Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

Why This Works

by Filed Under: why works series


Happy Thursday and welcome to the series Why This Works… where I show a designed space and discuss what I love. The design work of Ali Schwarz is simply amazing. A while back, I saved this image I had found and knew at some point, I would write about her creative design work. This stylish kid’s room is fun, colorful and just plain cool.

designed by Ali Schwarz
Let’s start with the amazing canopy fabric. I love how she brought it all the way up to the top of the walls, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling. She also grounded the room by using the same fabric on the bedskirts, tying it all together. The simple color palette of blues, yellow and cream is repeated throughout the space for interest and drama. And those wall stripes! I love how they are more random, as opposed to all the same size. It makes for a fun, whimsical conversation piece in a kid’s space. In between the twin beds is this oversized, beautiful sunburst mirror. I love the scale and will also serve as a functional piece. Below the mirror is this gorgeous nailhead trimmed bookshelf. It’s very practical for that part of the room, because it also works as a nightstand for the two beds. The upholstered beds is also a great idea for kids and will make a great reading spot. The subtle print on the carpet brings another dimension, yet doesn’t compete with the wall stripes and canopy fabric. I think this space would be great for an teen looking for a more grown up space.
(As a side note, I could also point out that this space would work well for a guest room too! It’s so tailored and could easily be converted. And although I think the styling is a bit sparse for a kid’s room, I’m sure it was loaded with their actual stuff and posters on the wall, after the shoot! This is the perfect shot for a portfolio, don’t you think?) Overall, this space works!
What are your thoughts??
Are you ready to decorate your life? Click on the ‘design services’ link to get started!

If My Blog Was A Room – Next Up – The Little Black Door

by Filed Under: blog room series


Happy Wednesday and welcome to the series If My Blog Was A Room… where I pose the challenge to think of your blog as an actual space. What would that space look like? I am so excited to have Elizabeth here, from her design blog The Little Black Door. I found Elizabeth’s blog recently and I’m hooked! I love her witty sense of humor and amazing before and afters of her beautiful home. She also came up with this cool gallery wall idea, where she adds frames and art to a corner of a room. I love how it turned out, and you’ll just have to stop by her blog to see it! Without further adieu, here is Elizabeth’s blog header-

And here is what she came up with-

Hi everybody! I’m Elizabeth from The Little Black Door. I was thrilled when Amber asked me to participate in the ‘If my blog was a room’ series because I play this game all the time (with myself). Now that I get to actually share with others, I don’t even know where to begin! I am consistently bi-polar when it comes to my styles. On the outside, I prefer something very old and very traditional. With a lot of land (of course) – an estate I guess you could say. Ahh, to dream.

Westover Plantation Virginia

Inside though I’m all about cozy (like I said – bipolar). I like rooms that have slowly accumulated over time. Rooms that feel layered.

Tommy Smythe via Pinterest
Elle Decor via From The Right Bank via Pinterest

Beautiful bright windows are a must.

via Pinterest

Every room must have color and pattern,

O Interior Design
via Ampersand Design Studio
via Bryn Alexander

Absolutely Beautiful Things

and a good sense of humor.

Peppermint Bliss
Vintage Revivals

I  love books and some killer styling as well. Styling is so very challenging to me, so I always appreciate a job well done.

The Everygirl
Absolutely Beautiful Things

And finally, no room is complete without a well stocked bar!

The Glitter Guide

So that’s my blog in a room(s) –  Color, pattern, humor and a well mixed cocktail! Thanks for having me Amber, this was a lot of fun!

Elizabeth, this was amazing! I love what you came up with. The stenciled walls and that striped settee in the foyer- wow! Rooms that have color, pattern and personality are so important and fun! These colorful, cheerful interiors definitely remind me of your blog!  🙂
Stop by Elizabeth’s blog and say hello! You’ll be hooked too.

Color Palette Crush

by Filed Under: coral, design


You know the saying A home is never finished…

For me, that will forever be a quote to live by, because I always fall in love with new things! I just shouldn’t walk into homegoods anymore. I come out with way too many new ideas. In our living and dining rooms, our current color palette is soft golds and creams, deep browns and blue grays. After a recent trip to homegoods, I want to add one more color… coral! This bright burst of color would look amazing against grays, golds and browns and would be a great summer edition! I can picture it now-

I already have these similar (or exact) colors in our two rooms, but lacking the second color at the moment. These paint samples are all from Benjamin Moore and are as follows: Titanium, Golden Gate, Decatur Buff and Mink. Our living room is painted Mink, and our dining room is similar to Decatur Buff. Our throw pillows on the dining chairs are a similar color to Titanium. I started on this coral tangent when I saw a coral table runner in a linen fabric. Then, I started to see beautiful pillows with all of these colors in them, and I started to go crazy with ideas! I started to imagine a new wall color, pillows and a table runner. Somebody stop me!! Here are some great examples of this color combination:

Source: bhg.com via Amber on Pinterest

And a little dining room update to share… our rug is no longer there, and we love the look without one! More updated photos to come and a shout out to my blog friend Holly for the idea!  🙂

What’s your current color palette crush???

I Heart Cocoa & Hearts

by Filed Under: art


I have recently found a huge appreciation for original art. It’s unique, beautiful and can complete any space. It can take a space to another level and make you take notice. Art can be a great way to bring a room’s color palette together, allowing the room to feel cohesive and well thought out. I have said before how I believe that the details make the space… it’s the personal, thoughtful touches in a room that make it a reflection of you. I am sure you have heard of Jen Ramos– popular artist and author of the Made by Girl blog. Her art is beautiful and can definitely bring the wow factor into the room. Here are some of her original paintings from her site Cocoa & Hearts…

All art via
Aren’t they amazing? I included two of her pieces for a foyer design I did a while back:
(Her paintings are the two in the top middle of the design board.)
So tell me… do you also love original art???
Are you looking to decorate your life? Click on the ‘design services’ link at the top of my blog to get started!

Try This Planting Trick

by Filed Under: outdoor, planting flowers


Let me start this post by saying- if I can do it, anyone can! I do not have a green thumb, whatsoever, and always end up killing the hardiest of plants. But I do have a pretty cool trick to share with you today, that I learned from my neighbor. A couple years ago, I was outside in the garden, trying to figure out what to plant and how to do it. I looked over at my neighbor’s flower pots, and they were these beautiful, cascading flowers that looked like they had been there for years. I finally asked, ‘what is your trick?’ The easy solution was buying overflowing, hearty hanging baskets, placing them inside her urns and cutting off the hanging plastic part. (That’s it??) The urns would already have some potting soil in them, but she didn’t even take the flowers out of the basket. You just place them in there, cut off the top, and you’re done! Here is my version, bought just last week:

And to think, it just started out as hanging baskets! Am I the last one to find out about this cool trick?? Now if I can just find a way to keep the rabbits from eating the flowers, we’ll be good! Any tips on that???

Fashion Friday – Summer Edition

by Filed Under: fashion friday


Happy Weekend and welcome to the series Fashion Friday… where I discuss my other design love. The weather here has been beautiful, so why not show summer, beach inspiration?!?

Ready for Summer

I was inspired by yesterday’s office space and thought these bright skinny jeans were a great starting point. I then thought of the hints of black in the space, grounding the room, so I found these black sandals and jewelry to ground the outfit. After that, I went off on a tangent and veered away from yesterday’s space, to a whole beach inspired look. I found this beautiful straw beach bag, which would be the perfect catchall for summer apparel. Then the fun shirt, scarf and sunglasses finish off this summer look.
Hope it’s summer weather where you are!!

Why This Works

by Filed Under: why works series


Happy Thursday and welcome to the series Why This Works… where I highlight a designed space and talk about what I love. Today’s office space comes to you from one of my favorite designers- Sarah Richardson. I have loved following her shows and seeing all of her unique, creative ideas on design. She is one of those designers that I would let go wild in my home, without worry.

images via
Lately, I have definitely embraced bold color and am drawn to rooms with pops of fun color. This beautiful hue of yellow is perfect for this time of year and awakens this office space. I love that it’s tastefully carried onto the drapery, pillows and even coffee table books, yet the furniture stays a creamy neutral for balance. It’s just the right amount of color for this space. The soft touches of gold in the coffee table, reading lamp and chandelier also work well and pop against the creamy white on the walls and furniture. That chandelier makes the space and draws your eye up! I also love that Sarah hung the drapery rods several inches above the window casing, also helping the eye look up. This is a great trick to make your windows and walls appear taller! Every room also needs some black for grounding, and the chair legs, side table and frames do a great job of anchoring the space and giving it depth. I have also been drawn to sectionals and modern frames like you see here, which I think brings a great balance of traditional with modern and adds a touch of functionality to the office. (Sometimes, you just want to relax with your laptop or a decorating magazine on a comfy piece of furniture!) The flowers on the coffee table make the space feel warm and inviting, which is what you need to want to enter and get work done! Overall, this space works!
What are your thoughts?? 
Are you ready to decorate your life? Click on the ‘design services’ link at the top of my blog to get started today!

If My Blog Was A Room – Next Up – Maple Leaves and Sycamore Trees

by Filed Under: blog room series


Happy Wednesday and welcome to the series If My Blog Was A Room… where I pose the challenge to think of your blog as an actual space. What would that space look like? I am excited to have Kat here, from her blog Maple Leaves & Sycamore Trees. I love stopping by Kat’s blog to see her latest antique and thrift store finds. She has a great eye and has amazing DIY skills! So without further adieu, here is what Kat came up with-

Hey guys! I’m Kat from Maple Leaves & Sycamore Trees, and I’m excited to be over here sharing some of my favorite spaces, so thanks, Amber, for having me. If my blog were a room (or rooms!), it’d have a relaxed, casual feel just like some of these spaces. First let’s start with the exterior. I love a home that’s not humongous and has nice details–like working shutters, differing facades, picket fences, and detailed trim work.

I love the green door on this simple house. It’s all in the little details!

Now let’s go inside and start at the heart of the home: the kitchen. What I love in these kitchens are the different finishes, antique rugs, and that little bit of vintage industrial flair.

The lighting in this kitchen is great, isn’t it?

If you haven’t checked out For the Love of a House blog yet, you’re in for a real treat. I love just about everything in Joan’s house including her gorgeous kitchen.

We just redid our kitchen (well actually, it’s still a work in progress:/) and there wasn’t any room for open shelving. I do love the look though. Look at how pretty these shelves are!

I have a soft spot in my heart for unique lighting. Love these wall sconces.

Source: houzz.com via Kat on Pinterest

Perfect styling: those old jars, a chippy sign, and subway tile…yum.

These wood shelves add a nice warmth to this white kitchen. (Oh and that’s another look I love–paneled walls. Can’t get enough of them! Psst…we’re putting some in our renovated bathroom!!)

Source: flickr.com via Kat on Pinterest

Can you tell that kitchens are my favorite room in the house? Okay, I better move on before you wanna fix yourself a sandwich. Dining rooms:

I’d love to have a dinner party around this rustic farm table. It has such a non-fussy, organic look to it.

Here’s an eclectic dining room with fun wall art and a bookcase. This would be a great solution for a room that must do double duty. (BTW, do you love settees at dining tables as much as I do? Ah…LOVE that look!)

This “dining room” looks like it’s part of an open floor plan where each room flows into the next. Talk about great for entertaining.

Some sort of display storage is necessary (in my book) in a dining room. Love this piece with the white dishes stacked casually but neatly inside.

And the last room I’ll cover today is the living room: cozy, inviting, and down-to-earth–all characteristics that I hope you sense from my blog.

Love all the texture in this room. 

Thanks again, Amber, for having me. It was fun sharing some of my favorite spaces! Hope you guys can stop by Maple Leaves & Sycamore Trees sometime and check out the renovations going on around our place.

Thank you so much for being here, Kat! Rustic spaces, unique lighting and subway tile… gotta love them all! And I can’t wait to see the paneled walls in your bathroom- love that look. For great DIY’s, unique finds and design chat, stop by Kat’s blog here.

Italy Re Cap – Visiting Venice

by Filed Under: vacation


I hope everyone had a great weekend! I enjoyed time with family, warm weather and great food! I’m ready to discuss more of our Italy trip- next stop… Venice! Venice is always one of my favorite places in Europe. It’s so magical and amazing. It’s hard to believe that the city is built on water! Every time I visit, I am more amazed than before.

As you can see, I love taking gondola pictures!  🙂  I might make a couple black and white prints and frame them! There is so much to see in Venice, that we decided to eat on the go. We stopped at a little sandwich shop in St. Mark’s Square and sat on the steps to eat. This way, we were back on the move, ready to explore the sites. When you visit big cities in Europe, I strongly suggest purchasing artist sketches of the city. The vendors are everywhere and are so talented. For about 10-15 euros, you can take home an 8×10 matted sketch of a part of the city. When we lived in Germany and visited other cities, I always tried to find a pretty sketch drawing. This time, I chose a black and white sketch of a canal in Venice. It’s all framed and on the wall- (I’ll have to show you that soon!) Even though Venice is a heavily touristed area, I think it will always be my favorite spot in Europe!

Until we meet again, Venice…

Happy Holiday Weekend!

by Filed Under: patriotic snacks festive table setting holiday


I hope everyone has a fun, relaxing holiday weekend! The weather here is amazing, so some outside bbqing and flower purchasing are in my future! Here are some great patriotic inspired images for your weekend…

I also wanted to take this time and thank all of the armed forces members and their families for all that they do in keeping us safe. We should never forget and always be truly grateful for their sacrifice!

Have a safe and happy weekend!!