Color in Design
One of the most important elements in creating a specific ambiance is how we use color. Whether in the home, for a party, a conference, or in advertising, selection of the right colors is key in creating the right emotion. Color activates the emotions To most of us, specific colors evoke certain feelings, even if we don’t realize this on a conscious level. Take the color red. Red can be understood as sexy, passionate, warm, inviting, positive, sophisticated, and sometimes dangerous. We often associate green with tranquility, warmth, and renewal, as well as with money and thus prosperity. Black is dramatic when placed in the right context, and white always depicts purity, cleanliness, and clarity. At TOCA Events, we are acutely aware of how important color combinations are for creating the right tone for a specific event. For us, understanding the type of impact our clients wish to create, as well as the results they hope to achieve, is the basic key to creating an environment that works. In this regard, choosing the right colors is the absolute foundation for transmitting the feeling that clients wish to evoke for their attendees. There is a very specific vocabulary of color, which starts with the color wheel. Thanks to the work of Sir Isaac Newton, who discovered that colors formed a spectrum after bending light through a prism, we have the circular color wheel that starts with red and goes to orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and then back to red. The wheel consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, where primary colors can be mixed together to create secondary colors, which in turn can be mixed together to create tertiary colors. The wide variety of color schemes makes for a wonderful opportunity to find just the right hues for every emotion, which is something any artist will tell you. Along with color combining, there is color saturation, which is the purity or brightness of a color. When it is clear and bright, it is considered highly saturated. When there is a more muted tone, it is considered to be less saturated. We also can talk about tone, which is when colors are modified by the addition of white or black. Here light tones or tints are created by mixing a given color with white, while dark shades are made with gray or black. Combining colors and paying attention to saturation and tone is what creates optimum impact when creating an event. Our job at TOCA Events is to identify the mood and then follow suit with colors that work well for the message. Through good planning, the right colors will impact ideas, messages, interest, and emotion, which all come together to make a statement that works with subtle strength. A TOCA we are intrigued by both the science and art of using color. We are fascinated by the way colors are made, as well as what color symbolizes, and recognize what a powerful tool color is in changing the way we think, act, and react. Playing a vital role in our world, color has the power to soothe or irritate, calm our appetite or raise our blood pressure, change the look of an ordinary space, and define who you are or what you represent. Through the right use of color, we can create an instant change in perception. At TOCA, we believe that finding the right colors to express the personality and intention of the moment is an art form, which adds another dimension to the pleasure we get in working with our clients to create an environment that is consistent with the unspoken message within their event. www.tocaevents.com
The Fine Art of Flower Arrangement
Even the hardest of hearts will open before the presence of beautiful flowers. Touching us in the deepest way, their inherent magic penetrates our psyches, lifting us up on the darkest days and granting us continuing joy on the brightest. It is more than apparent to us at TOCA that flowers help to make the event. Whether you’re hosting a party of thousands, an intimate setting for two, or enjoying time on your own, flowers complete the scene. Flowers create a mood. They affect our emotions without the use of words. They help to create a connection between people and environment. They raise the spirit. You can gather a bunch of wildflowers together and put them in a jar, place a simple bouquet in a vase, or use your imagination to create a combination of colors and textures. No matter what you do, flowers will exercise their power to enchant. When we follow the history of flower arranging, we find that the earliest versions began in ancient Egypt, where cut flowers were placed in vases to enhance a table. To celebrate an event, such as a procession or burial, stylized arrangements were put together to honor the moment. The ancient Greeks and Romans used flowers for their symbolic meaning, creating garlands and wreaths used to award highly regarded poets, orators, and athletes. In Rome, a military victory saw commanders crowned in headpieces made with herbs and flowers woven together. In ancient China, floral arrangements were used profusely in the Han era, which dates back to 207 BC. Looking at carvings, pottery, and embroidery from this period, you will see the extraordinary finesse the Chinese applied to creating their flower decor. With the Byzantine Empire, floral arrangements were often designed in a cone shape. Using flowers such as daisies, carnations, and lilies combined with fruit, cypress branches, pine, and ribbons, floral decoration became as varied as a designer’s imagination allowed. Flower arranging in Europe really took hold around 1000 AD when churches and monasteries were adorned with lush florals. In the Middle Ages, gardens expanded as herbs and wildflowers became more popular and in demand. And just look at Renaissance paintings to enjoy the magnificent vase arrangements that were in fashion, as well as the ample garlands created to decorate walls and ceilings. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is perhaps the best known for its exquisite detail and simplicity. The disciplined practice of Ikebana emphasizes the importance of shape and line, where the colors of blooms combine uniquely. Here the use of a rock and cactus, along with a minimal use of flowers create a spiritual and meditative message that can calm and widen the soul. Serene, whimsical, or vibrant, a floral arrangement can create any mood required for any occasion. At TOCA, our floral designers are kept on their toes with a wide variety of events to challenge their artistry. Enhancing decor with dried flowers, bark, leaves, moss, and artifacts, they can create a spectacular effect, no matter what the season. Contact Us For more on creating flower arrangements for your event, feel free to contact us at: www.tocaevents.com
Tips On Hosting Your Indoor Tea Party, TOCA Event Style
TOCA Events is used to giving parties. From a mere handful of people to thousands of guests, we create everything from intimate breakfasts to over-the-top bashes, and we love every minute of helping to spread the joy wherever we can. In this spirit, we are always ready to help our readers construct their own festive moments and today we want to talk about the simplest of events: the tea party. Bringing People Together A tea party is a great way to bring friends or business associates together in a cozy setting that is conducive to socializing. Whether buffet style or a sit down affair, you can create a special ambiance with a great setting, delicious foods, and well-thought-out décor. The Right Table As party specialists, TOCA Events always starts out with a good working list of what is needed. First, we look at the room. Is it ample enough to accommodate a table where everyone can sit around it, or should it be used just for food and beverages? If you choose buffet style, move the table against a wall if space is short, otherwise place it so that it is accessible from all sides. Decor Choose a tablecloth and matching linen napkins. A solid color is always a good choice, making the perfect background for beautiful china and well-chosen florals. Select flowers without strong scents, and if there is not enough room for vases or a centerpiece, scatter petals around the table instead. You can also use seasonal elements such as an autumn leaf displays, pine cones and branches, or freshly picked wildflowers surrounding your serving plates. The Sit Down Party For a sit-down tea party, our TOCA Event party planners observe the classic setting with plates centered for each guest and linens folded in either a rectangle, square, or triangle, placed to the left with the open edge on the right side. If there isn’t enough space, put each napkin in the center of the plate. Be sure not to overcrowd your table with cutlery or décor. Cutlery Your cutlery depends on what type of foods you are serving. Place a small spoon on the right side of each plate for tea. If sticky foods are on the menu, place a small fork on the right and one or more knives between the plate and spoon, with the blades facing the plate. If spreads and jams are involved there should be a serving spoon for each one. Cups and Saucers Teacups and saucers go to the right of the teaspoon and a tiny bowl should also be offered for used teabags, tea leaves, and used lemon wedges. Water glasses go above the knives or the tea cup if there are no knives. If you are serving other beverages such as champagne, mimosas, or lemonade, then include the appropriate glass to the right of the water glass. Place the dessert plate or bowl above the main plate, including a small dessert spoon and/or fork horizontally between the two plates. The Buffet For a good buffet, arrange the room elsewhere so people can sit or stand comfortably. Use chairs and sofas to create areas that invite conversation, and provide small tables so that guests can easily put their plates and drinks down. For the buffet table, place the tea service at one or both ends of the table. Make sure you have several tea options on hand, including caffeinated and herbal teas. At TOCA we prefer loose-leaf teas that are freshly brewed in their own teapots Remove the leaves before serving or provide a strainer. Include a bowl of raw sugar granules or cubes along with a honey pot and server and lemon wedges or lemon halves wrapped in gauze for easy squeezing. And don’t forget small pitchers with cream and milk. Placing Your Foods A tea party usually calls for finger foods. Place savory and sweet foods in the middle of the table. These can include small sandwiches without crusts, deviled eggs, scones, small cakes, cookies, and the like. Our TOCA Event party designers love to use three layered cake stands instead of trays, placing scones on top, tea sandwiches and savory snacks in the middle, and sweets on the bottom. Cold drinks can go on a side table and can include water, iced tea, lemonade, white wine, champagne, and sherry. Entertainment Choose your music well, as this is key to creating just the right atmosphere. If you can hire musicians, find a harpist or guitarist or a classical or soft jazz trio. Otherwise, make or find a good playlist that sets the tone while helping guests relax and enjoy! For more information on hosting a party, contact us today at: www.tocaevents.com