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Providing options
Former set decorator Rich Reams opened Ga. Prop Source four years ago. Reams calls his business the only
‘Hollywood style’ prop house in his area, offering all the departments found in most Los Angeles prop houses: new and old furniture, outdoor, industrial, silks, accessories, art work, sporting goods, rugs, linens, and office furnishings. The company also offers a buying service for decorators, which gives them a discount.
Reams uses AmericasMart as a source for everything from accessories to lighting to furniture, particularly seeking out unique, one-of-a-kind items. Rugs are always on the shopping list, Reams has a sizeable inventory but is always looking for new options in his most popular sizes, 6x9, 9x12 and 8x10.
Although one would think that rental companies would insist on sturdy, durable pieces since these items are being constantly transported and are often
in heavy-use situations, Bourne says, surprisingly, that this isn’t always the case.
“We’re not going to buy a piece that
we know will last until the end of time, because, frankly, it might not be that attractive,” she says. “We take very good care of our pieces, and we are working with a caliber of clients who also will treat our pieces well.” When items start showing signs of wear, they reupholster or simply sell and replace with something fresher. Bourne says some of their most popular
pieces might have a lifespan of only around three years before being retired.
For rugs, it’s a different story—
durability, as well as beauty, is key. Jonathan Kashanian of F.J. Kashanian occasionally sells rugs to rental companies, and also rents rugs directly to production companies.“As far as durability goes, they usually want to go with something that’s good-quality wool, rather than silk, so it
will handle high traffic areas,” he says.
At Gallimore, McIntyre opts for antique or vintage looks at a moderate price point. She also seeks out stain-resistant synthetic rugs with a boho or vintage look to place
in high traffic areas of events where guests are enjoying food and drinks.
“Many guests like to mix the two qualities, using handmade vintage pieces in the ceremony areas, and synthetic rugs in the reception and dining areas,” she notes.
Working with suppliers
Buyers for rental businesses seek out showrooms with flexible minimum orders, since many times they might only need one or two items, not enough to fulfill
an opening order requirement. Lower price points also are important since the pieces they’re buying might need to be replaced frequently.
“I’m getting their product in front of millions of people, \[manufacturers\] should understand how powerful that is,” says Reams.
Bourne, too, prefers not to be locked into a certain order minimum, although she tends to buy multiples of the same piece, so that she’ll have backups on popular pieces when they show signs of wear,
or for clients who want all the same pieces at their event.
Ultimately, a relationship between a rug or furniture showroom and a prop or event rental buyer can behoove the entire industry. This is particularly the case for the exposure of area rugs.
“Using area rugs at events exposes the millennial generation to the beauty and utility of area rugs,” says McIntyre.
“Any exposure of the use of area rugs to the public can only help to sustain the rug industry at all levels.” ■
For more information:
Collection Event Furnishings - collectioneventfurnishings.com, 404.720.0085;
F. J. Kashanian - Fjkashanian.com, 201.330.0072;
Gallimore Fine Rugs - https://b-m.facebook.com/gallimoregifts/, 678.928.1266; and
Ga. Prop Source -
Gapropsource.com, 404.900.7800.
Images courtesy of,
A. Claire Diana Photography
B. Collection Event Furnishings C. Mejia Jones Photography D. Gallimore Fine Rugs
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