February 14, 2013 There is nothing better than a calming space. It can be a simple front porch, a cozy dining room or a relaxing place to lay your head. To me, this is so inviting. Surely it can bring the blood pressure down a few notches.
Looking to design a home you absolutely love? Email me at info@mariannesimondesign.com for more information and rates.
February 11, 2013 Some things just never go out of style. Tried and true classics that stand the test of time. When it comes to designing homes not only for my clients, but also my own, sticking with the classics will serve you well. If you have followed this blog for awhile, you know that I stay very true to my design aesthetic, no matter what I post. Here are my top 5 classics in no particular order.
1. Subway tile. You can never go wrong with subway tile. A soft white or marble will stand the test of time. Use it in a bathroom or as a backsplash in a kitchen. I'm partial to a matte finish in a kitchen though.
2. Marble. I don't care what anyone says, marble is my number one choice for counter tops. If you take care of it, you will not have any problems. Can it chip, yes. Can it stain, of course if you leave something on it for a long period of time, but who does that? Can it etch, absolutely, but using a cutting board alleviates most of that. A honed finish is much easier to care for than polished, so I always recommend honed, especially in a kitchen. I have had marble in my own kitchen for 5 years now and only have a few tiny chips and zero stains. Marble has been used for thousands of years all over Europe and only looks more beautiful over time.
3. Antiques. I'm a firm believer that every room needs an antique element. It's what makes a home feel like a home and not like you went to your nearest furniture store and bought everything as a set. You know that's a no-no, right? If you buy something that really speaks to you, you will treasure it for a lifetime. Think of different ways you can use an antique, like this piece used to store towels in a bathroom.
4. Beautiful millwork. Want to make your walls come alive? You can't go wrong with beautiful millwork. Take your room from blah to beautiful in no time! Those herringbone floors are also a great classic. Wish they were in my own home!
5. Painted cabinetry. Nothing dates a kitchen or bathroom faster than wood toned cabinets. Oak cabinets speak the 80's, dark cherry speaks the 90's and light maple, early 2000's. See where I'm going with this... Dated with a capital D. I'm not saying wood is totally off limits, but it's very rare I personally come across a wood tone for a cabinet that actually looks good. It's amazing what a few coats of paint can do!
Looking to design a home you absolutely love? Email me at info@mariannesimondesign.com for more information and rates.
February 8, 2013 It's not often that I come across someone with the same name as mine, let alone the exact same spelling. I was recently doing a little blog surfing and came across another designer, Marianne Brown of White + Gold, based out of Salt Lake City. As I started to go through her website, I was blown away by her talent and knew I had to reach out via email to say 'hello'. Her work is a breath of fresh air with clean lines, classic elements and lots of white, which is right up my alley. Have a look at her work below and be sure to stop by her website for a visit. I promise you won't be disappointed!
February 7, 2013 One of my favorite parts of my job is not only working with some pretty amazing clients, but seeing the vision for their space come to life. When I'm given the creative license to create a custom piece for a client's home, well, it's one of the best feelings a designer can have. When I first met with this client regarding her dining room, she wanted just a simple row of cabinets on her wall and uppers not even attached. When I told her it would look like something in a garage or laundry room, she knew she had hired the right designer for the job! Can you even imagine what that would have looked like? Collaboration is key with any design project and this is why it pays to hire a designer in the first place, to avoid costly mistakes in the end. These images are just a few I took with my iphone, but you get the idea!
A close up detail...
Please note, I am not able to give sources to furnishing and accessories used in client projects as they hire me to create these space for them. Thank you for your understanding. If you would like help creating a home you absolutely love, email me at info@mariannesimondesign.com for more information and rates.
February 6, 2013 I recently completed this powder room for a client who needed help giving her room a complete overhaul. She wanted a powder room that was light, elegant and timeless. We chose to keep the room in tones of white and gray and the gorgeous wallpaper will make the room come alive.
What's nice about my Design To Go service is that I can help anyone, anywhere achieve a beautiful space that fits their budget and can be completed on their time frame. This service comes complete with a design board, tear sheets for all products sourced, a complete shopping guide, step by step instructions, a floor plan if needed and material samples such as the wallpaper shown or fabrics if needed. As of February 1, Design To Go is now billed at an hourly rate rather than a flat fee. If you are considering Design To Go or have additional questions, email me at info@mariannesimondesign.com.
Please note, I am not able to give sources to furnishings and accessories used in client projects as they hire me to create these spaces for them. Thank you for your understanding.