Giving Thanks: Elegant Dining Rooms

Though it may be hard to believe (seriously - where did the fall go?), Thanksgiving is only mere days away. As we daydream of mountains of mashed potatoes accompanied by rivers of gravy, we can't help but also think about where all of this feasting takes place: the dining room. Often forsaken for less formal settings, the dining room is the star of the show come November and December.

Formal dining rooms may warm the bench most of the season, but they're the team MVP once the playoffs hit! The winter holidays all revolve around large elaborate meals, don't they? From Thanksgiving feasts to Christmas buffets, each event centers around families gathering together at the table. There is something undeniably magical about hitting the pause button on everyday life and enjoying a meal together. No devices, no distractions, no outside world, just real face-to-face time with the people you love.

When we take the time to gather, to invest in sharing genuine community with our people; the dining room isn't just a backdrop, it's a sanctuary. In this sacred place, dinner transforms from a simple meal to precious memories. In celebration of the traditional formal dining room, we decided to feature some of our clients' loveliest spaces on our blog this month. Browse through them below and bask in these beautiful takes on this spot for classic family occasions.

Faces of Pamela Park: Physical Culture(v)

The unique community that surrounds your home plays a vital role in shaping your family's life. From amenities to schools to culture, a multitude of factors impact your everyday lifestyle. One such variable? A thriving small business scene. A distinct small business landscape is the icing on the cake. The magic ingredient that transforms an assembly of adjacent addresses into a neighborhood. To celebrate the innovative small businesses that make Edina feel like home, we decided to highlight a few of our favorites on our blog. The first lovely business that we're excited to feature is Physical Culture(v)!

A cutting-edge group fitness studio created by the intrepid team of Angie Bartness and Mike Collins, the desire to create a community of support is the heart of Physical Culture(v)'s mission. Seeing clients transform their lives, chase their dreams, and achieve their fitness goals is what motivates their entire staff. Co-owner Angie states it best, "We are helping people become healthier, happier, and [more] confident human beings while creating [opportunities for] connection. What could be more important than that?" Amen to that, Angie!

Ironically, although Angie's background is in personal training, her and Mike's original vision was to open a pizza and wine bar. As fate would have it, their restaurant plans never came to fruition. However, they remained committed to helping revitalize the strip mall Physical Culture(v) calls home. They saw the storied Edina location as a true diamond in the rough and respected the integrity, honesty, and generosity of the property's landlord, Fred Allis.

Physical Culture(v) officially opened its doors on July 25, 2015! Angie credits their devoted group of fitness fanatics with the business's success. She insists that both the instructors and clients are on another level compared to other fitness studios, stating they are, "hands down the most loyal, dedicated and high-class group of people I have ever had the pleasure to know." The instructors push their clients to pursue their goals with vigor but accompanied by equal measures of compassion and warmth.

A day in the life of this bustling studio begins at the groggy hour of 4:45 am. Indeed, the morning crew's devotion is so hardcore that classes typically amass waitlists the day they're posted! Throughout the day, clients and instructors can often be found greeting each other and catching up on each other's lives. The club truly inspires a culture of connection and support. If you live in the area, we highly encourage you to give this Edina gem a try - you'll never enjoy wearing yourself out more!

Design Tip: Playing with Accent Lights

One of the best ways to experiment with style in any space is through lighting. Striking accent lights attract attention unlike any other decorative element - after all, lights literally glow! Whether you're looking to take risks, explore fads, add a splash of color, or blend multiple tastes harmoniously, lighting is a spectacular design solution.

Bright and playful lighting choices are becoming increasingly common among our clients. Unique accent lights make spaces feel more complete, they're like a punctuation mark at the end of a well-written paragraph, they finish the thought. You spend countless hours making decisions to set your home apart, to customize it to reflect your specific style, why wouldn't you add lighting to that list? Inspired illumination is a powerful tool in any homeowner's arsenal, one that should never be overlooked!

Curious to see more examples of accent lighting at its best? Peruse through some of our favorite client choices below! From the most modern to traditional tastes, we think you'll be filled with endless design inspiration!

Elegant and Serene Master Baths

Alongside the kitchen, the bathroom is arguably the most heavily trafficked, deeply practical room in any home. Bathrooms are a necessity and a routine part of everyday life. Mornings begin with a sleepy-eyed shuffle to the bathroom, and each evening winds down with our individual bedtime rituals.

While their function may be commonplace, the bathroom's style has certainly evolved in recent years. Current master bathroom trends take their style cues from serene spas and relaxing resorts more than ever. From mood lighting to double vanities, spacious showers to soaking tubs; modern master bathrooms are all about elegant, elevated finishes.

Our team knows the spaces we inhabit profoundly shape not just our lifestyle, but our mood. A beautiful room can put a person's mind at ease, and soothe a weary spirit. We can think of no better place to surround oneself with stillness and peace than the room where each day begins and ends. Below are a few of our favorite tranquil master bathrooms transformations, they're the perfect inspiration for anyone trying to create their own blissful bathroom getaway!