Beloved for their star-shaped waxy white blooms and strong tropical perfume, Stephanotis is a traditional ingredient in wedding bouquets and bridal party flowers.  One of our absolute favorite flowers to work with, these sweet little blooms are fragile to some extent but hardier than they look due to their high tolerance for warm temperatures.  Thanks to the glorious sunshine amd steamy humidity in Philadelphia this week, our Stephanotis plants are flowering like mad!  (see photo below).

Stephanotis Floribunda, aka “Madagascar Jasmine,” is an evergreen vine that can grow naturally to a height of 15 to 18 feet, although we groom it to six foot metal trellises for a fuller (and infinitely more accessible) shape.  The dark green leaves are thick and leathery like many plants from their native Africa, but ordinarily, we don’t use the leaves in bridal bouquets.  As you can see from the photo above, the vine produces a fragrant white cluster of delicate flowers from late Spring to early Autumn.

The name derives from the Greek “stephanos” which means “crown” and “otis” which means “ear” – which combined, supposedly refers to the arrangement of the stamens in the flower, each one said to resemble an ear.  (we don’t really get that, do you?)  Although beautiful to play with in wedding design, Stephanotis is a difficult plant.  It absolutely hates sudden changes in temperature, needs constant cool conditions in Winter and is supremely attractive to bugs.  Typical.  The beautiful ones are always challenging but 100% worth the effort.

[Photos: Phil Kramer and Laura Novak]

We pride ourselves on serving as a creative melting pot that blends art and function into engaging experiences.  But, what’s in the secret sauce? An amazing idea for an event can come from anywhere, take any shape or form – but making that brilliant idea come to life in an inspired, efficient and organized fashion is a whole other thing.  Frankly, it’s that complete package that makes Evantine different.  But we’ve created something truly special – our homebase and #1 party design resource - the Warehouse.  Take a peek inside to see how we use it, share it and work it.  Everything we need to produce parties is right here.

THE TEAM

No matter what, it all starts with a talented team of creative individuals. Having a diverse group of professionals, with different talents and skill sets, means there’s always someone who can be called upon to either come up with the creative spark or figure out a way to make someone else’s bright idea happen.  Lead by our fearless leader and Creative Director, Brian Kappra, the trick is to have a deep well of places, spaces, and experiences to draw from at all times.  And we have that experience from many useful angles:  theater, vocal arts, fine art, landscape design, floral design, fashion, retail, production, marketing, accounting, culinary arts and God knows what else.  It’s that type of serendipity of acquired knowledge that leads to great CREATIVE!

THE ZONE

Sure, it’s not the sexiest box-shaped building from the outside but whoa-daddy, just wait until you see what’s inside!  Welcome to the “zone” – better known as the Showroom.  From the first moment guests step inside the front door it’s like stepping into an unexpected and surprisingly peaceful oasis.  Almost like a spa, you know, those wonderfully calm places where sight, sound, smell and touch transform the world into a beautiful place? It’s true, we hear it, OFTEN. Today, in fact. Designed to provide inspiration and focus to overwhelmed party planners, our stylish showroom sets the tone for what’s to come in the design process.

THE DETAILS

Diving further into the showroom leads us to rooms filled with linens, stationery, party favors and current rentable tableware items, such as: stemware, barware, china, chargers and flatware from companies all around the country.

THE TOYS

From the initial spark to fleshing out the details, there’s no better playground for party planners like our “Home Depot for Parties.”  {strangely enough, something we’ve heard from several clients}.  Indeed, a jaw-dropping 50,000 square feet of meticulously kept party props, furniture, decorative elements, linens, plants and design elements await their opportunity to come out and play.  A short walk from the showroom into the warehouse leads you past floor-to-ceiling shelves of vases, vessels, containers, candles, chandeliers, lamps, thematic merchandise and endless notions.  Always changing like the tide, each new visit to the warehouse introduces new additions and fascinating combinations.  {That creative team we mentioned? They’re always figuring out clever ways to use things too.}

THE FROSTING

Once we’ve conceptualized and fleshed out the big picture elements it’s time to frost the cake.  In this case, the frosting represents the gorgeous floral décor that’s invariably the showpiece of every event we’re designing.

THE MACHINE

Once the floor plans, drawings, floral designs and production elements have been nailed down and agreed to on paper – it’s time for the machine to take over with inventory, preparation, build out, scheduling and delivery.  Successful event design MUST mesh efficient production with artistic expression or it just doesn’t get to the next level.  Really and truly.

P.S. Did we mention we have a greenhouse? or that we grow our own flowers?  No?  Next time.

[Photos courtesy of Cliff Mautner and Laura Novak]

Before heading into the garden with tools in hand, don’t forget a couple simple things:

• With prolonged time spent in the sun, don’t just put sunblock on your face; lather some on your hands, calves, ears, scalps and necks too!
• Those damn little deer ticks are out there, and because they are so tiny to the eye, they can be almost impossible to spot.  It’s best to wear light-colored clothing when gardening .  Checking yourself often is a MUST.  This includes checking your animals carefully before they climb into bed with you after a day shared in the yard. Lyme Disease is no fun, and for many people, infection has lifetime consequences.
• Before you sink your spade into the ground, be sure you’re not cutting into underground cable or electrical lines.  Having your local utility companies mark the lines before you dig will not only save you from costly repair work, but will also avoid serious physical harm or shock.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands from injury, poison ivy and insect bites.  Not to mention that if you have cats or dogs using the yard as a porta-potty, you risk getting a bad case of worms.  Gloves, gloves, gloves!
• And, speaking of poison ivy, oak or sumac, learn to identify them on-the-fly.  The old saying “leaves of three, let them be” is still the ditty to dance to for ivy and oak. For sumac, it’s all about the red stem.  Run!  Run right to the weed killer.  OUCH!  Whenever you’re out in the yard where these items grow, wear long sleeves, gloves and long pants.  And before touching any exposed skin, wash your hands (and gloves) in dishwashing soap; not hand soap.  Like your dirty dishes, dish soap is designed to break down oil and grease; exactly what the nasty plants produce.

The “Green Gallery” feature on pages 64-70 is a must-see, for the fascinating story about a local private residence in Villanova, and also for the fabulous photos by Rob Cardillo. The article is about an 1880′s grand, formal estate home with equally grand, formal gardens that have been thoughtfully and deliberately redesigned to showcase modern, contemporary sculptures. The renowned landscape designers, Charlie and Chuck Gale of Gale Nurseries, were hired to redesign the traditional gardens into what they coined as outdoor “rooms” or “galleries” holding works designed by Richard Long, Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, Richard Serra, and Ellsworth Kelly.

We’ve had the privilege many times of working at homes that the Gales have landscaped; each more beautiful and personal than the last.  (The Gales are true kindreds in their design approach).  But this project was clearly a labor of love by all involved.  The homeowners even made sure to highlight the living sculptures that already existed on the grounds, such as leaning fruit trees, reflecting pools and symmetrical boxwood hedges.

The design appears to be a true extension of their heart and home.  (Now wouldn’t a party be just PERFECT on the lower lawn? jk)  See below for more of the article and additional photos of the exceptional art.