Color 101

Don't underestimate those paint chips, color makes an impact visually and subconsciously. How do you want your room to "feel"? This is a question that I ask my clients. It may sound silly to some but there is some science behind this question. If you were redoing your bedroom, do you think you would able to sleep in a room that was bright red? Red, orange, and yellow create excitement. You may even find these colors in gyms or recreational centers to make you feel "energized". If your favorite color is red and you want it in your bedroom - go for it! However, add this color in moderation. Throw pops of color in pillows and accessories.

For bedrooms, the goal is to keep it serene and calm. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. I recommend tones such as pale greens and blues, maybe some cool grays.

Have you ever wanted to make your kitchen blue? We just learned that blues are relaxing colors; so what does that mean when we paint our kitchen blue? No, it doesn't mean we are going to fall asleep head first in the fridge. Blue tones will actually suppress your appetite. Which may be great way to trick your mind to not eat those late night snacks.

Picking the right color is so important. The next time you are ready to paint your home, don't rush your decision. Remember my tips and put some thought into the mood of the space.

Share your experiences with color with me. Have you ever painted a room and regretted a color choice?

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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!

Make the Most of Your Small Space!

Whether you are moving into a dorm, downsizing, or have a small room that is causing you difficulty - it is all about making the most of your space. Play with height, utilize the storage underneath furniture, add shelves, and storage bins. Don't forget to use the space behind your door for more storage! I have a small bedroom myself so I understand the struggle of feeling confined. I wanted to share my design tips for maximizing your storage in small spaces.

1. Bed Risers - if you think about it, a king size bed takes up 42 square feet of space. So why wouldn't you use that space wisely? I purchased bed risers from Target which raised my bed 6" more. The additional height helped me tremendously because I was able to fit large storage containers under my bed with my winter clothes and shoes. You can also add bins that roll or find organizers that are specifically made for under the bed. 2. Maximize your Closet - Before purchasing large pieces of furniture, make sure you get the most out of your closet space. Try adding shelves or drawers to your closet for more storage. Closet organizers also make a difference and are available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and The Container Store.

(Photo cred: hgtvremodel.com)

3. Frame your Bed - Make your bed a statement by framing it with bookcases or cubbies. I personally like to mix and match open and closed storage together. This way pretty items are on display and the rest is hidden.

(Photo Cred: thisoldhouse.com)

4. Doors - I am a woman with a lot of shoes - aren't we all? Since my bedroom is very small, I have to get creative with storage. I added the behind-door shoe organize that hangs behind my closet door to store a good amount of shoes. It's not the prettiest but its functional. Plus, it is behind doors so it is not visible when my closet is door is shut. I love the fact that is an easy display of what shoes I have readily available. 5. Multi-Functional - I love pieces that have multiple uses! I added a storage bench at the end of my bed for extra seating and for maximum storage!

(Photo Cred: involvingcolor.com)

6. Hook It Up - Hooks make my life so much easier. I have them hidden everwhere. I like to use the adhesive hooks that don't ruin your walls. I have hook on the front of my closet door so I can hang my outfit up at night so it's ready to slap on when I wake up. I also have hooks behind my bathroom door to hold my robe and towel when I come out of the shower.

(Photo Cred: thrifyandchic.com)

7. Analyze What You Have - Before I switch my closet over for winter or summer, I always go through what I have. If I haven't worn it at all that season, I will donate or sell my clothes. It feels great to get a good cleaning in before the season starts. Plus, it helps your closets from busting!

Being organized in a small space is very important. You don't want your things to consume your space. Next time you are ready to take on the challenge of redoing your room, remember my tips! What tip would benefit your space the most? Please share! I would love to hear from you.

Tickled Pink

I am not the girl who is typically drawn to pink but something about the summer has gotten me tickled pink! Pink has always been a hot color but more so this season. I have been seeing shades of pink all over - especially in fashion and design lately. Pink doesn't have to be just for a little girls room, pink can be sophisticated in the right shade. Watermelon pink is such a refreshing shade, especially for summer! The combination of red and pink is very bold yet provides warmth and excitement to any space or outfit. Another variation of this striking combination is pink and orange or pink and yellow. For a more dramatic look, black and pink creates a stark look. My personal favorite color combination is navy and pink. Something about that color combo is so striking!

If you are afraid of using pink in your home or wardrobe, try going more subdued. I like pairing khaki and coral together. It's the perfect color combination for summer. Another neutral color scheme that I find appealing is taupe and pink, or use coral as a substitute. Beiges and brown undertones will balance the bold hue.

Show your Stripes

Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!!! Summer is finally here and it is time to get your backyard ready to entertain. I love outdoor parties, especially when it comes to the decorating. There is something so magical about the 4th of July. The smell of the barbecue and the rest of the food cooking. Spending time outside with great friends and family as the sun goes down and the fireflies start to come out. The smoke from the fire pit that makes your hair and clothes smell for days. The fireworks shoot high into the sky and burst so loud you can feel it go through your body.

Get in the holiday spirit and decorate your home and backyard for the 4th of July. Switching out pillows for the season is an easy way to switch up the scenery in your home and add some holiday cheer. I love nautical stripes and playful pops of red. For a beachy feel, add wicker accents such as an end table or a round wicker cocktail ottoman that you can put a tray on for entertaining your guests.

For outdoors, play around with accessories such as outdoor pillows, table runners, placemats, outdoor rugs, dishware, lights/candles, and center pieces. If you're really feeling festive, you can even have fun while baking by adding some fun decorative treats to the table.

Here are some ideas for your indoor and outdoor spaces. Have fun this summer and enjoy!