The event planner will host a pop-up shop at her Queen Street office from November 25 to December 23
Best known for elevating wedding design to chandelier-level heights with her event planning business, Soirée, the designer is equally adept at using her signature Southern aesthetic to set an elegant holiday table. This season, Guérard is decking the halls of Emeline and The Ryder hotels, demonstrating her talents next month at Southern Living’s Illumination Holiday Village, and hosting a pop-up shop with Beetle Designs of New York at her office on Queen Street from November 25 to December 23. Here, the tastemaker shares the trend she’s incorporating onto her Thanksgiving table and what’s on her holiday wish list
Q Are there any design trends that you plan to integrate onto your table this year?
A Colored stemware is back in, and I love Estelle Colored Glass (above).
Q What’s your favorite hostess gift?
A Always linen cocktail napkins with something personal, like a special color or embroidered
monogram. One of my favorite inexpensive gifts is a pack of cocktail napkins embossed with their name from Scratch Pad in Mount Pleasant.
Q What’s on your holiday wish list?
A A new iPhone and a GE “Opal” countertop crushed ice machine (above). Crushed ice is the best for cocktails, and kids can also enjoy it!
Q Which skin-care and makeup products can’t you live without?
A Trish McEvoy moisturizer, Tom Ford “Pussycat” lip color (above), and Mentholatum for my lips at bedtime. I can’t sleep without it.
Q How will you decorate your family’s Thanksgiving table?
A First, I always forage for greenery, pinecones, and acorns and then use my collection of containers of different sizes, shapes, and colors to display them. Most importantly, great 100-percent linen napkins are a must. Years ago, we used etched glasses (above) for place cards at a wedding, so I also had some made for my family, which we use every year.
Q What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
A I can’t pick a favorite out of my shoe collection; I have a shoe problem. I used to get my Canfora sandals (above) at Bob Ellis, but this summer I was able to meet the maker in person and buy several pairs. They are great with resort wear on holiday vacations.
Q When do you decorate your tree?
A A fresh, live tree is a must. I put it up whenever I can get to it, definitely not the day after Thanksgiving. I use all white lights (this year, I’m adding twinkling ones) and have a collection of ornaments from over the years. Elizabeth Stuart Designs always has an amazing and lovely selection.
