Speaking of tables, who better to turn to than Savannah College of Art and Design president and founder Paula Wallace and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Wallace? The pair love to entertain and have created a whole series on Youtube sharing their tips, tricks and expertise when it comes to table setting. Here, Paula and Glenn showcase a party thrown at SCAD’s Magnolia Hall in Savannah and show us how to celebrate in style, al fresco.
“A soirée en plein air transforms the outdoors to enchant guests with surprise and delight,” Paula says. SCAD alum Emily Huff (B.F.A., fashion, 2018), of Th e Flower Basket, created florals to complement Salty Dog cocktails atop a sleek, modern bar cart from Arcanum, owned by Sim Harvey (SCAD B.F.A., interior design, 1999).
“In lieu of a large urn, a champagne bucket or punchbowl becomes a happy home for a custom orchid arrangement,” Paula says. Simple and sensational, this centerpiece pops with natural beauty to balance the vivid palette of pillows made from scarves designed by Bradley Bowers (SCAD M.F.A., furniture design, 2012) and Savannah map pillows by Erin Findlay (SCAD B.F.A., fashion, 2012).
“Every whippet deserves a cravat,” Paula says, as she spruces the veranda’s loyal mascot with a touch of greenery. Susan Mason’s ham biscuits and parmesan crisps delectably pair with Kalamata olives for sublime hors d’oeuvres.
“I conceived the ‘Create a Table’ series after a conversation with Hermès President & CEO Robert Chavez, who mentioned the surging popularity of luxury home goods,” says Paula. Here, Hermès china and a Schumacher tablecloth are adorned with glitter ant figurines by Krystal Sokolis (SCAD M.F.A., accessory design, 2018; SCAD B.F.A., accessory design, 2012).
“Handmade Gola candles, by SCAD alumni business Soft Geometry, double as luminous fixtures and sculptural adornments, an ideal combination,” Paula says. Leather card wallets by Blythe Leonard (SCAD B.F.A., fashion, 2015) are treasured souvenirs for guests.
“Personalized place cards make any setting feel as special as your guests,” says Glenn, praising elegantly hand-painted ones by SCAD Fine Arts Chair — and alum — Honor Bowman (M.F.A., painting, 2014).
“I’m a big fan of these paint-by-number throw pillows by Kyle Millsap (SCAD B.F.A., illustration, 2006), who has also created marvelous murals inside several SCAD buildings,” says Glenn. To find more of Kyle’s creations — and works by an array of SCAD alumni, faculty, and staff — visit shopSCAD, with locations at SCAD Atlanta, SCAD Savannah, SCAD Lacoste, and online.
