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Baltimore Networker Blows The Doors Off of the Carriage House!

Posted: 11.08.13
Category: Uncategorized

Over 200 guests showed up for the Design & Inspire Tour stop at the Evergreen Museum & Library in Baltimore, Maryland.  Hosted in the Carriage House on the property, the evening was filled with beautiful design and inspiration.

Rather than creating a Preview Gallery this evening, we decided to showcase our new collections throughout the venue.  The response to our new collections has been amazing.  We are so excited that you love them as much as we do!  Just in case you’ve not seen them, here they are.  Introducing the Chandler, Regale, Provence, and Parma Collections.

Guests arriving to the event entered into a tent fronted by an Essentials Banquette. Once inside, they registered and enjoyed a drink and a bite to eat.  Around the space we featured our Crystal Collection including our High Back Loveseats accented with our Zanzibar and Rose tables, and Ottomans interspersed with Zinc highboy cocktail tables.  Crystal Bar Surrounds were styled as Gourmet Candy Bars. Passed hors d’ oeuvres were offered to guests as they mixed and mingled or snapped a photo in the photo booth.

Once the doors were opened, guests were led into the Design Galleries through an entryway featuring our new lipstick red Chandler Collection. Immediately inside, guests previewed our new Parma Collection.  Moving further into the stable were the four vignettes for the Design Challenge filled with inspiring style and inspiration.  Let’s take a look at our designers:

My Flower Box wanted to transform the dark walls of the space into “Heaven on Earth” inspired by one of the great stories of Epic Love in Greek Mythology.  They did so featuring our Reno Cocktail and Sofa Tables, Rose Tables, Function Armless Chairs and Corners intermixed with our Sophistication Corners and White Ibezia Chairs.  The gallery also featured Chardonnay Bar Tables, Equino Stools and pillows in Gunmetal and Silver as well as our Safari and Black Illusion Rugs.  Take a peek!

The Carriage House itself inspired Janet Flowers Wedding and Event Designs.  The natural beauty of the space lent itself to many uses.  She and her team created a setting that was reflective of the Changing Seasons with a Thanksgiving and Holiday design.  She did so utilizing our Broadway Collection, Umber Bars, Criss Cross Espresso and White Chairs as well as our Hayden and Vermont Tables. We think you’ll agree the entire setting was just lovely!

Elle Designs wanted to transform their space into a posh, edgy and “sexy” space.  Her goal?  To create a setting that showcased AFR’s furnishings and demanded attention.  With a swanky Champagne Room as the end result, it featured a lounge, entertainment and of course, champagne and cocktails. She accomplished the look by mixing several collections together including our Sophistication, Crystal and Whisper Collections, Shanti Bar Backs, Ghost Stools our Zinc Pub Table and Mon accent tables and Safari rugs.  This area also featured entertainment with performances by pole ballerinas choreographed to French Vintage music.  Take a look.  Mission accomplished.

Our fourth designer of the evening, Intrigue Design & Décor, designed a space inspired by the Equestrian Sport.  Each area of her space featured a unique look into the equestrian world.  Using our Memphis pub and Marcus Stool covered in saddles, our Chateau sofa and Elan Chairs with the Civic Cocktail Tables.  They also used an Umber Bar mixed with Shanti Bar Backs from which Coffee and Hot Chocolate were served.  In another part of the area, it featured Chateau and Dijon chairs with our Winston Ottoman as the coffee table.  It was lovely, unique and innovative.  We know you’ll agree.

The design galleries were all inspiring displays of the creativity of designers within our industry!  By popular vote that evening, Janet Flowers Wedding and Event Designs was declared the winner of the Design Challenge.  Congratulations Janet!!!!

Have we mentioned the food?  It was decadent thanks to the Linwoods Catering who provided a mouthwatering menu including Beef Carpaccio, Croque Monsieur, Warm Cheese and Mushroom Toast, Lobster Mac & Cheese in Shot Glasses, Chicken Picatta on Ceramic Spoons, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Maryland Style Crab Dip, Autumn Harvest Vegetables and Petite Moroccan Meatballs.  They also used our Vermont Tables to create sumptuous Food displays.  As a sweet finale to the evening and the Design Challenge, our Provence Collection featured a French Miniature Pastries and Sweets Bar.  It was a delicious epicurean experience.

The night wasn’t over yet, and the drawing for the Special Event Conference package provided by our National Sponsor Partner, The Special Event went to Jessi Ringle from Stansberry & Associates in Baltimore, Maryland.  Congratulations Jessi!  Pack your bags for Nashville!

As we near the end of the Design and Inspire Tour, it’s important to us to again recognize our sponsors for all their hard work and sponsorship.  It would not be successful without each of them and we appreciate their time, talents and efforts to make this evening a stellar success.

If you’re looking for great suppliers and talent in the Baltimore area, take a look at this list.

Next up is Philadelphia.  It’s going to be amazing. If you haven’t signed up for our last tour stops in LA and New York, why not click here to RSVP now.  You won’t be sorry!

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