Category Archives: Interior Design

Tablesetting/Tara Guerard/Corbin Gurkin

Fresh off of hosting everyone for Thanksgiving, I’m already thinking about my table for Christmas. Here are some settings we styled and some simple tips on ways you can incorporate what you have around the house to give your table a a magazine worthy look. Thank you to Corbin Gurkin for the photos.  Depending on your menu you may not need an additional salad plate, but I loved the dimension these gave to the table. The white napkins were rolled up here and wrapped with gold metallic thread easily found at a fabric/craft store.

Table setting/Tara Guerard/Corbin Gurkin

For the centerpiece, we spray painted grocery store pairs a champagne metallic and set in a simple compote bowl. I always save the clippings from when we get our Christmas tree place on the mantle or in other arrangements. This was the perfect way to use these extras. I always iron my napkins if the fold calls for lots of real estate. There is something about a crisp wrinkle free napkin that I have to have (we iron ALL napkins for ALL of our events!). Simple gift wrap ribbon was tied in a square knot.

Table setting/Tara Guerard/Corbin Gurkin

I have a wide wrapping paper collection that I raided here for a simple belly band wrap.

Tablesetting/Tara Guerard/Corbin Gurkin

I don’t shy away from black… this velvet ribbon with shimmied edges made for such an elegant tie. So easy!

Tablesetting/Tara Guerard/Corbin Gurkin

I love a simple classic pocket fold napkin. It allows you to do so many design concepts- holding a menu, silverware, and even a bloom or branch. I cut Camelias out of my yard and tucked them into each napkin. Jump over to Martha Stewart for instructions on how to do this style of napkin fold.

Tablesetting/Tara Guerard/Corbin Gurkin

This cotton napkin was rolled into a wider roll and tied off again with gift wrap ribbon and adorned with a simple sprig of greenery from the yard. Again, if you have extra pine sprigs from your tree (or can reach the very very low branches were you could take a few), this would be a lovely way to incorporate them.

I hope everyone has a joyful and healthy holiday season full of celebration!

12.01.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Interior Design | Comments >>
Oct 28, 2015

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

So excited to share the details from one of my very favorite weddings (and couples) ever. This sweet bride lives in Oklahoma City and her fabulous mother owns local sophisticated gift shop, Bebes. We have since done two of her close friends’ weddings, so luckily I still get to have her in my wedding world! Her amazing Carolina Herrera branchy ballgown was truly breathtaking.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The ceremony was held at the French Huguenot Church in downtown Charleston, SC. Guerards were some of the first French Huguenots in Charleston, so I love being at this church for many reasons. The woodwork and architectural details are breathtaking.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The brides’ esthetic was very eclectic. She notes Tony Duquette as a huge inspiration so we were able to have a lot of fun with designing. This was the epiotomy of a fall fete, so we had so many elements we wanted to incorporate. Here, oranges and kumquats sprinkled with seeded eucalyptus anchored the candlelit alter. Huge blooming branches gave height to the view.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

I mean, this bouquet! Full of berzillia berries, dinner plate dahlias, lambs ear, garden roses, and ranunculus in the loveliest color palette.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Boutonierres varied between seeded eucalyptus, berzillia berries, and a choice for the groom between a coral charm peony and dahlia bloom all supported by a lambs ear leaf and tied with a grosgrain ribbon.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Accordian fold save the dates by Lettered Olive, kicked off the birds and branches theme and complimented the vivid color palette.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The Welcome gift bags were loaded with yummy locally made treats, Charleston Magazines, and a folder containing all of the pertinent information and details for the weekend all labeled with custom tags from Lettered Olive.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

So many personal and family touches were woven throughout the wedding. Like these letterpress coasters (by Lettered Olive) were printed with the groom’s grandmother’s Russian Tea recipe which was also served at the bar throughout the evening.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The bride’s grandmother has famous bread and butter pickles, so batches were made, jarred and tagged as wedding favors.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The reception took place at Drayton Hall Plantation right outside of Charleston. An al fresco cocktail hour on the front lawn kicked off the evening.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Lounge seating was set up on the porch overlooking the lawn so guests could experience the space to it’s fullest. I love the feel of the modern pieces against the classic space.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Dinner seating cards were hand calligraphied on die cut bird cards. We hung these from a garden umbrella covered in branches as if they were in a tree!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Love this dining room- the head table was placed inside a wrought iron observatory that created a special intimate space but was still open for interaction with all of the guests. We also tied pashminas to all of the ladies’ chairs to accommodate for the falling temps that evening.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The lush centerpiece on the head table was overflowing from a log; a mixture of candles in different heights and containers add dimension and the ikat fabric runners were from fabric that both the bride and I curated for the wedding.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Golden branches were woven throughout the tent ceiling and over the observatory as if everyone was dining in an enchanted forest.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The brides flowing column reception dress made for graceful dancing. A birdcage collected from the bride’s mother hung full of candles over the dancefloor.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The bird and branch wedding cake by Jim Smeal was displayed in a wrought iron vintage birdcage.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

Jim Smeal crafted a birds nest cake topper complete with “berries” and tiny birds.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

The glam lounge was full of velvet and ikat fabrics and pillows in an array of the bright colors. The main reception bar was an ultra luxe focal point for the evening.

10.28.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Cakes, Charleston, Dresses, Event Design, Event Planning, Fashion, Flowers, Interior Design, Reception, Weddings | 1 Comment

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

Since we are here making a few changes and updates to our Charleston office, (i.e. new doors and reconfiguring things for more Soirettes) I thought I’d share some of the lovely photos Julia Lynn took for a feature on Lonny.com a few years ago.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

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The big front windows are what initially drew me to the building. My first Charleston home was right down Chapel Street aways, and I’d always drive by and notice the windows.  It’s a bustling neighborhood so it’s great to wave at friends and neighbors as they drive or walk by. We always want our clients to feel warm and welcome when they come in to meet with us, so I wanted the main meeting space to feel like you were coming into our living room.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

Have to have a bar cart of course! Found for a steal at one of my favorite local antiques markets we use it for a multitude of photo shoots, parties, a constant rotation of items to display in the office.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

Also found at a local antique market, this kimono’s colors could not be more perfect for my space (especially against the champagne metallic walls), so I jumped when I saw it. Framed locally at Artizom, it’s definitely a show piece!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

My crazy inspiration board, I’ve been adding to it for years and years and there are layers and layers… It hangs above my computer. I’m old school, and slowly getting into Pinterest, but I don’t think anything will ever replace something like this for me.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

This was and still is a labor of love for all of us in the office. These boxes hold everything from linen and ribbon samples, to Lettered Olive papers, to catalogs for ordering design items. I hoard old magazines, so that is by far the hardest part to keep tidy. And, we used extra paper from our brochure mailings to line client binders to keep in the mix but still look pretty on the shelves!

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

This large white table I bought from an artist friend of mine who was moving her studio. We use it for EVERYTHING! From meetings, assembling save the dates and invitations, or even a quick snack. It’s a great gathering spot on the office for me to catch up with the girls.

Tara Guerard Soiree by Julia Lynn for Lonny

You can also find the Lettered Olive team here as well, and all of their pretty papers are assembled and shipped from here!

10.19.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Event Design, Event Planning, Interior Design, Photographers, Press, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized, Weddings | Comments >>