Tag Archives: tablescape

Nov 13, 2018

southern-place-setting-m

( all photos by Southern Living/Laurey W. Glenn)

This Thanksgiving table scape photo shoot that we did with Southern Living Magazine a few years back is one of my favorites. I host Thanksgiving every year at our family’s cottage at Flat Rock in the NC Mountains so it was even more special this year as my family got to enjoy our photo shoot set up! I pulled some of my favorite shots, but you can see all of the details on Southern Living. The china is from my husband’s family so I went somewhat unexpectedly with the pink and gold color theme from the china’s pattern.

gold-linens-m

I had a yummy suede linen made to fit our dining room table with a large cabled piping in the pale pink. And these “petal pink” taper candles from Creative Candles were the perfect added touch of color to offset not having any flowers in the centerpiece.

gold-spray-paint-m

There are fabulous antique markets and thrift stores up in the Hendersonville/Asheville area near where we are in Flat Rock. I found old clear glass candlesticks and painted them gold with craft paint. The apples are fall harvest NC apples that were so lovely on their own, I hated to paint them, but they sure did turn out beautifully. All SO easy to DIY and inexpensive!

etched-glasses-m

I love my etched glassware, which doubles as a perfect place card and surcie. I also believe you can never have enough embroidered napkins! These are from Lettered Olive and Elizabeth Joyce Monograms.

self-serve-bar-m

Because it happens to work well in our space, and makes it easier for me as the hostess finishing up a large dinner, I always set up a self serve bar. I stock it with the cocktails, proper glassware needed, and cocktail napkins or any other tools needed to properly mix and serve.

monogrammed-linens-m

Another inexpensive DIY trick that we did here, is to get affordable cotton cocktail napkins (like these from CB2.com) and iron on monogram letters (available online and at most fabric and craft stores).

11.13.18 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Etiquette, Food and Drink, Interior Design, Parties, Shopping, The Lettered Olive, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Dec 19, 2017

Mr. and Mrs. Christmas Table

It’s your first Christmas together as Mr. and Mrs. so why not set yourselves a “sweetheart” table fit for the season. Here are a few quick tips for putting together a quick and easy but still special tabletop. Thank you to Lucy Cuneo for shooting these details with us.

Basic candlesticks are readily available at any craft, or discount store, but may go overlooked. Don’t be so quick to write them off. Here, we took ones of varying heights and shapes and spray painted them gold to jazz them up. Keep these tucked away for future gatherings and you can repaint in any color needed!

Two tips: Wrap the bases of your candles in floral wrap tape (again available at craft and floral stores), it has a bit of tack to it and will hold the candlesticks in place and upright- no more crooked candles! Also, never have candles on a table with fresh wicks- it’s bad luck! Light them if only for a couple of seconds, and then blow them out.

Another fast and easy design element is adding something to your napkins. Here, I rolled a linen napkin and tied off with gold twine. You could tuck a sprig of your tree or even a quick handwritten note to your new spouse in there for something special.

Don’t be afraid to mix your plates and glassware. You can use water glasses for wine, wine glasses for a specialty cocktail, etc. I love these vintage champagne coupes, there is something quite grown up and festive about drinking from them. These party plates from Anthropologie were a quick little purchase that totally dresses up the table, and since you only need two, they won’t break your Christmas budget.

We’ll share our how to’s on creating a poinsettia centerpiece and greenery wrapped votives next week, so join us then.

12.19.17 | TARA GUÉRARD
Entertaining, Event Design, Flowers, Food and Drink, Gifts, Parties | 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 >>