Beautiful Bedrooms!

Check out the latest piece I wrote for designer Starr Miller. We explore different bedroom designs with style and flair! Enjoy the inspiration…

Who doesn’t want a beautiful bedroom? The room you spend quite some time in, the room you love. Make a sensual space for a most enjoyable sleep. Check out a few of our favorite picks, and enjoy some beautiful bedrooms full of light and character.

Transport yourself to another world with this amazingly dramatic bedroom. Gold accents play up a royal purple bedspread and couch, while far-reaching bedposts add drama and height to the room. Candles and fruit add a vanitas feel, and the detail of the wall gives an artistic edge to the space. A beautiful area rug pairs well with hard wood floors, creating more visual interest. Tall windows give the space an edge and let so much light in. The dramatic mouldings give history to the space and balance the newness of the bright gold garden stools.  Finally, the dark pillows add a slightly gothic feel without stealing the femininity from the space.

Now for something lighter! This room makes white feel fresh and fun without making it sterile and devoid of feeling. The large piece of art with two feathers anchors the space. This pop of color adds a grounding influence to all the white, and helps give character. It’s amazing what color can do; even the dark blue blanket feels completely necessary here. The headboard is busy but not distracting, adding a decorative element with a pattern that beautifully compliments that of the wallpaper.   The wallpaper draws the eye up making the room feel more grand.  The tall bed and tall lamp looks perfect here.

This beautiful room showcases the power of decorative pillows added to a neutral base! The pillows play up the beautiful contrast created by a powerful black bed in a lighter room. Tall ceilings makes the room feel expansive, and give that added edge of luxury. The three pieces of art above the headboard work wonders to create balance and the simple, classic roman shades add a touch of timeless chic appeal. The room brings together surprising elements that all work so well together.

Time for more drama! The velour bed just screams comfort! There is a beautiful presence to the bed, with a masculine feel because of the size and shape. The manliness of the bed is juxtaposed with a dark, yet feminine chandelier. The tea-stained area rug creates a beautiful softness to the room, and it’s pale blue and neutral hues really draw out the color of the bed. Beautiful sculptural art lives in the hallway and entices us to enjoy the space even further!

 

Fabulous Front Doors!

 Check out the latest post I wrote for Cornelius designer, Starr Miller, of StarrMiller Interior Design. Journey with us as we explore the finest of front doors.

 

Make a great first impression with a fabulous front door! The front door can set the tone for the entire home and even act as a decorative piece in the overall entryway design.

Here we see a custom piece that adds depth and character to the space. The beautiful door has a rustic finish and a custom transom that fits the unique size of the entryway. The deep brown grounds the space, adding earthiness to the peach walls and the vibrant rug, while creating a sense of continuity with the armoire. The intensity of the door also brings out the darker tones of the painting as well.

 

For a simpler look, add a pop of color! This door and transom adds a bit of whimsy to an otherwise white brick wall and the bright orange tone works wonders with the green plant pots. A beautiful example of how the right hue can uplift the curb appeal of the home.

 

Elegant and Dramatic. This front door screams of drama with its intricacy and detail. The door maintains its high-end appeal through the complexity of the design, yet the black and white color palette allow it to avoid looking gaudy and overdone. With a door this fancy, you’d think we were on our way to meet the Queen of England!

 

For drama of a different flavor, try this door from Prague. Old and obscure, the matched patterning of the door and wall create astounding impact. The small window in the middle of the door gives a gothic feel, and the handle adds even more character. When you’re ready to return to old world Europe, try a style as influential as this one.

 

Back to the suburbs! Take a break from all the drama with simple elegance. This front door would look great on just about any home, yet the three square windows add just enough flair and personality to make it look anything but cookie cutter. The balance created by the three squares offers a safe and inviting entry to a warm home.

 

Again we find some drama – this time in the form of plants! The large cacti create drama and visual interest, yet paired with the two lanterns, we find balance. The door itself is a beautiful pink daisy color, which works so well with the cacti and the white walls surrounding the doors. The Avant-garde opening of the door lets visitors know they are entering a space entirely new to their design sensibilities.

 

The carvings in this front door are incredibly beautiful, and add a new dimension to what can be done with a door. The front door above is warm in tone and the decorative carvings let you know you are embarking on a home you won’t forget.

The carvings in this front door are incredibly beautiful, and add a new dimension to what can be done with a door. The front door above is warm in tone and the decorative carvings let you know you are embarking on a home you won’t forget.

For one last take on the front door, try a glass one! This is a modern version of the front door, with a slim trim and great height. Perfect for a summer home, this door invites guests in from the heat and offers a perfect entry point to a fabulously modern home!

Small Spaces and Storage Solutions

Check out the latest article I wrote for Donna Livingston of dl design, inc. This post showcases how to make the most of your small living space, and how to create innovative storage solutions! Enjoy….

 

I love the challenge of designing a small space, because it requires real creativity and forethought on behalf of the designer and client. When designing a small space for function and beauty, every inch counts. See how we at dl design inc. make beautiful rooms that highlight what you want to see and hide what you don’t!

---

Double Duty Pieces: Making the Most of the Space You Have 

Savor Home Blog

Consoles and writing desks are a fun way to maximize your surface area for multiple uses – as a writing surface or laptop zone, a game table or an impromptu bar when entertaining, a sofa table or a place for display.

Design by Lucy and Company

Here we see a great use of a small space – tucked below the desk we find a couple of ottomans, providing additional mobile seating or side tables. Their sculptural design also adds a bit of an artistic feel, thanks to the curved lines and high-end construction. Nesting tables are another multi-purpose & flexible solution.

---

Furniture for Storage: Multi-functional Pieces with High Design

Built-ins, book cases, chests of drawers or cabinets are all great ways to store items in an attractive way.  Use pretty baskets to stash smaller items balanced by keepsakes for display.

              Design by Ruard Veltman & Veltman Wood Interiors

---

Closet Storage: Inventive Ideas to Maximize Potential

 Steal hidden storage space wherever you can….

              Design by Christopher Maya

Sometimes a whole host of hanging rods just doesn’t make sense for a closet! Replacing your hanging rod with multiple shelves is a great way to maximize your storage, and better utilize a closet for its highest potential. This is especially true for your home office.

                                    Design by Miles Redd

---

Feel the Freshness: Keep what you love, donate what you can, rearrange often and keep accessories fresh! 

 

          Design by Christopher Maya

De-cluttering is essential to shifting the energy of a space. Don’t be afraid to rearrange, redo, and redesign a space to fit a new change in your life. We love including fresh flowers in a clean, minimalistic space to keep it feeling fresh. A good rule of thumb for getting rid of things in your space: if you haven’t used an item in six months, you probably aren’t going to start using it any time soon!  Instead of keeping it around collecting dust, donate it to someone who will actually use it! You’ll be so surprised how much the space will blossom and feel fresh and anew by simply giving away things that no longer serve you.

                        Domaine Home 

Happy Easter everyone!  

Wow Them With Wallpaper

Check out the latest post I wrote for top designer, Starr Miller, showing how wallpaper can completely transform a space. It’s such a privilege to work with such creative women! 

Wow Them with Wallpaper!

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Starr Miller

Want to add a little drama to your space? Wow guests with wallpaper that packs a punch!
Here are a few of our favorite selections of wallpaper that add a distinct flair to any room.

Create visual interest and contrast with a gorgeous wallpaper that adds shine to the space. Here we see a silver patterned paper that increases provocation in a gothic-inspired dining area. Adding the wallpaper allows the silver mirror to truly pop, and gives an artistic feel to the overall space. Placed between white borders and dark walls only serves to add greater visual appeal to the paper!

Walls aren’t the only way to be creative with decorative wallpaper. For an even more inventive twist on traditional wallpaper, try papering your ceiling. Purple walls coupled with a graphic ceiling create a dramatic effect in this modern living space. The pattern of the ceiling paper creates an art deco vibe that really enhances the space in a way only this paper could. The color of the pattern plays against the fun red chinoiserie of the chair and brings out accent elements in the artwork hanging on the wall. The geometric design of the paper also includes the circles that play well with the circular bases of the lamps and the Zen circles on the silver-leaf buffet. Here we see how ceiling wallpaper can completely enhance the space and further support the themes established in the fabrics and furniture.

Designed by: Belle Maison Inc.

Lastly, we get worldly with wallpaper in a powder room. This dramatic wallpaper offers respite from the mundane by taking us on a trip around the world as we enter the space. A beautiful map detail transforms the room and provides a high-end accent to otherwise chrome surroundings. The curvature of the map compliments the serpentine design of the vanity while the silver in the map marries well with its burnished silver finish. Yet another beautiful example of how wallpaper can truly enhance a space!

Thinking about making a change to your space?

Contact StarrMiller Interior Design for one of a kind design with fun and sensibility.

Creating a Safe Haven with Safe Alliance

Check out the latest post I wrote for top Charlotte/Cornelius designer, Starr Miller of http://www.starrmiller.com. Starr recently donated her time to an important charitable project in her area, and I document it all below. I am so blessed to work with such powerful women who support their communities in such generous ways! Keep Making Magic, Amanda

---

Creating a Safe Haven with Safe Alliance

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Starr Miller

StarrMiller Interior Design is known for quality design work, creative style, and for always giving a helping hand to the local community. Here at StarrMiller, we are committed to empowering women and improving the lives of those in need throughout Lake Norman. In an effort to stay active and involved in our community, we recently worked on behalf of the Executive Women of Lake Norman to assist Safe Alliance in improving their offices as to create a more healing atmosphere for clients.

The leading group of women business owners and leaders in the Lake Norman community, the Executive Women of Lake Norman worked with Safe Alliance as part of their commitment to community outreach. With a focus on aiding women and children in crisis, Safe Alliance provides hope and healing to those victimized by sexual abuse, child abuse and domestic violence, offering such vital services as a 24-hour crisis line, a shelter, a children’s advocacy center, safety planning services, trauma-informed counseling services, hospital accompaniment, case management, systems advocacy, and support groups.

When Safe Alliance needed to remodel their offices to create a sacred space for health and healing, we knew we had to become intimately involved with such an important project.

We definitely wanted to create a place that was distinctly tranquil. We took inspiration from the Safe Alliance logo, softened their established color palette and added fabrics with circular, floral patterns that spoke to the embrace of hope and healing.  Most importantly, we wanted the space to remind Safe Alliance clients that they had a comfortable, beautiful haven to come to when they needed healing and counseling.

Natural light always feels healing to me, and it was such a gift to be blessed with a space that had large windows. Windows and the plants seen right outside of them are constant reminders for clients that the world can still be a benevolent place in spite of the hardship they’ve endured. We also brought the outside in by using a floral pattern for the curtains that matched the pillows to create a sense of continuity and add that natural environ to the room.

The artwork is my favorite aspect of the design, it is so gorgeous and really ties the space together. The artwork chosen is of x-rayed flowers that reveal nature’s hidden beauty.

Even the waiting room is a happy place! Plum chairs really help to bring out the magic of the artwork and provide a warm space with which to wait for counseling. The artwork grounds the room and adds a sense of beauty and gentleness.

In addition to making the waiting room feel warm and inviting, we wanted to add a sense of playfulness to the children’s waiting space. We achieved this by using a whimsical butterfly stencil full of bright colors. The free-flying symbolism of the butterflies represents freedom and reminds our little guests they are welcome and wanted at Safe Alliance.

Once again, we incorporated a warm palette and important inspirational art for women. Serving as a reminder of their own strength and capability, the quote “In our darkest moments there is a light within us, waiting for the right time to shine and guide our way,” reassures Safe Alliance clients that the best is yet to come. We wanted the artwork to reflect how important this charitable project was to us.

Working on the Safe Alliance redesign was one of our proudest moments and reminded us why we do what we do. The opportunity to bring beauty and light into a space as important as Safe Alliance was a joy and a privilege!

Dining in Style

Check out the latest post I wrote for top interior designer Starr Miller, out of Cornelius, NC. Starr specializes in high-end design, whimsical style, and a firm commitment to empowering women in her community through vital charity work and outreach. Enjoy my post about her latest dining room renovation!

 

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Starr Miller

Geometric genius and an earthy palette create a dining room bursting with contemporary style!

This room was such a joy to design. Every design begins with the client and how they see the world and how they want to live.  In this case the clients were in the midst of a renovation and  they were opening up all of the spaces. They were taking a previously transitional/traditional home and making it contemporary.  They called StarrMiller Interior Design in to help with the decisions and take the design to finishing school.

In this dining room we wanted to first warm up the palette by dropping in an earthy grey/brown to add drama to the space.  Then we chose to demonstrate how potent the presence of an area rug can be when paired with furniture of a similar palette. The end product results in a sharp and stunning geometric pattern that really opens up the space and creates a distinct ambiance.

The double set of five spherical glass light fixtures add a bit of playfulness to the space, and invite the energy of fun into the dining space. They also help fill up the tall room. They provide a great counterbalance to all of the straight lines in all of the other components chosen for this space.

A travertine and cherry table is the focal point of the design and makes for a great center to eat and enjoy one another’s company.

The chairs are central to the theme in the room for many reasons. Their chestnut cutouts served to continue the repetition of the geometric patterns in the room. They create a gorgeous green set that exudes sensuality and groundedness, and the sueded fabric serves to add softness to the hard lines and corners of the space. Both of these gestures help create a sense of balance that is central to everything we do.

In creating this space, we wanted to bring the outside in, by creating an ambience of the natural world that mirrored the environment seen from the windows. Even the window treatments were chosen with a contemporary look and see through material to ensure the outside beauty would always be a part of the room. All of these elements play off of the stone fireplace, adding an even more natural feel to the space.

We love making our clients’ dreams a reality. For this dining room, we worked hard to create a space that matched this client’s desire for a beautiful space that felt down to earth and sophisticated all at once.

The finished chairs highlight the incredibly unique area rug, and the completed dining room makes for a warm and inviting space for dining, a welcoming place for guests and a sophisticated, contemporary room that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Speaking of more, we are now working on their master bathroom renovation!

Willing the Clients You Desire

It’s one thing to write for yourself and make a living through your writing, but it is quite another to write about things you want, and for clients you love. Here’s a few ways I willed exciting and fun entrepreneurs onto my client list.

1. Seek out clients with the energy you’d like to embody. 

This is a big one for me. I sought out many female entrepreneurs who were using their creativity to make a life for themselves, because that is what I wanted for myself as well. I looked for men and women who exuded a certain sense of passion, whether that manifested itself as design work, architecture, online marketing, or menswear. The subject mattered less to me than the energy of the client themselves. Finding strong, happy and creative clients became the name of the game for me.

2. Believe you are capable of working with and for the best. 

Putting out the energy of self-confidence and self-worth is crucial to making the perfect pitch. You have to believe you are worth $100-$150 per post if you ever expect to demand it. Positive affirmations became a staple of my morning routine and I watched how differently potential clients began responding to my pitches when I began believing in myself. Belief that you can garner high-paying clients with interesting work is the first step to actually manifesting it.

3. ….and of course, don’t be afraid to work hard. 

Part of my hippie voodoo magic is believing in the power of creative thought, but you can say all the positive affirmations you want, if you don’t have the discipline to send out 100 excellent pitches a day in the beginning, you aren’t going to get anywhere. Hard work and discipline are rewarded in kind by the universe, a universe that recognizes your effort and commitment to greatness. There’s nothing like a little elbow grease to get the universe’s attention and create a maelstorm of energy that brings in what you want.

I hope this post perked your interest in the possibility of magic and co-creating the life you want through freelance writing. Just remember, hard work and staying positive is half the battle!

 

Love Your Living Room

Check out this new piece I wrote for Donna Livingston Design, Inc., one of the top interior designers in Charlotte, NC. Enjoy!

love your living room!
By Amanda Smith

At dl design, we create living rooms that marry comfort and intuition. Our specialty is designing high-end spaces that exude warmth and invitation. After all, living rooms are for living! Explore a few ways to let your living room radiate luxury and simplicity all at once.

http://melanieturnerinteriors.com

1. Furniture Arrangement 

Nothing lets a living room shine like proper placement of furniture. Make the most of your space by aligning your furniture with the layout of the room. Float furniture in the room, rather than pushing it against a wall, and keep the entry ways into the space open for spacious appeal.  The room should feel like it opens up and greets you when you walk in!

http://www.burnhamdesign.com

2. Lighting

Loving your living room is easy when you’ve got great lighting!  Lighting is a key mood creator and sets the tone of the space; made especially easy with dimmers.  Dimmers are recommended for living rooms because they allow experience of the best lighting at all times of day. Great lamps can make all the difference, so be sure to keep them current and stylish. Choosing a high-quality lamp base is really important because it adds a pop of color and can anchor the room, allowing you to switch out lampshades whenever you feel the need to change it up a bit. After all, the right lampshade may just transform the space.

www.houseandhome.com

3.Area Rugs 

The larger the rug, the larger the room will feel, so always remember to choose a rug that adequately fills the space. Area rugs are also a great way to express your individuality and design sensibility.  Some recommendations include a textural neutral with a soft pile, a sisal look alike in wool or nylon, or an antique Oushak with a pattern and layers of color.

www.decoist.com

4. Throw Pillows

Invest in high end throw pillows with quality down inserts and luxurious fabrics. Decorative pillows have an amazing way of completely transforming a room’s feel and mood.  Pillows are an easy way to shift the room from season to season, and I love having a few fresh pillows for Spring/Summer and a cozy set for Fall/Winter.

www.onekingslane.com

5. Coffee Table Books

Coffee table books are another great way to express your individuality! Keep a few of these books on hand to reflect you and the things that bring you joy.  They make for great display in your built ins/bookcases too.  Books can come from your travels, your hobbies, or your passions in life.  Gorgeous coffee table books not only function as a decorative piece, they also serve as great conversation starters.

I’m a firm believer in creating spaces that feel lived in. I want every space I design to have those feelings of love, friends, and comfort – that warmth that makes a house a home. Living rooms are places of centrality, and I hope you enjoy my tips on making your living space a little more lovable!

Writing is a Lifestyle

Writing is a lifestyle.

When you decide to make the jump to freelance writing, you’re not only betting on your talent, you’re betting on yourself. Great writing is about more than just creating quality work that engages readers; great writing is magic.

And magic, like writing, is a lifestyle.

So, what makes the writer’s life so magical?

1. Great Writers Create Everyday

Great writers have the opportunity to be creative every single day.  In a world of endless information, what sets your writing apart? What makes your words jump off the page? Great writers all have that intangible creative spirit, something that cannot be taught. They are magicians with words, creating fresh, engaging content at the drop of a hat.

2. Great Writers Work Hard

Great writers work hard, every single day, whether they feel inspired or not. Great writing is about showing up. Showing up for your clients, showing up for the work, showing up for yourself. Even if you’re writing about ticks or dog hair, the point is that you’re writing, and we all have to start somewhere. Great writers are great because they work for it.

3. Great Writers Have Fun!

Great writers know how to have fun with words. They paint pictures, they create stories, and they live to do it! Feeling jazzed every day as their fingers dance across the keys, great writers know they were born for this work, and all they have to do is show the world what they already know – there is nothing they’d rather be doing!

To co-create with a hard-working, fun and creative writer, contact Amanda at designedwriting@gmail.com.

Perfectly Designed, Every Time

Good writing is well designed.

Well-executed, thoughtful, designed to create an impact.

That’s what you can expect from Designed Writing.

After graduating with a degree in Journalism, and winning the honor of “Journalism and Media Studies Student of the Year,” Amanda Smith went on to pursue her love of travel and journalism in a myriad of ways.

Living in Kenya, Amanda worked on assignment with a group of doctors who were providing medical care to adults and children in the slums of Nairobi. Here she learned the ingredients for a joyful life, a life well-lived.

Amanda also worked as a journalist in Alaska and the Caribbean, where she worked with Parkinson’s patients who were navigating the difficulties of life with a debilitating disease.

Her journalism career stayed in the medical field for quite some time, as she worked for a medical advertising newspaper in Florida, and found herself routinely photographing and storytelling with patients who had lived through trying times and found themselves again on the side of good health. Here she saw people at their best, grateful for the opportunity to stop and smell the roses once more.

Her career took a turn towards design when she met a fabulous couple in Sarasota who owned their own design firm and took pride in providing the finest interiors she’d ever seen. Suddenly she found herself writing about interiors, aesthetics, and the philosophical ideals of what makes a home, truly a home.

These days, she can be found writing about everything from dreaming to fashion, interior design to art, with one common denominator: Amanda writes for people who are passionate about what they do.

That is the common denominator for her.

After all, passionate people are magnetic and inspiring, and provide the energy needed to take a blog from good to great.

Have a project you are passionate about?

Need classy copy from the best around?

Contact Amanda at designedwriting@gmail.com to make your dreams a reality.