Lighting 101

Last night I was at a ladies night out and got into a discussion with a friend of mine about lamps (technically known as portables).  She had been out shopping for a coordinating set of table and floor lamps, but became quickly overwhelmed by the price and lack of variety.  This started a conversation among the group about lighting in general.  I very quickly realized that very few people knew or understood the basics of lighting.  The bottom line is that no matter how expensive or stylish your light fixture is, the functionality is truly defined by what light bulb you use.  Most people think that the higher the wattage the bulb, the higher the light output thus creating more light.  That is the biggest misconception.  So let's go back to the basics on what you need to know when choosing a light bulb.

Light bulb 101


Types of Bulbs - 

incandescent,
traditional bulb

Compact Fluorescent Lamp

Halogen

L.E.D

Lumens - measurement of the flow of light from the bulb

Wattage - the consumption of electric power

Kelvin temperature - colour temperature (2700 warm incandescent, 5000-6500 daylight,   2000 candles or combustion)

So what do the above definitions tell us?  First, if we want a brighter light we need a bulb with higher lumens.  Second, if we want a light that is more efficient and uses less power, we need a bulb with lower wattage.  Third, if we want a nice warm traditional yellow glow, we need to use a bulb with a lower kelvin temperature.  And if we want a bright white light that gives a cooler feel, we need to use a bulb with a higher kelvin temperature that will mimic daylight.  The good news is that you can now buy incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and and L.E.D bulbs all with different ranges of lumens, wattage and kelvin temperature.  Essentially the sky is the limit.  If you go to your local hardware store and look at any name brand box you will be able to find all the above information.  So before you throw out your current fixture because it's not giving out enough light, visit the light bulb aisle, it's amazing what you might find.  

Of course if your light fixture or lamp is old, ugly and totally out of style, then that's another story!  Then it will be time to go shopping.

Windows with Style

Everyday people are trying to make their house different and more original then the next.  Ultimately, we are all trying to make houses into homes by creating spaces that reflect our own individual personal style.  Really, no two people are totally the same so why should our houses be?  

Last week I was in a clients home doing a design consultation.  They are currently at the finishings stage and needed some help choosing paint, flooring, countertops, etc.  As I was visiting their custom new build home I noticed something quite unique.  They had all wood windows (including sills) in a dark coffee stain with contrasting white casings and trim.  It was a stunning contrast!  It gave the windows an extra level of depth as well as lending to the overall beauty of the the finishing in the home.  

I attached some photos of some homes off of HOUZZ that showcase the beauty and style of a contrasting window. 

Woodside Residence

http://www.artisticdesignsforliving.com

Feldman Architecture

http://www.feldmanarchitecture.com/

KH Window Fashions, Inc.

The ease of e-Decorating

Do you want to redecorate your space, but don't know where to start?  Are you looking for a design plan and some direction, but don't have the availability to be face to face with a decorator? Then e-Decorating is right for you!  e-Decorating is a virtual process that helps in pulling together a complete room simply through email.  

First you will fill out my detailed questionnaire and send me dimensions and pictures of the space you want decorated. Once I receive all of that, I will put together a design tailored specifically to your lifestyle, budget and style. My e-Decorating packages include:

• Design boards full of images, furniture and accessory options, design advice all catered to your style.
• A detailed shopping list of everything included on the design boards with links directly to online retailers where you can purchase your new products.
• A floor plan complete with all the furniture and accessory items designed for your space.

See photos for an example of e-Decorating design board and associated floor plan.

Kitchen / Dining Room Design Plan

Living Room Design Board

Floor Plan with Furniture and Accessories

Windows fit for a Queen...

Everyone needs interior decorating help... sometimes even a cat.  

In the field of decorating and design, clients come to you because they want a stylish, comfortable, yet functional home.  More often then not, they also come to you because they have some sort of limitation or special consideration that needs to be looked at during the design of the space.  Maybe the arrival of a new baby, possibly a change from working out of the home to working at home, or even the unexpected arrival of teenagers back from University when they run out of money.  The possibilities are truly endless.





Chloe, the million dollar cat



So let me introduce you to my latest design dilemma, Chloe (name changed to protect identity of the cat).  She is a very unique cat.  Along with all the usual kitten shenanigans, Chloe likes to chew on blind cords.  So that is where I came in.  Fortunately, there is quite a few products on the market that are kid and pet friendly.  Looking to balance function and style, we decided to do a combination of window coverings throughout the house.



SHADE-O-MATIC polysatin shutters in white



Shutters at the front of the house provided great variance of function, as well as further enhancing the curb appeal of the house.  The large windows were installed with a divider rail, which allowed for the top half of the window to be left open while the bottom half could be closed.  The shutters were also installed in the two-storey entryway and stairway.  With the help of a six foot extension pole, the shutters can be easily operated from below.  The customization and overall style of the shutters turned out perfect for the master bedroom, staircase, entry and home office.  As it turns out Chloe even likes them.  She has already figured out how to open them with her paws so she can check out what's the latest on the street.

Hunter Douglas Silhouette window shadings in white

When designing window coverings for the rest of the house we had to consider the need for privacy to address the close proximity of neighbours, the desire for different levels of light control for all the multipurpose spaces, and the craving for softness in a space that already has a lot of hard lines and surfaces.  Silhouette window shadings helped us achieve everything on our list.  As you can see by the attached photo, they can give sunlight a style of it's own.  Additionally, they can be fully raised to disappear into the fabric-covered headrail or lowered and tilted to accomplish virtual room darkness and privacy.  All the Silhouettes were installed with a PowerRise motor system to allow for easy operation with absolutely no cords.  As of today, Chloe has not figured out how to operate the remotes, but I'm sure that phone call will eventually come.

I am looking forward to working with Chloe again in the future, while she continues to drive her owners to redecorate their home while also considering the needs of their million dollar cat.