The Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design
How you light your house is an important part of redecorating. A change in the lighting can change how the room is viewed. Lighting interior design contributes greatly to the look and feel of a room. There are many types of lighting which can be used in various rooms. We are no longer restricted to a few lamps around the room.
Ambient lighting is a hidden light source that washes the room with a glow. This creates very few shadows and tends to flatten a room. Japanese paper lanterns and wall sconces both produce ambient lighting. For temporary ambient effects, use a dimmer with your ordinary lighting.
Accent lighting provides interest to a room. This method of lighting interior design highlights and object or architectural feature. To use accent lighting, you only need a bulb and a shield to direct the light to the desired focus. Halogen spotlights and opaquely shaded table lamps both provide accent lighting.
Another kind of lighting used in interior design is task lighting. This is a more practical lighting strategy, highlighting an area for daily activities such as reading, cooking, and sewing. Effective task lighting prevents eyes strain and helps with the performance of vital activities. The kitchen is a particularly good place to incorporate task lighting in your interior design. Task lighting sources should be unobtrusive and shielded to prevent glare. Task lighting can be effectively combined with accent lighting to produce lovely effects.
Some lighting can be a work of art in and of itself. Aesthetic lighting is purely decorative, such as a neon sculpture or a spotlight illuminating a statue or painting. This type of lighting must not be used alone, but accompanied by other lighting strategies in your interior design.
Of course, no survey of lighting interior design would be complete without a mention of natural light. Rooms can be arranged to take advantage of the position of the sun at different times of day. This type of lighting is also called kinetic lighting because the light from outside moves. It is one of the less reliable types, as it is affected by the seasons and the weather, but natural lighting can produce an effect unequaled by any artificial light source when used properly.
Lighting is an important tool in your design collection. The way you do your lighting interior design affects the perception of any room. Lighting is also versatile. Using several strategies at once in a room allows you to turn any of them off, changing the look and feel with the flick of a switch. This can be effective for creating different moods in different rooms at night.
Rustic Country Decor – How to Decorate Cottage Style Homes
Rustic country decor and how to decorate cottage style homes are extensions of American country style decorating. In addition, traditions are borrowed from French, English and some Swedish country looks. Rustic country decor can be defined as coarse, charmingly simple, unfussy, unfinished and yet with endearing qualities. Rustic country decorating includes the use of natural woods, aged surfaces, rough finishes and simple lines. Cottage style homes are comfortable, modest, quaint homes that can be made of thick stone or log wood.
Floors in rustic country decor and cottage style homes are made with stone or wood materials. Wooden floors were traditionally constructed with boards that were bare and simply waxed and hand-polished (high-gloss varnishes did not exist). Sometimes the boards were painted with light colors. If you like floor coverings, use oriental rugs and throws for visual warmth and color. Rustic country decor is about handcrafted objects, simplicity, furnishings that you enjoy and connecting back to nature.
Rustic cottage furniture is commonly made with pine and perhaps painted with hand-painted designs such as flowers, birds, animals, country scenery or leaves. Use ladderback chairs, rocking chairs, benches, wicker furniture and Windsor chairs. A large rectangular table made of pine is a good option for your kitchen or dining room table. To give your furniture a rustic look, brush a coat of paint on the furniture piece, then rub most of the paint off. After it dries, apply wood stain unevenly for an older weathered appearance. It will be perfect and rustic looking!
Baskets can be used to store wood, pine cones, flowers, plants and needlework. Brass candle holders, oil or kerosene lamps, sconces, hurricane lamps, tin lanterns, recessed ceiling fixtures or a vintage wrought-iron or metal chandelier provide successful lighting for rustic country decor and cottage style homes. Colors used in rustic country decor or cottage style homes are neutral tones ranging from white to bone, earth tones, red barn, blues and greens.
For rustic country decor in the kitchen, use open shelves, hutches, buffets, plate racks and cupboards for storage. Often, country kitchen storage is crammed with stoneware pots, plain glazed earthenware and glass jars. Kitchen pots should be made of copper, steel or cast iron — cookware tends to be large and plain. Use open shelving in the rustic country kitchen to display plates, dishes and dinnerware collections. Natural woods, light colors and bright fabrics work great for window treatments. Adding a rustic butcher block island creates a wonderful visual effect as well as provides useful functionality.
A rustic country decor bathroom has neutral tones or soft colored walls, antique-looking lighting, and wooden antiques or antique reproduction cabinets and vanity. Knowing how to decorate cottage style homes and bathrooms can result in creating a calm and elegant atmosphere. Clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, country style antique brass faucets and old-fashioned country cabinets provide the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to spend time there. Plain white towels are recommended instead of patterned or bright modern patterns. Use wicker or wire baskets to keep your sponges, loofas and shampoos handy near the tub or shower.
Understanding how to decorate cottage style homes means including items like quilts, antique furniture or reproductions, flea-market pieces, trunks, chests, armoires, stenciling, wallpaper, adirondack chairs, flower wreaths and bistro chairs. These types of elements give cottage style homes the kind of rustic country decor that is simpler, very personal and warmly inviting.
Whether in a seaside setting, an urban environment, a countryside location or a wooded mountain retreat, cottage style homes are cozy and unassuming, combining the past with the present. Read all you can find and learn what creating the rustic country cottage means to you no matter where it’s located. Enjoy expressing your personality and showing what the definition of home means to you.
Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing
Curtain Rod Tips Or How To Hang Your Curtains In Style
Before, they were used to simply serve their purpose — hang curtains. Today, curtain rods are more than just a tool. They have evolved into a more functional, more sophisticated devices that do not just hang curtains but also compliment and enhance the overall effect of the drapes.
Showing more skin, curtain rods are no longer the typical metal or wooden sticks used to hang curtains. They have evolved into remarkable works of skill or talent, showing every design as an intricate sketch of masterpiece.
Wooden curtain rods are now made more sophisticated and classy. Most of them are handmade and crafted with the most top-rated materials to bring out the beauty of the wooden material.
Various designs were sculptured in the wood, with different glaze materials or varnish as the finishing touches. Hence, you can make either a Victorian or a Western-inspired window with curtain rods that were made from high-quality wooden materials.
On the other hand, the solid and powerful effect of metal curtain rods is no longer confined to the usual plain metal stick. With the growing popularity of metal curtain rods, consumers now have more choices. They can choose from a wide array of metal curtain rods such as solid brass, chrome, graphite with brass, and brushed chrome.
With a wider range of choices, more and more manufacturers tried to develop newer, fresher, and more exquisite designs to compliment, contrast, or enhance the beauty of curtains. They can even modify plain curtains by transforming them into something more elegant.
Installing curtain rods has also evolved into an innovation, bringing ease and convenience in mounting curtain rods on walls, woods, or other types of surfaces. Hence, whether you live in a castle, cabin, or the classic abode, there is certainly a good curtain rod that will suit your taste, your style, and of course, your curtains.
However, curtain rods do not just differ according to their designs or structures. They also differ in sizes and shapes. Hence, it is important to measure your windows first before you go out and buy your curtain rods.
Here are some things you must consider when buying curtain rods:
1. Your windows
Your windows have different sizes, according to your plan when you were just building your house. And even if you have bought a ready-made house, window sizes are not standard for all types of houses. Hence, it is extremely important to measure your windows first before you start buying your curtain rods.
All you have to do is to measure the outside part of your window. This is where you will mount your curtain rods. It is best to have the correct size than to waste time and money by going back to the store just because you have to wrong size.
Keep in mind that as a rule, your curtain rods should always be longer than your window by as much as 5 inches. This ensures total coverage for your windows.
2. Your curtains
Of course, you should never start buying curtain rods without looking first at the curtains that you will use. The types of curtains you will use will determine the type of curtain rod that you have to buy.
For example, if you will be using the typical designs of curtains that flow straight down the wall, you will have to buy a chrome curtain rod, for heavier drapes, you need to buy stronger metals such as graphite with brass or solid brass.
3. Strength of the curtain rod
You would not want your curtains sagged unattractively down your windows, right? Hence, to avoid such dilemma, it is best to choose curtains rods according to their strength and capacity to hold a certain type of drapes or curtains.
For heavier curtains, it is best to choose stronger, more solid curtain rods. Supporting devices should also be considered. These brackets provide end-to-end support for the rod, as well as support for the middle portion of the curtain rod.
4. Your budget
Curtain rods can be very expensive especially if they were made from high-quality materials. Hence, if you cannot afford to buy those expensive kinds, it is best to stick the ordinary.
Keep in mind that decorating your home with good sets of curtain rods can change the way people will look at it. However, it does not necessarily mean that you have to spend more than what you can afford just to decorate your house.
So the next time you buy your curtain rods, consider these factors and you will definitely make a big difference. Even if curtain rods are generally seen as something that holds up your curtains, they can also reflect the kind of personality that you have.
I Want Unique Candle Sconces For My Home
Candle sconces are an elegant way to have candles displayed on the walls of your home. If you use an interior decorator for any room, chances are he/she will recommend the use of sconces to hold the candles on the wall. Candle sconces can be made of wrought iron or you can have a brass sconce with a hurricane lamp. The plate of the candle sconces that screws to the wall can be made of metal, plastic or brass.
The plate of a candle sconce holds the candleholder or if you have tapered candles, you can have candles sconces that hold candelabras. There are a variety of styles available in wall sconces for candles and when you light the candles in them, they give the room a warm, inviting glow. Although you can use just about any kind of candles in sconces- votive, tealight, pillar or taper – your best bet is a dripless candle. Those made from paraffin or beeswax are best if you don’t want to spend time peeling candle wax off the floors and walls.
A brass wall candle sconce with a hurricane lamp holds a candle inside an old-fashioned lamp. This type of candle sconce will help you feel that your home is a cozy and safe haven, reminiscent of the days of the pioneers. On cold winter nights when the wind is whistling outside, you can relax with the glow of the candle reflecting off the wall. When you lose the power, you will still have light and you can feel safe with these candle sconces. The hurricane lamp style of sconce keeps the flame of the candle away from the wall and there is no danger of the candle tipping over.
Candle sconces come in a wide array of styles – gothic, traditional, art-deco and Victorian. You can choose a different set of wall sconces for each room and of course, you have to have a candle sconce along the wall of the stairway. This sets off the décor of the home. Although you may prefer the look of the brass wall candle sconce with hurricane for the entire house, you can choose different colors and scents to reflect your individual personality.
Traditional candle sconces were made from wrought iron and contained glass hurricane lamps. In addition to brass wall candle sconces, you can also have them made from Tiffany glass or plastic or you may prefer to have crystals dripping from them so that they look like mini chandeliers. You can also use imitation electric candles that operate on batteries if you don’t like the idea of using wax candles close to the wall.
Brass Table Lamps – Go Modern or Antique
Brass table lamps make a popular choice for good reason: they mix well with almost every décor. Whether you want an antique reproduction or a modern brass lamp long on style, you can find a lamp that adds style and personality to your home. They come in a wide range of styles and will continue to look timeless for years to come.
Vintage brass lamps create a beautiful look and many people choose this look for their home. Some companies have been making reproductions of lamps found in colonial America. For historic homes, these antique looking ones fit in well with period pieces and other antique items. Although the lamps used in colonial times created light through candles, modern reproductions update this by making electricity available. However, you can still find antique brass candlesticks and lanterns that use candle light for an intimate feel.
While antique reproductions are popular, you can also find great modern, sleek brass lamps. These lamps make a great addition to desks, bedside tables, or to tables in other living spaces. The finish on them makes them versatile and sleek looking so they fit in with many contemporary, modern designs.
What if your décor is somewhere in the middle of antique and ultra modern? Perhaps the most popular type of brass table lamp is the simple, classic style that never looks outdated. Some combine beautiful art deco design while others employ a simple style that fits in with virtually any décor. With all the choices available, you can find table lamps that stand out in your room or that blend into the surroundings depending on your needs and wishes.
In most cases, you can also find other types of lamps to match the brass table lamps that you find. You may want floor lamps, desk lamps, bath fixtures, and outdoor fixtures. You can even find great brass lamps for your boat or outdoor space. The material and finish remains so popular because it withstands the test of time and stays durable even after years of use.
Regardless of whether you’re looking for antique reproductions, ultra modern offerings, or something classic in between, you’ll find that brass table lamps will offer you the choice and durability that you want. It’s no surprise that these lamps remain so popular as they look great and will continue to do so for years to come.
The Romantic History of Antique Chandeliers
If you are looking for a way to give your dining room or bedroom a look of romance, there is nothing that can achieve that look faster or more tastefully than an antique chandelier. These chandeliers are ornate pieces of hardware made from wood, crystal, wrought iron, brass, bronze, pewter and even antlers. Many of them have intricate carvings that give them a refined air and add to the romanticism of the fixture.
Although originally designed as the primary light source in a hall, castle or room an antique chandelier used in modern homes serves a decorative purpose and provides soft lighting for an overall romantic ambiance.
Some of the first chandeliers were actually quite ugly monstrosities made of wooden crosses with spikes on which the candles were impaled to hold them into place. Simple chandeliers consisted of four candles while more intricate had a dozen or more candles lining the wooden strips. These chandeliers were hoisted up to the ceiling using heavy chains and could be lowered again to be lit, blown out and change the candles. They were quite heavy and were merely functional.
As society advanced chandeliers became more intricate and beautiful, used mostly by royalty and the very richest of society. It was not unusual for these pieces to be made especially designed for the rooms of the well to do. The more intricate the design the wealthier the personage of the person who owned it.
Candle chandeliers not only had intricate designs in the chandelier itself, but often times had intricate carved or painted glass globes. An antique chandelier using candles can add just the right romantic tone to a bedroom. These lovely pieces of art look especially well in a bedroom with an antique wardrobe, silk or satin curtains, bed treatments and thick throw rugs.
Kerosene chandeliers are usually extremely heavy and consist of a series of kerosene lamps hung onto the arms of an intricately formed chandelier. Many of the globes of these chandeliers feature scalloped edges and a fair number consisted of etched glass globes.
Gas chandeliers also have beautiful glass etched globes as well as painted globes. While you can still find gas antique chandeliers many have been converted to electric making them appropriate for the modern dining room while still retaining their romantic charm.
Old fashioned chandeliers have become such a hot item in interior decorating that there are entire stores that are dedicated to finding, refurbishing and selling these lovely pieces of yesteryear. If you are looking for the perfect piece to add to your dining room or bedroom you can check with your local antique dealer, a antique lighting store or visit one of the antique lighting stores online. With so many places available that carry chandeliers it should be quite easy to find just the right antique chandelier you are looking for to enhance the decor of your chosen room.
Be prepared to pay a handsome price for one of these lighting fixtures as purchasing one does not come cheap. However, the antique chandelier has stood the test of time and will add interest and beauty to your entire home that will last a lifetime.
Arts and Crafts Lighting Fixtures
Arts and crafts lighting fixtures are quality fixtures pioneered by Louis Comfort Tiffany during the late 1800′s. He turned the interior of his house into pieces of fine art using left over glass from his other designing projects. The result was the first Tiffany lamps which were painstakingly hand glued together piece by piece and welded into a single metal. These lights were a combination of fine art and craftsmanship.
Original Tiffany lamps are rare and hard to find and very expensive too. However, you can still avail of these types of reproduction lights from authorized and reputable companies. They don’t come in cheap either, but you can be assured of their quality and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
I personally have a preference for novelty lighting and the craftsman revival line. Though contemporary light fixture is the hip lighting today, I cannot help but marvel at the elegance and sophistication these old styles have to offer. They have styles for pendant, wall sconces, flush mount, chandeliers and vanity lights.
All of them are handcrafted made of antique copper with mica, fused glass and brass with different glass colors
Lighting is a key ingredient to your beautiful home. Try mixing antique furniture with quality light reproductions. Remember to maintain a balance between foyer lighting fixtures, overhead lighting, table lamps and floor lamps to create stunning light from several heights in the room.
Try combining fixtures made of different materials together, a mouth blown glass shade on a floor lamp, a stained glass table lamp, or perhaps a wall sconce on your stairway. Arts and crafts lighting fixtures are a great way to add richness and fullness to your home.
Always go for quality lighting which will give you value for your money. When encountering difficulty in choosing your lights, always consult a professional for that much needed advice.