So long for now Vermont!

Good morning from Stowe, Vermont! It is my final day here and although it rained yesterday, I enjoyed my stay with my boyfriend. Before we leave, we are heading to Stowe Mountain to snowboard. Hopefully the conditions are much better than yesterday!! It's snowing this morning so I am anxious to get on the mountain on fresh powder. We arrived Friday to the Stowehof Inn & Resort. The resort was featured in the 1981 film, "The Four Seasons". The interior is cozy and warm. There are two fireplaces in the community living room. Another fireplace in the restaurant and another in the pub. Plenty of spots to snuggle up and warm up by the fire with gorgeous snow top mountain views. Not to mention, unlimited tea and hot cocoa (my fave).

Friday night, we went downstairs to the pub for dinner. The atmosphere was inviting. I ordered the baked Mac and cheese, which was fantastic. After a long drive, it definitely was comforting. My boyfriend ordered the Stowehof burger and fries - delish!

On Saturday it rained so we cancelled our snowboarding plans. We hung out at the resort by the fireplace and a bottle of wine. We later grabbed lunch at Yoshi Sushi. Which was very close to the resort and had fresh, amazing sushi. That evening we had dinner at the resort and enjoyed a beautiful meal by the fireplace.

I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Stowehof Inn and all our meals. I look forward to coming back again.

But for now, it is time to head back to New Jersey, a six hour car ride listening to the same songs over and over again.

So long for now Vermont!

Winter Decorating

Greetings from Stowe, Vermont !! I am staying at a cozy lodge sitting next to the stone fireplace with my favorite tea. The warm atmosphere has inspired me to write about winter decorating. Some of you may have packed away your holiday decorations and now your home may be feeling a bit glum. The holidays may be over but we still have to endure winter a couple more months. Don't let the harsh temperatures get you down, cheer up your home and decorate for the winter.

After I take down my holiday decorations, I usually keep out a few items that aren't so Christmas-y. Sorry, Santa. You and your jolly belly have to go for now.

Instead, I like to keep the scented pine cones displayed with candle holders on a nice silver tray. When I think of winter, I am instantly reminded of thick sweaters and cozy blankets by the fire. Winter is a great time of year to incorporate rich textures into your home such as furry pillows and wool blankets.

The winter months are so magical, it is almost instinct to add sparkle to your home! I love adding a bit of glam to all my rooms with accessories. You must not forget! Accessories are the jewelry to your room.

Stay warm my friends!! :)

Color 101

Don't underestimate those paint chips, color makes an impact visually and subconsciously. How do you want your room to "feel"? This is a question that I ask my clients. It may sound silly to some but there is some science behind this question. If you were redoing your bedroom, do you think you would able to sleep in a room that was bright red? Red, orange, and yellow create excitement. You may even find these colors in gyms or recreational centers to make you feel "energized". If your favorite color is red and you want it in your bedroom - go for it! However, add this color in moderation. Throw pops of color in pillows and accessories.

For bedrooms, the goal is to keep it serene and calm. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. I recommend tones such as pale greens and blues, maybe some cool grays.

Have you ever wanted to make your kitchen blue? We just learned that blues are relaxing colors; so what does that mean when we paint our kitchen blue? No, it doesn't mean we are going to fall asleep head first in the fridge. Blue tones will actually suppress your appetite. Which may be great way to trick your mind to not eat those late night snacks.

Picking the right color is so important. The next time you are ready to paint your home, don't rush your decision. Remember my tips and put some thought into the mood of the space.

Share your experiences with color with me. Have you ever painted a room and regretted a color choice?

Before you go, don't forget to like and follow AMA Designs on Facebook for daily updates and projects :)

2014 Color of the Year

Happy New Year everyone! Wishing you all a year filled with an abundance of happiness, love, laughter, health, and prosperity!! Hope you all enjoyed celebrating. Now that you have recovered, I thought it would be nice to highlight radiant orchid, Pantones 2014 Color of the Year. I am so happy this color has blossomed into the new year and perfect timing too ! Some of you may have took down your holiday decorations and now your home is lacking a bit of cheer :( . Radiant orchid will surely liven up any space whether in small doses or an entire room!

Pair with neutrals or even deep tones like navy or charcoal. Incorporate orchid in accessories, art, pillows, and other decor. If your feeling daring, paint a wall with this vivid color.

What are your thoughts on this bold hue? Comment below and share! :)

Vote for Next Post !

I want to hear from you! Please vote for the topic you want to read next. If you don't see the topic you want to read next, please feel free to leave a suggestion! :) Thank you so much! I appreciate all your feedback so please vote/comment/share!

Yours truly,

Amanda

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Designer Tip: How to Decorate with Limited Wall Space

Have you ever stared at an awkward wall in your home and thought, "What on earth do I put there?" In small apartments, old homes, or rooms with lots of windows -- often you are left with limited wall space.  So how do you decorate a room with little wall space? Problem solved my friends..... First things first, you must work with what you got, be creative, and have fun!

For rooms with limited wall space, try one of the following tips:

• Gallery Wall Style 1: Display your favorite photographs in a grid or at random for visual interest
• Gallery Wall Style 2: Add a floating shelves and lean artwork, picture frames against the wall. It is also easy to switch out pictures and add more by sliding more frames onto the shelf (less holes in the wall too!)
• Gallery wall Style 3: Cluster mirrors together in different sizes. I love mirrors with decorative frames, mix and match! The more mirrors the better!
• One Big Statement : If space permits, take up the entire wall with one large mirror. This will give the illusion of your space being bigger than it really is - how cool is that? You can also repeat the same idea with artwork. Add a scenic painting so it feels like another window to the outside or you can add a fun graphic mural.
• Frame it: Add molding to your walls and frame the wall. Then add a console table, a lamp, with wall decor above to complete the look. Now your wall  is defined and stylish!
• Dress it: Paint your wall a bold color or add wallpaper to make it stand out.

For rooms with almost NO wallspace at all OR if your room has lots of windows - try one of these tips:

•  Show-Stopper: You may feel limited with wall options, but you are not limited when it comes to style! Choose eye-catching pieces that introduce color, pattern, and texture into your space. Be bold when it comes to choosing furniture, pillows, curtains, and even rugs. The possibilities are endless..
• 5th Wall: Your ceiling is technically considered your fifth wall - so don't ignore it! Use decorative lighting which adds depth to your space and adds creative detail. You can also paint your ceiling with a lacquered finish so it reflects the natural light. Note: make sure to remove all imperfections (nail pops, cracks etc.) because glossy finishes tend to highlight imperfections. Another option is to wallpaper your ceiling.
• Dress your Windows: Hang two types of window treatments. One for functional needs such as room darkening or privacy. The second for aesthetic purpose and style.

Which tip can you use in your home? Comment below! Still having trouble? Message me directly and I will be happy to help with your design dilemma.

Yours truly,

Amanda

Worldly Influences

Highpoint Market is the "fashion week" of the interior design industry. Bold colors and exotic prints inspired by world travels are trending at Highpoint Market this year. I couldn't help but admire all the beautiful new products introduced. I wanted to share my favorites with you. Which trend is your favorite? Want to incorporate some of these daring pieces in your home? Contact AMA Designs to spice up your home!

Dress Up Your Mantel

As we enter the cooler months, it is time to start decorating for fall. Fall is my favorite season - I love the leaves changing colors, the smell of the crisp air,  and snuggling up on the couch drinking hot chocolate. Most of all, I love enjoying my fireplace on a cold night and feeling the warmth on my face. Fire places are a fantastic feature in use or just for show. Fire places tend to be the focal point of any room whether it be your family room, an intimate seating area, or a cozy bedroom. Now is the perfect time to start accessorizing your home for the fall, especially your mantel.

There are many different techniques for dressing up your fireplace. When decorating my mantel, I like to create height, add layers/dimension, create a triangle (tall items in the middle), and create a sense of balance/symmetry. Sometimes when you clear off your mantel, you don't know where to start. I typically start with the middle and work my way outward. I always put the largest item in the center, such as a mirror, artwork, or even a family portrait. After you establish the main focus, you can also accessorize your mantel with hurricanes/candle holders, decorative plates, vases, picture frames, sculptures/figurines, clocks, florals/plants, holiday wreaths, branches, bookends etc. The possibilities are endless!

Ultimately, your mantel should not only be your focal point but be a representation of yourself (as with any room!). I love adding sentimental pieces to a focal point or spot lighting my favorite photograph. Get creative this season and don't forget to share with me how you dressed up your mantel. I would love to hear from you! :)

Here are some of my sketches of how I decorate my mantel.

Here is how I decorated my mantel this fall.