THE ARRANGER

IN ONE ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND early this fall, Tom Kehoe, an "interior designer for parties," did opening-night galas for the Chicago History Museum and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, two bar mitzvahs and a wedding at Millennium Park. And that was an "average" event load, admits Kehoe. Not bad for a guy who started out as a driver for an Arlington Heights florist when he was 16. Kehoe bought the flower shop after college, sold it seven years later, and opened Kehoe Designs in the West Loop in 1994. Today, he employs 172 people and needs every inch of his 64,000-square-foot warehouse to store the tools of his trade--namely furniture, textiles, lighting, accessories and artworks he uses to create fantasies and illusions for clients. For those who want to do-it-themselves at home, here's a primer from Kehoe.

How to approach the job: Take advantage of themes; it makes it easier to have something you can build on. Figure out what kind of feeling and experience you want to create. Decide whether you want to highlight your home and show it off, or transform it for the event.

Where to shop: "Everywhere. We never stop shopping," he says, noting that there are myriad ways to use prosaic tools and materials such as ceramic tiles, ladders, sheets, can lights, electrical wire, even metal gutters. Check out hardware, home improvement and big box stores. His favorite source: Home Depot.

Highlight what you have: Assess how much stuff you have in the space you're going to be using. Put things away if necessary, then embellish what you already have. Kehoe has draped walls and furniture with textiles, temporarily replaced pendant light fixtures with frothy chandeliers or disco lights, added mood-making accessories (from flowers and sculptural objects to quirky pieces such as antlers, roots and vines) and used furniture and large-scale props like fabric-covered screens made in his shop to shape the space. But it is easy to create a screen on your own with fabric, a staple gun and a base (either raw wood or a cheap screen to "slip-cover"). Or back-light shelving or an interesting piece of furniture to give it a glowing effect.

Empty the space entirely and start from scratch: While Kehoe has access to props he has made in his carpentry department, like illuminated bars and Lucite tables with shallow sunken tops to hold ice cold water, floating blooms and bowls of food, you don't need tricky pieces to make a mood or create an illusion. Card tables and folding chairs can be covered with myriad layers to achieve multiple effects, then used for serving, eating, creating vignettes or staging activities. You can also get furnishings and supplies from rental companies that deliver and pick up.

Tools to have on hand: Zip ties (which look like the top of a Zip-loc plastic bag, minus the bag) are Kehoe's all-time favorite tool; they come in handy for every kind of installation work imaginable, from arranging flora to holding fabric. Double-stick tape (specifically 3M) is much better to use than duct tape (which leaves a residue and can remove finishes). Staple guns are a must (Arrow makes a great basic model). Stockpile fabrics in various colors, textures and weights (plain cream muslin, polyester saris and patterned sheets are great, economical basics to stock up on). Always have a good stash of candles, vases (both ceramic and glass) and serving pieces in as many sizes as possible on hand. Invest in at least a dozen sturdy, lightweight folding chairs and plain slipcovers for them.

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Lisa Skolnik, a frequent contributor to the Magazine, is a city editor for Metropolitan Home magazine.