Category Archives: Interior Design

Oct 16, 2018

Are you planning on checking out some of the Southern Style Now festival, happening here in Charleston November 1st-4th? We are so excited to be a part of this event celebrating design, art, and entertaining and of course the South. For tickets and to learn more go here.

My super chic BFF Nicki Clendening of Beetle designs, and I will be teaching you everything we think makes the “Life of a Party”. We will present our step by step tips for throwing a fabulous fete. Nicki will also be bringing her Beetle shop to the Garden and Gun Fieldshop for a multi day pop up starting that week, so stay tuned for more information on that to follow..

10.16.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Announcements, Art, Charleston, Entertaining, Events, Interior Design, Parties, Uncategorized | Comments >>

Aug 20, 2018

Going To the Chapel

photo by Corbin Gurkin

We have shared several of our favorite outdoor ceremony set ups with you, but realized how pretty that many of the churches we have been lucky enough to work with are so lovely too. Yes, we don’t always have as much freedom to add design elements as we would outside, but sometimes the buildings themselves have pretty elements that can be recreated. Just like the wood elements in this chapel on Sea Island, GA. The antique hardwood floors and ceiling beams added just enough rustic to this formal affair.

photos by Corbin Gurkin

I have a certain affinity for this church, since it’s the church in Charleston that my family attends, St. Philip’s. This is a centuries old church has grand details like marble floors, a stained glass picture window, and wooden balcony box seating. The wrought iron gates outside are just asking for gorgeous greenery and blooms.

photo by Corbin Gurkin

One of my other very favorites in Charleston is the French Huguenot Church. It’s an intimate space, so guests will get to really be a part of the ceremony, and the architecture is stunning. They do allow weddings of visitors and non members, making it ulitmately appealing for many of our destination clients.

photo by Liz Banfield

The inside of this Catholic church makes you think you could be in Florence, Italy- spectacular!

photo by Liz Banfield

This church in San Antonio, Texas featured a grand gothic stone front, making it lovely for portraits of the bride and groom.

photos by Perry Vaile

The chapel at Palmetto Bluff is everything..Truly special and serene. We love to add gracious touches to the front entrance, and of course soften the inside.

photo by Liz Banfield

This church in the Hamptons, had that true New England feel with the shingled exterior and woody gardens. The interior boasted super details like a domed penny tiled ceiling windows, gorgeous stained glass, and vintage lighting.

8.20.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Interior Design, Travel, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>

Dec 05, 2017

DIY Dinner Table

Today, we are sharing a very easy and affordable way to turn your tabletop into holiday perfection. It’s so easy we were able to whip this up in our office before a little holiday Soiree lunch. We used things readily available, and often lying around. This time of year when decorating at home or the office, I’ve found that I often have to trim bottom branches of the tree, or pieces fall off the pine garlands. Taking these and doing something different with them instead of tossing them is what inspired this idea!

My kids love pears, so we always have them around the house. So, we took pears, and the extra tree trimmings and spray painted them gold. Of course, Copper (our new favorite metallic), rose gold, or silver would all be lovely as well. I took the color inspiration from the plates I wanted to use, so if you’re stuck making that decision, look there for an idea (or a napkin, table linen, or whatnot).

While you may not favor them for everyday table use, colored candles can be an easy way to add an out of the ordinary pop of color. I’ve been seeing them more and more at local gift store, etc, but our favorite source for them is Creative Candles.

The rest is up to your imagination to play… We took a very small dish for stacking our centerpiece, but a large clear bowl, or something with embellishments would all be really lovely. I always like mixing candles- votives with tapers, etc to fill up the table, use enough so that a bright overhead light isn’t necessary.

And, of course, there are so so many ways to embellish or “juge” up each place setting. I always find that this is one of the main ways at our weddings that makes guests feel special. Seeing their name written in a special way, or on a unique item (a leaf, a stone, or maybe even a ribbon used to tie the napkins). These looked great mixed on the table, and were straight from the yard- a simple camelilia bloom, or a sprig of your favorite greenery.

We’d love to see some of your favorite tabletop designs, share with us some of the ones you were proud of, or loved creating.

12.05.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Event Planning, Food and Drink, Interior Design, Parties | Comments >>