By Susan Hornik
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel with Greenleaf owner Jon Rollo.
"I play music and
day and all night long!" quipped singer
Ryan Cabrera at the Distinctive Assets Grammy Gifting Lounge. "
Lately
I've listened to
Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, Otis Redding, James Bay, Sam Smith and Eddie Sheeran.
I love to
have people over all the time. My neighbors love me! One of my favorite things to do is have friends sing and play live in my living room. Typically, I have around 100 people there to watch and we stream them online to raise money for various charities.
" If you would like to watch
one of these
"
Live From Ryan's Living Room
"
concerts available on Ryan's Chideo (The Charity Network) pag
e, check out
https://www.chideo.com/chideo/1857
It was a delightful surprise to see Hollywood cult film director John Waters, who told DH he loves all kinds of music. "Rock, opera, Alvin and the Chipmunks. You name it! And Justin Bieber! I can't sing but music does inspire me! I was nominated for a Grammy spoken word album which is incredible. And I am writing a TV series so If that goes forward, I will be really excited.
"
Lash Fary in the Gibson Guitar throne
The "Gibson Guitar Throne" was the center piece for the Grammy gifting lounge. "It's such a great conversation piece, which is something we always try to include in our lounge décor for every event we do," said founder, Lash Fary. "Last year, it was the incredible piano fountain and oasis created by eco friendly furniture designer, Revamp & Revive. Having an accent color is also a key to creating event décor so the red in the big top was also picked up in the red carpet we laid and the red fabric we strategically hung." Fary created an elaborate Oscar swag bag that gets delivered to the nominees as well.
Tony Hale with his new Children's Book
HBO's Veep star, Tony Hale ("Arrested Development") was also at the suite with his new children's book,
"Archibald's Next Big Thing," (
www.archibaldsnextbigthing.com
) which is available at your local Hollywood bookstore."
'
Right now, I am listening to
Penny and Sparrow, Patty Griffin, Seryn, The Civil Wars and my daughters current obsession, the 'Annie' soundtrack. I'm trying to stay sane through it!" he enthused. S
igned copies were placed in the gift bag for Grammy nominees.
Brian Tichy
When he's not in the recording studio, Brian Tichy (former Whitesnake, Billy Idol drummer) loves to rock out with his daughter and dog at his Hollywood home. "That includes playing the drum sets in my living room and playing one of the many guitars around the house!" Next up for the veteran musician: "recording a solo album!"
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Hollywood was recently at the busiest week of awards season, where celebrities attend lavish parties and receive exciting swag. But would it take for you to create your very own red carpet event right in your own Hollywood home!? DH asked Hollywood design professionals for some fun party tips. From the event invites to the menu planning, you and your guests will be ready for their red carpet close up in no time!
"The number one rule is making your guests feel like a star," said Hollywood interior designer Kathy Fielder, who gifted her decorative pillows and candles to numerous celebrities at The Secret Room celebrity gifting events. "A well-planned event with ambience is always the key to this. Serve each guest their favorite drink when they arrive. Fresh flowers are a must for any party; they lend an instant sense of beauty and elegance. A few silver ice buckets with lovely bottles of champagne on your tabletop can never hurt either. Really, anything that shows your thought and preparation for your event goes a very long way."
Fielder believes party attendees might love some home-related swag! "A lovely parting gift, aka 'celebrity swag bag' as they leave, is always a sweet and appreciated touch as well. All celebrities receive them, so your guests should too!" Fielder noted.
Using the right fabric can brighten any room up, said Fielder. "While all of us would love to have the budget to create a fabric tent in our backyard for a party, not everyone does. Still, by bringing the fabric element in with gorgeous table coverings and outdoor decorative pillows, you can create the element and illusion of an inside space outdoors. The choices and availability of outdoor fabrics in today's marketplace are endless, which gives you the ability to pick any palette."
Whatever you are creating, do it with style, enthused Rita Branch, who along with Amy Boatwright, runs the Secret Room Golden Globes and Oscar gifting suites. "Style is in our DNA. Because we believe design matters - from the food and drinks we create and serve to the art and architecture we surround our guests with. Be willing to breathe life into your space by paying attention to the smallest details of creative expression. The idea is to create people's experiences not through gimmicks, but with elegance and intelligence."
At the Secret Room's Oscar suite, they served a selection of Testa's Unduragga wines which you can find at your local Hollywood liquor store!
Their on-site interactive beautifying bar offered guests gourmet food and beverages from H20 Bar/Boxed water is better, Waiakea and True Toniqs and beauty services by TONI&GUY® Hairdressing Academy, Makeup by artist Megan Cahill, Massage by Cecilia Alcala, Dial M for Makeup and Michelle Fong lash bar.
Gavin Keilly, founder of GBK Productions, a veteran Hollywood design producer, ongoingly works on integrating the entertainment, luxury consumer products and non-profit industries to create unique and memorable high-profile experiences. "It's all about creating a vibe where one can feel relaxed. It's important to have good music, great cocktails, and plenty of snacks to munch on. You definitely don't want anyone getting hungry and cranky! The lighting is also very important, nothing too bright or dark, when you're having a lively atmosphere."
At his Oscar suite, which featured thousands of dollars worth of Oscar swag, Keilly had vendors like WonderWoof, an app-based dog-activity tracker that promotes your pup's healthy and social lifestyle, handcrafted jewelry from Hollywood's Shatra Designs, and West Hollywood chocolatier, John Kelly Chocolates. (www.johnkellychocolates.com) and lessons from Hollywood trainer Lalo Fuentes. Guests received silver favor tins filled with award-themed personalized M&M'S®. (great for if you are having a party at your home!)
Organization is key for celebrity gifting organizer Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets. "When doing a party at home, the fastest and easiest way to organize your décor is to have a simple theme. Everything else becomes remarkably simple once you decide on that. For our GRAMMY Gift Lounges, the theme is sometimes just a personal inspiration I stumble upon or even small motivational elements that I come across during the year and pass along to my production designer, Pam Morrison. For example, I'll see a fabulous window display and email her a photo of it. Or it could be as simple as "feeling" a certain color at a given time."
Another fun idea while you and your guests in the hours leading up to the Oscars-creating home spa treatments. "As everyone knows, the nominees are often pampered in the days leading up to the big event, and your guests can experience that comfortable atmosphere too. Why not create a red carpet living or bedroom area where they can relax?! You could do mini massages, hair styling or manicures-it would all be fun!" said Roger Neal, who runs an Oscar Beauty and Couture gifting suite each year.
Oscar suite organizer Roger Neal with actor Joe Mantegna
"Then after, you could all get dressed up, have a dinner party and watch the Oscars, just like the Vanity Fair and Elton John Oscar viewing parties!" Neal suggested. At Neal's oscar suite, nominees were treated to amazing mobile spray tans by Tanique, eyelash extensions by Long Mi, hair blowouts, manicures and facials.
Neal's Oscar suite also featured Hollywood-based charity, Hollygrove, which aids children impacted by poverty, trauma and hardship.
Hollygrove has deep ties to its neighboring communities and a long history of serving vulnerable children. Their main campus is in Hollywood and it serves two of the neediest areas, Hollywood/Metro and South L.A., where children living in poverty can rise to a staggering 80%.
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