Marianne Sax lives by her company’s motto: “Inspired Interiors Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune.” With expertise in interior design that spans nearly four decades, and stints in Atlanta and Park City prior to her move to St. George, Marianne offers a range of capabilities to her clients that is unique in southern Utah.
Her firm—Style by Design—delivers an end-to-end solution to those seeking new home design, or the renovation of an existing structure. From design concept through the build to the sale of wallpaper, area rugs and window coverings, Marianne’s one-stop shop provides an elegant, affordable business model.
In 2018, following Marianne’s move from Park City, she launched her business here. The majority of her work is in high-end homes, but she will happily take on smaller projects as well. “Quite often a client is remodeling one room, so I can help them specify the materials they want to use, pick out flooring and paint, and then find the furnishings they need,” says Marianne.
Marianne’s handiwork has been seen in six Parade of Homes dwellings between Park City and St. George. She has also served as director of communications for the Intermountain Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, and she is a member of the Southern Utah Home Builders Association. Marianne spends many of her off hours visiting furniture markets, tile shows and home builder shows to understand new materials and trends. Between appointments she also listens to podcasts and attends virtual seminars to further increase the expertise she brings to her role.
Despite accolades from the industry and her peers, Marianne says her greatest satisfaction comes from the one-on-one service she provides to every client, no matter how large or small their job will be. Before each contract begins, Marianne requests that new clients complete a questionnaire detailing their aims for their project. She ascertains their preferred style—be it traditional, farmhouse, transitional, contemporary or other—aiming for as much specificity as possible. She views this exchange of information as crucial to each project’s success.
Says Marianne, “I will hold my client’s hand throughout the entire project. I curate a full range of styles; whatever the client’s vision is, my job is to make that a reality. Thanks to my long-term relationships with over 40 furniture manufacturers, I can offer my clients significant discounts, often as much as 40% to 50%. I will take a client all the way through a project, from whatever building materials need to be specified, to final artwork for their walls. That’s really my niche.”
On an already-scorching Tuesday morning in July, Marianne—clad in her trademark stylish garb—was on her way to local suppliers in St. George to look at fireplaces and tiles for a client’s new home. Despite the heat, Marianne was feeling anything but burned out.
“I wake up in the morning, and I have the exact same passion for my job that I’ve had every day for almost 40 years,” she said. “Truly, that love never goes away.”
More information about Style by Design may be found at stylebydesignutah.com.
