Inspirations – Vintage White and Taupe Wedding Ideas with Karen Tran

Today I am thrilled to share a collection created for a special friend of mine in the industry, the ever-incredible Karen Tran of Karen Tran Florals in San Diego, CA.  Karen and I met via phone after she discovered my stationery design that was inspired by her iconic suspended floral creations.  She called me up and literally the rest was history.  Last year Karen headed to Maui to craft this incredible shoot at The Four Seasons Resort in Wailea with our painted designs featuring Envelopments stocks were woven throughout.

I have to admit that when given a limited palette of colors, I get pretty excited.  Bold, saturated hues are home to me but simple white or neutral shades are where my artistic eye likes to vacation.

Communicating drama and intensity is as possible with a palette of neutrals as it is with all colors of the rainbow,  but requires more patience and planning.

Color played an understated role in the stationery look here with white as the mainstay and touches of yellow and sage as an accent.  I tore sections of vintage hankies to create a textured detail on the invitation.

The dinner menus featured a clever use of Envelopments original Frames artwork printed on Raw Silk White wraps, then painted in a creamy ivory.

Subtle texture and interest was added with a layer of Swiss Raw Silk Ecru.  We are loving the Swiss dots at the Momental Studio, as they are the perfect touch of subtle whimsy and drama for a breadth of stationery styles. A favorite detail of mine is the contrast between the heavy wooden table as seen through the crocheted placemats.  Talk about drama!

A huge thank you to Karen for being such an inspiration and for forcing me out of my colorful comfort zone!! All photography is compliments of the talented Evonne Wong.   Be sure to stop by Evonne’s  site to see more on this shoot recently featured in a recent issue of Ceremony Magazine.

Check back later this week to see more from Karen Tran!

Behind the Scenes – Mosaic Damask Hand Painted Invitations in Inside Weddings

When I began designing for Elizabeth, an interior designer in LA, I knew it would be something special.  Never could we imagine that her design would grace the main page of Inside Weddings’ Winter invitation feature.  We began with an inspiration board after Elizabeth mentioned the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills owned restaurant, Villa Blanca as her muse.

Nuage Linens, Villa Blanca, Crete, Hand Painted Invitation, Papers, Bed and Pillow

 So dive in for a peek into the production of these stunners.

A custom pattern was in store and the inspiration was a simple mosaic element reminiscent of honeycomb.  The wording, framed in pencil sketched flourish, announced details in style.

Elizabeth hand picked silk lace and sent to our studio for custom upholstery onto each raw silk folio.  In addition to lavish hand painting throughout the mosaic pattern, we added freehand flourish and handwritten names to each folio cover.

We are so grateful to have worked with Elizabeth to bring her interior design inspired vision to life.  Thank you Inside Weddings for sharing her masterpiece!

A Peek into the Studio – Watercolor and Lace Destination Wedding Invitations

This gal loves to play with lace and fabric so when Leot gave us a call, I knew we were in for a fun and thrilling design ride!  Our watercolor illustrations were what first caught her eye and before I knew it a sketch of her venue, One and Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas became the focal point of her entire painted stationery ensemble.

We designed a custom damask silk portfoilio as home to her many invitation accouterments.  A white welcome party and after party were all included in the festivities.  Sheer shimmering ink was individually hand painted to draw out the spirited details throughout the original watercolor painting.

Lace was the secondary inspiration overall and new artwork was created to mimic the lace wrap closures designed for Leot’s folios.  White orchids, a favorite of the brides were painted in matte white atop shimmer white stock in addition to textural dots throughout.  Texture and layering were key here as we could not get enough of the patterned papers, painting finishes and trim that Leot loved so much!

Touches of gunmetal ink found its way into some painted details for a bit of contrast within the sketched lace…

The guests first glance of pure white on white texture, lovely.

Love to Leot for trusting us with this project and giving us the creative freedom to do what we love the most! Curious to see Leot’s design process unfold?  Have a look here.

So what am I up to?
Diving into a painting project for my friends at Artvows and Ketubah.com

Eagerly anticipating some fun news coming soon from Envelopments!

Designing out annual Holiday Party invitations, this year is going to be the best yet!!!

Eva G.

I had such fun with this Art Nouveau inspired design!!

I’m so excited about your design!!

Alphonse Mucha, Lace Invitation, Pearls, Papers

Shannon H.

Love the combination of soft and subtle with a sense of rustic elegance!

Chandelier Wedding,  Lace, Bouquet,  Papers,  Handmade Wedding Invitation

Inspirations – Opulent Vintage Lace Wedding Invitations

Exciting chat with Julie today who is all about anything antique and romantic.  Lovely laces, all shades of ivory and blush are where its at for her wedding invitation inspiration!

Vintage Pearl Necklace, Brocade Pattern Wedding Invitations, Opulent Tablescape, Princess Grace Wedding, Opulent White Wedding Cake

Jess B.

I adore this design direction.  I combined romantic patterns, textured papers, velvet and lace, lushly painted blooms with a cameo watercolor illustration!! LOVE!