Ten Ways To Add Style For Under $100

It's not hard to add style or freshen up your home even if you're on a budget. Just like with your wardrobe, you can refresh your style with a new accessory, adding color, and mixing things up a bit.

1. Freshen up with a pattern. You can do this with draperies, an ottoman, pillows, accessories, and so much more.  Do you have solid colors? Bring in florals, stripes, and prints. Got stripes? Add a vine pattern. A rule of thumb in pattern matching is to watch the scale; mix a small pattern with the large and vice versa instead of keeping everything the same size. Keep the colors similar to make it easy or use complementary colors - opposites on the color wheel - for drama.

2. Bring in a new accessory in a different color or shape and make it a focal point. Blue and white is classic and timeless. Most discount stores have bowls, candlesticks and canisters for under $25. It will truly make a statement and add a bit of glamour. How about a fabulous mercury glass vase? Take a look at Target, HomeGoods, and Marshalls for pieces under $20. Come check out our San Diego showroom. 

3. Update a light fixture. If you can't stand what you have - bath bar fixtures are easy to DIY -  and refinishing with spray paint - as in an old brass chandelier transformed to bold red -  is not a good option, you can find nice fixtures in any style at www.LampsPlus.com

4. Bring in some new pillows.  This alone could completely change the look of your living room or bedroom. Almost all of the big-box stores have great selections for  $17-$25 each. I went shopping with my client at IKEA and found fabulous options for under $15. You can purchase just the pillow cover and use the fill that you already have.

5. Add to throw to your bed, sofa, or your favorite lounge chair. For about $25, a wonderful textured throw will keep you cozy and make a chair or bed more inviting. I found some fabulous faux furs at www.Amazon.com and know that they'll make a great gift.

6. Paint an accent wall or a piece of furniture in a new color. You can buy 'oops' paint for five dollars a gallon at Home Depot. Whether you already have the chair, nightstand, or find from a garage sale, changing just one piece will make a style statement.  

7. Set your dining table. Having your favorite dishes on display will make you feel wonderful. Mix them up for a creative and personal style. Place seasonal greens or findings – like acorns, pine boughs, leaves or pinecones - in a bowl or tray in the center. Add a candle or two and you'll create a beautiful display. 

8. Add candles to table tops, your credenza, the mantle and even bookshelves. There's just something about a candle that provides terrific ambiance. Use flameless candles since they don't need a candleholder, they're safe, and the realistic waxes look good by themselves. There always seem to be good options at www.Amazon.com.

9. Bring in something metallic.  I love mercury glass, and the new votive holders in my shop are under $5. Pillows with beading are a fabulous way to add silver or gold and be festive for the holidays. One of my favorite ways to add sparkle is with a bowl full of silver or gold ornaments. For about $6 you can get a pack at a craft store like Michaels. Mix in potpourri, greenery, to create a pleasing and seasonal display.

10.  Rearranging your furniture is a freebie. Reposition the largest piece of furniture first work in your other pieces. That alone should make a big difference in how your room feels. Even swapping tables or nightstand from living room to bedroom and vice versa can create a totally different style.

Lighting Design Tips

In 1879 Edison invented the incandescent light bulb and it changed the way we live. What was once an invention for practicality, has become a way to improve our living spaces, create mood, and add drama.  Lighting design is a key element of a comfortable home, combining the functional aspects, use for entertaining and relaxing, and being energy conscious in the fixtures and type of bulbs used. When you're selecting a fixture you are buying LIGHT, not 'a light'. 

Hiding the fixtures works in this powder room,
since it's not used often.  Quite a unique view in
lieu of a mirror!

While light sources behave in predictable ways - the beam spreads of fixtures are directly related to the housing, shades and bulbs used - the size of the room, its color, and what the purpose of the room and its contents are, all have a role to play in good lighting design.  You wouldn't light a small powder room in the same way as you would a master bath suite,  just like you wouldn't use a kitchen pendant while you watch a movie in a joined great room. So, what is the key to a good lighting plan?  First is balancing task, ambient and general lighting.  Next is the position of the fixture you select.  Finally, the size, type of bulb, and style of the fixture are important. Last, be sure to consider lighting controls.

Layered lighting works best for open plan kitchens. 

1. Balance: Many people make the mistake of adding just task lights to their spaces, and forget general and accent lighting.  The right fixtures can have multiple roles, especially with the use of lighting controls, dimmers and sensors for occupancy and vacancy. For example, wall sconces with low wattage incandescent bulbs are fabulous accent lights. When a higher output CFL is used to ensure that the wattage remains under 60 for the fixture, they can serve as reading, task and even ambient lights.  Why hang a wall sconce upwards just to wash a wall when you can position it downward and light more of the room? Dimming a high output-low wattage CFL can make the sconce an accent light for the fireplace, and at full power, a reading light for the fireside chair.   One of the least well-it spaces are bathrooms. The single over-the-mirror bath fixture is the most commonly seen. Uggh.   Nothing is worse than seeing a shadow under your eyes and chin that is actually caused by the lighting. Wall sconces and a few recessed fixtures create cross-illumination, better coverage for personal tasks like applying make-up and shaving, and ideal lighting for bathing and dressing. Don't forget to add dimmers so your lighting can be soft and subdue when you enjoy a relaxing soak! 

Yes, even a dining room can use layered lighting.  here the buffet

lamps add accent light while the twin chandeliers dim for dining and

go full power for game playing.

2. Position:  So, you added a bank of recessed fixtures to the kitchen but hate the result.  Could be that those fixtures throw light on the floor, the cabinets, or an area that doesn't work for you.  You don't want to create shadows or glare.  In living rooms, putting them directly overhead can be very annoying. Sometimes all that needs adjusting is the housing, but consider what you are illuminating before adding them.  Even the right place for a chandelier can make or break your enjoyment at the dining table.  Are those sconces showing the right area or useless in lighting the space.

3. Size: Be sure that the scale of your fixture is right for the space. It's less desirable to have a tiny chandelier in a large space than it is to be dramatic with a large one in a small space. Knowing the size of your room, table or wall, will be a good guide to what fits.

A fixture that fits the table, and is dropped the right
height, is both beautiful and functional.

4. Bulbs: With the need for energy conscious lighting, LED and compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) are more available and with a range of options. Know what color you want....is a white light desired or do you love the warm, yellow light produced by the now-defunct incandescent bulbs?  The wattage consumed by both LED and CFL is dramatically lower than incandescent bulbs, but their light output is high, so select what you need unless they can be dimmed.

5. Controls: I love dimmers. You can make your builder-installed recessed lighting  soft and warm by putting them on a dim setting. Sensors are fabulous for both interior and exterior lighting.  Why come up to a dark entry or even bedroom?  Exterior light sensors are often built into the fixture, or you can purchase and adapter that screws into the socket and turns on as it gets dark.  Wall switches with timers are great ideas. You can install them and set for 30 days so you never have a dark home even when you're on vacation. Lamp timers are simple to plug in, and can be set with multiple on-off settings. I always recommend occupancy and vacancy sensors for closets, garages, hallways, laundry rooms and spaces used by children.  Home automation systems are fabulous, and can be as simple as a single room control or as extensive as the whole house. 

Using a professional with lighting design experience can give you the best 'bang for your buck' whether you are remodeling, moving, building a new home, or just updating what you have. 

One of the most important design elements is lighting. Without  it, the spaces designed don't function well and focal points and accents are lost.  Here are some ideas for lighting specific rooms. 

1) Kitchen.  This is the most important space to light properly. Many builders use large, recessed can lights over-lighting the room throwing and shadows on work surfaces. The best lighting ( be sure to use fixtures and lamping that complies with your local code) is to place recessed fixtures slightly away from the cabinet faces, so the beam of light is thrown onto the counter and into the walkways.  LED under cabinet fixtures are a fantastic way to get task lighting, with low profiles that are nearly completely concealed.  Tucking puck lights into glass-fronted cabinets provides accent light and night lighting as well. LED strip lighting under toe kicks and in crown molding accents and provides mood lighting. Pendant for islands, peninsulas and tables are a great lighting solution that adds artistry to functionality.Be sure to use the right number and scale. 

2) Bathrooms. Whether it's a master bath suite or a shared hallway bathroom, the lighting needs to address the requirements of all users. I do trans-generational lighting whenever possible. What does that mean? Many couples buy a home, start a family and raise them there. Both they and their children age and have different lighting needs over time. Start with a good ambient light for the overall space.  Add task lighting for vanities, showers, toilet areas, soak tubs, and specialty areas for make-up and health related tasks. Recessed and flush mounted fixtures are practical and provide excellent ambient light. Wall sconces that shine light down and across the wall or mirror are better than 'bath bar' lighting, but can be challenging to wire in small spaces. Accent lighting can be incorporated into cabinetry.

3) Living and dining rooms.  Lighting should multi-functional, keeping in mind that reading and entertaining are likely done there. For living rooms, ambient light is easily provided with table and floor lamps, which serve dual function as task lighting. Since these rooms are often joined, a well-scaled pendant over the dining room table can also provide light for the living room.  Wall sconces are nice in either room, flanking a fireplace, a piece of art, a focal point piece or a mirror, and even lighting a dark corner.  Hanging a dramatic chandelier over and end-table is an updated look in lieu of lamps.  Accent lighting can take many forms, from a decorative fixture to lighting in moldings and cabinetry. 

4) Family and play rooms. With TV watching, reading, meeting, playing and relaxing all in one room, the lighting needs are very diverse. From dim lights for movies and TV to bright lights for playtime and homework, layered lighting is a must. Many family rooms have focal points of fireplaces, entertainment units, and even a combination of both. Place lighting first to light the general space, then where tasks are -  reading, eating, homework - and add decorative accent lighting as a final touch. Lamps deliver both ambient and task lighting with the ability to move light as needed. Clip on lights and small mounted lights can be used for bookcases, desk lights, piano lamps and even for artwork. If your room has a focal point, be sure to accent it - down-lights can be focused on a great fireplace, and shelf lights can highlight an entertainment center. Game tables generally require good task lights and pendants and chandeliers are a good choice.


5) Hallways and entries:  For safe and easy access, hallways should be well-lit. Recessed lighting is great for good floor coverage, so the width and length of a hall have adequate light. Wall sconces work well too, depending upon their placement. If your entry or hallway has the space, table lamps provide a decorative element when used on a console or hall table.  Dark hallways can benefit from solar tubes - depending upon the structure of your roof-line. Consider lighting for night if the hallway must be traveled for bathroom use.

In any lighting scenario use dimmers, low wattage bulbs (like compact fluorescent) and smart placement for the best results. Consulting a professional lighting designer is wise to maximize your lighting and conserve energy at the same time; not to mention having a beautiful aesthetic.

Creative lighting tips to cut costs without cutting light.

LED can be warm .

We're all concerned with spending too much on our lighting bills, and more people are have environmental concerns regarding lighting and energy use.  Here are some tips to keep your home well lit using energy saving alternatives that are also good for the environment.

1) Use fluorescent bulbs. They're nothing like the old style blue flickering bulbs of years past. New bulbs have a warm color and look more natural. Higher output in lumens per watt give you options for brightness, and they last up to 50,000 hours. 

2)Try LED's where you need task light. Again, the old style LED bulbs were blue and cool. New ones have color rendering (CRI) options that provide soft, warm light, with high energy efficiency.  B

The right positions are key to kitchen lighting.

3) Use dimmers to control light output when the highest power is too much. Dimmers from Lutron and Leviton are available at big box stores for about $20. 

4) Install occupancy or vacancy sensors. Never worry about turning off hallway, closet, bath, kid's room and garage lights again. With a vacancy sensor, you can have lights automatically turn off 5-15 minutes after the last person leaves the space. Occupancy sensors are even better; they turn on lights as people enter a room, and then automatically shut off when no one is present.

5) Position lights well. If the center of the room is lit and the walls aren't, it seems a little foreboding and less pleasant.  Be sure your task lights reflect the counter or mirror, etc. and don't throw shadows.

6) Give extra thought to kitchen and bath lighting types and placement.  The extra care will enable the spaces to look good and function well for prepping, relaxing and more.

A great place for an occupancy sensor.

How to design your powder room.

Powder rooms are a unique space in the home. While they're a bathroom, they are typically off the main hallway or rooms of a home, so you have an opportunity to be expressive and dramatic.  Despite the small space, using intense colors, themes and lighting is fabulous rather than restrictive, since the room is meant to be used for brief periods and not to get dressed or apply makeup.  Bold, dramatic light fixtures are OK as are going 'over the top' with deep tones and large scale lighting.  

Wall treatments: If you love the glamour of metallics and your home is traditional, don't be afraid to use a striking wall covering. If your living room is too small for a richly textured old world finish, it's OK to do it in the powder room.  Do the ceiling too.

Lighting: Bold, sparkly, over-sized and deeply shaded fixtures. Under counter lighting sets a wonderful tone, and if you use the right material (glass, onyx, acrylics) you can even light the counter.

Cabinetry: Unusual pieces, re-purposed furnishings, exotic materials and woods. I love using re-claimed logs as counters, and even scoop out the center of large pieces of lumber to create the sink.

Tile: For me, this is not a room that needs a backsplash. You're not washing up in that room. GO ahead and tile the whole back wall. Make it a textured, iridescent or unusual material.

Plumbing:  A hands-free faucet is ideal. Go for the bold and artistic. Use a great wall hung toilet, a no-tank model, or a unique color toilet.

 Mirrors: Use one or not.  Bold frames, large scale, interesting glass. All work well.

 

Lighting for every room.

One of the most important design elements is lighting. Without  it, the spaces designed cannot have function and focal points and accents are lost.  In any lighting scenario use dimmers, low wattage bulbs (like compact fluorescent) and smart placement for the best results. Consulting a professional lighting designer is wise to maximize your lighting and conserve energy at the same time; not to mention having a beautiful aesthetic.


Here are some ideas for lighting specific rooms. 

1) Kitchen.  To me, this is the most important space to light properly. Rather than banks of large recessed can lights that over-light the room throw shadows on work surfaces,  place, fewer smaller recessed fixtures  so the beam of light is thrown onto the counter and  walkways.  LED fixtures are a fantastic way to get task lighting, with low profiles that are nearly completely concealed.  Tucking pucks into glass-fronted cabinets provides accent lighting. Pendant for islands, peninsulas and tables are always a good solution. The longer the space, the larger scale the fixture should be and you can use more than one.

2) Bathrooms. Whether it's a master bath suite or a shared hallway bathroom, the lighting must be good for all users.  Start with a good ambient light for the overall space.  Add task lighting for make-up and health related tasks. Recessed flush mounted fixtures are practical and provide excellent ambient light. Wall sconces that shine light down are better than 'bath bar' lighting. Accent lighting needs to be creative and you should look at the architectural elements and cabinetry for your cues. Semi-flush mounted fixtures are good in bathrooms since ceiling heights may not allow for a chandelier, but you can have a dropped effect.

3) Living and dining rooms.  For entertaining, lighting should be warm, soft, and dramatic.  For living rooms, ambient light can be provided with table and floor lamps, which serve dual function as reading and task light. A well-scaled pendant over the dining room table can also provide light for the living room.  Wall sconces are nice in either room, flanking a fireplace, a piece of art, a focal point piece or mirror.  Hanging a fun chandelier over and end-table is an option to using a lamp.  Accent lighting can take many forms, from a decorative fixture to lighting in moldings and cabinetry. 

4) Family and play rooms.  From dimming lights for movies and TV to bright lights for playtime and homework, layered lighting is a must.  Place lighting first for the general space, then where tasks are -  reading, eating, homework - and add decorative accent lighting as a final touch. Lamps deliver both ambient and task lighting with the ability to move light as needed. Clip-on lights can be used for bookcases, desk lights, piano lamps and even for artwork. If your room has a focal point, be sure to accent it. Game tables generally require good task lights and pendants and chandeliers are a good choice.














5) Hallways and entries:  For safe and easy access, hallways should be well-lit. Recessed lighting is great so the width and length of a hall have adequate light. Wall sconces work well depending upon their placement. If your entry or hallway has the space, table lamps provide a decorative element when used on a console or hall table.  Dark hallways can benefit from solar tubes - depending upon the structure of your roof-line. Consider lighting for night if the hallway must be traveled for bathroom use.