Tag Archives: charleston

I’ve loved getting to work with Olivia Brock of Lacquered Life and Torrance Mitchell Designs (a restoration and paint color consultation business) on the upcoming Historic Charleston Foundation Antique Show and Preview Party… So, to really get to know her, I asked her the questions that give me a true peek into someone’s personality!

About-Me1

Favorite drink before noon?

I always start my day with a strong cup of Irish Breakfast Tea. My

grandmother was British, and my love of tea is definitely inherited.

On the weekend, if I am at brunch with my husband Walker and the dogs

at High Thyme on Sullivan’s Island, I will totally have a Firefly vodka and

water with a lemon.

Favorite drink at 6pm?

I’ve recently developed a newfound love of gin, and Walker and I have

been perfecting our French 75.

Wine: red, white or champagne?

Prosecco

Hors d’ouerves that is always in the cabinet or fridge?

Luckily, we live just two blocks from goat.sheep.cow. so I never have to be

completely prepared … but I always have Fosters Market Seven Pepper

Jelly in the fridge, which goes amazingly well with Cypress Grove’s

Midnight Moon, or even just a simple extra sharp cheddar.

Music go to when friends are over….

Pandora station?

If it were entirely up to me, I would play music by members of the rat pack

during all my parties … Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin etc. However, Walker is

not the biggest fan, so I like soft bluegrass in the background … the Alison

Krauss station and the Jerry Douglas station are favorites.

Where would you like to go on vacation?

I would love to visit Austria in the summertime.

Favorite flower?

Hyacinths

Dream guest to have over for dinner?

That is such a hard question! I usually say preservation advocate and

writer Jane Jacobs, famed decorators Elsie de Wolfe and Albert Hadley,

and then probably some of Capote’s “Swans” like Marella Agnelli, Babe

Paley and CZ Guest. I have no idea what I would serve to this crowd, or

what china I would use, but boy what a party.

Favorite restaurant? 

Charleston: Peninsula Grill

New York: Due

And favorite thing to eat at this restaurant?

Peninsula: Lobster & Corn Chowder, and the Coconut Cake of course!

Due: Conchigle a la Sarda

Olivia is a Southern Living darling- she was named one of their 30 bloggers to follow in 2015, and her front door graces the Spring Cover. Go here for more details.

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Southern Living also featured the home (that was once a tenement house from the 1780’s)  that Olivia and her husband restored to it’s original authenticity…What a dream project for someone with their Masters degree in Historic Preservation! Some of my favorite outtakes here.. This feature was styled by our friend Erin Swift, and photographs are by Francesco Lagnese.

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Portraits, Interiors

Portraits, Interiors

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3.10.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Interior Design, Photographers, Press, Travel | 1 Comment

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With Christmas just around the corner, we thought we would share some of our favorite holiday things to do in Charleston, that always put us in a festive spirit! (Image above from Travel & Leisure)

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For starters, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Charleston Grill at Charleston Place where they are having a special event called “Bubbles and Bites” through January 3rd. You get to sample three top-of-the-line champagnes along with beautiful food parings in a stunning setting while listening to live jazz music. You can’t go wrong!

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While you’re at Charleston Place, make sure to stop by the Christmas Trains in the lobby. My kids look forward to it every year, and the hot cocoa can’t be beat. (Image from Hidden Charleston)

Winter Carnival 2009sm

The next stop on our list would have to be the Festival Lights at the James Island County Park. It’s another great option for children, but fun for adults too and features over 700 displays and 2 million lights.

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And of course it isn’t Christmas without a little last minute shopping on King Street. We love seeing how our favorite stores decorate their windows for the holidays, and having all of the shops so close together makes it easy to get a lot of gifts out of the way quickly! (Image source)

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For stocking stuffers, you can’t beat ESD in Mount Pleasant. The owner, Muffie, has curated the best selection of beautiful frames and tabletop pieces that make great, smaller gifts. (Image from Charleston Grit)

smith street pop up

Last but not least, make sure to stop by the Smith Street Pop Up Shop located at 27 Smith Street, featuring local designers, and open daily through December 24. It’s a perfect place to pick up a unique gift, or even a little something for yourself. I love getting new pajamas to wear on Christmas morning, so I can’t wait to buy some from Tink + Tiger!

Happy Holidays from the Soirée team!

12.17.14   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston | 1 Comment

katherine mcdonald

We recently stopped by the LulaKate showroom in Charleston with our photographer friend Corbin Gurkin, and chatted with designer Katherine McDonald about her new line of wedding gowns, design process, and wedding dress trends. It was so much fun that we decided to share snippets with you today!

Tell us a little bit about how LulaKate got started.

I have wanted to be a clothing designer since I was a little girl. I grew up sewing and making dresses here and there for special occasions. It wasn’t until I had a brief career in corporate America and a few unfulfilling jobs that I took the plunge and started LulaKate. I quit my job, started waiting tables and sewing skirts. Initially I sold them through trunk shows along the East Coast then through wholesale accounts in the SouthEast. Ready-to-wear led its’ way to bridesmaids which led its way to bridal.

You’re known for your beautiful bridesmaids dresses. What inspired you to venture into wedding gowns?

I have always loved beautiful and expensive fabrics the most. Just like with bridesmaids I had a number of clients request I design their wedding gown. For awhile I said no because I was nervous to be a part of such an important dress. Finally, one client convinced me and I realized that I enjoyed designing bridal dresses the most.

How has the wedding gown collection been received so far? Any customer favorites you can share?

We’ve had a tremendous response to the new Kate McDonald Bridal line. Client Favorites are the Stanwyck, the McCants, the LaMour and the McLeod.

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What do you find different about working with brides versus bridesmaids?

Brides are a lot of fun. Where bridesmaids have the dress chosen for them, the bride is able to choose and create her dress. I am working with a number of brides right now doing custom work. It is really special to develop a friendship with someone, create their dress and see them walk down the aisle. I feel very blessed to be able to be a part of someone’s big day.

Tell us about your design process… what goes into creating one of your wedding gowns?

It depends. Usually I find the fabric first. I love fabric. I could spend days in a fabric store just looking at things and imagining different silhouettes. When I start designing the silhouette I will sketch the idea first. Next I will estimate certain measurements like sleeve width, length, bodice details, etc. I will then send to my seamstress and she will make the first prototype. When she sends it back we will start doing fittings, changing lengths, adding details, etc. We will go back and forth 4-5 times and then usually I get it right.

Where are the dresses made?

All dresses are made in either Tennessee or New York City.

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Do you have a personal favorite from the collection?

The McLeod is my favorite. I love the handpainted fabric. I also love the Calhoun and the Waring. The delicate French beading with tulle is different, yet classic and elegant.

Any dress trends that you’ve been surprised by or are totally loving this season?

I love the Hollywood Slit trend especially on a tulle skirt. I didn’t really think it would make it into mainstream bridal but I have a number of brides that want to show some leg. I love the look because it can still be somewhat conservative if you choose.

What can we expect from LulaKate and Kate McDonald Bridal in 2015?

2015 will bring a number of exciting things to LulaKate and Kate McDonald. Probably the most exciting is the addition of e-commerce for online exclusive party, bridesmaid and little white dresses. I also am doing working with a number of brides doing custom work. This is always so exciting because it is fun to design specifically for one bride.

12.01.14   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Bridal, Bridal Style, Dresses | 1 Comment