How to Add Color to your Space for Spring!

It's officially Spring and okay, I admit - I've got Spring fever! Woot woot! What I love about spring is bright cheery colors so today I will be discussing how to incorporate color into your home with ease! You can add color into your space with either soft pastels or bold colored accents. Whatever side of the color spectrum you choose, it will still breath life into your space. Bold colors are more energizing and pastel colors are soothing to the eye yet welcoming. I love bright colors balanced by neutrals. Use a neutral color as a background then layer color on top for a look that you won't grow tired of.

Explore color and find out what colors work for your home and personality. Don't know where to start? Take a look at your wardrobe, you tend to gravitate toward your favorite colors. 

How to Add Color to Your Space

1. Decorative Accents - I love adding color and switching out color with decorative accents such as picture frames, candle holders, and vases (inexpensive ones that you can pick up at Target or Home Goods).

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/14550183/Walnut-Creek-Bungalow-living-room-san-francisco]

2. Area Rugs - Mix in area rugs with a colorful pattern to amplify your entry way or kitchen. You can even add a bright mat to your laundry room to boost your mood when folding your clothes.

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/18608984/2014-Parade-Home-Lehi-transitional-entry-salt-lake-city]

3. Accent Pillows - Now that is getting warmer out, all the bright colors are out in stores. It makes me so happy! Not only can you add playful pillows indoors but outdoors too! Outdoor pillows make your backyard more inviting. The color and pattern draws your eye outside, making that lounge chair look super tempting to lay on!

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/9428265/2013-Coastal-Living-Showhouse-beach-style-bedroom-atlanta]

4. Stationary - Is your work area feeling tired? Brighten it up with colorful stationary. Notepads, pens, storage boxes, and file holders can cheer up your desk.

5. Flowers - What is Spring without flowers? Place flowers (or faux flowers) in areas of your home that you will see them often. There is something about flowers that make your home feel extra special. Even if they are fake, flowers can add elegance and color into your space subtly.

[houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/2550186/wwwmyplumdesigncom-transitional-family-room-toronto]

6. Fresh Paint - Give an old piece of furniture a new look with a fresh coat of paint.

I hope you found these 6 tips to add color into your home helpful! Which tip was your favorite? Please share below! I would love to hear from you.

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Fab Find Friday!

Happy Fab Find Friday everyone! This week I am sharing fabulous finds from One Kings Lane. One Kings Lane is also running a special for new members, if you sign up today you will receive $15 credit for purchases $30 or more. For easy shopping click the direct link for each coordinating number. Pin this post to your Pinterest page so you can revisit these beauties later!

1. Wingback Chair / 2. Pewter End Table / 3.Crystal Ball Lamp (Set of 2) / 4. Area Rug / 5. Nesting Tables / 6. Cowhide Ottoman / 7. Faux Orchids / 8. Agate Boxes (Set of 2) / 9. Skirted Ottoman / 10. Hammered Metal Side Table

Fab Find Fridays: Gold & Glam!

Happy Fab Friday everyone! Today I am sharing affordable gold and glam finds from Joss and Main. If you have been following me consistently, you would that I have an obsession with everything gold, glam, and shiny. Here are all the items that caught my eye. For easy shopping, click the direct links in numerical order. Thank me later ;)

 1. Statement Mirror / 2. Table Lamp / 3. Vase / 4. Hall Chest / 5. Tufted Chair / 6. Display Box / 7. Cowhide Rug / 8. End Table / 9. Wall Decor / 10. Console Table

What was your favorite gold and glam item? Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save and go back to it later!

Trend Alert: Flower Power

Spring is weeks away and I am beyond ready! After a long gray winter, I can't wait to see the flowers and plants come back to life! Not only am I hyped about warm weather approaching but I am anxious to see bold color and style! I recently received the new Bloomingdale's catalog for Spring. The bold floral and botanical prints immediately caught my attention. Here's is a picture of my inspiration:

Floral prints are making a strong comeback in Spring 2015 both on the runway and in the home. When I say "Florals," I am sure some of you may be reading this and think, "Oh no Amanda, my Grandma's florals are never coming back." Rest assured, these are not your Grandma's florals. The trend today is packed with punches of color and playful large-scale prints.

Breath life back into your home by adding playful floral prints. Introduce floral prints in small touches like adding a floral printed vase or artwork to revive your space. To add floral prints in a bigger way, try bringing in fabrics with floral prints into your space like pillows or bedding. Do you have an old chair that needs reupholstering? Make a statement with a bold modern floral. Here are some accessories that I found from Joss & Main and One King Lane that you can incorporate into your home for spring.

1. Yellow Arm Chair / 2. Yellow Flower Wall Art / 3. Floral Medallion Rug / 4. Flower Motif Pillow / 5. Coral Flower Pillow /  6.  Blue and White Vase  / 7. Flower Print Vase /  8. Multi-color Arm Chair / 9. Gray Floral Pouf / 10. Modern Floral Rug

Find something that you loved? Pin this image so you can revisit this post later :)

For more flower print inspiration, visit Apartment Therapy and read their trend alert post on flagrant florals.

Fab Find Friday!

It's Fab Find Friday! Time to share some amazing finds with an even better price point. This week I am sharing some of my favorite items that I found on Wayfair.com. Visit the direct links to each numbered item for easy shopping! :)

1. Capiz Shell Lamps (Set of 2) / 2. Decorative Objects / 3. Hydrangea Floral / 4. Deco Wood Mirror / 5. Writing Desk / 6. Ikat Rug / 7. Accent Chair / 8. Ottoman / 9. Mongolian Fur Pillow

Which items did you love? Save the photo to Pinterest so you can revisit this post later!

This is my first Fab Friday post! Let me know what you think! Do you want to see more posts like this?

3 Tips to Create a Fab Foyer

The entry of your home is the first thing your guest see when you invite them into your home. As the saying goes, "First impressions are formed within 7 seconds." Create a lasting impression in your foyer that expresses your personality in a nut-shell. Show off your individuality but don't show all the goods ... shhh, save that for the rooms. My dream foyer would be packed with bold style, sexiness, gold accessories, lucite, a statement chandelier, and Mongolian fur ottomans. At least, that's what I am dreaming of right now - it changes.

This blog post was inspired by the powerful statement foyer that I found in the House Beautiful magazine (picture below). Isn't it drop-dead stunning? My eye was immediately drawn to the wallpaper. I love the citrus and blue tones in the pattern. Not to mention the pedestal table that literally was screaming my name.

Although the wallpaper is bold and in-your-face... the stair runner is neutral and creates a sense of balances. The solid gray grounds the space, giving your eye a place to rest. Next, is the gold pedestal base table; a stylish twist on a classic. It fills the corner nicely. The staircase is almost hugging the table. The accessories are simple and the florals draw your eye up towards the rest of the staircase and towards geometric pendant.

Are you anxious to learn how to create your own fab foyer? Inspired by the photo, there are three tips to keep in mind while designing your foyer. Let's break it down, shall we?

1. STYLE - Enter your home with style! Design your foyer by starting with largest item. Carpeting in most spaces will dictate the design. Stair runners and area rugs are a great way to introduce color and pattern into your foyer. Or opt to be different and add decorative wallpaper in your entry while keeping it neutral on with the carpet. Add a funky console table with a statement mirror above it. Reinvent an old table lamp and make it bold with a new lamp-shade. Strategically place florals, trinkets, picture frames, and other decor that will catch your eye as you enter the home.

2. PERSONALITY - You should feel welcomed every time you step foot inside your home. Add accessories and details that represent your personality and/or family. Whether it be pops of your favorite color, a traditional chair for putting shoes on, or that animal print rug you always wanted - get creative.

3. FUNCTION - Aside from being stylish and pretty, it has to be functional for your lifestyle. Place a small decorative tray on your console table for a spot to leave keys. Tuck away stools underneath your console that could easily slide out if you need to put your shoes on. Hang a decorative mirror for those last minute looks before you leave the house. Add a cute but functional Hall-Tree or hang hooks behind the door for your every day coats that are easy to grab-and-go.

I just realized that the acronym for these three rules is SPF! That should be easy to remember! :) Get your SPF on and rock on. For more inspiration to create a fab foyer of your own, please check out my "Fab Foyer" board on Pinterest.

https://www.pinterest.com/byamadesigns/fab-foyers/

Design Advice Event Hosted by AMA

You're invited !!

Mark your calendars because AMA Designs is hosting a LIVE Q&A Event on February 20th at 5pm EST. This is your chance to get all your design questions answered. You aren't limited to how many questions you ask either so ask away!

In order to participate, you must be following AMA Designs on one or more social media accounts. I will be posting a photo for you to leave your design question and will answer them in the order they are received.

Do you have a design dilemma but don't know how to explain it? A picture is worth a thousand words! Hashtag your photo with #amadesigns live and I will see what you need help with.

TWITTER: @byamadesigns

INSTAGRAM: @byamadesigns

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/byamadesigns

#AMADESIGNSLIVE

Get excited because I sure am! You do not want to miss out on this special event! I cannot wait to be solving all your design dilemmas during this fun social event.

Let's get social!

Looking forward to chatting with you Friday at 5pm!

Yours Truly,

Amanda M. Amato