Key Elements for a Beautiful Dining Room

Marianne Simon

Holiday entertaining season is just around the corner! A gorgeous dining room will really set the stage and help your family and friends get into the holiday spirit! Here are four key elements that will help you create that space you are looking for.

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1. Statement Chandeliers
These chandeliers will definitely light your space with Joy! They set the tone for the room and make a great statement for all to enjoy!

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2. Pretty Dining Chairs
These chairs will for sure have your guest wanting to stay! They are pretty and add comfort to the space.

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3. Stand Out Art

Art is a beautiful way to express who you are! They are a nice touch of color and finish off the room to be "picture perfect".

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4. Beautiful Holiday Linens

What a better way to finish off a space than with some holiday decorations on the table top! They bring in the holiday cheer in an elegant way.

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The Foxtrotter One Project: Family Room

I am excited to be sharing the first reveal from the Foxtrotter One Project. This new construction was project was completed earlier this year. I was privileged enough to design this home from construction through completion. The homeowners are a darling family of 7, who have been friends for many years. They trusted me completely throughout the process and gave me full control of the design of the exterior and interior of their home. The family room area is a grand space. This room is 20' x 20' in size and has a 2 story height ceiling. We added floor to ceiling trim work on one wall to add some interest and dimension to the expansive room. The ceiling also sports 12' painted beams. The homeowners wanted this to be a gathering place in their home, where their family could come together free from distraction. Consequently, the television was left out of this space. :) I designed this space to have optimal seating and plenty of table area to play boardgames, cards, etc. The sofas are 108" in length and the coffee tables are 48" squares. I added bit color to the mostly neutral palette of the room. The result is a space that can be enjoyed by parents and kids alike. 

I hope you enjoyed the first of the reveals from this project. Stay tuned for more. 

GET THE LOOK

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Brass Wall Sconces Under $150

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all had a great week! My kids are back in school and I am finally finding some time to get back to blogging. :)

If you've been following me for a while, you know that I have a deep and abiding love for brass and gold. Especially when it comes to lighting, and even more so when we are talking about sconces. I love using them in my projects, but I know that they can be spendy. While I truly believe good lighting is worth the investment, I also realize many people don't have the budget for those gorgeous, shiny designer brass fixtures. The good news is, that as brass and gold lighting continues to increase in popularity, manufacturers are making them more available to the masses and at lower price points. Today, I've rounded up some of favorite brass wall sconces for you, all less than $150.00 each. Many in my round up are less than $75.00! Amazing, right?!?! Check them out...

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Also, be sure to check out my round ups for affordable rugs and oversized art.  

Friday Click List

Hello, Friends! I'm back with another Friday Click List. This weeks click list is filled with some super pretty and super affordable finds from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale or #NSale, which is still going strong. Check out my picks from fashion, home decor and more.

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1. This set of 5 beach inspired prints is perfect for creating an instant gallery wall. 

2. I'm somewhat of a pillow hoarder, and this navy, mint and white one might have to make it into my collection.

3. This cross body bag is the perfect size. It comes in 3 colors and is a super inexpensive way to update your look for the fall.

4. Vintage inspired rugs are all the rage right now. I can think of a thousand places where this beauty would be perfect. Better yet, it's very well priced.

5. This blouse is so versatile. It can easily be dressed up or down and taken from day to night. It comes in 5 different colors.

6. I am obsessed with wood and marble cutting boards lately. I use them to accessorize kitchens all the time. Pretty and functional!

7. I love booties for fall! I love the buckle detail on this one.

8. I use bed blankets to style beds all the time. This one has a great wide stripe and a herringbone pattern. The gray color would be perfect in almost any bedroom! 

The Best Sale of the Year! Nordstrom Anniversary Sale - My Top Picks

Hello, friends! I am so excited because it's here! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts today. I look forward to this sale every year. It is such a great way for me to start my Fall shopping and get my must have Fall wardrobe staples at a fraction of the original price. It's also a great way for me to not feel guilty about adding some trendy pieces to my closet. It's great for my kids too, since we start school shopping for them during the sale. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, or #NSale as it is referred to on social media, starts today and goes until July 21st for those with Early Access. The Sale opens to the general public on July 22nd. It ends on August 7th.

If you don't have Early Access, now worries! It's easy to get. The Nordstrom credit or debit card is your key to entry. You can apply for a Nordstrom debit or credit card to gain Anniversary Sale Early Access (July 14-21). With Early Access, you ensure that you will be the first to shop all the best, brand-new arrivals at those super-sale prices.

I'll be curating my favorite #NSale finds from Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, Home Decor and more, over the next couple of weeks; on the blog. Check back often and shop early, because I promise they will be good! ;)

To get you started, here are some of my Top Picks from the sale...

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE TOP PICKS
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I'll be sharing what I bought from the #NSale soon! Can't wait to hear about what you scored! Happy Shopping!

Introducing Natalie Malan Art

I am so happy to be here today, introducing you the the talented artist, Natalie Malan. Natalie is an illustrator and artist, who lives in the Salt Lake City area. I was first introduced to Natalie's art while browsing through the art prints on Minted. I was immediately drawn to Natalie's watercolor florals. Each one is vibrant and dynamic. I loved her color choices and use of space. I found myself imagining which project I could use one of her prints in. I was totally smitten!

Earlier this year, I decided that I wanted a large scale, watercolor landscape, to rest on my mantle. I had spend some time searching for the right one, but I kept coming up empty handed. I wanted something that complimented my space and had a light and airy feel. I decided it would be best for me to commission a piece from an artist. Choosing an artist was a no brainer. I knew Natalie would be able to create the perfect piece for me. I contacted her and was thrilled to hear she was willing to create an original watercolor landscape for my living room. She and I talked a bit about the different elements I wished  to see in the piece and the general color palette. I then sent her pictures of my space and after a few weeks, she sent me 3 different "drafts" to look over. They were all so beautiful!!! It was hard for me to choose, but I chose the one that I felt best represented my vision. She then proceeded to put the finishing touches on it. When I finally saw the finished piece, I was amazed! It was better than I had imagined! The 30"x40" masterpiece has found its' home on my fireplace mantel and I couldn't love it more. Take a look...

Natalie's art is truly special. She is an incredible talent and also happens to be one of the sweetest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. She is beauty inside and out! Take a look at some of her other work.

Gorgeous, right?!?! Natalie's watercolor art would be the perfect addition to any home. Luckily for us, Natalie has an Etsy shop where she sells her prints, as well as other products like custom banners and portraits. Natalie was kind enough to offer all of you a discount to her shop. YAY! 

Just use the code:

SITA15 

at checkout to receive 15% off your order through Sunday at midnight MST. 

A huge thank you to Natalie for creating the perfect watercolor landscape for my home. I absolutely love it. Be sure to visit Natalie's shop and hop over to Natalie's site to read more about her and see her current work.

SHOP THIS ROOM

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Client Project Reveal: Pretty and Polished Family Room

When one of your closest friends builds a home and asks you to decorate her Great Room, you immediately say "Yes", and start planning. That is exactly what I did when I found myself in that scenario, earlier this year. Today, I am thrilled to be revealing the Family Room area of the Great Room!

The Great Room of an open concept floor plan,  consists of the Family Room, Kitchen and Dining Area. My good friend knew that building a home would be a huge expense, and that decorating the whole house immediately would not be an option. She also knew she wanted to invest to make the largest area of her home, the one her family would be spending the most time in, a space that would be beautiful, comfortable and a reflection of her style. I had the privilege of consulting with her to pick out finishes and colors during the building process. That made it easy for me to hone in on her personal style. I created a design board to help her see my vision for the Great Room Area. Thankfully, she loved it all and we got busy purchasing furniture and accessories. The result is a pretty, polished and comfortable space she and her family can enjoy. Take a look...

I love combination of the navy and coral, with the small pops of green. :) Next week I'll be revealing the Kitchen and Dining area, so be sure to come back and check them out! 

Hopefully, I'll be able decorate the rest of her home, in the future, and be able to share that with you too!

GET THIS LOOK

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