I hope you are enjoying all of the insider information as much as I am! Today, will be no exception. I am sure you’ve seen Amanda’s designs floating around blogland. If not be sure to check out her Ikea dresser transformation and her glam office makeover for starters. Welcome Amanda Carol from Amanda Carol at Home!
How long have you been blogging? I actually started my blog back in 2008- it was called TheEckLife and it was mainly about my kids and a way to update my family. It wasnt until early 2011 that I changed the name to Amanda Carol at Home and started focusing on my design projects and home decor.
Three things I’ve learned from blogging? Be yourself, interact with your readers via email, twitter, FB, and most importantly don’t compare yourself or your blog with others- that is a hard one for me, I’m always wishing my blog looked like so and so’s or how come I don’t have as many readers as her, etc..
What inspires your designs? EVERYTHING! My husband always laughs at me because when we are watching a movie I’m more interested in the set and how they have decorated it- I notice tiny decorating details in movies all the time. I also get inspired by fashion. I will see a dress or scarf and think “oooohh I could decorate a room around that!- then my brain goes into over drive”.
How would you describe your design style? I like everything! My favorite style is mixing styles- rustic with chic, modern with traditional. Decorating is not about recreating the set in the Pottery Barn store, but using what you have, breathing new life into an old piece, or adding something new and unexpected to your room. Rooms need to feel “collected” over time.
What are your three best tips to achieving great design? 1: paint is key- its the cheapest and quickest way to get a new look whether on furniture or your walls, plus if you don’t like it you just re-paint it.
2: Study magazines, E-Magazines, Decor blogs, and designers portfolios- there are TONS of ideas and inspiration out there.
3: Ask for help-if you have a friend or family member who has an eye for design-get them involved, sometimes it takes an outsider to help you get a different perspective of the room. There are also TONS of bloggers out there who do e-design -search around to find someone who shares your style.
Finish the sentence, no room is complete without… Fabric!! I am a fabric-freak! Pillows, window treatments, recovering an old chair. Fabric can breathe new life into a space! I also think everyone deserves to have access to beautiful fabrics- which is why I pass on my designers discount to my clients-I think everyone should be able to afford the best of whats out there.
Thanks for stopping by Amanda! I agree nothing quite transforms a room like a little paint and beautiful fabric, it can make all of the difference in the world. Stop by Amanda’s blog for more design inspiration…
Tomorrow, on The Inside Scoop, Mandi from Interior Design Musings.
Love Amanda’s style and her blog! I agree 100% – fabric is a big one!
Love Amanda Carol! She has such a great design eye and pulls things together in such an elegant way. Girl has such great style! Thanks for sharing!!
I like you aesthetic, Amanda. These rooms really give that collected feel you were discussing, lovely!
Amanda’s style is one of favorites! Gorgeous, yet inviting and comfortable!
You two are the BOMB! Thanks for sharing… have a terrific Thursday
Great post…off to Amanda’s blog.
LOVE Amanda! She has such great style!
Amanda is the bomb– she’s got such wonderful design sensibility. Her work is like a sigh of contentment– esp with all the beautiful fabrics she uses. Another great choice, Elizabeth!
Love this inside scoop series! Amanda is my kind of girl- love her style, kind heart and sense of humour. She is what blogging is all about- sticking to who you are!
Amanda is a sweetheart!! Love the way she mixes different patterns and colors together, she is really good at this!! She also gave some great advice, Fun post,
Kathysue
Such great advice, Amanda! I always love your posts!