2014 Color of the Year

Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you all a year filled with an abundance of happiness, love, laughter, health, and prosperity!! Hope you all enjoyed celebrating. Now that you have recovered, I thought it would be nice to highlight radiant orchid, Pantones 2014 Color of the Year. I am so happy this color has blossomed into the new year and perfect timing too ! Some of you may have took down your holiday decorations and now your home is lacking a bit of cheer :( . Radiant orchid will surely liven up any space whether in small doses or an entire room!

Pair with neutrals or even deep tones like navy or charcoal. Incorporate orchid in accessories, art, pillows, and other decor. If your feeling daring, paint a wall with this vivid color.

What are your thoughts on this bold hue? Comment below and share! :)

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Yours truly,

Amanda

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Designer Tip: How to Decorate with Limited Wall Space

Have you ever stared at an awkward wall in your home and thought, "What on earth do I put there?" In small apartments, old homes, or rooms with lots of windows -- often you are left with limited wall space.  So how do you decorate a room with little wall space? Problem solved my friends..... First things first, you must work with what you got, be creative, and have fun!

For rooms with limited wall space, try one of the following tips:

• Gallery Wall Style 1: Display your favorite photographs in a grid or at random for visual interest
• Gallery Wall Style 2: Add a floating shelves and lean artwork, picture frames against the wall. It is also easy to switch out pictures and add more by sliding more frames onto the shelf (less holes in the wall too!)
• Gallery wall Style 3: Cluster mirrors together in different sizes. I love mirrors with decorative frames, mix and match! The more mirrors the better!
• One Big Statement : If space permits, take up the entire wall with one large mirror. This will give the illusion of your space being bigger than it really is - how cool is that? You can also repeat the same idea with artwork. Add a scenic painting so it feels like another window to the outside or you can add a fun graphic mural.
• Frame it: Add molding to your walls and frame the wall. Then add a console table, a lamp, with wall decor above to complete the look. Now your wall  is defined and stylish!
• Dress it: Paint your wall a bold color or add wallpaper to make it stand out.

For rooms with almost NO wallspace at all OR if your room has lots of windows - try one of these tips:

•  Show-Stopper: You may feel limited with wall options, but you are not limited when it comes to style! Choose eye-catching pieces that introduce color, pattern, and texture into your space. Be bold when it comes to choosing furniture, pillows, curtains, and even rugs. The possibilities are endless..
• 5th Wall: Your ceiling is technically considered your fifth wall - so don't ignore it! Use decorative lighting which adds depth to your space and adds creative detail. You can also paint your ceiling with a lacquered finish so it reflects the natural light. Note: make sure to remove all imperfections (nail pops, cracks etc.) because glossy finishes tend to highlight imperfections. Another option is to wallpaper your ceiling.
• Dress your Windows: Hang two types of window treatments. One for functional needs such as room darkening or privacy. The second for aesthetic purpose and style.

Which tip can you use in your home? Comment below! Still having trouble? Message me directly and I will be happy to help with your design dilemma.

Yours truly,

Amanda

Dress Up Your Mantel

As we enter the cooler months, it is time to start decorating for fall. Fall is my favorite season - I love the leaves changing colors, the smell of the crisp air,  and snuggling up on the couch drinking hot chocolate. Most of all, I love enjoying my fireplace on a cold night and feeling the warmth on my face. Fire places are a fantastic feature in use or just for show. Fire places tend to be the focal point of any room whether it be your family room, an intimate seating area, or a cozy bedroom. Now is the perfect time to start accessorizing your home for the fall, especially your mantel.

There are many different techniques for dressing up your fireplace. When decorating my mantel, I like to create height, add layers/dimension, create a triangle (tall items in the middle), and create a sense of balance/symmetry. Sometimes when you clear off your mantel, you don't know where to start. I typically start with the middle and work my way outward. I always put the largest item in the center, such as a mirror, artwork, or even a family portrait. After you establish the main focus, you can also accessorize your mantel with hurricanes/candle holders, decorative plates, vases, picture frames, sculptures/figurines, clocks, florals/plants, holiday wreaths, branches, bookends etc. The possibilities are endless!

Ultimately, your mantel should not only be your focal point but be a representation of yourself (as with any room!). I love adding sentimental pieces to a focal point or spot lighting my favorite photograph. Get creative this season and don't forget to share with me how you dressed up your mantel. I would love to hear from you! :)

Here are some of my sketches of how I decorate my mantel.

Here is how I decorated my mantel this fall.

Make Your Room Appear Larger

Have you ever closed your eyes and wished your room was bigger? Then open your eyes to the sad reality that your room is still the same size as you started...... Well, wish no more! I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I would love to share with those of you who are frustrated with your small space. Being an interior designer, I have some "magical" tricks to help you create the illusion of a larger space. The concept is to fool the eye. In a small space, everything counts so pay attention to every detail.

COLOR: I can not stress how important it is to pick the right paint color. The perfect color on your walls can make all the difference. In small spaces, keep your colors light and it will make a strong impact. I recently painted my room a blue-grey. The blue undertone is soothing and happy in the morning light. Plus, It is neutral enough to match my bedding and accessories. In addition, if I ever change my color scheme in my room, it is easy to find other accessories that won't fight with my walls. It allows me to have options - and I love options! Not to mention, my room looks a thousand times larger than the original muddy beige color.

LIGHTING:  By allowing natural light to shine through in your room, you will be amazed at how open a room can feel. It is important not to block natural light from entering if you have a small space. If you get indirect sunlight or do not have windows in your room, you have to be creative with your lighting. Some people save shopping for lighting last, but this is not an "add-on." It is a small detail that can make a big difference.

CONTRAST: Color techniques and  smart lighting ideas can make a small confined room feel more spacious. Ladies, it is like contouring your face by adding highlight and bronzer to make those cheekbones pop! Light colors are reflective making a space feel more open. Dark colors absorb light, making a room look smaller. When you paint your molding light, the wall appears further back, making your space feel bigger!

CLUTTER FREE: In small spaces, it is essential to keep a clean organized room. Too many things on your walls, can make your room feel smaller. If there is too much going on, your eye is being drawn all over the place making your room feel cluttered. Keep it simple. In a small room, create a focal point. Arrange the furniture so your eye is drawn to those areas. Keep the floor as clean as possible to maintain a sense of openess.

MIRRORS: Mirrors can make your room feel larger so strategically place them. Make them a focal point, or hang them directly across from a window to reflect more natural light. My personal favorite are floor mirrors. By leaning a large floor mirror up against your wall, you would be surprised how much larger your room feels.

LOOK UP: You always want to draw your eye up. If you have crown moldings, make sure it is lighter than your wall color to draw attention upward. You can also paint your ceiling a crisp bright white so your room feels more spacious. You can also add vertical stripes to your walls, this way your eyes follow the lines upward creating the illusion of heigher walls.

GLAM IT UP: Don't forget to add some bling! I love adding metallic accents! I added silver vases on my dresser which reflect light and I also purchased metallic placemats in which I put underneath my bedside lamp. This simple detail reflects light and adds a glamorous feel!