Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

DIY: Hemming Your Curtains – The No Sew Way!

by Filed Under: design, DIY, project


I meant to show you this DIY project last week, but I fell a bit behind. I recently added new drapery panels to our master bedroom, but they were too long. 84″ panels would have been too short and 95″ panels (the size I bought) were too long. Well, I don’t sew, so I needed to figure out a cost effective way to handle this dilemma. My chosen option… stitch witchery! This is the first time I ever used this, and I loved it! It can also be called ‘hemming tape’ and it’s a no sew option for adding decorative trim, hemming panels or for any fabric project. Here is the finished product: (They still need to be steamed, but hey- some day!)

Here is my DIY tutorial:

1. I first hung my panels on the curtain rod and pinned them to the desired height. That way, I didn’t have panels that ended up being too short! I wanted to make sure they puddled about 1-2 inches on the ground. Then lay your drapery panels out and measure how much you want to hem. I hemmed up about 8 inches.

2. Next, place a couple strips of stitch tape on your panels. I tried to place them towards the top and bottom of the hem, making sure they held up well.

3. Then, bring your panel up to the desired height and press down with a damp cloth, then warm iron. Make sure you continue to move the iron, using small movements.

4. Gently pull back on the part you hemmed, to ensure you have a strong bond. And there you have it- hemming the no sew way!

Pretty soon, I hope to show more of the room, including some new pillows! Stay tuned…

This Makes Me Smile…

by Filed Under: design, personal design style


There are times when I come across rooms and design ideas that make me smile. There are spaces where I could just move right in and not change a thing. I thought it would be fun to do a round up of spaces that speak to me and my personal design style. Maybe you’ll find a favorite, too!

I have always been drawn to traditional style with an eclectic, modern mix. I love to keep the walls light, the upholstery neutral and add interest with texture and accents of color. These rooms pretty much sum up my style!

What sums up your design style? 
Make sure to check back next week for a quick, easy way to hem up curtains without using a sewing machine!

Guest Posting Over at Tiffany Leigh Interior Design

by Filed Under: design, guest post


Happy Friday! This week flew by! I am over at Tiffany’s blog today, sharing my favorite furniture piece in our home for her Favorite Furniture Friday series. This is a great series idea, because we (I) tend to focus on changes that need to be made, but Tiffany reminds us that it’s great to remember the pieces we love, too!

Hope to see you there!  While you’re over at Tiffany’s blog, stay a while and check out her creative and pretty design ideas. She is also a very talented artist! 

Why Hiring a Decorator Can Save You Money

by Filed Under: design, e-decorating, e-design


There has always been an assumption out there that hiring an interior decorator is an extravagant extra and not an accessible option. It can be scary to trust someone else with your home and belongings. But I believe that if you develop a good relationship with your potential decorator and your ideas and personalities gel, go for it! There are so many unique ways to achieve affordable design help. E-decorating, is a quick, less expensive option and can be a lot of fun. Of course it’s always best to be able to see the room in person, but e-design is a great way to hire a decorator without a strong financial commitment. And in this economy, it’s always great to think creatively when it comes to saving money. You might think I am crazy to say that hiring a decorator can save you money, but think of it this way:

Recently, I had a client say to me that she attempted to decorate, but it didn’t work out as she planned. Now she has furniture pieces that she wished she didn’t purchase and wants to make some changes. Decorators can show unique tips and ideas for achieving a designer touch in your space.

Isn’t it amazing how big window 2 looks? It’s the same size as #1! Hanging your curtains high and wide is a great visual trick for achieving a grander space.

Instead of replacing your store bought piece of furniture, dress it up with the addition of new knobs.

All knobs via
You can also repaint furniture to give it new life:
  

Some decorators not only have full room e-decorating services, they also have smaller design options and can solve decorating dilemmas for under $30. So, give it a try! Why not?!? And if you are an interior decorator/designer, I would love to hear your views on offering design services on line.

Featured in i village and in Great Company

by Filed Under: design, design services, e-decorating, e-design, personal design style


I am so honored to be featured in i village as one of their spotlight e-decorators. I was contacted by a writer for i village and asked if I would like to take part in their round up of decorators who offer e-design services. Lia did such a nice description of Amber B Interiors and I am so thankful to even be included in the post. Here’s a little sample of my page:

  
It was so amazing reading about the other 14 decorators who were chosen, because their work is always stunning and I have followed so many of their blogs since I began my own! To get a chance to share the same post as these talents is ridiculous! To view the post in its entirety and read who the other decorators are, click here! (I’m on slide 12!!) While you’re on the i village web site, browse around! This site discusses everything from health and beauty, to design, entertainment and fitness. Enjoy! And thanks again to i village for the amazing opportunity!

A Pop of Color Makes a Difference

by Filed Under: design, personal design style


Every neutral palette comes alive with pops of color! Even the most monochromatic space looks completely different with the addition of just a few brightly colored accessories.  I love this look, because as your color tastes change over time, a few small changes can totally transform the space. Even if you have a very small budget to work with, a neutral backdrop can look like a different room with the addition of some color in the pillows, throw blankets and drapery panels. Take a look at these great examples of the power of color in small doses!

Just a little pink:


Color in the Pillows:

Add Some Coral:

Source: bhg.com via Amber on Pinterest

Some Red and Blue:

Bright, Fresh Flowers:

Paint a Door a Bright Color:

Have you added a pop of color lately?? 

An Unexpected Place for China

by Filed Under: design, personal design style


When decorating, I try to add a touch of whimsy to the space. I think it speaks to your personality when you add a bit of quirkiness or yourself to your home. My mom recently gave us some espresso cups and saucers that were given as a wedding gift by her parents. I love being able to use heirloom pieces passed down from family members. It adds such a sense of history to your table setting. My husband and I have started having cups of espresso and cappucino on the weekends, and these will definitely come in handy! Here is the beautiful set:

I love the gold detail on the outside! I wanted to place them in an interesting location, so I would be able to see them all the time, while also being a little unexpected…

A great solution to a full china cabinet?? Place some dishes in an unexpected place, like this lantern! You will always be able to see it when you walk by, and enjoy it all day long!

Have you done something unexpected with your decor??

My Go- To Paint Colors

by Filed Under: design, paint colors


When I’m sourcing paint colors for a client or choosing for my own home, I am drawn to a few favorites that always work! I almost always choose Benjamin Moore paints and use their line of Pure Performance, Low Odor paints. They are self priming, go on great and hardly have any odor. They are also supposed to be their green option for paints, because of the low VOC’s. So, it’s a favorite! Here are my go- to colors:

Alaskan Husky

This is a very light, blue/gray that works with so many other colors. I have used it to bring warm and cool tones together and for a light, serene backdrop. It’s also the color choice in our master bedroom, kitchen and family room.

Our Family Room
Titanium
This is a very pale gray with a subtle hint of green. I have to find a place for this in my home! I did just suggest this color for a client, and I can’t wait to see it completed!
This is a true gray. It is a lighter shade, and will go with just about any color!

This is a beautiful shade of pink that resembles ballet slippers. I can imagine this hue paired with gray or green!

This is a classic, deep blue great for an office, bedroom or dining room. It can be paired with white, yellow, orange or red.
This a deep and bold brown that almost appears black on the walls. This color looks amazing paired with coral, turquoise and gold.
Our Living Room
This is a great color for doors and stair railings. it’s a muddy gray/black with a hint of brown. I’m a huge fan!
Our Foyer
This is a fun color in small doses. I would love it for the back of book shelves or on a door! Here, it’s used on a ceiling and part of the wall- beautiful!
via
So there you have it- my favorite paint colors! I always like to go with an eggshell finish for walls. It’s scrubbable with just a light sheen.
Do you have a favorite go – to paint color? Is is on this list??


A Quick and Easy Furniture Update

by Filed Under: design


Are you like me and love high end pieces, but refuse to pay an arm and a leg for it?? I want the look, just not the cost. So an easy and inexpensive way to update a dresser in 5 minutes is by replacing the knobs! Maybe you have a dresser in need of a little refreshing or you found a great flea market piece that needs a little pick me up. The options are limitless. You can update bedroom dressers, media units or even kitchen cabinets! Here are a few of my favorites that can be adapted to any room!

I love the last two images for a nursery! If you have a night stand with two knobs, it’s a quick $20 fix with great impact.
Have you made any quick fixes lately??

Mixing Metals and Wood Finishes

by Filed Under: design, e-decorating, e-design, personal design style, style


I am putting a living room design together for a client and we’re going for a modern, mid century look. I love the idea of mixing metals and wood finishes in a space and plan on doing that here! I think sometimes, people may be afraid to mix metals in a room, thinking they all have to match. If you have a chrome lamp, that doesn’t necessarily mean every metal has to also be in chrome. Why not mix it up with a little gold for an eclectic look?? The same goes for your wood finishes. I love seeing light and dark woods in the same room, just like when mixing design styles. You can really take an everything goes approach, within reason. Here are some great examples of mixing things up…

Light woods with Dark…

Mixing Metals…

 
 
Try it out! You’ll be surpised that it actually goes together!