Decorating ingredients for the real you by Amanda Gates of AB HOME Interiors

If you had to list the most absolute essential ingredient for your home, what would it be? For me, no place would be home without comfy down pillows, fragrant candles, custom draperies and fresh cut flowers.

More importantly, if you have a passion for an item, do you find places around the house to put that item?  Do not let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, simply because this magazine or that magazine says not to. Gone are the days of the “living room” for special occasions. Today we LIVE in our homes. They are our havens, our sanctuaries and our retreats. A refuge to get away from all the headaches of the day, and find peace. So isn’t it important to find places for those special items even if you think you don’t have the room?
Alison Whittaker
For example, if you have a dining room that is nothing more than a storage unit for papers, mail, sports paraphernalia and miscellaneous other items, and you really need a study, then turn that sucker into a study.
Margaret Norcott
In the wake of the tragic flooding here in Nashville, now more than ever, people are seeking refuge in the few items that are left. With the overwhelming devastation of loosing just about everything, now is the time to take stock. And this is a good lesson for anyone who’s life has been turned upside down, and forced into change. 
Reevaluate your passions. What are your must-haves that encourage you to be who you are, and still remind you of where you’ve come from? As a designer I cannot tell you what ingredients to put into your home to create the blueprint of the real you. These are the items that are collected over lifetimes. But I can offer help to create atmosphere, serenity and help you develop a lifestyle with these items. I can offer solid decorating ideas and information, filled with options, options, and more options, so that you have the tools and the know-how to build that blueprint, that showcases the real you.
 I’ve no doubt that change, whether good or bad, always promotes renewal and reflection on the catalog’s of our lives. We archive in our memories what is important and gives us value, striving to reach our end goals as quickly as possible, while overlooking the journey. Things are just things unless you make them the building blocks to enrich the real you. The pilgrimage of daily life that takes us on our unexpected excursions, be it long or short, expected or unexpected, the journey is where you will find a snapshot of who you really are today. The travels in between the destinations create a homemade prescription to life. Thus, creating a home filled with the ingredients that make you, you! Each recipe special and unique only to those that inhabit that residence, and a lifestyle to call home.

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter! 


And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!

 

Related Posts
Living room trim
I recently sat down with one of my favorite DIY carpenters, Brad Stanford, who by accident fell into the home trade and never looked back. He started out in the ...
READ MORE
Kitchen update
It's no secret we all wish we could stretch our dollars further in order to complete our project the way we want. As a professional I will often recommend to ...
READ MORE
Candles
Ever wonder if there was an 'easy' button for your next decorating project? Maybe you have family coming for the weekend or you're planning to have friends over for dinner ...
READ MORE
Lemons
Lemons are more than a delectable citrus garnish or cooking staple. This little yellow god has hundreds of very practical uses around the house from deodorizing your house to cleaning ...
READ MORE
DIY Guide to Making Castile Soap
Soap making has been around for 2000 years, but it wasn't until the 19th century that people learned that it killed bacteria, and was a good form of hygiene. Soap making ...
READ MORE
DIY-Clever and Easy Ways to Update a Room
Every season sparks our creativity and different moods. It is human nature to want warmth and cozy interiors in the fall and fresh bright colors in the spring. So what ...
READ MORE
DIY Home Staging For A Pink bathroom
Last week I flew to California to help a client stage her home. She and I remodeled the entire house in 2006 and 2007 but we never started the master ...
READ MORE
Home Staging-How to tackle small projects to reap big rewards
In these economic times home staging has become increasingly popular for people who want to sell their homes quickly. With so much inventory to boot and sellers still picky about ...
READ MORE
Interior decorating-How to start a project and decorate with confidence
I’ve been in the design business for thirteen years and the most common thing that comes up with clients is their lack of confidence with decorating. Design can be quite ...
READ MORE
Laundry room folding table
Let's face it, we have to do laundry. As much as all of us can attest to hating one of the most basic and utilitarian household chores, it's a necessary ...
READ MORE
Confessions From An Accidental Decorator
Cash confessions-Quick tips to perk up your budget
Easy Makeover Ideas In 10 Minutes Or Less
5 Great Uses For Lemons Around The House
DIY Guide to Making Castile Soap
DIY-Clever and Easy Ways to Update a Room
DIY Home Staging For A Pink bathroom
Home Staging-How to tackle small projects to reap
Interior decorating-How to start a project and decorate
Laundry rooms-The DIY cure to organize them, and

Related Posts with Thumbnails
AB Homes Interiors Blog

About Amanda Gates
Amanda Gates started AB HOME Interiors in the fall of 2004. With over 12 years of experience in the field of interiors, and a passion for all things art and design, Amanda has become an expert on building interiors for an active lifestyle. After six years of working for some of the best design firms on the west coast, Amanda opened AB HOME Interiors after moving to Nashville. Amanda believes that a home should reflect your personality and and encompass your style. An advocate for living a true lifestyle, her firm focuses on bringing you beautiful interiors, that are deceptively functional, and as a result her clients get an amazing space without all the fuss.

Comments

Speak Your Mind

*


Google