How To Feng Shui Your Black Friday

How to Feng Shui your Black Friday

Every year people fall into Black Friday fever trying to catch, snatch or steal the best deal as if it’s a prize-winning game. It never ceases to amaze how many people give up their free time camping out for hours on end, just to save a few dollars. And don’t get me wrong, I am all about being frugal to save for important things like retirement, but the average person is simply adding more financial burden to their surmounting debt in an effort to buy a “want” rather than a “need.” We are a culture built on instant gratification.  One of my favorite quotes from Thomas Stanley’s book, The Millionaire Next Door is, “The average American goes into debt buying things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, to impress people they don’t like.”  Let that sink in a bit.

In an effort to help my clients find ease in their home and lives, I always approach each consultation with a curious mind. No home or person can truly achieve balance and harmony if subconsciously they are worried, and fearful about lingering debt. I know this from experience. You can physically feng shui your home until the cows come home, but mentally your nagging worry is sabotaging your results. So rather than running around scooping up what you think are deals, because that is what you have been told your whole life, let’s ditch the fever, grab our sneakers, the family and get close to God. That fever will fade but when we feed our souls, true healing occurs – can’t get that waiting outside of Best Buy!

Today, Friday, November 28, all 55 Tennessee State Parks are offering FREE guided hikes for the entire day. So grab the family, friends, the dog and an attitude of gratitude, and get back to basics this Thanksgiving Holiday. Ditch the fever, ditch the debt and instead gain peace of mind.
Blessings,
Amanda Gates 

Interior Designer and Feng Shui Practitioner 

Gates Interior Design 

If you’d like help achieving balance and harmony within your home, contact me today.

Gates Interior Design

In 2012 I started working with my second business coach, James Roche. It was then that I realized that change was inevitable. Not only was the design industry evolving in a big way, but so was I. Recently single and going through a divorce the things that had mattered most were no longer important to me. While I loved interior design and the transformation it provided my clients, “pretty” was no longer enough for me. I needed more. I wanted to provide transformations that changed peoples lives for the better and to heal their spaces.

As I sat in my own home, surrounded by a junk yard of past life memories I realized that nothing could remain. Everything had a story. Everything had a memory, and it was all attached to an old life that no longer existed. As I would pass a chair I wouldn’t see it’s beauty but rather the memory of emotions that no longer served me. It was then that I realized that many of us go through life surrounded by a junk yard that weighs us down, and holds our energy hostage.

Back when I was in college I studied feng shui. I used it in my own home and became an expert in the Pyramid Philosophy of Feng Shui. It was a style that resonated with me. A style that banishes the need for wacky charms and superstitions but instead focuses on the energy, emotion and feeling of a room. No longer would I surround myself with energy that did not honor my new direction in life. In the spring of 2012 I set out to change everything:

1) Auction off everything I own

2) Sell my car

3) Move

4) Rebrand

It seems like a simple list but it took an act of god to make it all happen. It took me six months to find an auction house that would take everything in one single swoop. Most companies wanted to pick and choose from my belongings and that just didn’t work for me. It was all or nothing. By the fall of 2012 I found a set decoration company that took everything down to my silverware. It took all day and eight people, and two trucks, but by the end of the day it was me and the two cats. ( those two served me well)

By November of 2012 I was out of my lease and was able to move in with my boyfriend. Looking back, my sane self likely would never have done this. I knew him only three months but at the time I needed a refuge and it just made sense to my chaotic self.

By December of 2012 I sold my car. My checklist was almost complete. It was time to roll up my sleeves and get to work on this new brand. I had nothing in place, no idea where it was going, but I knew one thing about it’s direction, it would provide professional help for a healing home.

2013 became the year of my divorce. Some days were good, some days were really bad. My own experience proved to me that everyone deserves a space that uplifts them and enhances their mood. No longer a junkyard of random, useless memories, my home became filled with items that made me laugh, uplifted my mood and healed my heart. It became my motto to have Balance, Harmony and a true sense of Home, to enhance my quality of life.

Gates Interior Design is the evolution of this philosophy. When your environment is in harmony, so are you, helping you attract more of the coveted three blessings of health, wealth and happiness. It is my goal to help you transform your life through your home and help you heal your space!

Thank you to those who have supported me through this journey, this is my love letter to you.

XX,

Amanda

Gatesinteriordesign.com

Designers Challenge 101: Top tips for decorating like a pro on a budget

So if you haven't heard, (with my big mouth it almost seems impossible,)  we are having a challenge today! 7 designers, one room, 7 different ways. The participants included in today's challenge are:

Traci Zeller of Traci Zeller Designs

Kelly Berg of Arte Styling

Kelly James of DesignTies

Dayka Robinson of  Meditations on Life and style 

Kathy Passarette of Creative home expressions

Amanda Burdge of Abhomeinteriors.com

Susan Snow of  Movingdesignz

Please make sure you visit everyone's blog today to see what all these talented individuals did with their rooms!

The goal was simple:

Take an average family room and design, space plan and furnish it, with only six thousand dollars. Seem like a lot? According to cost helper the average design of a family room in 2010 costs $15,000. So my goal was to slice that in half, and show you how the pros do it.

Each one of us had three weeks to work on it. Find as many great products as we could, and design a fabulous room on a shoestring budget. The purpose of these posts are not only to show you that design doesn't have to be super expensive, but also that a budget does work,

 if done right! 

The room:

My Inspiration 

I wanted the room to have a  young and youthful feel. A throwback to the late sixties, with a modern AB HOME twist. Strong pops of color with tons of functionality, I wanted the room to feel alive, robust and hip. Perfect for entertaining with family or having cocktails with friends.

So how did we do it?

1) Select the furniture: We set aside roughly half the budget to the furniture. All of the pieces below are vintage except the sofa. Vintage simply means they are old, but not old enough to have a big price tag. Anything less than 70 years old is vintage and anything over 70 is considered an antique, cha-ching!

Pic 1: Rosewood Storage cabinet, 1960's danish. We used this as our bar cart to store our booze, mixers, and utensils. $495, Century Modern Dallas, TX.

Pic 2: Lane 1960's side tables x 2 for each side of the sofa. Etsy, $220

Pic 3: Clear glass cocktail table in front of sofa and chairs. Calligaris All modern $632.25

Pic 4: 1950's Barrel lounge chairs $675 s/2. Century Modern

Pic 5:  Karlstad sofa $379. IKEA

2) Select accent pieces with personality, and that speak to you: We estimated about $1500 for accessories. I wanted items that were fun, colorful and a throwback to my childhood.

Pic 1: Green open edge depression glass bowl for cocktail table. $18.00, Etsy.

Pic 2: Vintage smith corona Typewriter for book shelves. $60, Etsy.

Pic 3: Dansk Danish modern Plastic cans for bookshelf. $30, Lushpad

Pic 4: Quill mirror for above fireplace. $699.90, Horchow

Pic 5: Gold floor lamp, Arteriors, AB HOME $499

Some additional items we used:

 Hollywood regency Ceramic Ram heads $48, Lushpad.

 Vintage Ameoba ottoman $145, Lushpad.

 Vintage Electrohome table radio $195, Lushpad

 Vintage 1970's copco yellow trays x 2 $14.00, Etsy.

 Porcelain Julie lamp AB HOME, $439.00.

1956 Stromberg Carlson rotary phone $50, Vintage Swank

 Koldby cowhide rug $199, Ikea.

 Renate Ljuv pair of draperies $19.99, Ikea

                                                           top 3/4 of drape

 Ritva Pair of draperies $19.99, Ikea

                                                           bottom 1/4 of drapery

Du verre Pomegrante hardware 

3) Once you have pieces in mind check your budget:

Add up the items you have found and determine if you have everything you need to complete the room. If you have found an item on sale, as we did, that savings can be added elsewhere. Don't forget to set aside money for any additional costs such as shipping, and tax. Keep a binder with all costs, photos and dimensions for future reference if an item becomes unavailable, or you need to buy something for the room in the future.

4) The Extras: We came in at roughly $5400 with the items above, so we decided to buy a gallon of Benjamin Moore's Fiesta yellow paint and paint the cabinets. 

And we were lucky enough to find white glass tile on sale at Home depot, so we decided to install glass tile on the fireplace wall as an added extra. We were delighted with the results!

The results:

I am giddy with excitement about this challenge and cannot wait to hear everyone's responses. Be sure to take a moment to see everyone's results and let us know what you think! Don't forget all of us are available for online design services. If you have a design challenge, strict budget and need some help, be sure to contact one of your favorite designers to get you through like a pro!

Traci Zeller of Traci Zeller Designs

Kelly Berg of Arte Styling

Kelly James of DesignTies

Dayka Robinson of  Meditations on Life and style 

Kathy Passarette of Creative home expressions

Amanda Burdge of Abhomeinteriors.com

Susan Snow of  Movingdesignz

Don't forget to follow us on twitter!

And become a FAN on our AB HOME facebook fanpage!

Installation, 1 year later by interior designer Amanda Burdge

Often times when I design a space, I try to design with the future in mind, and as many variables as possible. Design is an investment, and most people do not have the capability to do it over and over again. When I revisit a space that I have done, I am always pleased to see how it looks, and how it has been lived in, and used.

Doc Harr's office, 1 and a half later

Today I went to go see Dr. Harr. He had a little mishap with a painter, who may or may not have damaged a chair by completely falling on it and destroying it; but that is besides the point. The point is, it was an excuse to go see my favorite dentist, and his beautiful, and spectacular office designed by a wonderful and talented designer, MUWAH!

I was so very pleased to see the office, a little over a year later, looking fabulous. Everything was still in place, in tact, and perfect, just as I had planned it.

Nothing like revisiting a design in it's full glory seeing it functioning beautifully and looking fabulous. The space is comfortable, easy on the eyes, and a great introduction to a root canal! Ok, maybe not, but the space still looks fantastic, and I am pleased to say, the designer did an outstanding job! 

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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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Senior Show, Franklin TN

This Friday the O'more college of design will be showcasing it's annual Senior Design show. This show is so much fun to go to and see all the budding designers and raw talent. This show, sponsored by The Factory at Franklin, displays color boards, prints, models and many more creative applications to show off their stuff.

O'more College

The college was founded in 1970 by Eloise Pitts O'More. She patterned the school after Le College Feminin in Paris, France, where Pitts studied in the late 1920s, and was aimed at women, who were traditionally not involved in the design fields. O'More began the college with nine students in her home. Since Pitts death in 2002, the college has passed into the hands of Dr. Mark Hilliard. He continues to "fan the flame" of creativity. It was originally founded as O'More School of Interior Architecture and Design and is located in the historic district of Franklin. It is a non-traditional, accredited college awarding the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, Fashion Design & Merchandising, and Visual Communications which includes Graphic Design, Advertising & Animation. It has an enrollment of about 200 students each year, and the grounds and school are amazing.

 O'more College grounds

O'more logo

This event will be held at The Factory in Franklin, (which is an old stove factory converted into comfortable shopping, and decadent, urban restaurants), on May 7th from 6-9pm. 

The Factory At Franklin

The Factory at Franklin

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Diva Event Saturday April 24th!!

Our DIVA Event is tomorrow!!  Cathi (the DIVA), Marabeth, and myself are looking forward to meeting every one of you.  We will have refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres and plenty of great product to spruce up your home for spring. And don't forget, if it's a DIVA pick, it is 35% off!

I would also like to thank stylebluprint.com for featuring me on Wednesday and writing a fabulous article about design, living in Nashville and how it compares to my previous address, Las Vegas!

Have questions? Need design help? Contact us!

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Elements of design

I have mentioned several times how important scale and proportion are to a room. With all interiors, the Elements of Design are successful when there is a unifying theme that runs through out the room. This blends everything together and creates Harmony. Of all the principles of design, scale and proportion create harmony and this is most important. Without this, the room lacks cohesiveness and sabotages any chance for flow.

Sarah Richardson

Harmony is easy to achieve if the scale is correct. The furniture should be in close relation to the rooms size, fabrics should be appropriate for the furniture frame and rooms use, and accessories should be in context to the rooms appropriate size  and various elements, such as furniture in the room. One of the most critical elements for achieving harmony is the color palette. Color is a constant influence in our everyday lives. And it is imperative that there be at least one or two common threads of color throughout a room. Just like any good outfit there needs to be common ground and there needs to be an element of organization. It is crucial that there be flow, and connection, so that it creates a beautiful movement around an interior space. Color should reflect your personality and of all things, it accomplishes harmony and flow. When these two things are right, the room feels good, and looks good with ease.

Formaonline.com

 Another design element to achieve is comfort, so the room is easy to live in. Comfort is calming, and softens a room so that harmony and balance can be achieved. Comfort brings a restful feeling and provides a welcome accent to your guests.

Lori Dennis

There is little doubt that color is emotional. Every color conveys a mood, thus creating atmosphere. Have you ever walked into a room and felt calm, or uplifted? Colors translate into feelings, and those feelings mixed with beautiful lighting, fabrics, and furnishings evokes atmosphere.

Formaonline.com

Texture is not often grouped with words like glamour, but it is essential to any well designed room. For example, if you choose to deck your entire room out in neutrals, it will fall flat on it's butt without texture playing a major role. Think about this when designing your next room. Think about a room with textured linen, draperies with stripes, marble veining in a table, and hardwood floors with nubby sisal rugs. This my friends is a room rich in design and texture. 

David Duncan Livingston

The key to success in reaching your desired design goals, is in the mix.(see photo below) The Elements of Design can be subtle or they can be bold. You can take a slightly varied approach with assorted textures, or introduce many different elements. Always combine things to keep them interesting. Remember the key Elements of Design are:

1) Scale

2) Harmony

3) Color

4) Comfort

5) Atmosphere

6) Texture

Kenneth Brown

This room above achieves all of the elements of design. The scale and proportion are perfect. The colors, brown and white create cohesiveness throughout the room allowing the eye to easily read the room. The slipcovered sofas and side chairs look inviting and comfortable and the linen drapes and lamp shades, the scratched leather ottoman, and the window box fabric on the side chairs gives us the depth and texture we need to create a beautiful flow and atmosphere. Just stunning!

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Dining Spaces-A gourmet affair or leisurely fare?

Does your dining space reflect your personality and lifestyle? Are your meals a gourmet affair, or a simple family meal before everyone scatters? No matter who's at the table, or whats on the menu you deserve a space that is inviting, comfortable and attractive!

Troy Beasley

When designing a dining room you must put together a plan. Determine what your dining personality is. Don't design a room for proper dining with fine china, crystal and silver if your idea of a gourmet meal is chinese take out, and flip flops. If you are a jeans and t-shirt kinda person then it is safe to say so is your dining lifestyle. Define the space accordingly. Determine if this space should be formal or casual. 

Lori Dennis

Once you have developed a plan the design principles can begin. Most dining rooms today are leaning towards the casual side. But that does not mean we forgo all formality. It means that todays formality has a modern twist. We have tweaked it to accommodate our busy lifestyles. What does this mean for you when designing your dining space? It means you have flexibility in building your designing space and it can reflect exactly who you are and how your live~Voila, Lifestyle!

Maybe you like to sit and dine with friends for hours, but you want to do it in your jeans. Great, lets use a sofa as seating, (like the photo below.) There are few rules, so think outside of the box.

Lori Dennis

While there are few rules in designing any room, there are a few tips on designing a dining space that creates atmosphere for great dining pleasure. Use symmetry. Symmetry is easy on the eyes and makes digestion better. When you are comfortable and relaxed the meal is more enjoyable. Add mirrors. They reflect all light in the room (including candle light) which adds sparkle and creates a wonderful and enjoyable mood. Nowadays dining rooms are easy, and pleasant so forgo the fussiness. People are more casual today and fussiness is awkward and uncomfortable. Make it easy on your guests and allow them to feel comfortable and at home. Use durable, but textured fabrics that are easy to clean. You want the meal to be tactile as much as it is comfortable and delightful. Dining is an experience. Let your guests see, smell, taste and touch the experience so that the occasion is engaging, comfortable and satisfying. 

Flickr

It does not matter how you dine. It does not matter that the occasion is informal or formal. What matters is the personality of the space in context to the host. A dining space can be a room or nook in your home. The most important factor is the food, family and friends, conversation, and most importantly the experience you endow on your guests. Make it memorable and enjoyable so that it feels right. 

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#1 question of an interior designer~What exactly do you do?

The craft begins

When I went to school to be an interior designer, it never crossed my mind that for the next 12 or so years of my life, I would spend a good portion of that time explaining what it is I DO. I think as designers we take for granted or assume that people know what our job entails. I was recently inspired by an article that Tom Beasley wrote on his blog pertaining to this very subject. In addition to this articles points, I think it is also very important for consumers/potential clients to know how valuable our creativity is. If it wasn't valuable then no one would ever hire us for help. Our intellectual property is worth it's weight in gold. And the more years a designer has, the more valuable that gold is. (keep this in mind when you are evaluating a green pea fresh out of school at $25 an hour versus a seasoned designer of 10 years who charges $100) Fees are all relevant to level of experience, and competency. For example, a few years ago a green pea that I was mentoring came to me and said she wanted me to take over one of her projects. Unsure of the reasoning I contacted the client. They were exasperated. After 10 hours of work with her they felt they has accomplished nothing. I went in, determined the issues, developed a plan, set up my trades and solved the problem, all in 2 hours. So at first glance I may seem more expensive, but my competency saves you time and money.

flickr

Not only do we evaluate blueprints, specify fixtures, meet with builders, architects, and cabinet makers, build space plans, select furniture, design window treatments, select fabrics, choose paint, evaluate reflective ceiling plans, act as purchasing agents,... and many other services- at the end of the day, we creatively and cohesively put together an original vision, unique only to your home.

Hilsa Beck

When my mama comes to town she always comes to the office with me. (she has no choice) She is completely taken away at hard we work, and how many INFINITE details we take care of in my office, to make your house into a home. "I could NEVER do what you do!" she says to me. "Well, I could never do what YOU do!" I say to her. (she is an E.R. Nurse.yucky!)

Tracy Morris

I know that interior design mystifies a lot of people. I know that creativity eludes many people. But what we do is pure magic. (can you hear the angels singing?) When you approach us with your project, it is as if we are looking at a blank canvas full of potential. Often times we can see that project six to eight months down the road completed in all it's glory and beauty. 

Flickr

Interior design is an art form. It takes great talent, consideration, and organization to do what we do, and it is a business. Our time is valuable, and our ideas are our enterprise. We do what we do because we love it, and the creativity keeps us alive. But remember that the intellectual property that we hold is not just for good merit. What is it that we do, you ask? We are entrepreneurial tycoons, promoting and dealing our trades, multi tasking, design mavens that hustle on your behalf to twist, tweak and skillfully accomplish with absolute expertise ~ design magic! So that when you start your day, and end your day, there is a smile on your face because your home makes you genuinely happy!