"We started with wanting to do an artist's studio theme as our design," the team says. "We were envisioning a full-blown artist's studio with paint cans, canvas, brushes etc. ... and then it got us thinking that there are so many artists right in our own events industry, why not theme it off that? It got us inspired and reminiscing about all of the late-night team dinners that we end up having." 

"We often create these beautiful mock-up tables right in our own studio using our clients' visions, or our own, and then end up having dinner as a team when they are done being photographed or viewed by clients!"

"Our design was meant to reflect an everyday look into the life of an event designer. We started with our blank photo canvas wall that then became our flooring, representing a typical in-house photo shoot. The 'inspirational wall' shows some of our process of pulling ideas through products, fashion magazines, and interior design."

"We finished it off with a floral work area complete with fresh flowers, tools and an event calendar showing all of the events on the horizon!" 

Taylor Creative, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, dreams up "Coastal Dining." The team says, "Families and friends gathering for a meal, enjoying each other’s company and conversation while forgetting life’s worries, was the inspiration behind Taylor Creative Inc.’s 'Coastal Dining' installation for The Special Event Design Gallery." All elements by Taylor Creative.

"With its woven natural rattan frame and clean lines echoing the best of mid-century Danish design, our Cane collection sofa, chairs and ottomans provide the perfect perch to gather round and share the day’s events with friends. Millennial Pink, Clay and Palm Leaf pillows warm up the airy space and offer comfort for guests to dine and lounge in style."

"The 'Coast' screens’ white-oak planks simultaneously offer shelter and provide a backdrop for nature’s greenery to peek through--joining indoors and outdoors together," the team notes. The screens are designed and made in Taylor's Long Island City workshop.

The casual chic meal from Taylor Creative.

And the winner: "Night of the Round Tables" from Architectural Holidays of Hudson Valley, N.Y. "I’ve always wanted to do a 'Knights of the Round Table' event theme," says founder Analee Cole. "Real or mythical, the Round Table has always been recognized as a powerful meeting place where  important strategic decisions  are made…as well as a fair amount of liquor consumed.

"As our design objective, it’s about the celebration of collaboration and teamwork.  Each guest--knight, rather--is a VIP and each table is a head table.  We wanted the table to overflow with visuals.  And we wanted a dark space, to make it magical."

"The play on words for the Design Gallery title was simply that we wanted to replicate the setting as in a larger venue, via selective placement of mirrors," Cole says. "The dragon, now our latest pet, paid homage to King Arthur Pendragon, and also--we had to do this--as a final nod to 'Game of Thrones,' ending its long run this spring."

"It took a village of suppliers to fill this table--from my own medieval-inspired stash, to one-of-a-kind items found on Ebay and Chairish, to the endless creative source for artisans that is Etsy," Cole says. "In the absence of finding things, we made them. Three talented suppliers found on Etsy stole the show for us:

1. Wolfe Innovations: The ring chandelier

2. Umbra Studio: Illuminated letter place cards

3. Mythical Wire: The dragon (oh the dragon!)"

"Our new favorite rental sources in Southern California include Found Rentals in Fullerton for its incredible inventory and nothing 'off the shelf,' and Scavenger’s Paradise in Burbank for its stellar collection of architectural salvage and antiques.

"We used local bakery Sweet Thoughts in San Diego for the shield cookies."

Cole salutes her Design Gallery team as "Quite simply the best team I could ever ask for to build a booth--my knights and dearest friends Beth Kolarik and Michael Clark."