When thinking about the job of an interior decorator, you probably don't think about press mentions, writing articles as a contributing author to get your name out there, or anything past photoshop and dreamy online carts, right?

I've been working as a freelance writer on the side for home decor blogs and magazines and I've fallen in love with putting pen to paper (or more accurately, fingers to keys) and teaching the world about the thing I love to do most: design.

This is probably why I've been away from the blog for so long (sorry, guys). I've been creating off of my site and one of my resolutions is to get back into the groove of sharing awesome content with you here.

It's important to not only bring visual beauty to the world, but to create knowledge and educate consumers on quality products, new trends, and everything in the between. By writing these articles, you're basically getting a free peek into a designer's mind.

Here are some articles that I've written recently about everything from saying goodbye to millennial pink to profiling designers on the East coast:
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If you're interested in teaming up for a writing project, contact me and we'll work together to spread the good word of the design world!
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When working with a great designer over the summer, I was asked to create 2 dining room designs. Here's the first of the two. This design was totally inspired by antique brass elements throughout. I'm a sucker for any print that's black and white, so I paired two unlikely pieces that complemented each other perfectly. 

​I still cannot get over the lighting element that I found for this board. In my opinion, lighting design is one of the most rapidly changing aspects of design- the creativity is phenomenal! You could even stagger two of these lights together to make for a ripple effect over the table. 

If you liked this design, check out the board where I've pinned all of these items here.

REMINDER:
Ashley Marino Designs is still offering our holiday special! We're offering a 2 hour online consultation and collaboration session for $195. Email us at [email protected] to purchase one for every design guru on your wish list!

Hello, loves! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday with their loved ones and took some much needed time to relax this past week.

Last week there was no blog post because I've been working on something special for all of you. As you know, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday have been taking over the internet. I'm here to give you and your families an easy alternative to sifting through the holiday mayhem online.

I'm offering an alternative to my classic 4 hour in person consultation and will be giving you all a chance to purchase an online 2 hour consultation for only $195. We will have a complimentary intake call an you will be able to fill out your design profile and not eat into your 2 hour time period. The more information you provide me with before our meeting, the better! We will connect at a scheduled time to chat over webcam to work together to source as much as we can for your space in as little time as possible. Your takeaway from the call will be a Pinterest board, leaving you with a reference to return to all of the items that we found for your space. Because I'm feeling extra generous, you'll even get a special holiday surprise after our call! (Don't tell Santa, even his presents aren't this good of a deal).

This consultation is perfect for any person in your life- from kids from 1 to 92. This deal will only be available for a limited time, so email me at [email protected] to purchase. You'll receive a gift certificate in the mail perfectly packaged and ready to give to your loved one near or far.

This week's Get The Look is a modern navy kitchen design with an awesome cement tile backsplash. Color in the kitchen is a great way to add personality to your home, especially if you're going for the dual color cabinet approach. With a neutral up top and a bold color choice on the bottom, you're adding neutral visual space above. This allows you to add a statement backsplash that will seamlessly blend in with the rest of your decor without creating too much visual chaos.

Scroll down to see what I would pick to recreate the look above:

The paint color you see above looks a bit teal on screen, but when it dries on the wall (or your cabinet), it'll be a rich navy color with just a hint of teal undertones. I also changed up the faucet choice a bit because bridge fixtures are my favorites and I want to use them everywhere.

What do you think? Would you use this look as inspiration for your home? Let me know below!

​Inspiration Credit: Denton Developments
Tile: Cle Tile
Circular Knob: Superfront
Drawer Pull: Superfront
Paint Color: Sherwin Williams
Faucet: Brizo

Happy Monday! This weekend has been a BIG one here at Ashley Marino Designs. Here's a short description of everything that we've updated on our site in the last week:

PRESS: We have a BRAND NEW press mentions section! We've been quoted for not 1, but 2 articles in the last week and it's incredibly exciting; We've been featured by realtor.com and Type-A-Parent, so go check out those articles for social media and decor tips.

BIZ: We've updated our packages and have rolled out descriptions of each. We have a 4 hour consultation package, a DIY design package, and a full-service package. Check out the details and contact us to schedule your consultation call to find out which package is right for you.

ABOUT: The about Ashley page has been revamped and rewritten. Now you have a better idea of who the principal designer of Ashley Marino Designs is and who you'll be working with when you choose to start a project with us.

Next week, you'll be getting one of my favorites- a "Get the Look". Thank you to all of my readers who have been with us from the start; Ashley Marino Designs is going through some major transformations, and you'll be the first to hear about them. ?

Pastel colors are usually not my cup of tea, but this color palette hits my weak spot. I'm a sucker for pastel pink paired with blues and tans, especially when the metal features in the room is an antique brass. 

My favorite piece from the room is definitely the grey armchair from West Elm. Those legs bring in a bit of 50's household quirk that I absolutely adore. It's mid century modern without being too on the nose, but it still channels the essence of the era beautifully.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below! You can find other designs for this project and the products sourced above here.
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Even though blue is not traditionally a "Fall" color, I've been seeing a lot of rich and beautiful blue hues popping up more and more while sourcing. This Fall, my picks showcase the color deep blue along with natural elements, like leather and wood. These things can be brought into your decor to spruce up your place for your Thanksgiving guests, or can be used to add a little pick me up to your end table.
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Which of these products would you love to have in your home? Personally, the leather Padron chair coupled with the traditional cyan and navy rug would be my dream design combo. Let me know what's on your Fall wish list below.

Click here for links to the products chosen above:
 Rugs USA Ashlina // Lamps Plus Orion // West Elm Natural Tree Stump // Kelly Wearstler Blanc Pop Vase // Burke Decor Fauna Wild Pillow // Rugs USA Alva // Burke Decor Padron Chair // Pottery Barn Knitted Faux Fur Throw
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I just got back from a wonderful visit with a lovely friend that recently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The first thing that comes to mind regarding art when you think of Oklahoma is... nothing, right? Fortunately, I've been able to experience some of the best art that the state has to offer. From Picasso, to local Tulsa artists, you'll find it all in this city. Here's a short review of three kinds of art that I found during my stay:

If nothing else, come for the gorgeous house that the museum is housed in (which was clearly my favorite part of the entire experience). During my week-long stay in Tulsa, my three hours at Philbrook were the best of the trip. From Native American pottery to cubism, this museum has something for every person's tastes; I would give this place an 11/10 if I could. My advice would be to go on a cooler day in autumn and bring a blanket to sit on in the grass near the gardens after strolling through the museum. ​Chatting with a friend about your favorite pieces or journaling by yourself are absolutely perfect ways to end a visit to this museum.

If you're interested in learning more, visit here: https://philbrook.org/

The Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa is something that I stumbled upon after visiting the famous "center of the universe" in the Brady Arts District. Upon walking in, I saw 4 different exhibitions by 4 very different and talented local artists. If you're wanting to know more about the local arts scene in Tulsa, this is an excellent place to start. The space the art is housed in is large, airy, and bright, which allows the art to shine. This is also a great local place to source from, as much of the art is on sale. There was an audience driven exhibition on display during certain times during my stay; If you're planning to come in advance, I would first check to see if there are any performances or interactive exhibitions going on during your trip to make the most of your visit.

​To learn more about AHHA Tulsa, visit here: https://ahhatulsa.org/

The brady arts and blue dome districts are seeped in history and are situated right outside of old downtown (whose art deco architecture deserves an entire post itself). There is no physical address for any of the murals because they're everywhere. If you're looking for your next instagram post, come here and you won't be disappointed. Murals are something that I would love to incorporate more into my work, so seeing all of these beautiful walls was inspiring. Be sure to take a friend (or a selfie stick) and take many pictures along the way!

I was pleasantly surprised with my visit to Tulsa and the inspiration that I found while there. I would love to go back and visit on a First Friday where all of the exhibitions downtown are open late! Where are some of your favorite spots to visit?
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Happy Tuesday! This week I'm working from Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is why this week's post is a day late. Don't fret though, I have an amazing design for you this week to ogle at.

A few months ago I completed this design while working as a freelancer on Upwork. I'm bringing it back this week for you to see the design! This is a guest bedroom design that is guaranteed to make anyone feel welcome in your space. The goal was to keep this one pretty neutral. The natural woods, greys, and light pinks kept this design simple but stunning.

What do you think? Let me know below!

Check out all of the products sourced for the space here: 
www.pinterest.com/ashleyrosemarino/project-dalian-guest-bedroom/

This week's interior inspo is all about beautiful wall murals. This wallpaper takes you right out of your home and puts you in a calm, soothing, wooden atmosphere. It also uses one of my absolute favorite colors in decorating, which is a rich jewel tone emerald.

Because I adore this photo so much, I thought that I would try something new called "get the look". Essentially, this is where I take a photo, use it as inspiration, and find sources online where you can create this look at home. I added a few changes to give some originality to the design and give it a bit of an Ashley Marino Designs twist. Adding a chunky blanket and giving the nightstand some personality took this design to the next level. 
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Nightstand: West Elm // Emerald Sheets: Bed Bath and Beyond // Ivory Sheets: Yo Home // Chunky Throw: PuffyWoolDecor // Pendant: Schoolhouse Electric // Wall Mural: Murals Wallpaper