before and after Archives - Amber B Design Studio

{Before and After} Project Colorful Oasis

January 11, 2019 by Amber Filed Under: #projectcolorfuloasis, amber b design, Ana Gil Taylor Photography, before and after, design, interior design

Everyone loves a good before and after, right?!? Well it’s a very happy Friday then, because I have a complete overhaul to show you! When my client found this apartment, we started from scratch. She wasn’t bringing any furniture from her other home, so we had fun creating a new colorful oasis that she shares with her husband! She knew she wanted the living area to be fun, with loads of color and personality.Â For the master bedroom, she wanted a calm retreat to relax in at the end of the day. We wantedÂ the home to have personal photos from their travels andÂ an overallÂ space that felt meaningful and personal to them. The before pictures show the apartment when we first met. The wheels were already turning for what this new home could be. And luckily, I had my friend and super talented photographer Ana with me for the final photos! We have worked together before and Ana Gil Taylor Photography knows how to make a space shine! So here we go… enjoy the before and afters of Project Colorful Oasis!!

Living Room Before

Living Room After

Before Living Room TV Wall

And After

With this apartment rental, there were elements we couldn’t change and had to work around, like the fire alarm, sprinkler system and venting. But we tried to distract the eye as best as possible, by instead drawing you in to look at the oversized artwork and other colorful elements in the space. Luckily, the apartment already had a great paint color! We worked with that, as it was a great base for the design.

Before Master Bedroom

After Master Bedroom

Thank you so much for reading and checking out this transformation! Have a great weekend and I’ll see you back here soon with more details from this apartment makeover!

All after photos by the incredible Ana Gil Taylor Photography

Happenings Around Here

September 18, 2017 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassicgirlsroom, #projectclassicliving, #projectclassictrad, amber b design, amber b design at home, before and after, design, interior design

Long time no blog?!? It’s been long overdue and I’m glad to be back at the keyboard. I think it’s so quick and easy to keep up to date on instagram, that it takes some thought and time to get back into blogging. But I have always loved it and even though it might not be on a regular schedule, I do plan to write here more often! Here are some highlights lately…

Before and After Bathroom design! I worked with a local client on her bathroom overhaul. {#projectclassictrad} This space was original to their 1950 homeÂ and it was fun coming up with a classic, timeless design.

Before

After

I loved being a part of this transformation! There are still more accessories to install and we will eventually have the space photographed, but it is fun to see how far it has come!

I just presented a new project design for a sweet girl’s room. We originally started working together for their daughter’s nursery and then moved throughout the home. {You may remember #projectclassicliving} We are now redoing the original nursery design into a girl’s bedroom and play room. Here are some of the presentation sheets…

I am over the moon in love with these cute fabrics! I can’t wait to see it all come together!! My brother’s wedding is coming up soon and I went out dress shopping. It is a barn wedding in the fall and I know it will be such a picturesque place. This dress is the winner!

I am definitely not a fashion blogger by any means! 😉 This dress is comfortable, should work well in fall weather and a great blend of casual/dressy. {The royal blue dress in the background will be for the rehearsal the night before.} I always have great luck in Ann Taylor! My fastÂ summer time staple was no hair drying and a quick bun with wet hair. I will miss that carefreeÂ up do, once the freezing weather getsÂ here!!

We have made it a mission to start going to more state parks. It’s a fun family timeÂ adventure and this one did not disappoint…

The hiking was tough at times, but the falls and scenery were well worth it!!

I am working on a new living room project where their gorgeous area rug is my color inspiration…

Isn’t it stunning?!? That will be a fun one, for sure! I will try to stay more in touch and give design updates here on the blog! Happy Monday!!

Project Bedroom Refresh… The Final Reveal

December 12, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectbedroomrefresh, amber b design, before and after, design, guest room, interior design, local clients, sarah heppell photography

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. Ours was packed with fun family events and finishing up our Christmas decorating. I am ready to show you the final reveal forÂ Project Bedroom Refresh! Up today… the front guest room. My clients were wonderful to work with. It was a blast for us all to see the three rooms take shape. And the final icing on the cake was seeing Sarah work her photography magic. There is something so rewarding and exciting about seeing the finished designs through her lens. We worked with my clientsÂ dresser and table lamps. We refreshed the space with a new wall color, headboard and accessories. On Friday, I mentioned that there would be a bit of a change in this space and not incorporate all of the same colors. I went without the blue in here, but you’ll notice the neutrals and even some buffalo check, helps to tie the three rooms together. So let’s get right to it! Here is the room when we began…

Before

And here it is now…

After

All After Photos by Sarah Heppell Photography

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Project Bedroom Refresh! I have more exciting projects to show you after the New Year!! Stay tuned later this week, to see some snippets of our home for the holidays.

Project Bedroom Refresh… The Reveal Part 2

December 9, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectbedroomrefresh, amber b design, before and after, design, guest room, interior design, sarah heppell photography

Welcome back to another reveal day for Project Bedroom Refresh! Today, it’s all about the back guest room. I carriedÂ in the same shades of blue from the master bedroom, to tie the two spaces together. My client’s home has blue and neutrals throughout, so this brought some continuity to the overall design. And likeÂ yesterday, the wonderfully talented Sarah Heppell Photography took the gorgeous after photos! Here is where the room began…

Before

We kept the headboard and oneÂ dresser for the space. We also used some of my client’s art work for the walls. And here it is now…

After

All After photos by Sarah Heppell Photography

My clients really love the laid back coastal vibe this room has and how it ties in well with their master bedroom. On Monday, I’ll be back for Part 3 and the final reveal… the front guest room! The third room will be a bit of a diversion with the color story, but it will be tied together through fabric patterns and an overall neutral design. Stay tuned!

Before and After: Project Classic Living {The Bathroom}

May 12, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassicliving, amber b design, bathroom, before and after, design class, local clients

We are now at the final day of the before and after series from Project Classic Living. To catch up on all of the previous posts for this home design, visit HERE. I love this house and working with these clients. We have other future projects in the works, so this is not the end of this gorgeous home tour. My clients had already been working with a contractor for the bathroom and brought me in for the finishing touches and to bounce off ideas for the overall design aesthetic. I actually created a pinterest board for this design and you can view it HERE for comparison between inspiration and final result. We discussed a couple of different flooring options and patterns and they ultimately decided on the hexagon tiles, which work so well with the home’s traditional charm and character. There is a dramatic difference between the before and after, since plumbing was moved and the space was completely gutted. The after pictures are by the talented Sarah Heppell. Enjoy!

Before

A bathroom with a toilet, sink and mirror.

A bathroom with green and white tile, sink and tub.

After

A bathroom with white tile floors and walls.

A bathroom with a sink, mirror and flowers in the vase.

A bathroom with white cabinets and a sink.

A vase filled with pink flowers on top of a table.

A bathroom with white walls and a sink.

A bathroom with white tile and a sink.

After Photos by Sarah Heppell

I hope you enjoyed the home tour and the before and after series! It was so much fun for me to look back at where we began and then how we finished. And this bathroom, even with its deeper and longer vanity, looks bigger now than before! I love when that happens. We addedÂ function and the appearance of more square footage. Win, win!!

Before and After: Project Classic Living {The Nursery}

May 10, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassicliving, #projectdelicatenursery, amber b design, before and after, design, interior design, kids and design

Welcome back to another before and after. This is a favorite of mine from Project Classic Living, because today… it’s all about the nursery. I love designing kids rooms and withÂ two kids of my own,Â I know how important function can be! It’s also important to include the style in there as well, and there are so many great products out there now, so you can have both. I also love to design a nursery with future years in mind. Instead of picking a particular theme, I wanted the room to grow with their daughter and be a space that works even ten years from now. The only item in here that would need to be changed, is the crib! The changing pad can easily be moved off of the dresser and it will look like a regular furniture piece. This nursery was the first project my clients and I worked on together, about a year and a half ago. We have moved on throughout the house and it’s so fun to be able to bring that similar style and look to other areas of the home. Of course you can have more fun in kids rooms and divert from the plan a bit, but we also stayed true to the home’s charm, character and overall design aesthetic. All after pictures are by Sarah Heppell.

Before

A room with boxes and other items in it.

A room with a door open and a white wall.

A bedroom with a dresser and a door open.

After

A book sitting on top of a table.

A couple of mirrors on the wall in a room.

A view of the baby 's room through a mirror.

A white chair and ottoman in a room.

A white couch and lamp in a room.

A hallway with stairs and a door way.

A white curtain with a string of beads hanging from it.

After Photos by Sarah Heppell

We went with a light, delicate wall color for this nursery… Halo by Benjamin Moore. It is the same color we used in the living room and dining room. That is the way that I tied this space to the rest of the home. It was fun adding more soft, delicate colors to the room. I framed two pretty floral fabrics in mirrored frames, beside the crib. My clients already had the crib, rug and dresser. We also used their existing ceiling light fixture, which we believe to be original to the home. I selected the art, seating, window treatments and accessories. It has been so much fun working with them! Their kitchen was featured on Ballard Designs Instagram page yesterday. Thank you, Ballard Designs!

A dining room with a table and chairs in it

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with a Why This Works post and then back with the final before and after on Thursday… the Bathroom!

Before and After: Project Classic Living {The Dining Room}

May 9, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassicliving, amber b design, before and after, design, dining room, local clients

Hope you all had a greatÂ weekend! My Mother’s Day was wonderful, being spoiled by my kids and husband. They are amazing! We had my mom over for dinner on the grill. It was absolute perfection! I am back today, with another before and after to show. Today, it’s all about the dining room. To catch up on all things Project Classic Living, visit HERE. For this space, we kept all of the existing furnishings. In time, we will replace the wood end chairs with light, upholstered pieces and also add a bar cart. The main change in this room was with the paint! We added a deep color to the back of the built ins, allowing the white kitchenware to shine. We also lightened up the walls, added art, accessories and new window treatments and lighting. And don’t miss that new pink ceiling! I just imagine my clients having a dinner party, with the lights dimmed. Everyone will have a glow to their face! As always, the amazing after photos are by Sarah Heppell. Enjoy!

Before

A dining room with a table and chairs, a chandelier and a cabinet.

A dining room with a table and chairs, and a door open.

A wooden table with two lamps and a mirror

After

A dining room table with chairs and flowers in the center.

A white cabinet with many different types of dishes on it.

A dining room with a table and chairs, a mirror and a corner cabinet.

A dining room table with two lamps on it

A mirror and some books on the table

A dining room table with chairs and flowers in the center.

A vase with white flowers on top of the table.

A dining room with a table and chairs, a mirror and a window.

A dining room with a table and chairs in it

After Photos by Sarah Heppell

Thanks for stopping by! I love the brass accents with the drapery fabric color and with that pink ceiling!! Up tomorrow, the before and after pictures of the nursery.

Before and After: Project Classic Living {The Kitchen}

May 6, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassickitchen, #projectclassicliving, amber b design, ballarddesigns, before and after, design, kitchen

Welcome back to the before and after series from Project Classic Living. Up today… the Kitchen! As I have mentioned in previous posts, the kitchen was already beautifully renovated when I came into this space. The gorgeous white cabinetry, quartz counters, back splash and lighting was already chosen. I came in for the window treatments, dining area furniture and wall accessories. All of the after pictures taken by the wonderful Sarah Heppell. Here is the kitchen when I started…

Before

A room with a tv and a trash can

A room with a door open and a window.

A kitchen with a lot of counter space and boxes

{I had forgotten that the kitchen counters were not in yet, when I started with the design plan. But they had already picked out a gorgeous quartz counter that resembles marble. Perfect choice!!}

After

A dining room table with four chairs in it

A dining room with a table and chairs in it

A plant in a vase on the table

A clock hanging on the wall in a kitchen.

A kitchen with white cabinets and wooden floors

A kitchen with white cabinets and black and blue curtains

A kitchen counter with a cutting board and sink.

After photos by Sarah Heppell

And one more quick comparison…

Before

A room with a tv and a trash can

After

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

I love that this kitchen eating area has a relaxed vibe, to balance out the more formal feel in the dining room. Which, by the way, is the next room to show!

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms out there, especially to my wonderful, amazing mom! Thank you to my sweet, wonderfully awesome kids for giving me the amazing privilege of being their mom! 🙂 Have a great weekend!

Before and After: Project Classic Living {The Foyer}

May 5, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassicliving, amber b design, before and after, design, foyer, interior design, local clients

Welcome back to another fun before and after! Today, we are focusing on the foyer. This is the first impression upon entering through the front door, so weÂ really wanted this space to set the tone for the house and connect the other designs. We added a meaningful gallery wall going up the stairs, added function with an entry rug and vintage coat rack and also updated the foyer furniture with a new demilune, lamp and accessories. Let’s first take a look back at where we began. And of course, the gorgeous after photos are by the talented Sarah Heppell. Enjoy!

Before

A staircase with wood treads and white railings.

A white door and wooden floor in the hallway of a house.

After

A foyer with a mirror and a table in it

A staircase with many pictures on the wall

A staircase with wood treads and white risers.

A coat rack with a scarf hanging on it.

A white door with two framed pictures hanging on the wall.

After photos by Sarah Heppell

We kept the wall color and sconces, but the rest is new. And we are not finished! We are currently in the works to install a stair runner. Wait until you see which optionÂ they chose!! Thanks for stopping by. Up tomorrow… the before and after of the kitchen. The eating area was a clean, blank slate, which was fun to design!

Before and After: Project Classic Living {The Living Room}

May 3, 2016 by Amber Filed Under: #projectclassicliving, amber b design, before and after, design, interior design, living room, local clients

As promised from last week’s posts, I am now ready to show the before pictures of the living roomÂ from Project Classic Living, as well as some new after photos! It’s always fun to show how a space began, so we can appreciate how far we have come. The before pictures are taken by myself and the really pretty after photos are all from the very talented Sarah Heppell. For the living room, they wanted a light, neutral space that was a blend of traditional and modern, while also working with the character of the home. Here we go!

Before

A living room with brown leather furniture and fireplace.

A living room with two couches and a baby seat

A living room with hard wood floors and furniture.

We really wanted to try out a sectional in this room. We were so thrilled when we found one that was a perfect fit! We lightened the walls, added new furniture and accessories and were able to keep some existing key pieces. We kept the beautiful media cabinet, mirror and wall frames.

After

A living room with a couch and fireplace