Party by Design originated in 1985 as a “prop company” specializing in foam core prop construction for window displays. Two women artists, Frances Andahazy and Michelle Gubitosa developed the idea of creating foam core props which were lightweight and easy to install, and could be easily painted. The result was very eye catching displays that stopped traffic. A local party planner noticed the uniqueness of the props, and suggested to the owners of Party by Design, to expand their business to include social events such as Bar Mitzvahs.

In 1988 after outgrowing an attic space and then a basement, the team knew they needed a new professional space and rented their first studio in Boston’s South End. They hired three more female employees, who were art school graduates. Still creating eye catching displays, events became 75 percent of their business and were mostly Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Clients began to see the uniqueness of this team.

In 1992, Michael Nedeau, the current President of Party by Design, joined the team as event producer. Additional employees and nine more studios were added for event design and production. Party by Design focused on additional event locations outside of Boston, venturing further into the New England and New York areas.

In 1998, Party by Design took on a 15,000 sq. ft location in South Boston and increased the staff and trucking to accommodate larger corporate jobs and distance travel. Clients included the Gillette Company, Fidelity, Hewlett Packard and many more. In addition, Party By Design created a rental division, which launched a catalog to accommodate smaller jobs in a more cost effective and efficient manner.

After two years, the Boston Redevelopment Association relocated the company to Lawley Street as the central artery project began. The Lawley Street location increased the property to 25,000 square feet and the staff grew to 15. Party by Design begins to go cross-country with their talents in designing and producing first class events.

As Party by Design celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2005, the team once again moved to a new location. The company now operates from a 75,000 sq. ft warehouse in Braintree, MA, which includes a rental warehouse, a full service design and fabrication studio, a fabrics department, and a large design office space. The company has a national clientele and has launched a line of trademarked party bars, which are portable beverage stations, as well as a line of custom lounge furniture.