https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog daily 1.0 2022-01-10 https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns monthly 0.5 2021-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1632779028672-ATPTY1JOYH7GGB11VWHI/4.png Design Blog - Let’s talk small dining rooms - Accent walls: Another way to make your small area pop is by incorporating an accent wall. From wallpaper to shiplap, you can suit any style you like, making it super easy to add character. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1632779177449-ETDHW8Q1NOCJQ83634DJ/3.png Design Blog - Let’s talk small dining rooms - Decor: Last, is the decor or accent pieces. Mirrors can make a space appear larger and petite chairs or bar carts can add functionality without taking up too much room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1632778679152-4JEN1NCFR95P0JTDOZFQ/1.png Design Blog - Let’s talk small dining rooms - Tables: When you’re working with a tighter space, you want to maximize what you have. Instead of trying to fit a piece of furniture that’s too big for the room, consider getting a round dining table. And bonus, a round table allows for more creative seating options, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1632779060044-SCNIWCX8160S8W3P9Z4T/2.png Design Blog - Let’s talk small dining rooms - Fixtures: Lighting sets the mood for the room and gives off an ambiance. With a smaller dining room, you’ll want to choose fixtures that are opaque or don’t take up a lot of real estate. https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy monthly 0.5 2021-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1633643773498-A27GM65K92J2D95TOZBB/Wall+-+Bricck.png Design Blog - Display Walls - Space items well! Another thing to consider is what items you’re going to hang on the wall. Be careful not to get too matchy-matchy, but instead pair similar items together. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1633644138708-D2Z0SB8QO07LAD5F3GVP/whole+wall.png Design Blog - Display Walls - Use the whole wall! Don’t be afraid to use up the entire wall when designing your space. Some key things to remember when hanging decor is to not crowd the area, and don’t just stick to the center of the wall, no matter how tempting! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1633642750336-27UMNG15DFR6W5GGL4US/2.png Design Blog - Display Walls - Pick your background! Using elements like a recycled wood accent wall can really give your space a rustic feel. If you’re going for a more polished look, shiplap or board and batten can give a clean appearance. https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy-hkbjh monthly 0.5 2021-11-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1634739763770-TC8V4T02CMM7X7UJWUO5/Coffee+table.png Design Blog - Design Tip | Living Rooms - Accent tables & coffee tables Keeping accent tables/coffee tables within reach is a must for any living room. Make your space super functional and that includes easy to reach cups of coffee! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1634739197825-BCVY535W5JI4CEOCX37F/Living+room+.png Design Blog - Design Tip | Living Rooms - Make it conversational! Space furniture in a way that makes it easy to converse with others. Long gone are the days where everyone’s attention is centered around the tv. Instead, go back to the basics, good ole’ talking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1634740358799-KK418S33UXUD5OEYOL0N/fireplace.png Design Blog - Design Tip | Living Rooms - Seating! Plan for single and group seating options when designing your living room. Your couch is usually the main piece of furniture and should be facing either the focal point of the room such as a fireplace, or a view like windows or the kitchen. https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy-hkbjh-fdpr4 monthly 0.5 2021-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/e71a2ace-dff4-4d95-8e21-54116d60f9eb/Ig+bed.png Design Blog - Design Tip | Bedrooms - Make it peaceful Create a peaceful and tranquil environment conducive to rest and sleep. Avoid loud colors such as reds and oranges. Think day spa instead of constant stimulation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/805916b9-cd6c-4245-9de1-f5c6f307facb/Blog+-+1.png Design Blog - Design Tip | Bedrooms - Textures! Choose textures that are soft and a color pallet that is soothing. Cozy fabrics and rugs are always a must in any bedroom. Different throws and light touches can really liven up your room for less. Venture into one of your five senses and see how many different textures you can incorporate to give it a sense of warmth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/541f752d-5fa9-4392-a681-c34b2aaefed0/Ig+lighting.png Design Blog - Design Tip | Bedrooms - Lighting is key Bedside lighting, as well as bright daytime lights, are excellent additions to any bedroom. The use of dimmers adds a touch of ambiance and can set the tone for the room. https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy-hkbjh-fdpr4-td69r monthly 0.5 2021-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/54a0401f-4571-4ff7-a5cc-e4e5f85d00d2/90.png Design Blog - Beach House | Decorating for a Vacation Property - Make it an experience Have you ever stayed at a hotel in an exotic place and thought, “wow, they missed the mark on the design”. When your guests choose to stay at your beach house they are looking for a full experience, inside and out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/7e1ca0e9-aa1a-4d7b-acbd-ffb9c7641014/95.png Design Blog - Beach House | Decorating for a Vacation Property - Keep it neutral When designing a beach home, color pallets should represent the surrounding outdoors. This means neutral beach colors work best and keep things light and airy. Think muted blues, greens, and whites as your primary color scheme. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/29aab597-6596-4f90-91a5-301c4ecf0cb3/91.png Design Blog - Beach House | Decorating for a Vacation Property - Make it feel like the beach Choose textures and elegant beach items that are inviting. Do away with any cheesy beach-themed decor, and opt for things like sea glass, jute rugs, and rope that represents the beach in a very stylish way. https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy-hkbjh-fdpr4-td69r-tpr7j monthly 0.5 2021-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/87d6a957-877d-43e9-9932-f53fee9be928/ee07090fc934cb60edf5c35211d8a609.jpg Design Blog - Design Tips | Decorating Shelves - Get some inspiration! Have you ever tried to fill a blank page? It can be overwhelming and sometimes you just need somewhere to start. Look at Pinerest or your favorite magazine and see what inspires you when building your shelving decor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/fcb82e58-e4e0-47bb-9779-dbdf19fbdfef/f019f42064ccc6e8308affd3c04574ce.jpg Design Blog - Design Tips | Decorating Shelves - Colors & shapes Use vertical and horizontal decor to mix things up and add different heights. Stick in the same color scheme, or add pops of color here and there that compliment each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/ddaea231-54ad-4941-b185-52e8f968e8d3/fd21a0968ad1c1cc185297ec920abe98.jpg Design Blog - Design Tips | Decorating Shelves - The power of 3’s Put your decor in groups of 3’s and you’ll find it sets the tone for your space. When grouping, be careful not to over-crowd. Remember less is more in most cases! https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy-hkbjh-fdpr4-td69r-tpr7j-lbge7 monthly 0.5 2022-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/6e0a0515-6981-48b7-badd-740b48e14348/4018919f15af21101abcea573534ea8e.jpg Design Blog - Design Tips | Fireplace Decor - Change up the seasons Your fireplace can be changed with the seasons to give your room a fresh and inviting look. For fall, focus on burnt oranges and seasonal colors. Christmas, you’ll want garland, lights, candles, and stockings. Spring brings floral pieces and foliage. And summer can be light and airy. If you’re a fan of a neutral pallet, then add different pops of color throughout the year to mix things up! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/dfeba5dc-d75f-4c44-b44c-2a1d7225341c/2d6d5b2e605f826e64280c8b7fafc687.jpg Design Blog - Design Tips | Fireplace Decor - Focal point, focal point, focal point! Your fireplace is typically the center of the room, and the first thing noticed by guests. Using the space you have, we want to draw the eye up towards the ceiling. This makes the room appear more grandeous and gives the illusion of taller ceilings. Think triangle affect when choosing decor and mantle centerpieces. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/6d2e6c13-d088-4e32-b9c2-50c33f53d690/9ba965568de3b0f6c23420d89baef2c3.jpg Design Blog - Design Tips | Fireplace Decor - Use your personality Remember to use your personality when picking out design pieces. After all, your design style should tell a really good story about who you are, what you like, and highlight cherished items such as family photos and heirlooms. Some ideas for decor are: Art Mirrors Candlesticks Foliage Garland https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/amy-design-blog/Blog Post Title One-fnkns-wn8yy-hkbjh-fdpr4-td69r-tpr7j-lbge7-mnsss monthly 0.5 2022-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/703ae81c-8fe2-462a-b92c-ea6807ee78c8/Modern+rails.jpg Design Blog - Let’s Talk Staircases - Mix it up! Staircases don’t have to be a necessary evil, they can be a focal point, if you know how to do it! There are so many ways you can make your staircase trendy, modern, chic, farmhouse, whatever your desire! Using different textures, patterns, and elements can draw it all in when designing your dream stairway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/db870ff7-78fb-4377-80dd-f21aa277654e/Modern+SUPR.jpg Design Blog - Let’s Talk Staircases - Modern rails & spindles! If you like things more modern, then replacing your rails & spindles to display a clean-cut look can speak volumes. This is one of my favorite trends and it makes everything look so polished! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/9a2290b3-297c-4c3b-a94f-38028cd3741d/7e63b8299d01296ad25965d51644965c.jpg Design Blog - Let’s Talk Staircases - Be BOLD! If you have a flair for the wild side, then consider this trend of back-splashed stairs! It adds an element of surprise and draws the viewer’s eyes to the beautiful detail! https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/about daily 0.75 2021-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61256183929fa7726def1782/1632780149644-UTGATK10DXDTN3PYPYT3/About+AC+Right.png About Amy Catherine - About Amy Catherine I grew up in the beautiful state of Maine. Surrounded by nature, I was drawn to art and design at a young age - taking art lessons, writing, playing piano and guitar. I loved anything creative. I was constantly redecorating my room, re-inventing my fashion sense, or helping my mom with something crafty. Fast forward to my early twenties when I was managing a coffee shop (that I helped design) and that’s where I met my future hubby. Two years later we were married and eventually moved to Nashville where he pursued his music career and I worked for a non-profit. For so long we bounced around from rental to rental and I was never able to make anything feel like home. I longed for the day I could just paint or add a nail to the drywall without worrying about the patch job when we had to leave. And then after about 7 years and after our first son was born - it happened! We built our first house from the ground up and the world was my oyster. Needless to say, I went a little nuts with designing and planning the comforts of our new refuge that we soon would bring two more babies into. I didn’t waste any time getting started. And you know what? I realized that I had a pretty keen eye for this design thing. From all the compliments whenever we brought someone into our home, to referrals and pleas for design help from friends and family - my confidence increased and I felt that this is something I could actually do for a living. Thus, a business and passion were born. I started working alongside my rockstar husband, who had since got his real estate license and was becoming very successful - and we noticed we worked pretty well together too. That led us to flipping homes - and boy did we flip some homes. It is a dream come true to be pursuing something like design that merely began as a deep desire to turn a house into a home for our family. Now, I’m here to inspire you to do the same. So, take a peek, take a gaze, take some super simple DIY tips and get to work on turning your space into the home you always dreamed of. xoxo, Amy Catherine https://www.amycatherinedesigns.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-09-28