Meet Carola Perla | Picnic Curator & Event Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carola Perla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carola, what are you inspired by?
It is a painting of a picnic – “The Luncheon in the Grass”, by the French impressionist Claude Monet.

As an Art History student years ago, I fell in love with Monet’s image of couples lounging in the grass with an impromptu meal at their feet. The painting encapsulated everything I wanted my own bohemian experience to be – both elegant yet not contrived, earthy and ethereal, simple and profound.

The scene reminded me of my own picnics as a child, born out of financial need and a fanciful imagination. But there was also an inherent innocence to a picnic – an apparent effortlessness – that most of our adult experiences lacked, and which I became fascinated with recreating.

For how did one set a stage for people to feel bohemian, artistic, romantic, and above all, natural? What elements were necessary for people to lose themselves in a moment and truly commune? This thought preoccupied me for years. It followed me through countless dinner parties and the art gallery openings I hosted, and even weddings I planned.

What I learned was to strike a balance between what was illusion and what was real. It was not necessary to ‘guild the lily’ with unwieldy decor. Rather one ought to remain easy and authentic, creating comfort rather than artifice – keeping the music soft, the flowers lush, the linens textured. and the party mechanics unobtrusive. Letting people be themselves, while also taking them on a journey.

Now that I am able to curate a picnic or stage an event for a living, Monet’s painting still comes to me. It guides me in all my decisions, from the hand-crafted pillows I source to the destination-influenced setups I design. In many ways, my “Wanderlust” picnics are an ode to Monet, to my love of 19th Century bohemians, and to the artistic voyage I am always on.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Expression has come in many forms for me – whether it was writing a historical novel, making cut paper sculptures, and drawing portraits, or less grand projects, like embroidering a pillow, upcycling an old piece of furniture, painting my wedding invitations, or simply setting a table for a festive meal.

At the heart of this impetus lies a sort of philosophy I learned from my mother – she used to say that not having money didn’t stop you from making your world beautiful. As a child, this was revealed to me over and over again. My family lived in remote areas of the globe and traveled through many countries, trying to make ends meet, (as many immigrants do). But no matter how little we had, our space was always filled with color and music, paintings and good food – a rugged bohemianism that lived alongside an elegant sort of orderliness.

I am so thankful for these experiences in my life, the frequent occasions I dined on floors by candlelight, the ethnic prints and artisanal artifacts that studded my view, and the sweeping landscapes that gave me a sense of place. These days, as my resources are less limited than they once were, and as I build a business of luxury events, the heart of my family’s philosophy still rings true. I don’t interpret luxury as over-styled precision, but rather an organic, hand-crafted lushness – a resplendent arrangement of wildflowers or the rustle of sparkling sequins stitched by village women in the Atlas Mountains. Luxury, for me, is surrounding oneself with the intimate echo of human creativity.

In that vein, I have also learned that in all great art, there is a simplicity that allows us to participate in it. And so, in all great social events, artful simplicity is key to allowing people to expand, relax, and be themselves. It’s in this state that real conversations take place, real laughter, and confidence.

Through my Wanderlust Picnics, a picnic experience I offer through Paspalum Designs, I hope to create the best and truest bohemian experience for my clients by setting the stage, complete with carefully curated linens and imported decor, for joy and fellowship to unfold.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
After more than 35 years in Miami, I have a nostalgic attachment to corners of this city that may perhaps not be the trendiest, but which I feel visitors should see in order to appreciate its history. That said, there are so many places I could list, so I will think of destinations on two wheels.

For example, a morning bicycle ride down Old Cutler Road from Cocoplum Circle to Matheson Hammock – there is nothing more ‘Miami’ than those Banyan trees and the romance of the sun-dappled streets below their majestic canopies. This would be followed up by breakfast in the Grove, perhaps with something from Panther’s Coffee or the stalwart Greenstreet Cafe, dropping in on This N’ That for a little thrifting. There is a certain poetry in knowing that these last two stops have existed since before my teens in the early 90’s.

Another great bike destination I recently re-discovered is Crandon Park – this public space served as the setting for many a crowded barbeque in my childhood, and now stands in stark contrast to its erstwhile popularity, as a vast stretch of incredibly picturesque, tropical, empty beach. I almost don’t want it to be packed as it once was, so loathe am I to recommend it, because it is one of the only places in this city where one can still feel absolutely calm. It is paradise and it’s ours, how lucky are we?

There is not much I can add to a Wynwood or Design District bike ride, so I would move a little north to Belle Meade. Here the sleepy area around Little River has been experiencing a real revival. The historic bayfront neighborhood in Miami’s Upper Eastside is so charming, and the new restaurants and social spaces around NE 2nd Ave are a draw for all manner of creatives and foodies. Have cocktails at Tigre, a pizza at Ironside, or meander past the train tracks for great creole food or bistro-lit tacos.

Lastly, my own neighborhood is North Miami – the views across the bay on 125th towards Bal Harbour are stunning, and new bike lanes make it possible to easily traverse the islands there. Back on the mainland, I have a soft spot for small local venues like Luna’s Cafe, Vega’s Burger and Beers, and Lost City Brewing. Not to mention the multitude of family-owned Indian eateries.

To tick the tourist boxes, I would have visitors also head to Little Havana, where the sidewalk can be a bit crowded for a bike, but the Happy Hour at Ball and Chain makes it all worth it. Downtown’s PAMM is an important cultural asset, and if you can catch it, the outdoor WALLCAST at The New World Symphony is always a highlight in my calendar. Talk about a great spot for a picnic!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so lucky to be at the receiving end of so much encouragement!

My friends and family have been an amazing network of professional and emotional support since starting Paspalum Designs in 2019. They have recommended me, hired me, and carried a few picnic tables along the way! I owe much of my success to them.

My sister and fellow woman entrepreneur, in particular, is a steady inspiration to me with how hard she works as a mom in business, while also boosting the people around her. I am thrilled to offer her exquisite macarons, which she custom designed for us, as part of Paspalum’s luxury picnic add-ons. Think white-chocolate rose, passion fruit, guava, and Lady Grey lavender in ombre pastel hues, so special!

In life as in work, I have to list my mother as my most important mentor. While I learned so much from her over the course of fifteen years in business together, it is her artistic drive and adventurous spirit that I most hope to emulate. Both my parents were bohemians at heart, always painting or devising some delightful scheme like raising thousands of caterpillars, just to watch the butterflies hatch and fly out the window…long before Damien Hirst attempted it. I am so proud that my work has their stamp of ephemeral whimsy on it.

And finally, from the first day I mentioned that I wanted to start my own business, my husband has done everything to support me and lend a hand when I needed it. He is the first to sing my praises and the last to leave my side – I truly could not ask for a greater cheerleader.

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