Amber B Design Studio

Interior Design & Decoration for the South Florida region

7 Table Styling Tips

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


If you are anything like me, your coffee and end tables are not always styled to perfection. Life gets in the way- newspapers, magazines and just about anything can take over! Just before you’re about to upload house photos on pinterest, share on your blog or get ready to entertain, check out my fast and fun styling tips!

1. Pair the simple with the unexpected. A stack of books looks unique with a magnifying glass, or a treasure on top!

2. Bring everyday items together with sculptural pieces. Here are more books! They are the best first layer to any table. When something sculptural is placed on top, it instantly adds texture and interest.

3. Fresh flowers- one can never go wrong with that!

4. Whimsical Bookends! These can be placed on a console or even a large coffee table. Your favorite book will always be nearby, while also looking stylish in the meantime!

Source: westelm.com via Amber on Pinterest

5. Baskets! They are a great way to add texture to a space while also a perfect spot for storage and small books.

6. Small frames filled with the ones you love! That is always the best accessory. (Check out the side tables, not Uma and John!)  🙂

7. Place a bowl of found treasures on a table. It can be nature inspired or something that reminds you of a fun outing!

Do you have a favorite styling tip that is not on this list?? Please share!

Should I Go For It??

by Filed Under: DIY, foyer, personal design style


Thank you all for your encouraging comments about my last post. I am happy to say that my writer’s block is dwindling and I am slowly getting my blogging mojo back in gear! I have been thinking about trying out a little project in our foyer, but not ready to commit. Here is where your input is key! This is what our foyer looks like as of right now:

Our Foyer

While I love the light that comes in from the sidelights, there is no privacy at the front of our house. I would like something that can be swept away, so the sidelights can still be used during the day. Here is what I found on pinterest that has me thinking…

What if I installed a curtain rod and drapes? I could pull the panels back during the day and have the privacy I need at night. Here’s the dilemma and where I need your opinion…
I am trying to go for the less is more mantra and don’t want to crowd my spaces too much with things. I am worried that if I try this, it might look too busy in my little foyer nook, as the space isn’t that large to begin with. I love the way these two images look, but their foyers are also larger than mine. I also worry about drilling holes into the wallpaper, as that would be so permanent.

Any thoughts? What would you do??

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!

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!

Dressing Up Plain Drapery Panels

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


A great way to achieve a custom look for less, is to dress up plain drapery panels with ribbon trim or extra fabric. It’s also a great way to bring in your accessory color and add a decorator’s touch.

You can also add fabric to panels that aren’t quite long enough:

Source: bhg.com via Kate on Pinterest

When I present this idea to clients, I always like to provide them with a helpful DIY link, showing them how to easily complete the project. There is one site that I always like to go to, for great tips… House of Fifty blog! Janell shows how you can easily finish almost any DIY project! To dress up your drapery panels, follow her no-sew tutorial HERE!

Have you dressed up your drapery panels??

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??

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!

How Much is Too Much??

by Filed Under: design, personal design style


I need all of your advice! I recently fell in love with a new rug for our dining room, but need all of your expert opinions! With the pattern we already have on the wall, is this too much in the space?

This is the new Saybrook rug from Ballard Designs and I would choose the black/gold on the bottom right side. It’s a beautiful indoor/outdoor rug that would be perfect for high traffic areas in the home. Before I go any further, let me remind you of our dining room and the one stenciled wall, already providing lots of pattern in the space:

Our stenciled wall is on the one wall only, while the rest is the soft gold color. (And our drapery is a subtle stripe, adding a bit more pattern.) But when I saw this rug, it reminded me of an extension of the wall pattern and worked well with the furniture/colors in the space. Before seeing the Ballard rug, I thought I would opt for this neutral jute rug from Pottery Barn:

This is their color bound jute rug in honey. So, I’m torn and need your advice!

How much is too much when considering pattern in one space?
Would they compliment or compete? Do tell!