Factors to Consider When Choosing New Lighting for Your House
Lighting plays a crucial role in interior design. It has a direct effect on the appearance, mood, and functionality of a room. Besides placement, your choice of a lighting fixture can either make or break your home design. In your next lighting purchase, be sure to consider these important factors to save time and money.
Overall theme
Always choose a lighting fixture that complements the overall theme of your house and the furniture design. You must decide first whether to go for a classic, contemporary, or transitional theme. Then, you can shop for lighting fixtures.
Ceiling height
Another important factor to consider is the ceiling height of the room. If your ceiling height is 8 feet or lower, it would be ideal to choose flush mount or semi-flush mount lights. That will avoid crowding the space unlike when you install chandeliers and pendant lights.
Room size
Your lighting should be proportional to the size of the room. Choosing a light fixture that is too small for the size of the room won’t give you the right amount of light for illuminating spaces. On the other hand, too much light can make a room feel uncomfortable.
Energy efficiency
This is an important consideration when shopping for a lighting fixture. Opting for LEDs will help you save money on your monthly energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, LED lights use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent lights.
Consult a licensed San Diego electrician
Are you having a hard time deciding what type of lighting fixture to install in your home? If yes, do not hesitate to ask the experts from your trusted local electrical company. Hiring a professional San Diego electrician to perform installations and repairs in your home will help ensure your safety and the safety of your family. What are you waiting for? Call the pros now!
5 Popular Countertop Materials For Your Kitchen
Kitchen design incorporates a variety of elements. Each plays a vital part in bringing your concept to life, from what appliances you choose to the color scheme for your worktops and interiors. One area that is not just important for function but also style is your countertops. This surface area will give you a foundation to prepare food and also ties your design ideas together.
How do you decide on the best option with the vast array of countertop materials to choose from? Check out some of the popular kitchen countertop materials below to find out:
Quartz countertops
Quartz is an excellent example of getting a high-end look in your kitchen without the high maintenance compared to other materials. It is one of the hardest minerals on the planet and is resistant to staining and marks, which is perfect for a busy family kitchen. This material is also extremely durable, and there is more consistency within the colors from slab to slab. The finish of quartz has a glossy look and creates a luxury aesthetic in the kitchen space. Take a look at some of the best quartz kitchen countertops for examples of this material.
Marble countertops
Marble is synonymous with luxury and is used in low-traffic kitchen spaces. The material is more fragile than other options as it has a porous surface and may stain easily. This natural material is beautifully unique and can vary from slab to slab in color and veining. There is a range of matte and glossy finishes depending on your requirements.
Granite countertops
Granite is a natural product that originates from a variety of sources across the world. It has a raw and unmatched beauty, and the look may vary from slab to slab. While this material is durable, it does require some maintenance, such as sealing every 10-15 years. This sealant protects the granite from oil penetration and staining, so ask your vendor what is required when selecting this material for your kitchen.
Solid synthetic countertops
Solid surfaces made from synthetic materials are a popular choice in kitchens. This countertop material is nonporous and is heat and stain-resistant. Over time you may see some scratches on the surface, but these can usually be removed with buffing. If you’re looking for a consistent color or pattern match, this is an excellent option as there is a wide selection of colors and styles. Most solid surfaces have a matte finish and vary in price depending on the color choice.
Solid wood countertops
Wood is another option for kitchen countertops, especially if you want to add warmth to the interiors. However, it is mainly recommended that wood be used as a focal point rather than the whole surface of the kitchen. Wood is high maintenance and scratches easily. It is also susceptible to damage from water and general kitchen items. This style of countertop is usually matte, but you can have a high gloss applied to the surface for a smooth appearance.
Sculptural Mirrors in Organic Shapes
On that model home tour I shared earlier this week, I spied an amazing live edge wood mirror on the wall in the dining room of one of the staged homes. (I was also happy to see my favorite small round dining table also used in this client’s dining nook.)
Rounded edge rectangle and circle mirrors with pencil thin or wood trim edges have been popular in the past few years but I love that we’re seeing more organic flowing edge mirrors.
These live edge and asymmetrical mirrors mimic more of the shapes you’d see in nature. They make great focal points and as always, mirrors are that perfect solution for bouncing light around a room.
live edge 36”custom live edge
wood live edge48” live edge
rectangle live edge
wavy woodhickory swirl mirror
organic ovalmidcentury wood
48” brass rough edge
black wavy edge (also gold) / edgebark
black irregular edge (also brass) / brass set of 3
asymmetrical set – irregular shape
flowing woodibiza gold
gunmetalchampagne organic shape
gold asymmetrical mirror
Do you love these more organic shapes too?
Model Home Tour: Design Takeaways
Over the weekend I toured some nearby model homes in a new housing development. I love peeking into model homes to look for creative design ideas. These designers/stagers had some great takeaways which I was going to share on Instagram but instead decided they were worthy of a blog post.
I shot these with a cell phone so the quality is not as good as if I had brought my dSLR camera, but they capture the the spaces and details adequately enough. I’ll share more closeups and video in today’s Instagram stories.
Think bigger: display large scale art instead of a gallery wall of smaller frames.
Turn macramé curtains into a bed canopy.
Say yes to subtle patterned wall to wall carpet.
Classic hue + modern shapes = this opaque blue glass tile mosaic.
Blend different shapes of porcelain tile flooring.
Consider rectangular open cabinets instead of floating shelves for storage.
For drama, stack rectangular natural stone tiles in a shower.
Group smaller tables to create one larger interesting coffee table arrangement.
Tuck an ottoman under nesting tables for texture and/or extra seating.
Hang wall cubbies asymmetrically in kids rooms.
Stained wood slats over dark paint make a dramatic backdrop to bookcases.
Better in threes: group small pendants in corners or above nightstands.
Hang white brick wallpaper on one wall for subtle texture.
Install textured tile in creative stripes inside small showers.
Display opportunity: Shelves in front of windows.
Small spaces are perfect spots for focal point wall treatments.
Group same size mirrors together in an abstract wall display.
Which one is your favorite design element?