celebrate
a guide to simchahs
Turn The Table
Transform a party into a stylish and comfortable home away
from home — but better.
Lynne Konstantin
I
Contributing Writer
T
Proud of this moment? Then, capture it v\ith one of the area's best.
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330 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI
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Upscale cuisine from around the Mediterranean
C l 6
celebrate! I
March
2013
he tried-and-true set up of groups of round tables at wed-
dings, b'nai mitzvahs and other events is a classic because it
works.
But if you're looking for something a little different for your event,
or simply want to enhance the classic, there are options — and Carol
Lewis is a specialist. Since opening the Troy-based Elite Furniture
Rentals and Sales in 2006, Lewis has spearheaded the trend that she
saw coming in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago of using lounge fur-
niture and accessories for a fun, funky or elegant way of adding extra
personality and comfort to events.
Working as an event planner for more than 20 years, Lewis has been
attending trade shows and planning events around the country, picking
up "props" as she went along. When she started Elite, "I could not find
furniture to rent in Michigan," she says. "So I started to find my own."
Now, she has a warehouse brimming with items from sofas, love-
seats, ottomans and end tables to pillows, candles, rugs and other
accessories — and all of it coordinating with each other.
Because most of the furniture is commissioned by her, for her, "all of
our furniture works together," she says. "Our white sofa matches our
white armless chair, and same with our black pieces. They are all made
with the same materials and fabrics, and scaled down to tighter dimen-
sions so it's easy to move and function in a specific space. Then we can
add plants, end tables, textiles — and it transforms the space."
And because her team is comprised of party planners, she also can-
provide extras from coffee bars to projected lights, as well as work
directly with the client — or rent to other party planners and designers.
From sophisticated chic for weddings to fresh and funky for bar and
bat mitzvahs, Lewis can create a comfort zone almost anywhere. Here, a
few of her favorite ideas:
•
Create a relaxation station by sectioning off an area with sheer
drapes surrounding cozy sofas and tables. "This provides an area
separate from the dancing where guests can come chill out," says
Lewis. "It also creates a sense of camaraderie among guests and
breaks up a flood of 8- or 10-person tables."
•
Let guests watch the dance floor from a living room set up on
risers, while sipping a signature drink that is passed around (non-
alcoholic for the kids, of course).
•
Create cozy themed corners, like cafe tables or a warm library set-
ting.
•
Amp up the energy with glow furniture — LED lights inside illumi-
nate the seating or can change colors. Or punch up a kids' party
with oversized bean bags.
•
Bringing in furniture helps break up a space for special features.
"One event I did had a mime sitting on a sofa; another one had
fortune tellers in a corner," says Lewis.
"When planning an event, people forget that sitting down at a table
for speeches, photo displays and dinner is a lot," says Lewis. "We can
keep the space as elegant as a client wants, but add more options and
personality." ❑
Elite Furniture Rentals and Sales, Troy (248-619-9595;
eliteeventrentals. corn).