360 West February 2010 : Page 24

Spaces & Places

Floral designer Philip Combs of Fort Worth created two different color palettes for 360 West, one more natural and earthy and one featuring bold, vibrant colors, but both refl ecting design trends. Sage greens provide a neutral background for the fl oral arrangement and combine the lime green of Kermit mums and purple hyacinth bulbs nestled in Combs’ deep earthenware bowls. The contemporary candelabras, hand-crafted locally of steel and rusted to a beautiful reddishbrown, hold multiple green glass votives fi lled with tea candles. Combs also grouped a collection of sculptural ceramics on a console table provided by 809 at Vickery. A sage-green linen tablecloth and chocolate-brown linen napkins from Celebration Event Rental in Southlake complete the neutral scheme, while transparent chairs, also from Celebration Event and another popular trend, lighten the look. Combs used pink roses, blue hydrangea, and purple and green kale along with gray river rock in a tall f linenf rom the popular (the Botanic Garden) to the historic (the downtown Fort Worth YMCA), there’s no lack of venues for rehearsal dinners, weddings and celebrations in general. If you’re looking for someplace unusual, wedding planners, bridal specialists, caterers and others in the business seem to have an inside track on what’s new or in the works. Here are a few of the newest venues to consider: Omni Hotel and Resort Fort Worth Having recently celebrated its fi rst anniversary, the Omni has proved that it can handle a detailed event (the Jewel Charity Ball held its annual event there this year with few hitches). Two ballrooms, attractive pre-function areas and close to 7,000 square feet of outdoor space offer myriad possibilities. Add to that the luxury of a large staff and one-stop amenities (spa, restaurants) for guests, and you might be able to cross a few things off your to-do list. 1300 Houston St., Fort Worth; 817-535-6664; www.omnihotels.com 809 at Vickery The former site of Lucasso Stone, a wholesale distributor of high-end granite and tile, this industrial space south of downtown Fort Worth made its public debut in March during Arts Goggle. Owner Luke Gilcrease is in the process of moving the business to Dallas’ Design District but didn’t want to sell the building. Wife Jane, along with her sister Mary, have been working to turn the building into an urban events space. The 14- foot ceilings and fl oor-to-ceiling windows fl anking the oversize doorway make a great impression, especially at night, when the windows allow a sparkling view of the interior and a view of the downtown skyline from Within. With separate dressing rooms, a partially equipped kitchen and plenty of storage, this space has a lot of potential. Improvements include a back patio and outdoor space. 809 W. Vickery Blvd., Fort Worth; 817-291-4249; http://atvickery.com/ Times Ten Cellars It’s only been open since September, but the urban-chic wine lounge in (of course) a former warehouse already has bookings for weddings and rehearsal dinners, says founding partner Madeleine Shero. The event space holds about 120, and Times Ten provides a server to pour wine for the duration of the event (the on-site kitchen is quite large). Exposed rafters and cozy shades of red and taupe make the space both comfy and airy. “It’s industrial meets warm and inviting,” says Shero, with contrasts like polished concrete fl oors and cushy chairs. And always, she says, lots of candlelight. 1100 Foch St., Fort Worth; 817-336-9463; www.timestencellars.com Belltower Chapel and Garden Architect Lee Hill calls it “one of Fort Worth’s secret beautiful spaces.” He and interior designer Tammy Bopp worked together to bring the boarded-up chapel with its tall belltower back to life, a three-year project they completed in January. Built of limestone in a neo-Gothic style by Donald S. Nelson (the architect who designed Fair Park in Dallas), The sanctuary holds 250. The garden can accommodate 150-200, and the reception hall seats 200. (Children who attended the Masonic Home and School of Texas went to chapel here after it was built in 1958.) Proceeds from rentals go to ACH Child and Family Services, formerly All Church Home, and the rest of the old Masonic campus is being reworked to become a campus for ACH. 3716 Wichita St., Fort Worth; 682-432-1140; www.belltowerfortworth.com Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Almost everything — the gorgeous, lightfilled atrium, even the planetarium — in the new Cultural District building designed by Legorreta + Legorreta is available for events after hours. The Noble Planetarium holds 60 seated guests, 100 otherwise, for a reception or rehearsal dinner under the “stars.” Elsewhere, the Oak Room was designed for special events and can seat up to 280. It’s all good, notes Ana Bak, communications coordinator, because “it’s such a beautiful building.” The atrium, which opens onto the Heritage Courtyard, holds up to 400 guests, 200 for sit-down events. Exhibit spaces can be rented along with the other areas. 1600 Gendy St., Fort Worth; 817-505-8735; www.fortworthmuseum.org Color and light suffuse the lobby of the Winspear Opera House. Photo courtesy of the AT&T Performing Arts Cetnter AT&T Performing Arts Center Brides given to the grand gesture probably could not find one any grander than the big, shiny new complex in the heart of Dallas’ Arts District. A total of 13 spaces are available, six in the Winspear Opera House and seven at the Wyly Theatre.The largest is the Opera House lobby and cafe, which together seat 670 or hold 1,000 for receptions. Spokeswoman Maria May says the Nancy Hamon hall in the Winspear would be lovely (seats 180, holds 270) and that the Wyly performance hall (seats 500, holds 810) “in a flat-floor configuration would be incredible.” 2403 Flora St. in the Dallas Arts District, 214-978-2853, www.attpac.org.

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