GUEST POST: Bedroom Lighting Tips

This is a guest post from Ross Donald, interior design specialist

 with the light fixtures suppliers at LightingSale.com:

Bedroom Lighting Tips

The last room you visit at night and the first room you see in the morning, your bedroom is your solitary chamber in your home. There are, of course like any other room in the home, many aspects of design that come together to complete the aesthetic appeal of a room. One aspect of this spectrum of design comes from lighting, and the choices that you make when lighting a room greatly influence the atmosphere of the room itself. Here are a few great pointers for illuminating a room that needs both darkness and light.

Know the size and function
Bedrooms come in different shapes and sizes, and each person approaches their bedroom with their own unique demands for what they need it to do. Is this room strictly for sleeping or will you be engaging in other activities? The bedroom is gaining popularity as a media / reading room, and these create their own demands in lighting.

Install multiple options
A general rule for interior lighting is that there should be several different types of lighting in any room. Essentially you want lighting that is fashionable and lighting that is functional. Imagine a bar at closing time: the whole night they have the bar lights on to set the mood, but after last call the bright house lights come on so the staff can clean the place up.
Mornings in your bedroom might typically entail getting dressed for work, meaning you’ll probably want sufficient lighting to make sure your chose regalia for the day does not cause people to mock your fashion sense. A strong centralized light source such as a ceiling mounted chandelier works great for bringing light to the entire room.
In the evening you may want to sleep while your significant other wants to stay up and read. In this case the use of small focused lighting, akin to what you see on an airline, makes a great addition that gives sufficient directed lighting for reading without causing a distraction that keeps the other person awake.

Think outside the nightstand
Tableside lamps are the traditional lighting companion for the bed but they are not the only choice you have. Hanging lamps with pendant shades can bring soft intimate touches to the bedroom and while sconces bring a suave contemporary framing style to your bedroom. Both of these have the added feature of freeing up space on your bedside table, and if you’re anything like me, the open space on that nightstand is a rather rare real estate commodity.

Adapt and Adjust
Don’t leave yourself short socketed in your bedroom design. Install plenty of wall sockets, a few at different heights, so that you have the flexibility to add light where you want it. Installing dimmer switches are a remarkable addition to the bedroom that allow you to almost literally set the mood with adjustable luminosity.
The last call in how to light and set the mood is up to you though. Every design project should always reflect your tastes as an individual, or, if you’re married, your wife’s.

Ross Donald is a writer and interior design specialist with the light fixtures suppliers at LightingSale.com

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Thank you, Ross, for this lovely post!

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The company Ross is working for offers a huge quantity of various light fixtures. I had a look through a few of their pages and found besides the classical chandeliers and other lamps these sweet and unusual mini chandeliers f.e.:

Cypress Wrought Iron Mini-Chandelier in Wet White by Crystorama

Tartan 1-Light Mini-pendant in Aluminum by Lite Source

Raimondo 1-Light Wall Lamp in Polished Steel by Lite Source

Folha 1-Light Table Lamp in Antique Silver by Lite Source

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GUEST POST: The latest at JHID again

I received another newsletter from Jessica Helgerson, Interior Design and I could not help but I had to publish this completely on my blog because I just love what I saw. The transformation of a loft can be extremely intriguing and offers a lot of opportunities for creativity...

The latest at JHID

"We just finished working on the offices of Joint Editorial. They specialize in professional, creative film and video content post production."

"Originally built as a warehouse and office for General Electric Supply Corporation, their new space was a big, open loft with a beautiful arching bow-truss ceiling, steel windows,
and lots of natural light."

"Our role in the project was to select interior finishes, furniture, and lighting. We kept our materials as simple as possible to highlight the architecture, both existing and new, and selected furnishings to create a comfortable, casual feeling reflective of the Joint Editorial identity."

"The nature of the work done by the Joint editors requires each editor to have his or her own “room”, but they also wanted a shared living space in which to gather, brainstorm, and hang out."

"Armin Quilici of Vallaster Corl Architects was the project architect. He responded to their request for both public and private space by creating a rim of private offices around the edge of the space and two enclosed pods with mezzanines above them, connected by a bridge."

"It was a pleasure to work with the creative folks at Joint and we wish them all the best in their new space. To see the rest of the photos head to our website."

 (photos and text JHID)

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GUEST POST: The Latest at JHID

This morning I received a newsletter from Jessica Helgerson, Interior Design and I could not help but I had to publish this completely on my blog because everything that was created for this Yoga studio was simply marvellous and right up to my alley:

The latest at JHID

"This project was an interior remodel of a historical building in NW Portland for The Yoga Space.
We were fortunate to start with such a beautiful space as we added an entry, two bathrooms,
and two studio spaces for large and small classes.

In the large studio we used a very simple palette of white walls and dark beams, which highlights the lovely stained glass windows. Tall arched niches hold yoga mats, blocks, and other props. Mirrored niches reflect light to create a feeling of openness as they duplicate the beautiful beamed ceiling.

In the bathrooms and entry we used encaustic tile for the floors which adds a subtle pattern that feels harmonious with the mediterranean style of the building.

 In the small studio, the space is intimate and meditative with Moroccan metal sconces, and a vintage wooden alter.

We also transformed a former foyer into a cozy lounge area with lush plants, rugs and large ottomans.

The front entrance is marked by an inviting collonade lined with olive trees; a lovely example of the charm this building brings to Northwest Portland. We hope you'll come by and take a class! For more photos check out our website.

 

Photos by Lincoln Barbour

The project manager and lead designer and for Yoga Space Northwest was JHID designer Mira Eng-Goetz."

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GUEST POST: Beauty Lies in Simplicity

Beauty Lies in Simplicity

This is a guest post contributed by Eva Stephen.

The well-known saying “Less is more” can sometimes be a wonderful guide to people looking for ideas on how to decorate or remodel their home. There’s some charm in over-stuffed rooms, full of interesting details, especially if they are exotic. However, simplicity brings beauty and grace to a home that no crowded space can match.

Positive aspects of simple solutions

If you are not a big fan of loud, shocking colours, elaborate decorations on walls and ceilings, unusual furniture and making sure no corner remains empty, you’ll enjoy the positive aspects of simple décor. Minimalistic style:

• brings out the beauty of your home’s architecture
• makes your home look more spacious and elegant
• makes it much easier to keep your house clean and tidy
• has a calming effect on the house’s inhabitants

What’s lovely about minimalistic homes owners is their love for plants. Plants are usually that lively, colourful “detail” that interrupts the sheer simplicity and brings out the house’s beauty.

 Trend Decoration Via

Colours that spell out elegance and style

When decorating walls, there are many factors to consider: the purpose of the room, how many windows it has, how big it is, how you want to feel in it. Teenagers and older people will no doubt want different things from their surroundings.

When going for a simple style in your home, you’ll want your eyes to rest on soothing colours: earthy tones, different shades of brown and cream, peach, very light green, or simply white. Different rooms can have different wall paint, to match the furniture appropriately, but they should all have a soothing effect.

Children’s room is probably the happiest, most colourful room in the house, so even when you want to keep it simple and toned down, the yellow, orange, baby blue and bright green are definitely allowed in the play room.

If you decide on the white throughout, make sure you put up some nice photos, quality paintings or similar details that will open up your home, and not make it look sterile.

In healthy surroundings, healthy body

People who lead messy, disorganized lives often don’t eat properly and have problems with their weight. It’s well known that people who pay attention to how they make and serve food are healthier.

 Jeannies Kitchen Via

You should not eat standing up, hurrying on to some other task, or plopped down on a sofa, watching TV. Food should be eaten at a tidy table in a pleasant atmosphere. Most happy events, whether private or business, are celebrated during a meal, which is why a great amount of care should be given to dining room decoration.

Many people, especially women, are very interested in how their kitchen is decorated. The bigger, more spacious and brighter it is, the easier it is to spend hours in it. Don’t clutter the kitchen with unnecessary elements, but maximize its space and potential putting only what’s necessary in it.

Shop 4 Furniture Via

Beauty and simplicity go together

Another reason to go for the minimalist style in your home is - it is less likely you’ll do a bad job decorating this way. When you clutter your home with many things, the chances are higher some of these things will not look good together. You don’t want your house to look distasteful, but you do want it to be pleasant to live in and beautiful. Keep it simple and you’ll love it.

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Thank you Eva for this lovely article

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GUEST POST: Think about Glass Art

Yesterday I received another wonderful guest post from Shahab Shokouhi who is writing for Dulles Glass and Mirror.
I am totally addicted by glass not only for household items but for art of course as well. Therefore I am delighted to publish this article:

 Think about Glass Art

THINK ABOUT GLASS ART | “Spectacular Entrance”

A glass art design studio in Canada called ThinkGlass (TG) is producing these works of glass art that work in commercial spaces like hotels, casinos, restaurants, offices, hospitals, and even universities and churches. In this post, we will explore some of the latest and greatest works from TG.

The above piece of artistic glass called “Spectacular Entrance,” which resides floating on the ceiling of this home entrance, producing one of the most amazing and vibrant textures and bright array of colors ever seen in a foyer, giving it pop, as soon as you cross the threshold of this home.

And while each piece of glass art is uniquely handmade and individualized, the applications of functional glass art are countless.


Magical Flowers | New York, NY

Here’s an example of floral glass art titled: “Magical Flowers.” These crystalline flowers are made from ½” thick glass and fill up the ceiling. This photo is from a private residence in New York. It is a mix of many styles… a throwback to classical art and modern organic flare. And while it is a powerful piece, it still allows for the flow of light… one of the many advantages of creating art with glass. This means your home is still a bright and beautiful space, even with such a multicolored, multidimensional piece.


Glass Art Shower Enclosures

ThinkGlass has a huge collection of glass art for one's home -- which is a direct convergence of art and functionality. Instead of having a run of the mill glass shower enclosure, a custom glass art enclosure really makes you feel like you're in an out of this world resort -- as you can see in the above example. The sculptured design really makes your bathroom look like an “arctic oasis,” where no two are alike.


Crystal Bloc

In what is truly another combination of function and art, this functional art piece which is a 4 inch thick crystal colored glass kitchen countertop, titled: “Crystal Bloc.” Though, this beauty doesn’t come cheap. At $200-$400 per square foot, a kitchen countertop like this adds up fast. On the bright side, it can be custom designed to your specifications, with the colors and designs you want. And without fail, a piece like this would easily become the centerpiece of your kitchen.

All of the images and glass seen here are by ThinkGlass. They will be able to answer all questions regarding pricing and availability.



About the Author

Shahab Shokouhi is a Writer at Dulles Glass and Mirror – a manufacturer of commercial and residential glass products including custom mirrors, glass top, and glass top desks.

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Thank you very much for this nice article, Shahab.

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GUEST POST: 10 most unusual Candles

We will soon experience a significant loss of light again - as it is usual for this time of the year in the northern hemisphere. So it is the time for candles gain and their wonderful warm light that soothes heart and soul. A great guest post by Lily Fox might lead you to some unusual ideas how to add a special accent to any room:

10 Most Unusual Candles

Candles have developed over the years to take many different forms. Typical candle designs include pillars, scented candles, and tealight candles, as well as more traditional candelabras and outdoor lanterns. However, it is also possible to find some more unusual candles, which take strange shapes, and imitate familiar objects. Some of the best and most unusual candles consequently include those shaped like eggs, or wads of money, and those that are made to smell like bacon or coffee. Other candles take creative approaches to projecting shadows and other patterns from their light, and make for great decorative touches around the home.

scented pillar candles

1 - Egg Candles

These candles are made to look like a boiled egg sitting in a glass container. As the candle burns down, the ‘shell’ melts away, and the wax that dribbles out is coloured yellow to resemble yolk.

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2 - Bacon Candles

For the many people that love the smell of bacon, but can’t bring themselves to eat it, bacon candles provide an unusual solution. These candles are triple scented to give them the scent of cooking bacon, and can be placed to recreate its aroma in different parts of the home. Probably not the best gift idea for vegetarians or vegans, though.

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3 - Lumen Candles

These imaginative candles by artist Adam Frank are housed in stainless steel lamps. As they burn, the candles throw distinctive silhouettes onto a back wall, with shapes including trees and plants.

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4 - Money to Burn Candles

People that have always wanted to burn a money note with a cigar, but have never had the courage - or the money to spend - can use this alternative. A candle shaped like a stack of dollar bills, the Money to Burn candles gradually melts away the artificial money.

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5 - Indian Corn Candles

Designed to look as much like real corn as possible, Indian Corn Candles are even coloured to resemble originals. Although why anyone would want to have this as a form of decoration is questionable, the candles do melt away over time to reveal different layers.

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7 - Sushi Candles

Made from beeswax, sushi candles use a fibre wick and futomaki and spam sizes to resemble different pieces of Japanese sushi. Ideal as a decorative piece, they also look unreal enough to avoid the danger of someone trying to taste them.

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8 - Cheese Candle

Another of the many candle designs that emulate food, the cheese candle, as the name suggests, looks like a block of cheese. As the wick burns down, the wax melts to leave holes, and gradually breaks down the lump.

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9 - Lego Candles

An ingenious example of using candle holders in a creative way, Lego candles involve building up wax blocks, which then use the holes in the Lego design to place tealights. Lego Candles can be arranged into different configurations, albeit always remembering to be safe in terms of balancing them out on a surface.

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10 - Cappuccino Candle

Installed within a glass cappuccino mug, this candle is designed to make its top and wick resemble a mound of foam, which gets eaten away through different coffee and chocolate layers. Scented candles that use cappuccino and other coffee aromas are also available.

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Thank you Lily for this amusing post

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GUEST POST: Aztec Designs for the Home - A growing Trend

Ethnic inspired patterns and motifs never disappear actually from interior design. Aztec motifs and patterns are clear and geometrical. Should it be due to the Mayan calendar ending in December why this trend is suddenly growing?? I especially love the graphical patterns Tess Pajaron is talking about. Read what she writes:

AZTEC DESIGNS FOR THE HOME: A GROWING TREND

Central America is well-known for its incredible hues and patterns used in, well, just about everything. From the blankets and carpets, to the beautifully decorated walls, the Aztec designs are ones that inspire fun and flare in their patterns and colors. From bright reds and yellows to vibrant blues and greens, Aztec design has become a growing trend all around the world.
If you are looking to spice up your home, here are a few easy ways you can incorporate the new trend of Aztec design into your home.

Fabrics
From pillows to couches, you can quickly transform the look of any room simply by updating the fabrics used in your living area. If your bedroom is bland, spice it up with a new bed spread. Or, if you want to change the look of your family room, buy some new accent pillows in an Aztec pattern to easily incorporate this look into your favorite areas.
When out shopping, don’t be afraid of bold geometric patterns and colors. Lots of vibrant colors combined with distinct geometric shapes are a classic look of the Central American design and add a nice touch to any couch, chair, bench or bed.

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pattern for fabric

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pattern for fabric

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Walls
The walls of your room transform the look and feel instantly because they surround and frame the space you are in. One of the top looks in Aztec design is stucco. This can be added to any paint color to create a unique look on your walls.
If repainting an entire room sounds like too daunting of a task, try using wall hangings instead. Fun scenes from the beach, rustic colored wood, or any iron cast wall hanging are great ways to quickly change the look of your room and walls without requiring hours of manual labor.

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Rugs
The floor of your home is another area that many people’s eyes are attracted to. After all, people look down when they are walking so as not to trip. If you have a neutral tone, such as wooden floors or tile, quickly liven it up with an area rug that is filled with color and geometric prints. Be careful not to go too bold if your walls are already covered in geometric prints as well. If they are, make sure these prints and colors match, or your room will lose the Aztec charm. If multiple colors make you nervous, start by adding a singular bright color and combine it with a white or neutral tone and geometric shape. Then, you can add accessories later to liven it up even more.

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Accessories
Dress up your mantle with beautiful pots hand painted with colors and patterns through Aztec designs. Large potted palms combined with conches and iron or wooden frames and designs can give an instantly Aztec update with ease and not a lot of investment.
If you are new to this style of color combinations, choose a color theme such as tropical hues of green, pink and bright blue, or ocean colors such as yellow, white, turquoise and silver, and keep the same look and feel throughout the room while still creating a vibrant glow.
As you start decorating with the trendy and classic style of Aztec print, you will likely fall in love with the fun and happy feelings you get from the bright beautiful colors and prints and continue your decoration throughout other rooms. Don’t be fearful for the bold look of the Aztec design. Dive into it head first and you may surprise yourself.

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(added by the blog owner - as a replica this would certainly look awsome on your mantle piece:)

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(added by the blog owner: found a couple of resin plaques - from China - which would make a great impact on your room decoration...)

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(added by the blog owner: even whimsical items such as these cork coasters add a touch of exotic flair...)

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(added by the blog owner: a short excursion to fashion - last but not least an Aztec tote bag would make a statement for the dedication to your home style)

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Tess Pajaron is part of the team behind Open Colleges. Her background stems from her exposure to their family-owned construction business. She is a lover of minimalist modern designs and architecture. On her spare time, she loves to travel.

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Thank you Tess for this lovely post. 

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