How do you communicate with color?

Do you ever feel like colors give you therapy? Or that certain colors effect you differently? This site cymbolism.com, is the ultimate tool in communicating a feeling or mood with color!

This site attempts to quantify the association between colors and words, which can help designers communicate better with clients, to help achieve certain emotional effects. Since colors are believed to have specific meanings, this will help us create environments unique to our clients, and help develop moods and emotion desirable to the client’s needs.

It is really fun to see what they have associated with each word, and they (Suffolk Software) are tracking all the color associations over time to help designers produce intended effects on the inhabitants, and help bring the gap together between designer/client communication.

For example, what color do you think of when you here the word:

Moment

Happy

Bliss

Profit

Pure

Sex

Corporate

Launch

1) Moment

Number one answer ~ Soft green

2) Happy

Number one answer ~ Pink

3) Bliss

Number one answer ~ Yellow

4) Profit

Number one answer ~ Green

5) Pure

Number one answer ~ White

6) Passion

Number one answer ~ Red

7) Corporate

Number one answer ~ Grey

Launch

Number one answer ~ Orange

With a tool like this, clients can effectively use a word to describe what it is they want, and the designer will understand their language. What colors do you associate with the words:

warm, safe, clean, plenty?

Isn’t this fun?!

For more info visit their website cymbolism.com.

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Posted: August 30, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

6 ways to enjoy a Saturday, by Brentwood TN designer Amanda Gates

As the summer comes to a close our days get shorter and our nights get cooler. Fall will quickly approach us and before we know it, snow, sleet and rain will be upon us. Enjoy these last days of Summer with the ones you love because before we know it, Mr. Winter (booo!) will be here, and we will all be crying about the cold, freezing weather, wishing that Summer were still here!

Get outdoors. Open windows, and doors and let the sunshine in! Listen to the birds chirp, the lawn mowers hum, and the wind blow through the trees.

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Spend it with family. Yes we can’t choose them, and sometimes you swear you were born into the wrong family…but no matter what, they are always there for you (because they have to be!) to love you, support you and laugh and cry with you!

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Spend it with friends or family out on the lawn. Remember days gone by, and laugh at all the silly things you did when you were younger, and thought you were smarter, but not nearly as great as you are today!

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Have an afternoon cocktail, and a snack, laugh, and gossip amongst those that you love. Indulge yourself, be decadent and go all out for an afternoon tea.

Cabbages and Roses

Hang out with friends and family while you play games, go through old pictures,
or show off that new hobby you took up over the Summer.

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Have an unbelievably rich meal under candlelight. Satisfy all your senses, pamper yourself,

and wallow in the luxury of the outdoors.

Food, laughter and fun!

Have a GREAT Saturday everyone!!

Source

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Posted: August 28, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: outdoor dining | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Everything you need to know about yurts – well almost

Pricilla the great goat

Many moons, and carrot sticks ago, Pricilla the spokesgoat for Happy Goats soap, sent me an email regarding her humble abode that she was building. Now this wasn’t just any abode, it was a yurt. If you are unfamiliar with this term, a yurt is essentially a round structure, with a wood lattice frame, tradtionally used by nomads because they are portable. But honestly, I can’t see Pricilla being a nomad. She is a pampered goat with too many demands to speak of, and she has way too much stuff to be moving all the time.

Source

Because Pricilla is the spokesgoat of Happy Goats soap, she is quite full of herself, and has the needs of a glorified, overpaid, CEO. (Probably because she got the position over Abigail the other goat, and Pricilla doesn’t like her much.) But honestly, between you, me and the fencepost, I think Pricilla’s attitude is the publicist’s fault. Yes, I am a bit bitter. Although I find Pricilla very interesting, it was Harry that had my heart, and the publicist’s sent him off to ~~the nether regions,~~ I mean a new farm with lots of room to roam and play. Despite the publicity that followed this heartwarming farewell, the publicist and Pricilla had tricks up there sleeve hooves, and I think a little insider trading was going on. But my feelings on this matter remain the same and is a whole other story that we won’t discuss. HUMPH!

I {heart}Harry

Ok where were we? Oh yes, Pricilla the spokesgoat. Pricilla, the demanding CEO of Happy Goat Soaps, wanted me to help her design and plan her yurt. There were many, many things on her list of needs, but her mouth was so full of hay I could barely understand her. I was able to determine that she loved color, and she loved big sofas. I was however, skeptical of the big sofa. She has a tendency to knaw on upholstery, so I made a note to keep it small. After all we are designing a yurt, not the Taj Mahal Pricilla!

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So what exactly is the interior of a yurt like? Yurts are always round, and have interior framework exposed. This framework can be hidden with canvas or other materials but most people leave it exposed. Yurts vary in sizes and can be as small as 12′ in diameter or as large as 40′ in diameter. The best part about a yurt is they are fairly easy to assemble, and they can be built in a few days. And unlike a new home, yurts start at $4000. Many people will substitue a yurt for a home simply because of it’s ease, and low cost; and in Pricilla’s case, portability.

Source

Yurts can be used for everyday homes, vacation homes, offices and retreats. Many companies, including the goverment use yurts as an alternative to traditional building facilities. They can be as elaborate or simple as you choose. The most important thing to keep in mind when building a yurt is sticking to your plan. Space is limited, and some items, like large sofas won’t fit. They are appropriate for all climate’s and offer many of the same amenties that a typical home or office would have. Perfect for a any demanding CEO, (especially those of Happy Goats soap.)

So, despite ignoring Priscilla, (she doesn’t take being ignored lightly!) and procrastinating through two seasons worth of carrot harvest, I did promise to help her out with her yurt. Unfortunatley, I too am a CEO, (of something really important I just can’t think of what that is at the moment,) and she has probably given up on the idea of me offering up solutions. But that is what you get when you negotiate design services with a log pile, a seasons worth of hay and a goat named Abigail. You almost had me with the log pile, Priscilla, but Abby is where I draw the line!

To see the progress of Pricilla’s fancy yurt click here

To help Pricilla pay for her fancy yurt, click here to buy her loot on Etsy

Want to know more about yurts? Here are some excellent resources to make the CEO in your life happy:

Greenbuildingelements.com

The Colorado Yurt Company

Pacific Yurts

*Want help designing your yurt? Call us!

*Some restrictions do apply, we no longer except carrots, goats (to include but not limited to goats named Abigail), hay, bribes, or the publicist as collateral or payment for design services.

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Need design help from an experienced design professional with over 12 years experience? Want to work with someone who listens to your needs and sticks to your budget? Call our office for a design consultation that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @

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Posted: August 27, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

The new American Country by Brentwood designer Amanda Gates

Two years ago this beautiful William Sonoma Home graced my mail box. I am not a big fan of WS, however, I fell in love with this cover, and well, the whole book. How am I not a fan I thought? I don’t prescribe to any particular style, {a} It is professional career suicide and {b} it is personal design suicide. I mean really, I am a Designer, aka-caprcious, unpredictable, and my lines of reality are a bit blurred between fantasy and actuality. It is in my DNA to be A.D.D, and my professional duty nature not to pick any one style- even if my life depends on it! If I could make a decision for {myself} I would have designed my house ten years ago and stuck with it, instead of flailing around like a 3 year old hopped up on juji fruits, and licorice suffering to make a simple decision on pillow trim. Until this cover enamored me. And two years later, STILL does.

What is it about this style that is so attractive? What exactly is it? It is American Country. The new and improved approach to easy living, with a more youthful and modern twist. Often when a client of mine hears the word “country” they squeal, and run the other way. Actually, so do I. Until now, I never even included this word into my vocabulary. American country is different, it is sophisticated, refined, and easy. Traditionally the look comes from a space converted from a primary use, into another, like a barn turned into a home.

Stephen and Gail Huberman

American Country can also be a space that looks like a space that was something else. (Like the photo above). American country generally has new mixed in with old. Refined yet livable.

Remains Lighting

American Country has roots in the past, but it is always reaching ahead. Commonly found items in American Country are:

1) Stone generally on fireplaces

2) Raw timber as beams or accessories

3) Iron accents like chandeliers or hardware

4) Furniture from days gone by with original distressing

Stephen and Gail Huberman

Why is American Country a look that people love? Because it has an adult look, without feeling fussy. It is easy on the eyes, and when things are distressed, you feel more comfortable and relaxed. The colors are generally warm, and inviting and mixing stone, with raw timber, distressed furniture, and warm colors is a guaranteed recipe to all things pleasant and agreeable. I also think the look is appealing because it only focuses on necessity, and leaves out the clutter. It also appeals to the GO BIG OR GO HOME motto that AB HOME thrives on. What do you think about the NEW look of country?

Posted: August 25, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to achieve a well appointed home by Interior designer Amanda Gates

Ever wonder what makes a home special? Probably not. But have you ever been in a home that felt special? When a home has the {it} factor, it’s typically in the details. A well appointed home takes you that much further. It entices the senses, encourages curiosity, and enlightens our spirits. It just feels good, and you may not know why.

In my opinion there are 5 distinct things you can add to your own home to make it feel right, and ooze the {it} factor for a well appointed home:

Source

Collections. Having a collection gives the homeowner personal gratification, but also gives guests a window into your interest’s and makes things personal. For example, when you go into a person’s home and you see their beautiful art collection, you are drawn to them, and learn something new about them that you may not have known.

Evan Lewis

A well appointed home focuses on details. So when you are decorating your home always pay attention to the details. For example, details are what take this ordinary martini table from Evan L into something extraordinary.

Eric Henderson

Balance and Scale. When a home has balance it feels right. It is comfortable, and easy on the eyes to read. Symmetry in my opinion is the only way to approach design. {Remember students, my opinion is the only one that counts…} It has a harmony to it that just feels right, and helps tune out the chaos in everyday life.

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A well appointed home takes every surface into consideration. The floor, the ceiling, the walls, and everything in between. This goes back to balance and harmony, but essentially all your senses should be enticed. A home should encourage excitement, and drama, comfort, and curiosity.

Source

And finally a well appointed home never overlooks the simple luxuries that make a home glamourous for your lifestyle. Having the things you love surround you, allows the home to live and breathe you. These simple things make life enjoyable and allow you to live with purpose and conviction, and this brings everything together. The details, collections, balance and surfaces come alive, when they are simple luxuries that speak to you, and the way you live.

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Posted: August 23, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Glamour | luxury | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

7 killer resources to shop like a designer

Ever wonder why a designer can find the coolest things? And somehow, the homes we design just look different, but you can’t put your thumb on it? Someway we find the most unique furniture, unusual accessories, lamps, art, etc, that you just can’t seem to find. I know, we are just special in that way. Well it’s because we have been trained by the CIA in a secret laboratory, and given classified information on a hand shake that only we know…. oooor it’s because it’s our job to present the best to you. We thrive on acceptance, and validating approval from you our devoted clients, because we love it when our magic creation makes you happy. {But I am certain it’s the secret handshake.}

Christopher Guy

I am here to tell you, handshake aside {although a snazzy hand swing, jiggle, or jim-jam, of the wrist never hurt advancement here in our office}, we have our trusty go-to’s at AB HOME that always make us look like rockstars, superstars and everything in between…cause that’s how we roll!

Pal and Smith

This company has the most amazing collection of furniture, lighting, wallpaper, lighting, and rugs. A true go-to, for all things unique, and special.

Elizabeth Bauer

Elizabeth has a wide selection of ordinary pieces with a twist. Bright colors, unusual shapes, and always a surprise ending!

Christopher guy

This line is the BEST line of furnishings when you are looking for high-end tradition with an alice-in-wonderland interpretation. His pieces are over exaggerated, distinct and exclusive. Nothing says designer like Christopher guy.

Bungalow 5

This line was developed by a group of designers and architects out of New York. They have so many awesome pieces that are stylish, unusual and super fun colors.

oly studios

This line is a true favorite. The collection is the epitome of California cool and classic. It mixes raw woods, patina finishes, and oozes cool, easy style.

Shine everyday

Everyone could use a little more bling in their life, right? This line is fashion forward, multifaceted and offers numerous unexpected surprises, even capable of wowing your mother-in-law!

Lee Industries

I cannot say enough about this upholstery line. We use it again, and again, and again. It is the most consistent upholstery line I have ever used in quality, lead times, and customer satisfaction. I have client’s that have LEE pieces they purchased thirty years ago, and still love them. Everyone who has a LEE piece loves it, and I have yet to receive a chair, or sofa that wasn’t ridiculously comfortable!

Don’t forget these favorite posts, to help you shop at your favorite stores, like a rockstar.

How to design a room like an expert

How to select the right lamps

How to design a room on a budget

Where to go shopping in Atlanta

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Posted: August 20, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: ab home design | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to take charge of your laundry room with these 7 easy steps

Laundry rooms are often the last source for inspiration, so few homeowner’s put effort into making them special. But talk to any mom with a house full of kids, pets, and various other “life” happenings, and they will tell you that they do some serious laundry!

source

When designing a laundry room it is important to get the necessities in, and make it functional, but why not make it inspirational, and inviting? If you walked into the room above to do your laundry, wouldn’t you be a little more excited to spend your day there?

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Last Friday I met with some homeowners who have two kids. They do two to three loads of laundry a day, and share their laundry room with the powder room. It is a very small space. The toilet and door touch, and in order to get to the bi-fold doors, that house the washer and dryer, they have to walk around the door and shut themselves into the room….amidst a pile of clothes consuming the floor like Jabba the hut, just to do laundry. How do you think they feel about doing laundry? {Not real good.} It is a hassle, hard to move, and a challenge not to trip and fall with so much chaos. This is not a functional and happy place. But I see this ALL the time. And few people want to invest in a place that no one sees, and does such hard, and dirty labor. Remember that post I just did on a glamourous life? Well it is the simply luxuries, like a fabulous laundry room, that make life glamourous.

So what can you do to make your space better?

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1) Plan your room carefully. Think about how you use the space. How much room do you have? Can you expand the space? How can you make the space better?

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2) Give yourself as much storage as the space will allow, no matter how unique your storage needs are or little the space is. You can never have too much! Think about how you will use the space and how you can make it better.

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3) Choose lighting that is appropriate for the room. Don’t use harsh lighting if you don’t need it and use fixtures that make a beautiful room. Layer your light, and put everything on dimmers. Laundry is not rocket science. If it has been a long day, you just need a little light to start the load, and a little light to fold. ( I went to Arizona a few years ago, chandeliers and sconces were in laundry rooms everywhere and I thought it made a beautiful and unexpected surprise!)

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4) Add electronics to your space like a TV, or a place to sit and do work on the computer. These distractions can double as entertainment, and make doing laundry a little more fun. Especially if you can catch up on that guilty pleasure that you swear you don’t watch!

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5) ALWAYS put in the biggest utility sink you can. It needs to be as deep as possible, and prepared to handle war!

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6) If possible add a built-in ironing board or have a place to put one. Few people iron anymore, but it nice to have one when you need it, and they don’t take up a lot of room.

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7) Combine the room with something you love. Don’t let the extra room go to waste. It can double as a craft room, office, homework station, reading spot, TV room, etc. A client came to me with this photo above three years ago. They were building a custom house and she loved scrap booking so we duplicated this room down to the tile. Because the room is so colorful and fun she LOVED being in here! Can you blame her?

What are some things you could add to your laundry room? How can you make it better?

And remember there are no rules when doing laundry! Unless you do it in public….

Source

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Posted: August 18, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Laundry rooms | color | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

5 things for a glamourous life

“Everything you want should be yours: the type of work you want; the relationships you need;

the social, mental, and aesthetic stimulation that will make you happy and fulfilled;
the money you require for the lifestyle you want; and any requirement that you may need

for achievement to service others. If you don’t aim for it all, you’ll never get it all.

To aim for it requires that you know what you want” ~ Richard Koch

After reading this beautiful quote it reminded me how important a true lifestyle is. Not all the fancy schmancy things, the little things. What makes a lifestyle truly glamourous and rich?

1) Travel- Always be spontaneous and break habits.

2) Take up a hobby. Learn japanese, take guitar lessons. Do something you never thought you could.

3) Add more fresh flowers to your life. They are God’s gift to us, and they will brighten your day.

4) Buy the best linens you can afford. We spend half our live’s in bed, make them count. And yes that pun was intended! They are the epitome of luxury, and the best night’s sleep, which we all need.

5) Be good to yourself, Laugh often and look for inspiration in everything you do because you will need it to service others.

Travel

Take up a hobby

Fresh flowers

Fine linens

Be good to yourself, laugh often, and always remember that your worst

day CAN be your best day if it equals change.

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Like decorating but don’t know where to start? Want to learn the insiders secrets, tips and tricks? Sign up for Design Strategies 101! (August classes are sold out! Sign up today to reserve your seat for September,

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Posted: August 16, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Glamour | Lifestyle | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to win friends and influence your designer

It is no surprise that our industry is constantly changing. Thus, the reason for so many posts in the blogosphere that designers are never able to do their own homes. Any one of us will tell you that when a client walks in our doors we can pull their project together in a snap. We know exactly what it is they need, and how to get it. But when it came to designing my own home, I completely fell flat. How is this possible I thought? I have 12 years of experience and most jobs I can do in my sleep! I am an expert at creating magic through design, and getting results that even Houdini couldn’t master. Magical tae-kwon-do design has become my specialty. So why is it that none of us can design our own homes? With so many products coming into the market that indulge our senses, and wow us it is no wonder that we get A.D.D when it comes to our own spaces. So with one hand buried in office paper work and the other delving through the industry pulse for the top must haves, here are my top pick’s that will help you win friends, and influenece your designer.

Includes but not limited to:

1) Cree LED CR6 Down light

Cree LED CR6 Down light

Why is this fixture so special? Two reasons. This 6″ recessed LED downlight fits into any standard recessed lighting can, (including the Halo H7, which is THE most common housing unit for new construction homes) and replaces your old 6″ 75/100W, known as the builder standard for decades! Why is this good? This drops your energy costs significantly. This fixture uses 10.5W and delivers the same light output as a 65W bulb! The second reason this fixture is awesome? Two of my clients have listened to my podcast:

with Lori Sawaya and Kelly Berg, and knew immediately that instead of replacing all of there fixtures they would recycle the ones they had, and replace them with this greener option. It is so awesome to be a rockstar-even if I just play one on this blog!

2) Lutron’s Wireless Occupancy Sensor

The Lutron occupancy sensor automatically turns lights on when a room is occupied and off when a room is vacant. So what’s in it for you? Increased convenience, Substantial energy savings and Compliance with building energy codes. I always plan on putting Lutron Dimmer’s throughout a house ( they provide up to 60% savings to your energy bill AND decrease your carbon footprint, see chart above) but adding these sensors are a perfect solution to a house full of busy professional’s, kids, friends and family who may otherwise leave the lights on!

3) Sanyo’s HIT power solar panels

Most of us think that Sanyo just sell’s T.V’s and appliances, right? Nope, they are way more advanced than that. They are just a bunch of good ol’ hippies trying to save the planet and hug a tree. The HIT Power solar module’s are the most advanced of their kind. They offer improved efficiency and energy output, and more power per square foot than ever before. As president of Sanyo’s U.S. energy system technologies Charles Hanasaki is quoted:

“The industry has advanced to the point where home and property owners understand that the solar energy solutions they purchase will not only reap them enticing tax credits and environmental incentives, it will be working for 25 to 30 years to virtually eliminate their monthly electric bills,” added Hanasaki

Seriously folks, this is the future. Remember the Birkenstock wearing, granola crunching hippies from the 70′s? How they preached about free love and saving the planet? Well it finally caught up us! So grab a cliff bar, and let’s find some nubby trees to grab a hold of with moon beam and sunshine and share some free love, AND energy savings!

4) Tabrasa

Tabrasa is an idea paint offered through MDC wall coverings. It is a high-performance, dry-erase paint that transforms any space into an idea/communication platform. This paint can be used not only in commercial spaces, but in residential applications as well. How cool is this for the kiddo’s? Drawing on the walls was never this much fun, especially with fruit scented markers!

5) USF Contract

This floor company, USF contract, offers cork and bamboo that is not only great to look at, but are durable and available in an array of color options. Bamboo hues, their newest line is sustainable, durable and also certified by green guard! The great thing about this line is that it is commercially rated. Think your kids are tough on things? This floor can withstand a heard of elephants and a crowd at Circus, Circus in Las Vegas, so let little Jimmy run wild on skates, don’t worry the floor can handle it!

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Posted: August 14, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: LED lighting | color podz | going green | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

6 people everyone needs to know for colour

Today in my inbox I received this great article from Sherwin Williams about color. The article, Material color: When color takes the driver’s seat, discusses how integral color is to the design process. “Color is always an important part of any design process, but it’s important to be judicious- sometimes subtly or boldly.” I cannot agree more.

When designing a home, I always start with color. Questions I will ask-What is the story that the client is trying to achieve? What is the feeling they want to accomplish? Does the architecture speak to me in unusual ways? But most importantly-What is the client’s lifestyle, and what inspires them. A great example of inspiration is a post, The little things by Anne from Annechovie. She shows what pieces speak to her and how they make her happy. Another post on eye candy sure to inspire is Sassy, by Deliciously Organized. I also look to beautiful photos to jump start my creative color ideas:

Nathan Turner via Everything LEB

Decor Demon

Clark County Parade of homes

Clark county Parade of homes

Right off the bat, the article states: “… color inspiration can be drawn from something as inconsequential as a pebble to something as forceful as a mountain range.” -Amy Kim

In my opinion everything in an interior is an integral part of making the recipe work, but without the right color, the space lacks character and ambiance. ~Amanda Burdge

Want help on your next project? Having difficulty with choosing the right color? Here are some excellent reads you can’t miss on everything you need to KNOW about

Colour:

Colorbudz by Lori Sawaya

Arte Styling By Kelly Berg

Color Marie by Marie Brady

Color Sizzle by Kelly Porter

Hue by Rachel Perls

Colour Me happy by Maria Killam

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Posted: August 11, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: color | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to incorporate a classic by Amanda Gates, Brentwood TN Designer

Made by girl

Black and White is neither created nor destroyed. Like a Chanel suit,

it is a classic, ever present today, as it was yesterday.

I love all things black and white. And those of you who follow this blog,

or know me, know how desperately addicted I am to this graphic pop.

Paloma 81

Black and white spaces create graphic pop because white expands, and black recedes. Put

them together with a bright summer hue of pink, yellow, blue, green or any other bright color,

and it instantly captures your eye, and interest.

Lynn Morgan

Another interesting fact about black and white is that it is perpetually held as the most chic and stylish combination. Whether combined in fashion, or in interiors, it is always stylish and elegant.

Made by Girl

Black and White interiors always look sleek, fresh, and stylish. Many people I work with think that they cannot get away with using a black and white color scheme because it is often shown in a contemporary setting. But black and white is essentially a neutral, and goes with everything,

like the photos shown below.

water leaf interiors

Sherrill Canet

Black and white is the easiest and most versatile neutral to work with in your home if you are looking for a new twist, or update. It can go from the extreme and over stated, like below

Geoffrey Bradfield

Or classically understated in a snap!

Bonesteel Trout Hall

Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury. Fashion fades, only true style remains the same and a woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed. ~ Coco Chanel

Nothing could be more true than the way we live. Be authentic, love completely and surround yourself with a lifestyle of indulgence; even if fulfillment comes from a $2 dollar trinket.

~ Amanda Burdge

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Posted: August 9, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | black and white interiors, classic design 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

5 super simple things to update your dining room by Amanda Gates

Inspiration Board

Ever wonder what simple things you can do to update one of the spaces in your home? As a big “D” wading through the mud of a fabulous and inspiring new economy, I am approached with this question pretty much everyday. How can I get an incredible new look, on a shoestring budget?
After meeting with a client that I adore, we decided to do just this. She has a wonderful loft space here in downtown Nashville, and she was tired of her existing traditional space. To spice things up I decided on a very eclectic, and collected look based on the
inspiration board she created. (shown above)

She has wonderful built-in bookshelves, like the ones shown below, but many of her pieces were dated and did not suit her lifestyle or personality. Her board was fun, imaginative, and spicy. And if you knew her, you would see that this board suited her perfectly. Karen is a free thinking, singer song writing rock and roll junkie, with twigs in her jet black hair, and in my book a modern day Jean Harlow hippie. Freaking awesome!

Credit

Her jumping off point was this Valentino photo above. This photo encompasses everything she loves. In her words to describe it: High Fashion, Titillating couture, Old world, Valentino red, Style, Sophistication, Chic chic, Glamour, and relaxed luxury.

One of the most exciting things about her space is the wall to ceiling bookshelves. It adds an unexpected focal point, that is dramatic and eye catching. Libraries are essentially a collection of books that add sophistication, refinement, and exude culture and experience, just like Valentino. So we combined her library and dining area into one large space so the table could double for a book research surface, and a fabulous dining experience.

So what are 5 super simple things you can do to update your dining room?
1) Replace your captains chairs with something fresh. Either reupholster the ones you have
or purchase new ones.
2) Add a new chandelier. The one above adds an incredible pop of color, and va-va voom for less
than $400 bucks.
3) Add candle light to your table top. Hurricanes are gorgeous accessories in the day time and create a
wonderful glow in the evening when the candles are lit. And remember the AB HOME credo:
Go Big or Go Home. Buy hurricanes that make a statement, and add tremendous weight to your table!
4) Purchase a new rug or layer a new rug on top of your existing one. Both will add a new element
of depth and texture, and bring in some much needed color and style.
5) Fresh flowers. I cannot say enough about fresh flowers. Your home is your haven, make it inviting.
There is no better way to welcome your guests, then to add fresh roses, lillies, peonies or
any one of your favorite flowers on the table.

Like what you see above? Here is our shopping list of items we used:

Items in this set

	Amazon.com: Gaiam Recycled Plastic Reversible All-Weather Indoor/Outdoor Ru… $89 - amazon.com
	Beach Rug AT064 Black / Ivory Boardwalk Stripes Rug – AT064BKIY $155 - csnrugs.com
	smoke chair $4,301 - hivemodern.com
	Roxy Euphoria 9 Light Polished Chrome Chandelier with Red Lucite Jewel Ligh… $329 - homedepot.com
	dining tables abchome.com
	Williams-Sonoma Home \| Campo De Fiori Aged Terracotta Hurricanes $135 - wshome.com
	book lovers never go to bed alone bookshelves.tumblr.com
	Elegant Flower Arrangements, Orchid Arrangements, Unique Floral Arrangement… katrinaparrisflowers.com Need design help from an experienced design professional with over 12 years experience? Want to work with someone who listens to your needs and sticks to your budget? Call our office for a design consultation that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @ 615-750-2763 Like decorating but don’t know where to start? Want to learn the insiders secrets, tips and tricks? Sign up for Design Strategies 101! (August classes are sold out! Sign up today to reserve your seat for September) Are you a designer in the Nashville area looking for mentorship in a nurturing environment? Want to learn the ins and outs of the business that school didn’t provide? Sign up for Designer Bootcamp to learn the skills necessary to be a true design professional! Don’t forget to follow us on twitter! And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage! Graphics and shopping program

Posted: August 6, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: dining room | high style | how to purchase | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Words for everyone to live by. Written by Nashville designer, Amanda Gates

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Cheekwood, a beautiful historic estate in Nashville. ”The history and origin of Cheekwood are intimately interwoven with the growth of Nashville, the Maxwell House coffee brand and the Cheeks, one of the city’s early entrepreneurial families.”

If you ever visit Nashville it is a must see. They are currently showcasing the beautiful and aw inspiring art of Dale Chihuly:

After visiting I was so inspired by Chihuly’s unorthodox vision, and creativity. A true “out-of-the-box” thinker. I could not believe the way this garden estate had been transformed. Then I ran across Erica Goldsen’s valedictorian speech from June, and it gave me hope that true art and creativity will not be stifled with such visionaries coming into our future! Dale is a thinker, a dreamer, and an explorer, just like Erica.

Erica’s words:

“…..And now here I am in a world guided by fear, a world suppressing the uniqueness that lies inside each of us, a world where we can either acquiesce to the inhuman nonsense of corporatism and materialism or insist on change. We are not enlivened by an educational system that clandestinely sets us up for jobs that could be automated, for work that need not be done, for enslavement without fervency for meaningful achievement. We have no choices in life when money is our motivational force. Our motivational force ought to be passion, but this is lost from the moment we step into a system that trains us, rather than inspires us.

We are more than robotic bookshelves, conditioned to blurt out facts we were taught in school. We are all very special, every human on this planet is so special, so aren’t we all deserving of something better, of using our minds for innovation, rather than memorization, for creativity, rather than futile activity, for rumination rather than stagnation? We are not here to get a degree, to then get a job, so we can consume industry-approved placation after placation. There is more, and more still.

We are thinkers, dreamers, explorers, artists, writers, engineers. We are anything we want to be – but only if we have an educational system that supports us rather than holds us down. A tree can grow, but only if its roots are given a healthy foundation.

Erica goldsen

Coxsackie-athens high school 2010 graduating class valedictorian speech

Comment: The following speech was delivered by top of the class student Erica Goldson during the graduation ceremony at Coxsackie-Athens High School on June 25, 2010

“Dale Chihuly is most frequently lauded for revolutionizing the studio glass movement by expanding its original premise of the solitary artist working in a studio environment to encompass the notion of collaborative teams and a division of labor within the creative process. However, Chihuly’s contribution extends well beyond the boundaries both of this movement and even the field of glass: his achievements have influenced contemporary art in general. Chihuly’s practice of using teams has led to the development of complex, multipart sculptures of dramatic beauty that place him in the leadership role of moving blown glass out of the confines of the small, precious object and into the realm of large-scale contemporary sculpture.

Chihuly’s spectacular creations are found in more than 200 museums worldwide including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Garden exhibitions of his work have been mounted at the New York Botanical Garden, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. For more information about Dale Chihuly and his art, please visit www.chihuly.com. ” Cheekwood

Continue to be inspired, free thinkers, and refuse to conform. We are more than robotic bookshelves, conditioned to blurt out facts we were taught in school. We are all very special, every human on this planet is so special!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter!

And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!

Posted: August 5, 2010 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

The Ritz-Carlton Mystique

“We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen.”

The Ritz-Carlton motto

Credit

The Ritz-Carlton is a high-end luxury brand hotel that has 71 properties located all over the U.S, and has 23 resorts worldwide. The best part about this luxury brands’ business philosophy is it’s impeccable service. Little did I know, the Ritz-Carlton has a Learning Institute and Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center that trains future employees and execs in the Ritz-Carlton principles of service.
According to it’s gold standards principles:

“The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is a place where the genuine care and comfort of our guests is our highest mission. We pledge to provide the finest personal service and facilities for our guests who will always enjoy a warm, relaxed, yet refined ambience. The Ritz-Carlton experience enlivens the senses, instills well-being, and fulfills even the unexpressed wishes and needs of our guests.”

Credit

This past weekend I had the pleasure of staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida and experiencing the gold standard of hospitality. I have always been a fan of luxury hotels, but never have I experienced service that is “The Ritz way.”

Lobby:

The name Ritz-Carlton dates back to the Hôtel Ritz Paris and the Carlton Hotel in London, both operated by the legendary hotelier César Ritz. Loosely related hotels bearing the Ritz name began to appear in North America, including the Ritz-Carlton Montreal in 1912 and the Ritz-Carlton Boston in 1927. The Ritz-Carlton Boston was an immediate success, and became an enduring paragon of high society. In 1983, after two ownership transitions, the expansion of the Boston operation into a worldwide chain of Ritz-Carlton hotels began, headed by hotelier Horst Schulze and developer William B. Johnson.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company currently has 32,000 employees! Source

The photo above is me standing at the entrance fountain at 9:30 in the morning, waiting for the shuttle to take me to the beach. Little did I know, the shuttle wasn’t coming for another half hour. Where is that gold standard when I need it? If I want to go to the beach at 9:30, dammit, I want to go now!

Ok, all is good, this is me at 10:30. Now that I have my feet up in a cozy lounger, and a Ritz blue umbrella over my head, I am queen for a day. Ahhhhh.

The main hotel is located in downtown Sarasota,(on you guessed it,) Ritz-Carlton Blvd, perfectly perched on the bay. This is the view from the 9th floor:

But having one location just wouldn’t do. So the Ritz purchased a parcel of land located directly on the gulf, on Lido beach that houses their private residences, restaurant, second pool, and beach front property.

Seriously, does it get any better than this? This (photo above) is the private beach/pool club for Ritz guests and residences. It is approximately 3 miles from the main hotel located downtown. Thus the reason for me having to WAIT for the shuttle. And note to self, you can drive your own car to the beach club if you are impatient like me. If you prefer to take the shuttle it arrives every hour on the hour at the downtown location, and every half hour on the half hour at the beach club.

Source

I have always loved Florida and all it has to offer. The weather, the beaches on the gulf, and shopping are bar none. But now that I have experienced Florida and the Ritz Mystique, I will definitely be going back. If you have never stayed at a Ritz I highly recommend that you do. The hotel and grounds were incredible, the food and ambience amazing, but the service and staff were remarkable, and made the trip memorable and extraordinary! For more info on this luxurious hotel, click here!

Need design help from an experienced design professional with over 12 years experience? Want to work with someone who listens to your needs and sticks to your budget? Call our office for a design consultation that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @ 615-750-2763

Like decorating but don’t know where to start? Want to learn the insiders secrets, tips and tricks? Sign up for Design Strategies 101! (August classes are sold out! Sign up today to reserve your seat for September)

Are you a designer in the Nashville area looking for mentorship in a nurturing environment? Want to learn the ins and outs of the business that school didn’t provide? Sign up for Designer Bootcamp to learn the skills necessary to be a true design professional!