a colorful challenge

Post by TMM guest blogger
Lauren Stout, DMCP, CTA, Director of Sales


I recently had a very specific request for a client: to create an elegant awards dinner --- seems standard enough, right? However, the most important specification of the evening was that there had to be five different linen colors – all in very close proximity to each other. The five colors sounded like a lot, but the purpose of having five colors was to identify different teams for an interactive exercise that would take place later in the evening. 

Initially, I was determining how TMM could create the appropriate atmosphere in accordance with the inherent venue design. It was also important not to lose the focus of our pattern by bringing in so many colors that they competed with each other.

As we conducted a walk-through onsite, we discussed several different themes. My first inclination was that the color selection should be monochromatic to avoid visual cacophony; the downside of a monochromatic look was that it wasn’t bold enough.

Our design team decided on a color selection that encompassed the principal hues in the elaborate carpeting at the venue– a natural fit. In the end, we discovered that the most essential element in keeping a cohesive atmosphere was the simplicity and uniformity of the centerpieces.  Each dining table was centered with a trio of beautiful curved glass vases featuring an oversized ivory pillar candle. The glow from the candle light and the pin spotting caused an ethereal glow on the taffeta table linen and our colorful “challenge” had successfully been surmounted.