“I’m interested in the essence of an idea: of distilling an impression down to its simplest form. I view all things I see and hear as a possible resource for my jewelry ideas. A textile pattern, a piece of music or shadows and light are all things that have inspired my work. I love the idea that the jewelry holds special meaning to the wearer, and that many of our customers tell us they never take the pieces off.”  Jane Hollinger

Each piece is handmade, made-to-order by her in-house team using domestically sourced materials and metals that are carefully recycled. Jane uses Sterling Silver, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Brass, semiprecious and precious stones, and to a lesser degree 14k gold-fill and vermeil. Although she’s known for her sweet hearts, flowers and starbursts, there is a wide range of designs to choose from.  So there’s a look for everyone!

Contrary to popular belief, incorporating personal collections into weddings has always been important to brides.  The trend has just been a little more publicized over the past few years.  But in our world of wedding planning and event design we’ve been amazed to see what keepsakes, collections and heirlooms our bridal couples have set aside for use in their wedding decor.  For a 2007 beachside wedding in historic Lewes, Delaware, one of our client’s most important design goals was to display her collection of cherished wedding cake toppers in a sentimental, sweet fashion.  Having collected vintage cake toppers for over twenty years, the bride’s modern love for traditional elements was one of our favorite elements woven through the wedding day.

What better way to style the vintage cake toppers than on wedding cakes?  The award-winning couture cake baker, Truli Confectionary Arts, designed seven wedding cakes that were displayed on a 200-year old antique plank table as an old-fashioned seaside “cake walk” buffet.  The traditional fondant-covered stacked cakes were designed in classic white and warm ivory, as well as the soft, beach-inspired shades of butter yellow and pale pink.  The vintage cake toppers either crowned the top of the cakes or sat along the edges, where appropriate without compromising the design of the lovely cakes. Placed underneath trees holding ivory muslin lanterns, the cake buffet table allowed the 250 wedding guests to sample the cakes from both sides.  Antique silver pedestals, vases and serving ware added that last touch of historic elegance that reflected back to the overall wedding theme.  An incredibly sweet wedding all-around, pop over here to see more photos of this charming open-air seaside wedding celebration.

{Photos courtesy of Liz Banfield}

As we head into the end of 2011, we just couldn’t help looking back to this glittering New Years Eve wedding at The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia!  This stunning celebration was all about sparkle, shimmer and shine!

{Photos:  Tyler Boye}

Brian Kappra designed a stunning hand-tied bouquet for the bride composed of delicate textures and soft fragrance.  The traditional wedding flowers, Stephanotis and Lily of the Valley, were combined with white Akito Roses and Gardenias. The stems of the bouquet were wrapped in silk organdy ribbon and detailed with tiny vintage crystal pins. Little crystals were also added into the heart of the star-shaped Stephanotis blossoms.  Just enough twinkle to catch the romantic lighting in the ballroom as Jaclyn glided down the aisle!

The groom, Neville, as he waits for his bride-to-be to arrive at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for their “first look” photo session.  The day was brisk and cold but you wouldn’t know it from these two lovebirds!  Working closely with their photographer, Tyler Boye, Jaclyn and Neville spent over an hour outside in the Winter chill to get the these fantastic photographs!

As guests arrived for the ceremony they were greeted by long contemporary dark wooden and mirror-topped tables in both the Ballroom Foyer and in the back of the Grand Ballrooom.  Down the length of each of the tables was a collection of glass vases and crystal votive candles to create a beautiful initial setting upon entering the ceremony space.  Each vase was filled with fragrant white flowers such as Casablanca Lilies, Roses, Stock and Snapdragon.

The ceremony setting itself was designed simply with white gossamer drape as the backdrop, a long white line aisle runner, classic white pedestals holding blown glass and crystal lamps, and clear lucite Chivari reception chairs.  The main decor element was the ceiling treatment of dozens of suspended crystals and strung orchids that like the chandeliers, caught the light and added sparkle to the celebration.  After the ceremony, the shimmering crystals remained adding a little extra glamour over the dance floor and head table for the dinner dance.

The bridesmaids were all attired in elegant black dresses and black pashmina wraps. All gorgeous ladies themselves, their bridesmaids’ bouquets of tightly gathered miniature white Calla Lilies were a lovely accessory.  The groomsmen (photographed below in the Boathouse Row Bar in The Rittenhouse) were smartly suited out in classic black tuxedos, traditional hand-tied bow-ties, personalized cufflinks and coordinating boutonnieres.

After the ceremony, wedding guests enjoyed cocktails in the Cassatt Tea Room while the Grand Ballroom was revamped into a silver and white New Year’s wedding reception.  Soft, elegant lighting around the ballroom added warmth and romance to the space.

The round dinner tables were dressed with floor-length pleated white organdy linens, silver satin napkins, silver beaded glass chargers and clear lucite Chivari reception chairs.  On the center of each table, including the long rectangular head table seating twenty-five, we placed a variety of different centerpiece designs which incorporated beautiful glass vases of different heights and stunning collections of white flowers.  Gorgeous imported blossoms from around the globe were used, including: Amaryllis, Tulips, French Stock, Hydrangea, Dendrobium Orchids, Calla Lilies, Akita Roses, Snapdragon, Casablanca Lilies and Cape Green.

In addition to flowers on the dinner tables, candles played an important role in setting the tone for the evening.  Like the glass vases used around the room, the candles varied from table design to table design for visual interest.  Tall crystal drop taper holders were used on some tables, crystal pillar stands on other tables, and crystal lamps and votives on others.

The bride and groom take their first turn around the dance floor together. (above) Later in the evening, Jaclyn and her father share every emotion on the dance floor, from joyous laughter to bittersweet tears.  (we love Jaclyn’s feather and organza flower fascinator!)

But when it was time to ring in the New Year, EVERYONE was on the dance floor with noisemakers, clappers and champagne in hand!

Sneaking out into the night for one last photo session, the bride and groom take advantage of the sparkling holiday lights suspended from the trees in Rittenhouse Square Park.

 {This wedding was featured on Hostess with the Mostess}

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Our Corporate Gift Division has spent the better part of two days preparing and delivering just over 100 stunning Phalaenopsis Orchid plants to recipients located all over Philadelphia. One client chose to present their clients with white orchids in modern square glass containers, whereas another corporate client chose magenta purple orchids planted in classic terra cotta pots lined with moss.  In either case, these are lovely holiday gifts that will provide elegance and good cheer long into the cold Winter months!

For more information on our Corporate Gift Division and Personal Shopping Services, call 215-790-2576.

Upcycling at its best!  The talented creative minds at Waverly and Irving have repurposed salvaged coffee cans, tea tins, antique boxes and Depression-era glass to design some adorable candles for the home. Ideal for holiday gifts, these handmade, aromatic soy candles are not only super stylish but eco-friendly!  {not to mention affordable}

Hand-poured natural soy wax, cotton wicks and carbon neutral; these delightful candles last forever (50-100 hours) and are not overpowering in fragrance.  Scents available include Hydrangea, Linen, Green Tea, Milk, Champagne, Chamomile, Bamboo Teak and Bergamot.  Waverly and Irving thought of everything, right down to including a small old-fashioned matchbook with each candle!

Waverly and Irving hand-poured soy candles in vintage cans and antique boxes are NOW AVAILABLE at Evantine at The Rittenhouse, our retail boutique located in the Upper Lobby of The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominiums.  210 West Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Open Monday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm.  Gift wrapping and shipping services available.

{Photos courtesy of Marie Labbancz}

Big thank you to wedding photographer Amie Schroeder for featuring one of our late Summer weddings on her blog!  Not once, but twice!  The vintage-inspired garden theme was a wonderful way to celebrate this wedding in the already-fabulously designed Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia.

One of our favorite designs we created for the event was this eye-catching twelve foot weathered table which greets guests as they arrived for the ceremony.  We covered the old farmhouse tables with a varied collection of salvaged bird cages, oxidized copper vessels, old leather boxes, wooden trays filled with moss or grass, recycled books, mini-chalkboard signs and groomed topiaries in terracotta pots.  The nooks and crannies of this collection were designed to showcase Diane Schaffer’s clever ceremony program that doubled as “place cards” as each program had a paper band that shared seating assignments.

Click here and here to see more photos of the event – from our whimsical bridal bouquet to the incredible French iron candelabra centerpieces used on some of the dinner tables in the hotel ballroom.

More fabulous photos to come soon! Not to mention the sensational wedding we produced at The Rittenhouse… it was a BUSY weekend for the Evantine Design Team!

The new seasonal Wildwood collection of home fragrances from Thymes is now in stock!

One of our most popular lines, (which always make sensational hostess gifts, by the way), the three woodland-inspired fragrances of Wildwood capture the feelings and scents of Autumn:  Bitter Orange & Cedar, Magnolia Fig & Vetiver, and Juniper Berry & Sandalwood.  Choose your aromatic preference:  fragrance mist, home candle, potpourri or diffuser.