Contemporary Area Rugs » Home Improvements

Lighting techniques that are right on track and on budget

admin — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:30:39 +0000

If the mortgage crisis has you staying put for a few more years, there’s an easy way to enhance your home’s decor while adding value. Upgrading your recessed lighting or installing a track lighting system can brighten up any room and make your space appear larger.

This is not the track lighting from the 1960s and ’70s – those clunky and chunky fixtures in black or white that became hallmarks of contemporary interiors. Now there are a lot more choices: Track heads are smaller in size, available in traditional styles and offered in a variety of finishes including brushed nickel and bronze to coordinate with appliances and hardware. These same metallic finishes are also popular in recessed lighting trims for the same reason, according to Shelley Wang, president of WAC Lighting.

Besides coordinating seamlessly with decor, today’s track and recessed fixtures provide supreme versatility. These lighting products come to the rescue when space configurations make it tough to illuminate all areas.

Out of sight = clean design

“Recessed fixtures are generally preferred for general lighting in almost any room of the house,” notes Joe-Rey Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.

Wang agrees, adding, “They are perfect for illuminating otherwise dark spaces where portables and direct-mount fixtures have limited capabilities and would visually clutter the design.”

Recessed lights offer flexibility in that they can be individually aimed, according to Wang. “Square downlights in singles and multiples are a great linear look that was first made popular in retail and architectural spaces, but are now found regularly in high-end homes,” she explains. “Trimless recessed lights ensure that nothing protrudes below the ceiling plane, giving a minimalist look.”

Homeowners can rely on recessed not only when illuminating hallways and kitchens, but also to supplement other light sources in family rooms and bedrooms.

Glenn Siegel, marketing director for Cooper Lighting, has observed two growing trends: an increase in finish choices and a preference for recessed, square shapes for an architectural look. “In both Halo’s recessed and track lines, we now provide updated metallic finishes that range from Aluminum Haze, Satin Nickel, and Tuscan Bronze to Antique Copper,” says Siegel.

To save on energy, plus limit awkward bulb changes on the ceiling, consumers can buy compact fluorescent bulbs suitable for recessed fixtures. Placing the lights on a dimmer will further cut electrical costs and allow the user to vary the levels of light to create ambiance. Several lighting manufacturers are now offering LED-powered recessed fixtures and hanging pendants suspended from track for even greater energy savings over time.

Where to use today’s track stars

“Almost any room in the house is a candidate for a track system,” Rey-Barreau says. Once relegated to applications such as hallways, recreation and family rooms, and basements, track lighting is now being employed in dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

“Track lighting has changed from a mundane product category into one that is design-conscious and extremely flexible,” Rey-Barreau states. The variety of fixture styles and lamping choices are diversified and available in an array of bulb options.

“One of my favorite applications is in renovation projects where the lighting placement is limited by the location of electrical service in the ceiling. Since the track allows for multiple fixtures in a linear configuration, it is possible to provide electricity to the track in one spot while allowing the fixtures on the track to reach many parts of the room,” Rey-Barreau says.

“Tons of homes are built with one junction box in the ceiling, but the residents want to update the space to incorporate general, accent and task lighting,” Wang concurs. “If recessed lighting is not feasible without lowering the ceiling height, a track system is a nice alternative. I faced this issue inside my pre-war New York City apartment and the track solution came out great.”

Track systems have evolved into highly decorative and functional lighting solutions. “The most common type is the monorail, which contains a single rail of electrified cable that can be installed either in straight runs or can be bent in the field for custom designs,” Rey-Barreau notes. The monorail provides the greatest flexibility and has an almost unlimited range of fixture options. With these new systems, the track becomes very much a part of the room’s overall aesthetics.

“One of the advantages of the monorail is that you can attach both pendants and accent fixtures on it,” Rey-Barreau explains. “Therefore, in a location such as a peninsula in a kitchen or a basement bar, you can place pendants above the work surface while creating spot lighting on objects in the room.”

Terry McGowan, director of technology for ALA, also appreciates the monorail’s flexibility. “I like to use it in dining rooms, even if there’s a suspended fixture over the table. Track adds downlighting and sparkle to table settings and can also be adjusted to accent sideboards, buffets, wall art, or sculpture,” he comments. “The decorative fixtures can then be dimmed so they’re not glaring.”

Siegel has noticed that owners who invest in expensive automobiles are installing lighting systems that showcase their investment. “Using both recessed and track lighting, designers are providing both proper light levels and color temperatures in these residential garages to make the spaces both functional and inviting,” he explains.

To learn more about how today’s new track and recessed products can complement your design scheme, stop by an ALA-member showroom near you. Visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com, or call (800) BRIGHT IDEAS (800-274-4484) for a list of lighting stores in your neighborhood. ALA lighting showrooms have trained lighting professionals and offer more variety than home centers.

Stylish, sustainable fall interior design ideas

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:32:00 +0000

When you think of the colors associated with fall, green doesn’t necessarily come to mind. Environmentally speaking, however, it should. There’s no better time than now to lessen your home’s impact on the environment and change the way you decorate and live. So, why not go green this fall? It’s not nearly as difficult to become earth-friendly as you might think.

“From products that contribute to good indoor air quality to ones that truly reflect the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra, the number of affordable green interior decorating products has literally exploded within the past five years,” says Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy color marketing and design manager.

These days, you can find stylish, eco-friendly design elements for every room in the house. And, contrary to popular belief, going green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for sustainability. The two can coexist quite effortlessly.

You can start simple by dressing your bed in luxurious sheets, throws and comforters made from fabrics such as rich, renewable bamboo or soft, organic cotton. Cover your floors with formaldehyde-free carpets constructed of recycled fibers or select a natural material, like stone, slate or even concrete. Then, hang energy-efficient window treatments with high insulation and shading properties.

Don’t stop there. Spice up your tired sofa with a design-forward slipcover and throw pillows crafted from 100 percent recycled materials. Add bright recycled glass plates and serving pieces to your china cabinet. Buy furniture made from sustainably harvested wood or, better yet, visit local secondhand shops and repurpose. Or, look around your own home and see what you already have that can be adapted for a new use. You’d be surprised what a little creativity and some good old-fashioned elbow grease can do.

If you’re looking to add bold, fun color, paint fits perfectly into this overall green scheme. It’s an inexpensive, effective and, most importantly, environmentally-minded way to change the look and feel of an entire room. Many paint manufacturers now offer coatings that contain few, if any, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or vapors that are released from paint as it dries.

Using paints formulated without VOCs, such as Dutch Boy’s new Refresh interior paint with exclusive odor-eliminating Arm & Hammer technology, takes your home one step closer to reducing your environmental impact while leaving your interior looking fresh, modern and filled with personality.

Many home improvement products, including Refresh, are also Indoor Air Quality certified by The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, a nonprofit, industry-independent organization that certifies indoor products that meet satisfactory indoor air emissions standards.

Keep in mind that greening your home, inside or out, doesn’t happen in a matter of minutes or even overnight. It’s an ongoing process. The limit to how green your home can be is up to how willing you are to adjust your lifestyle. The choice is yours. “It doesn’t take any grand gestures to start going green,” Schroeder says. “Tiny changes add up to make a big overall impact on the environment.”

How to redesign your home to suit your personality

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:29:35 +0000

When guests enter your home, what they see is a reflection of who you are.

What do you want that reflection to be? It’s a seemingly simple question, but one that goes to the core of your personality.

In order to redesign your home to reflect your real self, you have to know who that person is. The cardinal rule is: Be true to your own taste, trust yourself, maintain your confidence and never worry what others will think. When you hear that inner voice saying, “I really like this, but what would so and so say?”, banish that negative message and go with your intuition. It’s your home, after all, and it should reflect who you are at this moment in time.

Sometimes it takes a professional designer to elicit from the client his or her true preferences. Part psychologist, part designer, a professional draws from a client hidden aspects of personality that they didn’t even know existed. A designer might show many pictures of numerous styles to clients, seeing which one they respond to most positively.

When you drill down to the core of a person — all truth will then flow. Since all decisions will emanate from one true source — the real you — consistency will naturally follow. And as long as there’s an essential consistent theme, most designers agree, you will have a successful result.

“The most successful interiors are those with an underlying structure and theme. A common theme brings order,” says James Evanson, Interior Design instructor at The Art Institute of New York City. “People collect things with no order. A professional designer can help focus ideas. Remember you shouldn’t have anything in your home that is neither beautiful nor practical. If the object fits neither category, perhaps you should rethink your approach.”

Gina Carlson, Interior Design Academic Director at The Art Institutes International Minnesota, agrees. “Too many people don’t plan their living space,” she says. She advises that clients ask themselves, “Does this enhance my life? What am I trying to accomplish in this space? What do I want to change in my life? Do I need more space for cooking? Do I want a place to work from home?”

She says the principles of Feng Shui can bring these ideas to fruition. “Through Feng Shui analysis we can determine what colors and what kind of environment is unique to each person, supporting them in their lifestyle and goals.”

Whatever the ultimate design philosophy, a good starting point is with the ancient Greeks who are credited with the maxim, know thyself. They understood that getting to know one’s true self is a lifelong journey, relevant to all aspects of living, with both spiritual and everyday applications.

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Diversity in design: Mix, don’t match, wood textures and colors

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:28:01 +0000

Still worrying about what goes with what when you’re decorating? Design style leaders nix the matching – “too boring” – in favor of mixing colors, wood grains, stains and textures throughout a room.

“Consumers think everything has to match, but the pros mix,” says Laura Dalzell, owner and president of Cabinets & Designs, Inc. in Lexington, Kenn. She’s a firm believer in combining, – for example painted wood cabinets with cabinets in both natural wood tones and a wide range of colored stains. Mixing is the magic that brings a kitchen to life, she believes. “Different finishes create the ‘furniture look’ that’s been the trend in kitchens for the last decade or so.”

Across the country, California designer Debbie Nassetta nods in agreement from her desk at RoomScapes Inc., a top design firm in Laguna Niguel. Nassetta likes contrast. “If you have dark cabinets, make the floor lighter. With light cabinets, go the other way around,” she advises. Her own home kitchen features cabinets in three different colors: stained cherry on one wall and the work island with the rest painted cream. Plus, there’s a piece de resistance, a large armoire she painted black to make it stand out in the crowd.

At The Kitchen Source in Dallas, designer Alison Gillespie also praises contrasting colors. “We do our best not to match cabinets and floors.” Alison advocates a mix of different species of woods. For example, a hand-scraped oak floor with maple cabinets in an opaque finish.

From New Orleans and Cabinets By Design, Inc., designer Christina Sheets confirms. “Down here wood species don’t matter.” Given The Big Easy’s penchant for preserving old things, many homeowners refinish rather than replace their vintage hardwood floors, Sheets explains. The floors are then stained to complement –- not match – new hardwood cabinets.

“We also like to mix cabinets in the same kitchen,” she says. “The idea is to create visual contrast between the work island and the perimeter cabinets. Locally, popular mixes include cherry and cypress for cabinets, and butcher block on the work island.

“If the perimeter cabinets differ from the work island, we might put the same countertop material on both,” Sheets says. “But if the cabinets are alike, we’d use different countertops for contrast, say, granite and butcher block.”

Arizona designer Elizabeth Spengler, who creates kitchens for Dorado Designs, Inc., in Oro Valley, often uses one color for base cabinets and another for wall cabinets. Her own kitchen is a medley of contrasting woods and colors: red birch flooring, glazed oak base cabinets, perimeter wall cabinets painted granny apple-green, and a cherry-stained work island with a black glaze.

Spengler also advocates a mix of different wood species throughout the house, such as a rift-cut oak in a contemporary kitchen with birds-eye maple furniture in the dining room and olive ash burl pieces in the living room.

Even hardwood floors in adjacent rooms may vary “as long as you use some transitional device to make it work,” Elizabeth says. Her favorite: a border incorporating the wood species or color from the floor next door. “Just make sure there’s enough contrast to show you mean it,” she says. “Near-misses don’t make it.”

What about wood mouldings in the kitchen? As a general rule, the designers agree that ceiling mouldings should be finished like the wall cabinets. Base and other mouldings usually follow suit.

The pros point out that painted mouldings make the space look lighter and more open, while stained wood creates warmth and coziness. New York designer John Buscarello is definitely a paint partisan. “Paint the mouldings,” urges Buscarello, whose kitchens have been featured at the National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and in dozens of decorating magazines. “Painted ceiling mouldings make the ceiling look higher and the rooms look larger.” Painting also downplays mouldings, he says, “and lets the wood of the cabinets be the star.”

So stop worrying and let the fun begin. Mix it up. The experts have spoken.

For more top designers’ opinions about mixing-not-matching hardwoods in your home, visit the American Hardwood Information Center at www.Hardwoodinfo.com and click on “Write and Request” for a free copy of the booklet, “American Hardwoods By Design.”

Fall decor trends feature rustic charm with homespun elegance

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:26:50 +0000

The air is becoming crisp, colors are changing and cozy sweaters are starting to make their way back into your wardrobe’s rotation. Autumn has arrived, and its natural beauty shines radiantly to warm the heart and inspire fresh crafting ideas.

“This fall season, warm colors, rich textures and creative details stand out,” says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. “Interest in homemade crafts and do-it-yourself decorating projects has never been stronger.”

Clever crafts can help to create an autumn atmosphere that is simply elegant or pure fun for the family. When thinking about your fall DIY projects, try some of these ideas to capture your creative spirit when decorating your home or planning your next festive get-together:

1. Fabulous fall decor with versatility and value
Start by decorating your table with exceptionally affordable wool felt. Available in plenty of mix-and-match autumn colors, felt can be sewn, glued, colored or cut – the sky is the limit.

One easy option that provides a beautiful visual presentation is to cut out shapes on a felt cloth. For example, draw scattered maple leaves all over two different colors of felt and cut out the pieces. Layer the two felt squares together on your table for a windblown, just-fallen look.

What to do with the felt leaves you just cut out? Create a harvest-themed wreath with a classic yet contemporary look. Decorate an18-inch grapevine wreath with miniature lights, felt leaves and any other favorite fall items you have around your house or yard.

2. Classic adornments with surprising details
Need a great fall centerpiece? Rethink the classic pumpkin and try decorating with unique embellishments. For a beautiful fall-themed pumpkin, choose gold-toned wire and bend to create fun leaves and vines, attaching to the pumpkin’s top. If you’re looking for a Halloween theme, decorate the face of the pumpkin with masks and feathers to create different characters like a witch, owl or masquerader.

One way to save money and create a cherished piece of decor you can use year after year is to decorate a reusable pumpkin like Fun-Kins. These light artificial pumpkins are easy to work with and sure to become wonderful works of art.

3. Fall food made fantastically fun
Food is a must at any fall gathering. When the temperature cools, many of us are turning on our ovens to bake delightful must-taste treats. Rich and decadent brownies are tantalizing no matter what, but how about taking them a step further? Serve them kabob-style with marshmallows, fruit and a drizzle of icing to make them irresistible. Arrange on a tray for a beautiful presentation and watch them disappear in minutes.

If you’re looking for a dessert with a theme, use uniquely shaped silicone baking pans. Try baking brownies in a jack-o’-lantern muffin pan. After they cool, pop them out, turn over and decorate their faces.

4. Double your fun with homemade costumes
If a costume party is in your future, you’ll need something fun that stands out. The homemade costume is officially back and allows your creativity to shine. Brainstorm with your child to figure out what you both want to be for Halloween and then hit up a craft store to get the necessary supplies. What’s the newest trend for costumes? Two-in-one options that have the ability to quickly convert from one character to the next.

For example, a sparkling dress can serve as the base for both an astronaut and a robot. With simple accessories and removable changes, your little girl can attend one party as a robot and then zoom off to another as an astronaut. Plus this is a fun alternative to traditional girls’ costumes without losing the glitz. Reversible options also work for double-duty costumes. For example, try keeping one side of a cape black so you can be a witch and the other side gold. Add a feathered boa and you can become a queen in an instant.

For more information and to get supplies for creating homemade fall projects, visit www.Joann.com.

Bland walls? Fast fix-ups that are perfect for fall

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:25:40 +0000

When the weather cools and the bright sun of summer fades into autumn’s grayer skies, bare bland walls can feel like an ugly mark on your home’s decor. Suddenly, those undecorated walls that you were too busy to notice this past summer cry out for color and pizzazz – especially if you’re dealing with economy-induced stress.

“Fall is a great time to redecorate because as the weather cools people start heading indoors again,“ says Jonathon Fong, a Los Angeles-based interior decorator and author of “Walls that Wow.” “Home is more important again whereas summer was all about the outdoors. We want to make our homes comfortable, cozy and beautiful again. And when we decorate during the fall, we can show off our efforts at the holidays.”

So what are the hot trends and easy do-it-yourself decorating upgrades that will be hot this fall? Fong and artist Matthew Lew offer a few tips:

Bright, aggressive color

“The hot colors in home décor this fall will be brighter, happier versions of traditional fall hues – butter yellow, orange, persimmon and all shades of blues,” predicts Fong. “These are colors of optimism, and in the current economy, people want to be surrounded by hope. These happy colors put you in a good mood.”

“The hottest colors for room redesigns this fall will be aggressive color combos, using colors like scandal red or lobster paired with yolk yellow or custard,” says Lew, whose work has been featured on “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” HGTV’s “Divine Design” and CBS’s “The Early Show.”

“People want a splash of color in their homes,” Lew adds. “The aggressive color combinations are great because they can make a bold statement very simply without overdoing it. I think people are attracted to that, especially with the economy right now.”

Texture that’s easy to achieve

Adding texture to a wall is another trend, especially if it’s a simple texture – such as stripes – that homeowners feel confident doing themselves, Fong says. Patterns, vinyl lettering or decals, and even wallpaper murals are great ways to add interest to boring walls.

Both designers agree wallpaper murals will continue to be popular, both for their versatility and ease installation by DIY homeowners. Fong has incorporated wallpaper murals from the Web site www.MuralsYourWay.com into his designs, and Lew’s artistry is featured on several of the site’s made-to-order wallpaper murals.

“Wallpaper murals are one of my favorite design options because they make a huge impact in a room at an affordable price,” Fong says. “If you were to have a decorative painter replicate some of the great designs available in wallpaper murals, it would cost thousands of dollars.”

If you’re intimidated by the idea of a mural, you can start out smaller by adding wallpaper murals elsewhere in your décor, Fong suggests. “Cut the mural into smaller pieces and frame the individual pieces. Put it on a door. Mount it to a piece of wood and make a headboard or a dressing screen out of it,” he says.

Finally, when you’re ready for your fall design spruce up, Lew and Fong have a few tips for creating a design you can love:

* “Think baby steps,” Fong says. Decorate a small wall or section of a large wall first. Give yourself a day to get used to your new wall.

* Consider your favorite colors and how you can use them to make your design “say what you want it to say,” Lew suggests.

* Go beyond paint and texture. Try fabric, paper and metal, Fong urges. Get creative, but don’t forget simple tricks too. “Sometimes the simplest thing is a mirror,” Lew says. “It opens up the entire room and brings in light.”

* Keep it real. “Look at your wall’s dimensions and be realistic,” Lew says. “Sometimes having the entire wall covered is too overpowering and a smaller scale would look better. For example, you might want to use part of the wall as a mural and then paint the other portions a similar color.”

* “No matter how it turns out in the end,” Fong says, “say you meant it to look that way.”

Modern styles looking fresh and comfortable

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:24:30 +0000

The “modern” of the new millennium is taking a turn from the past. Extremist modern decorating – with angled edges, geometric shapes and cube-inspired items – has evolved. Today’s soft-modern is welcoming and easy to live in – with delicate designs, flowing lines and understated details. Up-to-date and unfussy, this new modern look is fresh and comfortable.

“Soft modern decorating is really the wave of the future,” says Judy Riley, vice president of design at Moen. “It bypasses all the fleeting trends and features a comfortable, confident look that still manages to be fresh and current. Plus, its style is truly timeless – with clean, simple lines and a spacious, uncluttered feel – the soft modern approach will look as good in 10 years as it does today.”

To begin integrating soft modern style cues in your home, try these tips:

* Light, fresh colors form the ideal backdrop for this decorating style. If you’re worried that neutral tones will show scuffs and dirt spots, don’t – paints like Porcelain from Pratt & Lambert are manufactured to be extremely durable. Porcelain actually allows you to scrub the walls without damaging the paint finish, so any accidental dirt marks or spills can easily be cleaned.

* If wallpaper is preferred, choose small patterns which will blend well with the muted paint scheme.

* Following the direction of the walls, flooring should be neutral, comfortable to the foot and easy to maintain. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT), such as NAFCO by Tarkett, features attractive designs to fit any room of your house and closely mimics the classic, sophisticated looks of authentic tile, plank, stone, slate and other natural textures.

* When considering lighting, make the most of natural light from windows and skylights. For accent lighting, try small pendant lights and wall-mounted lights – which can disperse light throughout the room for a soft, romantic effect.

* Furniture should be relaxed and comfortable – think sectional, overstuffed couches and chairs. Another trademark look of the soft modern style is that everything doesn’t have to match – an unmatched look is completely appropriate for this welcoming decorating trend.

Once you’ve initiated the overall soft modern decor style in your home, you can choose certain rooms in which to concentrate. A good rule of thumb is to start with the rooms you use most, such as the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

* In the kitchen, the focal point should be your dining table. Any shape will coordinate well with a soft modern flair. However a solid wood table is not only beautiful, but is also easy to care for and virtually lasts forever. Another nice option fitting of this design style is a glass-topped table. You can get the best of both worlds with Crate & Barrel’s Halo table, which features a beautiful glass top that’s perfectly flat on the surface but has a deep, light-refracting reverse bevel on the underside. A solid chestnut wood base echoes the halo with its own center top ring in a deep, rich cognac.

* In the bathroom, concentrate on the often-used sink area. Here, it’s the faucet that should take center stage. For a clean, uncluttered look to complement a stylish sink, try the new Fina single-handle lavatory faucet from ShowHouse by Moen. Featuring soft modern style cues, highlights of the faucet include its high-arc, marquise-shaped spout, lever handle and contemporary-shaped base. The beautifully designed faucet also features a flow-optimized aerator for water savings.

“We’re finding that homeowners are looking for softer, modern styles featuring smooth lines, curved surfaces and rounded features,” says Shawn Hardy, ShowHouse brand manager. “The Fina collection offers a unique combination of modern styling with graceful, elegant details – and now provides homeowners additional design options with the single-handle faucet.”

Additionally, the Fina faucet has been certified to meet WaterSense criteria, meaning the fixture meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines as an environmentally responsible and efficient product. The faucet flows at 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm), versus the traditional flow of 2.2 gpm – providing consumers the sensational water experience they are accustomed to, while reducing water usage by up to 32 percent.

* Finally, in the bedroom, the center of attention should be the bed. Look for strong headboards which don’t overwhelm the room and add your personal flair to the style. Pottery Barn offers a number of styles which fit a soft modern design style – including the innovative Stratton Smart Technology headboard, which provides several built-in storage options as well as a centralized plug-in point for lamps, clocks, cell phones and more.

To add the finishing touch to your newly decorated home, place carefully selected accessories in each room. But don’t ruin the soft modern style by cluttering things up with unnecessary accessories. A simple vase of flowers or bowl of fresh fruit might be all you need to add the perfect finishing touch to a room. Keep things relaxed, simple and comfortable – and you’ll enjoy the soft modern style today and for years to come.

For more information on the Fina lavatory faucet from ShowHouse, visit shfaucets.com or call (877) MOEN-SH1 for product information.

Kitchen transition: How to make your open floor plan look great

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:23:12 +0000

More homeowners are merging living and family spaces with the kitchen in an open floor plan.

This kind of floor plan is not only family-friendly and perfect for entertaining, it will actually sell better if you ever decide to put your home on the market. An open floor plan makes your space seem bigger and more up to date. However, rooms with competing decor, such as a contemporary family room versus a traditionally styled kitchen, can make blending the space difficult.

The best way to make an open floor plan a success is to create a seamless transition from the kitchen to the other living spaces. “A homeowner can bring family spaces and the kitchen together by blending design periods to create a unique style,” says Connie Edwards, certified kitchen and bathroom designer and director of design for American Woodmark cabinetry. “There are ways to thoughtfully combine traditional and contemporary elements. The end result is a very warm, casual, comfortable feeling – with an air of sophistication that flows throughout the home.”

Edwards offers some useful tips on creating a harmonious open floor plan:

* Incorporate small contemporary touches that make a big impact, such as a stainless steel range hood and a glass mosaic tile backsplash. Just make sure that the colors and textures are compatible with each other and the adjoining room.

* Select a cabinet door in a rich brown finish that complements living and dining room furniture. American Woodmark, sold exclusively at Home Depot, offers an Auburn Glaze on 11 different maple door styles. The deep brown glaze over a Cognac finish settles into the corners and grooves, giving the cabinets a traditional, vintage look. Pairing this with modern hardware completes the transitional design.

* Display contemporary decorative objects on open shelving in the kitchen island. Selecting objects that complement the decor of the adjoining room is a subtle way to make the kitchen flow nicely with the open space.

* Consider a farmhouse sink that has been redesigned with a contemporary finish, such as stainless steel. Stainless steel acts as a neutral, so it will not detract from more elaborate home decorations.

To create that perfect open space, you’ll want to work with a designer at your local home center to help the remodeling process run smoothly — from product decision-making to installation. For additional design ideas and information, visit www.woodmark-homedepot.com.

Modern skylights fill your home with natural light and fresh air

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:21:59 +0000

When it comes to brightening and freshening your home, it’s smart to use natural light and passive ventilation. Unlike earlier plastic bubble skylights that faded and leaked, modern glass skylights are dependable and offer nearly endless options for functional decorating.

According to Roger LeBrun, product certification engineer with VELUX America, today’s skylights, properly installed, don’t leak. “Matched flashing systems and other improvements have done away with the number one fear of people who are considering cutting a hole in a perfectly good roof,” LeBrun says.

Skylights are useful in all areas of the home but are particularly popular in bathrooms and kitchens. According to an American Standard survey, American homeowners say if they had a choice of accessories for the ultimate dream bathroom, the number one option would be a skylight to bathe the room with more natural light. Add the privacy factor of light from above, plus the passive ventilation available with venting skylights, and you’ve dramatically upgraded one of the most used rooms in the home at a very reasonable price.

Aside from the aesthetic benefits of balanced natural light, there are health-related considerations. Studies show that 20 percent of our population suffers varying degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Individuals with SAD may experience depression, lower energy, increased appetite and a need for more sleep. SAD is directly linked to insufficient daylight.

There are also other light-related health considerations, particularly for older adults. To accommodate the adaptation of the aging eye, the amount of light required for visual acuity doubles for each 13 years after the age of 20, according to research by Ross A. McFarland, Ph.D., and M. Bruce Fisher, Ph.D., in a Harvard School of Public Health publication. More natural light equals better sight, especially for seniors.

Youngsters also benefit. Students perform significantly better in environments that are lit with natural rather than artificial light. A study directed by Heschong Mahone Group in California tracked test scores for 21,000 students in California, Colorado and Washington and found that learning rates were 26 percent higher in reading and 20 percent higher in math in rooms with the most natural light.

Low-E energy-efficient glass in modern, ENERGY STAR-qualified units, is durable, reduces external noises and won’t discolor as did older plastic bubble skylights.

And skylights no longer just sit there. Light and heat gain or loss through skylights can be controlled as never before. Electric venting models are available with remote control, blinds, shades, awnings, insect screening and automatic rain sensors.

For simple, quick installation in areas where traditional skylights may not be the best solution, VELUX Sun Tunnel tubular skylights may be the answer. They admit passive light through highly reflective rigid or flexible tubing to go around obstructions between the roof and ceiling and provide abundant natural light through diffusers for hallways, bathrooms, pantries, walk-in closets or other smaller, confined areas.

For free information on the benefits of natural light and skylight selection, or for free house plans incorporating skylights, call (800) 283-2831 or visit veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

Nature’s bounty inspires fall interiors

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:20:48 +0000

The warm tones of the autumn harvest provide an inspiring palette for home decor by bringing seasonal beauty in from the fields. This transforms your indoor haven from one resonating light summer frivolity to something a little richer with more depth.

Fall thrives on all things rustic and natural – so it’s no wonder that a home enhanced by a backdrop of deep brown, gold, green and purple reflects the season’s warmth. Nothing says fall more definitively than a cozy room designed in a diverse palette of warm, nature-inspired hues.

“A fall-based color palette offers some of the most enticing and exciting variety of colors to work with,” says Donna Schroeder, color marketing and design manager for Martin-Senour Paints. “It’s truly an unexpected integration of color, and each shade adds depth and character that you’ll appreciate as you ready your home for the cold winter months ahead.”

Paint, in general, is a savvy, cost-effective way to transform your interior from the light, airy summer palette to autumn’s bolder, warmer hues. A simple change of wall colors lends a completely different feel. For example, hues found in Martin-Senour’s fall color palette include Goldenrod Gold, Truffles Brown, Pine Smoke and Cubicle Clay.

“These colors work together to create a unified feel within your home. Set off gold walls with rich wood furniture and patterned upholstery interweaving the season’s rich truffle-based brown and clay tones. Or, let it pop by mixing it with a timeless neutral, such as this season’s workhorse – gray,” Schroeder says. “And don’t stop with the walls. Consider using these paint hues to refresh tired furniture, too.”

While the pairing of blue and brown remains popular, designers have mined a new combination of colors for fall interiors: green and brown. Blending nature’s two most prevalent colors, this sophisticated, yet accessible, combination plays well in a variety of interior rooms and settings.

While color is critically important, don’t forget, in any painting project true success lies in the initial legwork and the tools you use to get the job done. Make sure you properly prepare your walls before painting. You’ll be glad you did.

Repair any holes or cracks, sanding the spackle smooth. Wash the walls to remove any debris or grime, then prime with a quality latex primer to provide the best possible canvas for your new palette.

The quality of tools you use also is important. A poorly constructed brush or roller cover can make a great color look terrible when it’s applied. Selecting the right brush and roller is crucial. Cheap brushes can lose bristles and spread paint unevenly.

“The challenge is that most paint brushes may look the same on the outside; but it’s the materials and the way the brush is constructed that count,” says Mark Ksiezyk, senior product manager for Purdy Applicators. “The same holds true for roller covers. Look for one crafted of high-quality, lint-free material. And, remember, the nap of the cover should match the texture of the surface you are painting.”

Armed with a palette of rich autumn-inspired hues, a high-quality wall paint, the right applicators and a sense of creativity, you’ll easily be able to reinvigorate your home into a vibrant reflection of the harvest season. As Schroeder notes, “Paint truly is the perfect seasonal reinvention solution.”

For more autumn decor ideas, visit www.MartinSenour.com.