Tag Archives: How To

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 >>

Tara Guerard Soiree by Liz Banfield

It’s that time of year, when oyster roasts seem to pop up every weekend, or couples decide to have one for their rehearsal dinner or day of parties. So, here is a great play by play from Garden and Gun on how to throw the perfect Lowcountry oyster roast.

Bride oyster shucking

(our bride at her rehearsal dinner in Savannah’s Forsyth Park photographed by Liz Banfield)

“We asked Ben Moise, a G&G contributor and South Carolina native with more than 30 years in the oyster roasting business, for his tips on cooking up our favorite bivalves.

THE BASICS

Fresh oysters (one South Carolina bushel or one 40 lb. box of Gulf singles per five people)
An outdoor table with overhead light (two saw horses and a piece of ½-inch thick plywood work just fine)
Oyster gloves (Moise prefers these)
Oyster knives (have enough knives on hand for the number of people that can stand around your oyster table)
Cocktail and hot sauce
Saltines
Paper towels
Plenty of cold beer and chilled, crisp white wine

Oyster roast table

TRADITIONAL WOOD-FIRED METHOD

Supplies:
Split-oak logs
Sheet of steel (2’x2’ or 3’x3’ and no less than 1/4″ thick)
Split burlap bags
Bucket of water
Square-edge shovel

Setting up the fire:
In the ground, dig a shallow hole (depression) deep enough to permit a good stack of wood under the steel sheet. TIP: Check the prevailing wind to make sure the smoke won’t blow toward your guests. Soak your burlap bags in a bucket of water. Stack the split oak logs, along with kindling, in the hole ready to be lit. Surround the edges of the hole with vertically turned cinder blocks to provide a base for the steel sheet.

Light the fire and place the steel on top of the cinder blocks. TIP: As soon as a few drops of water sizzle on the sheet of steel, you’re ready to go. Add the oysters and cover with a thick layer of wet burlap. After 8-9 minutes (keep checking to see if the oysters are beginning to open) pull the burlap off and get it soaking for your next batch.

Using the shovel, transfer the hot oysters to the table.”

11.05.15   |   TARA GUÉRARD
Charleston, Entertaining, Etiquette, Events, Food and Drink, Recipes, Rehearsal Dinner, Uncategorized | Comments >>