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!

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!!)

To be or not to be GREEN

The new buzz in the industry ( to consider yourself cool, fashionable, up to date, and twenty first century. Eh! who needs all that!) is to be a GREEN designer. Now when I graduated from school I was called GREEN. Not because I was nauseous, queasy and puking on everything, ( although that would have made me more memorable) but rather green to the field of Design. Some even called us the "green peas". I still find some industry's use this term, but GREEN has taken on a rather contemporary, hip meaning in the industry of design.

I have struggled with this kitchy trend, defying the odds that like computers this would simply go away. But the rebels have taken control of the capitol. They have created a revolution with guerrilla force tactics and these GREEN terrorists have plowed their way into the industry with insurgent force. I suppose I will take my head out of the sand, and come to terms with all this...eventually.

Shipping container morphed into and easy to move, inexpensive housing option

For those of you who follow my blog (the greatest, most spectacular blog written by the most intelligent woman in the world) you know that I challenge, defy, and revolt against many things. Thats what intelligent people do. Intelligent people like me. (Im telling you computers won't last.) GREEN has definitely been one of them. I have challenged this concept since day one. One of my bestest girlfriends, who has been in the industry for 23 years, was GREEN the moment she opened her first shop in 1986. Talk about a non-conformist, she created her own little mutiny in downtown Sacramento, California. She embarked on a path that was unorthodox, innovative and became a pioneer when being a GREEN designer wasn't cool; such a rebel! To this day I still tell her it won't last and she is a hippie. (this coming from the "intelligent" one of course)

Shipping containers packed together to create housing developments and communities.

Now Im not TOTALLY opposed to the idea of being GREEN. Although I REFUSE to use Fluorescent light bulbs. I do try to apply GREEN principles to all my designs. But living in Nashville, I find that few actually know what GREEN means, other than a spectacular paint color. Surrounded by a hillbilly nation they are already close to GOD. We are, after all, engulfed in the bible belt. Drive down ANY street and you will easily count 20-30 churches, side by side, offering GOD, in all his glory and grace. Case in point: My hubby and I own a slice of heaven on Kentucky Lake. I want to build a prefab GREEN house on the property. The builder says " now mam, we's can build ya anything ya like, but do you really want to waste your lake property on a green house? Cant you keep your plants at home?" No joke. I think my builder had HIS head in the sand next to me.

Shipping containers packed together to create school housing dorms.

Being in the elbow of the world, we call "the south" where everything is 85% saturated fat, loaded with sugar (love me some sugar!), add some butter (it makes EVERYTHING taste better), smatter, batter and deep fried, (we even consider mac and cheese to be a vegetable) I think it is safe to say that GOD, in all his glory and grace, will find the strength to forgive us, or just zap us with a heart attack. GOD had granted us amnesty here in the south. I don't make the rules I just enjoy the benefits. SO unless this GREEN stuff your talking about goes on the walls, feeds my plants, or shoots a deer, I will assume it is a lost cause.

illy coffee products commissioned an architect to build portable, easy to use coffee shacks that open and

set up coffee cafes in 90 seconds.

In honor of my hillbilly nation, close to GOD, deep fried, deer hunting neighbors I am posting about a new GREEN concept that is SWEEPING the nation. Shipping Containers. With the surge of foreclosure, limited space, and need for cheaper options, shipping containers are the wave of the future.( Could it be possible that I took my head out of the sand in time to be ahead of the curve? Don't be crazy that's not what INTELLIGENT people do! HA!)

Entire communities, apartments, condos, vacation homes and illy portable coffee shacks are popping up everywhere. They are super duper strong, easy to manipulate, and cheap. And for the south, perfect for a meth lab. So enjoy the pics, learn something and when you are done, head on down to the south for some deer jerky, mac and cheese, boiled peanuts and fried mayonnaise balls, with all the money you are saving it will be a feast!