In our latest design collaboration for our Clients that Inspire series, we partnered with Hamptons caterer, event planner, and our longtime client Janet O’Brien of Janet O’Brien Caterers + Events to create two different yet equally-stunning designs. Born in Dublin, Janet began her career in the fashion industry in Paris. It was there that she also discovered her culinary talents. From New York City to Aspen to the Hamptons, she’s used that talent, combined with her innovative style and an eye for incredible detail, to bring a wide variety of events to life. Janet nods to our years of partnership and weaves her unique perspective and into both of the following tabletop designs, each set to perfection.
The beach at Peters Pond Lane in Sagaponack acted as the backdrop to the spectacular looks — one traditional all-white wedding design, very much like the designs we created together when we our partnership began in the late 1990s, and one luxe, red look created with the most fabulous beach dinner party in mind. Whether your tastes lean towards traditional or considerably bold, these looks are guaranteed to inspire.
Could you describe the two looks you designed and the inspiration behind them?
The first look we created was inspired with the classic, all-white wedding style that was popular among brides at the beginning of my career, around the time that Party Rental Ltd. and I began to work together. Brides today tend to like sleeker or boho looks, so it’s been quite some time since I set a table so traditionally! As an alternative to clear, square glass vases, we used a variety of teacups as floral vessels, giving an English garden-feel to the design.
The fun and unusual idea to set the table on the back of a Party Rental Ltd. truck came into my head during the planning process for the design. Not many people really think about how their orders get delivered or how the “back of the house” runs, but the truck and delivery is where an event begins. I wanted to give a shout out to the teams that leave New Jersey at dawn to get to us in the Hamptons! Setting the table on the truck itself symbolizes that for me. I love it!
I wanted to include our back-of-house teams in the shoot as a way to honor them and the crucial roles they play in all of our events. Our back-of-house teams know every recipe and product. They’re loading and unloading trucks, and they’re there to support us for each and every event, at all hours of the day. The idea created itself, and the art was bringing it to reality on-site with both of our teams.
The second look we created was pure decadence and everything I want in a table. I used three 8’x36” tables to create one long table — though I’d set the table to infinity, if I could! I find that using the 36″ wide table for dinner parties and events makes the entertaining feel authentic, like you’re dining in someone’s home. It gives us the extra space to create an elaborate table setting.
I had a vision of taking this table out of a normal environment and setting it on the beach. The beach at Peter’s Pond Lane [in Sagaponack] is very special for me — it’s where I go when I have an hour at the end of the day to relax or where I gather with friends on full-moon nights. I thought the location was the perfect backdrop for this look.
Red, to me, is the most decadent, incredible, and fabulous shade. I love working with neutrals, but nothing is more of a showstopper than red. (When you walk into a room and want to be a knockout, go for the red dress!) The red and gold elements together are so, so Bacchanalian and rich.
I incorporated blush pink through the Pink Essex Goblets to counteract the red, and I was so delighted to use the Gatsby Fuschia pillows for added texture. I try to use the Matte Black Aster plates as much as I can, and the Red Goblets are such a mainstay in the Party Rental Ltd. collection, I had to work them into the design. (Sometimes I rent a dozen tinted goblets to place as an accent on a bar, even if we aren’t using them for the beverage service.)
Are there any colors, styles, patterns, or textures that you or your clients have been gravitating toward lately?
Texture for me is huge, in both food and design. Even if I’m on a budget, the texture of a cloth or napkin has to be perfect. It’s all about how it feels in your hand. The same goes for flatware. I like to use a medley of textures in my designs — the way a glossy charger contrasts with a matte bowl is important to the overall feel of the event.
A lot of my clients’ home decor has a natural feel — using whites, beiges, and other neutrals — so we tend to incorporate those same preferences into their event designs. I do like to include a pop of color — we’re seeing it in home decor and I like to tie that into an element like a napkin or a glass.
When doing outdoor events in humid conditions, I’ll use Rattan cloths. Rattan has a great look and holds itself well on a Hamptons evening. There’s a reason behind every choice!
Do you have a favorite Party Rental Ltd. product or linen?
For linens, my favorite is Flaxen Irish Linen, but I love Heather as an alternative. Cotton is great — you can’t beat it, and I’m never afraid to go with it.
I use the Aster Matte collection as chinaware often, especially the Grey Matte bowl for a fabulous plated salad. We’ll paint whipped goat cheese right onto the plate for an amazing effect. The Contempo Coupe Salad and Dinner Plates have been my go-to’s for plated dinners for years. Nothing is better than putting a first course — like a salad or tuna tartare — in a Contempo Coupe Salad Plate.
I also love the Venice highball glass. I’ll pair it with a contrasting sleek glass or even use it to showcase food. Shake it up as much as one possibly can!
What do you like about working with us?
I’ve been working with Party Rental Ltd. since the company expanded to the Hamptons, so, at this point, you’re on speed-dial. Simply put, you’ve got what I want, and I know your drivers will be there.
What is your design philosophy?
When I started my career, event design was driven by, “This is how people do events, and this is what they would like.” Now, we’re saying, “How are people not doing events? Let’s surprise them, and let’s do that.”
Each event has its own stamp of innovation. We work to continuously be innovative, because one’s designs should never get stale. The Hamptons may seem large, but guests visit so many parties here every year, that I want each one to have its own individuality. Our clients are some of the most innovative, style-conscious people in the world. They’re beyond the tastemakers.
Any final thoughts you’d like to leave with our readers?
One of the things that makes our local event industry so special is that it reflects New York City’s culture and diversity. Both society and the industry have changed over the years, becoming an even broader spectrum and bringing in many different elements to design and to the food aspect of events. It’s a “bigger world,” I would say, and at the end of the day, it is so important to have teams that work together and for each other — a true dream team. Thank you, Party Rental Ltd.!
A big “Thank You!” to Janet, her wonderful team, Sag Harbor Florist, and our fabulous delivery team for helping bring this spectacular design collaboration to life.
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the traditional white wedding design:
Xavier Chair White Wood, White Shantung (underlay), White Sheer Basic (overlay), Kelsey Ivory Lace Table Runners, Whisper White Plate 11.5″, Glacier Dinner Plate 10.5″, Glacier Lunch Plate 9.5″, Park Avenue flatware, Eleanor Platinum Rim Flute 6oz, Eleanor Platinum Rim Red/Water Glass 12oz, Eleanor Platinum Rim White Wine 8oz, White Church Dinner Napkin, Silver Napkin Ring Round 3/4″, Hampton Cup, White Rim Platinum Border Footed Coffee/Tea Cup, Petal Cup
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the luxe red dinner party design:
Market Bistro Chair Bronze with Gatsby Fuchsia pillows, Cerise Bengaline, Noma Green/Ivory Ombre Glass Charger 13″, Parker Dinner Plate 10.5″, Aster Matte Black Lunch 8″, Gramercy Gold Hammered flatware, Bell White Wine 8oz, Ruby Red Goblet Tinted Glassware 14oz, Pink Essex Tinted Goblet 11oz, Champage Glass Coupe 8.5oz, Cerise Bengaline Dinner Napkins, Champagne Bucket Silver, Tray Resin Rectangle 24x4x1 Black