Lighten Up! Interior Design and Home Decorating Lighting Tips

“Tips to help you select the perfect light for your room.”
Part II

Before you choose a light, you may want to know some basic terminology used in selecting and measuring light. Four terms or units of measurement of light are footcandles, candelas, lumens, and footlamberts.

FOOTCANDLES:
Footcandles (fc) is the amount of light hitting a surface. Specifically, one footcandle equals the illumination produced by the source of one candle falling on one square foot of surface at a distance of one foot from the source of light.

The amount of light (or fc) that a space should have depends on the task to be performed in the illuminated area and the age of the person using the space (as we age we typically need more light to perform certain tasks). For example a dining area may only require around 10-20 footcandles, while in the home office you may want 100 footcandles or more.

CANDELAS/ CANDLEPOWER:
Candlepower describes how intense light output will be in a certain direction or at a specific point. Candlepower distribution curves are available from most lamp manufacturers and can help you determine how to ensure that the appropriate level of brightness is delivered in you room.

LUMENS:
Lamps are typically rated by manufacturers in terms of lumens, or the amount of light output from that lamp. Lumens are also used to measure efficacy (the amount of lumens produced per watt of electricity consumed). One of the reasons many people switch from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs is because the fluorescent bulbs have a higher efficacy (they produce more light).

FOOTLAMBERTS:
Much of the lighting in a space is actually contributed by light reflected from a surface. Footlamberts (fL) measure the amount of light reflected from a surface. If you want to get really technical, (fL= fc x % reflectance). For example, if 100fc reach a wall or table that is painted with a 40% reflective surface, then 40fL will reflect from that surface.

Regardless of what type of home you reside in, whether it be a condo in the city, an apartment on the edge of town or you simply just want to decorate the smaller rooms inside of your home; interior design can be a challenge in this type of environment because of the limited space and options. However, you can still maintain a sense of style without requiring a large area of space, because essentially it is only one room that you are decorating; right? If you keep things simple and organized, home decor selection for small rooms can be easy!

If you take the right design approach, you can simplify the decorating process and make it so that the room seems larger than it really is, once the process is all said and done. Focusing on organization and storage will help you create an atmosphere that is not only functional and elemental, but also very structured or random depending on which way you wanted to take it. In some cases, randomness in room construction can make for an interesting design process.

Take into consideration the following when preparing your plan for the room:

A small room must have plenty of lighting because this really helps to visually open up space. If it is possible, consider a built-in lighting structure such as track or recessed elements. If this is not a possibility or is overbudget, use small accent lamps to light up the corners.

Coordinate your palette and the room will come together by itself. Keep in mind the above mentioned techniques and just have fun with it!

Interior Decoration with Votive and Candle Holders

Candles are one thing that bring instant feel of romanticism as soon as they are lighted. What’s better than wrought iron candle holders to decorate your interiors then. Have a look at what kinds of votive and candle holders are available there for you and how can you illuminate your home interiors with style.

There are smaller sized wall candle holders that generally hold only one candle. They are available in various amazing twisted and curled shapes to match any of the room’s decor. There are certain wrought iron candle holders that have mirrors behind them giving distinctive artful appearance and, not to mention, more of light when illuminated. You can even find wall sconces in a bird cage which looks like a housing for the candle, giving it a unique look. Bring it home to make your home decor unique too. As far as size of these holders are concerned, you can find them for almost any size of candle- from votive to larger pillar candles. What more, if you think that a single candle holder is not sufficient in your large room, get them in pairs. They come in a large variety of pairs. And if, anyhow, you don’t get satisfied with a pair, go for larger holders that can hold from two to upto sixteen or more candles. Celebrate the joy of lights right at your home! If you want something different, go for decorative plate candle holders to set your pillar candles. Bring a candle holder shaped like a small lamp. It will add soft light to any room, best suited for your bedroom. Fascinated by floating candles? Choose one from many fancy wrought iron bowls as your candle holder or buy a candle in a jar with an ornamental lid.

After installing, don’t forget to keep your wrought iron candle holders clean and pretty for lifelong experience of art and beauty.

5 Hot Interior Design Ideas For Decorating Small Rooms

Regardless of what type of home you reside in, whether it be a condo in the city, an apartment on the edge of town or you simply just want to decorate the smaller rooms inside of your home; interior design can be a challenge in this type of environment because of the limited space and options. However, you can still maintain a sense of style without requiring a large area of space, because essentially it is only one room that you are decorating; right? If you keep things simple and organized, home decor selection for small rooms can be easy!

If you take the right design approach, you can simplify the decorating process and make it so that the room seems larger than it really is, once the process is all said and done. Focusing on organization and storage will help you create an atmosphere that is not only functional and elemental, but also very structured or random depending on which way you wanted to take it. In some cases, randomness in room construction can make for an interested design process.

Take into consideration the following steps when preparing your plan for the room:

1. Focus on the desired functionality of the room. Use this as the foundation for which you will build upon with furniture, artwork, accessories, etc.

2. Choose furniture and decorative items by size and position, to ensure that the room is not cluttered and remains organized.

3. Find furnishings that serve multiple purposes, which will help improve your storage capacity (such as end tables with drawers, sleeper sofas, etc.) and increase the functionality of the room as a whole.

4. Place accent pieces in areas that highlight your room’s color theme, such as corners and around windows. Avoid placing items directly in front of the wall, but rather accent the outside portion of the room, making it seem bigger.

5. A small room must have plenty of lighting because this really helps to visually open up space. If it is possible, consider a built-in lighting structure such as track or recessed elements. If this is not a possibility or is overbudget, use small accent lamps to light up the corners.

Coordinate your palette and the room will come together by itself. Keep in mind the above mentioned techniques and just have fun with it!

Mary Elizabeth Beal is not just the founder of Trend Funnel, she is also an experienced Interior Design Consultant. Mary graduated with a bachelors degree in Interior Design from the FIDER accredited School of Architecture at the University of Florida. She has 8 years of design, decorating, and visual merchandising experience in both residential and commercial retail design.

So go ahead… ask her a question! Or, if you see advice offered below and feel you can do better- go right ahead! We are certain that the person who asked will appreciate your advice as well. After all… design, like art, is in the eye of the beholder!

Use the revolutionary 3-Step Trend Funnel® Method to shop for unique home decor items, furniture, artwork, accessories and more all from one complete source!

Our team of experienced PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN and HOME DECORATION SPECIALISTS search high and low to offer you decor that fits your desired theme.

What To Expect When You Hire An Interior Designer

Despite the common assumption that using the services of a professional interior designer is unaffordable to most of us, choosing this option can offer savings in the long run. But have you ever wondered what’s involved in the entire process of house interior design?

Phase one involves gathering and analyzing information and making all the necessary preparations before starting the actual design job. You must formulate a detailed home interior design program that will be customized towards your individual needs and objectives, as well as the size and relationship between spaces and a host of other considerations that will affect how you live in your home. If you hire an interior designer for the job, he or she will analyze your home and determine the best positioning of the furniture and spaces within to capture views and sunlight. During this first phase, the budget and schedule will also be estimated.

The second phase goes under the sign of conceptual brainstorming and exploration. It starts with the creation of a concept diagram of the house interior and several rough design sketches. During this period, designers (hired by you) will come up with the general layout, form and overall appearance of the house’s interior. When the layout, size and character of the house are refined, designers focus on the different interior elements such as stairs, fireplaces, cabinetry, and built-in furniture. To help describe some of the important technical details, different drawings will be prepared. Once this stage is finished, 70 to 80 percent of the actual house interior design work will be finished.

The next phase is called Construction Documentation and during this period, the house interior design is translated into a technical language used by the contractor. Working Drawings and specifications are made that outline in detail all of the materials that will be used, where they will be positioned and how they will be installed. Despite the fact that this stage is mostly intended for working out the technical aspects of the project, some design work also takes place. Furthermore, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, and finish materials such as carpet, paint colors and tile are also selected.

In the Bidding and Negotiation phase, you will receive bids from different contractors that will do the actual work. The designers you work with have a list of contractors for hire. You will be able to review their bids and negotiate the different proposals.

The last phase of the house interior design process is the actual making (construction). During this stage, interior designers will answer questions, review submittals and shop drawings and review monthly certificates of payment that are submitted by the contractor. The very final selections of fixtures and finishes are also done here. Once this stage is completed, the entire house will be thoroughly inspected to guarantee that everything is done as it should.

Where are Interior Design Trends Headed in 2009?

Do you want to know about new home interior trends for 2009? Quite possibly you’re getting your house ready for sale, relocating to a new office complex, building a custom property, or just requiring a scenery change. There are a lot of tastes, styles, and themes when it comes to interior design. There are some definite trends coming into being today where builders are letting their clients have so many more customizable options than in the past. Teaming efficiency in energy, and prudence tastefully, this year, open floor plans will most likely continue to be just as popular.

During the 1800s to early 1900s, houses were special. Large family homes were divided up inside to create distinct zones and areas. For example, the bedrooms of the family were located upstairs, while practical servant’s quarters were found near the kitchen on the lower level floors. On the first floor there was usually a powder room and on the second floor there was usually a private bathroom connected to the parents’ master bedroom. So parents could have some relief and privacy, the children were located down a hallway in a quarter of the home that was separate. There might have been a carriage house for guests or in-laws. This home interior trend is popular again for 2009, with two or three bedroom suites and extra bathrooms being more popular. Wanting a quiet place in the home, purchasers are requesting the children’s bedrooms on one side of the house, and the in-laws or parents on the other side. These suites are normally in an isolated part of the house with 300 to 400 square feet with a full bath and maybe a sitting room.

Family spaces should continue to be popular through 2009, according to home interior experts. Today having the family room and kitchen to the back of the house, referred to as rear living, is becoming the norm, so that mom can cook and watch the kids playing in the family room or she can keep an eye on the kitchen but still entertain guests in the living room. A lot of modern designs have less walls in common rooms with an “open concept” feel. Half walls that join dining rooms, dens, and kitchens are popular. Moreover, the European idea of backyard living rooms has finally arrived in America, bringing with it such amenities as full outdoor kitchens, brick ovens for pizza and bread, fire pits, chandeliers, even artwork and comfortable furniture all beneath a covered overhang.

Home interior designers usually look to create a sense of timelessness. Blue and greens are popular in rooms like bedrooms because they offer a calming feeling. Many times designers employ bright hues in their kitchen interior designs, such as startling splashes of yellow, red, and orange, as they are often centers that are very busy. There is a lot of versatility with living rooms from white and modern to elegant and dark. Bathrooms are designed to feel like a spa with light coming through crystal blocks, rich browns with accents in pastels, and peaceful hues on the floor tiles. A custom design will pull all of the rooms together for a unified feeling.

History of Plantation Shutters as an Interior Window Covering

The traditional elegance of plantation shutters has made them a classy alternative to curtains or blinds. Plantation shutters have a clean-cut look and have become popular among homeowners searching for an attractive alternative to curtains or blinds. These interior window coverings block out light effectively and look attractive, so it’s no surprise that more homeowners are installing interior shutters in their homes.

When did people start using plantation shutters in their homes? The name may imply that plantation shutters first came into existence during the mid 1800s when plantation houses became popular throughout the southern United States. However, the history of such interior window treatments can be traced back to ancient Greece.

Plantation shutters have remained popular through the ages for their aesthetic appeal and characteristics. These shutters offer many benefits such as:

Benefits of Plantation Shutters:
– They are long lasting
– They help improve ventilation
– They offer light control
– They are easy to clean
– They offer insulation

Interior Window Shutters Were Commonly Used by the Ancient Greeks:
Since glass was not invented until around 3000 B.C., the Greeks used shutters to keep out pests, control light and offer additional protection and privacy. The Ancient Greeks had interior shutters, similar to plantation shutters, constructed from marble. This made the shutters strong and durable, much like interior shutters of today. However, the ancient Greeks had louvers that were not movable, while today plantation shutters have louvers that are movable, which allows homeowners to control the amount of light that enters their home.

Introducing the Modern Plantation Shutter:
By the 18th and 19th century, American architects used Greek architecture to inspire their designs. Elements of Greek architecture found its way into banks, office buildings and government buildings as well as plantation mansions. Just like the ancient Greeks, Plantation owners used shutters to control light and ventilation while adding privacy and security.

The Benefits of Plantation Shutters:
Although plantation homes may be fading, plantation shutters are becoming increasingly popular. These plantation window shutters are no longer limited to grand, Southern mansions and homeowners with any style of home can benefit from installing such window treatments.

These shutters are elegant and enhance the beauty of any home while allowing the homeowner to control the amount of light that flows into any room. Lastly, they can reduce your electricity bill by insulating your home in the winter and blocking out the sun’s heat during the summer.

Personalizing your Plantation Shutters:
Plantation shutters can be custom made to meet your desires. You can have a plantation shutter built to almost any size, shape or color. For example, you can order shutters in a range of colors, such as cotton, pearl, vanilla or sandstone. You can also order louver sizes that range from 2.5 to 4.5 inches to compliment the size of your windows.

Plantation shutter styling is a classy and long lasting interior window treatment solution that adds privacy and elegance to any home. Interior plantation shutters are an attractive and wise investment for both traditional and contemporary homes and increase the resale value of your home.

Creating a Unique Interior Design Style of Your own

There are many unique looks within the field of home interior design. There are styles that suit everyone, from the elaborate Art Deco to the simple and minimalist modern look. Many times we find that our houses are furnished in a variety of styles. Because it can be a daunting task to coordinate the home yourself, many people enjoy hiring a professional interior design company to transform their home.

Have you ever stood in a room that just grabbed you? Giving you an overwhelming sense of happiness and peace as soon as you enter? What is it that causes you to feel this way? It is the furniture, the drapes, the colors, the rugs, or the architecture? Every home interior professional seeks to create this feeling for every space. Finding out which trends in interior design influence you is the first step in the transformation of your space.

Some of the various styles include funky or classic, ornate or simplistic and bold or subdued. Although it may take some time to design your ideal room, you can see it as a progression and transformation that happens on a continuing basis. People naturally spend less time at their places of work as they get older, and consequently spend more time at home, which is why they desire a more comfortable and relaxing space that they enjoy being in.

The sense of style is typically seen in even the smallest details. Creating a coordinated home requires each detail, from lighting fixtures to paint colors and textures. This most often is done by initially taking inventory of the homes exterior. You will then need to consider various styles, such as contemporary versus classic, and American versus European. You may consider the assistance of a professional interior designer to make your dreams into a reality that you will enjoy for years to come.

Besides the styles mentioned previously, you will also probably see interior design services advertising “Feng Shui.”  Feng Shui interior design is a concept whereby items are arranged in the home, such as color and elements, to give the space a sense of calm and well-being and help you reach your goals in life. Feng Shui involves maximizing space by clearing out the clutter and adding the five elements of nature – water, fire, earth, plants and metal in varied forms and combinations to create a healthy, balanced environment. Regardless of the custom decorating schemes you select, the primary objective is to create a warm and inviting space.

Important Reasons to Hire an Interior Designer When Remodeling

Your home is your castle; you love arriving home at night, after work, to relax, and you also cherish entertaining your friends and family in a place you are proud of and makes you happy, and suddenly, one day, you make the decision… your home needs a makeover.

Of course, your first impulse is to DIY. Who knows your style better than you? So you decide to hit Home Depot with a long list of materials, certain that you’ll be able to do it in a flash! Everything is fine until you face reality; hundreds of choices everywhere, and you end up disoriented amid an ocean of furniture and fixtures that suddenly look exactly the same.

Before you decide to venture into interior design, consider the following aspects and judge for yourself if going solo is the best way to go, for your wallet. Contrary to what you may think, hiring a professional interior designer may save you lots of money when remodeling your home.

-Interior design requires a great deal of time; do you have the time?

-Have you bought beautiful furniture in the past only to arrive home and rack your brains as to where to put it to match the rest or stand out?

-Is it easy for you to decide between hundreds or thousands of colors or fabrics at a shop? Have you made choices that ended up frustrating you?

-Have you got a picture of the perfect bathroom, or living room, or kitchen, and yet you don’t know how to make it fit your space?

-Does everyone at home like what you like?

-Are you planning on taking down walls, joining rooms or installing light fixtures? Do you know someone who can do this for you and do it right?

-Do you need custom furniture or cabinets?

-Do you want your home to be different in its own special way but without spending too much?

-If your home is new, would you like to be sure that what you have in mind works for the space?

These are just some of the many considerations of why hiring an interior designer in Seattle may be the best way to go. A professional has the knowledge and experience to guide you and stop you from making mistakes and bad choices that will cost you money. She will also save you lots of time, as she possesses the best resources readily available to work. An interior designer will put a wide array of resources at your service, some of which are only available through them. Think that you will have all the design selections researched and presented to you before the process begins, ensuring you get the home of your dreams, one that fits your lifestyle and taste to perfection.

Here are three reasons why hiring an interior designer is your best choice in terms of investment:

1. Big makeover projects require compliance with building codes and federal and state laws; you must know these to avoid expensive mistakes or even lawsuits.

2. An interior designer is knowledgeable on design theory and its technicalities. They know everything about technical drawings, materials specifications, construction systems, installations, environmental considerations and safety issues.

3. A professional, who will present a detailed cost projection that you can adjust as needed, will research your design project.

Interior design can be simple and successful. Be wise and hire someone who knows, someone who can give you peace of mind by knowing you will get what you have dreamed of for so long.

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!

Don’t forget to visit my interior design blog.

Oak Interior Doors make your home look rich and high class

Oak and oak woods have from times immemorial enriched stories, realities, forests, homes, and home interiors. Oak wood is hardy, with a high level of insect and fungi-resisting ability, and high tannin content. The bark of different varieties of oak is used variously in making furniture, wine barrels, cork, and oak interior doors.

Besides its strength, and resistance to sundry wood borer insects, oak has got rich and beautiful grain markings that make it aesthetically appealing to users. This aesthetic appeal is what makes oak interior doors the popular choice of lots of people. To get vivid grain markings, oak has to be sawn in a direction at right angles, or vertical, to the direction of the tree’s growth rings. Any wood thus sawn is known as quarter-sawn wood. Oak wood thus sawn will have intricate grain markings and a rich finish and this is what makes oak most suited for oak interior doors.

Oak has been mythologically and historically popular. Long before oak interior doors became a fashion stamp, oak tree has been considered the tree of doors according to Celtic mythology. There have also been individual oak trees that are historically important. One example is the Royal Oak where King Charles II of England had hidden in the 17th century during the Battle of Worcester.

The popular appeal of oak interior doors has been evident from the fact that they have been used in politically and historically important buildings. One classic instance of its usage is in the British House of Commons. The debating chamber of this parliamentary building has oak paneled interior doors.

Oak interior doors may be solid wood or wood veneer, both of which alike give the home a classy look. And there are choices between raised panel patterns, and flat panel patterns, raised and fielded panels, within each of which there are choices in the number of panels available, ranging from one to eight or even more. Besides the variation in panel numbers, there are arched panels, eyebrow shaped panels, classic eyebrows etc, which add to the elegance of the oak interior doors.

Glazed panels enhance the richness and perfection of oak interior doors as light streaks in through these doors. Glass panes may be beveled glass or frosted glass. Glazed oak interior doors are the perfect choice for all rooms where light is the primary concern and privacy only the secondary concern. This means that they are good for all interior doors others than bedroom doors.

Rustic oak interior doors give the home elegance with its rustic look; the same way antiques provide an artistic perfection to modern living rooms. Rustic interior doors may be ledged and braced, with or without frame. In all types of interior doors, pre-finished standard sizes are available, even though sizes and panel numbers can be changed in many instances based on customer request. Similarly, pre-glazed ones as well as custom glass finishes are available in glazed oak interior doors.

Interior doors are variously available in white oak, red oak, or quarter-sawn red oak, and each of these can be stained light, medium, or dark, or can have a clear finish. All of these in their own way give the perfect finish to the interior. Your choice of oak interior doors will depend on the overall style of the house, the interior decoration patterns, privacy preferences and suitability to the budget.

Please visit Savoy Timber – http://www.savoydoors.co.uk/ – for a vast range of oak interior doors in different varieties of wood and design styles. Call or contact us now

Teach Yourself Interior Design

Home interior decorating is a perfect opportunity for you to express yourself. Home interior decorating allows you to showcase your interests; interests in furniture, art and even different cultures. Every decorating style is different, with some being elaborate while others are plain. However, there is a home interior decorating style to suit your personality as well as your budget.

Budget is usually at the top of the list when making plans for home interior decorating. It is easy to look at a picture and want to recreate it in your space. Sometimes the details in home decorating pictures are quite expensive which may introduce obstacles for you. There’s no need to be disheartened however, there are always alternate ideas to help you achieve your ideal space. Resources such as magazines, books, television programs and Internet websites are very helpful with suggestions and ideas for home interior decorating. Using these resources you’re bound to find alternatives to any problems you may have with home interior decorating.

If you are an individual who loves color and authentic home interior decorating, there are several designs to choose from. Primitive home interior decorating is interesting because it concentrates on old and handmade items. This is a wonderful opportunity to display collectables and handed down treasures. This style suggests using accessories and furniture which appear extremely old, worn, stained or antique. If you are a person who likes antiques, primitive interior decorating might be right for you. When choosing a paint color for this design, dark and warm shades are recommended. Deep grey or red brick would work well in this space.

Another home interior decorating design that you may find interesting is whimsical decorating. This design allows you to go wild with your imagination. Using any and all of your favourite colors, you space should be decorated thoroughly with various patterns and colors. This home interior decorating design is all about color. The important detail to remember however is, if you choose bold vibrant colors, stay within that hue of color. If you decide to use pastel colors, stick with colors in the pastel palette.

If you have difficulty moving from the past into modern home interior decorating, traditional design may be for you. This home interior decorating style combines the modern look with the elegant look of the past. Space is important in the traditional design. To help create a spacious atmosphere, neutral colors such as neutral, beige or mushroom is recommended for the walls. To add a punch of color to this traditional design, darker colors such as burgundy, mauve, blues and greens are suggested for the upholstery, fabric, rugs, etc. When choosing accessories for this home interior decorating design, china and crystal objects will compliment this style. You might also like to add some artwork to your space. Paintings with wood frames go great with this traditional theme.

There are just three of the many designs for home interior decorating. There are many and there is one just for you. Browsing sources about home interior decorating designs will give you a better idea of their characteristics regarding color, furnishings, flooring and accessories. With your individual tastes and interests at the forefront, you ought to be able to find a style that works for you. Home interior decorating can turn your home into an oasis of pure enjoyment.

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