Scarlett

Similar to my love of spectacular painted doors is my fascination of staircases. Blame it on Scarlett O’hara from Gone with the Wind, Rose Bukater from Titanic or Shelly Long of Money Pitt. In my opinion, stairs have definite architectural attitude. They really set the stage (pun intended) for a beautiful space. Stairs give so much stylish personality to a room. Nothing can add high fashion drama like a grand staircase of carved wood at the entrance of a home. And nothing can add more drama than a glass and metal staircase artfully designed and crafted in the middle of a loft.

Titanic stairs

Rarely does a home with a staircase lack commotion. Stairs add movement, interest and sensational excitement better than any Picasso painting. Here are a few show stoppers that make my heart skip a beat:

Wood stairs

Shall I say more? These beauties are as sexy as they come. Could I saunter down them with grace as Scarlett would? Um, if a face plant is considered gracious, but I could set up my lawn chair and stare at these all day.

Wood stairs

Maybe I am stretching this a bit, but I think we could tune these up to play music. Just gorgeous. Simple and sensational!

Wood stairs

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wood and glass stairs

Words cannot describe…utterly gorgeous!

Wood stairs

And sometimes it just doesn’t get any better than the original! Here the remodel stopped at the stairs and the homeowners left them to shine in all their original glory.

What are your thoughts on stairs?

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Images: Gallery 4, titantic, bearnna akkedd, room for court, We hear it, wood and glass stairs (unknown), blissfulb

Home sizer

If I had a dollar, (no let’s make it twenty dollars) for every person that came to me with an incorrect budget, ( thanks home decorating shows!) I’d be a gazillionaire. Now, I realize that I am in the design business and eat, sleep and breathe design, but when I want to buy a new set of tires for my car I don’t show up at the store and scream at the technician because I only want to spend a hundred dollars on four beautiful new tires. I know and understand that everything has an average cost, so before I head out the door, I do my research. I look online, I look in the paper and I go out to stores that sell tires, that way I have a solid foundation of tire knowledge before I buy. Unfortunately, most homeowners turn on the trusted home decorating show, and armed with nothing more than an idea and false numbers they decide they are ready to start a project. Perfectly innocent, right? Well not exactly. Call me crazy, but if I am going to make an investment on something, I’d like to be prepared for the cost, ALL OF IT,  and budget accordingly.

research

Remodeling, renovations, new builds, and room redo’s are no different. In fact, my staff and I do a wonderful FREE seminar twice a year at the local Brentwood library discussing this very topic; and most likely so do other professionals in your area. But despite all the information that is out there,  I have had one homeowner after another overzealous about wanting to remodel or redo a room, not realizing that their excitement is really a misconception with unrealistic funds….. Great, we are experts in remodeling and design but we are not experts in fairy dust and black magic, otherwise known as Home decorating shows. humph!

Due to our wonderful economy it is difficult for many homeowners to sell or buy a new home, so many homeowners opt to redo their existing home. However, don’t expect to remodel your entire house for twenty thousand dollars. Yes, that is a lot of money. According to HGTV it’s like a million. But the average bathroom remodel costs $17,000. The average Kitchen remodel is $15,000-$25,000 (a larger kitchen can easily be $30,000-$45,000) and the average room redo starts at $15,000. Yup you read that correctly! And your trusted decorating show never includes the cost of labor, which can easily be half of the overall budget.

Home remodel

Most homeowners don’t realize the process of a remodel or room redo. There are a lot of trades, product and people involved in that process, and all of it costs $MONEY$. And lord knows it adds up quickly!  I have this conversation with homeowners time and time again and I sense they think I am crazy. I mean who is HGTV or DIY network to lie. Right? Well Karen over at Strictly Simple Style , an amateur DIY’er herself, just wrote a lovely post, Home decorating shows may be hazardous to your budget. And Lauren Liess of Pure Style home eloquently examined and explained home decorating costs in her article, Reality check: What it really costs to furnish a home. (Both are terrific resources if you planning a project.)

Everything has an average cost, and we professionals don’t have the ability to change those costs in order to squeeze everything in that you need. (although for years I certainly tried!) In fact what would generally happen in my case, is that I would cut my self short, work ridiculous hours, utilize my resources, office paraphernalia and staff trying to make things happen for a project, and despite all my efforts what was my reward? Thousands of dollars lost, no profit, and angry clients who didn’t get what they wanted. (And they could care less about the efforts my team put forward to TRY to make it happen. All my client would see was that WE fell SHORT, not the budget) Why? Because we mistakenly gave them a glimmer of hope that it could be done. It took a long time, a very bad economy, and Mr Burdge getting laid off five times between 2008 and 2009 for me to finally realize that my desperate need to make  everyone happy and thinking everyone deserves good design was NOT good for business. I had serious bills to pay and obligations to meet. I almost had to file for bankruptcy because we kept giving it away and often times we were so far in the negative on a project, essentially we were paying the client for their project.  NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS. Yes there are varying costs and always competition, but at the end of the day most items are within an average price range, true story!

Here are a few examples of jobs we have done to help give you some guidelines on job costs:

Bathroom:

Bathroom by AB HOME Interiors

Cabinet-$2500

Undermount sinks-$350

Widespread Faucets-$639

Granite Counters-$1000

Solid wood doors- $1500

Flooring-$1800

Shower tile-$1500

Toilet-$300

Shower fixtures-$1500

Hardware-$600

Paint-$300

Mirrors-$250

$12,239

With just the items listed we are already at $12K and we haven’t even gotten to the labor costs-which most shows on TV never disclose. They apparently have untapped resources of hard working fairies and trolls that like to work for free.Depending on the area you live in a general contractor will charge between $6,000-$12,000 for labor. What does that include? They are in charge of tearing out your 23 year old bathroom and replacing it with a brand new one that works properly, and passes codes for you and your family’s safety. And don’t ask your contractor his opinion on the faucet finish or which granite looks best. That’s not their job, and most contractors get fidgety when you put them on the spot with a design question. That’s where I come in. It’s my job to help you make all the right selections and turn your ordinary bathroom into something incredible; unfortunately I can’t work for free (Harley eats a lot of kitty food, and needs a lot, and Im mean a lot of toys!). Now I am known for doing some pretty fuzzy math, ( I mean let’s face it, I’m a designer not a calculator) but by the looks of things…um, we are already at $20,000+. So it doesn’t look like we will be able to s-q-u-e-e-z-e that kitchen in after all….

Large Kitchen:

Kitchen by AB HOME Interiors

Cabinets-$23,000

Stainless sink-$1500

Faucet-$750

Island faucet-$350

Granite-$7000

Doors-$2300

Floors-$4300

Appliances$10,000

Pendants-$1200

Paint-$750

Custom Barstools-$4300

$55,000

This is considered a larger kitchen than most. But already we are at $55,000.  Add in the cost of trades, contractor and myself and this remodel could easily get upwards to $75,000. Yup, you read that correctly! So that indigenous $20,000 can’t even get us started.

Room redo:

Room redo of a living room

Chairs: $2400

Side table: $350

Lamp: $340

Art: $399

Cocktail table: $1500

Sofa: $2600

Area rug: $999

Corner leather Chair (not shown): $1500

Drapes not shown: $1700

Drapery hardware: $476

Console not shown: $1299

Retile fireplace with glass: $600

Labor for tear out and install: $500

Accessories: $750

$15,413

This room was a simple redo. No major remodel other than the fireplace. The gentleman (a bachelor) just wanted the place to feel homey and less like a dude lived there. We got rid of all his furniture, replaced it with new furniture, added drapes to soften the window and easy accessories that he could live with. We ordered a few things from our own sources and purchased others at local furniture stores. Most of the items listed above are true average costs of those items. This is not high end by any means. And yes we could certainly find several of these items for a lower dollar amount…but when working with a professional you must remember the AVERAGE COST of things. Average equals EASY TO FIND. Deals and steals take time to find. Lots of it. If we are working on a project with little to no budget, it can take us three to four months to get the room complete because that is how long it takes us to find things at a price point that suits the client. And guess what? That is three to four months of our time that you are paying us to find an item that could have gone towards the sofa you really wanted at an AVERAGE cost. By the time we add in my design fee, tax and shipping costs we are now right around $20k.

So what is it about $20,000? I can’t say exactly, but it seems to be the magic number that everyone comes in with, that they’re prepared to spend, and I suppose they hope it will be enough to get the whole house done. I like to call it the stretchies. Hold your breath, and hope on a wing and a prayer that it  s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-s as large as panty hose on a fence, or in this case an entire house remodel.

Remodel

Think it’s not worth it to remodel? Well if your home is more than 15 years old, it’s time for some updating. Why? Because the longer you wait, the more expensive the changes in your future will cost. Think you don’t need to? Think again. On average most homeowners do some type of home improvement project every two years. If procrastination and lack of skill are keeping you out of the sawdust, hire someone who can help. Otherwise, you’ll be in a world of hurt in 25 years when your house looks like 1976 and the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t. Those buyers will pass up your house and go straight to the ones that require the least amount of work. People have busy lives and little funds after buying a home, so remodeling is not high on the priority list after their purchase. If you are thinking about a remodel or room redo, study up, do research on costs in your area, and familiarize yourself with the average costs of the items you need. That way you’ll be better prepared, and know exactly what you are gettin’ into-and I can avoid the sad pitiful eyes you give me because I’m not stocked up on magical pixie dust to make your dreams come true.

Here are a few more examples to help you prepare for your next project:

Kitchen

Kitchen before remodel, by AB HOME

Kitchen remodel after, by AB HOME

This kitchen is more of a lipstick job. What does that mean exactly? The client didn’t have the money to rip out all the cabinets and replace them. So we bought inexpensive appliances, purchased granite counters, replaced the floors, repainted, updated the hardware, and ripped out the exisiting island and replaced it with a more decorative option to make the kitchen feel larger. Total cost for this lipstick job: $12,387

Master Bathroom:

Bathroom before remodel by AB HOME

Bathroom remodel after, by AB HOME

This was a complete gut job. The original bathroom was 20 years old, and visibly tired. We kept the original footprint but bought all new surfaces, and angled the shower for visual interest and easier usage. With the new bathroom came better storage, and more function for the homeowners busy lives. Cost of this remodel? $24,665

Dining room:

Dining room before

Dining room after

This homeowner hired me to help select all the finishes. Lighting, paint, tile, counters, cabinets etc. When the house was complete he decided that he wanted to hire us to furnish it. The table conceals a poker table. The chairs, draperies and console are custom. And we hired a special art team to come in and professionally hang all the art. Total cost of this dining room: $17,800

Remodeling or redoing a room is a very exciting process. It allows you to customize your home to your exact specifications, and make selections preferable to you. While the infinite details can seem daunting, the end results far out weigh the construction process and applicable costs. But it breaks my heart when I have a homeowner in front of me ready to get started on ten rooms, knowing full well when I hear what they want to spend, ( ~we have $20,000!!!~) isn’t any where close to what they will have to spend on those ten rooms. And the same goes for a room redo. Furniture is expensive, and so are the 100 other items that go into that room to make it complete. Twenty thousand can cover the cost of ONE room redo, but not three rooms, and rarely covers the cost of a full blown remodel. So what on earth are you suppose to do? Plan, research, do your homework and get familiar with the items you want to use in your project. Get the lay of the land before you jump on the idea of doing your whole house for a few thousand dollars. Trust me it will always be disappointing if you don’t. Aside from many great seminars that are out there, look online and if you have a smart phone look through the available apps!

Homesizer by Armchair design

There are hundreds to choose from but you can only imagine my excitement when I discovered a brand new app by Arm Chair design called homesizer.  This app helps you determine an accurate budget for your next project by allowing you to put in the precise dimensions of your room, and you can select the room to be remodeled or redone!! I put in some of the projects listed above and homesizer was within a few thousand dollars on all of them.  If you are looking to remodel, or revamp a room I would highly recommend using this app to help get a guideline of cost. It’s quick and easy and when you start researching products, you won’t be dumbfounded by the costs of things. Do research online, consult with a professional and do your homework. The better prepared you are the smoother and more enjoyable the process.

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images by: home sizer, bodie and fou,buck brothers

Firehose

One of the things that I adore about Etsy is the enormous amount of originality found in one place. Etsy strives to give every artisan a platform to show off their stuff and make money doing it! Today as I perused everyones shops I found this incredible bench, made entirely of fire hoses from 1963 and 1964. What is unique about these fire hoses is that they are made from linen. Today’s hoses are made of polyester-probably because it isn’t flammable!

Rusty old bench before

Now I can’t say that if I saw this bench, I would be singing in excitement thinking of all the marvelous things it could become. But Lindsey from Goodtimejunkin, in San Antonio, saw raw potential and turned an ordinary Chevy pickup bench seat into a clever piece of Americana! Antique fire hoses and all!

Rusty old bench after

According to Lindsey: “For me, hitting the road with good friends and good music, finding good food, and meeting good people along the way, all to find really, really good junk, is simply my idea of a good time. Happy Junkin!” Well I couldn’t agree more. Seeing the before and afters definitely solidifies her passion for junk to treasure obsession. And seriously, how cool would this be for the fireman in your life?

If you were given antique fire hoses what would you do with them?

Harley the Cat

“Clearly you have never met me. I am a connoisseur of creature comforts…in other words I don’t work with horses, especially if it involves fire!” ~ Harley

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Getting organized

A couple of weeks ago we kicked off a conversation about organization. We gave you the best ways to plan, get motivated and help you get the ball rolling. Last week we offered up clever, easy tips for around the house that even I can do. And that’s saying a lot because I may be big boss lady at the office, (at least thats what my t-shitrt says)  but I am as lazy as they come when it comes to the house.  Here are a few more great ideas I have come across to keep us on the organization track!

1) Cardboard tubes

Hardware store art

Love this idea. When storage can be decorative and functional it’s a winner. This pic from Country Living offers up a great solution to the entry way clutter we all have. This application can be used in any room of the house, and could also be covered in fabric, or painted to match your home’s existing decor. Super easy to do, easy to use, and fun!

2) Everyday storage

Organized

From fitsu.com, this clever and easy idea could hold desk pins, make-up brushes, paint brushes, and crayons. I love how organic this feels, and that both items provide a necessary use for around the home.

3) A container for everything

Container storage

This idea from Bradens Grace is so simple and looks so great. Clear glass lets you see all your stuff, but gives you the organization you crave. The chalkboard bands add whimsy, and functionality. This could be used in so many different applications like a sewing room, office, kitchen pantry, family room and ….

Cat storage solutions

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images: flickr, things that make you go

Formal dining

Todays family’s are so busy that it is more common to grab a quick meal in the kitchen, rather than the traditional meal at the fancy dining table.  Sit down dinners with family are important, but having a wonderful gathering area in the kitchen makes it easy and casual. I also love that kitchens are no longer closed off from the world, and are generally apart of large great rooms. Once considered a utilitarian eye sore, kitchens today are beautiful works of art, that people like to show off! Here are some of my favorite kitchens, with awesome gathering areas for friends and family.

1) The kitchen Island

The kitchen island

The island is the workhorse of every kitchen. It doubles as a prep area and dining space. Creates great counter surface, symmetry, and allows the cook to work and join in the conversation.

2) The farm table

The farm table

It’s no surprise that every farm in America had a table plopped into the middle of it. They are highly functional and worked over time feeding the family, and making bread. Today’s interpretation of the farm table is no exception. I would take eating at a table in the kitchen like this, any day!

3) The peninsula

The peninsula

Equally as hard working as the island, the peninsula is for the kitchen who just doesn’t have a lot of space. Despite the shortcomings in space, a peninsula is a great gathering spot for quick meals with family. Typically considered more casual than a gathering table, or island dining, it is ideal for meals on the go, and kitchen prep work.

4) The banquette

The kitchen banquette

The most formal of the group, the banquette is super stylish, fits great in small spaces, and can easily accommodate unexpected guests. What I also like about a banquette is it’s versatility. It can be a great place for coffee on a Sunday morning, or a place to cozy up with your spouse in the evening for a sip of wine, and a good meal.

If you could have any of the above kitchen styles which one would you choose?

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Images: high street market, house beautiful, my sweet savannah, life and style, desire to inspire

Etsy chair

One of the best things about being a designer is finding ordinary things, with extraordinary details. This chair, shown above, looks like a simple black linen chair from the front. But turn the sucker around and you have a kaleidoscope of undeniable creativity!

Etsy chair

Um, can you say FAB-U-losity? I have, like, a thousand places I want to place this chair…including but not limited to, my own home!

Etsy chair

Can you stand it? Well this little slice of heaven is from irinaneacsu, (AKA, etsy). She is a freelance architect and designer from Romania. And she just so happens to have a masters in art from Italy…uh, yea, don’t think she needed schooling to get this awesome, but the girl has serious cred, and I am loving her style!

Want to see more of her awesome loot? Click here.

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Last week I discussed ways to help you prepare for your organization in 2011. Without proper preparation, this whole organizational quest will fail and we don’t want that. Today I will show you some clever ideas to put your new organizational skills to work, and help you with some clever ideas to make it easy and fun. Yes, fun!

1) Book storage

Cataloged books by color

If you are like me you love books. I recommend donating the ones that you have read and have no use for, but for the ones you still love, and read again and again, this system is superb and easy to use. With ordinary craft paper wrap your books into categories. Using colored paper for particular categories makes them easy to find, and easy to return. My home decor books are green and cooking is red. So when I see a red covered book from across the room, I know it belongs to cooking. It makes a beautiful display in your bookshelf, and it is a terrific way to stay organized in an easy fashion.

2) Pantry Storage

Pantry organization

Most people have a bermuda triangle when it comes to their pantries. Simple tags from a hardware store  (like this one) can be applied to the shelves of your pantry, helping you keep manageable categories. Even if the categories are a bit messy, as long as you keep like minded products in their general area, it will help you keep stock of what you have and not over buy. I have categories for pastas, crackers, canned foods and an entire shelf for snacks. It is an easy system to keep in place once it is started and it really helps you feel organized. When bad weather strikes I know at a glance which categories are lacking, and what I need to stock up on. OMG! It’s going to snow and I have no candy!

3) Easy office solutions

Easy office organization

We all have binder clips laying around our office. In fact Harley even likes to steal them from my top desk drawer. But binder clips are an easy and effective way to manage cords, with little expense. This keeps everyday cords handy and easily accessible when you need them, instead of crawling around on the floor hunting for them amongst the dust bunnies!

4) Jewelry organizer

Jewerly organizer

Cutlery boxes are an easy thrift store staple that can be found for less than a dollar. With a few coats of paint, scraps of fabric and a few decorative tacks or knobs they can be hung on the wall for a clever way to store jewelry in a decorative and fun way. And they double as artwork! Love that!

What are some fun and easy organizational tips you use?

Harley's attempt at organization

Seriously, who has the time to organize? I have so many more important things to be doing….

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images: the roxie, found, re-nest

Shop sweet lulu's

Purchasing a home brings with it so many exciting emotions, and having a housewarming party is a great introduction to the celebration. So what on earth do you give someone that just purchased their new home? How about firewood? Ok, so not exactly what you had in mind. But before central heat, firewood was an excepted gift to “warm” the house and rid evil spirits from the home. Lucky for us, we now have central air so housewarming gifts no longer require fire, and Sylvia Brown can rid evil spirits, or at least that’s what she claims. Being that I am a designer (mythical creative creatures of imaginary folklore) people often look to me for ideas on what to give as a housewarming gift. Traditionally housewarming gifts are given during a housewarming party and consist of a vase, picture frame, food or wine. While those are nice, they are kinda boring and expected. I like to give gifts that are much more personal and unexpected. As a host, a housewarming party is held to show off her new home and a gift is presented to celebrate the occasion. Here are three of my favorite gifts:

1) Party Kit

Shop sweet lulu's

Homes are a great place to entertain, so why not give the gift of cheer? One of my favorite gifts for a couple is a party kit. Party supplies goes on sale after all major holidays so it is a perfect time to stock up. Select a theme that suits your host and refine your kit accordingly. It could be a cupcake party, Saturday B-B-Q, or movie extravaganza.  It gives your host an exciting opportunity to have a get together in his or her new home with friends and family. A starter kit also takes a lot of the hard work out of planning and preparing for their next party so your host only needs to fill in the blanks.

Where do I like to shop? Try Shop Sweet lulu’s full of super fun supplies, like SUPER fun!

Some of Amanda's favs!

2) Family notations

Calender of notations

In a time when electronic mail and texting are considered excepted forms of  communication,  simple thoughts in old-fashioned etiquette are often overlooked, and unexpected. As a busy professional myself, I fall into this very category of being overly busy, over scheduled, and never enough time in the day. Always a dollar short and a day late, I rely on posty notes of endearment from myself to remember important days. Um, did I mention that I have a tendency to LOSE posty notes? To help improve this dilemma for others, another one of my favorite housewarming gifts is a calender of notations. I purchase a beautiful calender that my host will enjoy and I fill it with important birthdays, anniversaries and days of signifigance. These calenders provide some sense of organization, and ensures that your host will always be prepared for the important days, for the important people in their lives.Where does she find the time?

Where do I like to shop? Try Linda and Harriet for charming stationary, calenders, invitations and personal notes of thanks .

Family notations

3) A guide to kitchen and home

Guide to kitchen and home

Getting settled into a new home brings a homeowner many new challenges. When Mr. B and I moved into our new home in TN, we knew very little about our new geographic location. Having both grown up in California, the South brought onto us many new Southern idiosyncracies that were commonly known amognst the locals but highly unknown to us. We were faced with racoons, humidity, and mosquitos. All of which we never experienced on the west coast. We also had no idea that baking in the humidity was entirely different than our previous climate. Having experienced this on my own, but having wonderful Southern clients to welcome me into this new world with grace, I started giving new homeowners a handmade book of helpful tips and tricks to surviving in the South. Tweak this idea to suit your host and you could include a guide to simple household management, your favorite easy recipes, and great gardening tips.

Where I like to start? Try this etsy shop to find great handmade books to start your handmade hostess gift.

A guide to kitchen and home

What are some housewarming gifts that you like to give?

Harley the cat

“I think a black and white cat is the perfect housewarming gift. We will provide you the skills necessary to owning a proper home.” ~harley

* The cat is the only animal without visible means of support who still manages to find a living in the city. – Carl van Vechten

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Ever have one of those days? One of those weeks? Well, I was having one of those months in December. As I desperately clung to hope that it couldn’t get any worse….well… it did. Lucky for me I was raised with grounded logic,  and a mind for solution, so I will persevere.  I powered on, one stressful event after another….until I caught strep throat. Wounded and defeated I laid in bed, miserable, drowning in Kleenex, vicks vapor rub and halls cough drops. I was certain that death was inevitable, R.I.P. to me.

Ok, so maybe that’s a bit dramatic ( I am a designer after all, drama is what I do) but when I can’t eat, nor have interest in food…uh,…Houston we have a problem. But my luck was changing. Two days after my death sentence I mustered up the energy to go into the office. To my surprise I had a message on our company phones from a dear client:

“Amanda, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I wanted to tell you how much I love my console and I cannot thank-you enough for encouraging Gary to buy it for Christmas. You are an expert in your profession and your talent is ubitquitous with your kindness. We adore everything that you have done to our home. You constantly  push us out of  our comfort zone with dumbfounding results that far exceed our expectations…thank-you!” Carol Paige

In an instant, this single act of kindness from Carol changed my attitude completely. She took time out of her day to lend a compliment to me, and thank-me. Already I felt better and death didn’t seem so bad. What’s interesting to me is how much our human nature thrives on negativity and complaining. One complaint after another, looking only to the worst possible scenario we dig ourselves into a deeper hole. That just sounds miserable!

Today I picked up a Better Homes and Gardens from last year and found a note on this very subject.  Researchers found that benelovent behavior spreads like a virus and creates a domino effect of kindness. According to the study they found that one person’s kindness spread to three people, then those three turned to nine, and continued to spread throughout the day. I could not believe how accurate it was. Elated from Carol’s comment I went thru the starbucks drive thru that particular day and I made it a point to buy coffee for the car behind me.  What do you want to bet that the person in the car later did an act of kindness? Let this be a wake up call to all of us. Kindness should be second nature, and each and everyone one of us is fighting our own battles, so wouldn’t it be nice if YOU were the one to change that vicious cycle for someone else?

Operation Nice

Thanks to Cinda Baxter of the 350 project, I found one of my favorite blogs, Operation Nice by Melissa Ivone, last year.  Melissa’s blog is based entirely on kindness, and how to make  life a little easier for those around us. I myself am only at a freshman level compared to Melissa’s expertise, but because of her blog others have followed in her footsteps, doing small acts of kindness in hopes to make a difference in someone elses day. How nice!

What are you going to do today to make the lives of those around you a little easier?

images: that kind of woman, My happy place, etsy, bits of truth

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Organize

It’s the old adage, “New Year, New You.”  Make a feel good resolution to loose weight, eat better, and exercise more.  Sounds simple, right? Well not exactly.  According to John Norcross Co-author of Changing for good, 64% of people fail their resolutions after only 1 month! So your New Year started out full of magic and one month later it’s filled with a boulevard of broken dreams and plummeting failure. Not precisely what we had in mind, and there’s still 11 more months until we can wipe the slate clean and start over.

We set out with very good intentions and then wilt like a flower, grab that bowl of ice cream and decide we will worry about our diet tomorrow. Sounds like a plan to me! Did I hear the word ice cream?  I’m pretty certain it has two of the most important food groups necessary for survival in the South, Cream & Sugar! Figure out how to add butter and you got yourself a Southern trifecta I like to call food heaven!

Resolutions are a funny thing. Despite our best intentions, the top five resolutions are the same every year. Yup, so apparently we all have the same A.D.D./ lack of will power. So is it wise to say that we should keep eating our ice cream, sneak that cigarette without guilt and give up on exercise? Of course not. Resolutions often fail because we set the bar to high, and make things too complicated. Who us? The smartest species on the planet that orders a plate of food four times the size of our head just to win a free T-shirt? Ok, so not our brightest moment. But as resolutions go, number four on list: Get organized. But don’t worry, it can be easy and painless with are  best tips to get you started and organized in 2011. Bonehead organization 101.

Get organized

Tip # 1: Get organized to organize

What? Ok so here’s the rub, you can’t just run out to the container store and think you’re organized simply because you bought yourself some pretty pink boxes, plastic containers and a fancy new label maker. In order to start properly you need to first take stock of your storage needs. What areas need to be organized, and what are your storage limitations? Often times you don’t need more space, you just need to use the space more efficiently.

Tip # 2: Get rid of the things you don’t use

A-hem, do you really NEED ten gravy boats?  So many people are in need during these tough economic times. Wouldn’t it be better if TEN families had a gravy boat? If you don’t use it, don’t like it or FORGOT you had it, it’s time to donate it to someone who will use and appreciate what ever “it” is.

Organized kitchen

Tip # 3: Organize according to your daily routine

That do you use on a daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal basis? Organize accordingly. For example: Thanksgiving is but once a year, so having that ginormous turkey platter in the way of the cookie sheet that you use almost nightly, is not practical. Store accordingly. If it accommodates your routine and feels natural you are 10 times more likely to implement it into your daily routine and not fall off the ice cream truck; however, tempting it may be.

Tip # 3 From my own mantra, keep it SIMPLE!

It’s not rocket science so don’t make it harder than it needs to be. The easier it is, the easier it is to follow and thereby keeps your resolution in tack. Organization is a means to catalog your life so it is a breeze to manage. The best part is all the free time you will have because you will knwo where everything is! Now if we only knew where to store the cat….

101 Unique ways to store the cat

Tune in next week and I will show you how to put your new organizational skills to work. I will offer up some clever ways to store,stack and organize the big and small things in your life, with the things you already have! Love that!

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Images via: Flickr , Jars and letters, see me everywhere, Flickr, freelance fashion

AB HOME Studio

I have a huge infatuation with doors that is borderline obsessive/compulsive. They add such savvy style and oomph to any room, especially when painted an unexpected color. I recently started daydreaming about yellow doors in my studio. I have 8′ doors that are painted a glossy black ( shown above) that I have grown tired of. Probably just the A.D.D designer in me wanting a fresh new look. I briefly thought about raspberry pink, then acid green, and now I am seriously considering yellow. It is such an electric and energetic color; perfect for a hectic, busy office like mine. Here are a few of my favorites!

Yellow painted door

So stunning with the black and white walls.

Yellow doors

Oh my, so dramatic! Isn’t that pop of color just terrific?

yellow door

Great pop of color in an otherwise non descript room.

Yellow door

Incredible barn door that is already unusual but add a splash of yellow and it’s just plain fun!

Yellow door

Number 2 pencil on a dutch door, does it get any better.

Yellow door

Such a theatrical entrance and great energy for visiting guests.

Yellow door

Hardly seems cold outside with these cheery doors warming up your spirits.

What are some of your favorite colors for a door?

images: doorsixteen.com, apartmenttherapy.com, designismine.blogspot.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com, apartmenttherapy.comd, simplygrove.com, Pbase.com

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Run towards your dreams

The best way out is always through..

~Robert Frost

Dreamy carousel

Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is fuel in each of us which needs to be ignited with sparks.

~ Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Ferris wheel

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined…

~Henry David Thoreau

Dreamy skys

Too often we get caught up in the accomplished dreams of those around us, never taking the time to realize our own. The sky is not the limit, remove the perimeters of your logical mind so your imagination can take flight.~ Amanda Burdge

There is something so magical about this time of year. A fresh start as we enter into the New Year full of possibilities. Every year my staff and I discuss our goals for the company and consider all the promise, that the New Year brings. Leaving behind the triumphs and defeats of the previous year, January is all about new opportunities, risks, and new choices. What does the New Year bring for you?

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We offer an array of services to meet your design needs whether you live in our area, or out of state. Click here for more info!

Harley the charming AB HOME cat

Umm…oook, so going outside is a definite no. How about you feed me again and we’ll call it even for now.

Think I am the greatest cat ever? Me too, find me on facebook!

Images:Lovelyclusters.com, etsy.com, s3.amazonaws.com,Flickr.com

Pantone 2011 forecast

I must say, Canada sure knows how to grow em’. From Candice Olsen, to Sarah Richardson, my latest HGTV crush is Samantha Pynn.

Her style is fresh, easy and as her  show implies, Pure. As I scoured through her amazing body of work I couldn’t help but notice how several of her rooms fall into Pantone’s 2011 color forecast. (shown above) At first glance these colors may seem too light, pastel and feminine. However, if done right, the results are spectacular. Here she expertly executed several of the upcoming colors with designer savvy.

Here you see a lovely mix of blue and pink with touches of soft brown.

Here Samantha did a beautiful job with mint green, pink and silver.

Lavender, green and silver mix beautifully in this tailored living room.

Smantha Pynn

Pink, blue and silver combine easily for a sophisticated breakfast room.

Pantone's colors shown in fashion

As with all interiors, the colors and trends follow fashion. Here are a few items from the Fall and Spring fashion shows, circling our 2011 interiors forecast.

(Dress, Dolce & Gabbana. Heels, Tribtoo Pump for bergdorf goodman.

Clutch, Mary Frances' Happy clutch. Earrings, Charm and chain Ami drops.

Bangles, Kenneth Jay Lane. Necklace, Semi precious Orange Gem stone 1224.)

The Harley Inbox

Yup, I am sneaky, flippant, and mischievous but don't overlook that

 I am filled with a surplus of many other superior qualities too...

Think I am the greatest cat ever? Me too, find me on facebook!

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