Q&A with Tammy L. Noel

How do you describe your signature style?

My style, and by extension the TableMade aesthetic, is a balance of restraint and richness. I love creating tables that feel intentional, layered, and refined. I'm drawn to tones and textures that feel chic and balanced, with black and deep brown often anchoring the look.

How do you approach a new project?

Every project starts with listening. I take time to understand the planner's goals, the client's vision, and the feeling they want guests to experience. From there, I build recommendations that elevate their ideas with intention. Inspiration can come from anywhere, whether it's a texture, a color, or even a random end cap at the store. Then I shape a visual direction that balances the client's story with the TableMade point of view. Mockups, edits, new collections, mood boards, seasonality, and our trusted partners all shape the process, but it always comes back to creating something elevated with the client's vision in mind.

Why is tabletop an essential element in event design?

Tabletop design sets the tone for how people experience an event. It's the first thing guests interact with once they sit down, and it quietly shapes the atmosphere of the entire celebration. The table is where everything slows down, where conversations happen, and where design becomes personal. Beyond the practical, the tabletop defines the mood, anchors the palette, and adds texture to the space. It's also one of the few elements guests can actually touch, which makes it that much more impactful.

What's one piece of advice you'd offer to planners or couples designing their tabletop?

Start with the menu. You can't design a functional table until you know what's being served and how it will flow. That single detail determines what you actually need—from plates and glassware to flatware and spacing. Once the essentials are clear, you can start layering in style and tone. I'm not a fan of cluttered tables. Honestly, I can't stand them because too much tabletop can distract from the overall aesthetic. The most beautiful tables feel edited and intentional, where every piece earns its place.

Which elements do you come back to again and again?

I always come back to balance, tone, and texture. Those elements are timeless and versatile, which makes them reliable across different types of events and styles. A great table should feel refined but have a little edge to it—that quiet kind of sexiness that draws you in without trying too hard. I love a handsome table, something moody with an androgynous feel. Neutrals, contrast, and touches of black or deep brown always ground the look, which is why they've become such staples in both our collection and my recommendations.

How do trends factor in, and what's your take on them?

I like to think we help inspire trends by catching them early. I spend a lot of time studying fashion, interiors, and cultural shifts, then translating those ideas through a tabletop lens. At TableMade, I want us to always feel on-trend but never trendy. The goal is to create looks that feel current and aspirational while still timeless enough to hold up long after the event.

Where do you turn when you're looking for fresh ideas or inspiration for your inventory?

I pull inspiration from interiors and retail. Interiors influence how I think about layering, tone, and texture, while retail inspires how we present and curate. Retail spaces have a way of showcasing pieces in a broad yet cohesive way. Similar to how fashion houses have both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, rentals work the same. I want our assortment to feel curated but still broad enough to serve different types of clients with different styles. That balance keeps things fresh and flexible without losing our point of view.

What do you wish more people understood about the work behind the scenes?

I wish more people understood how many moving parts go into designing a tabletop. What looks effortless in photos takes hours of coordination, planning, and editing behind the scenes. Tabletop is also heavy and fragile, so the logistics of getting it to and from an event are surprisingly technical. The hardest part is often helping clients visualize how it will all come together. When they're only seeing plates and glasses, it can feel incomplete, but once the florals, candles, and linens are in place, everything clicks. Trusting our eye and our restraint always pays off in the final look.

Has there been a moment or project that really affirmed why you do this work?

When a planner says to me, "I trust you," that's the moment it all clicks. For me, it has always been about people and product, in that order. Working with the incredible planners, designers, and production teams who trust us to be part of their vision affirms why we do what we do at every single event. That, and amazing product, obviously.

If you weren't working in the world of tabletops, what other path do you think you'd be pursuing—and why?

I'd probably go back to what I was doing before—buying and product development, or even law. Our motto at TableMade is "People first, style always," and both of those paths speak to that. Whether it's advocating for people or curating beautiful things for them, I've always been drawn to work that balances creativity and care.