Coming up in this newsletter…
Light Bulb Moments Part Two
It's all about decorative lighting.
Where are your product warranties kept?
A story from home.
My Book Review
Unwrapped last week, Uncommon Kitchens is inspiring and on the mark, because not all kitchens are created equally.
The Best Interior Design Tips
Released last week, The Best Interior Design Tips ebook.
Light Bulb Moments Part Two - Decorative Lighting
Chandeliers, pendants and wall lights add ambience, that warm and inviting feeling in your living spaces. There’s a huge variety of looks and styles you can choose from. Be sure to always select dimmable light fittings, as softening light is always more appealing to your eye.
The colour of your light bulb matters.
Residential lighting is best at 3K (K = Kelvin colour temperature scale) known as warm white. It’s more appealing to look at and easier on your eye. Cool white (5K) lighting is just that, and leaves a space feeling cold and commercial.
Keep to one type of bulb.
Ensure light fittings with multiple bulbs have the same colour temperature. On a recent meal out I came across this, it’s a bit harsh on the eye…
Do you know about LED integrated light fittings?
That means the LED diodes (tiny bulbs) are built into the light fitting. Therefore no changing bulbs, ever. The perfect solution to your stairwell lights. LED dedicated fittings often allow selection of either 3K or 5K colour temperature before installing, always select warm white, 3K.
These light fitting selections have recently come across my desk. Don’t let a 2.4m ceiling height limit your selection, pendant fittings with chain or rod fixings can be shortened. Decorative light fittings become; the focal point over a dining table, a design statement in an entrance way, stairwell and living spaces.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
My client found this beautiful alabaster light fitting in an antiques store. A bargain was negotiated, a little cleaning initiated, and voila, the clean lines are suited to the new townhouse.
Wall sconces wash your walls with light.
Increasing that spacious feeling. They are the perfect solution for your narrow hallways. In living rooms, they offer subdued background light when the TV is on and can be the artistic flourish on the wall.
Need interior design help on your project?
I'm happy to help.
You can email me here.
You can call me on 0275 8888 32
or visit me in the studio.
Where are your product warranties kept?
A story from home. Our kitchen tap began leaking. So the plumber was booked. The ceramic cartridge was the issue, but the tap was relatively new. The big product manual and warranty box came out and the warranty and receipt was found! Purchased in 2016 with 2 years to go on the warranty. A new cartridge was sent from the NZ manufacturer, however the plumber couldn’t get the old cartridge extracted, so a new tap was sent courtesy of Felton NZ. So just a plumber’s bill to pay and not a new tap too.
So my question to you - Where are your product warranties kept? When purchasing fixtures and fittings for your home the warranty doc is always an interesting read and should be kept.
My Book Review
A number of new books have landed on my desk at the studio. This one I unwrapped last week and think it's inspiring and on the mark, because not all kitchens are created equally.
Uncommon Kitchens: A Revolutionary Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House - by Sophie Donelson
Sophie, a past editor of iconic House Beautiful (HB) magazine has collated kitchen design ideas from HB featured interior designers. She says we have reached peak kitchen design, prized for functionality and cleanliness, a show pony and work horse all in one. (I agree.)
However not everyone aspires to have a mile-long kitchen island and overhead linear lighting. Often the case when renovating older homes kitchens are smaller in size and scale, with alcoves and layout challenges that require attention.
If you have a kitchen of old that requires attention, this book is for you. It has great and useful ideas.
The Best Interior Design Tips - ebook
The Best Interior Design Tips
Released last week, The Best Interior Design Tips ebook. This came about from my seminar of the same name. I always receive great feedback from attendees that my points are spot on and food for thought. Download your ebook here.
Come in and tell me about your project
New builds - Renovations - Room Refresh
Meet me in the studio. Browse my interior design books for inspiration. Check out my extensive library of samples and materials from flooring to wall and window coverings and furniture.
14 Hardy Street Waterloo Lower Hutt
Studio business hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
After hours by appointment 0275 88 88 32.
(It's a good idea to ring me first as I can be out at a meeting...)
I'm always eager for feedback... (you can simply reply to this email).
Have a fab weekend.