Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Thornton
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We’re a woman-owned and operated prop rental business located in Atlanta, Georgia. Our journey into the prop industry began with a vision and a passion for creating captivating spaces. Founded in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, our prop rental business was born from the creative mind of Ashley Thornton through her staging and design business. With more than a decade of design experience, Ashley’s expertise in turning residential homes and commercial properties into beautiful, immersive environments became the cornerstone of our venture. Atlanta, known for its booming film industry, served as the perfect backdrop for our growth. From the bustling streets of Metro Atlanta to the charming landscapes of Macon and Central/Middle Georgia, we’ve made it our mission to provide exceptional prop rental services that transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones!
As the Owner and Principal Designer at AT Prop Rentals and AT Home Staging and Interiors, Ashley has a passion for art and design. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Valdosta State University and developed a passion for interior design as an intern after graduating. She assisted several accomplished designers, earning her over ten years of residential and commercial interior design experience, before founding her home staging and design firm in 2017. Given that Atlanta has become one of the top cities for the film industry, Ashley saw that as an opportunity to start AT Prop Rentals. We provide set and stage designers with the furniture and decor needed for their production.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many entrepreneurial journeys in the creative industry, our path hasn’t been entirely smooth – but each challenge has helped shape who we are today. One of our initial hurdles was establishing ourselves in Atlanta’s competitive film industry market. While the city’s booming film scene presented tremendous opportunities, it also meant we needed to build trust and relationships from the ground up, proving ourselves project by project.
The transition from home staging to prop rentals brought its own unique set of challenges. We had to quickly learn the specific needs and fast-paced demands of film and television productions, which operate very differently from traditional interior design clients. This meant developing new systems for inventory management, quick-turn deliveries, and handling the wear and tear that comes with film set usage.
Another significant challenge was building and maintaining an inventory diverse enough to meet the wide-ranging needs of productions while managing the substantial upfront investment this required. We had to be strategic about our purchases, ensuring each piece could serve multiple purposes and withstand frequent use.
Despite these challenges, each obstacle has ultimately led to innovation and growth in our business. We’ve learned to be more adaptable, creative in our solutions, and even more committed to providing exceptional service to our clients.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At AT Prop Rentals, we specialize in providing high-quality furniture and décor for film and television productions throughout Atlanta and Central Georgia. With our background in interior design through AT Home Staging and Interiors, we bring a unique designer’s perspective to the prop rental industry. Our inventory ranges from contemporary to vintage pieces, allowing us to serve productions of all styles and periods.
What sets us apart is our ability to bridge the worlds of design and film production. As a woman-owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on building strong relationships within Atlanta’s film community and being known for our reliability and attention to detail. Our understanding of both residential design and film industry requirements helps us provide pieces that not only look great on camera but also meet the practical demands of production use.
What makes you happy?
What truly brings us joy is seeing our pieces help bring stories to life on screen. There’s something magical about watching a production transform our furniture and décor into part of their creative vision. Whether it’s seeing our vintage sofa become the centerpiece of a period drama or our modern pieces setting the scene for a contemporary film, each project lets us be part of Atlanta’s vibrant storytelling community.
We’re also deeply fulfilled by the relationships we’ve built in the industry and being part of Georgia’s thriving film scene. As a woman-owned business, we take pride in working with creative professionals who share our passion for design and storytelling. Each day brings new people and unique creative challenges – and that keeps us energized and inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atproprentals.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atproprentals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555566598972
