Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

Thanksgiving Table Top Ideas

by Filed Under: design, fall colors, holiday


I know the stores have been stocked for months with Christmas decor, but we can’t forget about the beautiful holiday this week! Thanksgiving has been taking the back seat in stores and is almost forgotten about in the decorations aisle. It seems to go straight from Halloween to Christmas. I wanted to showcase one of my favorite holidays… Thanksgiving!! Today, I’ll show some of the most beautiful and simple table top ideas for your home. You might already know what your table will look like this year, but it’s not too late to add some of these pretty ideas.

 

A glass vase with some green leaves in itimage via

You can add simple mason jars filled with a handful of mint leaves. It will add a thoughtful scent to your table. You can also sprinkle real or faux leaves along the center of the table. The colors are perfect for the occasion!

A long table with candles and plates on itimage via

Adding simple greenery, candles on stump circles and a runner will set a nature inspired, welcoming mood.

A table set with plates, silverware and fruit.image via

{Do you see a fresh greenery and candle pattern in this post?} I love the rustic simplicity of this idea! Adding small butcher block trays with snacks, fresh flower gatherings and magnolia garland makes this table so warm and welcoming.

A table set with silverware and napkin tied to each other.image via

I love this thoughtful idea! You can add a 12 inch strip of your favorite fall inspired ribbon and tie your silverware with it.

A table set with silverware and napkins for thanksgiving.image via

I will be doing my own version of this idea! Although I won’t be hosting the actual Thanksgiving meal this year, I will have the family over that weekend. I love adding brown craft paper on the table for the kids {and really everyone} to add decorations, funny pictures and things they are thankful for. It’s practical for clean up, while also being a fun way for the kids to have fun when they have finished their meal.

Do you have any simple tips to add to the list?!?

Why This Works – Holiday Edition!

by Filed Under: design, personal design style, why works series


Welcome back to my Why This Works series, where I show a designed room and discuss why I think it’s perfection! This home would make the list on any day, but I’m excited to show it all decked out for the Holidays! {This is also motivation to get me going on some shopping and decorating!} Erin Gates, Boston Interior Designer and author of the best selling book, Elements of Style, posted about her holiday decorated living room a couple of years back. It still works so well today!

 

A dog sitting in the middle of a room.

 

Erin’s dog Oliver, also in the shot! I really think pets love the spot light. My design project HERE showcases my client’s cat taking center stage and loving every minute!

 

A dog sitting in the middle of a room.

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What’s not to love about this cheerful space? I love mixing pattern on pattern and Erin does this so well with the striped Bergere chair and plaid throw blanket. The greenery looks amazing with her black and white decor, making it stand out that much more. I love seeing wreaths and holiday accents in unexpected places and I love that Erin hangs her wreaths on the wall, with her antler display. The gold accents she already has in the room, with the curtain rods and chair, work so well with the Christmas ornaments and holiday decor. I love the flower arrangement she includes on the coffee table. It’s understated, elegant and has the perfect color scheme for the occasion. One of my most favorite features is the woven basket with birch logs. My mom likes to add birch logs in her home and they look so cozy in any space. I also love the bust from the second image, with the black and white plaid bow. No detail is left out, including wrapped packages in the left corner, with a festive green and gorgeous animal print!

What are your thoughts? Does this room get you in the holiday spirit?!?

Wowed by the One Room Challenge

by Filed Under: design, one room challenge, personal design style


Do I have a beauty of a room to show you, today!! In case you haven’t heard of it before, the One Room Challenge participants had their reveals yesterday! This 6 week design overhaul idea is the work of Linda, from the blog Calling it Home. Twenty participants are given 6 weeks to completely transform a space and write on the adventures each week. Today, I am featuring the living room makeover of Cassie, from her blog Hi Sugarplum. Cassie teamed up with designer Kristin, from The Hunted Interior and created this amazing after…

 

A living room with a couch and table

 

A living room with yellow curtains and purple rug.

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Amazing, right? There is so much to love about this space. I love the bold use of color, how cheerful this room is and how well it fits Cassie’s style. If you read her blog, you know that this room exudes her!! There is a wonderful pairing of meaningful pieces mixed with new design. I love it all!

The One Room Challenge also has a linking party, in which readers could participate and make over their own space! They have their reveals today, so make sure to check that out. This year, I helped out my friend, Britt and we transformed her master bedroom. You may know from my past posts, that Britt designed my new web site. So I was thrilled for the opportunity to work together, on this challenge. She is giving her partial reveal today, so be sure to check it out!

 

A gold jewelry stand with many different necklaces.

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Once more items arrive, she will make the final room update. So far, I love this image and how she has beautifully styled her dresser! She has been working so hard and has great style, all on her own. Thank you so much, Britt, for believing in me to help with this challenge and the sweet things you said on your blog. It means the world to me- more than you know! 🙂 To see how the partnership began and our design ideas along the way, visit my past posts HERE.

Why This Works

by Filed Under: design, personal design style, why works series


Welcome back to another installment of Why This Works, a series where I show a designed space and discuss why I think it’s amazing! Next up is Joy’s office studio, from the ever popular blog, Oh Joy! She had worked for years from her own home and decided it was time to have her own studio space. She enlisted the help of Emily Henderson, who created design magic with a colorful and inspiring space. Enjoy!

 

A living room with many pictures on the wall

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Now if that is not a fun and cheerful space to work, I don’t know what is! And although this space was designed a couple of years ago, it still feels so current and spot on. It is a bit of a diversion from my regular style that I blog about here, but that is what I find so intriguing. For a work space, play room or studio, this would be a great way to feel energized and inspired! I have had a thing lately for green velvet sofas, so I might be drawn to this space for that! I also love the dramatic gallery wall. What a great way to draw your eye up and give the illusion of more space. When hanging art, try taking full advantage of the entire wall. Art no longer has to be only at eye level! The white walls and neutral painted floors allows for color in the furniture and accessories. The art is playful and whimsical, which I bet Joy’s daughters love! I could definitely be inspired on a daily basis in this room. Emily designed a gem in this space!

What are your thoughts?

The One Room Challenge Updates!

by Filed Under: amber b design, design, one room challenge, personal design style


Happy weekend! I just wanted to check in and update you on how Britt is doing with the One Room Challenge! To catch you up to speed if you are new, Britt is the amazing graphic designer who brought so much style to my site and she has asked me to help her design her master bedroom space for the One Room Challenge. We are in the thick of it and about half way there!! She has added more to her gorgeous gallery wall…

 

A white plate with a flower on it hanging from the wall.

 

In this above picture, she did a trick that I also like to use in gallery wall installs. She hung the frame without the print, to see if she liked the layout and arrangement. Even if clients are not sure what prints to put in their frames yet, I like to at least hang the frames and begin the process. Then, if we like the arrangement, we know what size prints to be on the lookout for.

 

A white plate with a flower on it hanging from the wall.

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Britt just added the chalkboard shield and I love the depth it brings to the wall. To see more about Britt’s ORC journey, visit her latest post HERE. And to keep up with all things One Room Challenge related, visit the founder’s blog… Linda, from Calling it Home.

Why This Works

by Filed Under: design, personal design style, why works series


Happy Wednesday! I am back for another installment of Why This Works. Today’s space is a living room seen in Better Homes and Gardens. I thought this space really spoke to what I was discussing in my last post and you’ll soon see why!

 

image via

In my last post, I talked about using several colors in a room and how to make that work. If you have a common thread for all of those colors to come together, then you can sprinkle each color around the room and it will make sense. In this space, the color palette is brought together in the beautiful Chiang Mai dragon ottoman. The raspberry colored side table, peacock art, bright blue throw and pillow and the magenta geometric pillow, all are tied in with that ottoman. The bright hues are then balanced with the neutral seating, wall color and area rug. The black window trim makes you stop and take notice and then the calm white walls tone down the window trim. Touches of nature are brought in with the tall fiddle leaf fig plant and vase of fresh flowers. There is so much crazy good balance and proportion going on in this room! The light area rug is a great opposite to the dark, warm wood floors and leather club chair. The woven basket tray on the colorful ottoman makes the room feel relaxed, as to not take itself too seriously. And the ceiling fan, although not the most amazing accent, shows that the room is also lived in and functional.

What are your thoughts???

Creating an Eclectic, yet Pulled Together Design

by Filed Under: #projectvintagegem, amber b design, design, personal design style


I have always said that I appreciate so many different design styles and believe they can exist together. Mid century can work with bohemian, traditional can work with modern, etc. A space can have a few different styles together and as long as they are carried by a common thread, they work. I try to use art, area rugs or pillow fabrics to pull a color scheme together and have it make sense. Then, the colors found in those accessories can be sprinkled around the room.

 

A living room with blue and white pillows on the couch.

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This space above, in the home of Mandy Kellogg Rye, has a blend of modern, traditional, coastal and bohemian and works so well! The ice skating art work pulls together the reds and blues to make it all look cohesive.

A living room with blue and white pillows on the couch.

via

This dining room, above, was designed by Lindsay Speace and is anything but predictable. That’s what I love so much about it! This modern light fixture, in a traditional space, takes it to another level! The white chairs bring a coastal vibe and help to brighten up the space. Large scale items, like this pendant, always makes a room dramatic and stops you in your tracks.

So if you don’t have one particular style, that’s ok! I think it’s more fun to mix it up and find things that truly speak to you and how you live. When you do that, you really feel at home. And if you want to bring a color into a space but don’t already have it in there, bring an art piece or accessory in with all of the colors, to help tie it together and make sense. A good rule of thumb, is if a color can be replicated at least three times in a room, it becomes meaningful to that design.

In other news, I am over the moon thrilled to be featured on the Ballard Designs instagram page! Project Vintage Gem was featured in a flipagram, where they showed six different images from the project. Thank you so much, Ballard! It was definitely a pinch me moment!!

A picture of a living room with beige furniture.

Have a great day!

Fun News to Announce

by Filed Under: blog podium, design, one room challenge


You never know where your business ventures will take you. One thing you try to do is work hard, establish great friendships and keep following your goals. When this new web site launched, I was so excited to start blogging from this pretty new platform! I had this new energy, ready to see what paths this design business will go. I truly love what I do and it is the relationships and friendships you make along the way, that are the most meaningful. The web designer behind all of this pretty web goodness here, is Britt from Gallery No. Eight. She was amazing to work with and it’s sad when projects come to an end, when they are so much fun! Luckily, we are working together again! She has trusted me to help her with the ever popular One Room Challenge and I am so excited and honored to be asked. The One Room Challenge was created by Linda, from the blog Calling it Home. She has this amazing 6 week design extravaganza, where bloggers completely transform a space and blog about it each week. I am so excited to announce that Britt will be a linking participant and is making over her master bedroom! She has done an amazing job already, with her stunning gallery wall and great design eye. I am here to help suggest some new accessories, bedding and a surprise idea to spruce up the ceiling. Here is the inspiration board that we originally began with…

 

A collage of different types of furniture and accessories.

 

We will be making some changes to this plan and I can’t wait to show you the progress, along the way! Britt already has such a great sense of style and her space is so beautiful to begin with. I am so excited for her and know she will do such a great job!! Britt and I met a few years back at blog podium, when the event was held in Toronto. It was such a fun way to reach out and meet fellow bloggers. I sat in on her work shop on Photo Shopping and I knew I wanted her to design my new site. If you are a blogger, I suggest you try going to an event near your area! You never know the friendships you will make or the fun things you will experience. I am so glad I went! To see what Britt is up to on the One Room Challenge and the beautiful space she has already began, visit HERE.

Why This Works

by Filed Under: design, personal design style, why works series


Welcome back to another Why This Works post, where I highlight a designed space and discuss why I think it’s amazing! Today, I am showing a cozy eating nook in a stunning kitchen. Take a look…

image via

Not only do the white cabinetry, subway tile and warm wood floors get me, but that banquette just makes you want to linger for days! I have been using banquettes in my designs lately and if you have a spot for it, it’s the perfect way to bring warmth into the kitchen. This image was found on Midwest Living, for one of their articles about this same topic. When the upholstery is done in an easy to clean fabric, it becomes not only beautiful, but very functional. I also love the pairing of the bistro chairs and metal top table. It provides just the right amount of balance and a collected over time style that I love. I also love the cafe curtains and the softness they bring to the windows. The fresh fruit and flowers provides just the right amount of color to the space, making it a cheery and warm kitchen. The warm butcher block island counter brings a nice balance to the white stone counters on the perimeters. The touches of metal shown in the chandelier and nailhead range brings another texture to the room and makes me want to see more!

What are your thoughts?

A big thank you to blog friend, Emily A Clark, for including me in The Saturday Six series this past weekend. I read her blog every day and I was so excited for the opportunity! My family knew right away, as I yelled, come here, come here! look at this! from the computer room. To check out the post, visit here. You will definitely want to see what else is on the list!

Make sure to come back tomorrow, for a fun announcement!! Eeeeek!!

Latest E – Design Projects

by Filed Under: amber b design, e-decorating, e-design, interior design


Lately, I have been showing some local projects, so I thought it would be fun to switch gears today and show some of my latest e-design work. E-design is a remote way of doing design, as it’s all completed through on line correspondence and virtual design presentations. First up, is a project I completed for a couple wanting to update their living space, while also looking for some new storage. They love to travel and also like shades of blues and greens. This was also a fun project, because it is a friend of mine who lives out of town! Here is the design plan…

 

A collage of furniture and decor items.

 

They enjoy the outdoors, so I thought the Schumacher Zimba pillow {shown bottom center} was a fun addition, since the modern fabric print is reminiscent of the mountains. The watercolor art print, {shown bottom left corner} will go on the mantel and has the room’s color palette, while also brings another reminder of nature.

Next up is a den for a sweet family that I have worked with, before. This space gets a lot of use from the whole family, so it had to be both functional and stylish. We kept many of the existing pieces for this room, so it was just a matter of selecting the right accessories and color palette to go with the space. They already had a color combo of corals, greens and yellows, so I came in and added some modern elements to balance with the traditional. Here is that design plan…

 

A collage of different types of furniture and decor.

 

Some of these accessories may change, but the overall plan will stay the same. Changing their current yellow wall color to the light blue/gray shade {top left corner} will be a game changer in the room. I like how both of these plans seem so different, yet they carry that common thread… a blend of modern with traditional design. I tend to gravitate towards that combination and it was exciting to work on projects that bring together those styles. And both designs have the same watercolor print!