A few weeks ago I did a post on finding your anchor (if you missed it, you can check it out here). It was about using one piece to inspire the design of your party.

I was in the midst of styling and designing a birthday party and I used this piece as my anchor:

I found this cake stand and really loved the colour and the delicate nature of it, so I thought this would be the perfect starting point for my party. I coupled it with a teal/turquoise accent and, voila…a theme was born.

I really like how fresh a sage or pale green and teal are together. It’s a colour combination that works for any party and is a good choice for a gender neutral theme.

This theme also worked really well for the venue where the party was being held. The back room had no windows, was dimly lit in parts and had a florescent light overheard. Not the most ideal of locations.

But that’s reality. We can’t manufacture the “perfect” setting and in most cases, we have to work with various obstacles in our party design. Whether it be poor lighting, an obscure pillar or a narrow width, we have to find a theme that supports the best result. For me, this colour combo was it!

So, with the colour theme in mind, I started on pulling all my elements together. I work in a casual but methodical way: I take my “anchor” and my initial theme design and build on it with each new element. From plates, to balloons, to decor and even the tiny added details, I keep my theme in mind and just grab and compile things as I find them or think of them. Everything may not work in my final design but it’s better to have more options and edit them out, then to have too little and the theme is lost.

I was pleased with the final result. I created a party that stuck quite closely to my original design concept and kept to a strict budget.

Click on the images below to view in a full slide show.

Once I had my colour theme set, I searched for online invites to match the design. This one from paperless press was perfect!

The complimentary envelope for the evite was super cute. If you use an interesting on-line invitation, you can save time and expense but not sacrifice on the design. It really does make a difference in raising the bar for your party a bit.

Teal and Green Party

Little touches add an amazing level of depth to a party. I found these great, inexpensive clothes pins that worked fantastically with the theme of the party. They could be used in any variety of ways.

I need balloons!

I like to include florals in some way to a table display but you don't have to go crazy with colour. By keeping the florals to more green with touches of white, they support the overall theme rather than take away from it.

Adding interest to a blank and bare wall gives punch to a party. The thermostat is hardly noticeable now!

Sticking with white and clear plates and linens ensures that things don't become overwhelming.

Using an edible vessel like endive, makes finger foods more interesting but also easy to eat.

By using white and clear plating, the colours of the food and the party really shine.

Look for ways to add whimsy to your party, like using extra tall candles in fun colours.

Always bring height to your table so that there is added dimension. I used various platters and greenery to create depth.

Extra long candles are fun, create height and just look cool.

Never lose sight of your original colour theme and continue to edit as you pull everything together.

I used fun cardstock at the party and asked guests to fill in with their thoughts of the day and what some of the fun elements of the party were. It becomes a nice memento of the party that can be read in years to come.

Little touches

Simplicity can create an ordered functionality to your table.

Splashes of other colours allows the theme to have more depth and break free of being too one-dimensional.

All in all, it’s easy to create an interesting party by staying true to your original concept. Find your anchor piece, that one thing that inspires you, and build everything out from there. Remember to check back to your original concept as you add your elements and then finally, pull it all together with little touches and added details.

Let me know what you think. Add a comment below on how you think everything came together.