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Posts Tagged ‘Lighting’
Tue, June 24, 2008 6:41 pm By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 Fireplace is a great idea for cold winter nights. They add warmth, an extra dimension and a sense of style to your home. Add a fireplace mantel above the fireplace to store and flaunt your precious items.
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Installing a fireplace is perhaps a daunting task, at the same time a big decision. You need to find the right location, ventilation and ensure that there are all kinds of safety aspects at the space where you want to install fireplace. Hence, you will need a professional to install fireplace for your home. All this will definitely cost you hefty sum.
First, consider which type of fireplace you want to install at your home. Generally, two kinds of fireplaces are installed at homes. One is gas fireplace and the other one is electric fireplace. Both of them offer you similar features except the obvious difference. Whatever your choice is, you should consider the safety aspects and the functionality of the fireplace.
If indoor fireplace is not what you desire, here is another option- what about an outdoor fireplace? Well, this is a bright idea because they are gaining immense popularity and are found even at an average home improvement store. They come in various styles and sizes.
Tags: Lighting, fireplace, decoration, Cozy
Tue, May 27, 2008 5:14 am By James Coolridge
 Living room symbolizes as a room of harmony when you are adding the Feng Shui element to the room. A Feng Shui living room should be a cozier place for the guests, a great place for conversation and a living room which circulates the positive chi. Here are a few tips for your perfect Feng Shui living room.
Sitting arrangement:
The furniture should not clutter your Feng Shui living room. Bulky sofas and sharp ended tables hinder the circulation of chi in your living room. So makes sure that the tables are not sharp ended. A round table will allow the free flow of chi around your living room. Arrange the chairs and couches facing the door so that you don’t have to turn back for the door. Seats should also be placed following an octagonal or circular shape. The arrangement should be never in a straight line.
Remember that your the arrangement of furniture in your Feng Shui should be done to encourage conversation.
Lighting:
Throw light in the corner and dark areas of your living room. That would attract chi to them which otherwise wouldn’t flow through those areas. Use decorative lighting arrangements which are neither too strong nor too dim.
Colors:
Warm colors are always preferable for cozier atmosphere in your living room. Color the walls of your Feng Shui living room with warm colors, colorful and comforting accessories and soft fabrics.
Use of cool colors such as blue and lavenders brings calm and restful feeling to your Feng Shui living room.
Mirrors:
Large mirrors create an illusion of space. If your living room is small, use large mirrors to open up the space.
The focal point:
The focal point in your Feng Shui living room should never be electronic equipment like Television. Keep the electronic equipments in a single furniture. Although you like much of entertainment, enclosing your television in a closed cabinet is preferable for your Feng Shui living room. Fireplace is an ideal focal point. Hence, arrange your furniture keeping in mind the centre of your living room that is the fire place.
Music:
Music symbolizes harmony and soothing effect. Create the desired effect by playing soothing music and let it vibrate all around your living room.
Use the above decorative ideas for your Feng Shui living room and let the positive chi spread all around your home!
Tags: Lighting, Living Room, Furniture, accessories, Walls, colors, music
Mon, May 5, 2008 4:50 am By James Coolridge
 When it comes to decorating small spaces, you require being more innovative. Though small rooms require less furniture, accessories and you can decorate them within a small budget, they often look cluttered. You can get the inviting appearance in your small rooms by an organized decoration of the rooms. Here are a few decorating ideas for small space that you should follow to ensure a much de-cluttered and organized space.
First of all, you should clear out the clutter in your rooms. Nothing can be eating-up the space like the stuff that is of no more use.
Let us start with the kitchen. Since there is not as much space as a bigger kitchen, you should utilize over-the-cabinet space in the kitchen for storage purposes. To add the decorative element, suspend a rack from the ceiling and hang a pot from the rack. Place the cooking apparatus in cabinets and drawers and the spices in baskets.
Now let us move on to the living room. Lighter shades give an illusive effect of space. Light, cool colors make a space feel open and airy. You could open up the space by painting the walls with light color. Bring in the natural light by using curtains. A coffee table accumulates much space in the living room. So, use an ottoman with a tray on top to hold drinks and prop up you feet. Instead of huge and bulky sofa, you can use sofa-cum-bed as furniture for the living room. Move the furniture out and away from walkways to open up the space and make it feel larger.
Talking about your bedroom, you can create much space by some creative thinking. Night tables can be avoided in your bedroom. Instead, mount a small shelf on each side of the bed to hold nighttime needs like a small lamp. Place bins under your bed and store out-of-season clothing in them.
The bathroom in your small apartment can be as luxurious as a bigger one by some modifications. Use an over-the-commode shelving unit to hold essentials. Instead of a towel bar, you can hang up the towels using decorative hooks.
The lighting in your home should be creating an illusion of space. Get rid of heavy draperies and open up the windows to let the light of the outdoors into the space. Add more lamps or install track lighting or recessed lighting.
By opening up the space, you will love to live in your small and beautiful home!
Tags: Lighting, Living Room, Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen
Fri, April 25, 2008 1:35 pm By Alex Gavitt
 Your basement will be mostly dark. We are well aware that your basement will be just a store room for your seasonal decorations, old broken toys of your kids, your sporting equipment and anything else which you don’t use on a regular basis.
Are you looking for remodeling the basement of your home to make it a better place? Follow these tips to start the project which will surely help you to do the task in the best way and add value to your home! Read on.
Clear the dampness:
First of all, the dampness in the basement due to any leakage in the ceiling should be fixed. Check the water lines of your basement. Consult a plumber to look for waterproofing solutions. This should be done well before you start the remodeling project.
Explore the various uses:
Find out for what all activities, other than storage purposes, can the space could be used in your basement. Since basements mostly don’t feature strong lightings, you can well utilize the space as a dark room, or your teenager’s hangout.
Air circulation in the basement:
Good air circulation should be your first priority when you remodel the basement. Add few openings wherever possible. Include a return air duct.
The natural light:
Maximize natural light. If the basement is extended above the ground, add new windows. Enlarging the existing windows is also a good option. Waterproof windows also serve as one of the best options.
The artificial light:
Your basement may often give you the feeling of a cave, since it is too dark! To clear the darkness, use indirect lighting that throws large pools of lighting on the ceiling. This helps to make the basement look larger. Mix the up-lighting and traditional recessed lighting. To amplify the light, use mirrors mounted on the walls.
Proper insulation:
To create a dry and comfortable basement, proper insulation of the place is required. Basement insulation helps prevent condensation. Hence the ground stays dry and cool all the year around. Proper insulation separates the warm air of the room from the cool walls (which is the main cause of dampness in the room.)
Furnishings:
Since basement is prone to dampness, use furnishings which don’t absorb moisture. Hence, avoid using carpets and drapes in the basement.
This way your basement will be an entirely new place to hang out!
Tags: Lighting, remodeling, furnishing, dampness, insulation
Sun, April 13, 2008 11:32 am By Seth Eslin
 So, it is the time to throw a party at your home. You may think hosting a party is not a big deal but dude, planning and hosting a party is more complicated that attending one. So, follow these steps to make the party welcoming and worth attending. Here’s how.
First of all, keep your calm and be cheerful on the arrival of your guests. You may be fuming inside but don’t show it to your visitors. Now that you have set yourself, let us now move on to the plan.
The menu:
There is no point in having 20 different dishes. Quantity kills the appetite. Keep it simple. Choose one cuisine and stick to it. Have one each- a starter, a main course, a side dish and a desert. Don’t supply too much of snacks. Narrow down the number of drinks to one.
The dining time:
 Don’t keep it too early, neither late. If it is late, your guests will be in a hurry to wind up the party and go back to their places. Chat for sometime when they arrive and then serve the food.
Music:
To start with, play some mellow and then switch to upbeat. Don’t keep it too loud.
Lighting:
Create the tranquil atmosphere by small lights hung around poles, if the party is outdoors. You can go for hanging or free standing gas lanterns as well. What about candles? They are always the preferred choices for a party!
Tags: Lighting, guests, party at home, the menu, dining time
Tue, March 11, 2008 10:48 am By James Coolridge
 Shooting home videos does not require a diploma. If you are amateur, you might just hold your handy cam, push-on the recorder button and start taking shots. However, if you are shooting some unforgettable moments at your home like your kid’s birthday party, it is better to take a few tips to give your best shot.
Shoot sensibly: If you are filming a birthday party, try to relate every shot so that it makes some sense. Make a storyline while you shoot. Take shots of the person cutting the cake, those who are providing entertainment.
Keep your both eyes open:Â Shoot with one eye on the screen of your camcorder and the other tracing the action.
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Don’t listen to what others say: Keep your own storyline while shooting. This will make the shooting process go on smoothly. Other’s opinion may often confuse you about what to shoot.
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Lighting: The key ingredient to good shot is the way it is lit. Bad lighting may not create the impression you wanted. Avoid filming high-contrast situation, like people backlit by sun or a candle light dinner.
Life’s most memorable moments are often caught on a camera. By following the mentioned tricks, you can make out the best videos shot at your home.
Tags: Photography, Lighting, Camera, Video Shooting
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