DIY Barn Doors on a Budget

I've wanted to add doors to my office for some time now. I really like the idea of a barn door style for my space since the entry way is in a narrow hall & doesn't allow enough space for french doors. Here is a great DIY barn door article that I will be putting on the "honey do list". I am attaching my inspiration photo that truly set my heart on these doors.

DIY Barn Doors on a Budget

Paint Calculator by Benjamin Moore

Looking to paint a space in you home or office?  Use this handy paint calculator on Benjamin Moore's website.  It is a great tool to use and will save you time & money.

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/paint-calculator;jsessionid=nlb2PkQGhBQd9D2l5GVtPKLkRR2SDThydb6jds2WjXD20pdqS2HQ!957282185!NONE

What size chandelier should I select for my space?

Not sure the proper size chandelier for your space?

 How do I determine the right size chandelier for my room?

Your chandelier should be one of the focal points of your room. Finding the right size fixture is not difficult when using the simple formula provided. The answer will give you a starting point for finding just the right size light fixture.

Measure the room you would like to put the chandelier in. Add the dimensions together. The sum equals the diameter (in inches) of the lighting fixture you will need.

For Example: The dimensions of your room are 10 by 13. Add 10 + 13 which equals 23. Your chandelier should be 23" in diameter (or 23" wide).

You can also look at the guidelines below to determine a range for the correct size fixture.

Room size is smaller than 10x10, use a 17" to 20" wide chandelier.
Room size is 12x12, use a 22" to 27" wide chandelier.
Room size is 14x14, use a 24" to 32" wide chandelier.
Rule of Thumb:  Never use a chandelier that is too small for your room. The light fixture will be distracting to the overall look you are trying to achieve.

D.I.Y. Outdoor Fire Pit

I love summer and especially the nights.  The clear skies, the stars, and all the wonderful outdoor activities.  Gather up all items for Smores and this fire pit is the perfect end to your day.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/535448/list/How-to-Make-a-Stacked-Stone-Fire-Pit

Here is the materials you will need.  Just visit the link on step by step instructions for your next weekend project.

Materials:
Concrete: 4 or 5 bags
Mortar: 5 or 6 bags
Rebar: 10 pieces (about 24 inches long)
Sandy creek flagstone and steppers: 1,600 pounds
Fire brick: 50 bricks

Supplies:
Safety glasses
Hose
Old wheelbarrow 
Chisel
Mallet
Shovel
Chemical gloves
Leather gloves
Lots of patience
2 bottles of ibuprofen

Dimensions: 5 feet wide and 18 inches tall, which is somewhat large, so use these figures loosely depending on the size of your yard.

Approximate cost: $450

How to Wall Mount a Plasma T.V. & Make it Pretty

I love using every inch of space in my & clients homes.  With that said, I always recommend hanging your plasma t.v. on the wall to maximize your space.  Check out this guide on how to properly install on your wall.

                                          http://www.wikihow.com/Wall-Mount-a-Plasma

Now let's get to the fun stuff.....making it pretty. You didn't think I was just going to hang a tv on the wall and leave it did you?????  Here is a link to a vintage wood frame around that wall hung t.v.  I love this look and it is very easy to do.

http://www.shelterness.com/diy-vintage-looking-tv-frame/

&

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2012/02/framing-in-a-wall-mount-television/

Now for another fun design idea.  Having your t.v. hidden by artwork with this lift.  Visit this site to find out how you can purchase one for your home.

                                           http://www.etihometheaters.com/?page_id=439

Valentines Day is just around the corner.....

Valentines Day is just around the corner, have you planned your romantic evening?  Being a rather new (ok she is 2 years old) I have discovered an all new way of "DATE NIGHT" planning.  Who says that you have to go to an over-priced restaurant to enjoy a romantic dinner.  Here are a few settings that I found as inspiration.

This table setting can be easily accomplished by using your kitchen table or patio table, covering with a white linen tablecloth (or you can use an ironed white flat bed sheet

Small Closet to Beautiful Office Space

I always love to find fun and functional ideas for small spaces.  Check out this DIY project that turned out amazing.

http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/09/inspiration-file-beautiful-closet-turned-office-cloffice.html

FREE printables - I am thankful for napkin rings

Here is a wonderful free printable for Thanksgiving napkin rings I found online and just had to share with you.  I hope you enjoy.

I am thankful for.....

Residential & Commercial Holiday Decorating and Party Hosting Service

The holiday season is here and A & B Design Firm has big plans for you.

Commercial & Residential decorating is now being booked.  Have a party planned and don't have the time to decorate or the talent?  Let me take care of that for you.

Party hosting is also available so that you may enjoy your event and not worry with hosting yourself. Contact A & B Design Firm at 813-210-3231 for details or to book your event.

http://www.facebook.com/bobbieabesignfirm   Make sure to "LIKE" A&B Design Firm's Facebook page.

Here are some creative ideas I would like to share from  http://roomtoinspire.blogspot.com.  This is a fantastic blog site with wonderful tips.  Thanks Room to Inspire for the inspiration.

Amazing Before & After Kitchen Remodel

I love when a concept comes to life!  This amazing kitchen remodel is a great example of how you can re-design your kitchen on a budget and still have it look like a high-end kitchen.  This all comes with a creative design plan, and I am here to help you with that.

T.K.'s kitchen had a few issues that needed to be addressed.  First let's address that the current kitchen was outdated and needed more space.  The actual square footage in this area was very small not allowing T.K. to have any extra storage for her kitchen utensils and gave her the feeling of being closed in.  Solution....let's take the wall down that lead to her dining/work area.  This will allow her to open the area up and create more natural lighting - I love energy saving any way I can.  With this wall removed it also allowed us to extend the countertop and add additional cabinets along the long wall.  Keeping the small space as a top priority, we went with less deep cabinets at this area with only drawers to create a work station area for her to use.  I always give thought to multi-purpose areas and not only is this now a work station area, it can double as a serving area for food during entertaining.  LOVE IT!! Since the cabinets weren't as deep as the main ones in the kitchen and were recessed this allowed the granite countertop top to have a nice transition and gave it a custom feel without any additional cost - a truly defined area.  To finish this area off we added two shelves above to allow additional storage and a beautiful display area.  Don't forget lighting, two sconces were added as well.

 Next let's talk about the actual kitchen design itself.  With this wall removed and the cabinets/countetops extended we just created more storage for her cookware.  The refrigerator was relocated to the opposite side of the kitchen adding a prep space by the range.  We pushed the wall the refrigerator is now located on back 10" so that there would be the required clearance to walk there.  This wall also doubled as an area for us to locate her new kitchen table and chairs.  It fit perfect!  With the dining table located on the backside of this wall it allowed a clean, open walk space directly to the kitchen.

 Let's talk about the flooring.  The vinyl laminate was removed along with the worn pink carpet in the dining.  A beige 18x18 tile on a diagonal was installed in the kitchen area.  The dining room carpet was replaced with a gray Shaw Bamboo Laminate.  We totally got this flooring for a steal at $.99 a square foot. We continued this flooring throughout the entry and living area to complete our updated look.

Finally, lighting was an essential element to updating this space.  The drop down ceiling with the acoustical tiles was removed.  This gave more height and allowed us to update the lighting to a more modern track light with lens that could be directed to specific areas.  Light Dove Gray paint was applied to blend with the colors from the granite and voila!  A new bright color scheme has completed the modern feel we were going for.

A & B Design Firm would love to hear your feedback on this before and after project.

Vintage-Country-Chic Kitchen Vignette Sneak Peek

We are getting closer to the completion of the vintage-country-chic kitchen I have been merchandising at Direct Buy of Tampa.  There are about two more weeks left and it should be completed.

Seagull Lighting has provided a five light chandelier to display in this display.  Stay tuned for a photo of this piece.

We have a beautiful marble backsplash in the Casa Bianca collection donated by Speartektile.  Visit their site (www.speartektile.com.)  and take a look at the product before it is even installed.
 http://speartektile.com/products/marble/casa-bianca/

 

This is a photo of the display area before the new paint and accessories have been placed........

This is where we are so far.  Two more weeks until completion.

   Stay tuned...................

Declutter Your Space and Organize Your Place

I have been feeling a bit unorganized lately with so many different things going on.  Life is great!!  My baby girl turning 2 next week so a small intimate birthday party with family is in the works.  Oh my, I still have to get cake, balloons, decorations, I better get moving on this.  Business is great these days and I am so fortunate to work with so many wonderful people.  I will be a busy bee these next 60 days for sure.

I sat at my desk and looked around yesterday wondering if my 2 year old had decided to re-arrange my space and came to realize it was my very own creation of chaos.  With that being said.....I feel the need to re-organize.  Organization is essential to maintaining a successful business so I really need to pull it together.  Here are a few creative ideas that I found online and wanted to share with you.  I am headed out to purchase a few goodies to get me motivated.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea. 

Spice racks are just for spices.

What a great idea for a cupcake stand.

Practical idea for small spaces

This makes me want to go accessory shopping.

Crafty idea for a children's art table.

Milk glass can be found at most thrift stores in all shapes and sizes.

This would be great for your holiday ribbon as well.

Use old scarves & belts to utilize space as well.

Pretty Painted Pumpkins

I love Autumn, the crisp air in the mornings, the smells of spice in the markets, pumpkins, and CANDY!!  Yep, I said it....I LOVE CANDY.  I have been looking forward to my little one going trick-or-treating this year to score me some candy.

She turns 2 in 10 days and already has her eye on all the goods in the store.  She went to the store with her daddy a few weeks back.  While shopping he asked her if she wanted a ball?  No! How about another toy? No! You will never guess what she just had to have....a plastic spider.  Yep, all with scaring mommy in mind.  Too bad it's daddy that is scared of spiders.  She chased me around the house with this toy and has it in her bedroom on her nightstand still to this day.

It is getting closer to the pumpkin patch arriving and I think we will have to get a few this year.  Daddy likes scary, mommy likes pretty.  With that in mind, I found some creative painted pumpkins that I would love to share with you.

 

 

Florida's Largest Home Show - Direct Buy Booth

Yesterday went well at the Florida's Largest Home Show in our booth for Direct Buy (Isle 1800).  The Friday turn out exceeded all vendors expectations with hopes of high traffic for a long extended weekend.  Lots of great leads were generated for both A & B Design Firm along with Direct Buy of Tampa.  Here is a photo of the booth.

      Bobbie Campbell, Owner of A & B Design Firm                       Asya Andress of Direct Buy, Tampa