New Years, New blog!

Come join us at our new blog!!

Hope every one has a fantastic New Years! Don't forget to visit our new blog @

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New Years by ab home featuring jeweled clutches

Guest rooms: Your ultimate guide to the essentials

What is it about the word luxury that appeals to us? Does it personifies fulfillment and satiation in all things that satisfy us? Or is it the epitome of magnifigance? I recently started working with a branding company and they asked that very question: What does luxury mean to you? The more I thought about it the more I realized it really has very little to do with money; which is what most people associate with the word luxury. Back in September I wrote a post on this very subject. One of my favortie lines from that post, “Luxury is not about money, it is about the simple pleasures in life that influence your mood.”

{Continue reading on our new blog}

Festive tablescape: A how-to guide to smart Southern style

Each of us, whether a professional or a homemaker, has our own distinctive style. We all design and arrange our homes to showcase our personalities that are shaped by our lives. These personalities may be subtle or strong, but the backbone of a home’s style is built on experiences and memories. At the heart of all Southern homes is the table, in particular the dining table. Here a family gathers to pray, share a meal and discuss the blessings of each day. When mama assembles the family to eat it is a deeply respected and honored experience. It is also a way to entertain  our closest friends. The South is deeply rooted in tradition, and nothing is more important than friends and family. Nothing. Ask anyone who is a true Southerner and they will agree that the family meal is as sacred as going to church on Sunday.

{Click here to read more} on the new blog!

Are you living or are you existing?

I constantly talk about living a true lifestyle on this blog. And I am a stickler for living a glamourous life. Too often potential clients have a preconceived notion that design has to be expensive. That is has to be over the top, and essentially out of their league. But what most people don't realize is design is not about expensive. It is about luxury. 
What do I define as luxury? 

Luxury is about indulgence, whether big or small, but gives the smallest things grandeur. Luxury is charming, beautiful, and spellbinding. But most importantly, luxury is about magnifigance, easy splender, and guiltless laziness. ~ Amanda Burdge

Source

Luxury is not about money, it is about the simple pleasures in life that influence your mood. 

A good night's sleep, a wonderful cup of coffee, or fresh flowers on your nightstand. It is a rich meal with friends, or a fabulous pitcher you found at a flea market for $2, yet makes your heart skip a beat. No, luxury is not about money but rather a realization that the finer things really do come in small packages, and none the less, take your breath away. That is true luxury. 

Nicole Yee

Here are a list of AB HOME's favorite things to add a little luxury in your life:

1) All things vintage like this smith corona 1970's orange typewriter

I just LOVE THIS!!

$395 on etsy

2) Numi Tea

Numi Tea out of San Francisco has an array of organic teas

to die for!

3) Versai Linens

Versai

These are a wee bit expensive. A set of sheets will set you back

about $500, but well WORTH it! 

(you may never get out of bed...Is that so bad?)

4) Paddywax Candles, The Classic Collection

Paddy Wax Candles $24

There is a reason I carry these in my store. These candles are hands down the 

best in the business. They are soy based, burn clean, and just so happens

the company is ran and operated by women. LOVE that!

5) Memory Tiles by Sid Dickens

Sid Dickens

I adore art, and I adore collections. 

Sid Dickens memory blocks are the perfect combo for both! 

They are handmade peices of art at an incredible price,

and they make great gifts!!

What are some things in your life that make it luxurious? 

What are some things that make it glamourous?

On another note. I am so excited to report that AB HOME Interiors' blog is getting remodeled!! We have SO many exciting things in store for all our faithful readers in the month of October. Stay tuned for more details, and don't forget to sign-up for our newsletter (fill in the form below)  to recieve up to the minute info on sales, decorating how-tos and secret giveaways for the month of October, November and December! 

Don't miss out! It's so exciting I can barely contain myself!

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AB HOME is offering FREE Holiday Decorating classes in October
contact us to sign up!

Atlanta Market 2010, by Amanda Burdge

Codarus Showroom

I have been going to Market since I was in my 20's. I remember the first time I went and I was terrified. I had NO IDEA what the hell I was doing or how it all worked. But I was 20, knew EVERYTHING, and wasn't about to break a sweat in front of those seasoned professionals in there fancy designer suits and comfy tennis shoes. Those snazzy women had nothin' on my Z Cavaricci jeans, bongo wedges and cute top that I just found at clothestime. And to make it extra special, I was doused in exclamation perfume from Mervyn's, bada bing, bada boom!

Go Home

Ok, so we ain't in Kansas anymore, or the trailer park neither. I grew up in a small town, with big dreams, and a whole lotta chutzpah. Seriously, do dreams gestate from anything better? Well, when you are in your 20's, coming from a small town, you think everything grows from guts, nerve and a little spit and glory. And certainly the friends you make along the way. But I quickly found out that isn't always the case. My graduating class in high school consisted of 33 students! We all grew up together, competed together and played together. Our sand box was small, and so was my view on the world. SO when I moved to Northern California for college, holy crap y'all I hit the big time, and had the common sense of Michael Kelso from that 70's show.

Stray Dog Designs

It truly is amazing that I survived, and somehow did not end up in a ditch. Like a lost, stupid puppy, I trusted everyone, and doubted no one. If they said it was so...well dammit it's so! 

By the time I went to design school my head was on a little more straight, or at least I'd like to think it was. I had a bag full of fancy utensils that consisted of pens and pencils, and even some thingy's called a  triangle and scale. I was set to conquer the world, and I even had a spiffy diamond ring from a boy who wanted to marry me. Now all I had to do was convince these slick, glib sales men from the San Francisco Market that I was all that and a bag of chips; or at least look like I was. Who would question a 20 something in her lee press on nails and outfit from Mervyn's? I mean come on, who can resist Bongo wedges? Am I right?  Lord.have.mercy. 

Global Views via Southern Accessories Today

Fast forward to 2010. Now a days I'm sharp, quick witted and know exactly how to work my showrooms. I know what I want, and how to buy it.  I go to Market three times a year. The big accessories and gift Markets are in all the major cities. The real big ones are in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York. High point, North Carolina is the biggest furniture market in the country. The home and gift Markets are in January and July, roughly and the furniture Market is in April and October. These markets allow vendors to show off their wares, and woo us into buying their loot. It is the best way to buy because you get to SEE and TOUCH everything before it hits the stores. 

Tozai 

All showrooms have what is called a "minimum." In other words, unlike a store, you cannot walk into a vendor's shop and expect to buy one item. They want you to invest in their line and product. Most accessories lines have a minimum purchase of $300 or more. Some even require you to purchase a certain quantity of one item. Larger companies can command up to a $3000 minimum. Larger companies that do not want every Tom, Dick, and Harry purchasing their product will have a higher minimum to weed out the lighthearted, non-serious buyers.

Newgate

As a shop owner I do not mind paying minimums, and I don't mind purchasing 6 or 12 of the same item. However, if you are a designer working out of your home, or have a small office, it isn't always feasible to purchase 12 of the same clock. And you have to watch your sales reps. They are working on commission, and like all of us, they are trying to earn a living. They will always try to get you to purchase more. If it is in MY best interest, I will purchase more. But many of the reps have been in the business for a VERY long time, and they will glamour and romance you into thinking you need MORE!! "oh this has been one of our best sellers!", "Oh you must buy some of these, they were in Oprah!", "This lamp is going to fly off your shelves!"

Global Views via Southern Accessories Today

All in all it was an excellent Market. The big trend this show was color! Blue, orange and green were everywhere. Reclaimed wood, old vintage finds and Industrial chic, were seen in numerous showrooms. Old gears, apothecary jars, pottery, and anything with a nod to the past was prevalent from every vendor.

A studio via Southern Accessories Today

I had a wonderful time showing Dayka Robinson, from Meditations on life and style all the ropes, and explaining to her how the vendor/designer relationship works. Not only did I scare the living daylights out of her, causing her to drive down the wrong side of the street, she is convinced that a retail store isn't for her. DAMN! Apparently, I'm not as inspirational as I thought I was. Nothing like a dose of hard knocks from the girl who shopped at Mervyn's and sported BONGO wedges like it was 1999!

Need design help from an experienced design professional with over 12 years experience? Want to work with someone who listens to your needs and sticks to your budget? Call our office for a design consultation that will change the way you live and think about your home environment!

contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com

or call us @

615-750-2763

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Sign up for Design Strategies 101! 

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Are you a designer in the Nashville area looking for mentorship in a nurturing environment? 

Want to learn the ins and outs to the business that school didn't provide?

Sign up for Designer Bootcamp to learn the skills necessary to be a true design professional!

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Colorpodz-Interior lighting crash course with Amanda Burdge

A few weeks ago I had a wonderful conversation with Kelly Berg of Arte Styling, and Lori Sawaya of Colorpodz. Lori, a color expert, and the mastermind behind Colorpodz, and Kelly, a fabulous color aficionado, steered me through their professional world of podcasting, on a subject that I am truly passionate about- 

L-I-G-H-T-I-N-G!

Colorpodz

Arte Styling

Lighting effects everything in our home, including COLOR!  As we transition into the next decade we are going to see a huge push in energy conservation, and recycling of materials. But what does that mean for our homes, interiors, and COLORS?  Well with new research and development in LED lighting, we will no longer have to sacrifice quality of light to appease sustainability demands.

The lighting we have in our homes effects everything from mood, color and atmosphere. And when you are selecting a wall color, you are not just picking paint. Selecting the right color is a science, and a skillful art. Many factors come into play when selecting the right one. If you get all the components right, you have what I call, Magic by Design. But mess it up, just one thing, and you have design chaos.

So without further ado, here is the page to our wonderful podcast

Interior Lighting Crash Course (this includes lighting info)
Podcast (click on green box, click to play in new window)

Be sure to read Lori's post, she has given excellent graphics on the vernacular used during our conversation, and given examples of the new technologies.

Thanks again ladies for letting me hang out with you, and blab away about LIGHTING!!

For more info on this group of fabulous gals, and their fabulous companies, click here to see my post on who they are, and what they can do for you!

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Sid Dickens Memory Blocks available in Brentwood TN

AB HOME Studios

Now until July 2nd we will be running a promotion on our Sid Dickens tiles. Buy one memory block tile, and receive the second tile 25% off. On top of this exciting and rare promotion, Sid Dickens is inviting you to enter their, 'IN THE WILD CONTEST.'

AB HOME Studios

Submit photos of your memory block collections for a chance to win a one of a kind framed peice, handmade by Sid Dickens himself. And they are not looking for the typical room shots. They want something different, eclectic, and wild. Create your own composition, mix in your favorite things, and tell them a visual story with your favorite blocks.

Sid Dickens

Your story can be big or small, so snap a photo and send in by Monday, July 5th, 2010. The winning entry will be showcased online and will receive a beautifully framed, custom memory block made personally, and signed by Sid Dickens.

For more info on this contest email AB HOME Interiors @ info@abhomeinteriors.com, or to submit your collection, fill out the Sid Dickens memory blocks 'In the Wild' contest form here. We are so excited about this fun contest, and can't wait to see what you all come up with!

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July Market Atlanta, 2010 with Amanda Burdge

Every Winter and Summer I make my way down to Atlanta, to visit Market. Those of you who are faithful followers ( Pssst....I adore you!), have seen me post about this so-called "market". Well as an industry designer for over 12 years, it never occurred to me that the layman has absolutely no clue what this is! Until I emailed Dayka Robinson over at Meditations on Life and style and asked her if she would like to accompany me.

"I keep hearing about this! Is that the gift/home market at the americas mart?  how is it??  I'm trying to figure out a way to get in this year!  let me know what (if anything) i need to know about this."

Dayka and I have exchanged several emails over the past few months, primarily because I'm stalking her about Atlanta, and all the great things the city has to offer.  I always go to Atlanta for business, and am enamored with Atlanta's southern charm and glamour. But I am always the outsider looking in, getting in the way on the road, driving too slow and getting all sorts of lost,  frustrating the local city dwellers. Boy can those locals get rowdy!

So this year I thought I would reach out to Dayka, bright eyed and bushy tailed, to convince her that I would now be her best gal July 15th-18th. We did a little horse trading, teeth pulling, and hard negotiating but we came up with a very fair swap. She shows me Atlanta, and I show her Market. Well, I feel like I have a V.I.P. access card to the coolest club in town, with the coolest kid on the block. I cannot wait!

Americas Mart

Colonial Mills

I think she will adore Market. One after another, like an indoor market place, vendors are lined up trying to persuade the buyers that their product is the best, and that they have something no one else does. Of course everyone knocks everyone else off, so that is not entirely true! But more than ever, I am excited to go this year. Her fresh faced enthusiasm to see this for the first time will be thrilling. And I of course will feel like a kid in a candy store (we all know how much I LOVE candy) given access to my favorite city.

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Install day, afters Nashville Interior designer Amanda Burdge

Ok, so earlier today I put up a post of before pics on the job we installed today. Here are the afters!

Before: (look at the fireplace)

After:

Before:

After: 

(sorry about the quality, the lighting was bad, and I did not snap a pic with the room completed with the pics on the wall!)

Install day Franklin Tennessee Interior Designer, Amanda Burdge

So we are loading up the van, and heading out to a clients house this afternoon for the install. It was a pretty tall order, for not a lot of money. The client needed new paint (expensive), new fireplace surround (expensive) and he wanted furniture for his family room, living room, and dining room. And he wanted ALL of this done for 15k. Well I am one hell of a designer, but I can't make miracles happen. Especially when we started with all NEW furniture. Here are the befores

Family room before

Family room before

Living room before

Living room before

Now I know these pics are bad, took them with my phone, but you get the idea. I will have the after photos up this afternoon. Is the anticipation killing you? I know right? Me too. Stay tuned!

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Brentwood Interior Designer, Amanda Burdge It's all in the Details

Decorative accessories provide the finishing touches in a room. Even the best basics, like the little black dress, will fall flat without the garnishment of beautiful pearls, a little gold, and the perfect shoes. Sure, the little black dress is lovely, but it has the potential to be so much better.

Shane Reilly

Putting the finishing touches on your little black dress are no different from accessorizing your home. Adding a few carefully selected pieces will transform the ordinary humdrum into something extraordinary. Remember my post on lifestyles? Accessories are THE single best way to underline, with an exclamation point, who you are. 

Accessories need not be of the same cloth, either. In fact, just like all my other posts have stated, it is all in the mix. It is much more appealing to combine new and old, fine art with flea market finds, and hand-me-downs with the newly purchased finds. Every season, or every so often, change your perspective, rearrange and move things around. Too often clients will assign an item to a location and see it as fixed, unable to move it from the sublime ether of existence. My recommendation? Take two or three rooms and tear everything out of it. Put every item in the center of a room and start rearranging. This is a terrific way to get a fresh look, and it moves everything around, creating an exciting new look. You'll be surprised at all the incredible arrangements you come up with that blend beautifully. Who knew?!

Evelyn Benatar

As my captive audience I'm sure you are wondering, 'Ok now I have all my stuff in the center of the room, now what?' Such talented pupils you are! Ask yourself a few questions before you get started: 1) Is there a pattern with my accessories? For example, do I have a group of trinkets such as Snow globes, medicine bottles, or candy wrappers that can be classified as a collection? If so, these are items that can be grouped together on a bookshelf or side table to showcase your collectible. 2) Is there anything I do not need? Do I LOVE all of these items? Our goal is to create a lifestyle not a collage of life cycles. Get rid of the ones that no longer speak to you, and donate them. Remember students, one mans junk, is another mans treasure!

Raji RM and Associates

The most fundamental rule of any successful accessory ensemble is the number of items you use cannot overwhelm the space you are decorating. See photo below. Now this room is a store. They are trying to display a beautiful collection of home decor items to peak your interest and give you lots of eye candy ( and hopefully entice you to BUY something). However, this would never work in a home. Too many items, too little space, create invalid scale and proportion. Awwww...where do I focus?, too much stuff!

Orangehomeaccessories.com

Once you have decided the surface to enhance create interest with odd numbers, group items together, and create high's and lows. You do not want every single item to be the same height. Odd numbers push the eye to move around the surface, and this creates visual interest. No matter what accessory you are working with, an informal approach is always better. Start by placing your tallest object in the back and work your way down. Essentially creating a triangle in shape. See the green vases below? Each item is a different shape and height, and we have five total items with the art three vases, and a platter.  

                                                  

Olga Adler

Make sure you do not cram everything together. Your accessories demand breathing room. After you have fussed with your accessories and changed them around, you will end up with the perfect accessory combination. Make sure the balance is right, and that the surface feels right. Does it look balanced? Does it feel off? Does the arrangement intrigue the eye? If the space feels heavy a good rule of thumb to live by, if cleaning day rolls around and the surface requires a lot of labor to shift and move things around, you have probably put too many things on it.

Look at the mantle below. This is a perfect example of perfect accessorization. There are five items (odd number) each item is a different height and shape and each piece has breathing room. Beautiful to look at, and easy to clean. Bravo!

David M. Plant Interiors

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