Dinner Party Spotlight: Kelley Nan


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For my next Dinner Party Spotlight I am excited to share this gorgeous and elegant summer tablescape created by the talented home decor & entertaining blogger Kelley Nan. A long time fan of Kelley’s home, tablescapes, and instagram, I always commented on her photos with awe…and  since then our friendship has grown {all online actually, we have never even met! Gotta love the power of social media!}. So when Kelley agreed to be the next spotlight feature with a special table she created for FH, I was over the moon! Read along for my Q & A with Kelley because this table is exactly what we need for our next summer dinner party, and be sure to browse her home on her blog where there is fab decor inspiration!!

Q & A:

FH: Tell me a quick bio of how you came to start your blog? Any fun details about your past that are noteworthy!

Kelley Nan: I have always loved resourcefulness and “creating” with what I have, but when we built our home a little over a year ago, I finally had a blank canvas to start implementing my ideas from scratch. As I made progress on different rooms throughout our house, I started posting for friends and family on Instagram. When I started gaining a following of people I didn’t know I accidentally discovered this whole world of people who shared in my same passions. As my social media following grew, I was still a bit naïve but took my personal journal-esque blog (if you could even call it that) and created an actual brand. I turned it into a place where I could share details and achievable ideas on all the things I love most. I am not a designer by trade, but love to decorate and host; I think that bit of attainability helps resonate and makes me relatable to my audience. As I mentioned, the opportunities I have been presented with and the relationships I have built this past year have been a huge blessing, and I am so very grateful. Some of my recent highlights include my first major collaboration on a Christmas table for Bed Bath & Beyond, a few projects with Pottery Barn, and a virtual progressive dinner I planned with four of my blogger friends- five blogs, five homes, five courses.

FH: What is your entertaining style? Traditional, Contemporary, Seasonal?

Kelley Nan: I would describe my entertaining style as “traditional”. More than any other place in our home, this is where the influence of my mother and grandmother shines. From their traditions and their expert hostess etiquette to the precious serving pieces that have been passed down, these are some of my most treasured memories, lessons, and tableware.

FH: How often do you entertain and for how many guests?

Kelley Nan: We typically entertain larger groups (that bring out the table leaves and haul in the extra chairs kind of groups), during the holidays and once during the summer. Throughout the year, we host more casual get-togethers with a few couples.

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FH: Do you have a go-to recipe or dish {or do you avoid cooking at all costs}?

Kelley Nan: During the hot months, we are all about grilling and preparing accompanying summer salads. If I am serving several people, I typically go for something yummy that can be made in a mass quantity – baked ziti. I can prepare salad ahead of time and pop the pasta in the oven which gives me more time to spend with my guests without worrying about constantly rotating dishes and checking temperatures.

FH: Do you have a go-to cocktail? If you do, can you share the recipe!

Kelley Nan: Generally, we provide a few different wine varieties. I do like to set up a Bloody Mary bar on occasion. I don’t necessarily have a go-to but I love trying different punch cocktails when we have summer barbeques- anything with frozen lemonade!

FH: Did something inspire you for today’s table? A certain color, flower, plate?

Kelley Nan: Since I inherited my grandmother’s blue and white china, I have loved mixing and matching the pattern in different color schemes. My mother actually suggested recently that I needed to try it with some yellow; this was the perfect opportunity and I loved the classic, yet punchy outcome! I layered in our wedding china (which I do frequently since I selected neutral, versatile patterns) and softened it with some fluffy hydrangea blooms and other white accents.

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FH: Table top… Share all the deets!!

  • Plates: Vintage
  • Salad Plates: Waterford Padova Collection {here or similar}
  • Table Runner: Nicole Miller
  • Napkins: Pier 1
  • Salt & Pepper Set: Restoration Hardware
  • Wine Glass: Luigi Bormioli Crescendo Chardonnay Glasses {here}
  • Champagne Glass: Vintage
  • Ginger Jar: HomeGoods {similar and similar}
  • Candle Sticks, Pillars & Votives: Pottery Barn {similar}
  • Silver Tea Set: Vintage
  • Chairs: World Market- Linen Lydia {here}
  • Dining Table: Restoration Hardware
  • Buffet: Restoration Hardware
  • Chandelier: Schonbek

Shoot location: Cumming, Georgia

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Be sure to follow Kelley on her website KelleyNan.comInstagramFacebook, and Twitter!

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  1. What a fun series! Kelley is one of my absolute favorite bloggers and friends. I love this table and how gorgeous the vintage dishes look mixed with new pieces. Simply stunning!

  2. Kelley’s tablescapes are always so beautiful! I love her attention to detail! So fun to get to see such a perfect summer setting!!!

  3. What a great feature!! Kelley is such a talented designer and blogger and thank you for sharing this special post about her with us today! :). Bree

  4. I am going to be hosting a tablescape blog hop the week of August 5th. It will be featuring your favorite alfresco tablescape. I am trying to build a list of interested bloggers. If you are interested in participating, please email me back! I look forward to having you join us!

  5. I love everything that Kelley does and blue and white is always a favorite of mine! So this table makes my heart skip a beat!! Fabulous job, Kelley!
    Tamara

  6. Hi! Love it all! We just moved into a home w an outdoor area and white pergola- and I am dying to know about the curtains hanging here? In search of the perfect beige/ earthtone curtains or drapes for my outdoors! Thx

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