Enhancing your Home with Illuminating Light

 

Image: Mid Homes

When decorating your home the colors, furniture, finishes and decorative elements are always considered but lighting is often forgotten. Lighting is the forgotten element that will make the difference in how you and your guests view your home. It will enhance or detract from the prettiest of rooms, and it can change the mood of your interiors without you even trying. Here are some helpful tips to consider when choosing lighting for your interiors. 

 

Set the overall mood with ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is the general illuminating of a room that helps you be able to see clearly and safely. While ambient lighting is functional it can also be soothing or harsh depending on how bright the light is and what types of bulbs are used. For most homes a soft glow is desired in most living spaces. While in kitchens and bathrooms, the option for brighter light is essential for safety and ease of using the space. Dimmers or light controls can be installed on ambient lighting fixtures to make controlling the ambient lighting easier for the homeowner.

Image: Sourec

 

Accent lighting creates dramatic decoration

Lighting that is used to accent an architectural feature, a corner of your room, or just give visual interest to a small portion of your room is referred to as accent lighting, as it accents points of interest.  Accent lighting can become decoration in itself when used as sculptural art piece on the wall or it can lend subtle illumination in the case of wall sconces down a hallway or in a front foyer.

Image: Pod

 

Illuminate important tasks

Task lighting is one of the most important types of lighting for your home because it involves safety. It enables you to safely cut vegetables in the kitchen via under counter lighting or it helps your read the small print in your book in your home office. Task lighting is functional but it can also highlight decorative elements of your home. In the kitchen pendant lights over a bar can help your guests see their food while still lending gorgeous decorative accents to your kitchen. 

 

Image: Electric Blue

 Image: Treehugger

 

Decorative lighting can beautify your space instantly

Many lighting fixtures in your home beautify the space more than add illumination. For example candelabras on a dining room table, a small decorative lamp in a powder room, or wall sconces that flank either side of a fireplace. These decorative lighting fixtures make your home feel polished and personalized. Consider using decorative lighting wherever you want to add a punch of decoration and pizzazz. 

 

Image: Midhomes

 

Illuminating your interiors with beautiful lighting shouldn’t be a challenge. Now that you see the different types of lighting you can go throughout your home and determine what fixtures will suit your needs and lifestyle. Remember every home has different lighting needs and a home that has multiple sources of light in every room will provide more versatility than a room with only one light as an option. The next time you are choosing color and decor for your interiors, don’t forget to choose lighting right alongside with it!

Renia

Making the Most of your Studio Apartment!

Your studio apartment is your pride and joy and you love how personable it is, but you don’t care for how small it is! Studio apartments have always been a challenge to decorate and furnish because of the limited space and the lack of separation in the spaces. Studio apartments accommodate all of your living and private functions in one area and there are tricks to make it look great and feel homey. Here are tips to create the studio apartment you’ve always wanted. 

Find hidden storage throughout your apartment

The key to functionality and enjoyment of your studio home is finding hidden storage areas throughout your humble abode. Space saving built-in shelving and use of unconventional storage is ideal. I love these stairs that double as drawers below. Use vertical space to your advantage, the back of doors and building closet organizers in your clothes closets and kitchen pantry area can increase storage tenfold.

 

 Remaining photo credits: Bedroom Design

 

Making your kitchen livable

In many studio apartments the kitchen is one area that gets slighted on space. A galley kitchen or a small “L” configured kitchen can make it hard for multiple people to use the kitchen at once. Make the most of storage with cabinetry that extends to the ceiling and lower cabinetry that is organized and easily accessible below. If you have the option, choose smaller major appliances to maximize the space. Don’t forget creative display areas too.  The backsplash over the counters can be utilized for hanging utensils, storing spices and organizational bulletin and message center to keep your life organized.

 

 Function and enjoyment in your bathroom

Just because your bathroom is small in your studio apartment doesn’t mean it cannot be relaxing and enjoyable to use. Organize toiletries and small handheld appliances like hairdryers in baskets, or collapsible organizational totes below the sink or adjacent closet. Keep accessories to a minimum and keep the counter space free of clutter to make your small bathroom feel larger and be a more enjoyable room to use. 

 

  

Your cozy studio apartment should be the place that you call home and you enjoy spending every minute in it. Use these helpful tips to maximize on space and decor. Keep your decorations light and airy. Heavy and dark colors will make your space feel small and closed in. Feel free to mix-and-match patterns, colors, and light textures to provide the perfect balance for your studio apartment home. 

Renia

It all Starts with Two Words…….I DO!

You have decided to get married abroad and suddenly... there are a million & one things to think about to organize, but don't panic! Fortunately for you the spring and summer are the top seasons to get married in any part of the world.

There are wedding consultants everywhere to help you make your big day as beautiful as you dreamed of. Today I wanted to share ideas for making your wedding the day the most magical ever!

 

Image: Preston Bailey

The idea of this post came to me by seeing Preston Bailey’s beautiful posts in Facebook. His gorgeous photographed elements of the big day made me want to highlight the essence of every wedding day. 

 

Beautiful details

Whether it is the aroma of fresh blooms from the church decorations or it is the shining emblem on front of the Rolls Royce wedding car that sits out front of the chapel, weddings are all about the details. Ensure that the details leave a lasting impression for your guests, family, and especially you and your soon-to-be spouse.

 

Pretty accents make the day

Remember the prettiest accents will create the most lasting memories. Ribbon tied around the bride’s bouquet to match the bridesmaid’s dresses, or even the smallest of pearls and lace on the individual cupcakes at the reception, here is where the pretty accents come alive. Send your guests home with tokens of appreciation for coming. Party favors that carry the theme of the day always help guests remember your day for years into the future. 

 

Photography to capture the day

Photos and videos are often two parts of wedding planning that isn’t thought through carefully. The day will only be there for a moment, while your photographs and videos will last forever. Search for photographers that share a similar vision as you and your spouse for capturing the details, the quiet moments and the celebratory display of affection from all that attend your wedding.

 Image: Monica Dart Photography

 Image: Monica Dart Photography 

 

Be inspired by wedding planning and the details that will make you want to relive your wedding day in pictures and video for generations to come. Plan the details as if your guests need to capture a piece of you and your spouse to take home with them. After all, your wedding only comes once, and your chance to make it memorable is all yours! Enjoy it!

Renia