What's Trending 2016: Mid-Century Modern

The return of Mid-Century Modern design is back with force. I've always had a huge crush on the Mid-Century era. Mid-Century design celebrates clean lines and naturals hues with furniture made of wood, typically made of Teak in a natural finish. Although, this era is making its way back into 20th Century, I think the furniture is timeless. Mid-Century furniture is desired for it's unique design, versatility, and their iconic time in history.

Aside from furniture design, Mid-Century interiors embraces color, texture, and graphic prints.

But in 2016, I believe there is a new approach to modernism. I call it "Modern with a Twist". I foresee interiors in 2016 to be more eclectic by mixing old with new and/or mixing modern with other design genres. I see mixing colors, patterns, and textures in unexpected ways. Interiors are evolving into more collected and layered rooms that express individualism and personalization. My favorite example of this is the photo by Joshua W. McHugh.

Image via. Arcitectural Digest

Whether you mix a few modern pieces here and there, or recreate an entire room inspired by mid-century design; I am enjoying this trend.

I am LOVING Lexington Home Brand's new collection, "Take Five" featuring updated mid-century designs. Here is a small preview of the collection. How amazing is that gold cabinet?! It's like the "jewelry" of the room, as well as that amazing ceiling pendant.

Image via Lexington Home

A minimalist office featuring textured grasscloth walls as the backdrop to a beautifully handcrafted mid-century desk and chair. A Persian rug anchors the furniture and grounds the space. A little glamour is added with an oversized mirror and metallic table lamp. This is one work space that I would love to sit down at.

Image via My Domaine

I admire the dramatic contrast in black and white interiors. If you haven't discovered already from my website that I love black and white. :) What I love most about this room is the Milo Baughman cube chairs, a modern classic, upholstered in black velvet with a polished gold base.

Image via My Domaine

Are you excited about the revival of mid-century modern design? What design era inspires you the most?

For more design inspiration, sign up for The Designed Life e-magazine. Design tips and inspiration sent directly your inbox every month. Plus, you will receive a Free Design Guide when you join!

Teen Bedroom Update

A full room transformation is not always necessary to make a room feel new again. In a recent project that I have completed, I transformed a teen bedroom with accessories, bedding, and new window treatments. Before I started the project, the room lacked a functional layout. The desk was shoved into a corner and their was no vanity area for the teen girl to get ready for school. Plus, the only lighting available was from a floor lamp.

By centering the bed on the window, there is now more floor space in the center of the room - giving the illusion of a larger space. It also makes the bed a focal point. I also centered the desk on the window as well. The desk doubles as a vanity area too by adding a storage organizer for curling irons and brushes. A navy storage cabinet was added next to the desk to hide away hair products and make-up.

The polka-dot wall decals were removed, but the wall color remained the same. The window treatments and bedding were all updated. New lighting, the white fluffy area rug, and accessories were added to the space.

To display Medals and Ribbons, I added blue and white ceramic decorative hooks to hang all the teen's accomplishments.

A little updating can go a long way. Does your space need a refresher? What can you switch out or add to make your space feel "new" again? Need help with your space? Send your photos to info@byamadesigns.com and we can discuss your space.

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for The A-List and receive monthly issues of my E-Magazine, The Designed Life which is filled with inspiration for the home and life. Receive a Free Design Guide when you join the A-List.

End of the Year Reflection: How Design Impacts People

Have you ever woke up one day and felt like everything is happening as it should be? That everything you have imagined is finally starting to take shape? Yea, I am having one of those life moments and I am feeling so gracious. As the end of the year is approaching, I have reflected on this year. I have come to the realization that life right now is pretty darn awesome. I am fulfilling my passion and I get to help people with my creativity.

I always wanted a career that helped people but I never truly realized the impact that design has on others.

The result of a great design can change lives. Okay, I may not be changing the world but I get to change how people feel and that to me, is pretty incredible.

When the dynamic of a room changes, the entire energy of that spaces changes. It brings a whole new mood to the space that translates to the client. That room that once caused frustration to the client is now transformed into a space to retreat to and relax. A once dysfunctional floor plan that caused entertaining issues is now a usable space for more friends and even more memories to create.

My job is so fulfilling in so many ways. I love seeing my sketches come to life and watching a project come together full circle. Interior design is not just about the pretty things. Interior design to me is about creating a space that you are excited to come home to. It's about creating a space that recharges your spirit. It's about feeling good as you enter the door.

Life can be hard sometimes and your home should comfort you, not stress you. Which space do you like to retreat to? Is your home not generating those feelings for you? Let's talk about it. Schedule a design consultation with me by e-mailing amanda@byamadesigns.com

10 Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas

'Tis the season to be giving! And with that, comes the gift wrapping. Add style and personalize your presents with these decorating ideas. I'm a little last minute with my gift shopping this year so I will be sharing 10 of my favorite gift-wrapping ideas from Pinterest. I love wrapping gifts. I find it so therapeutic. I take the time to fold the corners real crisp. I take gift wrapping seriously. I used to work at Pier1 Imports and I was the cashier who could wrap any gift, any shape, any size with ease.

I will be sharing my gift wrapping techniques on Instagram so follow along to see what ideas I come up with.

Black, White, & Gold - My favorite glam color scheme. My favorite gifts have the bells hanging from them and of course the big full bows. For more gift wrapping ideas, head over to Boxwood Clippings blog.

Rustic Red and White - Mix craft paper and wrapping paper for a layered look. Mix in Christmas Clippings for a Natural touch and the person's initial for personalization. You could also add an ornament for a little more sparkle. For the tutorial visit, On Sutton Place blog.

Stamp it - Personalize brown paper with alphabet stampers with each individual's name for a homemade touch or stamp some holiday cheer with the word "joy". For more gift wrapping ideas, visit Babble.com

Chalkboard Packaging - Wrap your presents in black craft paper and draw with white pencil or paint pens to give the look and feel of Chalkboard presents. For the tutorial, visit Going Home to Roost blog.

For the Traveler - wrap your gift with a recycled map or Atlas. Bonus points for using a map with a place that actually traveled too. For the tutorial, visit Lime Doodle Design.

Gold Tipped Paper Feathers - No bow? No problem. Create a feather pattern out of colored construction paper or even a newspaper. Add a little glam by spraying your faux feather with gold spray paint. For the full tutorial, please visit Lia Griffith.

Girlie Gifts and Gift Tags - Simple yet adorable. One single ribbon for a pop of color and then black and white string to hold the decorative tag. For free graphic gift tag printables, visit Birds Party blog.

Sticker it! - Cover your package with craft paper, wrap with raffia, and apply holiday stickers of your choice. For the tutorial, check out Midwest Living.

Boxwood Wreath - I love boxwood plants. For a rustic yet holiday gift wrap idea, use boxwood branches and burlap. For the tutorial, visit Craftberry Bush blog.

For the bookworm - Wrap small gifts with bookpages and add a monogram for each of your friends. I would take this gift wrap technique one step further by adding a mini candy cane or fake holly berries for a holiday touch. Tutorial via Erinnish.

Are you behind on your holiday shopping like me? These gift wrapping ideas are simple and will make your friends/family feel special when they open them. Which Holiday gift wrap idea will you choose?

Are you a gift-wrapping fanatic like I am? Tag @byamadesigns on Instagram so I can check out your holiday gifts ! I would love to see them.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Want more design ideas? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine filled with inspiration for the home and life. Receive a free Home Design Shopping Guide as a gift when you join.

Holiday Decorating Ideas for the Home

Tis' the season to be decorating! In today's Tip Tuesday post, I will be sharing my Holiday Decorating ideas for the season. Decorating for the holidays can feel like such a task. At my house, we store all of our seasonal decorations in the attic.... so it is always a project to shlep the boxes down the stairs. We make it a family affair. Who's on the stairs reaching for the next box, who is passing down, who is opening boxes; it's an assembly line of little Italian elves. After we spent all of our efforts bringing the boxes down, who the heck still feels like decorating? If you know this feeling too well, please comment below :)

When you get a boost of energy and holiday cheer - it's time to decorate for the Holidays. Today, I will be sharing some Holiday Decorating ideas for the home.

1. Festive Glowing Bottles: I save empty wine bottles and spray paint them or hand paint them with a design, then add ribbons, and string lights inside. Last year, I made a snowflake scene.. I used frosted spray paint and painted snowflakes on clear bottles, it looked so pretty at night on my mantle.

(Image via AMA Designs)

2. Faux Presents: Wrap boxes in festive wrapping paper and display in hallways or on stairs in your entry

3. Scenic Cake Stand: Create a wintery wonderland on a cake stand or under a cloche.

(Image via Common Ground)

4. Turn ordinary items into decorations with function such as turning a decorative sled into a serving platter

5. Dress up your Piano with a Holiday display

(Image via Cherishedbliss.com)

6. Turn your desk into a wintery wonderland for some holiday cheer and inspiration while you work

7. Create a festive holiday scene on your sideboard with snow-covered trees and glass hurricane candle holders. It will create a whimsical backdrop while you dine

(Image via Pottery Barn)

8. Another place you can get creative with is decorating your bookcase. Display collections and hang wreaths on the front of shelves

9. Put statement pieces or large decor in empty corners of stair landings or on the hearth of your fireplace.

10. Add some joy to your coffee table by grouping lanterns and holiday garland. Ground the setting on decorative tray so you can be easily pick-up and move your display if you need more table space.

(Image via The Frugal Homemaker)

Hope you enjoyed this weeks design inspiration. How will you decorate your home for the holidays?

Want more design tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine which is filled with oodles of inspiration for the home and life. Receive a free Design Shopping Guide when you join!

Last Minute Decorating Ideas for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is this week and guests are coming! Is your feeling home "party" ready? In today's #tiptuesday post, I will be sharing last minute decorating ideas for Thanksgiving and tips to help prepare your home for your feast.

A Warm Welcome

Create a warm welcome by decorating your Front door and porch of your home.  Cluster vibrant mums together for a fall touch. Update your welcome mat for guests to wipe their feet before entering.

(Image via placeofmytaste.com)

Craft a Fall Wreath

Feeling extra crafty? Welcome guests into your home with a DIY festive wreath. Learn how to create your own DIY Burlap wreath (it's easier than it looks).

(Image via AMA Designs)

Prep Foyer for Guests

Prepare for guests by protecting your floors with an easy to clean area rug or add a mat near the door for muddy boots and shoes. Place an umbrella stand near the door so guests know where to store wet gear when they enter. Add extra hangers to your entry closet and make room for your guests coats.

Spruce up Your Guest Bedroom

If you are hosting out-of-town guests, tidy up the guest bedroom for them to stay the night. Put warmer blankets on the bed, make sure light bulbs work in bedside lamps, and keep a nightlight in the hallway to light the way to the nearest restroom. Guests will appreciate a cozy room while they are away from home.

(Image via Better Homes and Gardens)

Fall Garland Streamers

DIY some festive fall garland streamers. String fall leaves together with invisible string and hang from your dining room chandelier for a "falling leaf" centerpiece that leaves the table space open for entertaining. You can also string magnolia leaves together with a ribbon and tape them up on a blank wall to create a backdrop for picture taking (and maybe a few selfies).

Bring the Outdoors In

Fall is the last big hoorah before the cold dark winter strikes and all the leaves die off. Bring the feeling of outdoors in by filling a small vase with flowers or fall foliage. I like adding faux branches to vases because they are no maintenance and fill up tall blanks spaces. Cranberry and maple leaf branches are a homage to fall and also add fall color to your space.

(Image via savorhomeblog.com)

Get the Dining Room Ready

This tip goes without saying. Prepare your dining room for entertaining by taking out the "good china" and clean the silverware and crystal stemware that has been stashed away for special occasions.

Cozy up Dining Chairs

Sometimes style outwins comfort when it comes to dining chair selections. Create a comfortable seat by adding a comfortable and stylish seat cushion with a coordinating accent back pillow. You can find seat standard seat cushions from Pier1 or Bed Bath and Beyond.

Accessorize with Autumn Colors

Update your homes decor with shades of Autumn. Cranberry, Russet, amber, golden yellows, rich brown, and forest green. Add organic elements such as cranberry branches or maple leaves for simple pops of color.

(Image via Pottery Barn)

Display Blankets

Display blankets in a basket for guests to grab and rest after their turkey dinner. At my house, we have "nap time" in between dessert. Run to the sofa and claim your spot...

A Doggie Bag for leftovers

Last but not least, create a goodie bag for your guests to take home a treat. Everyone knows the best part about Thanksgiving is the leftovers. Share the love with your guests with packaged favors.

I hope you enjoyed this last minute tips to get your home party ready for Thanksgiving. Wishing you a holiday filled with laughter, much love, and second helpings! Cheers everyone!

Want more decorating tips? Join "The Designed Life" monthly e-magazine which is filled with inspiration for the home. Plus, receive a free gift when you sign up.

6 Ways to Decorate your Home with Things you Already Own

As I get ready to redecorate for the season, I get hit in the head with "stuff" that fell from the closet. If you find that you have collected a lot of things over the years, stick around to learn how to decorate your home with the things you already own!  Over the years, we tend to collect "stuff", some nice and some we ask ourselves "wtf did I buy this for?". However, I encourage you to head back to the archives and rummage through the items you already have, you might surprise yourself.

How to Redecorate your Home with Things you Already Own

1. ROTATE ARTWORK: You may find artwork or photographs that have been left out of rotation for a while. Now is the time to display them and have their chance to shine. Find a blank wall in your home to hang pictures or swap out different pictures. Refresh old frames with new ones and matte pictures. I love finding new homes for my artwork and pictures.. it's like a design scavenger hunt.

(Image via My Domaine)

2. SPRUCE UP YOUR BOOK SHELVES: Refreshing your bookshelf display is a project within itself. When starting this project, it's best to start off with a clean slate (literally). Take everything down and put in a good dusting. Mix in trinkets, artwork, photos, decorative plates on stands, foliage, and other items that interest you in your bookcase. I like to rotate book orientation by placing books vertically or a short stack horizontally with an memento on top. It takes time to get it just right but adds so much more interest to your bookcase.

3. ACCESSORIZE YOUR COFFEE TABLE: Update your coffee table with a favorite book (maybe one that is too big for the shelf). Add unexpected pieces to your coffee table that add character and texture. If you own an ottoman instead of a coffee table, try adding a decorative tray for a hard surface to put drinks.

(Image via Elledecor.com)

5. DIY CENTERPIECE: Create a new and unique centerpiece. A centerpiece does not always have to be flowers, it can be something sculptural. It could be a grouping of glass hurricanes, a piece of driftwood, an ornate lantern, or even a sculpture to create a focal point on your table.

6. UPDATE USED FURNITURE: Update furniture that may seem out of date. Breath life to worn furniture by giving it a fresh coat of paint. Give an old chair a modern face-lift by adding a pop of color or a trendy seat cushion for a modest change that can be swapped out. Revive a chest of drawers with new decorative hardware. Add wallpaper to the back of a bookcase. Search around your home for items that are tired and that can be reinvented.

I hope you discover something in your home and make it feel brand "new" again.

Ready to take your home to the next level?

Send an email to schedule your design consultation

[contact-form to="amanda@byamadesigns@gmail.com" subject="Design Project Inquirty"][contact-field label="Name" type="name" required="1"][contact-field label="Email" type="email" required="1"][contact-field label="Tell me About your Project" type="textarea" required="1"][/contact-form]

Experiment with Color: Fall 2015 Trends

Refresh your home's color palette with warm, earthy, or saturated tones to warm up your interior during the cooler months ahead. Today I will be sharing a combination of color pairings and how to incorporate these shades into your home. I am going to break this post into personal color preferences: Neutral, Playful, and Bold .. Scroll down to the color palette that you gravitate to.

For the Neutral Lover

If you love neutral colors, try incorporated shades of "Cognac" into your home. Warm whisky browns that have a reddish tint pair well with other neutral shades. The warm autumn shade can be incorporated with wood furniture finishes and/or fabrics like the warm whiskey brown chairs featured in this eclectic living space.

(Image via House Beautiful)

Taupe and mink brown are a great choice to use as neutral to balance any color palette. I prefer taupe over gray because it is earthy and creates a warm inviting environment when used on walls. (Love taupe so much that it is my current Fall nail color right now)

If you are searching for a muted color, try using mauve in your home. Mauve is a toned down purple that compliments well with warm browns, deep plums, and crisp whites.

Blush pinks and soft rose shades are colors that can be worked into your home. They marry well with rich blues or beiges and creams. For paint colors, select a white with a tint of flesh tone pink for a touch of warmth to a crisp white.

For a deeper neutral color and an alternative to dark brown, try experimenting with the color "Marsala". Marsala is a rich brown-red hue and also the Pantone 2015 Color of the Year. Definitely one of my favorite shades. I love how the marsala sectional grounds the space in the photo below. Read more about this color in detail.

(Image via Belgian Pearls)

For the Playful and Cheery

If you like bright cheery tones, use Pantone's "misted yellow" which is a muted yellow with a green tint. It is the fall version of a cheery yellow. If you are looking for a yellow without the green tint, I like using mustard as an accent color in accessories or fabrics. Mustard marries well with rich brown, vibrant teal, charcoal gray, and even black.

(Image via Digdigs.com)

Another cheery pop of color to try is Pantone's Amethyst Orchid. A vibrant jewel tone that is strong enough to be a statement color or can be used sparingly with accessories or flowers. Amethyst Orchid can add a lot of energy to a space when paired with red or another vibrant hue but when combined with gray it adds a soft playful pop of color.

Cypress green is a color that I am seeing more lately. I've seen it on walls, furniture, and even kitchen cabinets. Cypress is a soft soothing green but when mixed with a neutral color palette it can add a crisp pop of color. As the leaves begin to fade, shades of green can evoke a feeling of nature when added into your home. Cypress green and forest green are two shades to experiment with this winter.

For the Bold and Daring

If you are feeling daring and want to explore using saturated hues, here are a few:

Aurora red: A cross between orange and red. Reminiscent in the fall leaves. This shade is perfect for Autumn shade. Whether you use this shade in small ways or big ways, this color is bound to make a statement due to the density in color.

Pumpkin: If you aren't ready for the commitment of red, try using shades of pumpkin or a paprika spice. Burnt oranges add warmth to charcoal grays and compliment taupe or chocolate browns. In the photo below, the pumpkin hue adds warmth and color to this cozy bedroom but isn't overpowering.

(Image via Ericcrossinteriors.com)

Not quite blue, not quite green: Teal is a beautiful gem tone that is vibrant and mixes well with warm shades like whiskey brown. I love how the mid-century modern chair pops against the rich teal walls.

(Image via mod-home.info)

Rich violet, Sangria-like shades are rich shades that can create intimate settings when used on walls. I love seeing deep violet or cabernet-like shades in dining rooms. I feel like it creates a warm dinner setting. Whether used in a big way on walls or in smalls doses, this shade is sure to warm up any space.

So which shade will you be experimenting with this fall? Will you be going for a cheery, bold, or neutral look? Comment below :)

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.