Light is Beauty: Artificial vs Natural Lighting

 "There is one fundamental fact about lighting: Where there is no light, there is no beauty."

-Billy Baldwin, Ruby Ross Wood

Often the perfect chandelier or pendant comes to mind when lighting comes into the discussion of your home. This nightstand light (Image 1) adds personality and functionality to your bedtime routine and these cool rod iron bulbs (Image 2)add lots of style to your room. However, don’t forget that natural lighting can often create more beauty than any cool light fixture. Due to large windows, this kitchen (Image 3) is perfectly lit without a single turned on, and this window seat (Image 4) is the perfect cozy cove complimented by lots of sun light shining through the adjacent window.

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The Power of Color

As the leaves change color, a sense of warmth envelopes me as I think of warm soups, the smell of apple pie and fires in the fireplace while watching a Sunday afternoon football game.  What emotions do the colors of Fall bring to you?  With what colors do you like to surround yourself and do you know why?

The Bar Stool

When completing your bar area or kitchen, don't forget that your selection of a bar stool makes a big difference in terms of both design and comfort.  We all picture people relaxing, having great conversations at our kitchen islands so why not take the time to select a bar stool that invites the guest to sit down with eye catching design as well as begs him to stay with its relaxing quality.  The choices are endless!

Organization

I have walked through the spaces of a new commercial redesign job a number of times now and have consistently drawn the same conclusion.  Creative, exciting and well thought out design is wonderful, but if the space is in need of purging, organization and streamlining, the new design elements lose their impact.  As much as we are inclined to move forward, it can be equally important to take a step or two back in order to achieve the best possible end product.  Sometimes this organizing step can be either too personal or so dauntingly large that it can be quite beneficial to hire a professional organizer.  Truthfully, this type of service can actually save you money in the end as the design is not working around items that just don't need to be there or be there is such abundance.  Today I met with Karen from Details by Karen to review just such a project.  Her experience and ideas will surely play an important role in this design project.  Our conversation reinforced my belief that both minimizing and purposeful placement of household items, office items, etc. can dramatically affect the long term enjoyment of a space. Organization and design truly go hand in hand!

It is hard to believe that it has been since April that I last wrote, but I guess with summer, work, kids and travel I shouldn't be so surprised.  Inspiration returned when I saw this project board that one of my daughters created for a geometry class assignment.  The students were asked to show how geometry is part of our every day world.  Interior design is the connection my daughter made with the above board as her proof.  In past years I have spoken to students for career days, emphasizing how math plays such a large role in what I do every day.  Obviously it includes addition, subtraction and multiplication, but geometry is really a core part of interior design as it is used not just in the space planning but in the visual appeal of a room.  The balance of angles and curves is what gives a room a sense of structure and movement.  Geometry is absolutely an essential part of the overall success of a room design.  My daughter's project is a clear example of how many aspects of design go into the large picture of a room and most cerainly the design of the individual pieces themselves.  It was exciting for me to think my career inspired her to complete this school assignment but the bigger truth is that once again my kids have inspired me. 

From time to time, I come across an item that is just so fabulous I know I will find a home for it someday...somewhere, that I just buy it and anxiously await its final destination.  Sometimes I have something made, like this window treatment, as an example for a client or a demonstration piece for a lecture.  This valance is now "on the market".  It is custom made to include designer cording on top to coordinate with the designer brush fringe along the bottom.  The fabric is a faux silk.  Of course it is lined  for a clean look from the outside.  This is perfect for a small laundry room or bathroom window or could be used on an exterior french door.  The dimensions are 26"W x 15"L by 1.5" D and is mounted on a board for easy installation.  Contact me if you have the perfect home for this custom valance!  Only $75.00!

Keep watching for more "On the Market" items!