124 Ideabooks by Amy Renea

Classic and cute, the typical cottage has been part of our design vernacular for years. As far back as medieval England and cemented in American design from coast to coast, a cottage signifies a cozy home. It is a smaller space, without pretense and...

A horizontal line might be the very first line humans were aware of. As our ancestors watched the sun set over a flat, straight horizon, they were introduced to a classic design motif that never gets old. Let's look at some new ways designers are accenting...

February in the Mid-Atlantic is when winter really shows up. It is icy and cold, and the snow blows in drifts, then for a few days there is a break and the whole earth thaws. Of course, that means, slushy, muddy gardens and sad, waterlogged plants....

You've heard it all before. Add color for punch! Give your space life with color, color, color! White is boring! Though the sentiments may be true for many, there is always a place for white. White is refreshing, relaxing and the classic perfect...

You might not think of baby chicks in the dead of winter, while the ground is frozen over and icicles are dangling from the eaves. Cold as it may be, winter is the time for ordering chicks, particularly if you are going to order rare-breed chicks...

Used well, tiny tables can make a space function better and add a bit of fun. Used incorrectly, they can just add clutter. Nobody needs more little unused tables to clutter up a space and more furniture pieces to move while cleaning! You might, however,...

January is not a particularly pretty month in the Mid-Atlantic garden. Few plants are in bloom, there's barely any green in sight and there are months of snow-covered bareness to look forward to. Chilly temperatures are settling in for a long winter's...

The weather outside is frightful, and the plants are fast asleep, but that doesn't mean that gardening is dead in winter. A few remaining tasks — from cleaning and prepping to fun little potting chores — will make those cooped-up winter days a bit...

There is something about a house at night, glowing from within, that beckons you home. Translate that effect to your yard and you can gain extra outdoor rooms all night long. Start with the front door to welcome visitors at night, add a few...

Purple may possibly be the perfect garden color. It is the color of royalty, which is obvious when you see it reigning supreme over the rest of the garden. At the same time, it's a great mediator. It blends well with the cool side of the color wheel...

I went through a red phase when I first started decorating my own apartments in my 20s. After about five years I fell out of love with the hot hue and went headlong into a love affair with green and sometimes the slightest hint of blue. Perhaps that...

November in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. is a time to wrap up gardening for a while, finish up those lingering to-dos and start enjoying cozy fires and seed catalogs indoors. It is also time to start thinking ahead and prepping for next year....

From the city lights of Cancun to the small-town charm of Valladolid and a host of tiny villages in between, the art and design of Mexico inspire me. From colonial towns to ancient Mayan ruins, Mexico is bursting with fascinating designs. This fall I...

Instead of having the same setup of fruit and candles on your dining table this fall, get creative with what you have in your home. You can create a basic tablescape with fresh produce, flowers (or weeds!) from your backyard and a few kitchen supplies....

Wildlife can be a key part of your everyday life at home if you let it. Feeders and natural habitats can invite birds and chipmunks, for example. And when they come, how can you get the best views of them up close? The key is to create safe habitats near...