Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

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.

images via

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.

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.

via

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!

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!

Reflecting on What I Have Learned

by Filed Under: amber b design, blog, blogging


Recently, I was asked by a local college interior design student to take part in an interview for her class. Her class has to interview an interior decorator and ask 10 questions on everything from their beliefs in design, running the day to day business and tips I have learned along the way. I jumped at the chance to participate, but my first reaction was, really? me? are you sure you have the right person for this? ok, here goes! I haven’t had that classroom assignment feeling in many, many years, so it was fun. {I hope I passed!} After I handed in my answers to her, I realized it was also a great self reflection for me, because it gave me the chance to really dissect my day to day happenings and what I value as important for Amber B Design. So I thought it would be fun to share some questions and answers here! I would love to hear your feedback if you’re a designer, to see if you have any different, useful methods. I also thought this could bring up a fun discussion for anyone who loves design. I definitely do not have all the answers or even pretend to think I do. But, this is my honest interpretation of my experiences, so far. Here we go…

A timeline of your accomplishments (ie. schooling, positions held, years of experience).
My name is Amber Balistreri and I am the owner of the boutique interior decorating firm, Amber B Design. I would say that my design career was something that evolved over time. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/concentration in English and a Master’s degree in Early Literacy. Out of college, I became an elementary school teacher in an American school in Germany, when my husband’s job took us overseas. We lived in Germany for three years and it was then that my love for interior design started to evolve. Soon after we moved back to the U.S., I started the design blog Simple Dwellings as a way to bring together two of my favorite pastimes… my love for writing and interior design. My blog started to grow and readers were asking for design help. I then realized I could potentially have a business. After two years of growing my blog, I took some design classes at a local school and worked hard on both my blog and budding business venture. Soon after, Amber B Design was born. I left the teaching profession to pursue my dream. I started my business back in 2012 and I truly enjoy decorating spaces for others.
A bookshelf with some blue and white jars on it
Our living room, Sarah Heppell Photography
In your opinion, how important is interior design education in today’s industry?
That is an interesting question. I believe if you have a passion for any artistic profession, such as interior design, you are meant to have that career. Schooling can, however, help to take out a lot of the guess work that comes from being a self taught designer, like myself. In school, you learn so many of the important parts to the profession that I would have liked to learn through a design degree. But sometimes, life goes in different directions and you decide to change course. Since my degrees are in other professions, I worked tirelessly to catch myself up to what I would have learned in design school. The main elements in design have to be learned in order to be successful and I have devoted years to making sure I know just as much. I would suggest that anyone wanting to achieve a successful career in design should constantly learn and evolve. You will never have all the answers. It is important to continue reading and studying your profession, so that you stay current to the trends and happenings in design.
{That was a tough one to answer and I felt that I gave my most honest answer possible. There are definitely times when I wish I had a design degree, but like I said, life goes in different directions sometimes and I wouldn’t change the experiences I had for anything. I do believe, however, that I need to know just as much, in order to be successful. So, that’s what I am trying to do!}
A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.
My client’s cat definitely stole the show during this photo shoot!
What motivated you to enter interior design and your particular specialty?
My motivation to start this career came from a true passion for design. I have always appreciated all forms of design, from fashion to interiors. When you absolutely love what you do, you never work a day in your life! So when I decided to switch paths and follow design, I felt that it was already there with me. The obstacles in front of me were just hard work, determination and a desire to make this come to fruition.
What are the primary responsibilities and duties of your current position?
Amber B Design is a firm that works with clients on everything from conceptual idea to the final install day. Currently, I work by myself, so I wear all hats. From initial consult to the reveal and photography session- I am there through it all. Our first meeting is the client consult, where we meet in their home to discuss the space. After measurements and before photos are taken, I get to work in the studio (my home), designing the space, drawing up the floor plan and coming up with the design vision. About three weeks later, the plans are presented to the client and we go from there. I will do the sourcing, shopping, budget management and style installs. When the space is complete, I schedule a photography session for my portfolio.
A woman sitting at the table in front of a vase with flowers.
Our dining room
 
What advice could you offer to someone interested in pursuing an interior design career, especially in your specialty?
My advice would be to stay true to your design self. You have done all of the hard work it takes to get here. So, believe in your design opinion and have confidence. Having said that, also make sure to stay humble and be open to letting the client have their input. When you open up the possibility to really listen to your client, you learn and grow as a designer. It is your work and your name going on the project, so make sure to put your own design spin on it, while also staying true to the client’s needs. That can be tough, because you have to be confident in your own style to do both. The clients have reached out to you because they value your work and like your style. So don’t lose sight of yourself in the project. If you give them a design that you do not stand behind 100%, it shows. Trust your design sense and know that you can give them their style, while also incorporating things they would not have thought of on their own.
{This is an ever evolving process for me and one that takes constant practice.}
A living room with brick walls and a table
Project Vintage Gem
Sarh Heppell Photography
So that was the interview, in a nutshell. I really believe that working well with your clients and having that positive partnership helps so much in the overall design experience for both of you. It is when your personalities mesh and you both truly listen to each other, that makes the best outcome. Those are the projects when you are sad they have come to an end. It was just that much fun! By no means do I have all the answers. This was just my opinion on my own experiences. This exercise helped me to examine the way I approach design and I was glad to be asked. It was a pretty cool experience!
I would love to hear your thoughts!

Project Vintage Gem – The Reveal Part 4

by Filed Under: #projectvintagegem, amber b design, before and after, design, interior design


Welcome back to the final installment of Project Vintage Gem! Today, it’s all about the foyer. My client has a pretty small foyer and we wanted to make it as functional as possible. We wanted to add storage, a place to sit down and a spot for the litter box. You may be worried when you hear that a litter box is going in the main foyer, but no fear… it came out pretty cool and blends right in with the vintage/rustic charm we wanted for her home. Let’s get right to the pictures! It was a tough space to photograph, because of the lack of natural light and compact size. But yet again, Sarah Heppell worked her photography magic!

Heading to the foyer from the living room…

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A room with a wooden crate and a lamp

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

For a quick before and after, here is how the space was when we began…

Before

A hallway with a door open and a green bowl on the floor.

A room with two suitcases and a backpack.

I actually forgot the electric box was on that wall! We strategically hung the mirror there, to cover it up!

After

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

After photos by Sarah Heppell

A huge credit goes to my client for finding the custom litter box cover on etsy! It really works with the home’s design aesthetic. We always need functional design too, right?!? Thank you all for your encouraging and sweet feedback from this project. It was truly amazing to work on and I am so thankful to my client for allowing me to share this journey on the blog.

Project Vintage Gem – The Reveal Part 3

by Filed Under: #projectvintagegem, amber b design, before and after, central new york design, design


Welcome back to the third installment of the Project Vintage Gem reveals! Today is Master bedroom day. For this space, the only thing that stayed was the bed. Everything is new, including all of the bedding. Thanks again to my friend Nicole, for helping me get this space ready on photo shoot day. And thank you to Sarah Heppell, for these amazing after photos. Here we go…

A living room with a couch, chair and table.

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

Here are before pictures of the space, the first day we met…

A bedroom with a bed and two windows.

A bedroom with a bed and a refrigerator.

And now…

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

A living room with a couch, chair and table.

All after photos by Sarah Heppell

Tomorrow, I’ll take a break from the reveals for Why This Works series and then I’ll finish off reveal week with the foyer!

Project Vintage Gem – The Reveal Part 2

by Filed Under: #projectvintagegem, amber b design, before and after, central new york design, design


And here we are, ready for Part 2 of the reveal for Project Vintage Gem! Thank you all so much, for your kind words about this project on facebook, instagram and here on this blog. Your encouragement means more to me than you know! Today’s reveal will be the living room portion of the great room. Thanks again to my dear friend Nicole, for helping me style this space up on photo shoot day! And just like Part 1, all of the after pictures are by the very talented Sarah Heppell Photography. Lets get right to the pictures…

A living room with a couch, chair and table.

A living room with brick walls and a white couch

Here is where we started with this space, at our first meeting…

A room with exposed brick and wood floors.

And now…

A living room with a couch, chair and table.

A living room with a large clock on the wall

A living room with a couch and clock on the wall

A couple of vases sitting on top of books.

A living room with a couch, chair and table.

A living room with a couch and pillows

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

A table with a lamp and mirror in the corner of a room.

After photos by Sarah Heppell

Next up after today, will be the Master Bedroom portion of this project!

 

Project Vintage Gem – The Reveal Part 1

by Filed Under: #projectvintagegem, amber b design, before and after, design


I am so thrilled to be here today, showing you the reveal of #projectvintagegem. You may have seen that hashtag around for quite a while, if you have been following along on instagram {AmberBDesign}. I began working with my client in January, when she asked me for help with her combined living/dining room, master bedroom and foyer. She needed to start fresh and we only kept the dining table, bar stools and bed. The rest is all new! Today’s reveal will be the dining room and the rest of the week will show her gorgeous apartment, one space at a time. She lives in a renovated early 1900’s building with loads of character. The builder decided to leave the exposed brick walls, plumbing pipes and tall ceilings. They added the soft and neutral gray walls, dark wood stained floors and stylish kitchen finishes to bring a modern, yet rustic vibe to these apartments. So let’s get right to it! A huge thank you to my great friend, Nicole, for helping me style the place on photo shoot day. She helped make the day so much fun! The amazing after photography shots are all by the very talented Sarah Heppell Photography. She shows this space in its best possible form. Enjoy!

A living room with brick walls and a table

And here is a before photo of this same space…

A room with a brick wall and wooden floors

Here are some more after photos…

A living room with a couch, chair and table.

A table with a vase of flowers on it

A dresser with two lamps and a brick wall

A dining room table with chairs and a clock on the wall.
A table with a vase of flowers on it
A blue lamp sitting on top of a wooden table.

A couple of crates sitting on top of each other.

A wooden pallet with wine glasses and bottles on it.

A cat is laying on the floor in front of a couch.
A kitchen with two stools and a sink

The building’s landlord was thrilled that this apartment has been designed and is now being photographed, that he wanted to stop by and take a look…

A man and woman standing in front of a brick wall.

{Deep in design conversation, in this photo}

And then one last full shot of this side of the room, again…

A living room with brick walls and a table

All after photos by Sarah Heppell

Throughout this week, I will show the living room side, the master bedroom and finally, finish with the foyer. This project has been so much fun and rewarding. I love being able to look back at where we began!

New Local Design #projectbedroomrefresh

by Filed Under: #projectbedroomrefresh, amber b design, ballarddesigns, design, local clients, personal design style


Happy Friday!! I am excited to share with you a new project that I am working on. I have called this one #projectbedroomrefresh. If you follow along on instagram {AmberBDesign}, then you will also see sneak peeks of the project there! I met my new clients about a month ago, when they contacted me to help with the upstairs bedrooms. The rooms have not had any design attention for some time and they wanted them to feel stylish, updated and most importantly, complete for their guests. I proposed bedding, window treatments and accessory options. We are also working on their master bedroom and giving that space a complete overhaul. They will be keeping the bed, dresser and night stands, but everything else will be transformed in their room. I am excited to see it all come together. Below are my ideas for the two guest rooms and the master bedroom…

A picture of some materials and instructions for making curtains.

This is the design plan for the guest bedroom in the back of the house. The tone on tone leaf patterned fabric will be the drapes! The bedding will stay soft and crisp, while color will come in through the throw pillows. The herringbone rug in the back of the design layout, will be the new hallway stair runner. I just love how that pattern will look as you walk up the stairs.

A table with some fabric samples and a plan

The above design is for the other guest room. My clients love a traditional design aesthetic, so when I found this plaid fabric from Tonic Living, I knew they would love it! I will then balance that traditional with some modern, which also happens to be a favorite style of mine. I am thrilled that my clients are on board with that mix up. I think it will bring so much depth and interest to the rooms. The drapes will be in the neutral, Greek key fabric, also from Tonic Living. I have used this fabric in another client’s home and it is a stunning print for curtains!

A table with some furniture and fabric samples

And last but not least, is the master bedroom. This is a rather large room, so we luckily have space for a small seating area. We will add pattern and color to this room with the four inch buffalo check fabric for the drapes. I am so excited for that one!! With two windows in the room, there will be four panels in this gorgeous, on trend but traditional print. We will modernize that classic buffalo check with some CWD pillows and a stunning Ming dragon lumbar pillow. And it wouldn’t be an Amber B Design project without a little antique brass thrown into the mix! Each space has a little touch of brass to give it that collected over time style. When my clients renovated their kitchen a while back, they ended up using a couple of different metal finishes. I told them they were on trend, without even realizing it!

If you have read my blog for a while, you may notice that these presentations look different than past design presentations of mine. I have decided to go in a different direction, with how I show my clients the ideas. I used to present with large boards, where the images were smaller, but fit all in one place. Now, I have larger swatches of fabric, paired with smaller presentation papers. I now show vignettes and group them by sections of the room. I am really pleased with the new format and believe it will be easier to organize for both myself and my clients. With any business, self reflection and constant editing are important. I was talking with a good design friend of mine and her advice is always invaluable to me. I know with my own business, I am constantly looking and reevaluating to see what works best. So far, I am happy with this new change!

I look forward to updating you on this project as it moves along. And to follow along more often, you can check in on instagram {AmberBDesign} Have a great weekend!!

Welcome to My New Home!!

by Filed Under: amber b design, blog, design


I am so excited for this day… my new site is here! It has been an absolute blast working with Britt, from Gallery No. Eight- the mastermind behind this new site. She is amazingly talented and creates web design magic! I am in awe of her creativity and the ideas she comes up with. She was able to redirect my old posts to this new site, so you won’t miss a beat when searching previous Simple Dwellings posts or DIY projects. They are all still here.

I am so lucky to have worked with Britt to create a site that truly feels like my style. And we both found it unique that the colors I chose for this site happen to be the same colors you’ll see throughout my home tour. I guess I really like that combination!

I am also grateful to the photographer that captured my home in such a creative light. Sarah Heppell is a true talent that put this camera shy girl at ease and made the photo shoot day so much fun. She has that special ability to bring a photograph to life and capture those tiny moments in a home and make them memorable. I will be using her talents for some future design projects, so stay tuned for that!

A living room with a table and chair, lamp, picture and china cabinet.

A dining room with white walls and wooden table.

A table with two lamps and a white horse head.

So take a look around and enjoy! And if you’re looking for me, I’ll be trying to figure out how to use word press. This is my first post and so far, so good. I figured out how to hit ‘publish’ so that’s a win for me!  😉