Marry at The Mulia

Every once in a blue moon, I am honored with an epic "work perk." Not just your run-of-the-mill luncheon invite or branded tote bag, but a truly special experience.  Last month was one of those times, and let me tell you... it was the work perk to end all work perks. The Mulia Bali Resort, in conjunction with Destination EnSite, hosted me and some other esteemed event colleagues from around the world for a once-in-a-lifetime week experiencing the beauty, tranquility and opulence of this stunning resort and of magical Bali.  To say I'm a lucky lady barely scratches the surface. 

A glimpse at the sights of The Mulia from beautiful landscapes and views to spectacular flowers and decor.

We began the week with a few days to get settled and explore the resort... from the most intense station-style meals in The Cafe to workouts with in-house trainers in the Fitness Center and strolls along the soft-sand beach to cocktails on the SkyBar, getting settled was a joyous task to behold.

Once the rest of our group of planners and designers arrived at The Mulia, the true indulgence began. Multi-course breakfasts, lunches and dinners featuring unique and gracious service (you have never seen tea poured quite like this!) and cuisine from every part of the world, one dish more exceptional than the next.  Custom china, linens, napkins, serviceware and glassware like you have never seen... I was enchanted not just with every meal, but with the way in which each meal was presented to me as if I were the resort's most special guest.  There is no question in my mind that every guest at The Mulia gets this royal treatment, but I always felt like the chosen one.  Did I already mention that every staff member on the property addressed me by name at all times of the day, in every location, even after I had changed my outfit and hair? For real.  Every time.  

Gorgeous plates, chocolate and fruit artistry and clever and creative displays.

Bali is such a unique and special place and The Mulia did the most magnificent job of both bringing the culture of Bali to us as well as escorting us into the heart of Balinese culture.  Our first official program began with a traditional Kecak Fire Dance in which exquisitely costumed performers danced to music created by a chorus of men chanting. We were able to take an outing into the Sacred Monkey Forest and to see the breathtaking terraced rice paddies for which Bali is famous.  Prior to our final dinner, The Mulia created an authentic Balinese wedding ritual show with a bride and groom dressed to the nines and serenaded by two sets of stunning dancers, performing agin to the music of a chanting choir and child drummers.  The only female high priestess in Bali showered each of us with blessings and offered a powerful cleansing ritual.  

Check Fire Dance

Traveling to Ubud

The Wedding Show... and me learning a few moves!

This was more than a vacation and certainly more than a work trip.  More than a luxurious resort and more than a beautiful beach.  This was an experience that truly touched me and that will stay with me for all of my days.  I live in anticipation of my next opportunity to travel to Bali and to visit the Mulia... and I hope to have the chance to bring you with me!

Thank you to Brian Leahy Photography for these beautiful images and to event hosts The Mulia Bali, Destination EnSite, Jackson Durham Events and Inside Weddings for having me as your guest. 

:-) Lindsay

Design tidbit

I love when I find a little design tidbit in a surprising place. I was reading a restaurant review for a place not to far from my home (Uproot) and spotted this spectacular dining table. It is a classic American farmhouse style table and chairs, but they are painted in a high-gloss red, giving them a contemporary, updated feel. To top it off, literally, streamlined pendant lights hang from a funked-up lattice structure. Lattice and farmhouse - yes, a match. Pendant lights and high-gloss red - yes, a match. All together, who knew?

So, what does this all mean? To me, this means that the lines of design are constantly blurred. No longer does a specific piece of furniture box you in to a style, whether it is in your home or in your event venue. Opening your mind to the potential evolution of design may give you a world of possibilities far beyond what meets the eye. In all my years of doing events, I have never come across a venue contract that says "no slipcovering of our tattered entryway upholstered furniture that looks like it was from a yard sale in 1977." Or, for that matter, "no changing the lampshade on the dusty hallway fixtures." A small investment in the updating of an old or existing piece may set the style tone for your whole soiree.

Just don't bring in your high-gloss spray paint - this, I assure you, will not end well.

Happy designing,

Ps. After further research on this restaurant, I found this description of the decor:

"The space is au courant but not audacious... contemporary but exceedingly comfortable. It succeeds in gently caressing the eye rather than assaulting it."

It's funny because I was first captivated by the photo of that table, but these words so precisely describe what I work to achieve in my designs that I would be remiss for not sharing them. My website says "approachably modern" and this is just what I mean. Thanks, Art Nemendorf (The Artful Diner) at NJ.com. I guess I better go and eat at this place.

Photo courtesy of Park Place Magazine

Photo shoot challenge

I have been itching to put together a photo shoot for some time now. I just adore the design process and, like all of my friends in this business, have always been plagued with more ideas than clients, so I've been thinking a lot about bringing a few of my designs to life simply for the sake of my portfolio and for some good old fashioned fun. My problem is that I have so many ideas for tabletop designs that, without some guidelines or stipulations, I don't know which to choose. With unlimited resources and time I could put together 50 different tabletop styles!

So, that got me thinking... Maybe instead of producing one of my own ideas, I'd raise my own bar a bit and reach out to you and produce one of your ideas. That's right - a challenge! As if designing a tabletop isn't enough fun for me, I'm going to make a contest out of it! Am I crazy? Perhaps. Do I have enough readers for this to work? I don't know. Will anybody enter? I can only hope. I was once told that the internet allows you to fall softly, so I guess I am willing to take a leap for the love of the game. If this post magically disappears into cyberspace, though, you'll know why.

In the hopes that I will be flooded with submissions, I figure I should provide some basic contest stipulations as well as some incentives. So, here it goes:

Introducing....

The-First-Ever-Totally-Experimental-And-Possibly-Crazy
Lindsay Landman Events Design Challenge

Overview: Readers and fans are invited to submit a photograph of a home interior. It can be from a magazine or blog (as long as you provide proper photo credit, please) or it can be from your own home or the home of someone you know. I will select one winning submission and design an event-appropriate tabletop inspired by the home interior for my photo shoot.

Rules: Each entrant may submit as many photos as he/she would like, but each photograph must be accompanied by an explanation of what you love about that interior space in 50 words or fewer. Kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms and any indoor spaces are welcome. Submissions should be sent to lindsay[at]lindsaylandmanevents.com with "photo shoot challenge" in the subject line.

Deadlines: Submissions will be accepted until Friday, May 7th. The winner will be announced on the blog on Monday, May 10th. The photo shoot date will be announced shortly, but will be no later than June 30th.

Incentive: The winner will be invited to the photo shoot to assist in styling the tabletop and the surrounding environment (travel, if required, will be the responsibility of the winner should he/she choose to attend).

Sponsors: Those interested in participating as a photo shoot sponsor (venue, photographer, rentals, etc.) will receive unabashed accolades and love on this blog as well as on all related social media campaigns. If I can figure out how to do it, I'll even give you a free ad on the blog! Email me at lindsay[at]lindsaylandmanevents.com.

Tip: I am obsessed with spelling, punctuation and grammar, thus if your photo description has a typo, you have no chance.

So.... Game on! Good luck to you - and good luck to me! Stay tuned for updates including, I hope, additional incentives and sponsor announcements.

Thanks for playing,

Ps. Just to give you an idea of how this may work, the bedroom photo below inspired the tabletop design (yet to be produced) shown here.