navigate
When it comes to hosting an open house that truly resonates, it’s not just about filling a space; it’s about telling a story. At 14TENN in Nashville, that story came to life through a thoughtfully curated Spring Soirée open house, designed by Rachel, Lead Planner at 828 Planning. With a fresh perspective that leaned into both corporate and wedding possibilities, the event showcased how intentional design can transform a venue—and inspire every guest who walks through the doors.
A Vision Rooted in Versatility
Rather than leaning heavily into weddings, this open house set out to broaden the narrative.
“My background is in rentals – I worked in rentals for four years – so I always gravitate towards looking at rentals to start a design because I get a lot of inspiration there. I wanted to bring a lot of rentals in and show the versatility of 14TENN’s white, blank canvas space,” Rachel explained.
“I went straight to Southern Events website, saw their newer collection of green bar, chivari chairs and linens, and started there because I love color and patterns.”
The rental-first approach became the foundation for the entire design. In a venue like 14TENN —known for its clean, white interior— every layer added becomes an opportunity to create depth, contrast, and personality.
Designing for Both Corporate & Wedding Clients
One of the most compelling elements of the open house was its ability to speak to multiple audiences at once.
“The floor plan had a really big bar at the middle of the room which, for a wedding client, isn’t super realistic, but that element was definitely more corporate driven and would be really great for a holiday party or cocktail style event. We never see the space set up that way, and I really wanted to highlight the massive green bar as the focal point.”
While the bar leaned more towards a corporate setup, the tablescapes Rachel designed could easily lean either way. To show what they could look like for a wedding, she asked Wildflower Creative Studio to create menus and name cards.
“Our lounge section could go either way for a corporate event or a wedding,” added Rachel.
By blending a bold, central bar with elevated tablescapes and flexible lounge areas, the design created a dual-purpose experience equally inspiring for both corporate planners and engaged couples.
Standout Design Moments
From the moment guests walked in, it was clear this wasn’t a typical open house.
“Our AV & Lighting company, Nashville Audio Visual was really excited – they’ve been telling us for a long time they wanted to be a part of an open house, and they were really willing to do anything. Through them, we were able to showcase fun chandeliers which we don’t normally see in the space, and then they also did a gobo of 14TENN logo right in front of the bar, and projections on each side of the barn doors that were kind of a greenery pattern.
Lighting played a pivotal role, adding dimension and drama to the space. The chandeliers—unexpected and eye-catching—quickly became a guest favorite and a defining visual moment of the event.
Behind the Scenes: Collaboration, Logistics & Creative Problem-Solving
While the final result felt seamless, getting there required intentional coordination, strong vendor relationships, and a whole lot of flexibility behind the scenes.
“With a more intense lighting setup, we did have them load in the day before and rentals came in the day before too. We leveraged our relationships with our Epic Vendor partners, and they were all very generous with what they brought to the open house.”
That same intentionality carried through the entire planning process. By keeping the vendor list focused and the structure streamlined, the team was able to elevate the design without overwhelming the space.
“We’ve kept our open houses simple in the past when it comes to vendors. Having more vendors is amazing for the client, but for the planner it’s a little less daunting when you simplify the process. From a design standpoint, we were able to showcase our space more vs having tons of booth setups.”
And when surprises came up—as they always do—the response was quick and collaborative.
“I had ordered some linens for the food tables, and they ended up being this color that I didn’t envision. I was able to place a quick pickup order for different linens because we have such great partners.”
In the end, it was this balance of planning, trust, and adaptability that allowed the design to shine, and the space itself to remain the star of the show.
A Celebration of Spring (and Pattern Play)
At its core, the open house was about welcoming a new season and encouraging clients to embrace bold design choices.
“I hope our clients felt inspired and excited to host their event at 14TENN! The design was really inspired by the green rentals – green has been having a moment for the last couple of years, but specifically it was the patterned tablecloth that I wanted to play off of. Clients can be hesitant when it comes to patterns because they have a hard time envisioning it, so to show they how it can be done, we did a couple of different patterns, showcasing how that can work and how it looks intentional and beautiful.”
Especially in 14TENN’s blank canvas space, patterns and bold color choices stand out.
The Details That Made It Personal
Beyond the large-scale design, it was the thoughtful details that left a lasting impression.
“We had a lot of clients comment on the chandeliers when they were here. They also loved our signage vendor – and so did I – when she sent the proofs from after seeing our mood board, they were exactly what I wanted. No notes!”
“Our balloon vendor also did great and we were able to use them on white side of our hedge backdrop, so I was excited to showcase that and hopefully that inspired people. The gelato cart was also amazing – people love that they make everything fresh.”
From custom signage to interactive elements like a photo booth and fresh-made gelato, every touchpoint added to the guest experience.
Why It All Matters
At the end of the day, events like this are about connection.
“I got to see several vendors that I haven’t seen in a long time and connect with more industry people. The community of vendors in Nashville is amazing and really tight-knit. Several planning clients came by and all said we did such a good job with the design. I love all of my clients, truthfully, they are just fabulous. We all click and I’m very thankful for that.”
That sense of community—and the joy of bringing people together—is what makes events like this so meaningful.
The Final Vibe
“If you had to describe the vibe of this open house in three words, what would they be? Cheerful, elevated, inspiring.”
And that’s exactly what it was: a fresh, thoughtful, and beautifully executed reminder of what’s possible when design, collaboration, and intention come together.
Vendors
Venue + Beverage: 14TENN
Planning: 828 Planning
Catering: G Catering
Rentals: Southern Events
Floral: The Flower House
Photo & Video: The Hopkins Co
Signage & Stationery: Wildflower Creative Studio
Balloons: Inflated Soiree
Gelato Cart: Gelatano
