Nan Philip is the Founder of Nan Philip Consulting, where she offers public relations and marketing strategy services to interior designers and lifestyle brands by day. By night, she shares her classic style on her Instagram @nanphilip and blog, Simply Elegant. “I generally aim to keep things authentic and set tables that feel like me…I never want anything to feel too ‘perfect’….” – Nan’s Simply Elegant philosophy and her love for pattern and color made her a dream collaborator for us at Marigold Living!
We are so excited to share our Style Guide this Holiday Season with Nan, where she doles out countless styling options with our reversible Aizel patchwork hand stitched quilt. From creating a layered and colorful nap-ready bed, to setting a feminine yet versatile table for the holidays and every day, read on to see how Nan makes her home her happy place, and how you can too.
We are also excited to kick off the Holiday Season in the spirit of giving, offering 10% off on all orders now through December 31st (discount automatically applied at checkout), and 5% of sale proceeds donated to Save a Child. Save a Child is incredibly important to us at Marigold Living – our founder is a board member and working to help the organization support underprivileged children in India have a better future. Learn more here on this wonderful organization.
Patchwork Quilts are having a moment
“…a patchwork quilt at the foot of a bed (or as a tablecloth) is a wonderful way to add more layers of color and pattern into a space”.
Q: We love that patchwork quilts are having a moment right now and we’re seeing them in all kinds of spaces, from traditional to modern and everything in between. What are your favorite ways to use them in your bedroom and home?
A: This is so true; I feel like in the last few months quilts are back and better than ever!
I must admit, I love the idea of a nap. Of course, I never get to nap very often but my ideal vacation or weekend includes an afternoon nap. Therefore, I love to have a throw blanket or a quilt at the end of my bed so I can quickly take a quick snooze without disrupting the whole bed. Additionally, everyone who knows me or has been to my home knows I love pattern! I am the gal who loves pattern on pattern. So, a patchwork quilt at the foot of a bed (or as a tablecloth) is a wonderful way to add more layers of color and pattern into a space.
Our Aizel Patchwork Handstitched Quilt can multitask!
“I knew it (the Aizel quilt) would be perfect for me and would provide countless styling options within one single product”.
Q: Our goal is to create as many versatile pieces as possible, which led us to design our Aizel tablecloth slash quilt – which is also reversible! What was your approach in using it for your bedroom and also for your tablescape? Did you feel it worked equally well for both?
A: These days, who does not love an item that can multitask! I live in a small, one bedroom apartment so as you can imagine, the storage opportunities are few and far between. Therefore, I am forced to be selective about all my décor decisions (which is difficult because I would collect countless beautiful textiles if I could)! When I saw this reversible patchwork piece, I knew it would be perfect for me and would provide countless styling options within one single product. Basically, getting two products in one – the best of both worlds!
I loved how the quilt is bit thicker than your average tablecloth (thanks to the two fabrics/quilted nature) so it works equally well on my bed and as a throw blanket around the house. It was perfect, as I had been looking for a quilt for my bedroom!
Nan’s love of layering patterns
“The colorful block prints, hand weaving and embroidery that Marigold Living offers are all right up my alley.”
Q: How would you characterize your aesthetic – from creating a cozy bedroom to setting a table for casual gatherings as well as for festive occasions? How do our classic Indian offerings fit with your décor style?
A: I love pinks, blues and patterns, any and all patterns! My home is my happy place and for me, color and prints bring a smile to my face.
I want someone to walk into my apartment and immediately think, “Oh yes, Nan lives here, of course! This apartment is so HER!” And how I do that is by really following my gut in terms of what I buy for my home. I really just buy what I love, and, in the end, it all somehow works and melds together. (I am sure that for some people my love of layering patterns is too much, but for me, it is just right!)
The colorful block prints, hand weaving and embroidery that Marigold Living offers are all right up my alley. Initially I am drawn to the vivid colors and then I am won over that everything is handcrafted by artisans throughout India.
Textiles are a final finishing touch that should never be forgotten
“It is so worthwhile to invest in high quality décor… those pieces will not only last for years and years, but they will also add so much more joy to your everyday.”
Q: How important do you find textiles to be in your home décor? Do you find high quality pieces elevate your everyday living?
A: Textiles are such an important element of design for me! A final finishing touch that should never be forgotten. There are few things I love more than setting a tablespace.
As a child, we had family dinners almost every night and my mom always believed in setting a ‘real dinner table’ which simply meant always using a tablecloth or placemats, cotton napkins, and lighting the candles. Therefor it really comes as second nature for me to set the table! I worry that some people get overwhelmed by the idea of a ‘tablescape’, when really it can be as simple as grabbing a tablecloth and a few napkins out of a kitchen drawer and adding it to your table 5 minutes before your family dinner. All you need is to build the time into your routine and, of course, build a collection of beautiful table linens!
It is so worthwhile to invest in high quality décor, just as you would in fashion or jewelry, because when you find well-made, beautiful items that you love, those pieces will not only last for years and years, but they will also add so much more joy to your everyday than something you bought quickly without a second thought because it was on sale for a great deal.
Creating a universally loved design
“…it doesn’t have to be anything expensive! I set tables that feel like me – a tablecloth, placemat or napkin with a fun pattern…”
Q: You are so good at designing tablescapes that feel feminine yet versatile and elevated. What’s your secret to creating a universally loved design?
A: Oh my gosh, thank you! You all are too kind.
I generally aim to keep things authentic and set tables that feel like me – a tablecloth, placemat or napkin with a fun pattern, some flowers and candles.
I never want anything to feel too ‘perfect.’ For example, if you don’t have time or the budget to order a floral arrangement, simply grab some white roses like I did from the grocery store or maybe go cut some branches of greenery from the back yard – it doesn’t have to be anything expensive! But taking the time to add some element of greenery or flowers helps to give that extra touch making the table feel ‘done.’
A holiday table that is not overtly themed
“I prefer to keep things a little more subtle. I always suggest including fresh flowers and candles… I also love a place card.”
Q: We love how you created a holiday table that hints to the season without being overtly themed. What would you suggest to those who prefer to do a more all-seasons table?
A: Sometimes I think holiday décor can be a bit over the top! I prefer to keep things a little more subtle. We all know it is the holidays after all, so there is no need to be so obvious with your tabletop décor.
No matter what season you are setting a table for, I always suggest including fresh flowers and candles (everyone looks better by candlelight!) I also love a place card, it helps take away that awkward conversation of ‘where should you sit’.
Combining various elements of Indian craftsmanship
“…from block printing to the embroidered napkins… It always feels better to have something handmade”
Q: What drew you to select our Aizel patchwork quilt and the hand embroidered napkins for decorating your home?
A: I loved the idea of creating a tablespace that combined various elements of Indian craftmanship – from block printing which many of us are very familiar with, to the embroidered napkins made by women in Western India. It always feels better to have something handmade, and from somewhere you can feel good about supporting.
Using the same linens that easily transition from casual to fancy
“I think a patterned tablecloth, like this Aizel one, makes a great base”.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for designing a tablescape using the same linens that easily transitions from a more casual day to a fancier night?
A: I love this question because I think a patterned tablecloth, like this Aizel one, makes a great base. From there, you can easily make a few small changes to swap the tablescape from day to night. During the day I would keep it casual – using your everyday dinnerware and flatware, simple clear water glasses, and matching napkins.
At night, this is when you can add in a few more elements to catch your guest’s attention! Maybe add in a charger or placement (here I pulled out a silver charger), perhaps swap out your flatware for a fancier style, we are using my mom’s silver. I always suggest adding a few pops of color too – I added blue wine glasses to pull out the blue from the tablecloth and hand illustrated place cards in red to compliment the red embroidery on the napkins.
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