Rustic Chic Interiors

There is something so incredibly inviting yet chic about interiors that are well pulled together and easy. It is like Ralph Lauren meets, John Wayne and Coco Chanel. It really is the best of all those worlds wrapped into one big juicy interior.

Natural materials combined with everyday modern items just seems to make sense. It creates a space that is both livable and comfortable without feeling stuffy. Not to mention ideal if you live an active lifestyle with kids and pets. What do you think? Do you love it or hate it?

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Image: pinterest, 2, houzz, Georgina design, Heart beat oz, a life of beauty and grace,

Smokey Eggplant and Melon Wraps

One of my favorite new super foods is eggplant! It is such a versatile vegetable and is so tasty. I was excited to find this recipe in Vegetarian times today.

Makes about 24 wraps and takes approximately 30 minutes to make

1 Medium eggplant

1/4 C olive oil

2 Tbs soy sauce

2 Tbs apple cider vinegar

2 Tbs brown sugar

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 1/2 tsp cumin

2 tsp kosher salt

2 lb cantaloupe peeled and cut into chunks

Quarter eggplant lengthwise and slice into 24 long, very thin strips. Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, and salt in a 9in baking pan. Add eggplant strips and let marinate. Heat gas grill and grill 2 minutes each side or until strips are tender. Wrap 1 strip grilled eggplant around each melon chunk and secure with a toothpick.

Makes for a terrific snack or appetizer for your next get together. And fantastic for a summer treat! Recipe from Vegetarian Times, June.ñ

5 Ways to Brighten up a Dark Room

Is your home surrounded by trees and large foliage, making it cool in the summer, but also leaving your rooms feeling dark and gloomy? Do you have a favorite, small room that suffers from having only one window? Perhaps you live in a downstairs apartment whose only windows are located above eye level.

AB HOME Interiors

Dark rooms like these are a decorator’s challenge, to be sure, but you don’t have to live with a dark and somber room. Afraid that brightening your room is going to be too expensive? Think again. Here are five, tried and true (and affordable) ways to lighten up any room:

1. Add greenery. A few plants or flowering bushes in pots add a bright and lively air to even the dingiest room. Stick with plants that thrive in limited light, such as spider plants, ferns, snake plants and flowering bromeliads. Combine these interesting shapes for a dramatic effect.

2. Reflect a bit. Mirrors trick the eye into thinking that a room is larger than it really is. Plus, they take a little light and magnify it ten-fold. Is your room narrow? Consider adding a floor-to-ceiling mirror at the end of the room. Most glass retailers will cut mirrors to order or you can also use mirrored tiles from a big box home improvement store. Is your decor more traditional? Scour estate and yard sales for a large mirror in a gilded frame for a more formal approach.

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3. Paint it white. Though often mocked (unfairly, we think) as being suited only for apartment living, white walls add a fresh, bright look to any room and make the most of the light that you have. Paint is also one of the least expensive ways to redecorate. A gallon of white paint costs around $30, and even less if you wait for a good sale.

4. Control the clutter. We all have clutter. Those knick knacks that you collect on vacation, piles of books you intend to read, craft projects waited to be started. However, clutter makes a room seem more closed in and dark. Banish all but a few, well-chosen items to drawers or cabinets. Plus, be mindful of adding new items to your newly brightened room. Clutter can sneak up on you.

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5. Limit the furniture. Dark, wooden furniture, while attractive, can darken a room and make it feel smaller than it actually is. Avoid over-furnishing your rooms. Instead, choose one exquisite piece to be the focal point and surround it with lighter-colored, less-substantial accent pieces. And, contrary to what your father might tell you, don’t be afraid to paint wooden furniture white or other light and bright colors. A garage sale chest of drawers or bookcase with a coat of ivory paint can become an attractive–and bright–place to store linens, books or hobby items.

Don’t resign yourself to living in a dark space. Brightening up a room doesn’t have to break your budget. Plan carefully, add a little paint, and limit the pieces you add to the room. Your dark dungeon will be transformed into a light and airy retreat in no time.

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Todays post was brought to you by:

Elli, a writer for http://yourlocalsecurity.com/. She was born and raised in Colorado and now enjoys skiing, playing tennis, and hiking in the mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Fantastic Bathroom Faucets

One of the best things about remodeling your bathroom is selecting the faucet, or what I like to call the jewelry. Getting rid of that outdated brass fixture and updating it with something a little more fresh. All of the finishing touches add that necessary sparkle but none of them do it better than the main act. Faucets add style and personality to your bathroom in an instant. Whether you prefer a sleek contemporary look, or everyday traditional, faucets are highly versatile and mix well with all sorts of looks.

Bathroom faucet

My favorite faucet of choice is one that is sleek, easy to use and chrome. I know that there is all sorts of fancy new finishes out there, but none are more classic and decadent than chrome. One of my favorite new places to shop for sleek faucets is overseas. They have many cool choices to choose from and their designs are refreshingly different than what is here in the states. Not to mention they use fun words like bathroom taps instead of faucet and offer neat styles like these from WD Bathrooms:

There is nothing I like more than putting a unique faucet in a powder room or guest bath to delight the eyes. The element of surprise is what design is all about and everyone has to use the faucet at some point. It’s like using functional art that instantly creates a conversation. What are some of your favorite things about faucets? Do you have a finish preference? I bet you’ll be looking at faucets a little differently now.

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image: Kohler

Posted: May 9, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: bathrooms | bathroom touches, Bathrooms, chrome faucets, faucets, finishing touches, wd bathrooms Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Try a palette of neutrals

There’s a reason neutrals are so popular. They are easy on the eyes and always classic. Perpetually in style and always luxurious, neutrals instantly add elegance to a room without fuss. Whether you choose soft paints with undemanding fabrics, or classic lines the goal is to keep the majority of large pieces within the same hue to pull it together.

#home #house #interiors #dining #prints #neutral

isabella and Max

Nothing beats a classic neutral interior. Never goes out of style and always looks easy yet sophisticated. Throw in a few pops of your favorite color and change your interior in a snap. What could be easier? What is your favorite style of interior? Do you prefer colors?

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Feature image: mix and chic

Posted: May 7, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: color | classic design, classic interiors, neutral interiors, neutral palette 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Yoga, flow and emotion

I started doing yoga over a year ago. At the time I had not worked out in over five months and that little voice within me was really kicking in, wreaking havoc on my thoughts, especially when I went straight for the fries and cakes, instead of the salad. I had done yoga before but wasn’t really impressed. However, prior to my five month lapse I had been working out consistently at a gym for six straight years; and frankly I didn’t want to see another treadmill or bench press again. No longer hiding in sweaters, as I walked to the pool I was really beginning to see those tasty cakes and fries taking shape on my……insert imagination here.

yogi jessi

I can’t tell you why I ended up in a yoga studio, but I can tell you I wanted a different experience than the gym. And I am also very lazy when it comes to things outside of work so if it’s convenient even by one mile I’m sold! I decided to start doing bikram hot yoga. It’s miserable, really. For an hour and a half you flow through 26 asanas in a room that averages 110 degrees at 60% humidity. Many of the poses are based on your own body weight which helps build strength,and even breath. While my goal was to loose those extra “cakes and fries” there was something else I was loosing too, my emotions.

Core power yoga

Recently I added flow vinyassa yoga to my practice. Not only does it combine meditation within the practice but it is much faster paced and focuses on breath and chakras. Every time I would get into childs pose or the instructor would guide us to our heart center my emotions would bubble up within me. “Why on earth is this happening? What is wrong with me? Am I loosing my mind?” Well a few days ago Yoga Journal released a wonderful article on this very thing. According to Joan Harrigan, Ph.D:

“Yoga is not merely an athletic system; it is a spiritual system. The asanas are designed to affect the subtle body for the purpose of spiritual transformation. People enter into the practice of yoga asana for physical fitness or physical health, or even because they’ve heard it’s good for relaxation, but ultimately the purpose of yoga practice is spiritual development.”

“This development depends on breaking through places in the subtle body that are blocked with unresolved issues and energy. “Anytime you work with the body, you are also working with the mind and the energy system—which is the bridge between body and mind,” Harrigan explains. And since that means working with emotions, emotional breakthroughs can be seen as markers of progress on the road to personal and spiritual growth.” Read article here

Bikram has been my Everest. Some days I can get half way up the mountain and others days I barely get across the lowlands. Vinyassa however has been a great addition, and I consider it to be my Grand Canyon. Sure there are difficult parts but there is so much beauty and enjoyment in it I hardly notice that I am doing 400 push-ups, and it has really allowed me to tap into those subtle energies for spiritual growth.

Have you tried yoga?

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Posted: May 4, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Low Fat and Gluten Free Salad

Many of my friends have left their corporate jobs for more fulfilling jobs in what they like to call nutrition. How starvation can constitute as fulfilling is beyond me. No sugar, no wheat, (aka: Gluten), no corn, no dairy, no diet coke….and yes believe it or not the list goes on! Just last night before yoga I learned I have been sleeping wrong too…apparently for proper digestion one sleeps on their back. It’s amazing I am still alive! haha

While I am trying to be more AWARE of my food habits, it is difficult to avoid everything. I happen to like cream in my coffee and cheese enchiladas…. even if it does drop my life expectancy by 10 years; I feel it is worth the risk. I know, livin’ on the edge over here. Luckily, as summer approaches and the heat rises those heavy foods are less appealing and scrumptious foods that are light and easy tend to be fresh and wholesome too. Here is a terrific recipe from Vegetarian Times that is both healthy and delicious.

Chickpea and Feta Salad

30 minutes or fewer

Eat this salad the day it’s made—otherwise, the spinach will wilt and turn soggy.

2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. olive oil
½ cup minced leek (white part only) or red onion
2 cups baby spinach leaves
2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 15-oz. can, rinsed and drained)
2 medium carrots, grated (1 cup)
½ red bell pepper, finely diced (½ cup)
¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds
2 heads romaine lettuce, cut into ½-inch-thick ribbons
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained, optional
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

1. Whisk together lemon juice and oil in bowl. Stir in leek, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Set aside.

2. Roll 7 or 8 spinach leaves into tight cylinder, then slice into thin strips. Repeat with remaining spinach leaves.

3. Combine spinach, chickpeas, carrots, bell pepper, and sunflower seeds in large bowl. Stir in leek mixture, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

4. Divide romaine among 8 plates, top with chickpea salad, and arrange tomatoes around salad, if using. Garnish each serving with 1 Tbs. feta, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Go here for the website.

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Posted: May 2, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: organic foods | organic living | recipe | easy recipes, easy salads, gluten free recipes, low fat recipe, Low fat salads 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Upcoming events-My personal note to you

I am excited to announce some of our upcoming events here at AB HOME Interiors. Mind you, it took about five takes to make this video and I am beginning to think it would have been faster to type it…but my coach keeps telling me y’all prefer video. So for all of those that would rather SEE and HEAR me in person, this is for you!

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Find out more about Virtual Interior Design HERE

For more information feel free to contact my team here

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Posted: April 30, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to choose a light fixture

Given the vast variety of lighting fixtures available on the market today finding the right one can seem difficult, and overwhelming. Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an exisiting one there are three things you should always keep into consideration when shopping for a lighting fixture.

1) Fixture type

Depending on the application and needs of your space you could require a surface mount, a semi-flush mount, chandelier, track, recessed or cove lighting. Sometimes it may call for three or more. Determine how much light you need for the activity of that space, because the primary consideration when choosing lighting is the beam pattern and how that fixture distributes light for your needs.

2) Size Matters

Barrington Oil Rubbed Bronze Lighting by Feiss

Fixtures will often seem smaller in the store because the showrooms are quite large. Always take measurements to make sure the size and scale will work with the space you are working on. Scale is incredibly important when choosing light and this is an area that most people error on the small side making the room look off. Many manufacturers offer fixtures in a couple of sizes so ask your designer or sales associate about the options that are available that can work for you.

3) Cost

Lighting can get expensive, but remember how important it really is and remember to consider it’s energy consumption. The initial cost may seem pricey but the electric bills will prove otherwise. Choose lighting that works well for your space, is energy efficient and is low maintenance.

What are some of your struggles with lighting?

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Feiss, All pics by murray feiss

3 fast fixes for your next party

You have sent out the invite to let everyone know that you are having an event that can’t be missed. Then the excitement over the idea sets in and it hits you, “holy cow I don’t have very much time to put this together!” Planning the perfect party doesn’t need to be stressful. Remember it is about the festivities and the event of the day/evening. But if you are in a bind for time here are some fast tips to get you through like a pro.

1) Consider who will be there

Are your guests predominantly men or women? Women like things that are emotionally appealing like color, decoration and presentation. Men won’t give two cents for pretty tablecloths but will certainly rave over ribs, so plan your party accordingly.

2)Time of Day

Time of day is critical because it helps determine what types of decoration and food to prepare. Certain parts of the day may be seemingly easier but that is not always the case. If you are strapped for time choose a party time when folks have probably already eaten, and a theme that is easy to work around with what you already have.

3) Create a list

Now that you know who’s coming, and the time of day your event will be start making a list. Remember to use what you have! Go through the garage, your closets, the office pull out anything that could be of use to you…then create a list of needs. Once you know the who and the time all that is left are a few things to whip it all together in a snap!

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Norteno, eddie ross, hwtm, southern hospitality, etsy, infinitebeggininx

A How-To Guide to Formal Dining

Formal Dining spaces are slowly making their exit out of the home and turning into large eat-in kitchens where everyone can enjoy the space year round, in a casual setting. Many homes still have a room deemed ‘formal dining‘ by their home plans or lighting fixture, however some homeowners opt to use them for something else that gets used more often. It’s a shame really that we don’t utilize this space more because entertaining and enjoying a lovely meal is so much fun! If you still have a formal dining room and use it, here are some great tips to decorate your space.

Size does matter. Without the proper size table the room will not have the proper scale and harmony. Too big and the space will feel cramped and feel overwhelming…too small and you’ll lose seating and the room feels too large. SO choose accordingly.

Always dress up your table when dining in this room. This adds to the formality, beauty and luxury something we can all use more of in our lives! Mix it up and have fun with it.

Perfectly matched chairs that look like they came right out of the furniture store makes your dining room look staged. Mix and match your chairs to create a one-of-a-kind look. Take it further and customize them to the theme of the dinner to make the meal more fun.

Add personal touches. Candles, florals and custom linens make the event festive and memorable. Show your guests that they are special and that you have really thought of everything for their personal enjoyment. It is rare that we take time to enjoy a meal. Dining is more than just eating. It is about savoring the conversation, the people and the ambience of the occasion…. s’amuser!

What are some of your favorite things to do when dining with friends and family?

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Wallpaper then and now

Wallpaper is back and trust you me, we all have a wallpaper story from the eighties that leaves us with that icky feeling in the pit of our stomach. The good news is this ain’t that kind of paper. Paper today performs differently and is super easy to change. Wallpaper is a terrific solution to an instant make over for your home and adds that wow! They perform well, are easy to clean and come in all sorts of colors and patterns. Plus, it’s typically easy to install and there is a style and price range to suit everyone.

A few tips if you are considering purchasing wallpaper for your home. Keep in mind that the pattern and run numbers are printed on the back of each roll (this is important because dye lots change). Make sure you calculate your square footage, then you will purchase paper in doubles…meaning you can’t buy one roll they are sold as “double rolls”. Always buy extras because if you have an accident say a year later, your run number is likely not available. Case in point, I just did wallpaper in a powder room for a client and a month after the install her grandson took a jar of vaseline and started smearing it on the wall because it was fun. Thankfully we had plenty of paper to replace the damage.

Do you like wallpaper or have it in your home?

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Posted: April 20, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: wallpaper | wallpaper, wallpaper tips 2 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Architecture and the study of beauty

As I was filing through Houzz.com I decided to type in: Architecture. Modern Architecture is something that I adore and a great way to get fabulous ideas, colors and styles if you are in the process of building a home. Here are some of my favorites!

Studying architecture is a great way to see how architects mix materials. Just as designers mix textiles, finishes and colors, Architects will juxtapose woods, stone and metal in ways that become art. The great thing about all of these homes is that they work well in any setting, and are quite functional with their landscape. Someday I will build one of these beauties on a lake and call it my vacation home!

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20120412-xh6is2uqsiudy5k8336434cdms

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Posted: April 18, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: architecture | architecture, modern architecture, study of architecture 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Gardening 101-A success story

One of the best features of the new AB HOME office is that we have room for our first garden. Several weeks ago I posted my attempt at getting my seeds started. I was a little worried, but I am happy to say I am not only a gardener, but I am fast becoming Martha Stewart. Look out woman, I am going to give you a run for your money! Inspired by my new found skill set I decided to go to the local garden show, and it was awesome.

The Bloom n’ Garden show at the agricultural center in Franklin TN is put on by the Master Gardeners association and they sell exotic plants and give workshops on how to garden. I was in heaven. I picked up some lavender and mint… which I cannot wait to use for Mint juleps in June…so stay tuned for that!

Here I have started transplanting my seeds to their outdoor home. Above I have basil, tomatoes, strawberries, lemon verbena and chives, YUM!

Here is my mint and oregano (shown above)

And here is our yellow squash. Having to keep an eye on these beauties because the office backs up to a green belt filled with bunnies. I still have to transplant the lettuces, cilantro and dill. The weather has been unseasonably warm so the lettuce may not make it….we will see.

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Posted: April 16, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Garden | gardening | gardening, gardening 101, growing vegetables, growing veggies, vegetable garden 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Blogging 101: The best 8 sites, and why you need to pay attention!

When I started blogging three years ago I had no idea what I was doing. Why did I do it? I was confined to my bed after traveling home from a photo shoot in Las Vegas, burdened with a severe cold, bored out of my mind, miserable, and I couldn’t stand the thought of watching any more TV. I needed more stimulation to take my mind off of my affliction, and concentrate on something better.

How I managed to even start the thing is beyond me. I could barely spell blog, let alone start one. Along with my new found intelligence I also managed to start a twitter account. My GOD I thought, I am brilliant when I am ill! Not really. I tend to have the A.D.D, and all the illness did was slow me down long enough to focus on ONE thing at a time, instead of fifty. My coach likes to call it bright, shiny object syndrome!

In the beginning I did not take this whole blogging thing seriously. I struggled to find my voice, and wondered if I could even stick with it. Was I capable of putting up a post every week or so? Was I aware that one post a week was blog suicide?(Um, no.) And worst of all I have the attention span of a nat and keeping me focused longer than a week, (on anything) would give anyone in my family pause. But I did it anyway…I mean really, what was the worst thing that could happen?

Source

Now I’ll be honest, despite getting hooked on blogging, I still did not know what I was doing with blogging. I fished for other blogs, I reached out to them and tried to learn “the scene,” but I made many mistakes a long the way. While I felt like I had the whole blogging thing down, and I was coming to grips with my new found celebrity, I could not have been further from the truth. Here are three mistakes I made:

1) Not enough rich content and advice

2) Too much goofing off, and living to write about it

3) Not realizing that people were actually reading it other than my mom, and friends

In spite of many wonderful bloggers leaving comments on my blog, and developing relationships with me, few were reaching out to me with a life preserver.

Then Maria stepped in. You know the one from that little blog Colour Me Happy. We had been working with the same business coach in New York in early 2010 and I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend with her at the Empire Hotel. Her take on my killer blog:

1) Not enough rich content and advice

2) Too much goofing off, and living to write about it

3) Um, “you do know that people are reading it, right?”

Empire Hotel Room

Unlike most people who hate criticism, I thrive on it. I want to know what I am doing wrong, how I can fix it, and determine how I am going to make it better. And it doesn’t matter who it comes from. If I respect you, and you are obviously doing something right, I am going to listen. Too often people let their egos and pride get in the way of their success. I ditched that attitude in my twenties, and so should you.

I also recommend if you are serious about blogging you subscribe to the best blogging sites on copy, advice, and coaching. ( My top 8 are listed below) Blogging is serious business. Maria got it right the first time around. (God I hate smart people!) Unaware of what blogging even was, I continued to make mistake after mistake for over a year. It has only been in the past two years that I started to come close to getting it right, (thanks to bloggers like Maria) and I am still working on it!

A blog is a way to show your talents and abilities to those that would otherwise not see it. It is also a way for people to get to know you, and in turn gets them to trust in your abilities. (a-hem…this equals dollars!) Despite making mistake after mistake, and focusing on them, Maria made me realize that few people my age have accomplished as much as I have and in such a short time. It was then and only then that I realized I had something worth offering of serious value beyond my brick and mortar design studio.

Here are my top 8 sites that you cannot miss if you are a serious blogger:

1) Copyblogger by Brian Clarke, is bar none THE BEST blogging advice site on the planet. It will give you the best content and advice to make your blog a superstar! Rich in how-to advice, the common mistakes bloggers make, and training on how to be a better blogger. Some of my favorite posts to get you started:
10 Steps to become a better writer
5 grammatical errors that make you look dumb

2) Zen Habits was started by Leo Babauta. Why is he special? Well let’s see, he has six kids, a full time job and managed to write over twenty posts a week for other bloggers, plus several for his own site. Within six months he quit his full time job to focus on his blog that now makes a six figure income. His blog is about passion, simplicity and the finer points of life; the zen of life.

3) Johnny B Truant One of THE funniest and most real business bloggers on the planet. His approach is witty, smart and different. He doesn’t claim to save the world, (he’d rather be playing guitar hero) but he does promise to save your blog, and add a little humor a long the way. One of my favorite post’s by Johnny:

How to get into a GURU’S pants

Johnny with his way cool “do” from the nineties.

4) Dave Navarro is author and CEO of The launch coach. His blog is about making you a better business owner and entrepreneur. How to double your sales, up-sell and putting together a strategy that works for you.

5) Jonathan Fields once upon a time was a hedge-fund/securities lawyer (yup you heard that right) for a mega firm in Manhattan. After leaving that life and several business success’ later he wrote the Career Renegade. He is an amazing career consultant and blogger full of amazing life changing ideas and strategies that work, all while making his family top priority!

6) Chris Brogan This man is talented beyond words. Not only does he have his hand in some of the most important software like Scribe with Brian Clarke of Copyblogger, but he was also one of the masterminds and contributors of Third Tribe Marketing, also with Brian Clarke and Sonia Simone of Copyblogger. His company New Marketing Labs is chalked full of business solution content and services. He is a marketing expert and his article “How to Write effective Blog posts” will help you understand blog writing affectively.

7) Penelope Trunk I have Maria to thank for this introduction. Penelope is an absolute trailblazer for the female entrprenuer. She is smart, witty, refreshingly open and most importantly she is real. If you are in business for yourself add her to your subscription list. She has a ton of articles full of rich content and several on “blogging how to’s” but here is a good one to get you started:

Penelope’s guide to bloggin g

Itty Biz by Naomi Dunford is also one of my top reads. She offers marketing solutions without the greasy sales pitch. Her site is full of free content, and the real side of business. No glamour or glitz. What it’s really like to be an entrepreneur, what it’s really like to be scared shitless, and what it is like to feel like a raging failure. AMEN!

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Posted: April 13, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: blogging | blog how to, blogging, blogging 101, copyblogger, johnny b truant, zen habits 4 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Before and after, small changes with big rewards

I have recently had the opportunity to help a widow get her life back together through the rewarding process of design. On Monday I showed you the small changes I did to transform her bedroom in a big way. Along with doing her bedroom, I also helped her revamp her living room, and family room. We still have a few more things to do, but in the spirit of good design and the effects it can have on your life here is where we are at so far:

AB HOME Interiors

Her living room shown above was really a great transformation. With the addition of good quality custom drapes, correcting the scale in this room with lamps and art and adding much needed color, these changes completely transform the room.

AB HOME Interiors

Her family room, shown above, was really dark and did not suit this gals upbeat personality. SO I changed the paint, selected a beautiful and colorful fabric for her drapes and added much needed light and color. Already this room is showing huge improvements and we aren’t even finished yet!

The best part about this project? MRs J called me yesterday to say thank-you, and wanted me to know that it has been so much fun working with me and my team! Thanks Mrs J, we’ve loved working with you too!!

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Posted: April 11, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Before and after | color | before and after, family room, living room, paint, redecorating, updating interiors 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Quick and easy solutions to update your bedroom now

I love decorating bedrooms but they are often the most neglected rooms in the house. Typically clients will invest the majority of their decorating dollars into their “public” spaces, leaving their bedroom naked since most don’t see it. However, that is a big mistake. You spend a third of your life in your bedroom. It is the space you wake up in and it’s the last space you see before retiring to sleep filled Zzzz’s. A space that uplifts you and is peaceful is one that inspires you and creates rest. A room filled with clutter, poor paint choices, and mismatched furniture will feel disorganized, and frumpy…so how would you like to start and end your day? Frumpy or invigorated?

This past Friday my team and I installed a master bedroom that only included a few quick changes, but created incredible results with little to no effort! But before we got started we had to first work with the rookie mistakes. The top mistakes I see in a bedroom:

1) Too much furniture

2) Too many matching pieces

3) Poor lighting

4) Poor selection in color

5) Clutter

AB HOME interiors

We only changed a few things but the results are clearly visible. My client bought a bed in a bag…poor move but a common mistake. It was all too matchy-matchy. Mix it up to create a more restful space. Never paint the walls a different color than the color scheme of fabrics in the room. Here I chose a soft cream that blended beautifully with the linens, and also muted the wood furnishings. Always add drapery. Here I added custom drapery in a beautiful Vervain floral print that has every color of the rainbow. This draws the eye up and gives a wonderful pop of color. As a custom touch I added a biased band on the draperies leading edge and had custom bed pillows made to compliment the bedding. All in all just a few quick changes that dramatically change the look and feel of this space. Now it is more restful, easy, with just the right amount of color. Tune in on Wednesday when I show the quick fixes I made for her family room.

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All natural wood floor cleaner

In my continued effort to be green this year I have been testing all sorts of home made cleaners for around the house. My latest obsession: All natural wood floor cleaner. Here in the South every home comes standard with wood floors. But with wood floors comes dust bunnies, and even though it is almost Easter, that is not a good thing! Here at the office we have wood floors throughout. I often open up the backdoor of the studio so Harley and Tabby cat can look outside. And then it happens….the sun hits the floors just right and there is a thin layer of dust, pollen, and dust bunnies with kitty toe prints in it! AHHH!

This new cleaner that I have been using requires very little, and it can be kept in an old milk jug or laundry detergent container. Put all the ingredients in the jug, shake it up and you are ready to go. The floors will be clean, and no kitties will be harmed in the process!

1C Tea Tree Castile Soap

1 lemon

1 Tbsp Vinegar

10 drops tea tree essential oil

6-8 C of warm water

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Posted: April 6, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: cleaning | keeping house | All natural wood floor cleaner, cleaners, cleaning floors, cleaning supplies, cleaning tips, DIY floor cleaner, floor cleaner, green cleaners, housekeeping 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

What’s for Breakfast? Farmhouse Shepherds Pie

In the 1800’s potatoes became increasingly popular in Europe, making it a common staple in every kitchen. In the 2000’s, potato’s are a common staple in my kitchen because like Bubba and his shrimp, I love potato’s every which way to Sunday. While Shepherds pie typically contains lamb, this breakfast adaptation is the perfect recipe for a family brunch, a lazy vacation with friends, or me on a hungry Monday! Mmmmm!

Ingredients

1/4C Chives

4C Shredded Potatoes

6 eggs

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

Dash of pepper

2C Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Optionals:

Lawry’s salt

Tabasco

Sour cream

In a 12” skillet heat up shredded potatoes, and press potato mixture evenly into skillet bottom. Once browned flip potato’s over and press evenly into the skillet (you do not have to flip all of them at once.) Season potatos with salt and pepper and any other seasonings you like. I tend to add tabasco for some extra kick. With a spoon make little wells in the potato mixture, crack open your eggs and plop them into the wells. Sprinkle cheese around the eggs and the rest of the skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then cover and let cook for about ten minutes until eggs are set and cheese melted. YUM!

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This recipe adapted from hobby farms. Photo credit, Hobby Farms

Posted: April 2, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: recipe | breakfast, breakfast recipes, cooking, potato recipes, Shepherds pie 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Suzanne Evans-Make the Change Event

For the last few days I have been in Florida for the Make the Change Event ,with Suzanne Evans. My coaching group with Ali Brown, and James Roche turned me on to her back in January, on our facebook mastermind page. One of the gals in the group said they were good friends and that it was THE event o attend. Well I had heard that before and wasn’t so sure that it was for me….until I watched four videos of Suzanne and knew she was EXACTLY for me.

Be The Change By Suzanne Evans | Be The Change Event

She is a no bullshit kinda gal. She gets straight to the point, and will not take no for an answer. She curses worse than a sailor and gets you where it hurts….hence The make the change event. What really sold me on this event was the second video I saw of her, without missing a beat she dropped the F bomb and two sentences later said come prepared, come to network, but don’t come to harass people to buy your shit. I was sold. It was as if she was writing a love letter to me. Can’t explain it, she just resonated with me and her attitude just fits me. So here I am, in Florida getting cursed at, by a buxom no bullshit kinda gal, telling me to change or die.

Why am I listening to her scream at me? Well you see three years ago Suzanne was a secretary making chump change building an empire for someone else. When she realized that she was the one carrying the load she stepped out on her own and within three years has made seven figures…and now she’s taken her show on the road. Will it change me? Thats to be determined in the months to come. Will she influence me? You bet your ass it will. I am already brainstorming on how to implement, negotiate and achieve the tools she’s given me into my company, AB HOME. She believes that everyone can make change in their companies to improve their livelihood in record time, as long as you make the commitment to make a difference. So here goes, next week when I am back on my home soil I will share with you my goals that I intend to set forth to be that change!

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Posted: March 30, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Suzanne Evans | travel | be the change event, business conferences, Business trips, Suzanne Evans, travel 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Moody decor with a pop of color

Moody interiors are a great way to add drama to your space….but add a splash of color, bright color, and you make that drama uber exciting. This trick is nothing new. In fact designer have done it for years, but to me it’s like your first trip to Disneyland…it just never seems to get old!

White can do the same kind of trick but not with the same kind of intensity. It tends to look a lot more fresh and vibrant. Moody interiors with color look sophisticated, effortless and create tons of eye candy for all the senses.

What are some of your favorite interior tricks?

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Images: Marie Burgos, Chic is the new black, interior design pros, Graham and green, hgtv, habitually chic

Posted: March 28, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: paint | dark paint, moody decor, pops of color 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Feng Shui and Choosing the Right Furniture

Feng Shui is the practice of decorating interiors with the intention of harmony and balance. Everything we own contains energy, or Chi’ and the goal is to lift and circulate that energy gently and easily. One way to circulate the energy gently is through furniture and the placement of it. Choose the wrong piece and it can make that energy slow down or speed up. When the balance is right the space feels incredible, soft and safe…..choose the wrong piece and and you could feel uneasy,and restless.

While this space above is lovely, it is an example of bad feng shui. Never should you buy and place a piece of furniture that is sharp like this pointed cocktail table. This would definitely fall into the uneasy and unsafe category. If your furniture has the opportunity to “bite” it is not a good idea to have it. And if there is a chair directly across from one of those points, no one will ever sit in the chair…it is an innate instinct we have whether you recognize it or not.

Instead, opt for something comfy and less dangerous. This photo above is a great example of choosing something that will allow the chi’ to meander, and allow all of your guests to be comfortable, without sacrificing comfort or style.

Do you have things in your home that may be bad for your Chi’?

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Image: Heirloom philosophy, houzz, chic is the new black

Posted: March 25, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Feng Shui | Chi, feng shui, feng shui furniture, harmony and balance 4 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

The secret to every great floral arrangement

For those who read my blog regularly you know that I am a huge advocate for flowers. They are a great addition to any space and they instantly uplift your mood, that is why every luxury hotel in America adorns their lobbies with beautiful and aromatic arrangements. Once you walk through those doors it is like instant floral magic, which makes you happy! When I work with a client who is stressed out, overwhelmed or looking for something calming I immediately go to flowers. Flowers are easy to find, and you don’t need anything exotic to feel their effects. Today, inspired by the beautiful 85 degree weather that Nashville has been experiencing I purchased two dozen roses for the office. Flowers are incredibly easy to arrange, they just need a little prep work to keep them lasting long and strong.

5 must have tips to get the best floral arrangement:

In order to get the best results from your flowers you will need to prepare them properly. It does not take a lot of time and it is all very easy. Skip these steps and your flowers could die with in 3-5 days, so instead of throwing your investment down the drain, take 20 minutes to prep them properly and it will help prolong the life of your flowers to two weeks.

Bulk flowers

1) Buy your flowers from an actual florist, or floral supply house. Here locally, I use Smith and Rogers. Every major city has a floral district, or warehouse supply shop. The quality of floral they sell is fresher, and first grade as opposed to the second grade lower quality sold at places like grocery stores or Costco. Now, there is nothing wrong with buying florals from the grocery store, I do it all the time, however the florals are typically close to a week or older before they get to a consumer as opposed to 1-3 days old from a florist supply shop.

Remove the leaves

2) Remove the leaves with shears or scissors. Leaves contain dirt and bacteria that will effect the life of the rose significantly and turn the water to a filmy haze.

Pluck the buds

3) Pluck the buds. This is a great floral tip that most people don’t know. Bulk roses are a better quality and often have tight center buds…something inexpensive grocery store buds don’t have. Pluck the loose, damaged leaves from the buds to reveal tight, sumptuous flowers, perfect for your arrangements. Set the loose petals aside for potpourri or a fun night of romance!

Settle the water

4) Settle the water. Don’t ever fill up a vase and plop your flowers into the vase right away. Instead, fill up the vase and let the water “settle” for at least an hour. Water can contain a lot of minerals, and have an incorrect temperature which can shock the flower. Settling allows the water to acclimate to room temperature and allows the minerals to settle down.

AB Home Headquarters

5) Change the water. Many people don’t like to fuss with this, but if you change the water every three to four days it will prolong the life of your flowers. Think of a glass of water sitting around the house for four days…would you drink out of it? If you are adamant about not changing the water fill a thimble or something similar with bleach and throw it into a gallon of water. This will help keep the bacteria down, but depending on how delicate the flower is, the chlorine may shock it.

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Art for Your Walls

Today I was featured on Art For Your Walls in an expert interview on interior design. I always find it so much fun to find out where people came from and how they ended up where they are. And never is someone an over night success, as the cliche’ implies. For most, it is typically years of building, strategizing, blood, sweat and tears and then that shift occurs when they become a success that every one is talking about. Despite being an unknown, those years of building are often unseen, and rarely mentioned. It is only the sudden success that every one focuses on. I have been in business for seven years, but in the design business for thirteen. What most people don’t know is that design was never on my radar. In fact, neither was being creative. I wanted to be a cop or go into the medical field. Now after years of being in the design industry I can’t imagine doing anything else.

interview-with-amanda-gates-ab-home-interiors

1. Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today and welcome to “Art For Your Walls”.

Your designs are beautiful and elegant. When did you know you wanted to become an interior designer and decided that interior design is what you want to do for the rest of your life?

It wasn’t my first choice. I was in Med school, and after working at a prestigious out patient surgical firm I realized I didn’t do well with all the structure and wanted more creative freedom.
I blew off med school for a boy, got married and by sheer luck fell into an interview for a well respected design school in California and the rest is history!

{Click Here to read more}

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Posted: March 20, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: art | art, interior design, interview Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to Add Style to Your Living Space

While color is the predominant hiccup for most of my clients, Style is definitely number two. Where do you find it? How do you get it? And is it something you buy off a shelf, or innately own?

Well it can be both but it is typically something you innately own. In order to get style you have to know what you like, and that doesn’t include the entire store. Most of my clients that I work with struggle with editing, because they like everything. Don’t worry your not alone, I like everything too, but I am an expert at editing in order to get the desired look.

Before you start putting down your hard earned dollars you first need to know what that style is, and how to edit it for the desired look you want. Take stock of what you already own. What do love, and what are so-so pieces that you don’t want defining that space? Next is color, which one is predominant in your space? Do you like it, or was it the color you picked out ten years ago before you were married and had kids? It’s important to remember that we evolve as we get older and our style and tastes change. Edit accordingly and allow your space to evolve with you.

Style

My tips to get the best style for your home:

1) Never buy suites of furniture that match. Allow your collection to grow and mix it up.

2) Mix colors to keep the style interesting and aeclectic

3) Buy the best you can afford. Quality is the study and appreciation of Style, Quantity is a vapid attempt at unattractive kitsch, (that makes it look like you’ve tried too hard!) so know the difference before you buy.

What is your style?

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Image: Stylebyemilyhenderson.com

Posted: March 17, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to design an office that makes you more money

A few weeks ago I wrote an article on office spaces. Over the years I have designed a plethora of office spaces and personally seen the effect that they have on people. So big is the change in productivity and happiness it surprises me that more people don’t jump on the band wagon. And if you are in a commercial brick and mortar, a beautiful and efficient office not only elevates the entrepreneur in that space but the staff as well. Today I am happy to say that Carla Kroger, from Daily Admin took notice.

Carla recently put together a series of interviews with high profile entrepreneurs to find out their best tips and tricks to help you become more efficient and profitable in your small business. I immediately contacted her when I saw the article introducing the series, in my opinion, (the one that counts) no entrepreneur should start operations without a kick ass office to get them pumped and motivated.

Small Business Wednesday

Expert Interview

Amanda of AB Home Interiors

Amanda Burdges

After speaking with Amanda with AB Home Interiors I knew I had to make a couple of changes here in the office. Her fresh approach to creating the right space was well received and I am thrilled share the interview with you. I spent a bit of time on her blog http://www.abhomeinteriors.com/blog and I got so much inspiration. She really knows how to create a space.

{Click here to read more}

{Click here to listen to the audio interview}

Need help with your next decorating project? Want your home to be stylish yet functional and bring you ultimate happiness? Call my office today to book a phone consultation for Virtual Interior Design that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact me @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call me @ 615-750-2763.

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Posted: March 15, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: offices | designing an office, office decorating, office interiors, profitable offices Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

4 Fun Facts About Color

Color is the dominant king when it comes to decorating because it is the single most valuable tool in a home. Think about it, if you leave your walls light and bright bright color accents can bring in excitement. If you paint your walls dark it can quickly add drama and mystique. Over the years my team and I have painted countless hours away in the various offices we have been in. So much so that I think it is safe to say that some of our office walls may be a half inch thicker than they were when we moved it! But I love paint and I love how it can instantly transform a room.

Color is not only exciting but it is a mischievous decorating tool that can instantly transform your space.

1) Color contrast

Play up an architectural detail, or create a pop with that new bold chair by painting the wall a contrasting color. Colors that contrast boldly with their background make details stand out and draw attention to them. These can become the instant “wows” in a home!

2) Similar colors conceal

Painting everything the same color can conceal imperfections and make a room look seamless. It can also help calm the room down if there is a lot going on. Another trick, paint everything the same color, including trim to create beautiful shadowing details, like the photo above.

3) Pale expansion

Light colors are soft and easy on the eyes. Use pale or soft colors if you want a room to look larger or feel lighter. Have a low ceiling? Paint it the same color in a higher sheen. The reflective qualities help expand the height.

4) Bold recedes

Bright or strong colors hold a space in. They are excellent choices in large rooms or on a high ceiling to bring them down. Another fun trick, if you have a long narrow room, paint two walls a light color and two walls a bold color to square it off!

Images: Design Sponge, Plain English Design, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy

Need help with your next decorating project? Want your home to be stylish, family-friendly, functional and bring you ultimate happiness? Call my office today to book a phone consultation for Virtual Interior Design that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact me @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call me @ 615-750-2763.

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Posted: March 12, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: choosing paint | color | choosing paint, color facts, facts about color 7 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

4 Solutions to Everyday Decorating Problems

Most homes are not absolutely perfect. The good news is every room has a decorating solution to make it work. When designing a room there are four things to consider and implement to guarantee what I call design magic. It’s kinda like fairy dust, only better!

1) Center of interest

Center of Interest

For those of you in the business world you are familiar with the term Center of Influence, or COI. In decorating it is very important to have a focal point, or Center of Interest. Create drama around one area of your room and arrange your furniture to draw attention to it. The Center of Interest can be a fireplace, a garden view, or a lovely picture arrangement (shown above). What ever it is, establish to your guests that it is important.

2) Scale and harmony

Scale and Harmony

Always plan for your furnishings to be in scale of one another. I have written about scale before and it is one of the most important tools when decorating. A home with perfect scale feels harmonious. Mix heavy items around the room and never plop them on one side of a space or it will feel off. Furnishings should be similar in size and shape and accessories should be big. Less is always more and as I always say: GO BIG OR GO HOME.

3) Traffic patterns

Traffic Flow

When creating your space always take into consideration the flow of traffic. There are always obvious ways that people will flow through a room so arrange furniture accordingly like I have done in the photo above. It needs to be harmonious to conversation, and it shouldn’t interrupt the flow of traffic. When decorating a room with multiple entrances it is wise to create smaller groupings for more intimate and comfortable spaces. And never block an entrance with a piece of furniture unless there is no other choice, or their is an alternate route to and from that space.

4) Multi task

Multi tasking day of install

Multi tasking details

With my tendency towards catching the A.D.D bug I don’t recommend multi-tasking unless it is reference to your decorating. But when you are blessed with a large room make it earn its’ square footage price. Arrange furniture so games, dining, writing, entertaining, TV viewing, or reading can all take place effortlessly. The room above ( sorry for quality of photos they are from my phone!) is an example of multi-tasking. And if you follow the three rules above, this will be the best room in the house!

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Posted: March 9, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: accessorizing | design tips | focal point | decorating solutions, focal points, scale and harmony, traffic flow Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad Recipe

As summer fast approaches (yesterday was 81 in TN) one of my favorite things to eat is yummy pasta salad, a super easy meal or snack for summer. I will typically make large batches of pasta and eat it as a snack or combine it with a meal. It’s light, easy to make and even better to eat! And there are no hard and fast rules on how to make it which is why I love it. I am all about easy! In fact the original recipe is long gone. At this point, like a smorgasbord I throw whatever I have into the pasta making it like Christmas every time I eat it! yum!

What you’ll need:

16-32 oz pasta

Cilantro/endive/parsley

Chives

Vinegar any kind really

Feta or gorgonzola cheese

Mushrooms

Garlic

Capers

Lemon

and one big ass bowl

1) Heat up your noodles

I like the spiral noodles because they tend to hold oil and cheese better and in my book cheese is like vodka so the more the better! Choose your favorite type and boil about 32 ounces of noodles or a whole bag.

2) Sautee Your Mushrooms

Saute some mushrooms with a clove or two of garlic. I like portobello mushrooms but have used fancy mixes or just regular ol’ mushrooms too. Just use what you got. Saute in olive oil, with the garlic and a little salt and pepper. Blanche with vodka if you so choose….I do because well it’s vodka! Cook for about 3 minutes and then remove from heat.

3) Chop up your veggies

Use what ever you have. I am throwing in chives, and cilantro because it is in my fridge. You can throw in endive lettuce, parsley, red onions, squash, eggplant or peppers. Have fun with it and choose things you love to eat…you really can’t go wrong!

4) Throw it all together

Get a big ass bowl and throw it all together. I have thrown in a 1/4 C of capers, 1/2 of red wine vinegar, a teaspoon or two…maybe it was three of vodka, cilantro, an entire container of gorgonzola cheese, green onions, and squeezed and half of lemon on top. And I always add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Don’t get yourself worked up over what goes in it or how much. Throw it together and flavor to taste. Super easy and super tasty, perfect for the summer. And if you are eating it quickly add an avocado! Thats even tastier!

Incredibly simple and super tasty!

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Posted: March 5, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: recipe | pasta salad, recipes, summer recipes, summer salads 2 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Carefree living-The new way to live

There has been a glorious shift in decorating over the past decade. After September 11, homeowners realizing the importance of family started spending more time at home and entertaining again. After the fall of 2008 the home became a refuge. We no longer have “that room” that’s used for special occasions only. When I was growing up that “special” room was sequestered by way of folding doors with open spindles at the top. I was never allowed in there unless I was given permission…..so of course it made me want to be in there even more!

Southern Living

Today we live in our homes. We use every ounce of space and our approach to living comfortably is entirely different. We want comfy sofas that we can lay in, chairs that we can slouch in, and tables that we can read our favorite magazine on.

Apartment Therapy

The best part? It is all done seamlessly with beautiful decor. Todays interiors are beautiful, colorful and comfortable. A place to hang with the kids or have a drink with friends. Here are some of my favorite examples of comfy decor that looks great!

Flikr

House Beautiful

Pops of color, squishy sofas and fluffy pillows now invite homeowners and guests to plop down and have a seat. Todays interiors are about indulging in moments. Surrounding yourself in comfort and being carefree.

3 ways to add comfort to your home

1) Pillows-(down of course) adds comfort and gives you the ability to add another texture or pop of color

2) Fabrics- We live in our rooms so easy care fabrics are a must. And with so many high performance fabrics on the market, style will never be sacrificed.

3) Repurposed furniture- Whether you like antiques or prefer vintage, buy furniture that has a story and has already been loved. It will already have that ‘first ding’ so wear and tear won’t be a concern.

What are some thing that you have added to your decor to make it more comfy?

Need help with your next decorating project? Want your home to be stylish yet functional and bring you ultimate happiness? Call my office today to book a phone consultation that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact me @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call me @ 615-750-2763.

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Posted: February 27, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: care free living | design trends | carefree living, decorating, easy living, Kid friendly design 2 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Decorating Your Home-Get everything to flow in three easy steps

It’s one of those things that makes or breaks a home. When things feel consistent you easily glide from one room to another and everything just seems right in the world. Your energy feels great, your mood elevated and the house…well it’s elevated too because it’s energy circulates delicious flow. That happy feeling creates ease and seamless movement through your home because of Chi. All of our homes consist of Chi, a philosophy from Feng Shui that every person, place and thing are alive and need appropriate flow to feel right.

When a home has a different theme in each room, different colors, clutter and no consistency it is very jarring. The energy is disrupted and the occupants and guests can’t quite get their bearing’s. You may fidget, feel tired, or anxious and not know why. In order to create flow in your home it is necessary that you remove or organize the clutter. Being organized allows you to feel “together.” It is also necessary to surround yourself with things of meaning, not just random tchotchke’s that you purchased on sale because the price was right. Here are three things to help you get the flow you need now:

1) Get rid of the clutter

De-clutter your life. If you haven’t seen it, worn it, or used it in over a year, donate it. Get rid of the various paper paraphernalia that we all have…and think we need but really don’t. Clutter holds stagnate energy and bogs us down. We feel heavy around it and it often makes a room feel bulky. If one room is somewhat together and the adjacent room is a complete disaster it will make the space feel unbalanced, ultimately disturbing the flow.

2) Color

Add New Post ‹ AB Home Interiors — WordPress

There are no rules to how many colors you can have in a house or a room…but if done incorrectly it can lead to disaster. There is a billion dollar industry designed for color and professionals who specialize in it because it is based on psychology and complex science. Color affects our mood, it can uplift us or depress us so it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Choose your colors wisely, and make sure they coordinate with what you currently own, the structure of your home and the other rooms of the house. If any one thing can make an immediate impact on the flow of your home, it’s color!

3) Furnishings

Untitled 2

Your investment pieces should be similar in style and shape from room to room. Whether that is through color, fabric, or actual style of furniture it helps pull each room together. It is a term I call “cross pollinating”. The two rooms above are adjacent to one another. Standing in the entrance if you look to your left you see dining, and to your right you see library. I have pulled these rooms together with similar style of furniture and color. The lines are the same and there is an easy flow between the two spaces. They just make sense and they have beautiful flow.

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Terrific online resources for art buffs

Everyone knows how much I love art and I am loving all the new sources popping up on the web that put original art right at your fingertips. Gone are the days of exclusive galleries that you may not have heard of. These website bring you great art at a great price.

1) 20 x 200

Abracadabra, by Elizabeth Huey

As their name implies, it is “Great artists, Affordable prices, and new pieces every week!” 20×200 has fantastic pieces like this print above by Elizabeth Huey, that gives you the option on size and the budget you can afford.

2) Stampa

Stampa has beautiful archival, limited edition prints….but act fast because this site has flash sales so you discover new art every month!

3) Exhibition A

Exhibition A is a members only website that sells exclusive editions of art by top contempororay artisits. They have limited editions and offer an incredible array of contemporary artists to choose from like this piece by Les Rogers.

Whether you live in the largest metropolis or way out in the boonies everyone deserves good art…and now you can get it online at a great price!

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Posted: February 22, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: art | art buffs, art collectors, buying art, contemporary art, unique art Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

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 bathroom. It was the project we were always ‘gonna get to’ and never did. Now the homeowner/client has purchased another home in another state and needs to sell this house before spring. Staging is a fairly simple process…as long as the bones are good. This million dollar home has exceptional bones and needed very little staging. In total we spent about a thousand dollars to foof and fluff six thousand square feet. Not bad considering its size, and the original interior design wasn’t bad if I don’t say so myself. .

Untitled

The bathroom however, was another story. I really did not know what to do with it in two short days. The custom tile I selected six years ago was installed on the floor and the homeowner decided to resurface the cabinets, but the remodeling stopped there. The fixtures were added in a last ditch effort to revamp the space to make it appear “updated” but fell a bit short with the still pink counters. My goal was to play up the pink and accent it with chocolate brown and acid green. The challenge would be FINDING those key items in just two days…..

Untitled

We found this stool at TJMAXX. It had a lovely purple and cream chenille fabric that just wouldn’t work so we went on the hunt for a fabric to reupholster it. This fabric (shown above) is the perfect combination of brown, pink and green…just what I was looking for!

Then we found this rug. It worked perfectly with the new fabric. More importantly it has a large bold print with strong colors….a great distraction to help combine all the crazy colors in this bathroom.

After

Obviously the counters are still pink, and the colors are still a bit of a mess. BUT instead of fighting the color combination that once did not make sense I was able to play into those colors by finding items that complimented one another and calmed the space down. Now the buyer will see potential in this space and not feel overwhelmed.

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Posted: February 20, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | bathrooms | DIY, DIY bathroom, Staging a bathroom, Staging a home 2 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Home staging-Transforming a pink bathroom

Home staging is big business these days. With so many homes in the inventory system a lackluster home filled with dirty floors, strung up laundry and trashed carpet no longer fits the bill…if of course you want to sell your home it doesn’t. Home staging is necessary if you want to show your homes best side. However, in a twist of irony many homeowners are the first to see all the evils in a new home purchase but often the last to fix things in their existing homes. When we live in our homes we get used to our environments. We get accustomed to that weird crook in the floor, the chipped tub, and the screen door that doesn’t shut right. But that potential home buyer sees it immediately. I have walked through so many homes over the years that fail to show their best side, and when the housing market is slumped, and inventory high, now is not the time to be lazy if you are trying to sell your house.

iPhoto

This week I reunited with a client that I worked with a couple years ago to help her stage her house. My biggest challenge? Her master bathroom. I helped her remodel the entire house before she moved in four years ago. But as the budget got squeezed and time ran out, the master bath was “that” project that we just never got to. Now her and her husband need to move ASAP and there is no time to remodel the bathroom.

Current bathroom

The bathroom has been given some minor updates, but the counters are still VERY pink. Combine that with cabinets that have a red undertone, oil rubbed bronze fixtures and green and gold tile and it is one hot color mess. While this is truly one of the biggest design challenges I have been faced with I plan on working with the pink and brown the best I can and accenting with green. Not a typical color combination but my goal is to show this space as best I can to help my client sell this house.

Pink tub

The good news is the tile is beautiful. It is a very high-end 18” porcelain and will be an incredible starting point for the new homeowners….as for the rest of it….well it just needs to go. All the cultured pink marble is original to the house and was installed in 1992. When the house was built everything from the cabinets to the counters were selected in pink. Smashing at the time probably not, but the 79 year old widow who built the house thought so. I will spend the next two days to see what magic I can throw together to revamp and style this home. Stay tuned to see how I transform this space and stretch my expertise to the limits!

Need help with your next decorating project? Want your home to be stylish and bring you ultimate happiness? Call my office today to book a phone consultation that will change the way you live and think about your home. Contact me @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @ 615-750-2763.

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Posted: February 15, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: design tricks | staging | Home staging, how to stage a house, pink bathrooms, staging 5 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

A moment of peace

Vacay

This week is proving to be very busy and hectic. So in an effort to calm my nerves and just take a deep breath I will pretend I am in Tahiti….OK, much better! Have a great week everyone!

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Posted: February 13, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | peace, relaxation Leave a Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

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 their list of needs, now is not the time to be cheap. Potential staging clients call me all the time wondering if temporary staging really makes that big of a difference, and most fear the investment if they are just going to leave anyways. Makes sense, why put more money into a house if you are just going to move? But on the flip side, how long are you willing to “sit” on a house and pay a lofty mortgage while other homes sell? Better yet, how long are you willing to put your life on hold while other houses sell?

iPhoto

Next week I am flying out to California to help a client stage her home. It has been on the market for over six months and despite her pleading with her husband to invest in some much needed money for changes, he refuses. His mind is set. They have already purchased another home and he wants to move NOW. She is an avid reader of my blog and knows the importance of remodeling to get more bang for your buck. Above is a picture of what I am up against. This is a picture of her master bathroom….and might I add this is in a million dollar home!

Simply changing paint makes a BIG difference

Small changes can really reap big rewards even if you don’t have a lot of money. Now I am not sure how far I can take pink counter tops but I can certainly do other things in that bathroom to add value. And that is exactly what I plan to do. If you are planning on moving and your house isn’t selling, get a fresh pair of eyes. What are your potential buyers seeing that you don’t? What are the other houses on the street offering that yours isn’t? What is the PERCEIVED value in comparison to the REAL value? It doesn’t matter that your house has an eight hundred thousand dollar price tag on paper. If the buyer only sees flaws, they perceive differently then you. And remember, buyers don’t just buy a price tag or an address. They buy with emotion and senses. So re-carpet, repaint, and bake something sweet when the house is being shown. It is a proven fact that people are more likely to buy and be at ease when sweets waft through the air. And finally, don’t underestimate the help of a staging consultant. You may simply need a fifteen degree shift in the overall look of your home to get it sold now.

Stay tuned. I will have before and after’s of the California house to show you my best tricks to get it sold!

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Posted: February 10, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: design tricks | home staging | decorating to sell, DIY, get it sold, Home staging, Staging to sell 2 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

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 easy if approached correctly. We all have an innate ability to decorate because we all know what we like and don’t like. The issue that most people face comes with editing.

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Design

I recently started working with a new client Mrs. W several weeks ago, and before I even had a chance to get her design plan together she had already started grabbing random samples, numerous cabinet brochures, appliances and picking sinks for her upcoming kitchen remodel. This is mistake number one. Many clients I see jump the gun and don’t honor the process. Mrs. W was no different. She had hired me to put together a kitchen layout, that she planned to work towards in about six months. But like most clients, the excitement took over and she started running all over town like an ecstatic three year old going to disneyland looking for kitchen “stuff”. The problem with this method is that nothing correlates with one another, and these mistakes cost you money.

Her decorating plan of randomness

Here are just a few things that Mrs. W selected. (shown above) On their own these items are lovely and beautiful but together they just don’t make sense. The colors and styles are all over the spectrum and the question should be what do they relate to?… At this point nothing. Designer to the rescue!

In order to gain confidence in your decorating decisions you need a plan. What is the style going to be? What colors do you prefer? Do the undertones and textures work harmoniously? Are the styles congruent? Do not leave the house until you know the answers to these questions. Otherwise, you’ll be running all over town grabbing every brochure and product you can get your hands on throwing away valuable time and money.

My plan decorating plan of cohesiveness

Remodeling is fun. You get to choose things that you want and you can build a space around your specific needs and desires. But do it wrong and the results will be less than fun and filled with regret…not something you want when you just spent thousands of dollars of your hard earned money. Even if you are an astute DIYer if you feel there is trouble in the waters ahead, bring in a consultant to show you the way. A few hundred dollars invested in the beginning can help save you thousands in the long run and a long line of regret. Take advantage of the available resources in your area. Designers, lighting specialists, cabinet designers, color experts, plumbing, finishes…and the list goes on. You will be happier in the end when the finished product is exactly what you envisioned and then some!

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Posted: February 8, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: design 101 | design 101, easy decorating, how to decorate, planning to decorate 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Feng Shui-What does your front door say about you?

When I was going through design school in California back in the late nineties I studied the methodology and energy practices of feng shui. Since being in Tennessee I have utilized very little of this training but have maintained a closet addiction, and secretly applied it through many of my interiors because I think everyone should have good balanced energy….whether they believe in it or not.

West facing front door

In feng shui you will often hear if something is auspicious or inauspicious. There are basically four popular schools of feng shui, and no matter which one you study or follow they essentially all want one thing: auspicious chi. Chi is life force energy. We are surrounded by it and the goal is to get it to flow and meander throughout our homes so that our lives are affected in very positive ways, which cannot happen if the first thing your guests see is a dilapidated, and beat-up front door.

Not only does your front door say a lot about who you are as a person, it is imperative that it greet your guests with the best energy, and attract good energy. I have spoken about this on other topics here on the blog about the way your surroundings make you feel. That is the practice of feng shui. If your guests approach your door with disgust, that energy follows into your home. Or if they are disappointed, trip on an uneven surface or worse they get confused about where the door is…that energy follows in too.

I follow the practice of Compass Feng Shui, meaning certain directions contain different types of energies and are associated with certain paint colors. When it comes to your front door pay attention to the way your home faces, and what color you present to the world, because all directions and colors vibrate differently.

The best colors for doors facing NW, W, and SW are: Red, greige, and black.

The best colors for a North facing door: Red (North is a quiet energy so red stirs things up, grrrr)

The best color for a NE facing door: White.

The best colors for a door facing E are: Bright green and cream.

The best colors for a SE facing door: Dark green, blue and cream.

The best colors for a S facing door: Bright green, dark green, blue and purple.

Remember to keep the pathway to your door clear, attractive, and always have it meander to slow the chi down. Keep your front door adorned with beautiful shiny hardware (not beat-up, or chipped), round planters with lively plants and refrain from cluttering the doorway with things like shoes…this indicates indecision and chaos, and can also frustrate your guest if they trip or have to step over them!

Which way does your door face?

Need design help? Save money and rescue your design challenged home with one simple phone call. Call our office for a design consultation that will change the way you live. Contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @ 615-750-2763 We offer local and VIRTUAL design help.

Images: ohmigosh blog, driftwood-interiors,

Posted: February 6, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Feng Shui | auspicious, Chi, door location, feug shui, home energy, position of door 5 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Phone Consultations

AB HOME Interiors has been offering online design for over two years but after reviewing our survey from a week ago, we discovered that a majority of our readers don’t necessarily need detailed design plans, but rather prefer quick and easy phone consultations to get their design questions answered now.

AB HOME Interiors

You asked and we responded! Starting Monday February 6th I will start offering phone consultations to help you choose the right paint, position your furniture correctly, make the right purchases and get you going in the right direction on your design project! And to show my appreciation I will be offering *phone consultations for $197, roughly 35% off until February 29th! After that they will be $300. For more information or to book your appointment now, please contact Katie @ info@abhomeinteriors.com. Look forward to working with all of you!

* All consultations will be 45 minutes to one hour. Phone consults will be recorded and sent to you within 24-48 hours. Phone consultations will also include an email action sheet and a conversation wrap-up. AB HOME Interiors accepts all major credit cards.

Posted: February 3, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

The art of being an entrepreneur

When I first started my company seven years ago my mindset was, “I want to work from home and not for someone else.” I really had no intentions of being an “entrepreneur.” But I will be honest, I had a terrible track record working for other people. Overall I was a good employee, or at least I think I was, but I HATED being told what to do. I also hated the pressures of performance expectations for someone else’s benefit.

My first head shot 2006

My first website

In 2005 I launched AB HOME. A little company out of house that allowed me to earn a living, and play by my own rules. By 2006 I realized that I needed to take this a bit seriously so I launched my first website. Surprisingly it was a hit, and people loved that they could “google” me and flip through my portfolio. By 2007 my company was extremely profitable and working from home was awesome. But by 2008 the company was doing exceptionally well so it was time to get product and staff out of the house and take it to the next level by upgrading into a brick and mortar. Why that shift occurred I really don’t know or can’t remember, but that is when I began to realize that I was an “entrepreneur.” For years the idea of running my own company terrified me. Taxes, responsibilities, employees…all of it seemed overwhelming. Looking back I feel like I went in head first and didn’t really think it all through. Ignorance was bliss for me.

The previous store

Looking back I really cannot believe all that I have done, but I have made many mistakes a long the way. Especially when I speak with others who are planning their exits out of corporate America and have unbelievable strategies and plans for becoming an entrepreneur (something I had none of) One thing I regret most is not getting on board with a business coach sooner. I hired my first coach in 2010 and would recommend it to anyone who is starting or running a business. Their perspective and razor sharp vision for your company will change the way you view yourself as an entrepreneur and your company.

I just returned from Miami where I met with my new business coach James Roche. He is an expert on marketing, and what I love most is that his wife Melanie is an energy healer, so James knows how important it is to have a mind, body and spirit connection to really achieve success. Something I saw first hand with our mastermind group, if you are putting up blocks in your personal life, chances are those blocks bleed into your business.

Miami Mastermind

I am excited about the coming year. Our Miami mastermind group will continue until December of this year, forcing us to all be accountable about our goals. I would like to thank everyone who filled out the survey I sent last week. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done! But James insisted that all of us do it. In order for all of us to have direction this coming year it is important for us to know what our audience wants, and the survey gave me just that! The mastermind group meets again this summer. My goals until then are to relaunch the phone consultation design program, revamp the website, and get my design classes online so everyone can learn from me in the comfort of their homes.

If you didn’t fill out the survey and would like to see us add a service please list it in the comments below, or email me at: info@abhomeinteriors.com

Posted: February 1, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: The design business | coaching | business coach, entrepreneur, mastermind group 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

12 EASY things you can do today to reduce your carbon footprint

The very convenient truth about our carbon footprint is that each and every one of us have the ability to make an impact. For years the task at hand seemed daunting to me. How on earth (pun intended, Har!) can I make a difference? After watching Al Gore preach to us about Global Warming, and celebrities running in flocks to trade in their 911’s for more efficient options, I wasn’t sure I wanted to join the revolution. Seriously, it was just too much work…. or is it?

Recycle and reuse

We are all busy people, but if we just stop and take stock in the little things, WE CAN make a difference. National Geographic recently published that there is now 7 billion people on the planet. If 10% of that population makes a few conscious decisions every day we can reduce our carbon footprint, and imagine if 25% of that population participated! Think you can’t do it? Try these 12 EASY things around your home over the next thirty days and join in the revolution….it’s fun, you’ll see!

The EASY 12 step eco-home plan

Turn off your lights

1) Turn off the lights-if you leave a room, turn off the lights. During the day, utilize as much natural light as possible and forgo artificial.

2) Vampire energy- Random cords plugged in all over the house charging NOTHING. (Computer plugs, cell phone chargers, drills, iPods…any wireless device that requires a recharge) All those cords that charge stuff shouldn’t be plugged in when they are not CHARGING.

Post consumer

3) Recycled-Buy products that contain post consumer product. Bottles, egg cartons, toilet paper, general packaging, cat litter etc. Most of us visit a grocery store at least twice a month, make a conscious effort to buy at least three items with reused or repurposed material.

4) Reuse newspaper- Use it in compost, for cleaning, burn in the fire, packaging, or combine with cat litter.

Homemade

5) Gifts-Most of us have at least 5 events each year for celebration. The average household has 15. In stead of buying a NEW product as a gift, give the gift of something homemade, secondhand or antique. In order to make true change the supply and demand chain needs to shift. Stop the insane media driven consumerism.

6) Toilets-Put a brick or two filled water bottles in every toilet tank in your home to reduce your water consumption footprint. The average person uses 15-20 gallons of water per day, the average household uses 50-60. Imagine removing the trap under your kitchen sink and having to remove a 3 gallon bucket every time it was full…..you’d be running out to the garden 5-10 times a day.

Showering 1 minute less

7) Showering-Make it a point to shower 1 minute less or more. Put a clock in your bathroom for a week and determine how long you typically bathe. A 10 minute shower wastes 5-8 gallons of water. Think of how much you could save by cutting off an entire minute, and you will save on your water bill.

Printing-Instead of printing every single piece of paper, consider putting the info on a file in your computer. Temporary things like hotel confirmations and flight itineraries can be stored in your phone. If printing is absolutely necessary, reuse and recycle the paper.

Made from scratch

9) Make from scratch-Instead of buying harsh commercial cleaners, make your own at home. They are safer for the occupants and gentler on the environment. Remember, your soaps, detergents and scrubs all go down the drain into our water supply and get absorbed by our earth.

10) Buy local and buy organic-If our food travels an average of 12,000 miles to get to your local grocery store think of the fuel, crude oil, and resources necessary to make that happen. If the farmer down the road has the same product it is a much healthier option for you and the environment…and probably tastes better too!!

Use rags not paper

11) Paper towels-Instead of using 20 paper towels a day, recycle old t-shirts, rags, socks or buy some from a thrift store. Rags can be used over and over and can easily be rinsed in the sink, or thrown in with the laundry without producing a ton of waste.

12) Reuse containers-Instead of buying more containers (media driven consumerism), reuse milk jugs, wine bottles, sour cream containers, egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, jelly jars etc…get creative! A gentleman in my yoga class uses a recycled/repurposed wine jug to bring water to class. Whatever it is use what you got!

Have a great green idea? Share some of your great tips, and I will feature them here on the blog!

Ready to get your room started? Need some help? Contact us. 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!

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images: Ab home interiors, blogging america

Posted: January 30, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

How quantity over quality can sacrifice your style

In the last fifteen years there has been a slow yet rapid shift in the quality of products sold in the US. Everything from our clothes, furniture and even food has seen a decline. Furniture and accessories are all being sent over to China for production where every corner is cut to keep costs low. While I am a huge advocate of staying on budget, I think that this low cost trend has created an instant gratification of empty consumerism. Or as my business coach would say, “Shiny object syndrome.”

Our homes have gotten twice as big as they used to be compared to thirty years ago. Most homeowners today opt for smaller lots with a larger home that offer more square footage. Suddenly you went from a 500 foot apartment to spaciously living in 2800 square feet….but you only have six items to put in it. So in a mad dash to look “decorated” you rush out and buy “quantity” to fill it up, sacrificing quality and style.

How to avoid mistakes

In Design Strategies 101 (my decorating class), the FIRST thing I teach is style and inspiration. “IT” is the difference between a well appointed home, and looking like a TJMAXX store. Get it right and your home feels warm and inviting, collected and sacred. Get it wrong and it just feels like it has missed a step.

1) Make a plan

Build a plan

What ever that looks like for you…this (shown above) is me starting a plan for the Southern Living Show house. The goal is to get a direction to help you focus.

2) Build a budget

Monroe

Once you know WHAT you want to do, you have to figure out what you are willing to spend to get it. More importantly, what are you willing to spend OVER TIME? Give yourself a goal that is reasonable. Maybe it is one year…maybe it is five. This will help you really appreciate the space and stay on track with your style.

3) What are the three words…

three words

What are three words that describe your new space? Does that new tchotchke or chair fit into that description of how you want your home to look and feel?

4) DO you love it?

Southern Living by AB HOME Interiors

Are you buying the item or buying the price? Do you LOVE it? Better yet, would you pay full price for the item? If you answered no, then the item does not fit into your style.

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 We offer local and VIRTUAL design help.

featured image: Ab home interiors

Posted: January 27, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: style | budgetting, decorating, quality design, style 7 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

How to create an office that makes you more money

Imagine going into your office and sitting with a client dressed in your pajamas. How would you feel? It’s likely that you wouldn’t feel professional, and lets face it your game would be off. You wouldn’t be able to put your best foot forward, and really sell your offerings with confidence. (not with felt scooby pants) Same goes with your surroundings. Even if you dont have a lot of money, your work space should be THE BEST that you can afford, because it is what EARNS your living.

When you walk into your dirty office filled with scattered paper, mismatched furniture, no inspiring art, and scratched walls, you are likely to feel dirty, scattered and uninspiried.

Now take that same space, put a lovely coat of paint on the walls, a fantastic chair (like wearing the right kind of sexy heels) inspiring photos of art or family, and surround yourself with accessories that hold meaning to you. THIS space holds an entirely different energy. This energy and the entrepreneur inside of it is uplifted, inspired, motivated and going to work to work. Big difference.

Interiors play a big role in our productivity, especially our office. When we are in a great space it lifts our confidence and we become stronger, more assertive business owners. It gives us credence rather than uncertainty. Even if it is just a small desk in the kitchen make every effort to make that “your” space. It will change the dynamic of how you run and operate your business, your household your non-profit…whatever it is. I have been doing this for 12 years and seen it over and over again. If you feel like a rockstar you perform like one too.

5 things to shake up your money maker

1) Lighting

A great lamp

Choose a lamp that not only provides good light but adds decoration to your desk. Don’t choose a lamp that has a bent frame, leans, or eats through bulbs. A beautiful lamp with great color provides a lovely glow and puts you in a good mood.

2) Window treatment

iPhoto

A simple valance is a great way to draw the eye up, add some color and decorate the window. Many clients I see neglect their windows and they are such a great window of opportunity! (har!) The point is, use what ever you got, a shower curtain, table cloth or a scrap of fabric left over from something else and use it to add some style. Don’t ever have naked windows!

3) Accessories

Accessories

Add beautiful accessories around your space. Choose things that suit your profession and personality. When you surround yourself with beautiful things you feel remarkably well. You honor the space differently than you would a scattered mismatched space. PJs vs J Crew.

4) Art

Art

Quite simply the easiest and fastest way to make your space posh, add art…BIG art. (GO BIG, OR GO HOME) It’s no secret that I love art, add a large 48 x 48 piece behind your desk and your space is instantly ready for business.

5) Indulge in the little things

Indulge

As an interior designer and lifestyle expert it is my job to point out the details. When it comes to your office the little things are what make the difference. Have a cup of tea in a vintage cup. Use a cloth napkin when you break for lunch. Enjoy snacks like fruit, or crackers from beautiful thrift store plates. Have a diet coke in an antique wine glass. Small things make a big difference and make your office feel decadent and self indulgent. Cha-ching!

I just wrapped up an interview with Carla Kroger, from Daily Administration on this very subject yesterday. Stay tuned for the link to the recording!

Ready to get your next design project started? Need some help? Contact us. We offer an array of services to meet your design needs locally and virtually. Click here for more info!

Posted: January 25, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: accessorizing | offices | Brentwood TN design, cool springs decorator, office decorating, office design, office interiors 5 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Toxic food-The secret behind eating raw produce

About four years ago I started making small steps to eat more organic food, especially produce. Prior to this I was assuming that all produce was the same produce and no reason to spend more, right? Wrong. Organic food is more expensive yes, but are you willing to risk your health for an item that is a dollar more? I will admit, on average I spend about $20 more at the grocery store buying organic food, however I do find it curious that our country has seen more disease, especially in children than ever before.

We have become a country of instant gratification. We no longer wait for seasonal foods and few participate in promoting local resources. Did you know that the produce you eat travels an average of 12,000 miles? In the last century we have become more lazy, more overweight and more stressed than any other time in our history. And we are all about convenience.

Eating organic guarantees that you won’t be ingesting unhealthy residues like: Mercury, radio active particles, PCBs, carcinogens, nerve posion’s and pesticides all of which are used on our fresh produce to kill weeds, insects, fungicides, rats and mice. Not to mention for the last fifty years getting into our water supply and mother earth herself. As soon as you start brestfeeding your child is now exposed to these harmful products. Kids are at greatest risk because most parents encourage fruit and vegetable consumption not realizing that fruit is the most contaminated produce at the super market. With neurological systems that are still developing it’s no wonder that kids suffer from things like A.D.D, A.D.H.D, autism, and many other ailments. Even more assuring, or rather alarming is that chemicals used in the United States are constantly evolving and the time from use to actually banning a product is typically too late. And we have all heard about DDT. It is no longer used in the United States but can and IS USED overseas where it can LEGALLY enter into the US.

What you can do to avoid toxic produce

1) Support your local farmer first and foremost.

Reduce that carbon footprint and become less reliable on the food that travels to infinity and beyond. In an effort to produce more stuff, make more stuff cheaper and reap huge profts, the government and large corporations do inconceivable things to seeds, produce and land to meet an unsustainable demand. Support your community and put those dollars back where it counts. Remember your dollars get recirculated on average 5 times over just for simply buying locally.

2) Don’t go unprotected it’s dangerous!

If you cannot afford to buy all organic produce opt to buy regular fruits and veggies with skins. Oranges, bananas, onions, garlic…any thing that can be peeled will be safer as long as it is washed. Take unscented dish soap and wash the item BEFORE you peel it. Then peel it open and enjoy. But do remember that the soil, water and pesticides could have been absorbed while the plant was growing…so organic is always a safer bet.

3) Naked food should be organic food

A potato peel has an average of 30% more pesticide than a peeled potato, unless it is organic. The number goes up if the item has been waxed like a cucumber or apple. Wax can contain fungicide and holds pesticides and other chemicals hostage on your produce, essentially sealing it in with no way to remove it, no matter how much you wash that cucumber! Lettuce, cilantro, potato’s, carrots…anything without a skin that is not peeled should be organic.

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Images: Toxic foods, organic authority, aquafm.com, peas in a blog

Beyond the plastic yard flamingo- 4 new ways to rethink pink

Its no surprise, I love pink. Always have. In fact it has been the core color of my wardrobe for over 10 years. Early on my mother told me I would tire of it, or rather grow out of it….but I still love pink. The value or intensity does change over the years, but the color never does.

Pink

I even convinced Lori Sawaya of Colorpodz to devote an entire podcast to the subject. Pink is often associated with women. Considered a feminine color, or more so for girls, it is quickly overlooked for more saturated hues. But pink can quickly update a room, add some sass and instantly make it look fresh. Here are my top tips on how you can add some much needed pink to your decor for spot on sophistication.

1) Pillows

Pillows

Add a pillow or pillows to a bench, a bed, an accent chair or your sofa. Pink goes with numerous color palettes and will update your space in a snap.

2) Art

Michelle Armas

Have a small nook or corner? Maybe a space that is lackluster? Add art with pops of pink. It will liven up that space instantly like this Michelle Armas piece above.

3) Paint

Paint

There is nothing like the power of paint. So simple and yet so decorative. Use it in new ways. Create stripes or put a stunning shade on the ceiling for a delightful surprise.

4) Accent

Accent

Above is a current project I am working on. Fabrics in soft cream, mushroom and various shades of blue. A color palette that most would consider not compatible with pink. But like all my interiors, I found a way to incorporate it in. The accent fabric has two shades of pink in it. This will be a wonderful chair in the home that will add surprise and unexpected appeal, making this interior super fun!

Ready to get your room started? Need some help? Contact us. We offer an array of services to meet your design needs virtually. Click here for more info!

images: Michelle armas

Posted: January 20, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: accessorizing | art | color | pink, updating decor, using pink 5 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Homemade Potato Soup-Amanda Style

Last year I discovered a great Potato Soup recipe from Mama loves food, that is really good and fairly simple. But being a vegetarian and having limited utensils in the AB HOME kitchen it was my goal to take an already simple recipe and dumb it down even further…aka, doin’ it Amanda style.

What you’ll need

Heres what you’ll need:

6 Potato’s (duh, they are the main ingredient after all)

2 cans Vegetable broth

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 C cream

1/4 C sour cream

1 stick of cream cheese

garnishments:

sour cream

chives

cheese

Step 1

Makings of good soup

Cut up your potato’s, and put veggie broth, garlic and taters all into a pot. Its recommended to use a slow cooker. We ain’t got one of those…we got one pot and it works just fine. Put on low and let simmer for about 2 hours.

Step 2

Add dairy

After the tators have simmered for a few hours drain out a little of the broth. It is recommended to take a 1/2 C of the potato’s out and puree them…..we don’t have any of that fancy stuff. So, throw in your stick of cream cheese, your cream and sour cream. I also like to add salt and pepper and some tabasco at this point…season as you see fit.

Step 3

Dig in!

Let all the creams and cheese melt…about 30 minutes. Once everything is heated up you are done! Garnish with sour cream, cheddar cheese and chives. ( I like adding in some crunchy onions too) YUM! Dig in! Short, easy and all done with ONE pot! Nothing fancy, and totally de-lish!

Harley the kit kat

I am here to supervise and moms right, the soup is tasty….I like cheese!

Ready to get your room started? Need some help? Contact us. We offer an array of services to meet your design needs virtually. Click here for more info!

Posted: January 18, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: cooking | recipe | 1 Comment AB Homes Interiors Blog

Gardening 101-Skipping the basics and going downright easy

It’s official, I am a gardener….or at least that is what I am telling people because it makes me sound like I a am apart of some elite group of cool kids. For years I have been going on and on about having a garden. Obsessing over them, designing them, even pretending to have chickens (which I am still determined to have). I have spent the last four years reading what seems like every organic gardening book on the shelf and researching gardening sites online to the point of exasperation. Well no more. I am dizzy with all this information and while some of it may have actually influenced a nugget of knowledge in my head, I feel more unsure than when I started. It’s like rocket science y’all. So, instead of it getting the best of me and wasting away another season buried in gardening 101 books, I am just going to dive in head first, hold my breath and hope for the freakin’ best!

What you will need to get your organic garden started:

As I mentioned in the video, USE WHAT YOU HAVE! All you will need to buy are seeds (they are inexpensive and last several seasons.) and dirt. Find containers around the house. Start collecting them over the holidays when the festivities are at their peak. Cans, sour cream containers, water bottles, egg cartons, milk cartons…what ever you can get your hands on, will work for seeds.

Step 1

Prep you containers

Containers-Once you have collected enough containers you’ll need to prep them for dirt and drainage. Poke holes at the bottom of your water bottles with an exacto knife, and I used a nail to puncture the tin cans.

Step 2

Ready for dirt

Once the containers have all been prepped for proper drainage, you can start filling them with your organic dirt. I used organic potting mix from Miracle-Gro, and this can be found at home depot or any gardening store. I filled each container leaving about a half inch at the top.

Step 3

Fill with dirt

Now comes the fun part, you have to decide how you want your seedlings to be laid out. You will have to have some organization so you know what seeds are growing where. I took all my seed packets and laid them out on the counter in order of days to germination and height. All of this info is on the seed packet.

I used a package of old file tabs to use as my labels, cut them into strips and also took advantage of them being different colors. Once they were labeled I stuck them in the dirt.

Step 4

Labeled dirt

Place 2-3 seeds in each container. Each seed requires a different depth but I planted all of mine around a 1/2″ depth. *GASP* Remember, I’m pretty much throwin’ the spaghetti on the wall here and hoping it sticks. The technical stuff just makes me dizzy and seriously, how hard can organic gardening be? What like getting into Harvard is hard?

After all the seeds are planted keep them inside the house in a warm area, preferably close to the sun. I placed mine in clear trash bags to create a green house effect and ensure uber warmth for my little guys. Cross your fingers that “the gardener” can make something grow! Stay tuned!

Ready to get your room started? Need some help? Contact us. 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!

Posted: January 16, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | +gardening, +homesteading, gardening 101, gardening basics, growing seeds 4 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

The unhealthy truth about commercial air fresheners

Household odors

In the past twenty years consumers have been inundated from shiny, media-driven ad campaigns, to FEAR odors. I guarantee if you sit down and watch 30 minutes of TV, you will see everything from odor controlling garbage bags, aerosol room sprays, to contraptions that emit froo froo smells every time it senses movement. The ads are intriguing and meant to play on all sorts of emotions-A HAPPY home smells good, A well organized home isn’t complete without vanilla apples, (and my favorite,) What must your neighbors think! So for 25 seconds you watch an over joyed housewife running through the bedrooms, to family rooms destroying all evil odors.

Air fresheners

What most of you don’t realize is these marketing gurus are carving out a money train, putting the fear of odor in your brain, that must be replenished every thirty to sixty days, Cha-Ching! Kinda like those prescription drug ads: Does your house have dirty socks? How about a trash can? Does your kitchen smell like food?….OMG! They are talking about me, I have that! So you run out and buy up every apple cinnamon air freshener on the shelf. The good news is your home will now smell like cinnamon apple dirty socks, and kitchen trash! yummmm!

Commercial air fresheners are toxic. They contaminate the air and have major health hazards thanks to petroleum distillates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones and other dangerous solvents. Some will deaden unwanted odors but as Carla Emery states in her book, Country Living, “most are designed to deal with you.” Air fresheners basically mask natural odors by overpowering them with highly concentrated commercial chemicals, or worse designed to COAT your nasal passages with an oily film to impair your ability to smell. Some even consist of nerve-deadening agents called phthalates, that attack your nasal passages so you may not be able to smell that cat box, but your guests can. Phthalates are starting to be phased out of the US and Canada thanks to birth defects, infertility and being carcinogenic. Not to mention the Center for Disease Control did a test on numerous women of child bearing age and found 7 different types of phthalates in their urine….but that was in 2006 and you can still buy apple cinnamon and a myriad of other flavors at your local market.

The Solution:

Instead of buying the commercially driven, air freshener death wish, opt for a homemade, DIY, environmentally safe option instead.

Air freshener alternative

What you’ll need:

1C vodka or isopropyl alcohol

1C water

1 Spray bottle

essential oil or oils of your preference

I always make my DIY linen and room sprays with vodka because it is one of the most prevalent ingredients at the AB HOME office, and at home…but isopropyl alcohol works too! In a large container mix all the ingredients together and add in your essential oils last. Gently shake or stir the ingredients. With a funnel pour what you’ll need into a small 2 or 3 oz bottle and keep the remainder in an air tight container in a dry cool place. Will keep up to two years if stored properly.

Simple and easy to make, safe for you and the environment.

images: Debbie Atwood, Time health,

Posted: January 13, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | 14 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Impulse shopping-Is it smart to spend when trying to save?

SALE

For the past three years I have seen a growing trend of homeowners throwing away tons of money on purchases that don’t make sense, simply becasue the items were on “sale”. Most Sales, especially 50% off or more are final. Everyone’s hurting, including the big guys so in an effort to get your hard earned dollar they create the illusion that there’s savings to be had. Case in point, I recently had a lady call me wanting me to “figure out” how to use her new rug. On an impulse she purchased an 11 foot by 15 foot area rug made of 100% wool. Great, seems easy enough. But that wasn’t the case. Apparently THIS rug was handmade by elves in a small fair trade country in Narnia, and it came with it’s own bag of fairy dust. Why? Because this rug was lemon yellow and her entire house is brown, blue and orange.

Online, one day only!

In an economy that has been slumped for what seems like forever, everyone is on the hunt for that unbelievable bargain, no matter what the cost. With shows like Design on a Dime and Extreme Couponing everyone seems to be joining in on the mad craze, wanting to get a piece of that savings mirage. Reality check! Is it smart to be spending when the goal is to save? Does an 11 foot by 15 foot lemon yellow rug make sense (when your house has no yellow) just because YOU THINK you are saving 50%?

Special, VIP pricing!!

In the end, Mrs H as I will call her, ended up spending her savings on design time with me to make her “bargain” work. And she is not alone. On average I work with at least 7 clients a year trying to fix their mistakes. I think it is also important to point out that most of those “SALES” are marketing schemes. How do I know this? Because the proof is in the pudding. My staff and I are redoing my new office and there are two lamps that I would like to purchase, from a well known design vendor, for the new conference room. I was just reviewing them this past week and low and behold yesterday they popped up on a very well known “online discount company”. They were THREE times the wholesale cost, BUT LISTED as 65% OFF. That my friends is not a discount, that is a marketing ploy to get you to purchase an item at regular retail without you knowing it. And that is how you end up with a lemon colored rug. Unfortunately this is the new way of doing business and it seems that everyone is buying into that savings mirage. And the worst part? Your “bargain” that was probably purchased at full price is non-returnable which is music to that manufacturers ears!

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Posted: January 11, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Interiors | bargains, how to save, impulse shopping, shopping smart 10 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

Huevos Rancheros made easy

I have to say I am not much of a breakfast eater. However, if you are going to do it you might as well do it right. One of my favorite breakfast items is Huevos Rancheros. Many of the recipes online are fairly easy, but many chefs like to get all fancy and complicate things when that just isn’t necessary. Or worse, add a bunch of stuff that traditional mexican cuisine chefs wouldn’t consider “huevos rancheros” material. Here is one of my favorite HR recipes with short, simple and stupid instructions so anyone can do it!

What you'll need

Ingredients:

2 eggs (AKA: Huevos!)

2 tortillas

1 clove garlic

1/2 C salsa

1/3 C olives

salt and pepper to taste

Garnishment (YUM!)

Sour cream

Avocado

Cilantro

Cheese

1) To start

To start

Step 1: Heat up a skillet, throw in some oil and the clove of garlic (diced)

Step 2: After about a minute or so (lets the garlic cook a bit) throw in roughly a 1/2 cup of salsa. Chefs like to get all fancy here and dice up fresh tomatoes, and chiles Eh! just use salsa. I like to throw in black olives here…but not necessary if you don’t like them.

2) In another skillet

Step 3: In another skillet heat up some oil and when hot, throw in a tortilla

Step 4: Brown the tortilla on both sides until crispy (about 2 minutes total)

3) In same pan

Step 5: Remove the tortilla and put on a warm plate. Crack open an egg inside the same pan as the tortilla

Step 6: Place the egg on the crispy tortilla, and pour the salsa mixture on top

4) And Finally

Voila! Perfection

Top with cheese, sour cream, cilantro and avocado. I also added some cut up chives because the more flavors the better. The important thing here is to use what you have! Pile it on. What ever is in the cupboard or fridge, Huevos Rancheros is simple to make and even better to eat! Delicioso!

Ready to get your room started? Need some help? Contact us. 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!

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Posted: January 9, 2012 by Amanda Gates |Filed Under: Entertaining | cuisine | breakfast, easy recipes, egg recipes, huevos rancheros, mexican recipes 3 Comments AB Homes Interiors Blog

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

Image: pinterest, 2, houzz, Georgina design, Heart beat oz, a life of beauty and grace,

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office. Register HERE

Find out more about Virtual Interior Design HERE

1) Fixture type

2) Size Matters

3) Cost

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

1) Consider who will be there

2)Time of Day

3) Create a list

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office.

Find us on facebook and Twitter too!!

And don’t forget to register for my upcoming teleclass: 3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office

5 must have tips to get the best floral arrangement:

1) Color contrast

2) Similar colors conceal

3) Pale expansion

4) Bold recedes

1) Center of interest

2) Scale and harmony

3) Traffic patterns

4) Multi task

1) Heat up your noodles

2) Sautee Your Mushrooms

3) Chop up your veggies

4) Throw it all together

3 ways to add comfort to your home

1) Get rid of the clutter

2) Color

3) Furnishings

1) 20 x 200

2) Stampa

3) Exhibition A

The EASY 12 step eco-home plan

How to avoid mistakes

1) Make a plan

2) Build a budget

3) What are the three words…

4) DO you love it?

5 things to shake up your money maker

1) Lighting

2) Window treatment

3) Accessories

4) Art

5) Indulge in the little things

What you can do to avoid toxic produce

1) Support your local farmer first and foremost.

2) Don’t go unprotected it’s dangerous!

3) Naked food should be organic food

1) Pillows

2) Art

3) Paint

4) Accent

Heres what you’ll need:

garnishments:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

What you will need to get your organic garden started:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

The Solution:

Ingredients:

Garnishment (YUM!)

1) To start

2) In another skillet

3) In same pan

4) And Finally

Upcoming Events-3 Steps to a More Productive and Profitable office with Amanda Gates