Amanda Amato
OUR INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO IS NOW IN LITTLE ...

We are excited to announce that AMA Designs & Interiors, an award-winning interior design studio, is now located in Little Falls, New Jersey!

We will miss our start-up location in Caldwell, NJ, which was within a real estate office, and the friendships we have developed over the years from working there. As our business expanded and our team grew, it was time to open up a studio to support our needs and service our Clients.

OUR INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO IS NOW IN LITTLE FALLS, NJ
design, DIY
Amanda Amato
Reasons Why you Should Hire an Interior Designer

Regardless of the scope of your project, any home project is an investment. We manage projects anywhere from full-room decoration to full-scale renovation. When you are investing thousands into your home, the thought of professional fees for an Interior Designer may raise concern. However, you know in your gut that you don’t have the time or bandwidth to take on the project yourself without the help of an expert.

The value of hiring a professional Interior Designer far outweighs the monetary value.

Reasons Why you Should Hire an Interior Designer
design
Amanda Amato
What is the difference between Full-Service ...

If you have been researching an Interior Designer for your project, you may have seen the terms Full-service, Turn-key Design, E-Design, or Virtual Design. These industry terms are different tiers of service and appeal to Clients at two different price points. If you are confused what is the difference between Full-Service Design and Virtual Design, this post is for you.

What is the difference between Full-Service Design and Virtual Design?
design, local
Meghan Murray
When Should I Hire An Interior Designer?

Have you have been tossing around the idea of hiring an Interior Designer but don’t know where to start? An Interior Designer gives you the reinsurance that you will have the dream home you’ve always wanted, help you stay on budget, and reach your target end date.

When Should I Hire An Interior Designer?
design
Amanda Amato
Remodel or Move? 5 Things to Consider Before ...

In today’s blog post, we will share our expertise whether you should remodel or move. If you are unhappy with the current state of your home, you are not alone. Home improvement projects have been on the rise since the pandemic started. Home projects are not the only thing on the rise but the cost of real estate as well. In New Jersey, we have reached a housing boom with homes selling $100,000-$200,000 over asking. Of course, this doesn’t happen with every listing but it is happening more frequently in today’s market. As my husband is a New Jersey realtor, I have an acute awareness to the real estate market and the experiences he has encountered over the past year and a half. With mortgage rates being historically low, more homeowners are considering whether to remodel or move.

Remodel or Move? 5 Things to Consider Before you Decide

exterior design

10 Ways to Improve your Home's Curb Appeal

It is the perfect time of year to start working outside and improve the exterior appearance of your home. Whether your goal is to improve the attract buyers or to simply enjoy; the presence of your exterior will either welcome guests or deter them. In today's blog post, I will be sharing ways to create an exterior that everyone will want to know what is inside. Enhance your homes curb appeal with cosmetic upgrades and projects that can be done in one day or an entire weekend.

Here are 10 Ways to Improve your Home's Curb Appeal:

1. Statement Entry - The front entry is the focal point of your home. Create a statement entry by adding punch of color to your front door or by installing a custom wood door. Add a stylish Welcome mat and a decorative wreath to express your personality.

Yellow Front Door

2. Replace Hardware - Update house numbers, the entry door lockset, and door bells/door knockers if they look worn from weather conditions or if they do not fit the aesthetic of your home. If you have a traditional home, oil rubbed bronze finish will work while brushed nickel suits more contemporary homes.

3. Mailbox - Select a mailbox that mimics the style and finishes of your home. A wall-mounted mailbox should compliment the color and trim of your home. Dress up a mailbox on a post by surrounding the post with flowers.

4. Lighting - Landscape lighting makes a huge impact when it comes to your homes curb appeal. It also provides safety and security. Illuminate pathways, spot light masonry details and trees, and an overhead light fixture by the entrance to welcome guests to the front door.

Exterior lighting

5. Paint - Define and highlight architectural elements by playing it up with a paint. Choose an accent color to accentuate decorative trim, railings, fences, columns, shutters, or other significant details that need more attention.

6. Renew Siding - Hire a professional or rent a machine to power wash the exterior of your home for a mini-face lift. If you're siding is in bad shape, repaint the exterior for an automatic transformation.

7. Balance and Symmetry - Creating balance is simple to arrange and also appeasing to the eye. For a stronger impact, try  flanking sconces and/or planters on each side of the front door.

Symmetry

8. Renew Planter Beds - Renew planters beds and flower gardens by pruning and pulling weeds. Add new mulch to restore color that was taken away from sunlight and harsh weather. Define your planter beds by outlining them with stone or decorative cast-concrete edges.

9. Outdoor Seating - Add a bench or a few chairs to your front porch to make your porch feel more inviting and so you have another outdoor space to enjoy on a nice sunny day.

outdoor seating

10. Outdoor Art - Add weather resistant artwork to add curb appeal and express your personality. Select sculptural elements that complement your homes's color palette and style. Water fountains, bird baths, metal sculptures, stained glass, and wind chimes are few good choices for outdoor art.

With a little TLC you can upgrade your home's curb appeal with cosmetic upgrades that can be accomplished in a day or a weekend. I hope this post encouraged you to update your home's exterior.

Did you love this week's post? Comment below and share with your friends. If you want more design inspiration and tips, please follow @byamadesigns on Instagram

Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine, filled with tons of inspiration for the home and life. Also, receive a free Home Design Checklist to make your next shopping trip for your home easier.

How to Prepare for Spring

As we make the slow transition into Spring, we naturally turn our attention to cleaning and updating our homes. This is the time where I flip my home inside out and upside down for a major cleanse. To help prepare you for the always-busy months ahead, I've created a Spring Cleaning Checklist to use as a guide:

  • Purge Closets - Separate your items into piles as you pack away winter clothes. Donate or toss the items that you will no longer need or will not wear next season.
  • Organize - It's time to tidy-up. Store toys in storage baskets/bins. Keep your desk neat with drawer organizers and file storage. Add hooks near the front door to hang those easy-to-lose keys. Find a home for everything to make life easier.
  • Office Update - Freshen up your work environment by organizing your files, archiving old files, and even deleting unwanted files on your computer. Organize receipts by store so you can easily find them later. Shred paperwork that has personal information on it. Invest in a planner or other stationary, that you can use to jot down ideas and To Do items.
  • Living Update - Your family/living room is very active. To preserve your furniture longer, flip and rotate seat cushions so they can wear evenly. Don't forget to fluff back pillows too! If your throw pillows have seen better days but the casings are in good condition, consider purchasing new pillow inserts.
  • Clean Window Treatments - Remove dust from blinds and wash curtains to breath easily this Spring. Don't forget to clean screens daily during high pollen weeks.
  • New Bed Linens - Revive your bed with new bed linens and sheets. Swap out your winter-weight duvet with a light-weight comforter or quilt.
  • Fresh Scent - Enjoy walking into your space with a fresh scent. There is something about a nice smelling candle that instantly makes a room feel clean (doesn't mean you can skip cleaning tho!). Use reed-diffusers or display potpourri in a decorative bowl.
  • Replace Doormats - Your door mat took a beating this winter. Freshen up your entry with a new door mat or hallway runner.
  • Revive Exterior - Power wash the siding on the exterior of your home to remove winter debris.
  • Prep Outdoor Spaces - Don't get stuck cleaning your porch the day of your first BBQ. Prep and clean your patio and outdoor furniture now to enjoy all season long. You will be happy that you did!
  • Outdoor Entertaining Items - Keep your outdoor dishes and utensils near your outdoor dining set or where you prepare meals so you can serve guests with ease. Stop yourself from running in and out of the house during a party by storing entertaining items in a convenient place.

outdoor

I hope you have found these tips helpful while you prepare for Spring.

What are some tasks that help you prepare for the warm months ahead? Share your favorite tip below.

Do you love AMA Designs? Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine, filled with tons of inspiration for the home and life. Also, receive a free Home Design Checklist to make your next shopping trip for your home easier.