Official Oscar Party Sneak Peek: Event Design

"You can't think of the Oscar's without the red carpet and gold statuette," event producer Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions said about the design inspiration for this year's Ball. I met Cheryl years ago when I had the privilege of working on the Academy Awards Governors Ball team and it was wonderful to see her again at this exclusive preview.

With passion and poise, Cheryl described the decor around the room, which had been meticulously staged for members of the press in order to offer a sneak peak of the upcoming event. View even more of the event details planned for Oscar night in my other articles: Wolfgang Puck's Menu, and Wine, Champagne, and Cocktails, and see a gallery of photos in my blog, Partini.

Wall-to-Wall Luxury

Nine diverse sections will be created within the ballroom using a variation of the contrasting tabletops as described above, luxurious fabrics, and exquisite design details throughout the space. Tufted wall surfaces accented by mirrors will add a sophisticated elegance to the event room and give the illusion of expanded space. Gold ultra suede banquettes and mirrored cube tables will provide an inviting lounge atmosphere for the stars to relax and catch up with one another.

Mirrored Tabletops with Red Glass Accents

One of the tabletop designs in the ballroom will feature a mirrored dining surface on a large rectangular table that seats 14 guests. Deep red accessories from china serving platters to a trio of crimson stemware for each guest will accessorize the table. Gold silverware completes individual place settings.

Red Velvet Booths with Suede and Lucite Chairs

High collar booths upholstered in red velvet will juxtapose contemporary Lucite chairs with red suede seats. Other chairs will be golden metal spindle-back with a basket-weave pattern. Red suede-covered railings will further define the room and give the overall design scheme a seamless flow.

Shades of Gold on Tabletops with Kartell Lamps

Another table design will infuse shades of gold from shimmering tablecloths with red glass accents and transparent Kartell "Bourgie" Table Lamps. Red Ecuadorian roses will surround these baroque designer lamps at the base.

Red Roses and Golden Orchids in Ornate Vases with Dangling Crystals

Celebrity florist and owner of MARK'S GARDEN, Mark Held designed extraordinary centerpieces for the dining tables. Most striking was an ornate metalwork vase accented with dangling crystals. The vase contained golden James Storey orchids encircled by a lush red rose collar.
Other tables were styled with low black box arrangements of tufted red roses and slender glass vases each topped with a beautiful ball of roses. All of Held's designs epitomized the event's theme of elegance and contemporary glamour.

Twinkling Glass Balls Above

Upon entering the event room of the famed Hollywood Kodak Theater, breath-taking arrangements of delicate glass balls seemed to float above. Similar to large, glass Christmas ornaments, these orbs were suspended from the ceiling in clusters reminiscent of clouds. The balls were highlighted by firefly lights, which added a sense of movement as if glass bubbles were drifting over the crowd.