Last Minute New Year's Decor

It is almost time to ring in the new year! Woo-hoo! You waited until the last minute to decide on what you are doing and now your closest friends and family are showing up to your door step. IT'S DECORATING CRUNCH TIME! Here are a few last-minute decorating ideas that you can put together in a hurry!

CHOOSE YOUR COLOR SCHEME

I love glam holiday decor especially for New Year's Eve. If you are not sparkling on NYE, you are doing it wrong. There is no better time to incorporate silver, white, gold, and black tones for a sophisticated evening.

MAKE A FESTIVE SETTING

After you have picked your color scheme, its time to decorate! Head over to your local dollar store or party store to pick up some small appetizer plates, a table cloth, party hats, noise makers, or even some glitter or faux crystals to sprinkle along the table. Arrange silver and gold Hershey kisses in a candy bowl on the table for a sweet treat for your guests. You can also add a serving tray to keep your silver ware and cups arranged nicely.

(Photo cred: simplyjessicamarie.com)

I love hurricane jars and lanterns. Twinkling candles always create a beautiful lit setting for any party or occasion. Arrange different candles heights on your table such as pillar candles and tea lights for visual interest. You can fill your hurricane jars or lanterns with gold stars or ornaments for a festive twist.

If your really in the New Year's spirit, plug in a strand of white lights to hang around your door and greet your guests as they walk into your home.

Don't forget adding some finger food to your table. If you have time to stop at your grocery store, run to the frozen section to find some appetizers to pop in the oven before your guests arrive.

POP SOME BUBBLY

What is New Year's without popping some Champagne (or sparkling cidar for the kiddies)? To make your drinks look more festive, I love to add fruit to my drink. Cranberries or raspberries make the perfect addition to any champagne glass. You can even add sugar cane sticks...but be careful, it will make your drink sweeter than it is (ideal for dry/non-sweet champagne).

QUICK CRAFT: Make your own drink toppers that make you look like you are the Queen of Hosting! Take barbeque skewers and glue tinsel around the end of the skewer. Wrap it around a few times, and glue to make sure it is secure! Pop it in the drink and ta-daaaa, you are one super hostess! ;) Rock on sista!

Happy New Year my friends! Wishing you lots of love, laughs, health, and success in 2015!

Warmest wishes,

Amanda M. Amato

AMA DESIGNS

What to do with A LOT of Wine Corks?

My family and I have collected wine corks over the years. Why? I'm not sure. We have so many wine corks that we could possibly build an addition onto our house... okay maybe not that much but we do have a lot.

So what do you do with all your wine corks?

Here is what I came up with:

1. A Cork Wreath to put on your front door so all your neighbors know you're a wine-o

Level: Medium-Hard

Directions: Cut out a wreath template using foam board, Use Gorilla Glue to glue on corks (hot glue gun doesn't work! the sun remelts the glue and made mine fall apart the first time around lol I've learned from experience), Add grapes and bows

2. Naughty and Nice Cork Ornaments

Level: Easy

Directions: Paint corks, add felt for clothes and hats, pipe cleaners for arms, the options are endless.

3. A Xmas Tree

Level: Easy

Directions: Make a pyramid of corks, glue one row at a time, paint some of the edges, add bow or star for a topper.

4. A More Complicated Christmas Tree (because one isn't enough)

Level: Hard

Directions: Honestly, this looks easier than it is. The beginning rows started off easy but the larger the base got - the harder it was. I glued rings of corks together in different sizes, then glue each row together to make a stacked row tree.

I hope you enjoyed this post! I can't wait to see what you come up with! Please tag your creations on Instagram or Twitter @byamadesigns. I will repost all my favorites :) Happy holidays everyone!

Warmest wishes,

Amanda M. Amato

AMA DESIGNS

Do More of What You Makes You Happy

"Do more of what makes you happy." Sounds familiar right? But do we all follow that wise old saying? As I laid in bed last night, I had an A-ha! moment. I truly feel that I live a balanced life. I make sure to designate time for my family, boyfriend, friends, and myself. There used to be a time in my life where I consumed myself with only work. Although, I love my job - it definitely was not healthy for me to submerge myself in projects over my head.

Since then, my life has changed. I have one good job and a business. I allow myself to work a certain amount of hours. With the remainder, I make sure I spend a fair amount of quality time with the people who matter most to me plus personal time. Finding a balance between family, work, and personal time has made my quality of life much better and less stressed.

It is okay to LOVE what you do but don't make that the only thing you do. I enjoy working but I also don't want life to fly by without fully "living" it. It is easy to get caught up in the mix of things. Start living in the present. Enjoy every moment. Ultimately, do more of what makes you happy with the people who make you happy. :)

As we approach the holidays, I wanted to wish you all a very merry holiday and a happy New year! Embrace time with your family and friends. Eat big, love big, and laugh bigger :) If you loved this positive post and want more, please follow me on instagram @amatox3 or @byamadesigns <3

Yours truly,

Amanda M. Amato

Why Glass Tile Should be One of Your Top Choices

From kitchen back splashes to shower walls, glass tile is a top contender. It is available in every color under the sun plus it comes in various shapes from intricate mosaics to classic subway tiles. The various selection and colors make glass tile an easy choice when it comes to finding your style. Glass tile is even sold in sheets for easy installation if you are going to DIY. Some sheets of tile even feature glass mixed with stone or metal for a more custom look.

Environment conscious? No problem! Most glass tiles are made from recycled glass.

I love the touch of glamour glass tile adds to a back splash. I am currently using reverse-painted glass in a wavy texture for a kitchen backsplash. When the under cabinet lighting is installed it will add the perfect amount of shimmer! For a spa-like look, consider covering an entire wall or even the bathroom with glass tiles.

HELPFUL TIP: Clean glass tiles with 50-50 mix of water and vinegar and wipe clean with a cloth to prevent scratching.

HELPFUL TIP #2: When installing a mixture of tiles such as glass and stone, choose a tile that is the same thickness.

Here are some of my faves <3 It was so hard to choose!

LEFT COLUMN TOP TO BOTTOM: Tile Bar Allure, Tile Bar Highland Kensington Mosaic, Hirsch Glass Vogue, Hirsch Glass Signature

RIGHT COLUMN TOP TO BOTTOM: Mosaic Tile Direct Basketweave, Artistic Tile Flapper Floral, Hirsch Glass Silouhette, Artistic Glass Foliage

Lots of Living for a Small Space

  Living in a tiny space poses an issue. How can you store all of your stuff, make it functional, comfortable, and stylish all at the same time?  Keep in mind these 5 tips when decorating your space.

1. DON'T OVERFILL YOUR SPACE

Just like the saying, "less is more" the same concept can be applied to your home. Leaving more open space makes the room feel larger. Try not to fill up your space and leave a little wiggle room.

2. BIG PIECES THAT MAKE A BIG IMPACT

It may seem counterintuitive, but surprising larger items can help a space feel bigger. For example, hanging an oversized painting above a sofa can visually enlarge a space.

3. EMBRACE TRANSPARENCY

Lucite or glass furniture gives the illusion of more space. Try using a lucite desk for a barely-there look that is both functional and stylish.

4. HIDE WORK PROJECTS

Carve out a place to work and a special place to tuck away reminders of projects so the rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy living. Instead of creating piles around the house (I'm guilty of this), leave a storage box handy to safely store your work items.

5. VERSATILE FURNITURE

What is better than a piece of furniture that has more than one purpose? Multi-functional pieces work in your favorite when it comes to small interiors. Storage ottomans, nesting tables that can be separated and used around the room, and even a coffee table that can be converted into a dining table.

High-end Interiors without the High Price

I lust for luxurious fabrics, sparkling accessories, and jaw-dropping designs that are showcased in Hotels or high-end interiors. I admire streamlined and serene design or high-contrast color interiors. So how do you achieve a luxe look without the high-end budget? I will tell you how!

How to Get the Look:

Faux Custom Curtains - I am a big believer in window treatments. Custom designed curtains are like the scarf that ties your entire outfit together. By adding a decorative trim or tape to store-bought curtains, it will take your curtains from standard to extraordinary! It will also create a more high-end and custom designed look.

(Photo from Style at Home)

(Photo from chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com)

High Contrast Doors - If your wall color permits, painting your doors a semi-gloss black will take your bedroom or hallway up a notch. There is something oh so sexy about high-contrast interiors. Black and white hues scream "chic". I have also seen really dark walls, depending on where the application is, it can really look drop-dead gorgeous, if you dare!

(Photo from Apartment Therapy)

Flowers - Something about fresh flowers can make a home feel so welcoming. Maybe because we often use fresh flowers for special occasions? I am all about the flowers, but not about the maintenance. Girl, nobody's got time for that! Polyvore, Michael's Craft Store, and Nearly Natural, have some great faux alternatives. You can even thrift vases and spray them white or gold. My personal favorite right now is mercury glass vases - so glam.

Fluffy Pillows - You might be thinking, "What is this girl talking about?" The softer, the plumper, the better. Add pillow inserts that are larger than the actual pillow size for a more volumized look. I love the down inserts. If you have allergies, there are some great hyperallergenic alternatives that are available in the market.

(Photo from emilyaclark.blogspot.com)

Hotel Style Bedding - Crisp, clean, white linens just ooze luxurary. I love the Restoration Hardware bedding or the Matouk Bedding from Bloomingdales.

Chunky Crown Moulding - Thick crown moulding adds architectural detail to your space and also draws your eyes upward to give the illusion of a higher ceiling. I must admit, the beautiful and thick molding can add up in price. I did find on pinterest an amazing trick if you need a more budget-friendly option. Check out how to cheat when it comes to creating thick moulding (the tutorial is for base moulding but the same concept can be applied to the crown).

(Photo from sheknows.com)

Details, Details, Details - Accessories are the jewelry of your room. I'm all about the details. I love touches of gold or polished silver. If your room has more warm tones, choose gold or bronze accents. If your room has cooler tones, pick silver, nickel, or even lucite accessories. Add stylish coffee table books and a tray to your cocktail table, or even a few bone-framed picture frames. Add the details where necessary, but don't over do it! Too many accessories will make your room feel cluttered. Check out this coffee table vignette from The Glitter Guide.

(Photo from the Glitter Guide)

(Photo from Style at Home)

(Photo from Lauren Conrad)

Random Thought: Did you know that H&M came out with a home decor line? Say what?!! I am the last person to find out? I'm not sure when this happened but I am happy. The items are super cute and affordable! I'm loving the vases with the polka-dot relief detail. I saw clear vases too but I thought this ombre color glass was different! What do you think?

DIY Tutorial: Make a Drab Lamp Fab!

I have been crushing on a gold desk lamp for months. While I was cleaning out my basement, I found a white desk lamp that I was about to toss. Fireworks went off in my head and I suddenly had a bigger grin on my face than the Grinch before Christmas. My gold desk lamp wish is FINALLY coming true..

It was the perfect shaped lamp to spray gold. I dusted off the lamp and cleaned it up. I grabbed all my old newspapers and ran outside. I eagerly sprayed the lamp with Gold Metallic Rustoleum Spray paint. After 15 minutes, and two coats of spray paint later... my gold lamp was complete !!

CALL TO ACTION

- What do you think of the finished result?

- What have you been crushing on lately?

- If you can't buy it, can you DIY it?

- What fun DIY projects are you working on?

COMMENT BELOW! I would love to hear from you. :)

Can't get enough of DIY? Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

http://www.pinterest.com/byamadesigns/

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