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

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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! 

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AB HOME is offering FREE Holiday Decorating classes in October
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How to achieve a well appointed home

Ever wonder what makes a home special? Probably not. But have you ever been in a home that felt special? When a home has the {it} factor, it's typically in the details. A well appointed home takes you that much further. It entices the senses, encourages curiosity, and enlightens our spirits. It just feels good, and you may not know why. 

In my opinion there are 5 distinct things you can add to your own home to make it feel right, and ooze the {it} factor for a well appointed home: 

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Collections. Having a collection gives the homeowner personal gratification, but also gives guests a window into your interest's and makes things personal. For example, when you go into a person's home and you see their beautiful art collection, you are drawn to them, and learn something new about them that you may not have known.

Evan Lewis

A well appointed home focuses on details. So when you are decorating your home always pay attention to the details. For example, details are what take this ordinary martini table from Evan L into something extraordinary.

Eric Henderson

Balance and Scale. When a home has balance it feels right. It is comfortable, and easy on the eyes to read. Symmetry in my opinion is the only way to approach design. {Remember students, my opinion is the only one that counts...} It has a harmony to it that just feels right, and helps tune out the chaos in everyday life.

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A well appointed home takes every surface into consideration. The floor, the ceiling, the walls, and everything in between. This goes back to balance and harmony, but essentially all your senses should be enticed. A home should encourage excitement, and drama, comfort, and curiosity. 

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And finally a well appointed home never overlooks the simple luxuries that make a home glamourous for your lifestyle. Having the things you love surround you, allows the home to live and breathe you. These simple things make life enjoyable and allow you to live with purpose and conviction, and this brings everything together. The details, collections, balance and surfaces come alive, when they are simple luxuries that speak to you, and the way you live.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter!

And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!

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. Contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @ 

615-750-2763

Like decorating but don't know where to start? Want to learn the insiders secrets, tips and tricks? Sign up for Design Strategies 101! (Sign up today to reserve your seat.  September is SOLD OUT!! Reserve your seat for October!)

5 things for a glamourous life

“Everything you want should be yours: the type of work you want; the relationships you need; 

the social, mental, and aesthetic stimulation that will make you happy and fulfilled;
 the money you require for the lifestyle you want; and any requirement that you may need 

for achievement to service others. If you don’t aim for it all, you’ll never get it all. 

To aim for it requires that you know what you want” ~ Richard Koch

After reading this beautiful quote it reminded me how important a true lifestyle is. Not all the fancy schmancy things, the little things. What makes a lifestyle truly glamourous and rich?

1) Travel- Always be spontaneous and break habits.

2) Take up a hobby. Learn japanese, take guitar lessons. Do something you never thought you could.

3) Add more fresh flowers to your life. They are God's gift to us, and they will brighten your day.

4) Buy the best linens you can afford. We spend half our live's in bed, make them count. And yes that pun was intended! They are the epitome of luxury, and the best night's sleep, which we all need.

5) Be good to yourself, Laugh often and look for inspiration in everything you do because you will need it to service others.

Travel

Take up a hobby

Fresh flowers

Fine linens

Be good to yourself, laugh often, and always remember that your worst 

day CAN be your best day if it equals change.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter!

And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!

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. Contact us @ info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us @ 

615-750-2763

Like decorating but don't know where to start? Want to learn the insiders secrets, tips and tricks? Sign up for Design Strategies 101! (August classes are sold out! Sign up today to reserve your seat for September, 

only a few seats left!!)