Illuminaria - Lit From Within

Everyone is a designer!

2012-03-04T16:41:00.000-05:00

Last week we sent out 2 jobs that were "redesigned" by the recipients.
For Walker's first birthday, we made custom wineglass shades to celebrate this momentous event. Smart guy - wineglass shades actually make perfect birthday hats!

For Bostinno's The Insider Awards we made some centerpieces that sat on one of our new custom stands, as well as some wineglass shades:

Check out the video of the event:
http://vimeo.com/37674810
not sure - maybe that does look OK - just different to our original concept.

As a great friend often tells me: "Everyone is a designah"

New Wineglass Shade

2012-02-09T12:38:00.000-05:00

Our newest shade design: a play on a tasseled lampshade! Perfect for birthdays or Mitzvahs. Let us create a completely personalized addition to your next celebration!

New Base for Custom Shades

2012-01-18T19:50:00.000-05:00

Our goal has always been been to give our custom shades a "place to live". The trick is to get them up off the table in an elegant way and up until now that has generally meant using purchased elements like risers and vases. Finally we have developed a unique and totally custom base that is lightweight and elegant. Here is a first prototype topped with a whimsical shade. Of course, our shades are all customizable - but we liked these colors this week.

Many new base designs are in the works. Check back for the next burst of inspiration!

Custom Monopoly Bar Mitzvah

2011-11-21T19:12:00.000-05:00

The client requested a customized decor for their son's recent Bar Mitzvah, highlighting their child's love of the Monopoly game, thus "Rossopoly". These custom table centerpieces are lit from within, and turn slowly on a motorized base. Wooden dice provide a stand for the 3-D figure, each Monopoly real-estate section is customized to Ross's interests and life experiences.

Large Monopoly man adorned the entrance to the event, also provided by Illuminaria.

"Rossopoly" Board with guest list and table assignments.

Signage for the stage

All graphics, centerpieces and signage custom designed, printed and installed by Illuminaria.

Fresh flowers combined with custom printed Illuminaria

2011-11-21T19:03:00.000-05:00

This fundraising event required company branding and interior lighting:

The client decided to make the addition of fresh flowers as part of the centerpiece table display:

Final centerpiece version included interior lighting, custom branded graphics and fresh flowers of the clients choice.

Ocean theme Bat Mitzvah

2011-11-21T18:16:00.000-05:00

Our client's daughter chose to have the ocean as her Bat Mitzvah Theme, her love of whales was included in our custom designed shade:

The "water" in the vase (colored and lit gel) adds to the oceanic theme.

Weekend Bat Mitzvahs

2011-11-21T18:13:00.000-05:00

We were given this invitation:

and created this custom centerpiece shade:

Shade colors and feather boa for Julia's Bat Mitzvah were custom printed from the clients personalized invitation

Neeham, MA--Tercentennial Event, Lit Decor custom-made

2011-11-06T18:54:00.001-05:00

For this gala event, we designed special internally lit columns and fancy wineglass centerpieces that included themed graphics, vintage and contemporary photographs, and crystals (new addition), all in celebration of 300 years of the town of Needham.

Large table top square columns (also lit from within) were the back drop to many smaller shades on the cocktail tables with a special addition of dangling crystals at the bottom of the lit wine glass shade.

We included a small circular 'place' for the wineglass to sit upon-a 'package' of consistent design.

The large tent included theatrical event graphics--continuing with the theme of the festive evening.

Our signature 6 foot columns flanked the centerpiece of the event's design, also recreated on our "lit from within" columns.

Boston Bat Mitzvah--glowing centerpieces

2011-11-06T18:34:00.002-05:00

For this Bat Mitzvah, held at an "industrial chic" restaurant in Boston called DISTRICT, we custom designed two centerpieces to match the restaurant linens and reference the invitation.

The feather boa adds an elegant flair to the design for this tall table top piece.

The second shape is our newest design,. This cylindrical shade, with custom graphics, includes a hidden light that shines through the base to reveal the "R" on the table custom printed table mat.

Each piece was designed to coordinate with the decor of the restaurant and client's invitation.

BOO! BOO BOO BOO BOO BOO!!

2011-11-01T15:47:00.000-04:00

We had a lot of fun making these Halloween wine glass shades. We found some old post cards of vintage spooky scenes, also included ghoulish photos of the moon and bone-chilling cemetery plots.

This old photo is so cute and a little bit eerie!

Hand carved pumpkins and spooky cat eyes

Adorable vintage scene with a frightening witch in the back ground, on a bed of autumn leaves (leaf Photo from our yard.....)

A terrifying group for the dining tables.....with red candles--SCARY!

Hair-raising French gravestones...hooooooooo hooooooooooo

Late Summer Wedding on the water

2011-10-21T16:01:00.000-04:00

For this wedding, we used the custom artwork provided by the bride, adding the initials of the newlyweds to the custom designed lampshade and place mat located under its vase. Note the cute little votives that scatter across the table, also printed with the images and details from the large shade.

We designed printed napkin rings for a small added detail to the table--an inexpensive and elegant addition.

Bat Mitzvah Elegance

2011-10-21T15:56:00.001-04:00

For this Bat Mitzvah we added a purple feather boa to our custom lamp shade, to match colors in the event decor and to contribute a bit of 'glam'.

Shade on large vase filled with sparkles.

The linens and chair color were used as part of the design in our custom shade, as per client's wishes.

We designed a custom lamp shade that was signed by each guest, creating a lasting keepsake for the child's room. The lamp was situated to greet each guest upon entering or leaving the dining area.

Benefit for Haiti

2011-10-21T15:45:00.002-04:00

For a summer gala in Pittsburgh, to benefit Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, we created an undulating 3 piece custom lit centerpiece for each table. Each curved "tablescape"included a photographs of Haitian landscapes.

The event coordinator added foliage to mimic plants found in Haiti.

We also contributed cocktail table wine glass shades with interior lighting and custom printed photographs.

Happy 4th July!

2011-07-12T15:33:00.001-04:00

Custom Wine Glass Shades to celebrate in 2011

Have us customize some for your next personal event.

We design, produce and ship your shades flat for easy assembly.

Just pop them on your own wine glasses and add the LED fixture of your choice for an inexpensive yet elegant custom centerpiece.

Centerpieces for President Barack Obama's 2012 Campaign

2011-05-23T19:50:00.001-04:00

Recently we were asked to create centerpieces for a reception at the Cyclorama in Boston for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. The logo for this new campaign is a bold 2012 with the trademark "O". No gradations this time, just a chunky graphic emphasizing the election year with the web address below.
In keeping with the minimal logo we decided to design a simple lit circular centerpiece, adding a lid with a lit reveal to highlight the iconic "O" logo.

The President addressed a crowd of 900 after introductions by former Boston Celtics great Bill Russell, Celtic player Ray Allen, and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. We were inspired! Check out our amateur video featuring highlights of the President's speech.

American Cancer Society Gala Lampshades

2011-04-15T16:23:00.002-04:00

Recent we created custom designed lampshades for the American Cancer Society Key Gala event in Boston. The event planner had been looking for signage that would clearly direct guests to different areas within the venue as past years events had been difficult to navigate.
The custom design featured the American Cancer Society logo with the directional information below, and once strategically placed on bars or tables the lamps provided both branding and directional signage to Gala guests attending the event at the House of Blues, Boston.
For more information on this event featuring our custom shades and a sample photo, take a look at Boston's Biz Bash write up on the event:
http://www.bizbash.com/american_cancer_society_markets_gala_to_young_professionals/boston/story/20339

The Governor's Ball at the Boston Public Library

2011-03-03T03:38:00.001-05:00

The Boston Public Library provided an elegant setting in which to celebrate Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's re-election gala in January, 2011. Built in 1895, the library's lavish architectural detail and mural decorations by John Singer Sargent and Puvis de Chavannes offered a stately backdrop to the colorful event decor installed by Michael P. Wasserman, Inc.
Illuminaria created internally lit decorative elements that featured images of Massachusetts and the Governor to personalize the evening's festivities throughout the event space.
The building was dramatically lit inside and out by Port Lighting.

Illuminaria's large square columns, lit with theatrical lighting and custom printed with scenes of Massachussetts.

Illuminaria custom graphics for the event wrapped around an internally lit vase, topped with fru fru.

Illuminaria customed designed, printed and lit from within "cubes", again with scenes from the state of Massachusetts.

Large (very large) custom designed and printed shades hang from the ceiling, lit with theatrical lights from Port Lighting

It is fitting that the following inscription is carved in the library's North wall:
"THE COMMONWEALTH REQUIRES THE EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE AS THE SAFEGUARD OF ORDER AND LIBERTY". Words of wisdom for a two time Governor.

Big Shades - lit graphics on a large scale

2011-01-31T11:28:00.000-05:00

For the past year we have had the opportunity to create large scale shades for different events around Boston. With the addition of gold fringe, these "shades" play with the idea of giant lampshades and add a dramatic focal point to event decor. With internal lighting provided by Port Lighting, these large Illuminaria are a perfect graphic additions to large venues.

Louis Vuitton Window Display

2010-12-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

Every now and then we come across internally lit decor that we find inspiring. These paper shades were seen in the Louis Vuitton store window in Copley Square, Boston. Made from delicate sepia colored and printed paper stock, the hanging "luggage" lit up beautifully for a subtle but original display. Inspiration for our next event!

Auction signage

2010-12-03T15:10:00.000-05:00

Clearly defining auction categories at large fundraising events can be a challenge. Our custom printed lit shades placed on auction tables make navigating to places of interest easy for your guests. These were created for the Children's Hospital League fundraiser in Boston, and were branded with their event graphics and logo.

Auction Category Shades

Custom Branding Available

Lighthouse Illuminaria

2010-11-30T10:55:00.000-05:00

For the 2010 National Governor's Association meeting in Boston we created table top Illuminarias in the shape of a lighthouse to match the icon in the meeting's logo. Additional branding was added on the complementary "mat".


Internally Lit Lighthouse

Additional internally lit centerpieces with the NGA logo were interspersed on the table, and large square columns designated food and beverage areas.


Branded Centerpieces and directional columns

Our centerpieces bring custom personalization to large events and visually remind guests of the event they are attending.

Illuminaria Shade with Fresh Flowers Combination.

2010-11-27T14:55:00.002-05:00

We are very excited about the updates we are making.

Please stay tuned for photos and inspiration for your special events! The following are photos from a recent event for The Kenneth B Schwartz Center for Compassionate Care in Boston, held at the BCEC. We built 200 custom designed shades debuting the center's new logo. We were pleased to hear guests felt the centerpieces added a warm personal touch to the huge ballroom.