Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Vista Ranch & Cellars

A couple of months ago I was asked to help execute a plan for an elaborate, 250 guest wedding at The Vista Ranch & Cellars in Merced, California. I immersed myself in 100's of yards of burlap fabric and strands upon strands of lights in order to help create this gorgeous tent for a glamorous, country-style wedding on 11-11-11!




I love featuring snippets of gorgeous wedding inspiration that I find on the web, or details and pictures from events that I've planned or attended from time to time. But I've been wanting to feature more local wedding and party related stuff on the blog for a while. California's Central Valley really is home to so many awesome locations that are ideal for hosting parties and events and I feel like there really isn't a solid web presence for all of them. I thought today I would kick off the new series of highlighting great venues and vendors with a feature on The Vista Ranch & Cellars located in Merced, California!


The Vista Ranch & Cellars is an ideal location for hosting weddings and special events in the Central Valley. Their spacious venue consists of 20 acres and is home to 400 year old oak trees, lavish gardens, huge green lawns and even a private lake. They can accommodate 350+ guests on their outdoor patios and eye catching grounds.


Their large event center is perfect for indoor events year round as well! The facility also has a commercial kitchen, full staff and in-house caterer.


The property features a bridal cottage in a newly redecorated 1950's ranch style house that offers privacy for the bride and bridal party. It is furnished for relaxation and socialization before the wedding and even includes a salon area! 


In addition to being a one-stop-shop wedding and special events venue, The Vista recently opened up their new wine tasting room! You can experience ten varieties of The Vista Cellars wine in a historic 1910 farmhouse that has been converted into a gorgeous, rustic style tasting room. They are open to the public daily!



The Vista Ranch & Cellars will also soon be expanding and opening up a farm market that will feature local produce including fresh vine and tree ripened fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and dairy products. Coming later this year!

all images via me, Natalie Galasso Designs & The Vista Ranch & Cellars

To book your wedding or next special event at this ideal venue, or for more information, visit The Vista Ranch & Cellars online here or check out their Facebook page for current events here!


Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and that I was not paid or endorsed  to promote their facility. However, if you are a wedding vendor or venue and would like to advertise your company on this blog, please contact me for more information. 

JPM Design Event Styling Services!

The weather is warming up and Spring is definitely in the air here in California! The trees are in blossom, the sun is staying out longer and flowers are beginning to sprout. I'm finding myself so inspired  by beautiful bright colors and pretty pastels, what about you?








 All images via here

As Spring is fast approaching and wedding season is just around the corner…. think of JPM Design to help you style your event! We have the expertise to bring any decor style to life and to help you create a wedding that is truly a reflection of you! If you live in or around the Central Valley, Bay Area or Northern California and would like the assistance of an Event Designer, please contact me! For more information go here.

Friday, February 24, 2012

DIY Headboard

Happy Friday! I want to share a 'lil project I recently finished around my house. You might remember the improvements I have been slowly making to my 10 year old step daughters bedroom. (If not you can check out this post, this post, this post or this post.) Well, I just completed an easy, do-it-yourself headboard for her bedroom and I love the way it turned out! Take a peak;


I found this fun material on clearance at my favorite discount fabric store for only $3.00/yard! I couldn't pass it up because incorporated all of the colors already in her room (red, pink, lime green, yellow and turquoise.) I also purchased a white, fitted bedskirt to help tie the bedding all together. I really cheated when it came to constructing the headboard - I used foam boards instead of plywood and adhered it to the wall with 3M tape. Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone my secret!) I lalala-love the way it ties the whole room together now! Here's a closeup;


Now the only thing I have left to do  is a dresser makeover and some art to complete the room. . . Have you finished any super easy and super cheap projects lately? I would love to hear about it! Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back next week with double posts since this week has been a little sporadic.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Deal of the day

via Pawleys Island Posh
Can you believe that this gorgeous sunburt mirror featured above is available at Home Depot? AND can you believe it's costs only $34.97?!

30" Diameter Wales Metal Antique Gold Framed Mirror
As you probably already know I am a huge fan of sunburst mirrors. Nine times out of ten when someone asks me "What do you think I should hang on this wall?" my answer is "a sunburst mirror!". They look great hanging above a sofa, in a dining room over a buffet, hanging over a bed, in an entry, wherever! Sunburst mirrors really are one of my favorite decorating accessory. Take a peak at a couple other interiors featuring these gold beauties;






all images via Decorpad

Friday, February 17, 2012

Birthday Party Inspiration Board!

via Ruffled
I saw this image (above) on Pinterest and thought it was such a gorgeous centerpiece for a party! I loved the gold, magenta and pink color pallette so much that I thought it would make a great theme for a birthday soiree! Check out the inspiration board I came up with:

A certain someone (as in me) turns 30 in a couple of months. Is it lame to throw yourself a birthday party?! Because I would LOVE to go with a theme similar to this. Either way, I really love this color combo, so much I can almost taste the champagne and pink macaroons! What do you think?

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Room of the day

image via House & Home
I don't know about you, but I'll never tire of lucite chairs, banquet seats and that uber cool (and ultra affordable!) Ikea light fixture. I love the tight clustered gallery wall of art in all black frames and they way they contrast against the stark white walls.With the light streaming in that large window I can't help but wish I could eat my breakfast in this cozy nook every morning!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Love is in the air!

Can you smell it? I sure can. . . I adore this time of year when we slowly start to come out of the winter months and Spring is teasing us with early flowers in bloom. The weather is still crisp and cool but the sun is shining longer every day. Awww, don't you just love it?!. . .Valentines day is upon us! Do you have any fun or plans for this day of love? I plan on spending the whole day with my sweetie pie husband and ending it with a romantic dinner for two. Here's some v-day eye candy for you to help immerse yourself in all things la-la-la-love!

via Martha Stewart

Open Heart Bracelet, available here

Driftwood Heart, available here
Antique Sign, via here




Red Skinny Jeans, available here

via Decorpad


Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Accessorizing 101: The Tray

Serving trays are honestly one of my favorite decorative accessories.When I look around I notice that I have at least one tray in every room of my house! There's one on the console at the entry, one on the ottoman in the living room, one of top of the bar in the kitchen, one on the bathroom counter, in the bedroom on the dresser, etc, etc. Trays are not only a great accessory, they are the best organizers out there!

via Caitlin Wilson
via Diane Bergeron
via Lonny Magazine
Coffee tables & ottomans are a great place to use trays. I have one in my living room and it holds magazines, books, remote controls, coasters and all that other stuff that piles up. Using a tray to coral the clutter makes a normal mess look a little more stylish, don't you think?!

via Isuwanee
via Lonny Magazine
via Decorpad
via Flickr
via Country Living
via The Vintique Object
Trays are also great when you have a 'spot' you don't know how to fill, whether it be on top of a dresser, a counter that just needs a little oomph, a nightstand, wherever. Add a tray and a couple of other decorative accessories and you have an instant vignette!

via Decorpad
via Houzz

via Decorpad
via Decorpad
I like to shop for trays at thrift stores, discount stores or places like Target and World Market in order to find them for as affordable as possible. Check out this round tray I found at Ross for $4.99. Originally it was blue but I spray painted it yellow for a fun pop of color in my bathroom! 


Do you use trays to decorate or for adding function in your home? Where is your favorite spot to plop down a tray and fill 'er up?!