watercolor & citrus inspired summer entertaining
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Styling and Photography: Kate Landers
Two of my favorite trends in fashion, graphic and interior design right now are watercolor prints and citrus hues. The fluidity of watercolor fabrics give each piece so much movement. The perfectly imperfect brush strokes in watercolor design gives a casual yet stunning feel, which I adore. Citrus fruit designs are fresh and scream “summer”, while citrus hues cast a warm glow that brightens any room year-round.
It was a delight to design this watercolor citrus dessert table as inspiration for your summer soirees. I love this motif for a bridal or baby shower, housewarming, anniversary or birthday celebration. It was with the tremendous talent of Kori Clark that this vision became a reality.
Here are a few way to incorporate watercolor and citrus details at your next event:
- The Invitation: An invitation is one of the best ways to introduce your theme and color scheme to your guests. I love the watercolor citrus fruits and hand-lettered text, giving the guests a hint of what beauty they will behold at the party. Coordinating watercolor mailing labels are a fabulous way to dress up your envelope, too!
- Watercolor Details: A watercolor backdrop was designed in a pastel grapefruit hue, which set the tone for the dessert table. A coordinating welcome sign on the table in the entry pulled the two spaces together perfectly. I must be honest–I love these two pieces so much, I am tempted to frame and find a place in our home to keep them permanently! Custom watercolor designs are a perfect way to incorporate the theme for your event.
I used watercolors to paint white paper lanterns and create a big impact. Food-coloring and pastry brushes helped me create “watercolor” meringues, the perfect favor for guests to take home, which I displayed in darling glass jars. Watercolors are very easy to work with, and you do not have to be an artist to create either of the projects mentioned above! - Citrus Look: A custom-painted citrus fruit wreath greets guests at the front door with a pop of fresh color (a bowl of fruit or fruit topiaries would create a lovely impact as well). Vintage, citrus-hued fabrics make for charming bunting to string along walls, tables and anywhere else you want to dress up! The citrus fruit cookies (watercolor painted by hand and edible, of course!) are by far one of my most favorite desserts. Each cookie is shaped to form a square like a miniature art canvas. Fondant citrus fruit was created using a “watercolor” effect and made stunning cake and cupcake toppers.
- Citrus Taste: Citrus flavor gets your theme across by appealing to your guests’ sense of taste! I adored the citrus-flavored gourmet lollipops, swirling several shades of citrus hues together for a watercolor-effect. The lovely French macarons were all citrus flavored. They were created with fondant leaves to look like oranges, cut in the shape of lemons and painted in grapefruit hues to look fresh-picked.
- Simple Spritzers: Citrus flavored spritzers are one of the easiest ways to incorporate citrus flavors and colorful beverages at your event. They look beautiful on a dessert table when displayed in square plastic bottles and adorned with baker’s twine and paper straws. Straw flags have a whole new purpose here. Watercolor fruit and text noting the beverage flavors offer a charming touch.
Stay tuned next month for beautiful bridal shower inspiration!
RESOURCE LIST
- Design, Styling & Photography: Kate Landers
- Watercolor Backdrop & Custom Paperie: Kori Clark
- Backdrop & Paperie Printing: Print My Picture Online
- Square Bottles, Glass Jars, Straws & Twine: The TomKat Studio
- “Watercolor” Fruit Cookies: Sogi’s Honey Bakeshop
- Fondant Fruit Cake & Cupcake Toppers: Edible Details
- Mini Baked Donuts: Green Mountain Mini Baked
- French Macarons: Splendid Sweet Shoppe
- Orange Blossom Cookies: Kima’s Konfections
- Gourmet Lollipops: Luxe Lollipops
- Dessert Pedestals: Layla Grayce
- Vintage Citrus Floral Bunting: A Fete Beckons
- Citrus Wreath: She’s Kinda Crafty
- Watercolor Meringues & Paper Lanterns: Kate Landers