The scene at Robert Boccabella's champagne reception and opening on Thursday, January 20, 2011. Photo courtesy of Debi Freeland.

On the beautiful moonlit night of Thursday, Jan. 20, I attended Robert Boccabella's champagne reception and opening, celebrating his new Lakeport location for Business Design Services.

Wow – this guy knows presentation and details! Imagine strings of clear votive candles reflecting on all of the window sills. At the reception desk, a zig-zag pattern of the same votives greeted the guests where the sign-in book was with an elegant glass to leave business cards in.

In the main room, on the large, oval glass meeting table, were three clear rectangular boxes; each box stood as tall as the string of votives inside of them. The spaces in between were filled with rock ice for a “fire and ice” effect.

As the evening progressed, so did the ice – lingering and, then, melting away just as slowly as the people oohing and awing over Lakeport's newest business, located at 195 S. Main St. (in front of Ralph's Shoe Repair) at the corner of Armstrong.

Tastefully placed food was strewn like works of art. I did a double take of the mountainous section of buttery Peccarino cheese that was laying on its side with its fuzzy imprinted logo on the outside.

Just like a landslide, at the bottom of the road (a black lacquered porcelain tile), bite-sized boulders awaited the constant flow of traffic ... Everything from black licorice jelly bears to flattened filets of Kour Thai Satay chicken-breasts-on-a-stick (with glass bowls of the most creamy peanut sauce), sushi, marinated button mushrooms, dolmas, veggies and more exotic cheeses abounded.

Not until that day had I ever eaten creamy, white cheese laced with dainty swirls of cooked, spiced apples. Another cheese had a hint of sage while another had prosciutto rolled inside of it.

Event design and production was by “In The Appropriate Style,” Ms. Zoe Tummillo, event coordinator. Wearing a dark double-breasted suit with gold buttons and a crisp, red shirt and dark tie under his jacket, Robert stood erect greeting with a warm smile while pouring Freixenet champagne and sparkling water into the guest's fluted glasses.

Three laptops were placed in different rooms to run slide shows of some of Robert's design installations. Simple, no-clutter designs of stunning office spaces and reception areas, elegant hotel rooms, and even a church said “this man has exceptional vision and style.”

What you might not expect from such an accomplished man is his very kind and gentle mannerism. At his core is the love of his family, friends and life itself. I'm so glad I went to this very memorable event. Thank you, Robert!

Debi Freeland lives in Kelseyville, Calif.

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Written by: Debi Freeland

Published: 03 February 2011