Some party themes begin with a Pinterest board. This one began with a pack of disposable plates.

About five years ago, I purchased a set of colorful Coterie plates for the shop. No one ever bought them, but I could never bring myself to get rid of them because I loved the pattern so much. The mix of bold colors, fun shapes and artistic details always stood out to me.

When I started thinking about my birthday, I came across those plates again and decided it was finally time to use them. Instead of simply coordinating a few decorations around them, I challenged myself to create an entire experience inspired by their colors and movement.

That one forgotten pack of plates became the starting point for my Matisse-inspired “Living in Color” birthday party.

This celebration was especially meaningful to me because the concept felt completely original and personal. I had seen Matisse-inspired details used in art, interiors and smaller decorative moments, but I had never seen the idea developed into a full party experience in quite this way.

I wanted the room to feel like guests had stepped inside a colorful, modern art installation—creative and elevated, but still joyful, welcoming and fun.

The final result felt artistic without being too serious. It was bright, playful and full of personality, which was exactly how I wanted the celebration to feel.

One of the most important parts of this party was that I personally created and painted all of the props.

Every oversized shape was cut and painted by hand. I designed the placement of each installation, created the signs and customized the existing Creative Twist carts and bars to make them feel like they belonged within the theme.

The large blue, yellow and colorful organic forms transformed simple white structures into statement pieces. Even the smallest details were considered, from the decorative accents on the gelato cart to the colorful stirrers at the bar.

Because everything was handmade, no two elements were exactly alike. That imperfection and movement were part of what made the design feel so special.

One of my favorite installations was the Living in Color gallery wall.

Rows of small, hand-painted canvases were displayed on white shelves, turning the wall into a colorful art exhibit. Each canvas featured a different abstract botanical form, line drawing or playful composition inspired by the overall theme.

These paintings were not only part of the décor. Each guest was able to take one home as a favor.

I loved the idea of creating a giveaway that felt meaningful and connected to the experience rather than choosing something generic. Every painting was made by hand, so each guest left with a small, original piece of the celebration.

The interactive charm bar was another major part of the party.

Guests were invited to create colorful keychains using custom charms designed in the same organic forms seen throughout the event. The charms were produced by Loloberry Shoppe specifically for the celebration and displayed by color across the white cart.

We called the experience “The Key to Color.”

It gave guests an opportunity to design something of their own while still connecting back to the overall concept. The charm bar also reflected what I love most about Creative Twist Events: creating beautiful celebrations that give people something to do, make and remember.

For the tables, we used natural woven placemats to add warmth and texture against the bright colors. Each placemat was finished with colorful trim and topped with a hand-cut abstract shape.

The florals brought another layer of movement into the design. Bright roses, carnations, delphinium and trailing greenery were arranged in a mix of striped vessels and simple bud vases. Colorful taper candles placed inside clear glass hurricanes added height and a soft glow without competing with the flowers.

We wanted the tables to feel styled but not overly formal. The mix of natural textures, bold colors and delicate florals created a setting that felt artistic, relaxed and celebratory.

What makes this party even more memorable is that the entire experience came together in approximately one week.

I had an incredible group of vendors who understood the vision and helped me bring it to life very quickly. From the food and desserts to the photography, content, custom pieces, beauty and hospitality, every person contributed something important.

As an event designer, I spend so much of my time creating celebrations for other people. This party gave me the opportunity to treat myself like a client, to follow an unusual idea, take creative risks and build something simply because it made me happy.

It also reminded me that inspiration can come from anywhere. Sometimes, an entire celebration can begin with something as simple as a pack of plates that no one else wanted but that you never stopped loving.

This birthday was about more than a theme. It was about creating freely, celebrating boldly and choosing to live life in color.

Creative Team

Concept, Design & Production: @creativetwistevents
Styling & Floral Design: @prettypennyeventdesign
Photography: @lgphotographynj
Content: @ambermaayyy
Chef: @chef.manzo
Desserts: @pastrylubakery
Custom Charms & Drink Stirrers: @loloberryshoppe
Makeup: @alisaglamcosmetics
Hospitality Team: Servers for Hire