Decorating Lifestyles Blog

Lighting June 4, 2008

Have you taken a look around your rooms lately, or even outside, at your current light fixtures?  This area is so often overlooked - people will purchase new furniture, paint a new wall color, totally re-accessorize a room, and not think about updating the lighting!  Besides the fact that new lighting can achieve that “instant decorating”  I have talked about before, changing out your light fixtures can be very affordable.  If you are lucky enough to have a husband, brother, or friend that knows how to change light fixtures, then you really must consider this now!

Here are a few guidelines that I offer clients when taking on this project themselves.

~ If you’re not sure where to start, think about your outdoor entry or garage lights.  These seem to be forgotton about most often. 

~Think bigger this time.  Most outdoor lights, entry lights and chandeliers can be replaced with something a little bigger, usually it’s better to try going bigger - remember, lights always look a bit larger when on display in stores.  Here is a little guide that works great for selecting a new light that will hang over a table:  The light should be hung 20-27 inches above the table (most chandeliers are hung way too high, so try and follow this guideline for a well-decorated look!).  Add 3 inches to the distance for each additional ceiling foot.  So in those rooms with vaulted ceilings this rule should be followed precisely.  A chandelier or pendant lights width should be at least 12-18 inches less than the tables width.

~It’s OK to mix finishes, anything pretty much goes now.  A black or iron finish is versatile enough for most room styles, and you can mix a nickel or bronzy finish with it.

~One easy way to improve your lighting situation is simply to reduce the bulb wattage, especially on an overhead light in a family or dining room-if a 60 watt is the maximum, use a 25 or 30 watt bulb.  You may also want to add dimmer switches.

~We can’t forget about ceiling fans for those who have them.  First, do you really need a light fixture attached to it?  These can be removed and just have the fan.  Or if you do need the light, put those lower watt bulbs in, get a dimmer switch, or replace the light with a light kit that has a bowl light. This diffuses harsh downward light from exposed bulbs.  Most light kits are universal to existing fans.

~We should talk about other lighting sources as well - like lamps and sconces.  Three light sources are typically recommended in most areas.  Again, replacing table lamps can be very affordable and can update a room instantly.  Mix those finishes or go for a matching pair of floor lamps on both sides of a sofa.  Lowes or Home Depot will sometimes have a set of table and floor lamps in a box for as little as 50-60$.  I also like the wall sconces that can be wall mounted -JCPenney and Home Decorators Collection- and just plugged in to an outlet (make sure you are buying this type versus some that have to be wired by a pro or very good handyman).  Make sure you are not looking directly into a light bulb when sitting near a table lamp. 

Just start with one room and see what a huge difference updating your lighting can make.  My clients are always amazed at the change it makes to a room or area.

Please read my Decorating Tips category for a few more lighting solutions.

As always, be brave and make a few changes, you’ll love how it reflects YOUR lifestyle.

Happy decorating,

Carolyn

Do Right Now - Decorating Tips March 20, 2008

March is a perfect time to do some decorating and boost your rooms with a little style. Before you go much further, how about following my tips below to get kick-started? Sometimes this is ‘boost’ enough. Simple furniture rearranging and purging of old, out-dated accessories can totally change the look and feel of a space. Now, you MUST be brave and ready to get that old stuff out of your house -even if you have to get rid of things when no one’s looking (I find getting up a little early on trash-day morning and  pushing, shoving, dragging your rejects to the trash works well, I have been busted trying to do this the night BEFORE trash pick-up) - just do it, I promise you will look at your room in a whole new light and will not even miss the things you let go of. These tips are a good starting point and allow you to use your existing pieces in a new way, maybe even add a few new current accessories to really give your room ‘pop’. Good luck and I hope to hear from you with your successes!

CAROLYNS TOP 5 ‘DO RIGHT NOW’ DECORATING TIPS

1. MOVE FURNITURE AWAY FROM WALLS

“I swear if you move this sofa 8 inches, it’ll transform your life”-Diane Keaton from the movie “Because I Said So”

Yes, that’s right everyone-’move the furniture away from the wall’. Run, don’t walk, to your nearest family or living room -or both- and get started!

~Move furniture away from your walls and INTO the room at least a foot - most people probably need to think several feet if they have the commonly found ‘gymnastic’ area they are staring at from afar.

~Try forming an ‘L’ or group pieces facing each other with an ottoman or coffee table in-between. You may need two of these areas if you have a particularly long room.

~Cozy your stuff ‘in’ - remember, a person needs only 18 inches to maneuver comfortably between pieces of furniture. It’s OK if the arms of the furniture pieces are touching.

~Now, at first this will seem “not right,”too closed in”, “tight”, “funny-looking” - be brave and strong, live with the new arrangement for a few days- at least- and when you begin to feel the warmth of your newly decorator-inspired rooms, you will realize that it has transformed your life!

2. LOWER PICTURES/WALL DECOR

What else can I say - Hanging pictures too high is a common decorating don’t!

~Lower pictures/artwork at least 5-6″-maybe a little more.
~Think eye level for a SHORTER person.
~Some naysayers ( i.e.husband,friend,mom) will say “that’s too low” - but do it anyway - be brave - it’s not!

3. CREATE A WELCOMING ENTRY

Sofas and chairs are often blocking the ‘path’ from your front door into the rest of your home.

~Move furniture pieces that are blocking the entry area. If you have successfully completed Tip # 1, this is not an issue and you can move on. Yes, it IS better to have the furniture closer into the room and closer to other pieces of furniture rather than tripping over them as you come through the front door. BRAVE!

~As these pieces are now INTO the room and out of the entry path, you have started to create your welcoming entry - even if it’s a matter of creating a  ‘visually spacious’ entry.  The path should be at least the width of your front door if not more.

~If space allows, place a narrow entry table or console table at your entry, with a mirror or picture above and if possible a buffet lamp or two on top. Remember the 18″ rule.

~Check your entry light fixture. If you have had your entry fixture for 7-10 years - hopefully not longer! - or if it seems somewhat small, you should update to a newer finish and maybe even something a little larger. See Tip # 4 for more lighting tips.

4. UPDATE LIGHT FIXTURES

A lot of clients will paint, re-decorate, buy new furniture and not think about updating their light fixtures.  Finishes and styles have changed considerably over the past several years. There are so many options available now, that replacing all of your outdated light fixtures can be affordable, even if you do it a room at a time.

~Check to make sure you have at least 3 light sources in a room. A couple of floor lamps flanking a sofa, a table lamp or two, or even wall mounted sconces or lamps that are simply plugged into an outlet are a few ideas to add lighting sources to a room.

~Ceiling fans need to be updated as well, or at least update the light kit on it. I like the covered bowl light kits so the overhead light isn’t so harsh. Most of these fan light kits are ‘universal’ and will fit on any fan.

~A chandelier should be hung 20-27 inches above a standard table in a room with 8 foot ceilings - add 3 inches to the distance for every additional ceiling foot. To find the appropriate size, a chandeliers width should be at least 12-18 inches less than the table.

~Dimmer switches are fairly simple to install and inexpensive (I had one client who installed some herself!) - add these to most or ALL of your switches if possible - especially in living and dining rooms.

~It’s OK to mix finishes on lights and fans throughout your house - you can use combinations of black/iron with a brushed gold or nickel finish for example. I have tons more lighting tips I will share in the future.

5. REMOVE DRIED FLORALS/WREATHS/IVIES/DOILIES/LACE

You know who you are - you have all that ivy and eucalyptus above your kitchen cabinets or on top of the entertainment center, the dried floral you “paid good money for” sitting in the same place for the past 6 years, or maybe even the doilie collection on every side/end/coffee/console table because, “they were Grandmas”.

~Tuck those doilies and lace away and take the dried florals/ivies, etc. to Goodwill -or just pitch them if they’re really dusty and be done with it - it will feel refreshing!!
~I get this question a lot - “What should I put above my kitchen cabinets?” Sometimes I will suggest removing everything - especially ALL that ivy. Live with the openess for awhile. If you feel you must put something up there at a later date - think big and groups of three. Also, mix textures - like a ceramic garden stool, with Grandpas old wooden trunk and maybe something wrought iron - even a garden item find.  Don’t forget to vary the sizes of the pieces.

~And remember - if you never get rid of stuff, you’ll never get new stuff!!