La Belle Epoque

New to the boutique hotel scene in New York is the NoMad Hotel, a stunning, painstakingly detailed space that evokes the romanticism and charm of the Age of Innocence. The restaurant and bar (above) are broken into several rooms, each whispering a page out of an Edith Wharton novel. It is hard not to be swept away in nostalgia over the beauty of "La Belle Epoque" era and if you're like us and have seen Moulin Rouge about 100 times, then this post is dedicated to you!

First, the color palette. Bold colors of deep pine greens, brick orange, and goldenrod convey an old world drama, while a pale rose softens the overall effect. This palette translates beautifully into lush floral arrangements of wild roses, calla lillies, and, just for a little cinematic flair, peacock feathers!

Next, the styling. The turn of the century was a time of poetic naturalism, as well as the era that established high fashion. So while the details and decor might convey an evocative sensibility and charm, the sartorial style, and (of course!) the ring, should be impeccable.

So now we come to our favorite part, the printed matter! The drama of the age translates beautifully onto paper, especially when done as letterpress. The palette can be kept to a simple black and white, using a traditional layout, bold script, and antique prints to convey old world elegance. Accent colors and edge painting on certain pieces, like the reception and the response cards, result in a striking visual effect. Finally, gorgeous calligraphy on colored envelopes, finished with vintage stamps, complete the overall look. All we can say is we never knew love could look like this...

As always, as special thanks to our friends at Oh So Beautiful Paper, Ruffled, Snippet and Ink, and Style Me Pretty for providing us with stunning and enchanting inspirations!