You've seen the lobby florals of AIFD's 2011 Symposium, now you will see how the restroom decorations during the gala night gave new meaning to nature's call. This post is a bit out of sequence, but I had the urge to write this now.
Michelle Perry White, AIFD was the designer responsible for all the decor on the final night of the convention. Michelle tapped Susan Standerfer, AIFD and Susie Overton Ayala as the team to decorate the restrooms. They did a magnificent job interpreting the night's theme: Flourish!
They used mechanics that I always hesitated to use because I had no idea if they would be fool proof. Originally designed to stick on car windows for flower parades, the team chose Oasis suction cup holders to decorate the mirrors.
My new best friend Robert, learned that they proved to be easy to install...
...and failsafe...
...with gorgeous results.
The team went above the call of duty to beautify the otherwise stark room.
Every stall was decorated with a wreath.
When it came to decorating the sinks, they left no stone unturned...
...giving a rich, succulent look...
...with a nod to the night's theme.
As magnificent as the ladies' room looked, everyone was abuzz over the men's room. They outdid themselves in here...
...with florals flush against the wall.
I will refrain from making reference to the orbs hanging about the room.
If you read this post looking for real humor, I suggest you click here where Anderson Cooper looses all decorum when he shares over twenty bathroom puns in four minutes.
Darling, the men's room is always better than the ladies' at Symposium!
ReplyDeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteI drooled over these pictures. Got a laugh when I saw the men's room. Gave me an idea of what to do with my guest bathroom in my (rented)house in Moldova where I now live: It has not only a toilet, but a bidet and a urinal. And this just for people we drop by for a meal or a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteActually, I'll just put flowers in the bidet an urinal. Here's a picture if you're interested:
http://wp.me/pWIVP-e3
Delightful idea and beautifully executed.
ReplyDeleteImagining REAL flowers and greens decorating a rest room. So civilized and
civilizing!! Love the reference to "nature's call"
OXO, C
I think those are the prettiest urinals I have ever seen lol
ReplyDeleteI have never seen restrooms look so lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove some of the words you used too. The bathrooms are gorgeous including the rocks in the sinks and the small wreaths in the stalls. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteToo-too cool, DB! Someone really had fun creating all this, even for the men's room. I love the teardrop chandelier-type hangings with their mirrored reflections. Great collection of images!
ReplyDeleteGreat job That looks fantastic and a reason more to go to the toilet
ReplyDeleteThats one bathroom i wouldnt mind paying a visit to,lol. Richard
ReplyDeleteTotally inspiring. I might have nabbed some crystals for earrings! So simple and elegant. I love the pearl hairpins on the wreaths, what a great idea. The orchid blossoms are gorgeous. And the sink succulents!
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I'm having visuals of aiming contests in the men's room. :-)
Oooh love it! It's ALL so cool and imaginative! Specially the 'mens'! It all just makes me smile. THank you !
ReplyDeletexox
Constance
Thanks for sharing these images... what an impressive array of beautiful potty shots! (sorry, couldn't help myself after laughing myself silly watching the video of Anderson Cooper reporting on the Gerard Depardieu incident) I wonder what the men thought of their beautifully decorated urinals... I'm sure the women loved their flowery environment... I'd have found excuses to visit the bathroom beyond the necessary!
ReplyDeleteFantastisch! Hopelijk waren het zijden bloemen of andere kunstbloemen? Ik vind het altijd zo jammer als zo iets moois tijdelijk is. De foto's zijn erg mooi en duidelijk! Bedankt voor het laten zien van deze beelden.
ReplyDeleteJe pense que c'est un décor éphémère !
ReplyDeleteBizz
Lori
I love that leaf wreath, but I am wondering. Did anyone actually wash their hands. It was beautiful, but I imagine, a little daunting. Oh, yeah - we think alike. The hanging orbs are cracking me up!
ReplyDeleteThese are some fancy privies! I’ll take my camera now when I go to the loo – there may be some elegant arrangements to see in some “facility.” I think this is unusual though. How creative. I don’t know how they could transform the tight unisex WC in Paris – you know the kind with a hole on the floor? The lavatories you show are very elegant – men or women.
ReplyDeleteHello Dutchbaby,
ReplyDeleteI don't see it here but did you know I left you a comment last week on this post!!?? My mom and I liked it all, but the men's room design was especially delightful!!
THank you for your book review this morning.
Have you read Music & Science by Rose Tremain?http://www.amazon.com/Music-Silence-Rose-Tremain/dp/0743418263 I'm reading it now and really enjoying it! The rest of the household gave it "thumbs up"!
xox
Constance
Also, I read through your Dads books. Did you know I NEVER knew that Chinese characters had meaningful & symbolic letters till now!? Thanks to your Dads book and to you and your sister for making the book happen~
xox
Constance
I wonder if the men were respectful when they peed?
ReplyDeleteI would love to walk into a ladies' room filled with elegant floral decor. It's so lovely. I want to see the event!!!
Ha! Will that make queuing time longer? Everyone gets a bit carried away by the flowers and forget to finish their main business quickly! Ha~
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful idea, and quite beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!
ReplyDeleteDear Sprout,
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I was told a few days earlier. I just had to make sure that I made my way in there before the event began.
Dear Sherri,
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be cool if airplane restrooms were decorated with flowers?
Dear Miss Footloose,
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I have never seen a urinal in a private home before.
Dear CC,
ReplyDeleteCivilized indeed! I had fun writing the bad puns, but I'm nowhere near as gifted as Anderson Cooper.
Dear Chesney,
ReplyDeleteLOL!
Dear Kala,
ReplyDeleteNor had I!
Dear Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteThis event definitely raised the bar for restroom decorations.
Dear Ginnie,
ReplyDeleteAll the florists working the restrooms were giddy at the thought of beautifying these bathrooms. Thanks for dropping by.
Dear Marja,
ReplyDeleteI don't think there was any hesitation about going to the restroom that night!
Dear Richard at Amish Stories,
ReplyDeleteThese bathrooms put a smile on every face that entered.
Dear Ruth,
ReplyDeleteI didn't nab a crystal, but an AIFD member handed me one of the "Flourish"-emblazoned stones from the sink. It joined my word-stone collection.
The wreaths were wrapped with pearl-studded wire. Much faster to use than hairpins!
Gee thanks, Ruth, now I have the same visual...
Dear Constance at Rochambeau,
ReplyDeleteYes, very imaginative!
Thanks once again for sharing your expert knowledge of events and for giving me a moral boost. Your kind words and thoughts made all the difference!
Dear Victoria,
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yes, I washed my hands frequently that night.
I adore Anderson Cooper and it was a treat to see him lose all decorum.
Dear Reader Wil,
ReplyDeleteZe zijn allemaal verse bloemen, maar ik beloof je dat niemand waardeert verse bloemen meer als de gasten van deze avond.
Het tijdelijke karakter van verse bloemen is gedeeltelijk wat ik aantrekkelijk vind. Ik waardeer ze meer.
Ik ben blij dat je van de foto's geniet.
Cher lorilaire,
ReplyDeleteJe suis d'accord,éphémère en effet!
Dear Relyn,
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone was able to wash their hands without any problems. The beauty of the succulents is that hold their shape and rinse off perfectly.
Dear Vagabonde,
ReplyDeleteLOL, it would be quite a challenge to pretty up the Paris privies, but if anybody could these talented florists would find a way!
Dear Constance,
ReplyDeleteSorry that I skipped over you when I was publishing comments. I appreciate you checking in on me and also for bringing your mom here.
Thank you for the book recommendation. I read "The Road Home" by Tremain a couple of years ago. I'll add this to my ever-growing to-read list.
I'm so happy you like my father's book.
Dear California Girl,
ReplyDeleteI most definitely did not check the men's room during the event so I can't answer your question.
I do hope to post the rest of the evening's photos before long.
Dear London Caller,
ReplyDeleteLOL. There was decidedly more milling around the ladies' room all night long.
Dear lisa,
ReplyDeleteThe AIFD florists are always filled with tons of creative ideas.
Dear EG Wow,
ReplyDeleteAgreed!