Update your lighting for fall!

As we lose daylight due to the onset of winter and the start of daylight savings,  here are a few of my quick tips to bring light back into your spaces:

• Hang a mirror to reflect light from your brightest window. Opposites work well, or try hanging in a dark area to reflect some  light and view.
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• Place a lamp (if possible) in front of a wall or floor mirror. A floor lamp works as well as a table lamp on a dresser.  The idea is to maximize the light in a dark space.

• Add an up-light in a corner of a room. For under $10 you can get a free-standing light unit that - when you add an automatic timer - goes on JUST when you need it. Behind a great piece of furniture the light will accent the details,and behind a plant will throw lovely shadows.

• Place floor or table lamps in dark spaces and use plug-in timers or light sensors (www.lutron.com)  to turn on and off at dusk and dawn. Using compact fluorescent or LED bulbs you'll have light, energy savings, and might use those rooms more often!

• Re-arrange furniture so reading chairs sit closer to windows. Not as easy for some...so try to place furniture in seating groups where each seat has a lamp beside it.

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• Add candlelight at your focal point whether it is a fireplace or table. The new flame less candles are great for nearly any application and 'burn' many hours of flickering light on a wafer thin battery, Some are waxy with realistic wicks, and others have a setting (usually those with 2 AA batteries) that allow you to turn them on for 6 hours EVERY 24 hour cycle.  LOVE those in wall candelabras, on stairways, and in rooms where fabrics, children and pets can't be harmed!

• Hang a wall sconce for accent light. Flame less tea light candles are a safe option although a votive or tea light nestled into a glass holder is OK when watched.

• Add LED lighting in niches, curios and other unusual places. Rope, strips, pucks and other styles are often available as plug-and-go. Low energy usage, long life and a GREAT look.  There are wireless systems to make this a snap!

Lighting Design - Fabulous and Functional

Lighting design offers a wide range of products and control options. From glamorous chandeliers to minimalistic and functional wall fixtures, there are many choices for functional yet pleasing home lighting. With energy use a main concern for the environment as well as personal utility bills, how to light spaces correctly becomes a necessity rather than a splurge. In any room, there are often many functional areas including dining, lounging, home office needs, television watching and entertaining, so a planned lighting solution is smart so you can ensure the best lighting for multi-tasking and still make each area inviting and attractive.

For achieving ambient (general) or task lighting, architectural lights, also known as "cans", "pots", and "recessed" fixtures are a good idea. Taking into account the spread of the light beam, the right size and number of recessed fixtures (LED, Compact fluorescent and dimmable halogen) can illuminate a task area, highlight a feature, bathe walls and room perimeters in light at a low energy cost, and more. Adding timers, dimmers and sensors for occupancy and vacancy makes using them easy. A variety of trims and baffles adds to the diversity of lighting solutions they can provide.

To create a warm atmosphere, light sources for special effects and mood lighting might include wall sconces, pendants, floor or table lamps.  The best lighting is done in layers so that you can control the amount of light and where it is shed, at any time.  Wall sconces are a great idea for feature walls, narrow spaces, and bathing architectural features in light.The correct fixture and right lamping (bulb) can throw light on the wall up or down depending upon the direction they hang. Wall sconces can be unobtrusive and small for accent lighting, or dramatic and bold to make an artistic statement.  

Offered in various shapes, sizes and colors, pendant options seem to be endless. Artistic, industrial, and every style in-between are available at fantastic prices.  One great fixture can set the tone for an entire home.   Furthermore, they can be used over a dining table, a desk, a counter, alone or in groups, and much more.

Chandeliers are a favorable alternative to recessed fixtures in  interior design since they offer multi-light options that are softer in feel. Like pendants, there are unlimited styles, but position is usually based on size. 

Accent lights include recessed fixtures, pendants, track, lamps, strip, rope and more.  They are meant to highlight architectural features, art, stairs, walls, landscape features, and a host of other design elements that are features indoors and out.

Whatever your lighting needs, there is an energy efficient solution that will provide a focused, correct color, and proper amount of light. Using a professional to advise is worthwhile and will enable the best results for the long-term.

Ideas for small spaces.

Whether your small space is a bedroom, apartment, or home, here are five ideas to help you maximize the space you have:

One wall of shelves adds storage and opens the floor space.

1) Raise the heights of storage. Keep things off the floor and use taller pieces to make a small room appear larger. For example, a bookcase that spans the entire floor-to-ceiling distance makes a ceiling seem higher. Dedicating one wall to bookshelves that takes advantage of every inch, or using a large armoire or storage piece on only one wall, will make a room look bigger and eliminates the feeling of a cluttered space. Close off a few shelves with doors for neatness.  Stack file cabinets or chests (safety first) on top of one another rather than lining them up along the wall. Left a bed off the floor to add storage drawers, and if the ceiling is high enough, perhaps making a space underneath for a desk, lounge area or reading nook.

 

Loveseats make a narrow apartment comfy but not crowded

2) Use furniture wisely & make every piece count.  For a small living room use a backless chaise or daybed to divide adjoining space or functional areas; for example, separate the kitchen area from the family room or the living room from the dining room. Downscale your seating and even tables so you have the function you need while retaining an open feel. Try using a storage bench instead of dining or desk chairs to serve a dual purpose. Open backed shelves make great room dividers but look nice from either side. 

White works in this tiny bedroom with stacked storage.

3) Keep it light. While you don't have to use white paint, a lighter color background (floors, walls and even shelving) will help make a small room feel more open. Monochromatic color schemes are great for small spaces since they blur the boundaries between walls and furniture to make a space feel expansive. Don't hide windows, rather make them appear larger by placing window coverings above or to the sides. Position a mirror to capture light and reflect it back into the space.








4) Take it off.  If you can remove doors to rooms that don't need privacy...do.  Opening a small bedroom to a hallway makes the room seem more connected to the other spaces, may add light, and there are many uses for the doors so they don't need to be stored ( a desk top, a panel for an appliance, a new back to a bookshelf).  Hanging a curtain or beads instead provides a more open divider but eliminates door swings and maintains a more open feel.

5) Glass (or other transparent material :)) is your friend. Need a privacy divider but it blocks light? Tempered glass walls and door inserts allow light to pass through rooms but create privacy. New resin and plastic products with embedded designs are also available. Can't do a whole wall? Create a small interior 'window' or even an over-door transom to allow light in.  Glass tabletops help a room feel more open than wooden tops.

3 Bedroom updates with photos and directions.

Need to refresh your bedroom? With so many products and options available which do you choose?  Here are three bedrooms with directions for making the changes.  

  

    

Some simple changes transform this casual bedroom into a sophisticated guest retreat. The walls, once a pastel green, were refreshed with a light blue hue, and the white ceiling became a soft blue. Crown, base and doors moldings remained white. Adding a transitionally styled iron bed frame was the most significant change.  Draping inexpensive sheer fabric (less than $15 per yard) over the frame creates a soft, inviting place to sleep. Instead of the two-drawer nightstand, an end table - the same height as the mattress - provides a landing space, shelving for books and a clock, and its new open style fills the void next to the bed with just the right element. Adding a deeper toned area rug beside the bed rather than in the center of the room makes the room seem more open, and is better underfoot for guests. White big box store bedding, a yellow throw and brightly colored pillows in blue and complementary orange, finish the bed. Lighter artwork, all in the same transitional versus cottage style, refreshes the space and provides the finishing touch.

While this room looks significantly different, there are some shortcuts to be considered.  Purchasing ready-made shelves from a discount store, and tying them together with molding, is the largest change. They create a headboard with storage, end table function and additional space for lighting. Warm tones of beige on the wall and an area rug in the same hue, provide a warm backdrop for the new white trim and doors.  The doors, while hinged French doors instead of sliding wooden doors, can be created without the expensive price tag. Using reclaimed doors from a salvage yard is one solution, sustainable and cost-effective.  Another is to apply molding over inexpensive mirror squares to a slab door. Hinges are required here since the added dimension would not allow the doors to slide. Bedding remains white, but as with the accessories, the addition of blue accents, is the ideal contrast to the beige and white. A simple wooden bench completes the transformation.

Re positioning the bed in this space was key to the change. In front of the window, the bed took up less space in the room and the open weave headboard does not restrict light from entering.  The walls went from pale yellow to a deep ivory. Blue was the accent color in the 'before' space and became the feature color in bedding, bed drapes and pillows. An inexpensive "found" headboard separates the window and bed and enables pillows to be propped up, adding dimension and texture to the bed.  A Roman Shade lets more light in than the prior sheers and is tailored and neat.  The bed drape was constructed by nailing MDF trim to the ceiling, and applying the fabric at all four corners.  The large scale damask fabric contains the ivory wall color and a soft blue that is used again in the tailored bed skirt. Ivory bedding is ideal for many spaces, and maintains the neutral backdrop to keep the small bedroom from looking crowded.  Adding a bolster pillow in a solid blue with ribbon trim, and a patterned blue lampshade, completes the transformation.

Tips for making a space seem larger.

We need to live with the spaces we have, whether they are an apartment, a dorm room, or a small home. To make them seem larger and help make them feel less crowded, try one or more of these ideas.

Lighting, glass and color play a part making this two room apartment feel larger.

1) Lighten up.  Yes, light does make spaces seem larger. If you use up-lights under large pieces of furniture or in dark corners, the illusion is that more space exists.  Rather than leaving corners empty, try adding a table and lamp.  Mirrors that reflect natural daylight are a great way to 'add' space as well. Even if you don't have windows, place a lamp in front of a mirror on the darkest, largest wall and see how it brightens and enlarges the space. Using glass table tops, insets with lighted shelves for cabinets,  and even remove doors to rooms to allow light in.

2) Arrange furniture wisely.  A few ideas on this topic work well in small spaces. First is scaling the pieces to work in the space. Don't purchase large, rolled arm sofas when you have a 10' x 10' room. Instead, opt for a loveseat and even armless chairs; you add seating without mass.  Two, floating furniture away from the walls DOES make it seem as though the room is larger. It allows you to walk around and through the furnishings giving a grander apparent space.  Third, angling furniture on short walls - placing pieces together can help like a table backed up to a loveseat - since your eye sees a longer wall dimension, hence, space.

3) Color counts.  If you can keep the largest pieces in the same tone as the walls, they will blend in and make a room feel wider.  Lighter colors do tend to make spaces look larger, although breaking that 'rule' works if other elements - lighting, scale, and accents - help the eye travel around a space. Monochromatic schemes in neutral colors work well, adding back an accent hue to draw attention to points around the room.


4) Raise things up.  Even if your ceilings are only 8' high, there are several tricks to give the illusion of height in a room. Place window coverings above the windows so they seem taller. Use moldings and other architectural elements to raise the eye up - a crown, medallions for hanging fixtures, tall shelves to the ceiling.  Hang light fixtures slightly higher, and do the same with artwork. 

5) Make things function well. Need a desk, a table, some storage? Find or make a piece that performs all three functions and save space.  In dorms and apartments, a work desk usually becomes a dining table, and placed on a wall - possibly perpendicular - allows you to add shelving for books and office 'stuff' and still make the desk feel like a table. When looking for ways to divide a space - say the bed area from the sofa area - use open shelving that can house a TV, lighting, decorative and functional items, and look good doing so. Console tables can make ideal desks, and even dining tables. Backed up to an open backed sofa, creates a great dining area with instant seating. Using benches for seating around tables adds storage for quick access.

Favorite decor for June

I love to change accessories seasonally, especially when I prepare to use outdoor spaces for eating and entertaining. Here are some great finds for indoors and out to start your summer fun!

1) Lighting. This is a nice departure from traditional metal lanterns. Made of glazed ceramic, these lanterns can be hung, placed on a surface, and strung along the eaves of a covered porch. The light is soft and diffused and looks great against the tabletop or wall. From Pottery Barn.

2) Furniture: This is a great bench from Ballard Designs. It's scaled right for a narrow hallway or the foot of a bed.  In black and ivory, it works with most traditional decor. 

3) Planters: A treat from Horchow, these are incredibly nice and lightweight. Most poly planters are matte and in solid colors. These have a realistic ceramic-looking glaze and are light enough to move the pots around as your plants grow or the sunlight changes.

5) Accessories.  For summer, I love to introduce coral and cream. The seaside motif is a bonus since I think coral reef patterns are timeless classics.  These pillows are from WS Home. The wooden beads on the sand dollar pillow are really nice, and I do use them on a covered patio where there is no direct sunlight. Check out the pillows with a Seaside theme for other colors and patterns you may love.

 

6) Entertaining:  This is a fun set for any style home.   I'm the hostess that puts the condiments in individual bowls so I never put the remainder back into the bottle. These are brightly colored, look like the right size for a party, and they can be used year-round.

7) Tabletop: From Kim Seybert who is an extraordinary designer of luxury table linens and napkin rings. Since coral (the organism) is indicative of seaside and summer, setting the table with these napkin rings is both seasonal and elegant. Paired with all white dinnerware, you can be flexible with napkins or table runners.  Available in multiple bead colors.

Part 2 - Ten more ideas for updating your decor.

Last week I posted a list of ten ideas to update your decor, bring in a new element, or just to re-fresh your rooms.  Some are very simple and some for advanced do-it-yourself fans.  Here are ten more ideas to try for every room in your home. 

1) Add flowers.  There is something about a container of flowers that is refreshing.  Using a single type of bloom - whether they are orchids,  carnations or lilies - makes an elegant statement and really dresses up a room. The container you use, from a glass vase to a ceramic urn, will add to creating a new statement in your space.












2) Make a lighting change.  I always like to add light to rooms to vary how they feel. A simple candlestick lamp on a small table can brighten a dark corner.  One fabulous floor lamp keeps your tables clear but gives new life to your seating group. How about dropping a pendant over one of your tables? It does require wiring - or a swag cord -  but the effect of lifting light and not cluttering your surfaces is wonderful.




3) Create a focal point.  A new wall color in your room can make a bold or subtle statement and add a great element to the space. How about painting the "L" shape in the entry with a rich color that hints of the accessories that you use in the adjoining rooms? This taupe wall - with its floor mirror - is perfect for the clean lines of this living room.

4) Add detail.  Molding is a quick way to dress up doors, walls, windows and ceilings.  From hardware stores and lumberyards,  moldings are as inexpensive as $0.30 per foot. Creating a framework on a large wall, adding a chair rail to a dining room, and emphasizing a great window or fireplace with trim, will add drama and interest. Beef up the moldings you may have for a richer effect.

5) Blend your colors. For a dramatic change, remove multiple colors from your room by taking away bold pillows, accessories and other large items. Keep the colors remaining similar - even in accessories - for a great new look.  Monochromatic doesn't mean white and you can use shades of the same hue. Take a look at the warmth in this entry -living room in hues of orange-gold. 

6) Store it with finesse. Why have a piece of furniture with one use?  Instead of multiple chairs at a table, add a storage bench with a lift-up lid to tuck in the extra large bowls, napkins, and even summer dishware.  In this eating nook, a storage ottoman is also used as seating and as a tabletop with a tray.  

7) Create drama. In neutral rooms, add vibrant color in small doses.  From a piece of art on the wall, a collection of vases on a tabletop, or a great area rug, change a bland room in minutes. Here the neutral taupe and cream of this kitchen is a great backdrop for the lime green stools, accessories and lighting.

8) Re-purpose your pieces. Have a great old chest in your bedroom that you're tired of? Use it in an entry or hallway with new hardware.  With a coat of crackle paint and an apron added to the tub, this  bathroom was turned cottage chic with an old dresser. Even the top was kept and urethaned to protect from splashes.  Turn an old sewing table into a great powder room piece and add a vessel sink.  How about using the drawers from an old dresser as shelves?  You may have 2 pieces you can put together that will serve as the base for a new table or desk.

9) Bring outdoor elements in.  Plants make wonderful room decor and there are many living varieties that require low-light and little watering. Even a grapevine wreath pr a collection of faux topiary could work. I hesitate to recommend some fake plants since they look fake.  This space used plants in several areas, even as a room divider. They are a wonderful color and soft accent for this small space.

10) Create a new display. Using simple glass containers in a bath or kitchen to display necessities is a great look.  Purchase inexpensive glass apothecary jars for the bath and fill them with cotton balls, soaps, and bath salts.  The right cruet looks nice to hold bath gels. In the kitchen, Mason jars and old jam and jelly jars hold flour, salt, oatmeal, rice, etc. 

Part one - Ten Ideas for updating your decor.

We all like to make changes to our homes and apartments. It grounds us, gives us new perspective, and the changes we make are pleasing. Try a few of these ideas to change your decor.

1) Change your bed. A dramatic change to a bedroom is to add a headboard (see Blog 5/30/11 for ideas) for storage, interest and an architectural element.  It creates a great focal point, can be a place to use a new fabric in the room, and changes the feel of the space.

2) Re-arrange your art. We love to see personal collections but when you group styles and colors together, it creates a dramatic focal point. Have lots of family photos? Keep the colored prints in one area and the black and whites in another. Similar frames work to create continuity; it enables a gallery feel which is elegant yet enjoyable.

3) Add some elegance. When sprucing up a room, adding a bit of elegance can dress up the space and often highlight the style you have. Bring in an orchid plant for a large console or the coffee table. Have a great old bowl? Plant it there, allowing for plenty of drainage with gravel or decorative stones. A great candelabra can dress up a table or counter-top. Try a lace table runner on the kitchen table in a country home or a textured linen for a traditional space.

4) Bring in light. Add a great mirror to an entry, hallway, over a chest or dresser, and swap out a flat glued-to the-wall bath mirror with a framed one. This small change can have a huge impact.

5) Warm up the windows. Have drapes already? Add an organic feel with a natural woven blind. They can be elegant, casual and are wonderful to filter light. Change out your blinds to Roman Shades. It adds fabric, softness and an entirely new look.  Love your blinds? Add a great solid silk panel. Dupioni is not expensive, adds great texture and warms the windows instantly. 

6) Neutralize your fabrics. I love to see variations in prints, scale and colors but to create a real change, try a neutral look. Remove the print pillows and use textured ones in the colors of your sofa fabrics. Swap out colored pillows from your bed for all white. If you cannot tolerate solid colors, try stripes and dots, but keep them all in the same color palette. This bedroom was blue, green and beige and the change to blue was easy and dramatic.

7) Update your bedside. Get rid of the clutter and create an elegant, restful vignette. Store those books and magazines in a lidded wicker or printed paper box. It can tuck under the bed or nightstand for a clean look. Add a small plant - real is best - like an orchid, jade plant or small philodendron that is easy care and attractive. Stash your jewelry and other objects in a small box. 

8) Add some sparkle. In almost any style home, there is a place for some crystal beads, a pair of glimmering silver candlesticks, and even a collection of mercury vases. Try adding crystal votive holders, a collection of sparkling gemstone rocks, and even an assortment of glass jars filled with found objects. 

9) Dress up your coffee table. A great room opener and furniture reviver is to add glass or a mirrored panel to the center. It creates an entirely new look.

10) De-clutter. Rather than having the things you drop onto the kitchen counter, dresser top or entry console on display, collect them in a basket, tray, bowl, or other container that makes them easy to reach and more attractive to behold. Keeping mail and newspapers in a box or basket makes them easy to gather and transport to your office or reading chair, and contains them nicely.