Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

Why This Works – Hints of Green

by Filed Under: why works series


Hello and welcome to the series Why This Works… where I highlight a designed space and talk about what I love! Instead of going into detail with one space today, I’ve decided to show several rooms that I love with one thing in common… the color green! With St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, why not show this holiday color surrounded by amazing spaces?!? Enjoy!

Wow- I love that sofa!!

Lots of shades of green in this space!

Source: google.com via Simple on Pinterest

Just a touch of green in this space!

Unexpected shades are put together here!

Source: bhg.com via Simple on Pinterest

So serene and calming in this traditional space!

Whether it’s in small doses or most of the room, green has a powerful impact in a space!
Do you like green… do you use a lot or a little???

Will You Be Watching???

by Filed Under: Uncategorized


Ever since the Bravo show Flipping Out aired, I have been a huge fan! Jeff Lewis and Jenny make a great team- I am always laughing out loud! So, tonight…. their new show Interior Therapy will make it’s debut on Bravo. I’m such a dork- I can’t wait! Will you be watching??? Here are some images of his amazing design work:

Jeff and Jenny:

I will definitely be watching tonight! To see more of his design work, go here.

Add Some Print to Your Life!

by Filed Under: pattern


I absolutely love browsing through fabric sites! There are so many fun prints out there and creative ways to use them! Whether it’s on a pillow, chair, some drapery or even framed as art, bold and colorful prints enliven any space! Here are some of my favorites:

I could go on and on! Do you have a favorite print or place to add pattern??

Fashion Friday

by Filed Under: fashion friday


Happy Weekend and welcome to the series Fashion Friday… where I discuss my other design love! Yesterday’s room was full of warmth, neutrals and loads of texture. While this outfit may be a bit bolder than neutral, I thought it reflected some casual warmth too!

Neutral Love

This outfit began with Rachel Zoe’s beautiful flowing skirt. It was a great jumping off point for casual warmth! Pairing it with a sparkly top and flats helps to add some texture and interest. I wanted to balance all of that sparkle with a simple and fun cardigan. The soft colors in the accessories is a nod to the neutral palette in yesterday’s family room. The detailed pearls on the clutch helps to add some extra texture to the outfit. And the feather inspired earrings stay warm and neutral, yet add another hint of texture.

And a big thanks to Carolyn from her design blog, Sweet Chaos Home for selecting me in the ’11 questions’ game going on in blogland! I truly appreciate it!  🙂 If you haven’t already, definitely stop by her blog. I love her pretty blog header:

Stop by and say hello!
Happy Weekend!!
Are you looking to decorate your everyday life? E-Design is available! Begin by clicking on the ‘design services’ link at the top of this blog!  

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. This family room is light, bright and exudes warmth and casual living. This lovely home belongs to Brooke Giannetti and her family. She has the amazing design blog, Velvet and Linen. As I got ready to link up this photo to her blog, I realized this gorgeous home is also for sale! Take a look!

When I saw this on pinterest, it was one of those spaces I instantly had to pin. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, a calming, relaxing space that is also beautiful sounds like perfection! The creamy white on the walls is a subtle backdrop to the calming neutrals and soothing tones throughout the space. What makes the room so interesting is the use of texture to create interest. Monochromatic spaces are gorgeous when there is added layers of soft linens paired with rustic woven fibers, such as the area rug. The wood floors also balance well with all of the fabrics seen in the room. The gorgeous ottoman is functional, yet has delicate legs that works so well paired with an oversized sectional. The rectangular shapes seen in the entertainment area, windows and rug are balanced with round accessories, like in the globes. The family room’s chandelier is functional and pretty- I like that it is painted white, so it doesn’t distract from the rest of the space. A peek into the sitting room allows you to see a beautiful lantern chandelier and amazing wingback chair. And what about the view?? What a calming, serene view! For me, this space works!

What are your thoughts???

E-Design is available. If you are looking to decorate your everyday life, click on the ‘design services’ link to get started!

If My Blog Was A Room – Next Up – Hodge Podge

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 very excited to have Barbara here, from her design blog Hodge Podge. Barbara has a great eye for design and has completed some amazing and creative DIY projects on her blog. While also being very talented, she makes her readers feel as if they have known her for years! She has a way of making you feel right at home, like chatting about design with a good friend! Her is her pretty blog header:

And here is what she came up with!

Thanks Amber for inviting to participate in this exciting series, If My Blog Were A Room. I thought it would be easy to pick a few a photos and be done with it, but it was hard to choose.
But first when you come in you would be greeted by a juicy red door, amazing geometric tiled floor, and gorgeous art.
Anyone who reads my blog knows I have a love for stripes, especially black and white with a little thrown in.
So you would be wowed by my striped walls, red console table and eclectic art collection.
But my blog is a collection of ideas so a bookcase full of books would be just the ticket.
My blog is also a collection of pretty and inspiring photos, so a gallery wall would be found wrapping around the hallway.
But there is always a little pretty with a bicycle thrown in.
And a comfy chair will be needed to sit on when reading my blog and others.
Hope you can sit and stay a while!
Thanks Amber for having me!
XO Barbara

Thanks so much for being here, Barbara! I absolutely love what you came up with! I also love seeing stripes on the wall and that beautiful wing chair fabric from Country Living is amazing! I also thought it was so creative to show a bookcase in your post, because your blog is full of ideas. I love that! This all definitely reminds me of your creative blog. Stop by and say hello to Barbara!
After visiting Hodge Podge, stop by Nikki’s blog, Nikki’s Nacs to see my guest post! The challenge was to think about how I would spend $200 for home decor after recently stumbling upon the extra money. Sounds like a fun challenge to me! 

Pull Up A Seat!

by Filed Under: design, e-design


How do you like your seating around the dining table? My style in general is eclectic, so I like to mix up seating styles. For a rectangular table, I love the look of flanking the heads of the table with wing back chairs, while keeping the side chairs more simple. In a past e-design project, I proposed that look:

I proposed using the Willoughby Dining chairs from West Elm only on the ends, while keeping the side chairs different and simple. Mixing the seating, while also mixing modern with traditional gives the space a more collected over time look.

If the area permits, I also love the look of a settee or a built in banquette. Our home doesn’t have space for built ins around the table, but I would love to try a settee on one side of the table! The look invites you to linger and chat for hours in a comfortable way! Here are some great seating options for your Monday morning. Enjoy!

I love how each of the images above show seating options that are unique and personal to the homeowners!

How do you like your seating???
E-Design is available! If you would like to decorate your everyday life, click on the ‘design services’ link at the top of my blog! 

Fashion Friday – Equestrian Chic

by Filed Under: fashion friday


Happy Weekend and welcome to the series Fashion Friday… where I discuss my other design love! This outfit might have been better to post in the fall or early winter, but since it’s still cold here, I thought I would show you my outfit interpretation of yesterday’s space. The living room from yesterday’s post was casual, with a hint of chic and had a relaxed, equestrian vibe. I thought this outfit also has a similar effect:

Equestrian Chic

This outfit starts with equestrian style riding boots and is paired with skinny jeans for a comfortable, practical look. The bag is also very casual and can hold a lot for the girl on the move! The comfy sweater and animal inspired vest reflect the simple and chic style of yesterday’s space. And the jewelry is fun, with a hint of glam!

Will you dress for spring or winter this weekend???

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! This next gorgeous living room is designed by Melanie Turner. I love the neutral palette with a punch of fun color!

I love this space so much because of its vibrant pops of orange that awaken the whole design! I normally wouldn’t go for the look of wood grain/faux bois paneling on the walls- I would usually think to paint over that look with white! But the light texture and this bleached oak effect paired with the amazing orange makes it work! We all know I love nature inspired design because of my own blog’s wallpaper, and this room is so tastefully done with their nature reference. The rustic wood grain effect on the wall, the dark wood floors and the equestrian art all balance perfectly with the fun, modern pendant, dramatic floor lamps and contemporary use of orange! The bold area rug with its large, graphic flowers brings a modern feel to the space, while the sofas and coffee table bring a very warm and traditional feel to the room. I love how this beautiful shade of orange is strategically sprinkled throughout the space… never too much or too little! (Do I spy an Hermes tray in the lower left corner??) Love it! This space has a very casual, relaxed feel and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I think is so refreshing. And the fresh flowers make you want to stay a while! All in all, this space works!

What are your thoughts???

Would you like to decorate your everyday life? Check out my e-design services above by clicking on the page ‘design services.’

If My Blog Was A Room – Next Up – A Room With A View

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 Lisa here, from her design blog A Room With A View. I enjoy Lisa’s blog and approach to decorating, because she likes to blend different design styles and make them work together, while also incorporating items from her travels! I think that is a great way to approach design! Here is her blog header:

And here is the amazing post Lisa came up with!

Thank you, Amber, for inviting me to contribute to this fun series. My blog is called, A Room With A View. If one were to take the name of my blog literally, and if my blog were a room I would love to have a large window or french doors of some sort with a ton of natural light and a great view.

It would be an elegant yet relaxing and casual room, eclectic with a global vibe and stylish at the same time. An inviting space where anyone would feel very welcome and would want to stay a while. The view, the furnishings and accessories would lend inspiration to all.
The pictures that follow have some of the elements my room would have.

Natural light, and a view or access to the outdoors. Here, the perfect relaxing window seat.

library-reading-nook-1.jpg

or a perfect, serene view like this.
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French doors open to the outside.

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In these eclectic spaces I like the mix of styles and colors, the accessories, built-in shelves, books and magazines and pillows.

I would love a fireplace.

Natural light, flowers, pattern mix.

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Low seating, architectural interest (the beams), more pillows!
Magnificent built-in bookshelf and ladder.

I would pick a pretty color for the walls. I am into shades of grey at the moment so perhaps one of these from Benjamin Moore – Misty Memories or Winter Gray. Either would be a great backdrop to the colors in everything else.
         

Here is a collage of the main items I would love to incorporate in this space. Sources listed at end of post. 

This collage showcases the accessories which will further warm up the room.

A gallery wall with tons of pictures.
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and finally, some other important elements one might find are some fresh flowers…
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.. and a cup of tea or coffee, perhaps in something from my blue-and-white collection…
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…and lastly, music playing.

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Pinterest

I hope you will visit me on A Room With A View and stay awhile.

Sources:

Collage 1:

6. Ikea
Thank you, Amber, for allowing me to indulge in this post. I had fun putting it together.
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Best,
Lisa

Thanks, Lisa! I’m so glad you were a part of the series! I also have a blue and white china collection! And I love mixing different pattens and the rustic look of beams in a space. Definitely stop by Lisa’s blog and say hello!