DIY Scissor Light

AKA the "TY Sconce"



For 2 Sconces -YOU WILL NEED:

(2) FRACK scissor mirror from IKEA  6.99 ;)
(2) Any Clamp Light From Home Depot  / Hardware Store
(2) Low wattage Edison Bulb (40watt is what I used)
(4 total) Flat Brackets (4 in a set)
(4 total)  nuts/bolts I used 1- 1/4" nut and bolt set, Home Depot (4 in a pack)
(2 - 1" or smaller) Loose Leaf Rings - Staples (also comes in a pack)






And there you have it -  the Ty Sconce (named after the client it was created/ inspired by)

Garage Bedroom Transformation

Just finished up this room design yesterday.

My client who's super rad, fun - Mr outgoing, full of personality, room was quite the opposite.  No offense Ty.  This delta house (whatever you were) college room needed an upgrade, and I honestly couldn't wait to get my hands on it.


BEFORE



AFTER

Where his bed was - is now a cool organized, functional closet. With some splashes of grey and color for fun.

The once garage door "catch all area", Is now the bedroom space. 

And yes he can just move the drapes over and still open the garage door, and take in the amazing Cali weather. Thanks for letting me take over your Room Ty! Loved transforming your space to match your awesomeness. 





Lazybones


2929 Main Street, Santa Monica CA

 If your in LA and you love, Anthropology/ vintage then it's a must STOP. 

It's not only one of the cutest store on main st (if i do say so myself ;), it has a whimsical, never want to leave, homie feel - hence the name. But the best surprise - It has a side garden! Such a great place to relax and take a moment to chill out the Lazybones way.


Doors oped December of 2014, and I'm just now posting ... I know!  Well I'm happy to share this with you. Finally :) 

I had the pleasure of work hand in hand with Tracey Hocking; creator/ CEO and Art Director of Lazybones, and her design team to help bring their fist store in the states, to life.  

Working with an Australia based company was a new set of challenge in itself; they were literally a day ahead of me. So I hope you love as much as I do.


(Jacqueline Rose of Rose Agency, Tracey Hocking CEO of Lazybones 
& Me of Amanda Cram Design)

BEFORE (above and below)



Adding many layers and love to fixtures...









The crisp white backdrop is perfect for all the intricate textiles, and clothing. While the copper pipe and reworked vintage pieces ground the bright colors and patterns of all their beautiful home goods and accessories.


After shopping or before 
check out one of my new favs  Hinterland (2917 Main St. ) Just 3 stores away form Lazybones, not a far walk at all, Promise...  the food and the interiors!! so yummy!


a little tease...


RIGHT !! I'm drooling.
 Good food Great wine (Malbec), and stunning interiors....Gets me every time!!!






Downtown Bathroom Style

Down Town LA is where it's at!!  At least for me right now ;)
Super Excited to be starting a New Project Down Town, as well as moving there myself.

We (Nina,who you will soon meet, and I) found out yesterday as we were gong in to sign our lease that there is a farmers market outside - every Sunday, score!! We had no idea. Really made our day. I may have skipped just a little.


The Project is a loft remodel for this rad young professional.
 Including the kitchen and bathroom. I want to go classic subway tiles maybe even marble subway for the kitchen, but with some more rustic masculine details.

Juice Bar, 702 S Spring St














CES 2014

Happy 2014!!

January flew by with so much awesomeness. CES booth design to bring in the new year, The Verge Lounge presented by Ford.  Mad Men inspired, mid-century (1950s-1970s) hang out.  By far one of my personal favorite styles.  Furniture, and craftsmanship I drool over.


For The Verge, Vox Media, and Ford, Designed by Me , brought to life by VT Productions and my new Bestie / Soulmate who Produced the entire Verge booth, trailer, their events and then some Nina Sokoler.


in process ...

Hayk, from VT Productions, testing it out.
(leg table- sooo gooooood)





Cheers!!
Me, Nina and Tiana (from left to right) = Dream Team
This is just the beginning. 






What's Next

Ohhh Monday..

Got on this kick this am. My friend Han and I were nerding-out over what's to come. ..more specifically in fashion and design. 

Probably one of my  most favorite topics to talk about with artist friends.  Such a loaded question though. What's next in design? I mean where do i start.. 

Well what attracts people to that thing, that explodes and become "trendy"? and like 5 other questions can feed off that.  

Yes I just answered a question with a question  - hhaha 
But for me viewing trends, the movement between fashion, interiors, architecture, graphics design in general (if you can imagine generalizing it). It differs depending on the medium,element and constraints, but ultimately it's CONTRAST. 

The contrast in moden sleek and rustic, color, the lack of color, the drama that feeds the feeling / trend. 
Pretty cool to think about.  

Where do you see design going? What's the next big color?  There are no wrong answers.  Would love to get your predications. I want to share them all on my next post.
Email me (amanda.cramdesign@gmail.com) or comment below. Make it short and sweet or as long as you want.

black is not just for that dress or workout clothes anymore.














Black Bean Burgers


Here is a great Black Bean Burgers recipe. Always handy to have in your freezer.
 Prep time 25 mins, but they make 15-16 patties that take 10 minute (or less) to cook. Pretty great for a healthy fast meal for you and your family.

Two different super healthy ways we eat them:
Serve on a slice of gluten free rice bread, arugula, with your fav (Trader Joe's 1.99) salsa -add some cherry tomatoes and cilantro and topped with a half of avocado - never to much avo. 
Grind a dash of salt and pepper  ;)  Pure perfection.

or ditch the bread all together and simply crush up some blue corn tortillas on top, for that needed crunch. Your choice of avo 
But have some fun make them up however you like.

Now that I got your mouths watering here is what you need:
4 cans Black Beans
2 small-medium size Sweet Potatoes 
1 red onion
1 bunch of Cilantro
1 Lime
1 Jalapeno
Cumin
Cali Chili Pepper
Wheat Germ
Oats
your choice of nut : Cashews, Almonds,  or Walnuts (if you dont have you can skip these entirely)
fresh Garlic or crushed garlic 
Salt and Pepper
Plastic Wrap

IN VERY  LARGE BOWL:
Rinse and drain all 4 cans of black beans
take 2 cans of black beans and smash with fork,  leave 2 cans whole (add after SP)
microwave 2 small-medium sweet potatoes (or SP) for 5 mins or until soft enough to peel from skin
smash and stir SP into the smashes black beans, 
now add the 2 cans of whole black beans
STIR TOGETHER

FLAVOR TIME - STIR IN
1/2 red onion - chopped fine
Cilantro 1 bunch - chopped fine (yes the entire thing)
1 heaping teaspoon cumin 
1 heaping teaspoon cali chili powder
about 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper - or a couple of grinds
1 jalapenos - chopped fine (your choice of seeds or not-We are the no seed type)
3-4 cloves of garlic - minced  (I hope you like garlic as much as us)
1/2 lime squeezed - just want the juice (if it's not a juicy one squeeze in both haves)

DRY INGREDIENT 
1/4  -  1/2 cup oats (we grind ours in the Bullet or any mixer of your choice)
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup crushed cashews or any nut for that matter (again can grind in mixer/grinder if whole)

HINTS
The dry ingredients really are your choice. You can do just one, like wheat germ (is the usual) or any nut you prefer. You just add the dry ingredients until the bean mixture holds together tightly but doesn't stick to your hands. So add dry ingredients slowly.

ALMOST DONE  - SMASH AND FREEZE
Tear off a good size sheet of plastic wrap (about the size of a piece of paper)
Roll bean mixture into larger then golf ball size ball
 place on top part of plastic wrap, now fold plastic wrap over the ball;
creating a little pocket that the ball is in
then flatten with small plate.
Fold in excess plastic wrap -they will all be individually wrapped :)

A set of extra hands are very helpful.  One person roll and drop onto the plastic wrap.
While the other person folds over plastic wrap and flattens ball with small dish. 

Place on flat cookie sheet 
they are ok to stack
place cookie sheet full of BB Burgers in freezer.  Once frozen  you can take cookie sheet out. 

TO COOK
Heat pan with grape seed oil (preferred, it's healthier for you)  then place frozen patty straight in pan :)
cook until hot and slightly browned.  THATS IT :)

enjoy!