Woven throughout our latest design collaboration with New York caterers Elegant Affairs was one consistent theme — grounded elegance. Our collaboration was set in the historic MooreHouse Farm on the North Fork of Long Island.
With the farm as a backdrop, we teamed up with Elegant Affairs to create a wedding-ready 16-foot dining table and blush-toned cocktail hour to showcase the venue at a cocktail party for 50 Long Island planners. Hamptons friendors Karen Lenahan Flowers, Cupcakes & Everything Chocolate, East End Entertainment, Sperry Tents and Decco Up Productions helped us bring this stunning showcase to life.
Afterward, we caught up with Elegant Affairs’ President Andrea Correale to learn more about the inspiration behind the looks, the latest trends, and her overall philosophy on design.
Could you describe the two looks you designed and the inspiration behind them?
Urban Farmhouse Chic
“The long dining table we set under the barn entrance can be described in three words: urban farmhouse chic,” Andrea stated. “A few years back, farm tables came into the mainstream, and everyone was asking for them. The styling at the time was a bit different, however — much more country. Everything now is very Brooklyn-meets-Barn, so we’re seeing a shift from the ‘Classic American’ mason jars and burlap to a more industrial feel with dark colors and metallics. This look was styled to reflect that – with the metal chairs and black accents in the tablescapes. Brides today are gravitating toward that modernized barn feel.”
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the urban farmhouse chic look:
Country Dining Table 8’x42”, Ivory Sheer Table Runner 108”x14”, Market Bistro Chair Pewter, Heather Textured 10”x16”, Rectangle Pillow, Eventi Charger 13” Silver, Marble Glass Dinner Plate 11” Black, Aster Matte Black Lunch Plate 8”, Vanderbilt Stainless flatware, Pandora Smoke Glass 12oz, Mercer Stemless Red Wine Glass 22oz, Madison Flute Glass 8oz, Heather Textured Dinner Napkin, Hearst Votive Smoke
Provincial Farmhouse Chic
“The fashion industry dictates what the color trends are going to be, and blush is really popular in both clothing and event design today. I styled the look in the tent to reflect this color trend and convey a ‘provincial farmhouse chic’ vibe. Most people lean towards lighter colors in wedding design, and we’re seeing a lot of blush mixed with white tones, greys, and wood tones.”
Get this look! Party Rental Ltd. products featured in the Provincial farmhouse chic look:
COCKTAIL TABLES Lowtops: Blush Cotton and Xavier Chair White with Blush Cotton Cushion; Hightops: Dixie Blush Print || BUFFET Cassis Table 8’x36”; Left half of the table, clockwise: Resin Square Tray 15” White on a Stainless Hammered Display Stand 15.25”x6”, Resin Square Tray 15” White on a Stainless Hammered Display Stand 12.25”x8”, Honeycomb Pillar with Lexington Oyster Fork and Demi Spoon Silver, Cordial Shooter Glass 4oz on Stainless Hammered 5 Step Riser, Melamine Slate Rectangle Platter White 20.5”x12.5”, Melamine Slate Round Platter 10.75” White on Round Double Rocks Glass 14oz as a riser, Melamine Slate Round Platter 12.75” White with a bowl similar to the Glass Straight Sided Bowl 5” as a riser, Cordial Pony Glass 1.75oz on Resin Rectangle Tray White with Round Double Rocks Glass 14oz as risers || COCKTAILS Vodka cocktail: Venice Highball Glass 11oz, Tequila cocktail: Round Double Rocks Glass 14oz
Are there any colors, styles, patterns, or textures that you or your clients have been gravitating toward lately?
Natural Textures
“Across the fashion industry, home decor, and event design, the trend is leaning toward being more ‘earthy and grounded’ by incorporating natural textures and materials. Whitewashed and bleached woods have been especially popular for bars and chairs.”
Combining Patterns & Textures
“A few years back, the Rattan linen — a unique take on burlap with more texture, elegance, and color — was very popular in design. The trend has started to transition from solids with natural-looking textures to combinations of pattern and texture. The result is more urban and eclectic while still being earthy.
That transition started in home decor and the Party Rental Ltd. collection is evolving to reflect that. Now, instead of going for that classic mason jar to tie in the trend, we’re incorporating smokey glasses, cut glasses, earthy plates, and some silver pieces.”
Do you have a favorite Party Rental Ltd. product or linen?
“The Rattan collection! I love the texture they give. Especially in the Hamptons, they can richen the whole feel of a design — indoor or outdoor alike — while still keeping the look grounded and not overdone. I especially love mixing Rattan with floral patterns for a more eclectic take.”
What do you like about working with us?
“Besides the fact that you have the largest selection, for me, personally, it’s the personalized relationships that I’ve built with the Party Rental Ltd. team over the years – starting with [Director of Field Service Operations] Rawle Jonas and now with [Business Development Manager] Linda Vacey. I feel like she’s part of the family and we’re in this together. I’m not just calling and speaking to an operator, because she’s truly invested in my events.”
“The off-premise [catering] business is stressful, and no matter how good we are, things go wrong sometimes. When that happens, you need someone in your corner that you can trust to help solve problems quickly and efficiently, and Party Rental Ltd. is that partner for me.”
What is your design philosophy?
“My design philosophy is this: really analyze the space, and just like decorating a home, choose items that complement the existing backdrop. (Unless, of course, you’re working with a blank canvas — then, the world is your oyster!)
You also want to look at the personality of your client — some clients want to have that very dramatic “wow” factor and others want easy-breezy entertaining that’s an extension of their home. Know your customer.
Lastly, really hone your eye for design or partner with people that have a sense of style & sophistication that can help guide you, like Party Rental Ltd.”
What is the history behind MooreHouse Farm?
Sitting on a tranquil property between the Peconic Bay and the Long Island sound, this restored farmhouse has been in Bob and Karen Bocksel’s family for over 180 years.
Built in 1830, MooreHouse Farm is on the historical register, complete with the official plaque on the front door. As a working farm, it was believed to be the site of some type of encampment during the war of 1812, and a number of Spanish and French coins have been found on the property in addition to some Native American arrowheads and paleolithic artifacts, many of which were donated to the Sons of the American Revolution.
In the 1930’s, Karen’s grandmother and uncle (who lived on the property) decided to modernize it while keeping the original charm in the woodwork, doors and moldings. In 2005, Bob and Karen acquired the shares from her family members to make it a summer home that they could eventually retire in.
With their passion for windmills, they spent over 9 months visiting various windmills on Long Island for inspiration before hiring an architect to build a windmill on the property. They wanted the structure to be similar to the Patago Windmill in Easthampton, and the ‘sails’ resemble the original historic drawings they found in the Easthampton Library. Built and designed to turn, the wood for the windmill came from an 1,100-acre farm in New Hampshire.
When Bob and Karen’s niece asked them if she could have her wedding on the property, their initial inclination was to give it a try, but at the time they weren’t looking to be caterers. Later that evolved into having 2-3 large-scale events a year. “Mostly people would stop by to take some photos of the windmill, take wedding photos, or raise money for charity,” Bob said, “Everything changed once we had an event for a group of people from Boston, and their amazement with the experience began to generate traction for us.”
What makes MooreHouse Farm so special as an event venue?
Complete with a gas fire pit, electrical and plumbing, the field can accommodate 400 + guests for large-scale tented events, while the barn and the lodge deck are perfect for smaller gatherings. The views from the ‘Rapunzel’ balcony at the top of the windmill overlook the entire property, and the renovated barn (once used as a 2-car garage) is the perfect space for entertaining or a guest cottage. With on-site lodging, guests are only one mile away from the wine trails of the North Fork, and the light breeze sets a tranquil mood from early summer straight through to late fall.
For more on MooreHouse Farm and what went into the event, go behind the scenes with Andrea: