Vendor Spotlight: Tablescapes

13 Nov Vendor Spotlight: Tablescapes

Kathy, the founder of Tablescapes, and the rest of the group over there took a few minutes out of their busy schedule to chat with us and give everyone a little more insight into what Tablescapes does!

Jewell Events Catering: How long have you been in business?
Tablescapes: We’ve been in business 25 years.

JEC: In no more than 3 words, describe what your company does.
Tablescapes: Quality Products & Service. Or, even more basically, if people don’t know Tablescapes, my answer would be: Complete Event Rentals

JEC: What is one thing that sets you/your company apart from others?
Tablescapes: Innovation. The company is dedicated to–and always has been–introducing new products to the rental market. From the original concept of dinnerware “that doesn’t look rented”, to introducing the country’s first stacking Chiavari chairs and, most recently, our introduction of a battery-operated light bridge structure over tables and furniture groupings, we are committed to innovation in our industry.

JEC: Where does your inspiration come from?
Tablescapes: Our customers. They are the creative ones and we listen to their requests. As the key purchaser of new products for the company, I also supplement their ideas with ideas I get from loads of design and fashion magazines, attendance at numerous trade shows and networking with my counterparts across the country to be aware of innovations in different markets.

JEC: What is one emerging trend for events next year?
Tablescapes: Gold as an accent in tabletop.

JEC: What is the craziest or most fun event you’ve done (no names, just details)?
Tablescapes: To Tablescapes, “craziest” means most complicated. We would determine craziest by the number of orders for one party. Biggest number 45. (I am not sure if we want our customers to think about trying to top that!)

JEC: What is one thing you wish everyone knew about your business?
Tablescapes: That we have unique and well-designed rental items in all price ranges. So often people think quality products can only be found at the top of the price range. We strive to make sure our equipment is high quality and well-designed no matter what the price point. For unique specialty flatware, sure, we have Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons at $7.75 each, but we also have Black Lacquer Chopsticks at only $0.75 for each set.

JEC: What is the best piece of advice you can give someone planning an event?
Tablescapes: Place your orders early and work with our Customer Service Representatives because ordering rental equipment gets very complicated with lots of details. The team is trained to make sure that when cups and saucers are ordered, teaspoons are also part of the order or when tables are ordered, chairs are not forgotten. We feel that is our responsibility.

JEC: What is you’re favorite part about being in the industry?
Tablescapes: We need to mention two. The first is the creativity. We are continually amazed at our clients’ creativity. We provide the paint. Our customers create the picture. This is why we came up with our new tag line, “Inspiring Creativity”. Check out our Guest Designers eblasts collected on our website. Tablescapes.com/side_dishes.php. And speaking personally again, my other favorite part is the relationships with our customers. We are lucky to have worked with people so closely and so often over the years that the business relationships have evolved into strong friendships.

JEC: What type of food or dinnerware would you be?
Tablescapes: It would definitely be a champagne flute. It’s the most festive glass. And, a champagne flute is reason I started the company. I love to entertain and couldn’t find a single champagne flute to rent in town 25 years ago.