Fab Find Friday!

It's Fab Find Friday! Time to share some amazing finds with an even better price point. This week I am sharing some of my favorite items that I found on Wayfair.com. Visit the direct links to each numbered item for easy shopping! :)

1. Capiz Shell Lamps (Set of 2) / 2. Decorative Objects / 3. Hydrangea Floral / 4. Deco Wood Mirror / 5. Writing Desk / 6. Ikat Rug / 7. Accent Chair / 8. Ottoman / 9. Mongolian Fur Pillow

Which items did you love? Save the photo to Pinterest so you can revisit this post later!

This is my first Fab Friday post! Let me know what you think! Do you want to see more posts like this?

3 Tips to Create a Fab Foyer

The entry of your home is the first thing your guest see when you invite them into your home. As the saying goes, "First impressions are formed within 7 seconds." Create a lasting impression in your foyer that expresses your personality in a nut-shell. Show off your individuality but don't show all the goods ... shhh, save that for the rooms. My dream foyer would be packed with bold style, sexiness, gold accessories, lucite, a statement chandelier, and Mongolian fur ottomans. At least, that's what I am dreaming of right now - it changes.

This blog post was inspired by the powerful statement foyer that I found in the House Beautiful magazine (picture below). Isn't it drop-dead stunning? My eye was immediately drawn to the wallpaper. I love the citrus and blue tones in the pattern. Not to mention the pedestal table that literally was screaming my name.

Although the wallpaper is bold and in-your-face... the stair runner is neutral and creates a sense of balances. The solid gray grounds the space, giving your eye a place to rest. Next, is the gold pedestal base table; a stylish twist on a classic. It fills the corner nicely. The staircase is almost hugging the table. The accessories are simple and the florals draw your eye up towards the rest of the staircase and towards geometric pendant.

Are you anxious to learn how to create your own fab foyer? Inspired by the photo, there are three tips to keep in mind while designing your foyer. Let's break it down, shall we?

1. STYLE - Enter your home with style! Design your foyer by starting with largest item. Carpeting in most spaces will dictate the design. Stair runners and area rugs are a great way to introduce color and pattern into your foyer. Or opt to be different and add decorative wallpaper in your entry while keeping it neutral on with the carpet. Add a funky console table with a statement mirror above it. Reinvent an old table lamp and make it bold with a new lamp-shade. Strategically place florals, trinkets, picture frames, and other decor that will catch your eye as you enter the home.

2. PERSONALITY - You should feel welcomed every time you step foot inside your home. Add accessories and details that represent your personality and/or family. Whether it be pops of your favorite color, a traditional chair for putting shoes on, or that animal print rug you always wanted - get creative.

3. FUNCTION - Aside from being stylish and pretty, it has to be functional for your lifestyle. Place a small decorative tray on your console table for a spot to leave keys. Tuck away stools underneath your console that could easily slide out if you need to put your shoes on. Hang a decorative mirror for those last minute looks before you leave the house. Add a cute but functional Hall-Tree or hang hooks behind the door for your every day coats that are easy to grab-and-go.

I just realized that the acronym for these three rules is SPF! That should be easy to remember! :) Get your SPF on and rock on. For more inspiration to create a fab foyer of your own, please check out my "Fab Foyer" board on Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/byamadesigns/fab-foyers/

Design Advice Event Hosted by AMA

You're invited !!

Mark your calendars because AMA Designs is hosting a LIVE Q&A Event on February 20th at 5pm EST. This is your chance to get all your design questions answered. You aren't limited to how many questions you ask either so ask away!

In order to participate, you must be following AMA Designs on one or more social media accounts. I will be posting a photo for you to leave your design question and will answer them in the order they are received.

Do you have a design dilemma but don't know how to explain it? A picture is worth a thousand words! Hashtag your photo with #amadesigns live and I will see what you need help with.

TWITTER: @byamadesigns

INSTAGRAM: @byamadesigns

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/byamadesigns

#AMADESIGNSLIVE

Get excited because I sure am! You do not want to miss out on this special event! I cannot wait to be solving all your design dilemmas during this fun social event.

Let's get social!

Looking forward to chatting with you Friday at 5pm!

Yours Truly,

Amanda M. Amato

The Copper Comeback and Why I am Excited about it

Warm Copper hues are making a hot comeback and I don't mind at all! I am usually weary when styles come back. For example, do you remember when bell bottoms jeans came back? I hopped on the bell-bottom bandwagon so fast. My wardrobe couldn't live without them (now it can). Being short, that style was not flattering on me. I looked shorter, wider, and they dragged on the ground - not cute. So anyway, back to Copper. Why am I loving warm metals right now? Because it is freezing on the East Coast!! The weather outside is still frightful. By adding copper and bronze hues into your home, it creates a warm and cozy environment. Two things I am craving during the frigid weather. (Sidenote: If you live somewhere warm please consider having me as a potential roommate. I'm very neat.)

Copper accents can charm up cool palettes. Copper is the perfect complement to white and gray. The look of marble is beautiful, but it doesn't make the room feel warm and inviting. Copper accents add a bit of coziness. My favorite example is from Smitten Studio. I love the use of mixed metals. The copper, brass, and natural accents add warmth to the stone and white upper cabinetry.

(Photo: Smitten Studio) (Photo: Smitten Studio)

Copper also compliments deep hues like plum, burgundy, black, and navy. I love the copper stool in this transitional living room by Laura U Inc., and also the beautiful built-in color! What do you think of the purple hue?

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/12581339/Heights-Classic-transitional-living-room]

 I admire the copper lighting in this gorgeous open concept kitchen by John Kraemer & Sons.

(Photo: John Kraemer & Sons via Homebrunch.com)

 What do you think of adding copper accents to warm up your home? Do you love the copper comeback as much as I do? Comment below :)

Can't enough of AMA Designs? Like AMA Designs on Facebook and join my newsletter, The A-List, to learn what new and exciting things are happening behind the studio.

All the best,

Amanda M. Amato

The Fool-Proof Guide to Hang Wall Decor

The fear of putting a hole in the wall and the pressure of getting it right the first (possibly second or third) time around really made me sweat. Forget the items that have two hooks behind them. I would jerry-rig a wire behind the picture so I could avoid putting two holes in the wall. Trying to feel behind a painting for two nails on a wall is extremely nerve racking! My pictures were always too high, too low, but never just right. I was the Goldy Locks of hanging wall decor. Finally, I looked to Pinterest to solve all my pain and suffering.

Once again, Pinterest saved the day. It's a miracle!

Just in time to hang my very heavy glamorous mirror too! Thank goodness because I was hyperventilating in Home Goods trying to figure out how to hang a mirror with two hooks.

So let's get down to business. How on Earth did I hang my mirror with no assistance and no cursing? Here are the step by steps:

1. Grab Blue Painter's tape

2. Apply Painter's Tape to back of frame from the left edge to right edge

3. Mark Holes exactly where the nail(s) should rest with a pencil

4. Apply another piece of tape from the center of your tape line to the top of the frame to form an Upside down T. You are forming a guideline so you are aware where the top of the frame is. If you need to know where the edge of the base is, continue the tape vertically until you reach the edge of the base (it will look like a cross).

5. Remove your strips of tape carefully. Make sure it doesn't pull part.

6. Apply your tape strips to the wall. Use as a guideline so you can see the width of the frame and where the top and bottom will lay.

7. After it is just right - Hammer in nails where you marked the holes in pencil on your tape.

8. Hang your picture!

Congrats! Super easy right? I saw many variations on Pinterest. I modified different techniques to work best for me. Other versions traced the frame on paper to see the actual size. This is a great technique if you are creating a gallery wall. I eliminated the tracing to avoid an extra step. My tape technique worked to hang an individual mirror but please feel free to modify my steps to work for you! :)

Did you love this tip? Comment below!

Do you love social media? Hey, me too! Let's be friends. Follow @byamadesigns on instagram and twitter so we can be insta-bffs or something. Check out my pinterest profile too for more ideas and inspiration.

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

These 6 Tips Made me MORE Productive

Anyone who is close to me knows that I am a "busy bee". Buzzzzz Buzzz... I remember my friend asked, "How on Earth did you manage to find time to do that?" Well, my friend..... I'll tell you how. I hate to break it to ya but the answer isn't magical powers. Although, it would be awesome if it was! The real answers may surprise you! All you need to do is to follow these six simple tips:

ORGANIZE

Organization is my specialty. My work space is very neat (majority of the time). When my surroundings are clean, I focus much better. Clear your desk and you will have a clear mind.

PLANNING/TIME BLOCK

Blocking out time for specific events and activities is super important if you want to be more productive. I am a visual person so I like to see the gaps of free time. I put everything and everyone in my calendar. Dinner with my parents? It's scheduled. Gym time? Scheduled. Date Night? Scheduled. Reminder/Follow-Up Calls? Scheduled. Get the idea? Having a clear knowledge of your schedule can ultimately lead to a more productive day.

WRITE IT DOWN

I am more productive when I have a physical list in front of me. This goes back to the above, I like to see it. This way I know what I have to do and won't forget :P Also, the action of crossing things out is rewarding and makes me more excited to finish the rest of my list. Toss this girl a cookie!

PRIORITIZE

Sometimes I have really long To-Do Lists and I get overwhelmed. The best thing to do in this situation is to focus on one task at a time. Knock off the quick & easy stuff so your list gets shorter faster ;) If a task has a deadline or is high priority, take care of those items first. You can always get back to the small tasks.

TIME IT

Turn your phone on airplane mode and set a timer for 25 minutes. You will be AMAZED at how much work you can accomplish without your phone distracting you. So often I get distracted when I see notifications from social media. I go to check my notifications, then I see a cute picture on my newsfeed, then I see who posted, hey what are they up to?... and then I am really off-task. Break-up with your phone for 25 minutes, I dare you to try it!!

CLEAR & POSITIVE MIND

Don't allow your mind to rear you off the path of being productive. Take a few deep breaths, empty your mind, and focus on one task at a time. If your mind is racing, I find it easier to write down all my thoughts on a piece of paper and go back to work without my mind distracting me. After I finish, I revisit the paper with all my thoughts on it.

Stay positive! You can do this!! Be your own cheerleader. You can't accomplish something if you keep telling yourself, "I can't". Change your words and your actions will follow.

I hope you have found these tips helpful and can apply them to your own busy life :) Please comment below and let me know which tip was your favorite. I would love to hear from you!

Go get em' tiger! Rawr!

- Amanda M. Amato

2015 Color of the Year: Marsala

If you don't follow fashion or design, you might have not heard of Pantone (and that's okay!). Pantone selects a color of the year which sets the tone for the entire design industry. The 2015 Color of the Year is Marsala and I couldn't be more thrilled. Before the color was even announced, I was already obsessing over this color. I was wearing it as lipstick, nail polish, even fantacising wall colors (it's true)! Look at me, before the trend. Woot woot! This red-brown hue is perfection all the way around. Marsala is a gender neutral color in fashion that can be worn on men and women. For beauty, marsala is the perfect lipstick shade that many different skin tones can pull off. In interiors, marsala in a matte finish can bring out the earthy texture. Opposingly, marsala in a high-gloss can bring drama and glamour to your space.

Let's talk about how you can incorporate Marsala into your home.

Marsala can be perfectly paired with neutrals such as ecru, beige, and ash grays. Marsala also compliments soft purples, blush tones, and shades of blue. Pairing Marsala with other warm tones such as mustard, lemon grass, sandy browns and earthy greens is also a beautiful palette.

Introduce Marsala with luxe fabrics, pillows, candles, accessories, artwork, or even paint a piece of furniture or wall if you are feeling extra daring. Here are some of my favorite rooms that I found on Pinterest:

   

Which photo was your favorite? How will you incorporate Marsala into your home in 2015? Please share below :) Tag your photos on Instagram or Twitter by tagging @byamadesigns