Natural Light Sources Creates Mood And Captures The Moment

Natural light sources are an important element in bringing out the best in the color scheme. If light enters through side windows, a dark ceiling will make the room look gloomy. If the light comes in at an angle it is wise to paint the floor a pale color.

Here are ten household helpful hints for natural light sources:

1 Control the light using blinds and curtains, always adapting it to the needs of every moment.

2 Soften the contrast produced by window and the dark surrounding wall by focusing artificial light onto the latter.

3 Emphasize the beauty of an especially compelling piece of furniture by spotlighting it.

4 In work areas the specific lighting must be from the left for right-handed people and vice versa.

5 The direct light from a hanging lamp must always be below eye-level, otherwise it will blind us.

6 Use subtle general lighting so that the transition from a bright area to a dark one is not painful for the eyes.

7 Make sure that the light in a work area is compensated by the surrounding lighting so that you do not strain your eyes.

8 Use freestanding lamps and floor lamps in spaces where the furniture's is frequently rearranged, these types of lamps offer adaptable solutions.

9 A highly reflective surface (the whiter the better) helps to multiply the light and to diffuse it all over the space.

10 In small rooms pale-colored walls give acceptable lighting. A darker ceiling breaks the monotony and provides contrast.

Bearing in mind all these factors, you should analyze the daylight in your house throughout the day and then plan the artificial lighting.

About The Author
Roger King has been involved in home interior designs for several years, and has been helping people find and review the best value for interior design solutions. Visit his Web site http://www.all-homeinteriordesigns.com to learn more about this service.
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Window Décor Q&A: How Do I Balance Privacy And Sunlight?

Q: Our family room has a large bay window that provides wonderful sunlight, but, unfortunately, it faces the street and we live on a court. I love the benefits of sunlight, but I'm not comfortable with my neighbors seeing into my home for hours on end so my drapes are usually blocking out all that great sunlight. What can I do to let the sunshine in without giving up my privacy?

A: Letting in sunlight while preserving privacy is one of the industry's biggest challenges. For windows with an open view to the outside or inside, a top-down/bottom-up shade is the best option available. Cellular pleated or Pleated shades allow you to lower the shade from the top. This lets light in while keeping the bottom part of the window covered ensuring privacy. Other options like horizontal wood or aluminum blinds can offer you complete privacy control and style options.

For more home décor and window covering ideas, visit a Blinds To Go superstore (1-800-blinds-7 for store locations) or its Web site at www.blindstogo.com.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Home Improvement

It is possible to make your home or apartment look good without spending a truckload of money on furniture and other items. As long as you follow a few simple rules and take advantage of new opportunities for frugal shopping (such as the Internet) you can transform any space into a relaxing, comfortable retreat.

1. Harness the transformative power of paint. Using paint to transform a room is one of the cheapest ways to make a big impact. Adding color, and maybe even paint designs, to the walls of a room is the easiest and most effective way to decorate a room and permeate it with your own personal style. You can also paint furniture to cover up aging pieces or antique finds that require some TLC. And if you make a mistake or decide to switch up your design in a few years, paint is very easy to change.

2. Plush pillows. Another wallet-friendly way to give your home that designer feel is to add accent pillows and rugs to the mix. Because these items tend to be small and sold for very little, you don't have to spend a lot of money to incorporate them into a space. A plush pillow alone can really work wonders, drawing your eye away from less appealing elements and toward a splash of color and texture. For extra effect, combine pillow sizes and shapes, or consider purchasing oversized floor cushions for even more color and added seating. Throw rugs constructed out of remnants are also a cheap way to add interest to an otherwise dull place.

3. Let there be light. Place several lamps around the room for an inexpensive way to create a space filled with warmth and comfort. If you opt for three way lighting, each lamp can serve a dual purpose: a brighter setting will provide working light when you need it, and a lower setting will create an intimate ambiance when you want to make the room feel even more cozy.

If you don't have enough money to buy new lamps, simply hide ugly lighting fixtures behind the sofa or a plant to keep it out of sight, and create a dramatic lighting effect at the same time.

Installing colored bulbs is another clever way to use lighting as an inexpensive decorating method. Colored lighting washes a room with soft light that produces an inviting atmosphere. This technique is most effective in the bedroom and bathroom.

4. Accessorize. You can easily reinvent a space anytime you want by incorporating new accessories. Buy new towels, a shower curtain, and other accessories if you want to revamp your bathroom. In other rooms, add a flower vase, or display a couple of cool knick-knacks you've picked up through the years.

An eclectic array of accoutrements works really well – you can usually find unique pieces at garage sales and on eBay for very low prices.

Candles are also a favorite. They instantly make a room feel cozy and warm without costing a bundle. They put that finishing touch on a room and make it feel complete. The fragrance alone will do wonders.

Decorative molding and medallions may seem too expensive a touch, but they are truly an affordable alternative to wood moldings. You can quickly and easily install them, and maintenance is a breeze.

Hanging framed photos of loved ones is another trick used by designers the world over. They add a simple focal point to a room and don't cost a lot to create.

5. Window coverings. A bit of money put into curtains or window coverings can do more for a room than you might expect. The beauty of fabric adds drama and luxury to bare windows and makes the entire room stand out. Even if you rent and have vertical blinds to contend with, the softness of a curtain creates a more elegant, finished look. If you know how to sew, purchase fabric from an outlet and make the curtains yourself. If you aren't an expert with pins and needles, consider buying basic store-bought curtain panels with a patterned fabric.

6. Use your own furniture. Instead of buying new, expensive furniture, use what you already have. If the pieces are in decent condition, give them a good cleaning, slap of paint, or a slipcover. Slipcovers are easy to find in home stores these days, and are sold at affordable prices. On top of all that, they are durable and washable.

If you have nothing to start with, become an online shop-a-holic. Scour online furniture stores for quality pieces at low prices. Often, online stores sell for less than retail because their business has less overhead to deal with – as a result, the savings are passed on to the consumer. And shipping prices have come down across the board, so there's no excuse not to order furniture online.

If you follow these frugal factoids and aren't afraid to shop in a few unconventional places for furniture and other items, you'll be able to furnish your entire home on a tiny budget. It'll be worth every penny.

About The Author
Katerina Mitrou sponsored by http://www.peoplesfurniture.net/ People's Furniture sells high end, low cost dining, living room and bedroom Furniture: http://www.peoplesfurniture.net/. Please link to this site when using this article.

ViVid Bathroom Vanity Lighting The Most Inexpensive Way Of Improving Your Bathrooms Decor

Because the bathroom vanity is used the most in the daytime, allowing natural sunlight will help in saving money on your energy bills. If your bathroom design is built with an outside wall then chances are you have a small window and have natural light already. To add more light you can add a bathroom skylight or a high cluster window. Another way is to enlarge the small side window. Direct sunlight is generally bluish white and the benefits are that the light reflects off surfaces that are in the bathroom. A bathroom design which has indirect sunlight will pick up the colors of the bathroom tiles or bathroom vanity. Although sunlight is great the problem may arise that on glossy or textured surfaces you will get glare. You can control the sunlight and the surface glare problem by several means. Using fixed or movable diffuse panels like window blinds or window coverings on special window shutters will help in reducing the scatter of the direct sunlight. On the outside you can use the benefits of sunshades or awnings that will cut sunlight altogether.

Artificial bathroom vanity lighting

There are twice other basic artificial bathroom lighting sources that your bathroom vanity can use. First there are the incandescent lights. They are small, bright, and generate heat as well. An example would be recessed lighting, surface mount and suspended types. The other is the fluorescent bathroom light fixtures which emit very little heat but look more cumbersome because of the ballast that is needed to run them. Generally bathroom lighting which ever style you use should provide relatively uniform with no shadows lighting over the entire bathroom decor.

Bathroom vanity Lighting Tips.

· Try avoiding glare with exposed light bulbs especially eye level.

· To make a bathroom decor seem larger, use soft even lighting with light color schemes.

· Low bathroom ceilings will do best with a flat light color or the use of recessed lighting fixtures.

· High ceilings give you the choice of using larger suspended bathroom light fixtures that will enhance the room volume.

· Small light sources create a sharp shadow where as the large light sources give more of the diffused shadows.

· The color of the bathroom lighting should flow with the bathroom décor colors and not clash against them.

· Bright lights will stimulate the bathroom whereas soft ones will have a calming effect.

· Using light warm colors will create a cheerful feel whereas the light cool colors are restless.

· Light levels that are low and the use of somber colors will make the bathroom depressing.


About The Author
Daryl plaza is the owner of http://creativebathroom.com a website that is designed with resources and reviews that will help you with ideas for your bathrooms décor

Beyond the Box: Outdoor Spaces Can Extend the Boundaries of Your Home

Fresh air, natural light and open space are key elements in today's home designs. New home buyers and existing homeowners alike want more open living and homes with a seamless connection between indoors and out.

For example, courtyards are appearing in more home designs across the county. Often connected to several rooms in the home, the courtyard serves as a central gathering spot for busy families or for entertaining guests. The courtyard is designed to flow from the inside of the house and appear more seamless than a traditional deck or patio.

"People hunger for sunshine, for glimpses of flowers, for the fun of watching their kids play in the back yard. For people who work in windowless, fluorescent-lighted offices all day, it's a joy to come home to a cheery sunroom or outdoor areas that let us drink in fresh air and views," said Joan McCloskey, an editor with Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Getting Started

Like other rooms, outdoor spaces are a reflection of the people who use them. What makes each space unique is how it expands the boundaries of a home -- adding functionality and character. Designing an outdoor living area doesn't need to be complicated, but homeowners should ask themselves a few questions when planning the space:

What are your goals for the space? The goal might be to expand a living area, maximize the site the house is built on, or frame a certain view. Regardless, establishing a goal and sticking to it will provide guidance when selecting from the myriad of building materials and designs that may challenge the process.

How will it be used? Will the space be used as a second kitchen, family gathering spot, or a place to relax and soak up the view?

How do you want the space to make you feel? The space may be designed to evoke a certain mood or feeling -- such as restful, informal or active.

How will this affect existing indoor and outdoor areas? Consider how this new space will tie into the existing architecture of the home. Proportion and scale play a part in successfully designing and integrating useful outdoor spaces, as does circulation to and from indoor living areas.

Choosing the Right Materials

In addition to developing a solid design, think about the materials that will be used. For example, windows and doors are both the visual and physical connections between inside and out. Large or thoughtfully positioned windows and doors maximize outdoor views and an indoor feeling of light, space and movement.

"A well-planned combination of windows and patio doors will successfully balance the static effect of solid walls with the dynamic qualities of the space," said Fred Foster, an architect with Andersen Windows, Inc. "Good door and window design allows homeowners to manipulate the movement of natural light, views and fresh air through the home, and affects how they move between the indoor and outdoor spaces of their home -- both physically and with their eyes."

Foster suggests combining sidelight and transom windows with patio doors to expand the basic function of the door into a major element that creates more interaction between the inside and outside. He also suggests using window grilles or art glass where a view is not being featured, or where pattern or color can enhance the design of the interior space.

The Finished Product

Opening up a floor plan with an outdoor living area can be a great addition to any home. From the design to the construction, homeowners often enjoy the process and look forward to using the space when it's finished.

For more information on the virtually limitless sizes, styles and combinations of Andersen windows and doors that can help make any home and outdoor area a more personal place, visit www.andersenwindows.com or call (800) 426-4261.

About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

Let There Be Light in Your Bedroom!

Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and then the light slowly starts returning to the northern hemisphere. But that still means we have many months of the year when our bedrooms get very little or no light in the mornings, when we get up, and are dark long before we go to sleep. If you're someone who gets blue without enough light in your life, try brightening up your bedroom by making it feel like summer!

Think summer. Light colors, light fabrics. Take down the dark, heavy drapes and let the windows bring in as much light as possible during the day. When evening approaches, pull down the blinds and close the sheer curtains, which will look delightful in the glow of your warm bedroom lighting. Use soft white or pink-tinted bulbs in your lamps, or the full spectrum bulbs that replicate natural sunlight. They can make a huge difference in how you feel!

One way to optimize the light that comes in during the day is to position a large mirror on a wall across from or corner to a window. The mirrors will reflect sunlight and bounce it around the room. Hanging crystals in your windows is another way to bounce light around the room at certain times of day — except this will be like having rainbows all around you!

Make your bedroom feel lighter simply by eliminating or moving around your furniture to have more open space available. Use colors for your bedding that complement the summer scheme, such as celadon, aquamarine, a hint of orange and yellow, or nautical navy blue and white stripes. A floral-pattern or green rug on the floor will evoke summertime thoughts, as will adding some flowering plants, greenery, or vases of flowers. A large tropical plant with palm leaves gives an instant feeling of warmth!

If you have a fireplace in the bedroom, try decorating the mantle with shells or framed photos taken in the summer. A painting or photo above the mantle of the beach, a boat on water, or lush foliage can add to the effect.
Try a few of these suggestions to brighten your bedroom and give you a taste of summertime — even during the dark days of winter!

About The Author
Parvati Markus
Please find the original article and more information about this subject at http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=Bedroom
When Parvati Markus is not writing helpful and insightful articles like the one you just read from www.homeandliving.com, she works with The Kabbalah Centre and freelances on non-fiction books and articles. As a recent arrival in L.A., Parvati is completing her "residency requirement" by writing a screenplay.
Find great home furniture online at www.homeandliving.com.
articles@homeandliving.com

Let There Be Light in Your Bedroom!

Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, and then the light slowly starts returning to the northern hemisphere. But that still means we have many months of the year when our bedrooms get very little or no light in the mornings, when we get up, and are dark long before we go to sleep. If you’re someone who gets blue without enough light in your life, try brightening up your bedroom by making it feel like summer!

Think summer. Light colors, light fabrics. Take down the dark, heavy drapes and let the windows bring in as much light as possible during the day. When evening approaches, pull down the blinds and close the sheer curtains, which will look delightful in the glow of your warm bedroom lighting. Use soft white or pink-tinted bulbs in your lamps, or the full spectrum bulbs that replicate natural sunlight. They can make a huge difference in how you feel!

One way to optimize the light that comes in during the day is to position a large mirror on a wall across from or corner to a window. The mirrors will reflect sunlight and bounce it around the room. Hanging crystals in your windows is another way to bounce light around the room at certain times of day — except this will be like having rainbows all around you!

Make your bedroom feel lighter simply by eliminating or moving around your furniture to have more open space available. Use colors for your bedding that complement the summer scheme, such as celadon, aquamarine, a hint of orange and yellow, or nautical navy blue and white stripes. A floral-pattern or green rug on the floor will evoke summertime thoughts, as will adding some flowering plants, greenery, or vases of flowers. A large tropical plant with palm leaves gives an instant feeling of warmth!

If you have a fireplace in the bedroom, try decorating the mantle with shells or framed photos taken in the summer. A painting or photo above the mantle of the beach, a boat on water, or lush foliage can add to the effect.

Try a few of these suggestions to brighten your bedroom and give you a taste of summertime — even during the dark days of winter!

About The Author
Parvati Markus
Please find the original article and more information about this subject at http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=Bedroom
When Parvati Markus is not writing helpful and insightful articles like the one you just read from www.homeandliving.com, she works with The Kabbalah Centre and freelances on non-fiction books and articles. As a recent arrival in L.A., Parvati is completing her “residency requirement” by writing a screenplay.
Find great home furniture online at www.homeandliving.com.
articles@homeandliving.com