How to win friends and influence your designer

It is no surprise that our industry is constantly changing. Thus, the reason for so many posts in the blogosphere that designers are never able to do their own homes. Any one of us will tell you that when a client walks in our doors we can pull their project together in a snap. We know exactly what it is they need, and how to get it. But when it came to designing my own home, I completely fell flat. How is this possible I thought? I have 12 years of experience and most jobs I can do in my sleep! I am an expert at creating magic through design, and getting results that even Houdini couldn't master. Magical tae-kwon-do design has become my specialty. So why is it that none of us can design our own homes? With so many products coming into the market that indulge our senses, and wow us it is no wonder that we get A.D.D when it comes to our own spaces. So with one hand buried in office paper work and the other delving through the industry pulse for the top must haves, here are my top pick's that will help you win friends, and influenece your designer.

Includes but not limited to:

1) Cree LED CR6 Down light

Cree LED CR6 Down light

Why is this fixture so special? Two reasons. This 6" recessed LED downlight fits into any standard recessed lighting can, (including the Halo H7, which is THE most common housing unit for new construction homes) and replaces your old 6" 75/100W, known as the builder standard for decades! Why is this good? This drops your energy costs significantly. This fixture uses 10.5W and delivers the same light output as a 65W bulb! The second reason this fixture is awesome? Two of my clients have listened to my podcast:

with Lori Sawaya and Kelly Berg, and knew immediately that instead of replacing all of there fixtures they would recycle the ones they had, and replace them with this greener option. It is so awesome to be a rockstar-even if I just play one on this blog!

2) Lutron's Wireless Occupancy Sensor

The Lutron occupancy sensor automatically turns lights on when a room is occupied and off when a room is vacant. So what's in it for you? Increased convenience, Substantial energy savings and Compliance with building energy codes. I always plan on putting Lutron Dimmer's throughout a house ( they provide up to 60% savings to your energy bill AND decrease your carbon footprint, see chart above) but adding these sensors are a perfect solution to a house full of busy professional's, kids, friends and family who may otherwise leave the lights on!

3) Sanyo's HIT power solar panels

Most of us think that Sanyo just sell's T.V's and appliances, right? Nope, they are way more advanced than that. They are just a bunch of good ol' hippies trying to save the planet and hug a tree. The HIT Power solar module's are the most advanced of their kind. They offer improved efficiency and energy output, and more power per square foot than ever before. As president of Sanyo's U.S. energy system technologies Charles Hanasaki is quoted:

“The industry has advanced to the point where home and property owners understand that the solar energy solutions they purchase will not only reap them enticing tax credits and environmental incentives, it will be working for 25 to 30 years to virtually eliminate their monthly electric bills,” added Hanasaki

Seriously folks, this is the future. Remember the Birkenstock wearing, granola crunching hippies from the 70's? How they preached about free love and saving the planet? Well it finally caught up us! So grab a cliff bar, and let's find some nubby trees to grab a hold of with moon beam and sunshine and share some free love, AND energy savings!

4) Tabrasa

Tabrasa is an idea paint offered through MDC wall coverings. It is a high-performance, dry-erase paint that transforms any space into an idea/communication platform. This paint can be used not only in commercial spaces, but in residential applications as well. How cool is this for the kiddo's? Drawing on the walls was never this much fun, especially with fruit scented markers!

5) USF Contract

This floor company, USF contract, offers cork and bamboo that is not only great to look at, but are durable and available in an array of color options. Bamboo hues, their newest line is sustainable, durable and also certified by green guard! The great thing about this line is that it is commercially rated. Think your kids are tough on things? This floor can withstand a heard of elephants and a crowd at Circus, Circus in Las Vegas, so let little Jimmy run wild on skates, don't worry the floor can handle it!

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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!!)

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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Colorful Friends and Colorful Conversation, by Nashville Interior designer, Amanda burdge

Today Lori Sawaya, from Color Budz, Kelly Berg, from Arte Styling and myself did a podcast on lighting, and how it effects color! I want to thank both of them for being so gracious, and allowing me to BLAB on and on about the new and exciting technology's in LED lighting. 

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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 and interiors? Well with new research and development in LED lighting, we will no longer have to sacrifice quality of light to appease sustainability demands.

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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 design magic. But mess it up, just one thing, and you have design disorder.

Credit

We touched on several exciting things in the world of lighting. Most importantly the way to buy a bulb. There is a lot of info on the bulb box, and trying to decipher it can be perplexing. We broke down key things to look for, terminology, and why buying smart will effect the way you purchase today so you free up your tomorrows. 

For more info on the hosts, and color pods, click here.

Thanks again for letting me hang out with y'all today. I cannot wait to hear Lori work her magic on the editing, and as soon as it goes live, I will let all of you know!

Don't forget to follow us on twitter!

And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!