Dave Merrell
Creative Director of AOO Events, and lead designdawg
Star Search
By Ann Turner
One of the cool things about my job is discovering new or unsung design talent. Maybe it's the mother in me, or the teacher I used to be, but there's nothing quite as satisfying as helping one of these well-deserved stars make it to the national stage.
And I have the perfect pulpit to do this. As editor of Event Solutions magazine, hundreds, even thousands, of photos of spectacular work cross my desk each year. Some get a smile or a nod, but a few make me actually sit up and reach for the phone because I must have more. And I must have it now.
That's what happened when I was putting together the latest edition of Event Solutions, which focuses on trends and people who are breaking the boundaries of traditional design. I found some amazing talent, artists who may be making news in their own part of the world, but who deserve a special spotlight from the industry at large.
I'd like to introduce you to two of them. From the West Coast, meet Natasha Lisitsa of Waterlily Pond Floral and Event Design Studio in San Francisco.
A floral chandelier by Lisitsa.Photo by Arrowood Photography
Lisitsa has expanded her floral design business to encompass complete event design for weddings, corporate and other social events. Waterlily Pond also specializes in large-scale organic installation for private clients, building lobbies, hotels and other businesses.
Waterlily Pond created this 1,000-pound "Fantastical" creation that was suspended at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The organic forms were built from 2,500 feet of vibrantly colored bamboo fashioned into interlocked 3-D pyramids and embellished with giant, 5-foot "flowers" built from Mexican fan palm tree leaf-boots.Photo: Erin Beach Photography
A "Fantastical" detail from Waterlily Pond's work. Photo: Prokopets Studio
Growing up in the Ukraine, Lisitsa and her family explored the local countryside, where one of her favorite spots was a Monet-like waterlily-filled pond.
In addition to hanging it high, Lisitsa likes to float elements from food buffets to escort cards. Photo by Erin Beach Photography Her work is reflective of the serenity of nature, with suddenly surprising drama and startling imagery that takes your breath away.
She and her team earned the cover spot on the December/January issue with a stunning tablescape with a floating floral chandelier. From the East Coast we bring you Golf Srithamrong of Tantawan Bloom in New York City. I heard about Golf from Seth Stern of Something Different Party Rental, one of my go-to guys when I am looking for ... well, something different.
A page out of the Arabian Nights Photo: Shira Weinberger
An innovative take on the escort card table. My jaw dropped when I first laid eyes on Golf's work, and I couldn't get enough. Golf comes from Thailand, and this influence is easy to spot in his work which also fuses European and American style.
Awesome escort card table takes a global perspective. 
A gorgeous chuppah that will never be forgotten. Photo by Fred Marcus
Tantawan Bloom was founded in 2004, and quickly grew to become a full-service event production company, much in demand for many high-profile weddings and social events.
Rethinking the centerpiece as a framed work of art.Golf has also made appearances on local TV shows and charity events. If I lived in New York, I would visit his shop on a weekly basis to be inspired and exhilarated by his art. Truly masterpieces.
Still hungry for more? Check out the latest issue of Event Solutions for more outstanding work from some of our industry's finest! And if you see talent that deserves a boost, let me know at ann@eventsolutions.com
Ann Turner
Ann Turner is editor of Event Solutions magazine where she brings more than 20 years of meeting and event planning experience to the table. She blogs at Backstage Ann Turner and tweets at @annlturner.
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