KITCHEN LIGHTING IDEAS

In today's big homes, the kitchen has become the center of activity. This is because the modern kitchen is being built much larger than kitchens of yesteryear. Kitchen lighting has become an important consideration knowing that much time will be spent in this room.

Kitchen lighting design does not have to be museum quality but it does have to be thought out carefully. As the kitchen is the busiest room in the house, the lighting needs to be able to accomodate all activities. It needs to be bright enough to cook and to maybe do homework on the kitchen counter and it also needs to be right for gatherings and parties.

Of all the kitchen design ideas, the lighting might be the most important because it sets the mood for your kitchen. You will have to decide whether you want track lighting, flourescent tube lighting, or some other type of lighting to produce the desired effect. In addition, lights may be placed under countertops and over sink areas to make the lighting functional.

The main light source in most kitchens is flourescent lighting but that may not produce the warm feel to your kitchen that you desire. In that case, you may want to replace the flourescent tubes with some sort of track lighting that will look much better and give the kitchen and updated look. LED lighting is becoming popular even though it is more expensive at the outset. Home LED lighting will indeed save you money and the case for LED lights become more compelling as energy prices rise and governments make new laws.

Accent lighting can be used strategically to highlight different parts of the kitchen that you would like to bring attention to. All sources of lighting must work together to create a great kitchen ambience. Proper and creative lighting is one of the kitchen design ideas that you should spend a fair amount of time on to make sure you get it just right.

Interior Design 101

Think grammar school.  Pencils, check. Erasers, check. Graph paper, check.  Tracing paper, check.  Architectural scale, check.  Glue stick, check.  You get the picture!  I finally bit the bullet and enrolled in an interior design class at a local college.  I think this is the first time I have taken a class and really (and I mean really) just enjoyed it.  It felt natural although intimidating because I have no experience, but that is why I am there, right? 

The last 30 minutes of class, our instructor handed out her favorite design shelter magazines and told us to browse them and rip out anything that inspires us.  I was like, for real?  I mean this is what I do for ultimate pleasure and now I get to do in class!!  Love it!!

The instructor, an established interior designer, shared a lot of 'sound' advice and many of her sources or as she calls them her "secrets".  It was fun and I'm looking forward to going back next week. 

For homework, we need to pick a room in our house that we want to re-do and the sky is the limit (in terms of budget).  Do you know how foreign that is to me?  I am so use to sourcing items that are budget friendly, I think I am going to get over-whelmed with all the beautiful and amazing furnishings out there. 

All photos from At Home in Fairfield County

But, hey, I'm not complaining.  This is going to be so fun!!  I picked our dining room!!  Woohoo...

Question Corner : What kind of lighting ?

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Jamie Herzlinger

Hi TIP. I am doing up my living room and want some tips on lighting. I have a false ceiling with lights and cove lighting. What else is needed ?

Thom Filicia

Lighting is a key aspect of interior design and often underplayed. What you would need to look at is accent lighting. If you already have ambient lighting (the false ceiling) then perhaps you do not need wall lights. What you could do is focus on accent lighting using table lamps and uplighters to highlight certain corners or artwork. Basically there should be a soft cosy feel to the living room. Play of shadow and light and nothing too harsh or overbearing.

Using lamps on side tables, consoles and cabinetry is one option. Another is using an uplighter--correct placement is important.

Hope this helps :) Thanks for writing in.

What's New?

I got home last night from work and browsed through the new Crate & Barrel catalog and I was impressed.  Here are a couple of times that are striking my fancy....

My girlfriend just purchased the above chair for her beach home.  And, it swivels!!

1) Cleo table lamp, 2) Petrie leather ottoman, 3) Ankara Chair, 4) Magnusso Ginger Pillow, 5) Oasis Swivel Chair 6) Carly Chair with cobalt blue frame, 7) Ginger blue side table

Me likey.....you?  Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Breaking the Silence

Life is still moving forward, despite this blog being in a holding pattern.  Thank you for your sweet 'Get Well' comments!  I had stomach issues this past week and my poor family has had to pick up the slack.  I'm still not completely over it so bear with me.

Random tidbits from my world:  Luke loves to play superheros these days and constantly wants me to play 'Wonder Woman'...I wish I was feeling more like her these days!!  Other news, have you heard that Hillary Thomas has opened her online store?

It's very chic.  From finials (jewelry for your lamps) to pretty little things for around your home, you should check it out!

Truth be told, I have done nothing around my home as I try to get back on my feet.  I could totally relate to Kathysue's post "The In-Betweens."  That is where I am right now.  I did manage to get a haircut on Friday which was a super pick me uper!  Definitely recommend it when you're in a rut.  Here's to a new week....thanks for bearing with me!!

Pendant Teelicht by Jan Bernstein

Filed Under: Lighting

It’s Clever idea, extraordinary pendant. This small light is made out of a classic cup from Arzberg (virgin White) and a pretty furry pull switch which reminds a bit of a teabag. Pendant Teelicht is designed by Jan Bernstein of 10 Liter Design.

Well, that might be a superficial reaction, but taking in consideration its one-of-a-kind design, Teelicht pendant makes me want to have fun. Made of a classic cup from Arzberg, it has a pull switch that has been made in the shape of a tea bag. Now, the light in its entirety is totally yummy and will look a stunner in a space above your table or your counter top in the kitchen. The lamp has a E14 metal socket for 25 Watt bulb and made of a 10 x 12 cm china cup. It’s retails for €65 ($82).

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Striking My Fancy

Lately I am finding things left and right that I want for our home.  So tempting....

I'm currently considering these sconces for our bathroom renovation.  Love the quatrefoil detail.  

These are on clearance from JCP and think they would look lovely in our family/living room.  

I just purchased these spotty coasters from Jamie's furbish shop.  

Love this Madeline Weinrib 'Mandala' look a like for our upstairs hallway.  

Lucite nesting tables for our family/living room.  

I have been in love with the Angela Adams Mammy charcoal rug for so long - I need to find a place in our home for it!

Loving these tissue covers - would be perfect touch for my son's room. 

Ok, back to reality!  How about you - anything you've been coveting for some time now?

Happy Weekend!

Catchin' Up

We're in Michigan right now relaxing with family and enjoying the lack of any type of schedule.  Sleeping in, playing ice hockey on the lake, eating home baked cookies and catching up by browsing some of my favorite home decor magazines.  I'm currently loving these pictures - great for some fantastic color inspiration....

SW Meander Blue (#6484)

BM's Wood Grain Brown (#2109-30)

BM's Hawthorne Yellow (#HC-4)

I also was able to catch up on the recent Renovation Style magazine featuring Meg Braff.  Here are two of my favorites pictures of her work...

Lastly, if you ever happen to find yourself in Ann Arbor, MI, you must go to The Treasure Mart.  My sister in law and I went there and it was amazing.  She walked away with a fabulous bamboo dresser for $75.  Not too dissimilar to this......

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I hope you all are having a relaxing holiday week.  I plan to be back in full swing in the New Year!!  Happy New Year's!!  

Home Lighting Ideas: Add Some Light with Sky Dome

It’s definitely unfortunate when you buy a house but lack of light inside and as we all know that light is the fundamental role in our life. In nature, natural light is the essential ingredient for healthy growth, through the process known as photosynthesis. So here are the options you can do to add some light but with some minor change. Your solution is sky dome.

Having sky dome is definitely easy as you don’t need to have a major change towards your roof construction. You can add this skylight into almost any new or existing roof. Either metal deck, corrugated or tile, you can still install and bring the natural light inside. What’s best is that you don’t need to be afraid that water might leak, it’s definitely weather proof and offering unparalleled security. By having sky dome you can stay protected 99% of UV light and what’s best you can enjoy the light without harmful effect. So stay healthy and bring more natural lighting into your home.

Skydome (1)

Skydome (2)

Bang! I Shot The Lamp, Creative Lighting by Bitplay

Remember how several movies can turn lights by just clapping or giving orders? Well, if you think that’s awesome, then this lamp is really beyond freaking awesome. It’s way too god than just clapping or ordering by voice to deactivate the lamp. So what exactly can you do? You need to Bang! You need to shoot the lamp with a gun. This creative lamp by Bitplay doesn’t literally need to turn off by shooting and breaking the lamp, but instead of having a switch, the switch panel was transform into a gun. So you can simply shoot the lamp and the lampshade will move sideways. It’s really cool isn’t it? if you’re such an action movie freak that loves gun then you will love to have it in your bedroom.

Bang 2

Bang Lamp 1

Bang Lamp

Sweet Intuitive Lighting Switch from Philips Lighting & Philips Design

I love the sweet color saturation ring featuring in this modern switch by Philips Lighting and Philips design in collaboration with co designer Tom Pelzer. It looks very intuitive and the lighting is called the To Be Touched Range. Available in four different models of On/off/dim (IR), Color Temperature (DMX), Color (DMX), On/off/dim (Dali), the new sweet lighting switch can automatically turn the light off in just 15 seconds when there are no human being detected by this cool lighting switch.

The ring color saturation as I mention earlier isn’t just showing color saturation, in fact, it will adjust to the way how bright you set the lighting. The dimmer you set the switch then the deeper color saturation you will get. It’s really interesting how today’s interior design really influence even up to lighting switches. I must admit that the color will beautify and act more than just a switch unlike in the traditional common switch we found.

How does this thing works? Then here is how it works. “The main iconic color ring is touch-based and backlit for direct feedback / feedforward. It therefore can change its appearance depending on which functionality mode is selected by using the touch mode buttons with intuitive icons above the ring (for example color, saturation and intensity for the color user interface). With the To Be Touched user interfaces you have a choice of an infinite variety of colors –at the touch of a finger. In short, you control light with light!” Check further at their original web site here.

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (1)

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (2)

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (3)

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (4)

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (5)

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (6)

To Be Touched Range By Philips Lighting (7)

Have you seen?

the sneak peek of High Gloss Magazine?  All I can say is, "I want to see more!" 

I am pretty confident this is a sneak peek of Tia Zoldan's kitchen.  I remember when Julie from Milk and Honey Home interviewed her back in July and posted new pictures of her home.  Here is another shot of Tia's kitchen via Milk and Honey Home.

Isn't the herringbone floor amazing?!  I am anxiously waiting until January; until then, you can read High Gloss Magazine's interview here.

Decorate Your Balcony For The Summer

Pool-party season is around the corner and everyone with a backyard is gearing up for the festivities.  Now just because you live in an apartment building, doesn’t mean you can’t turn your balcony space into an area that’s style and social friendly!

Here are a few tips to get you started..

•    Remember to ask the management about weight limits or any regulations they have about redecorating the balcony.  You have to know these things if you’re going to be successful in turning your “outdoors” into a safe and inviting area.
•    Take careful measurements so that you don’t have to waste time or money returning things that don’t fit correctly.
•    Take into consideration what the weather might bring:  extreme sun exposure or harsh rain.  Look into some kind of protection; such as an awning or a large umbrella or parasol.
•    Draw out some sketches of potential design ideas so that you can truly see what looks  best in your space.
•    Go online to look at furniture, accent pieces, or flooring since it saves time.
•    Make sure your space is inviting to others.  Stay away from overly fancy items because you want people to feel at home.
•    Don’t clutter the space.  It should be free-flowing and easy to move around on.
•    Adding plants or a small fountain always adds to creating a more soothing and relaxed ambiance.

Remember, just because you don’t have an enormous backyard, doesn’t mean you can’t invite your friends over this summer!  With these tips, you can transform your balcony into a small oasis that’s meant to calm and relax it’s guests.