From the Floors Up

How to Correctly Use Accent Lighting

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There are three types of lighting to use in your home: ambient lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting. While all three are very important when designing your space, accent lighting has a special place among the three. Accent lighting is used to highlight focal points in the environment. It can be used more than once in a room and helps create the room’s ambiance. Knowing how to use accent lighting correctly is vital to enhance your rooms theme and overall aesthetics. Here are three rules of thumb to remember when applying accent lighting:

Accent Light Your Focal Points

Accent lighting’s primary purpose is to highlight points in the room. Your accent lights will attract attention, so make sure you are drawing it to the right areas. Giving a room more visual impact through accent lighting can allow your focal point to become a strong influence in the room. A solid, well-lit focal point is a key element to any interior design theme.

Apply Backlighting and Recessed Lighting

When lighting is recessed or backlit, it creates a level of a mystic-this ambiance is great for adding subtle yet practical accent lighting in your room. Backlight behind pictures, cabinets, entertainment stands, and television. Add recessed lights in your room on dimmers to help make the lighting adaptable throughout the space.

Less Is More

Going overboard on accent lighting can take away from the power they have to offer. While accent lighting is good, less is more. Know how to apply dimmers to help enhance the space. Your ambient lighting should be used to illuminate the room and to make a dramatic impact.

Incandescent Lighting

While fluorescent lighting is great for lasting longer, it is not ideal for accent lighting. The true, warm color incandescent light has to offer may be more beneficial for your room; however, this comes down to application. In some areas of the home, even LED can make powerful backlighting and help the design. Make sure you consider what lighting option is best for your home.

Use accent lighting in your home to enhance your space. The more you can nail this down, the more powerful your design will become. For more insight on interior design, make sure to subscribe.

Building a House…I Wish I Had Thought of That! (Part One)

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Screen Shot 2013-05-07 at 10.37.00 AMWe would like to introduce Megan, one of our readers who has been kind enough to share her story and advice on building a house.

If building a house is in your future there are many things to think about and consider. Below are some helpful tips that will hopefully keep you from saying, “I wish I had thought of that!”

  • Window Shape: When I built my house I was set on having bamboo shades. It wasn’t till after I moved in that I discovered bamboo shades couldn’t be customized to an arched window. This actually made a lot of sense, but I had not thought about it when we were designing the window shapes in the house.
  • Master Shower: This is a brilliant idea instead of installing shelves in the corners of the shower for your shampoo.  You can do pocket shelves on the same wall as the shower knob. This provides a dry area for all your shower essentials and keeps things neat, tidy, handy, and dry!
  • Hallways: For an added touch use arch niches in your hallway. This is great for a picture or plant. Don’t forget the accent light!
  • Screen Shot 2013-05-07 at 10.35.58 AMEntry Area: An insert of tile or slate is the perfect solution for keeping your wood floors from getting moisture from rain and snow. It’s easy to maintain and worry free.
  • Carpet:  Make sure you get a good carpet pad. A good pad will extend the life of your carpet and you’ll be able to feel the difference on your feet!  Also, go one step further and research carpet beyond “base grade”.

You don’t want to miss next week’s post! Megan has even more information she’d like to share.  Stay tuned.

Dream Kitchen for the Serious Cook

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If you love to cook, you’re probably longing to get into this kitchen, for it was designed with a cook in mind.

Let’s take a look at the elements that make this space ideal for the serious home cook.

If we look at the lighting, there are a generous number of ceiling lights to even out the overall light spread and reduce the chance of inconvenient shadows. Additional task lighting under the upper cabinets gives cooks the opportunity for the fine detail work that requires more illumination.

The range has a built-in high-speed fan, and the stainless steel covers the stove’s backsplash. In addition to that oven, a double oven to the right provides three baking spaces plus a warming drawer. Life is good for the cook who is also a home baker. The dishwasher is a two-drawer model, which allows for smaller loads so you can clean as you go.

Glass-fronted upper cabinets leave all critical serving pieces in plain sight to grab when plating the meal or setting the table. Even the faucet at the kitchen sink has an extra-high profile to provide enough space for large pots and pitchers.

The functionality is clear, but it’s also a beautiful, light and inviting space to work. The wood floors – not visible in this photo – add warmth to the space. Three coats of polyurethane keep the floor protected from spills and crumbs while still allowing it to have that rich farmhouse look. Altogether, this is a kitchen that would make almost any cook happy.

Choosing your Lighting: Part 1

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This photo shows the impact lighting can have in a room’s design. This chandelier carries through the style of the space with its combination of elegant and rustic features, and its size and position opens up the room and links the furniture with the vaulted ceiling.

When it’s time to update your home’s look, think about the power three – flooring, paint and lighting. Integrate these three factors, and you are on your way to a complete design look.

When choosing lighting, consider style, need, budget and personal taste. Consider your needs first. Is ambient lighting throughout the room the best choice, or an intimate mood set by a chandelier with a dimmer? Would a ceiling fan be a better option? Make a list – room by room – of your lighting goals.

Consider your budget next. Can you afford to replace all of your light fixtures at once, or would it be better to space out your purchases? Check lighting prices to reach an understanding of what you want and what it will cost.

Is your home’s style cohesive – with an open plan or the same style and colors throughout? If so, take a look at a family of light fixtures so that they integrate well with your home’s design. If every room is different, determine fixture style to match the feel of each room.

As a final thought – choose those fixtures you personally like. They will be part of your home’s décor for many years, so take the time to make choices that will make you pleased with your space.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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