Lighting can affect the mood and value of your home

What puts you in a good mood?

Task lighting done an an interesting way to create mood and to be able to work

Owners, contractors and designers are constantly looking for new answers to that question because they know that the right type of lighting and the right lighting "zones" can affect your mood the value of your home, tremendously, along with Color, decor and finishing

Creating the right mood with the right lighting, including natural lighting, is some what of an "art" but we hope to educate you a little bit so that you can create the mood that you desire for a comfortable home and ultimately a home with great resale value

Lighting

Lighting provides more than illumination - it complements furniture, architecture, and artwork; it saves energy; and it provides the finishing touch that brings a room to life.

With great lighting, even an ordinary room can look fabulous and can have a strong impact on making you feel comfortable.

In the living area of our Madrona Home renovation, we have used a combination of ambient and overhead lighting

There are three basic types of lighting: (1) task, (2) ambient, and (3) accent

Task lighting is used for areas where work takes place - such as reading, computing, or serving of food. It's achieved with fixtures that focus bright, direct light onto the work surface.

Ambient lighting is often called the "general light in the room" which provides a soft, comfortable level of light for watching television or having a conversation.

Accent lighting is decorative or accent lighting - it creates drama and mood. It's meant to draw the eye to a particular area or design element, such as a painting, sculpture, or architectural effect.

Another way to think of lighting in the typical room is as three "layers" - with task lighting and table lamps at eye height; with chandeliers or ceiling fixtures as providing ambient light; and with ceiling, track lights or pinpoint spotlights being decorative focal lights.

To successfully achieve these types of lighting requires part art, part science. The art is in creating the right ambiance, while the science is in selecting the right mix of lighting products - some decorative, some functional - from options that include chandeliers, pendants, ceiling mount fixtures, and sconces plus wall, desk, floor, and table lamps.

Remember that selecting the right products also means being aware of local electrical and energy codes.

The large open spaces, such as the living, kitchen or dining room, provide the greatest lighting challenges because they are usually used for many purposes - for eating, for computer work, for watching television, or for socializing with friends and family

As a result, there are different space "zones" - and different lighting is appropriate for each of these zones. For example, a gathering combination work area may need both ambient and task lighting, while a socializing zone may need ambient and accent lighting.

Task lighting in the shower for one of our projects

Bathroom, Vanity and Ensuite bedroom and bathroom lighting needs to have special attention, but are often neglected resulting in poor lighting.  Ensuites, bathrooms and vanity's should feature seven types of lighting:

1. General ambient lighting for the room and bath, which sets the atmosphere plus provides proper lighting for safety and cleaning
2. Task lighting for reading in bed and working at the desk, preferably with a dimming feature
mirror lighting - perhaps even as part of a personal mirror - that provides sufficient face light in the bath or dressing area
3. Overhead lighting in the shower/bath area 4. Mirror lighting, perhaps even as part of a personal mirror that provides sufficient face light in the bathroom or walk in closet

5. Accent lighting such as with a sconce or spotlight that floods a particular area with special effect light
6. lighting inside or very near the closet
7. A subtle night light to help one find their way.

Two additional considerations related to lighting are shades and bulbs - shades are best in white or ivory off white, because too dark a color will significantly reduce their brightness, while bulbs can be increasingly fluorescent instead of incandescent because they use up to 75% less energy and can last five times longer. One can play around with these, as sometimes people do not want the starkness of fluorescent in their sleeping and washing areas

In summary, lighting is a relatively inexpensive way to add a significant design element during either new construction or renovation. When lighting is done right, the space feels right - and it's not an exaggeration to say that the quality of lighting defines the quality of a home

Remember we not only provide quality renovations, but design solutions too. So please do not hesitate to call us in respects to any lighting requirements or questions you have. (350) 508 - 6601

Bring your home into spring with these great design updates

Break out of your winter rut, and refresh and update your home for spring with these simple, quick and great interior decorating tips

The floral inspired lampshade in this image is actually a DIY - Touch Of Nature In Decor: 25 Flower And Plant Inspired LampsCredit : https://www.pinterest.com/pin/515591857316180684/

You can start by looking at the fabrics in your home. Velvet, silk/satin, wool, fur, damask ortweed/tapestry fabrics can feel too heavy for spring and summer.  Its not hard to give you home design updates, by using fresh colorful fabrics and having a collection of pillows for various seasons, as you would for your own closet. Spring is a fantastic time of year to bring in breezy fabrics like linen, florals, bright colors or printed cotton into your pillows, upholstery, slip covers or even drapes. You can take fabrics into the kitchen - to your table cloths and seat covers/upholstery. You’ve got countless fabrics to choose from to transform and freshen your home.

fresh spring fabrics are simple, but effective

Bedding can be refreshed as well. Pick up a new duvet and shams or have them made. This will brighten up your bedroom. This easy design solution not only brings color to your room but can help inspire you to make your bed every day and keep your roomtidy

Flowers in your rooms can freshen things up quickly, even if its just foliage from the springing, budding branches and leaves around your property and neighborhood. Clips some while out in your garden or when walking your dog. Its an easy low-maintenance way to add a freshness to a room without too much fuss. And if you refresh the water on a regular basis and trim the bottoms of the stems, the leaves and branches can live for months.

Clippings of budding branches around your property can keep your spaces light and fresh with the spring feel

Furniture can be rearranged in your living room. Moving around your furniture is the ultimate no-cost decorating tip. IT will quickly update you for spring and leave your home feeling brand new

You can do this yourself, or have a designer come in and help you. We work with Brian Paquette of Seattle on many of our projects

Color plays a big part in mood and colourful accessories are always an easy update for spring. Interesting decorative colourful objects, and books brighten your coffee tables, mantles and book cases. Affordable vases with bold agate accents and perhaps gold leaf pieces can house your fresh spring cuttings and floral arrangements. Magazines and hardcover tabletop books are great for accessorizing side tables and coffee tables.

One of our Interiors by Brian Paquette Interiors of Seattle - Masculine textures and furnishings can still be given a spring makeover with the addition of vases of branches or flowers, removing heavy area rugs, including fresh brightly colored toss cushions, light fabrics for curtains, colorful accessories and books on the tables, etc

Spring cleaning is always a must and will make you feel happier having a cleaner home where you can watch the warm, sunny weather touching your walls and counters that you have cleaned up of dings or scratches. Bring the freshness of the outdoors into your interiors

Renewal doesn’t mean you have to change absolutely everything in your home. Simplify your home by removing clutter and too many accessories to allow for a fresh simple look.  Your vases filled with spring branches and green plants brightly adorning your spaces., will give you a feeling ofrebirth in your home and yourself, bringing you closer to nature

Area rugs can be cleaned and stored away for the colder seasons. Just live with bare, clean wood floors for a lighter “airier’ feel. ( if you have them ) Less dust, less clutter, more spring freshness in your home

Spring fresh scented candles could be a good choice to define the seaon

Painting and wallpapering can be fun and fairly inexpensive. Nothing freshens up a space more than a lick of paint. You can go for a whole room or just tackle a feature wall, to add a pop of fresh color or pattern . Feature walls in bright, laquer colors make a statement and liven things up. There are even great panels or textures that can be applied to ceilings to add drama, mood, theme and interest

Statement pieces can refresh a room easily. Subtle changes, such as introducing new light fixtures that are playful and beautiful and can bring the garden inside. Many lovely light fixtures are nature inspired, today.

Art is always a good choice and can instantly transform a space - update your collection with prints or paintings of floral blossoms or zen like nature landscapes. Art adds energy and mood to your home, as does color, texture, light and space

Allow that natural abundant light to stream into your room, hitting your newly painted walls and fresh fabrics. Change up heavy curtains, perhaps replacing heavy blinds with sheers, having all your windows professionally cleaned.

I hope these tips have helped you bring that spring feeling into your heart and home

If you need a consultation or free estimate. Please do not hesitate to call us ( 250) 508-6601

 

Architectural Precast Concrete elements for your home

Architectural Precast Concrete items are a wonderful custom product that we specify on our projects on a regular basis.. The process involves both traditional and lightweight concrete technology. A variety of standard pieces are available, however the majority of the work we have done, are custom applications. Tinted and cut polished concrete floors, Fireplace surrounds, counter tops, outdoor kitchens/patios, bathroom vanities & basins, tables,  (any size – dining, coffee, end table, night stand, etc.) are all available with custom color to match your home décor. The detailed craftsmanship involved in the work is exceptional. We worked with a local company that has been in the business for over thirty years. We use the product for interior and exterior use.

Precast customer polished concrete shower wall makes this a stunner - Madrona Dr project

We can design, form, place, finish, stain, engrave, seal and warranty concrete architectural elements for your home

This is an example of our concrete subcontractors custom work for this lovely outdoor kitchen.

Precast concrete architectural elements are a beautiful, long lasting addition to your home. We can do everything from engraving and staining ( as in the photo below ) to overlaying, resurfacing, specialty concrete ( engraving, staining, logo ) to precast. 

From your house to your office to your surfaces outside… Customized Architectural Concrete finishes and forms will enhance your home, office or commercial space

New “sealant technologies” will withstand all the wear of “regular living” and the highest commercial traffic areas. Above all, custom concrete will provide you with an extremely durable and easy to care for floor and or surface.
 

Chemicals react with the elements of the concrete to create rustic aged finishes such as this one

We utilized precast concrete as an architectural, durable and aesthetic element with one of our kitchen counters and one of our fireplaces ( see photos below )

Precast concrete fireplace on one of our projects

Inspired? We can certainly help you with ideas or make your ideas come to concrete fruition. Ask us how and get a free estimate from us today! (250) 508 - 6601