The Prop House blog
Events, styling trends, prop hire themes, showroom favourites...and so much more!
End of Financial Year Flashback
What a year we have had so far. We thought we’d take a look back at some of our favourite moments before we begin our preparations for Christmas – yes that time of year is just around the corner for us already! We’ve packed a lot into the last six months, working with our favourite clients old and new. At last count we hired over 1,350 props to over 330 clients, dressed 650 mannequins and put more than 25,000 baubles onto Christmas trees around the Great South East. Our showroom at Leopard and Vulture Street got a golden facelift with a new facade and illuminated signage.
The Prop House
Throughout the past six months our clients have taken our imagination to the Middle East, visiting the races and even into their own homes, giving us the opportunity to display how versatile our styling can be.
Our most vibrant event was definitely the Somerville House Arabian Night theme which was a truly rich and decadent event. This theme was about creating a grand and extravagant evening, feeling as though you were in the Middle Eastern desert. We used Aladdin for inspiration, thinking magic carpet, desert, feathers and rich colours.
The launch of a new development in Brisbane saw The Prop House style a marquee at Raymond Park on a stunningly sunny day. The Moroccan inspired interiors of the development translated into the Luncheon Setting with patterned lanterns, natural finishes and pops of colour through florals & greenery. The guests enjoyed a delicious meal whilst overlooking the city views from amongst the trees.
Creating a party atmosphere at a stunning home on the banks of the Brisbane River was not a hard task for our team at The Prop House. Elegant in white and sparkling light the outdoor area was transformed into a glowing party scene with our marquee letters, wonderful lights and illuminated bars. Classic furniture and candle light set the tone and the pool was the main feature of the evening with an installation of hundreds of white balloons overflowing on the surface.
VM+
The team have created some truly amazing visual merchandising projects over the past six months, but special mention must go to ‘Minipilly’ the kids play space we created for our client Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. Referencing local icons such as the Brisbane River and Mt Coot-tha, we were able to help our client turn a vacant tenancy into fully functioning (not to mention beautiful) space that continues to drive visitors to the centre.
We loved the variety of projects that we got to work on as well, with other memorable moments including creating a giant rooster lantern for Chinese New Year, an enchanting Easter themed activation complete with giant tree, as well as pushing the boundaries of everyday VM by creating displays that harness the power of online and social media marketing.
We’ve also run a number of our popular VM Training Courses inspiring students with the tips, tricks and secrets of visual merchandising magic. Our student produced some pretty spectacular window displays at the end of each course and we are looking forward to hosting our first ever Advanced Visual Merchandising Course in July (watch this space).
Giving Back
The Prop House team are passionate about giving back to the community. As mentioned above, this year we have sponsored over 25 charities including Starlight Children’s Foundation, Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, Foodbank, Hear & Say Foundation and Breast Cancer Awareness. The value of our sponsorship exceeds $70,000, not to mention the hours and planning involved in each charity event or donation.
In March our leading lady Jano Dawes, joined the “10 Leaping Ladies” who leaped from Kangaroo Point Cliffs all in the name of charity. Through all their courage and support the ladies exceeded their $10,000 goal, raised for White Cloud Foundation, who support women at risk of perinatal depression.
Our team get a great sense out of satisfaction in contributing towards such great causes and we are looking forward to carrying on next year with helping others.
Social Calendar
Even though we work pretty hard – there’s always room for a little bit of fun. As a team we took time to bond and have a laugh with a trip to Escape Hunt – cracking the clues to find the ‘Bomb at Government House’ before it was too late!
We’ve also hosted a number of fabulous events in our showroom over the past six months. The Association of Executive Assistants who were treated to a fabulous treasure hunt using our props – they enjoyed it so much they did it twice!
The Brains Trust #2 was also a massive success, bringing together female leaders and captains of industry to discuss important topics surrounding Brisbane’s event industry and women in business today – all with a glass of bubbly in hand!
We had an amazing time representing VM+ at the Business South Bank Networking Event – our luscious stand was the talk of the night! With a theme of ‘Grow Your Business’ we created a floral fantasy to inspire guests whilst the event theming was supplied by The Prop House.
The Prop House and VM+ would like to thank our clients, suppliers, friends and the Brisbane community for all their continued support. We can’t wait to see what the rest of 2017 will have in store as we bring your event, visual merchandising and Christmas ideas to life!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY….LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW
Nothing beats an Australian Christmas in the summer. However, with the cooler temperatures on the horizon, everyone after a more traditional Christmas experience now has the perfect opportunity to do so.
This winter our fabulous stylists are thinking Winter Wonderland as an exciting party theme. Think Chronicles of Narnia and stepping into the wardrobe, through the fur coats into this Winter Wonderland theme inspiration provided by yours truly The Prop house!
Whether you require event styling or prop hire, our showroom is brimming with festive inspiration.
From the perfect ornate Sleigh to Illuminated Maple trees, a reindeer (Okay he’s not Mr. Tumnus….but he’s pretty darn cute), and a rather impressive Polar Bear, The Prop House have whipped up a magical world of frosty enchantment!
Whether you’re having a corporate event or getting the family together for a festive meal, we have some fabulous Winter Wonderland centerpieces to choose from.
Keep it simple with our Mirror Pyramid adorned with Christmas baubles and a silver feather, or go for the more extravagant Candelabra with crystal beading.
Feeling festive and inspired? We are open Monday-Friday 9 am-4:30 pm Come and visit! Alternatively, shoot us an email with any inquiries you may have at showroom@theprophouse.com.au
AN ARABIAN NIGHT UNVEILED
Are you in the mood to impart an exotic twist to your next special event? Rub the magic lamp and let us transport your guests half a world away with our Arabian Nights theme.
Take a walk through the Bazaar at night and travel under the stars before dining under the canopy of a Bedouin Tent, this was our clients brief for their Somerville House Arabian Nights Ball 2017.
The Arabian Mosque Outline with cascading lights set the backdrop for the evening of celebration and community with a large Central Bud Light Chandelier creating an opulent feel within the space.
The use of colour and light was very significant in our styling, keeping tones rich and luscious with Oranges, Purples and Gold seen throughout the table linen, the exotic feathers and silk leaves in the centrepieces as well as the overhead draping.
If you are planning an event and would like to hire props or enquire about styling and theming , just drop in to our showroom to have a chat, or give us a call on 3555 8660.
FALLING FOR THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN
The Prop House is always looking for ways to inspire our clients, and what better way then to give you a pop of colour!!
Our talented stylists have picked three Autumnal colours which they feel could be used to create an Oh So Stylish event!
The Colour Purple
Continuing from last year’s pastel trend, purples will hit the scene with an impact.
The purple trend is inspired by metals, space, stars and clouds.
The Prop House suggest: Sprinkle purple with transparent fabrics, floaty silks and sheers which will create a lightness and soft romantic element to this trend.
Gorgeous Green
The year of 2017 was kicked off with colour masters Pantone stating Greenery as their Colour of the Year, and autumn is an optimum time to change over from last season’s fresher shades to rich and bold emerald.
Green is a very versatile colour as it comes in muted, earthy tones which give a grounding effect, to heavy and stronger emerald and jewel tones that give a luxurious and luscious feel.
The Prop House suggest: Why not pair together a strong green with gold and brass colours in order to achieve an Art Deco trend or pair it with more earthier colours/textures such as terracotta, rattan and cork.
The Prop House have added our Bedouin Jar tall below for some extra inspiration.
Spicy Orange
The Prop House feels that there is something sincerely chic about the burnt, flushed hue of spicy orange. This season spicy orange is bursting on to the best runways and red carpets.
This warm colour comes into its own in the cooler months. Once again it’s a counterbalance to the pastel shades last season.
The Prop House suggest: Spicy orange is a heavy and saturated colour, and just as you would introduce it in a recipe, a little will go a long way.
Thinking of an autumnal centerpiece? The Prop House have used our glass cylinder vase in the picture below and added some weathered leaves which brings the autumnal look to life.
Have a favourite colour trend you want incorporated in to your event ? Give us a call on 07 3555 8660 or send us an email on showroom@theprophouse.com.au and let us turn your vision into a reality.
All photos sourced courtesy of The Prop House & Pinterest
Easter Cupcakes
The Prop House team don’t really need an excuse to eat cake but given it’s Easter in less than two weeks, what a perfect “excuse” to make these delicious cupcakes for everyone to enjoy!
This cupcake recipe has been one of my all-time favorites for the last ten years and it’s been a winner every time- by the looks of it, the team here at The Prop House have given it their approval!!
Enjoy making your own Easter Cupcake creations – let your imagination run free. Just don’t eat all the chocolate eggs before you have finished decorating your cupcakes!
EASTER CUPCAKES WITH VANILLA BUTTERCREAM
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Buttercream Prep Time: 15 mins
INGREDIENTS
For Cupcakes
125g unsalted butter at room temperature
125g caster sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk at room temperature
For Buttercream
125g unsalted butter at room temperature
3½ cups of icing sugar (sifted)
2 tablespoons of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put all ingredients except the milk into a mixer/food processor and blend until smooth.
- Slowly mix/pulse while slowly adding the milk
- Spoon mixture into cupcake liners so that they are half full
- Bake at 1600c (fan forced) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
TIP: For flat top cupcakes bake on a lower temperature for a longer period (i.e.1400c). For a high top or domed cupcake, bake at a slightly higher temperature (i.e. 1700c or 1800c). All ovens are different so this must be taken into account.
- To make the Buttercream Frosting, beat butter with electric mixer until as white as possible – this can take some time
- Add ½ icing sugar and beat until incorporated.
- Add milk gradually and then the vanilla extract.
- Add the rest of the icing sugar – mix until smooth.
TIP: To make chocolate buttercream – add sifted baking cocoa and/or melted cooking chocolate
We are not just doing amazing cupcakes for Easter – why not come in to our fun filled showroom to see some of our items on offer for prop hire or enquire now at props@theprophouse.com.au
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