Everything in Its Right Place

Event designer Antony Todd accounts for all the details that went into a gorgeous party at Skylight.

• By Katie Charles
• Published Winter 2006

1. The Screens
At either end of the table, we placed screens with hanging Lucite mirrors that reflected light like a sequin skirt. They grounded the room and created a livelier atmosphere for guests.

2. The Lucite Towers
These were built to hold water with floating candles and tangerine and blood-red rose heads and petals. They're expensive to make, but it's a good idea to have tall candelabras to break the table line.

3. The Centerpieces
We had silver tureens filled with white Dutch hydrangea and apple-green geranium leaf. The blood-red roses and black grapes gave great contrast. Fruits are cheaper than flowers, and they give you color, scale, and volume: tamarillos, eggplants, pomegranates, and Brussels sprouts with blackberries are also gorgeous.

4. The Chairs
We made slipcovers in silk and others in natural canvas. All silk wouldn't have had enough dimension. We hung Smythson seating cards on the back of each chair.

5. The Table Linens
A nice idea is to buy the napkins-you'll pay half of what you'd rent them for. Have them monogrammed and keep them for yourself.

(Photo: Courtesy of Olivier Cheng Catering and Events)