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.

Dishwasher news you will love.

Doing the dishes is a fact of life.  You can make it easier - and stylish - while saving water and energy. New kitchen products are introduced annually, but it seems as though dishwashers are one of the most often upgraded appliances.
Check out the options and features on these new products.

Fisher Paykel has designed a single DishDrawer for small loads. A great solution for a one or two person household and those needing to wash smaller loads - kids baking projects come to mind.   Its height enables large pots, platters, plates, and bowls to be placed effortlessly into the drawer. The independently movable racks fit all sizes of cups and mugs or can be folded away to maximize space. Using less than 2 gallons of water, the DishDrawer is priced reasonably and installs easily.

Kitchen Aid's new version of their sink -dishwasher is Briva. Ideal for small households, a wet bar, or vacation home, it has the capacity for 5 place settings as well as large serving pieces and pots. Its lid pops up when the cycle is complete. The cutting board creates additional preparation space and the steel lid doubles as a place to rest hot pots.

Touted as the "world's most intelligent dishwasher", Miele just released Futura to the market.  With adjustable trays, baskets, and racks, the interior fittings are flexible, and their 3-D cutlery rack solves a host of washing issues. Computerized programs offer up to 16 washing cycles, adjust water temperature, monitor drying and save 35% more water than previous generations. An interior light turns on when loading and the auto open drying feature allows steam out and ambient air in.  Check out the features at http://www.mieleusa.com/. Its sleek styling is hard to resist but the cleaning capacity is awe-inspiring. 

Energy saving ideas for lighting.

With energy costs and concerns ever-increasing, and our global awareness of sustainability and eco-friendly design how can you be cost conscious and still have great design?   

An energy-saving lighting design for an historic home.

Some incandescent and CFL bulb

The simplest way to make immediate changes is to purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) that can be screwed into existing light fixtures.   CFL's come a variety of styles from chandelier shaped bulbs with small bases, to regular "A" base incandescent bulbs (IB), to the reflector shapes found in recessed fixtures.   As far as cost, they are no longer many times more expensive than IB's.  Combine that with the fact that they last up to 10 times longer, and you are saving time as well as money. You can keep your existing  fixtures and light your rooms in style for less. NOTES:  A 13 watt CFL - using 104 kilowatts - is the equivalent to a 60 Watt IB - using 480 kilowatts. Home Depot does recycle CFL's in their stores.

Another easy way to save money, add ambiance, and a great look on your walls is to use sleek dimmers instead of existing switches. Made by www.lutron.com, they are sold at most hardware and big box stores. You can also install their occupancy and vacancy sensors and see the benefits in energy use and functional use immediately. They can be retrofitted in the space occupied by regular switches or installed without wires at all.  Check out their room, lamp and whole home lighting systems for long-term design planning, energy efficiency and cost savings.

When remodeling, building or doing a major upgrade - particularly where local codes require energy savings - you can install CFL recessed fixtures that meet code in kitchen and bath design. Many well-known lighting manufacturers offer hanging and wall mounted fixtures in either fluorescent or incandescent bulbs so you can select either style.  Long -term, light emitting diodes (LED) are more energy saving, longer lasting, and are available in many styles including recessed or can fixtures, under cabinet task fixtures, and puck style lights. 

ADA compliant lighting is both gorgeous and energy-saving.

When in doubt, contact a lighting design professional. We want you to have the right light for your rooms and tasks while saving energy!