A lady always wears PEARLS!

My grandmother is a force to be reckoned with. Still is. At 80 she still scares the living daylights (and midnights) out of me. She prances around blurting out absurdities like " A woman's beauty lasts only as long as her disposition stays sweet". YES, I shall remember these warm fluffy thoughts when Im divulging salacious and COLORFUL words to the truck driver who drop ships broken accessories to my store, and then so eloquently tells me to stuff it like Sunday Turkey.

Grandma is THE essential girl's guide to modern manners and etiquette. Never mind the fact that she bottled her enterprise in the 40's. Polite with a capitol "P". Her dynasty built entirely on class, sophistication and a 1950's Continental Mark II Lincoln. She is the epitome of excellence. Like some corset restricting denomination, she is all things protocol, and accepted behavior. THE template of homemaker perfection,to which Martha Stewart would deem undeniably as exemplary and unrivaled perfection. And to go against this way of thinking, well that would be THE gravest of errors.

I called up excessive Grandma on Friday to see how she has been. Incredibly, or should I say unsurprisingly, still her enchanted self. Always polite, with a capitol "P", this woman never misses a beat. With moonstruck exaggeration in her voice, and a five 0'clock toddy in hand, everything is just wonderful and fabulous. My GOD she must know Barbie; contestants in their own pageant to all things pleasant.

Her sugary sweet perfection is absolutely exhausting and exhilarating. How does she hold it together? How does she multitask and make the most minuscule task look extraordinary? I find it difficult to persuade myself each morning that anything other than flip flops, pony tail, and chapstick is outlandish. My most polished days of improvement are carried out with a pair of flats and TINTED chapstick. Unsettled and perturbed my Grandmother, to no avail will remind me, " you know dear, a LADY always wears pearls"......."and a little lipstick never hurt either".

I will never understand this divine and unnatural creature. Always stylish, and gracious Grandma never misses an opportunity to vocalize how to conduct oneself with unabashed formalities. Don't get me wrong. Grandma is the finest most formidable woman I know, to which I deeply respect. But her paradise of cultivated elegance is a bit too calculated and precise for my unbalanced, uncoordinated existence. Everything ending with a smile, as if auditioning for a broadway play she glides with poise, and a twirl with her arms in the air " remember dear, always be pleasant!" Yes PLEASANT with a capitol "P". I will TRY to remember these important indigestible words. Especially when my husband leaves his fourth, (no fifth) pair of shoes in the hallway for me to fluidly and gracefully step on for the tenth time, the car for which he leaves me NO GAS (on the day that I am late for THE MOST important appointment of my life),and the truck driver that throws my accessories into the ambiguous black hole he calls a truck resulting in Hurricane Katrina devastation. I will try to remember these important words of wisdom. Be Kind, Be pleasant, and always wear pearls!

My life on the D list

In my early twenties I had few aspirations for myself. Graduate from college, (because my Mom told me to), and create a 12 step program for my addiction to Jamba juice and Baja fresh. I unexpectedly met the man of my dreams, or shall I say he met the woman of his dreams, and I entered into a state of ignorant bliss. Wandering aimlessly within my ignorant bliss, my soon to be husband in his own state of bliss, carried me through financially as I found my way. So I decided to become a doctor. It is a respected profession, disciplined (which I clearly am, ha!), grounded, and you get to wear a fancy white coat with big pockets full of important instruments, like pens and prescription pads!

It didn't take long to figure out that the white clearly didn't work after labor day, and the pens? Well those could be purchased half off at the local school bookstore. So I decided to go into nursing. They had way more fun, made good money and they MARRIED Doctors. All the benefits without all the work. Perfect. But I failed to realize I already had the man of my dreams, and he was far from a doctor. Ok, so their were major holes in my plan. Or rather, holes in my head; oh to be 20 again!

I graduated with a degree in Biology with a minor in fine arts. So what did I do? What every 20 something ends up doing. I worked 25 different minimum wage jobs, in a state of ignorant bliss while my soon to be husband carried me through financially. It was perfect, how could it not last?

Fate herself finally stepped in to rescue me. With her head in her hands, a tear in her eye, and thoughts of all my stupidity. I got a job working for a designer. Not just any designer. A double D designer. DESIGN DIVA, with her all that and a bag of chips att-it-TUDE. But what she didn't know? I was 20, in a state of MAJOR ignorant bliss, and I was getting married. Shall I say more?

It only took six weeks.... Within two weeks I decided "this is what I want to do!" (this would be career choice number....) Within four weeks I ambushed her in an appointment to learn EVERYTHING. Within six weeks, I was out of a job, AGAIN! (Insert soon to be husband who is STILL carrying me financially)

Luckily, like religion is to Sundays, my good fate turned and came to me. I got motivated dare I say even ambitious, and unlike my 12 step program this was an ACTUAL goal. I went back to school, and graduated with a big Double D, only mine stands for DESIGN DEGREE. I still had my ups and downs. We moved to Vegas, where I questioned if I was "D" material but my true religion occurred when we moved to TN. I launched my own design firm. Through shear determination, sprinkle in a little blood, sweat, tears, and maybe even a little spit, though I would never admit it (after all Im a lady, God-dammit!!) I have grown and expanded each year to get to where I am today.

It took me some time, reflection, and a lot of stupidity along the way, but I found it, the path or purpose in my life. But despite all this hard work, I still find myself on the D list, gasp!.

How is it that someone like Cindy Crawford gets a furniture collection? Or Kathy Ireland builds an entire empire on the design business? She grossed 50 million dollars in the home decor business in 2007. Barbara Barry, Johnathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler, Darryl Carter I can see, but Cindy?

I don't find myself in the leagues of those listed above. I still need some years on me to gain that kind of genius. However, when I found out yesterday that Miley Cyrus signed a deal to start her own furniture line with Rooms to Go, I found it quite paradoxical. It makes perfect sense to me that a 16 year old would know exactly how to design, implement and sell a product for a HOME in which she doesn't even own one yet.

So this is my open letter to who ever the HELL (TARGET!) will listen.

I want a line of accessories and home decor. I still have a few holes in my head. I tend to spit when Im angry (but I'd never admit to this) and Im no longer in my 20's. Big Bonus? Or Big Set back, hmmm not sure.... Either way, I actually know a thing or two about furniture, and accessories. I have the BIG designer Badge on my chest to prove it, and for once, it's actually turned right side up. I have MADE a living making choices on how to design, implement and sell a product for which Im QUALIFIED to do. Interested? I don't sing, dance, or have my pics plastered all over the Enquirer but I have graduated from High School, college even (thanks Mom!) and I actually know a thing or two about design. So, Target if your listening, I love your store, shop their all the time, and I think you should give me a shelf, maybe even two( after all Im pretty damn good at what I do) so that My life can get off the D list. Thanks,

The F Word, Holy S**T!

About two years ago I started working on a project in California. The homeowner kept telling me, now due to the economy I want to do some "horse trading". The economy? What the hell are you talking about? It's great! Im making more money than I have ever made. There is no need for "horse trading". And with a hint of what looked to be concern, or maybe constipation, he said it. The F word. F R U G A L.

Everyone knows it. As a designer Im familiar with it, but it was difficult to hear while my head was in the sand;.. I like the beach what can I say? But here in TN the land of true Southerners, where all things come battered, smattered, deep fried, and loaded with butter, (lets face it EVERYTHING tastes better with butter!) there is nothing that a good old fashion home cooked meal can't fix. I mean come on, mac and cheese is considered a vegetable!

But it seems that the new "it" word has shifted from starbucks to FRUGAL. This news started disgorging doom and gloom early last year. But in our perfect little southern bubble of deep fried paradise, we sat in our rockers undisturbed. Then October hit. Like greasy fried bacon at the waffle house it was sure to come. As a designer I have been force-fed the truth of reality. ( Insert barbie here, where all things are pink, wonderful and fabulous, if only for a moment!)

The word BUDGET became null and void. Like Vampires in the night it never existed, it swiftly exited out the back door. Everyone had a BUDGET. FRUGAL is a whole new territory for me. I have always advocated myself as a budget friendly designer. But now Im faced with living large on a FRUGAL budget, where Im required to screw, glue and make it new. Like Mcgiver Im finding fishing line, wire, and a pair of plyers to be my saving grace. (Where is that damn bedazzler when I need it?!)

Frugal is fascinating and challenging all rolled up into one messy hair net at the school cafeteria. It's forcing us to get back to our roots, connect with community and grow a damn garden. (Im telling you, they have produce at this place called the GROCERY STORE, no need to stand outside in this heat hoping on a wing and a prayer that a radish will grow!) For that matter let's just go to the cracker barrel. Im convinced that like the swine flu this is nothing that a little hand sanitizer can't get rid of, it works on everything, right? Ok, so MAYBE my opinion is a little distorted, could be all the sand in my ears left over from the beach, but it brings me back to a time when I was three and my new FUN word was.... S H I T!

In such FRUGAL times, I find myself saying this a lot lately. Holy Shit! Oh Shit! Shit, shit, shit! God love her, my mama would point that finger at me and say "dont say the word SHIT!" So in honor of my FRUGAL, thrift shop lovin mama I am selling my "Dont say the word shit" matches half off today. And while this doesn't solve our global problems, or our national problems for that matter, like our friend Maggi says "just add a little glitter and stir"; for good measure you may want to add butter, it makes EVERYTHING taste better, especially in FRUGAL times.

For shit matches go to ABHOMEINTERIORS.COM, click on gifts, fun and whimsical.

Malibu Barbie on a budget? by Nashville interior designer, Amanda Burdge

Back in March Miss BARBIE herself turned fifty. Doesn't she look smashing for 50? How does she do it? How is she devoid of this economy and simple old age?

Mr. John Adler himself did a Malibu beach house in her honor , and he doesn't come cheap! It raised a question. Could BARBIE survive on a beer budget; or GASP!, a strawberry wine budget? Could her life be as fabulous as cotton candy, and pink poodles if she had to use the word budget? Is budget in her vocabulary? And lastly, could she shop at Target and find her shoes at Payless, leaving the store with a smile?

I shutter to think how BARBIE could survive. So desperate for her Jimmy Choo's, and her pink corvette. And Ken? Well he would find a new blonde, maybe even branch out to a brunette, driving around Malibu in her Maserati; after all Corvettes are so yesterday! How would BARBIE feel as Ken drove off with his new 25 year old?

Well as much as I would love to see this bitch go down, just once, in my heart of hearts (dig way WAY down) she is what dreams are made of. Every little girl gets it. The BARBIE fascination, and the all too dreamy eyes for Ken. A thing of "may all your dreams come true" with martini in hand, a smile on her face and twinkle in her eye. A pink EXPLOSION of all things wonderful and fabulous. And as much as I hate to subscribe to the BARBIE ideal (talk about exiting reality) I suppose it is good, at times, to enter into a world of all things pink, wonderful and fabulous, just for a moment, to get a prescription that is devoid of the economy, and old age!

Nashville interior designer Amanda Burdge on Paneling

I was recently hired to help a client redo her dining room, and expansion to the front of her house. The house, built in the late 60's, was being expanded and to my great happiness the husband gave us carte blanche on the project.

.... But there was a catch. Damn their is always a catch! His only request, "please leave the paneling in the dining room." What!? Are you kidding me? Deep breaths; Ok no reason to panic. I will put together the design plan and he will see the light. He will come to his senses...he will come to the understanding that there is no need for PANELING! Right?

Nope.

Ok back to square one. Thinking, thinking,.... ok paint the paneling! Yes thats what we will do!

NOPE.

"we will stain the paneling and we will stain it darker!" he tells me.

Holy cow I am going to have premature, unnecessary heart palpitations. I'm not going to live through this experience, kill me now!

So I did what any good interior designer would do; freaked out, had unnecessary heart palpitations, and regurgitated my irritation to all my staff; but smiled to my client and said " of course it will be fabulous!" All in a days work!

Ha! Well to my surprise, the paneling was stained darker, but it wasn't worth all that anxiety. Despite my frustrations we worked around the walnut elephant in the room and I was quite pleased with the turn out. I still think it makes for a dark room. But I lightened the room with travertine floors, nixed the idea of an area rug, and put every light and bright thing I could in the room to brighten it. The best part of the project? The client not only gave us unlimited funds for the rest of the house, he is smiling from ear to ear because it is exactly what he wanted, and more! And that is why I do what I do!

New Blog

For those of you who stop by my blog regularly you will notice the surroundings have changed a bit. I have updated my blog to give it some more style and sass. I love it, and look forward to adding more features and buttons and what ever other things Katie and I can think up to do. For more info on how to update your blog email Katie @ lemoncherryblogs@gmail.com or visit her website @ http://lemoncherryblogs.com. Thanks for all your help Katie!! I can't wait to do more stuff!

Darryl Carter interior design

A few weeks ago I did a small little post on Darryl Carter, (http://abhomeinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/05/darryl-carter.html) and his beautiful designs. His aesthetic is clean, fresh, and stylish but simple and easy to read. He has introduced a new line through Thomasville that oozes restraint and grace, hence the mention on my blog. Mr Carter himself apparently saw my post. I really didn't say much; thank GOD I didn't go off on one of my rants. I really could go on and on about Mr Carter. Well to my surprise, as my staff and I slaved over the rearrangement of the showroom (for our new sale), in walks the post man with the above letter; FROM MR CARTER HIMSELF!! So Darryl if you are reading this post too, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to write to me. It is something so simple yet meant the world to me and made coming in on a Saturday SO worth it. As you can see I have framed it. I have it in my office above my credenza, and as I strive to become a better designer I will look to this as my inspiration. When I have an unruly client, I will look to this for inspiration, when I want to quit interior design for any number of reasons, I will look to this for inspiration. And when I want to become an attorney I will remind myself there is nothing I would rather do than interior design, and look to this note as inspiration! THANKS!!