worrying about the “next great project”; you just have a sense that if you stay true to your calling the next great project will be right around the corner. What you instead try to do, is create the opportunity to share that project with those that make it worthwhile. Through our pro-social initiatives at MTV Networks, I’ve been lucky to work with some great charitable organizations such as VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, Lifebeat, and Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars, a benefit for Autism Education. Those are the events that I really love to design, and the people with whom I like to collaborate.
FD: If you could choose one design of FormDecor’s for your home or office, what would it be? Why does that one design stand out among the rest for you?
EC: I’d have to pick the Mies Van der Rohe Barcelona furniture. I’m an old school fan of Bauhaus style, and I think that line of furniture is beautiful. There’s such amazing complexity in a design that at first appears so simple and clean. One of the things that constantly amazes’ me is how easily it can blend with a multitude of other design styles. It’s so versatile. Not to mention comfortable. At a big party, they are always the first chairs to be claimed.
Now if you mean “what DESIGN created with FormDecor’s line of furniture” I would have to say that I’d just want John Calkins of John Calkins & Co. to come and design my office with anything from your inventory that he wanted. I’m always stunned at how good he makes everything look. I’d ask him to make my office look like one of his Comedy Central Roast designs. They always feel like places where you’d just love to hang out with your friends.
FD: What haven’t you checked off your bucket list?
EC: You know, I don’t have much of a bucket list. I would love to travel Europe extensively; meaning without any obligation whatsoever. I find that when I travel I’m often locking myself into schedules like I do at work. It would be fantastic to just travel, experience and discover as things happen. I think everything on my bucket list would have to do with traveling. I’m still so curious about so many places and things. Also, my parents are retired and they’ve been traveling a lot. It makes me jealous to hear about all of the places they go.
Read Less
E3 Queen Freddie Georges Takes You “Behind-the-Scenes”
Meet Freddie Georges, Founder & CEO of Freddie Georges Production Group – FG|PG It’s a very busy time in the Exhibition and Tradeshow Industry, but FormDecor still caught up with Freddie Georges, Founder and CEO of Freddie Georges Production Group (FG|PG) to get a “behind the scenes” interview. Established in 2001, FG|PG is a full….
Read MoreMeet Freddie Georges, Founder & CEO of Freddie Georges Production Group – FG|PG
It’s a very busy time in the Exhibition and Tradeshow Industry, but FormDecor still caught up with Freddie Georges, Founder and CEO of Freddie Georges Production Group (FG|PG) to get a “behind the scenes” interview. Established in 2001, FG|PG is a full service exhibit house based out of Southern California with national capabilities. With a long list of prestigious clients, FG|PG creates interactive experiential environments for tradeshow exhibitors, earning the reputation as a leader in exhibit design and execution. As a female business owner with over 20 years of experience in the industry, Freddie Georges has a lot of wisdom to share, and we are delighted to share her insight on the FormDecor Featured Professionals blog. But we don’t want to give it all away… Get to know Freddie Georges!
FormDecor: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Freddie Georges: Before the age of 21, I wanted to be a designer, any kind of designer. After I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Interior and Environmental Design, I obtained my first professional design position as an Exhibit Designer with a firm called Design and Production (D&P). I knew then that I eventually wanted to own my own business. D & P specialized in museum exhibit design and fabrication with their biggest client being the Smithsonian. From my childhood exposure consisting of visiting museums all over the world, I was fascinated with how museum and interpretive exhibits were conceived, designed and produced.
After pursing my career at D & P for a year, I discovered their tradeshow division and I immediately fell in love. The projects were set at a much
faster pace than the museum exhibits…Twenty-five plus years later, my love of “all things” exhibits has only gotten stronger.
FD: When clients read your biography on www.FGPG.com, they immediately learn that you were quite the interior decorator at an early age. Where did you find the inspiration to redecorate your childhood home?
FG: As a child of parents in the airline industry, both Air France and Swissair, I benefited from the international travel where a lot of my inspiration came from. I spent many summers throughout my childhood in Paris with my grandparents who took me to places like the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and many more. My favorite part of the Palace of Versailles was the Hall of Mirrors, which spawned into a love of mirrors to this day.
A personal favorite interior design project of mine to date is my primary residence in California where I took a non-descript beach house in Huntington Beach and completely transformed it into a Craftsman-style revival. My favorite room is the living room that consists of custom display cases filled with family heirlooms, some over 200 years old!
FD: Starting your own business in a male-dominated industry must have been daunting at first. What gave you the courage to succeed? Did you have any particular challenges that you had to overcome?
FG: I never really thought about how daunting it would be before getting into the exhibition and tradeshow industry because I have always been team focused. I had the “all for one and one for all” mentality that everyone gets along for joint success. That was the naiveté of a young woman. Once I got into the business, the challenges were less about gender and more about knowledge, although gender issues did come up in my younger years. Since I did not have a mentor in the industry, I learned a great deal on my own or through occasional team-spirited colleagues.
Genuine LOVE of the work accounted for 80% of my success, and 20% was sheer tenacity… These percentages still apply today.
Regarding difficult challenges, there is nothing more discouraging, demoralizing and exhausting then an unappreciative, disrespectful client. I’ve
had a few that, later in my career, I actually had to “fire” as clients after concluding that they were the type of people who a) cannot be pleased and b) are too toxic to be able to build a healthy business relationship with. The result is that I have time to pursue and maintain more rewarding client relations.
FD: You have many impressive clients at the Electronic Entertainment Expo every year… Rumor has it, you’re known as the “E3 Queen”!… Tell us about some of your favorite E3 memories.
FG: My fondest career memories stem from two categories: History and Challenges!
One of my clients in the cable television industry has been a client for 25 years! Wahoo! I can tell you, that is a huge achievement in any industry by any standards.
Other fond memories are all based in the most challenging projects. For example, one of my clients asked me to locate a real vintage (circa 1920) train car to rent or purchase for their tradeshow booth. The idea was that they wanted to use the train car as a display to promote a locomotive-based marketing campaign. Finding the inventory was a fun and exciting project in and of itself, but then working on the logistics of bringing it to the show site was quite a rewarding experience.
FD: What is one of the most memorable exhibits you designed and built for a trade show event? Do you have any photos to share?
FG: That’s a tough one to single out because they are all a labor of love… But if I had to choose, I would have to say one of my most recent, 2K Games at E3 2011, followed by Vivendi for E3 2006 and then King World for NATPE way back in 1998. Below you will see a few photos from my favorite exhibits.
FD: Recently, we read your blog on www.FGPG.com about the custom exhibit you built for Borderlands 2 at PAX East 2012. What were the highlights for you working with The Shop @ Show Ready on this project?
FG: After years of creating scenic environments, overseeing the production of four human-like characters from the video game Borderlands 2 was exciting because I’ve only produced creatures, never human figures. The Shop @ Show Ready had the skill set to bring blocks of foam to life, depicting four very realistic human-like characters. In the world of exhibits, the harder the projects are to produce, the more I enjoy the project because I love to learn new production techniques. I love a new challenge!
Overall, it was a harmonious and collaborative team effort… Always a must for ANY successful business relationship.
FD: You have won a number of awards and you must be particularly proud of your woman-owned business awards. What was the first award you received? Are there any award experiences that stand out in your memory?
FG: My first award that I received was the “Top 500 Business in Southern California” award. I have to laugh out loud when asked what award experiences stand out in my memory… I share the same award experience with Warren Buffet, as he has the same award hanging on his wall… The ‘Dale Carnegie Sales Course’ award which I earned back in 1986!
FD: Being a woman and a strong leader in the exhibit and events design industry, what wisdom would you impart for a young
woman just entering this profession?
FG: TALK LESS, LISTEN MORE… but only to qualified mentors because there are a lot of “know-it-alls” in our industry who won’t necessarily always give you the best leadership guidance.
FD: We’re especially proud that FG|PG incorporates FormDecor modern furniture into its award winning designs… If you could choose one design from the FormDecor inventory for your office or home, what would it be?
FG: Wow… That’s especially tough because of course, all the inventory is absolutely to die for… But if I had to choose, it would be the Red Warren Platner chair. This chair matches my personality… Elegantly simple yet sophisticated. I love the Red Warren Platner chair!
Read LessJames Pearse Connelly has The Voice for Set Decor!
FormDecor sat down with James Pearse Connelly, Set Decorator Extraordinaire, who brings personalities alive through his design. From concept and creation to the final product, he provides something extraordinary! Just recently, you may have seen his work on NBC’s “The Voice” where he designed the off-stage set and what a phenomenal stage it was. In….
Read MoreFormDecor sat down with James Pearse Connelly, Set Decorator Extraordinaire, who brings personalities alive through his design. From concept and creation to the final product, he provides something extraordinary! Just recently, you may have seen his work on NBC’s “The Voice” where he designed the off-stage set and what a phenomenal stage it was. In addition, he has worked on the MTV Video Music Awards, on Spike TV and more… But we don’t want to give it all away in the introduction! Get to know James Pearse Connelly!
FormDecor: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
James Pearse Connelly: The earliest I can remember, is I wanted to be a TAXI DRIVER. And then I remember saying in middle school that some day, I wanted to be a PSYCHOLOGIST. In Rutgers, Mason Gross School of the Arts, I fell in love with Theater Set Design. Now, all I do is drive around in LA trying to balance personalities while managing a design.
FD: You’ve become quite a well-known and up and coming Art Director / Production Designer!… When did you decide that this was what you wanted to do?
JPC: I just kept following what felt right. My mother was an art teacher turned computer education specialist, and my father was an architect. Design, computer skills, and judgment on aesthetic surrounded me. For a period of time, I even remember somewhat branching out from it. Taking classes in math, psychology… even typing skills. It wasn’t until I was in drama club in high school, that I reconnected back with what felt right, thinking through shapes and forms to construct a set.
FD: What was one of the most memorable sets you’ve worked on? Do you have photos to share?
JPC: Aren’t they all special? 2007 VMAS! I art directed that for Scott Storey and being a part of Britney Spears’ disaster of a performance was an unforgettable moment. When it was finished everyone in the audience didn’t know whether to say it was horrible or not. I was so proud to be a part of such a huge production and work on a number for Britney Spears, that my pride out shined the fact that it was truly AWFUL.
FD: Congratulations on winning an Emmy for Art Direction for Variety, Music or Nonfiction programming: “2008 MTV Video Music Awards”… Will you share with us what that experience was like for you?
JPC: I would only guess it was similar to being called on stage for the PRICE IS RIGHT. It was such a shocking surprise, that when we were called – my astonishment and my adrenaline mixed and exploded to a total frenzy as I bolted, shook and grinned down the aisle. My mother and sister were too excited to even notice that I turned into a raging spaz. And to be honest, I can barely remember it.
FD: We loved your design for the Scream Awards greenroom on SpikeTV, so much that it’s displayed in our Showcase on FormDecor.com! Was there any particular inspiration that made you choose our Hollywood Regency Style for this striking lounge?
JPC: With that project, we always talked about it being a stylized version of a backstage (or back tent) of a vintage carnival. I drowned myself in carnival and circus research from all points of history to see what I could learn. We built the custom tent from fabric we got from INDIA because we wanted a particular color for the ceiling. I picked through turn-of-the-century research to see what styles married well with FormDecor’s vast contemporary selection.
FD: Season 2 of The Voice just aired on NBC after the Superbowl. Your design for the offstage presence was “harmonizing”! What were the highlights for you in working on this project?
JPC: This was a crazy project that landed on my doorstep very late in the process. I designed this over a weekend since the next day was an expected day of build. The idea was to create a showroom of stylish furniture that incorporated the Voice brand. I used color for the brand harmony and FormDecor for the style. FormDecor has such great stuff, that I thought without even knowing what to choose yet, that I would get 80% of the furnishings there, and then fill in with what was needed for added interest. I guess it takes a quick turnaround of a schedule to harmonize.
FD: The work you do with FormDecor furnishings is FABULOUS…If you could choose one design of FormDecor’s for your home, what would it be?
JPC: Right before we were about to go live on air at the Grammy’s this year, of course while the crew was on a dinner break, I took a nap on the IMAN sectional. Fabulous, comfortable and… Perfect.
FD: What is your greatest source of inspiration?
JPC: I’m obsessed with Pinterest!! Honestly, I find inspiration in new architecture and decoration. And usually, in garish places with big economies where money is no object; Las Vegas, United Arab Emirates, corporate projects, sports arenas, shopping malls and retail wonderlands, and illustrative make-believe.
FD: What is your dream project and why?
JPC: I think it’s time the Oval office had a new desk, don’t you?
FD: What haven’t you checked off on your “Bucket List”?
JPC: Making out with Justin Bieber
FD: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
JPC: In a bigger house with 2 bathrooms.
Read LessDiann Valentine – Making dreams come true Fairy Godmother Style
Finally…FormDecor caught up with Diann Valentine, one of the most sought after Wedding Designers and an acclaimed expert in the industry. Just recently, she was the Host, Designer and Executive Producer of I Do Over, WEtv’s newest wedding show. Decorating her office with eclectic and modern FormDecor furnishings was just the start as she worked….
Read MoreFinally…FormDecor caught up with Diann Valentine, one of the most sought after Wedding Designers and an acclaimed expert in the industry. Just recently, she was the Host, Designer and Executive Producer of I Do Over, WEtv’s newest wedding show. Decorating her office with eclectic and modern FormDecor furnishings was just the start as she worked closely with FormDecor to make her clients’ wedding dreams come true… The second time around! To quote this talented Diva “FormDecor has the best inventory in all of LA!”
FormDecor: You began your calling as a wedding producer during high school when your cousin asked for help in planning her wedding day. . . It’s obvious with the way your business bloomed that you found your passion at a very young age. As a young adult, where did you find the inspiration to visualize the event and the ability to bring it to life?
Diann Valentine: I have been a dreamer all of my life – meaning that I have always seen the impossible as possible and within my reach. My dreaming certainly helped me bring events to life. I have never believed that any idea or any concept or any creative expression was not within my reach. In fact, budgets have been more of my enemy than anything else.
FD: I’m sure with your career you have seen many changes in wedding trends over the years. Can you name your favorite and most timeless wedding trend?
DV: That is an interesting question because I really do not believe in wedding trends and I certainly have never followed them. And here is what I mean by that statement. Celebrities are often credited as starting trends, but in my experience, whereas they certainly have their own talents and gifts – when it comes to their personal style and particularly their weddings – it’s us, the creative professionals that work behind the scenes in their lives, who help them set the trends. For example, I suggested that Toni Braxton use ‘tiffany blue’ as the color for her wedding, and actress Lela Rochon allowed me to create an all-white wedding for her special day long before it became a design trend. And when Shawn Stockman of NBC’s The Sing-Off and his wife Sharhonda came to me for their wedding, I came up with the concept of the fish tank dance floor that Jennifer Lopez then re-created for her wedding that didn’t happen to Ben Affleck. When a bride comes to me to help her interpret her love story, it is my personal responsibility to help her define it in a way that her wedding does not become a carbon copy of something beautiful that one of my esteemed colleagues has already created. She deserves the best of me and that requires an immense amount of time and work, but anything less would be a disgrace to who I am and what I have built my brand to represent.
FD: I’ve recently started referring to you as a Fairy Godmother – by giving deserving couples a wedding beyond their wildest imagination, you truly ARE a Fairy Godmother. I Do Over premiered on November 13th . . . and in the premiere episode you asked Dana and Mike, “What is the perfect wedding for YOU?” How much direction comes from the wedding couple and how much comes from you, the experienced event producer?
DV: 100% of the direction always comes from my couples. Most women already have an idea of what the perfect wedding means and looks like to them, so I always ask them to share their vision with me. However, my vast experience and creative strengths allow me to listen to all of the descriptions and adjectives that they use as well as the words that are unspoken. What I know for sure is that what the mouth cannot speak, the heart always tells. So I know that there are some feelings deep in a woman’s heart that she doesn’t know how to communicate but she shares this with me by the way she reacts to different words or stories or the way she looks at her fiancé when he walks into the room. If my focus is only on getting through the next job, I will certainly miss all of those important cues and miss the opportunity to perfectly interpret her love story. When a client says things like ‘How did you know that was so important’ or ‘How did you know I would love that’ – my answer is always simple…I listen!
FD: You love to travel to Europe and in fact just returned from a trip last month, what one city could you return to over and over again?
DV: Florence, Italy is probably my favorite European city. It boasts the perfect mix of old-world charm and modern glamour.
FD: When you wake up each morning what’s the first thought that comes to mind?
DV: As soon as my eyes open, I immediately think about making time to pray. Sometimes life can be so busy. Whenever I start my day running and don’t take time to enjoy my quiet time with God, something usually happens throughout the day that throws it off. My prayer time is my time to get grounded, to understand my purpose for the day, to pray for wisdom, discernment and clarity in my decision making. This has been a stressful year with the shooting of I Do Over and prayer has been such a necessary component of my sanity!
FD: Describe your ideal event . . . .
DV: An exquisite and intimate dinner for two people in love where I can create an environment from scratch. LOVE is my biggest source of inspiration…other than Tom Ford. I treasure the opportunities when I can assist a couple with interpreting that love which is so intimate and personal. My intimate parties are never filled with all of the usual components of rose petals, flowing fabric and champagne, but they are always filled with L-O-V-E! And my experience is that love looks different to every woman in love. Most people expect me to look forward to the big ‘over the top’ wedding but I prefer the quiet moments that sometimes only two people know exist.
FD: We love that you are a fan of FormDecor’s furnishings… What is it about working with FormDecor that keeps you coming back for more?
DV: There are so many furniture and décor rental resources in our industry, but many of them offer a collection of items that have been designed by the owner of the company with an endless amount of matching pieces. FormDecor’s inventory allows me to exercise my own design skills by choosing an eclectic mix of unique furnishings that collectively tell a cohesive story. I’m always able to use one or two elements to anchor a room and then build upon it with other elements. The days of white modern lounge furnishings bore me! I can always count on you to keep adding new pieces to the footprint of my design projects. The stories that I have created using FormDecor furnishings are not contrived but rather stem from my own heart and the vision that I bring into a project. I’ve often said that FormDecor is a resource that true designers lust over!
FD: What’s your technique in bringing the visual to reality when planning/designing an event . . . what are your favorite tools?
DV: Most clients are very visual and struggle with understanding the overall vision of a project. Many of the projects that I design have a number of elements that do not exist but are elements that I am proposing. It is impossible to effectively tell a client my vision. I always have to show. The following tools have assisted me in doing this incredibly successfully:
1. Auto-CAD
2. 3-D Renderings
3. Sketches
4. Color Environment Drawings
5. 3-D Modeling
6. And of course all of the usual suspects such as fabric, mood boards, flowers, table set-ups and props
FD: WHO planned your wedding!? Any fun Diann Valentine wedding pics in the vault that you’d care to share?
DV: I planned my own wedding which was very challenging. The logistics were easy but the design was tough. I think because I am aware of the vast array of possibilities that can be achieved, it is always tough for me to settle on one specific design direction for myself. In the end, it was a great eclectic mix of all of the things I loved at the time, which included several pieces from FormDecor. Also, I planned a surprise wedding! My desire was not to plan a wedding but to get married in a simple ceremony alone in Italy. My family was so disappointed and thought I was behaving selfishly. So we decided to host an engagement party in the Royal Penthouse at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. In the middle of our party, we surprised our families and were married right there in the middle of the dance floor! The next day we left for Italy where we married again alone in a private castle on Lake Maggiore. I have kept my wedding personal and stored in our family archives, but here are two images that I have shared:
FD: Weddings… Events… Interiors… Invitations… Author… TV Host… Mother… Wife…Fairy Godmother… Can you possibly name one thing you absolutely cannot do and laugh at yourself for even trying?
DV: I am the worst cook in the world. My daughter is a much better cook than me and my husband handles all of the cooking in our home. I always tell people that success will cost you something and in my case, it was time in the kitchen. And I was so focused on my career for so many years, I no longer have any desire to cook or learn any wonderful new skills. Thank God for Whole Foods…they have catered many of my social gatherings at my home!
About Diann Valentine
From humble beginnings to soaring above and beyond achieving her wildest dreams, internationally acclaimed wedding, event and interior designer Diann Valentine continues to turn fantasy into reality as this vivacious innovative mastermind gives couples around the world the wedding of their dreams. The incredibly sought after and admired Valentine is the creative genius behind the jaw dropping weddings of Usher, Martin Lawrence, Toni Braxton, Kelis and Nas, Lela Rochon, and Boyz II Men crooner Shawn Stockman, just to name a few. Valentine is also the author of Weddings Valentine Style: Rich Inspiration For Every Woman’s Dream Day. As if being a renowned event producer and designer sought after by top celebrities and publishing a book wasn’t enough, Valentine has also added invitation designer to her plethora of pet projects with her new collection from Wedding Paper Divas. Valentine is also the Host, Designer and Executive Producer of I Do Over, WEtv’s newest wedding show that premiered on Sunday, November 13th at 10pm while she was juggling the demands of the celebrity wedding for Evelyn Lozada (Basketball Wives) and Chad Ochocinco. In the event world, Valentine is a genius. In wedding design, Valentine is one of the most sought after experts in the business. As an author, Valentine is mixing traditions and modern trends to be truly unique. As the host of “I Do Over” Valentine is a dream fulfiller. As an invitation designer, Valentine gives brides with a love of color a new voice. And as a proud African American woman, Valentine is a pioneer. With many titles above her head, Valentine is just getting started.
Diann Valentine lives in Los Angeles with her husband Damon Haley. For more information, please visit www.diannvalentine.com.
Checkout FormDecor’s Youtube Channel for more Diann Valentine video clips.
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