The living room is the most difficult room in the house to decorate, because most families...well..live in it! It has to be all things to all people. In the contemporary style, this effect is easy to achieve.
If you're like most people, you and your family spend most of your time at home in the living room. That's where you have the couch and chairs, the television and entertainment center, the bookcases and the ornaments. It's the living room, therefore, that can be the most difficult room to decorate.
The essential item to remember when doing any kind of decorating is to have each room as livable as possible. If you have a lot of young children you won't want a lot of breakable bric-a-brac in your living room. No matter how many times you impress upon them not to touch, there's always a chance that they will touch, and break, your breakables. That's one reason why the contemporary style of home decorating advocates having only a very few accessories placed around the room.
Another reason for having only a few accessories - from flower vases to statuettes to decorative cups or plates - is simply that the contemporary design style advocates minimalism. An absence of clutter. Not only does this make it easier to keep the room clean - no need to dust all your dust-collecting knick knacks - but it also makes the room look neater.
What is the focal point of the room? For most people, that's usually the entertainment center - complete with large-screen TV, DVD player, CD player, and storage areas for DVDs and VHS tapes. However, contemporary design doesn't insist that you have an entertainment center - so if you're not into television don't worry about it!
The principle behind decorating a room is to center everything around a focal point - whether that's the entertainment center, a fireplace, or a lovely sofa. Of course in the living room you may well have a fireplace and an entertainment center, in which case you'd probably choose the entertainment center as the focal point.
Around the entertainment center you'll have furniture. The traditional couch and two armchairs...and if you entertain a great deal perhaps another chair or two. But if you don't entertain, don't bother to get those extra chairs! They just add clutter. So does having three or four decorative pillows for each chair as well as for the couch. Simplicity is the watchword, let each piece of furniture speak for itself, don't try to hide it or "dress" it.
Windows
Windows come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on how large they are can be that focal point of the room that we were talking about earlier. What is the size of your windows? In which direction do they face? (Do you have the sun streaming into the room in the morning, or in the afternoon?) And what is your view? Do you have a pleasant view across a greensward, or are you looking at someone else's house across the street? Each of these factors determines whether you'll decorate - or "dress" your windows for privacy, for light control, or to complete the design of your room. Whatever the purpose, the window "treatments," as decorators call it, will be simple ane elegant, in the contemporary style.
Walls
It's a given that light, solid colors are the best for walls - such colors make the room appear larger and brighter, and show off any and all wall hangings - from paintings to posters to masks - to best effect. Beige and white are the easiest colors to work with, and blend in well with the rest of the room.
Lighting
In contemporary interior design, the lighting comes not from a central fixture in the ceiling, but rather from stand alone lamps of elegant metallic design, and a few desk lamps - which can be in bright colors to add a splash to the room.
Balance
Leave yourself plenty of room in which to move around, and don't overstuff your living room with furniture or decor that you don't need. With contemporary design, simple is always best!
суббота, 29 ноября 2008 г.
The Use Of Fairy Lights In Interior Design
While you may just think to use fairy lights at Christmas to decorate the tree they are increasingly being used in interior design, especially in bedrooms. The importance of lighting has long been known in the interior design world and fairy lights are rapidly being used as the decorative light form of choice for designers. Light can bring ambiance and set a mood with the flick of a switch, understandably, more decorative forms of lighting are becoming popular.
For a young girl's room it is easy to see the appeal of fairy lights, as finishing touches they are unsurpassed at creating a space that is not only relaxing but aesthetically pleasing as well. Many young girls love to have a storybook wonderland to escape to, along with decorative furniture and tasteful wall adornments fairy lights can really make the look. In addition to the decoration however is the vital importance of a comfortable bed. Making sure that it has opulent sheets, naturally in pink shades and plenty of pillows ensure that bed time for your little girl is never a problem.
It is not just young girl's rooms that can benefit from the installation of fairy lights. Increasingly even in adult rooms they are becoming a popular lighting option. It is easy to underestimate the mood created by lighting, but a set of fairy lights behind a thin sheet can create a decorative feature that is a talking point as well as a source of light. By utilising this method you can create unbelievable levels of ambience that is hard to achieve in a room with normal lighting, the subtle shades and shadows created by fairy lights are a strong design feature.
Lighting generally falls into three varieties in terms of interior design; these are natural light, accent lighting and task lighting. The skill of great lighting design is to make the best use of all three to create a room that can be lit for any purpose. Making the most of natural light is one of the most important weapons in the interior designer's arsenal. Particularly useful in this task is to maximise the light by hanging mirrors and to remove excessively heavy curtains from window frames. In addition, most designers will advise homeowners to trim any bushes or trees outside a window to let in as much light as possible.
Accent lighting is where fairy lights come in, it is primarily used in design to highlight certain features in a room and to define the general lighting already present. Important is to realise which parts of the room you want highlighting and to experiment with various lighting patterns before you have found the perfect solution. Fairy lights however can be used as lighting features in their own right. By using smaller variants and wrapping them around plants, vases or even the underside of a mantelpiece you can create a feature that at night, literally shines.
Fairy lights are not particularly suited to task lighting due to their generally subtle brightness. Instead it is more advisable to use table lamps, spot lights in a kitchen or desk lamps. Having light to perform tasks is extremely important so you do not have to put your eyes under excessive strain. These lights while adding to ambience should not be a feature and purely used to light an area when performing a task.
By understanding the importance of light in creating mood and ambience you can make any room in your house stylish and comfortable. As an inexpensive form of lighting fairy lights can help create this, remember to buy specialist lights however, the Christmas lanterns you hang on the tree every year are hardly suited to the purpose.
For a young girl's room it is easy to see the appeal of fairy lights, as finishing touches they are unsurpassed at creating a space that is not only relaxing but aesthetically pleasing as well. Many young girls love to have a storybook wonderland to escape to, along with decorative furniture and tasteful wall adornments fairy lights can really make the look. In addition to the decoration however is the vital importance of a comfortable bed. Making sure that it has opulent sheets, naturally in pink shades and plenty of pillows ensure that bed time for your little girl is never a problem.
It is not just young girl's rooms that can benefit from the installation of fairy lights. Increasingly even in adult rooms they are becoming a popular lighting option. It is easy to underestimate the mood created by lighting, but a set of fairy lights behind a thin sheet can create a decorative feature that is a talking point as well as a source of light. By utilising this method you can create unbelievable levels of ambience that is hard to achieve in a room with normal lighting, the subtle shades and shadows created by fairy lights are a strong design feature.
Lighting generally falls into three varieties in terms of interior design; these are natural light, accent lighting and task lighting. The skill of great lighting design is to make the best use of all three to create a room that can be lit for any purpose. Making the most of natural light is one of the most important weapons in the interior designer's arsenal. Particularly useful in this task is to maximise the light by hanging mirrors and to remove excessively heavy curtains from window frames. In addition, most designers will advise homeowners to trim any bushes or trees outside a window to let in as much light as possible.
Accent lighting is where fairy lights come in, it is primarily used in design to highlight certain features in a room and to define the general lighting already present. Important is to realise which parts of the room you want highlighting and to experiment with various lighting patterns before you have found the perfect solution. Fairy lights however can be used as lighting features in their own right. By using smaller variants and wrapping them around plants, vases or even the underside of a mantelpiece you can create a feature that at night, literally shines.
Fairy lights are not particularly suited to task lighting due to their generally subtle brightness. Instead it is more advisable to use table lamps, spot lights in a kitchen or desk lamps. Having light to perform tasks is extremely important so you do not have to put your eyes under excessive strain. These lights while adding to ambience should not be a feature and purely used to light an area when performing a task.
By understanding the importance of light in creating mood and ambience you can make any room in your house stylish and comfortable. As an inexpensive form of lighting fairy lights can help create this, remember to buy specialist lights however, the Christmas lanterns you hang on the tree every year are hardly suited to the purpose.
Create Your Own Unique Environment With Full Spectrum Lights
Everything around you – sound, artificial or full spectrum lights, the design of your seating, and the color of the environment send sensory messages to stimulate your brain. Sensory data is in a never-ending competition for your attention, concentration and can either distract or enhance your energy level with a potential to increase or decrease mental clarity, creativity, and job performance.
You can create a pleasant environment by figuring out which employees in your organization thrive on lots of activity – those would be extroverts. These people respond positively or in a neutral manner to noise, bright colors, clutter, and constant interruptions.
On the other hand, if you or your employees have sensitivity to noise, overly contrasted lighting, and distractions - such as constant phone calls and people popping in at the office door unannounced - then you (or your employee) are introverts.
In either case, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you are susceptible to sensory stimulation, which constantly contends for your attention. That’s why introverts have a difficult time working in noisy, bad smelling, chaotic environments, while extroverts in general have a high tolerance for sensory stimulation.
You must determine if you are a workplace introvert or workplace extrovert in order to create the most productive and comfortable environment for yourself and your professional team.
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can improve productivity in your work place by understanding the differences in personality types and their reactions to sensory stimulation. If you are a workplace introvert, set up the office environment with a minimum of sensory distractions; wear earplugs or headsets to minimize distractions and keep the room uncluttered. If you are an extrovert, keep the environment stimulating; bright colors to rev up your energy and stimulating music to keep the juices flowing.
Regardless of your sensory personality, a crucial element at the work place is the lighting in your rooms and offices. Whether an introvert or extrovert, you will respond to lighting in a very similar way. High definition natural lighting or full spectrum lights is crucial to productivity in a work environment. Fluorescent lighting tends to drain energy levels, causing eyestrain and fatigue. The lighting in your office or workplace is a sensory stimulation that dramatically influences project/work performance, long-term mental health, and moods. For this reason it is essential that full spectrum lighting that simulates natural daylight be installed in offices and conference rooms. OttLite is a company that can make this lighting productivity in your workplace possible. OttLite offers a full line of desk lamps, technical and reading lamps and bulbs for every room and work environment. So keep the workplace flowing for yourself and your employees with natural lighting. It is a unifying element that keeps the workplace humming.
You can create a pleasant environment by figuring out which employees in your organization thrive on lots of activity – those would be extroverts. These people respond positively or in a neutral manner to noise, bright colors, clutter, and constant interruptions.
On the other hand, if you or your employees have sensitivity to noise, overly contrasted lighting, and distractions - such as constant phone calls and people popping in at the office door unannounced - then you (or your employee) are introverts.
In either case, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you are susceptible to sensory stimulation, which constantly contends for your attention. That’s why introverts have a difficult time working in noisy, bad smelling, chaotic environments, while extroverts in general have a high tolerance for sensory stimulation.
You must determine if you are a workplace introvert or workplace extrovert in order to create the most productive and comfortable environment for yourself and your professional team.
Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can improve productivity in your work place by understanding the differences in personality types and their reactions to sensory stimulation. If you are a workplace introvert, set up the office environment with a minimum of sensory distractions; wear earplugs or headsets to minimize distractions and keep the room uncluttered. If you are an extrovert, keep the environment stimulating; bright colors to rev up your energy and stimulating music to keep the juices flowing.
Regardless of your sensory personality, a crucial element at the work place is the lighting in your rooms and offices. Whether an introvert or extrovert, you will respond to lighting in a very similar way. High definition natural lighting or full spectrum lights is crucial to productivity in a work environment. Fluorescent lighting tends to drain energy levels, causing eyestrain and fatigue. The lighting in your office or workplace is a sensory stimulation that dramatically influences project/work performance, long-term mental health, and moods. For this reason it is essential that full spectrum lighting that simulates natural daylight be installed in offices and conference rooms. OttLite is a company that can make this lighting productivity in your workplace possible. OttLite offers a full line of desk lamps, technical and reading lamps and bulbs for every room and work environment. So keep the workplace flowing for yourself and your employees with natural lighting. It is a unifying element that keeps the workplace humming.
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