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Entryways – A Welcoming First Impression

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They say that first impressions are everything. If that is so, then shouldn’t your guests get a sneak preview of what they are in for when they enter your home? An entryway is a very important part of your home. Not only does it need to provide a function, but it also needs to be a welcoming first impression. It can be a place to drop your mail and keys or hang your coats. For a touch of ambiance, and to make the area complete, you may want to include lighting and artwork or a framed mirror.

An entryway is not always about tables. You may want to think about having a wonderful bench instead. It provides seating and can be just as inviting to visitors.

Contributor: Victoria Stoehr, CAPID Member

How Do I Light Thee?… let me count the ways!

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There is so much to know about lighting.  By focusing on a few points the great look you desire can be achieved.

Balance – The best way to find balance in lighting is to triangulate fixtures in a room.  If you have recessed lighting but still want seating level lighting, add lamps in key areas and visualize a triangle.  A floor lamp next to a comfortable chair and table lamps on side tables or night stands make this easy.

1 Stop Lighting

Mood – Make sure that lighting isn’t too bright by adding dimmer switches for chandeliers and recessed lighting.  This inexpensive feature gives you many options for setting the mood in a room.  Under, over and in cabinet lighting are other great ways to accent and enhance the beauty of fine furniture and accessories in a room.

GE

Efficiency – Today’s efforts to light a space without consuming too much energy are important, and there are several ways to achieve this.  Following are just a couple of energy-saving ideas on how to light a space:

  • Use lighting controls such as dimmers and occupancy sensors.  Dimming a light fixture by 25 percent uses less energy and adds to the life span of the fixture.  Occupancy sensors that turn the lights on or off when you enter or exit a room can save up to 20 percent in energy use as well.
  • Use fixtures which consume less energy such as LED’s.  LED lights can greatly reduce the amount of watts used without reducing the quality of light produced.  These types of lights are more expensive but are virtually maintenance free with 50,000-100,000 hour life spans. They can be dimmed and come in very attractive recessed trims. Well worth the investment.
  • California energy code now requires that 50% of lighting must be ‘green,’ which is comprised of LED, halogen and/or fluorescent, with the remainder being incandescent.

lightingideas.org

A professional interior designer can provide advice on lighting and typically has a licensed electrician or specialized lighting designer as part of her/his team.

Contributed by Julie Gerns, CAPID

Guest Room Must-Haves

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When designing a guest room on a budget, use  a five-star Hilton hotel for inspiration and discount stores and a savvy interior designer for implementation!

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Of greatest importance is the best bed you can afford.  A queen-sized bed is more than adequate for two people and usually fits in a guest room quite nicely. If there is enough room, two twin-, full- or queen-sized beds would be ideal.  Dressing the bed is equally important. Start with a good quality mattress pad that adds a cushioned, luxurious feel.  Freshly laundered bed linens, fluffy but not-too-full pillows, a comforter and extra blankets create a welcoming oasis for your weary guests to rest and restore.

Find a place for a luggage rack or a bench to set a suitcase on. Create a one-to-two foot space in the closet with a few hangers for your guests to hang their clothes.  Keep a drawer clear for them to put their things in.  This will help keep the room neat and organized.

justflewthecoop

If there is enough room, a comfortable chair where one can curl up is a welcome addition. It also gives guests a place to sit while they put on their shoes.  A small table with a lamp or a floor lamp next to the chair creates a cozy spot for reading.

A television in a guest room is appreciated.  Place the remote near the bed.  Having a few current magazines in the room is a nice touch for those who don’t watch TV.

Window blinds work well in guest rooms to provide privacy when needed and allow for light control during the day.  A simple valance or side panels add character.

 

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Then there are the basics that every guest room and guest bathroom should have:

  • A CD player with a clock
  • Easy access to electrical outlets for charging phones and computers
  • Bottled water on the nightstand
  • A couple of fresh apples in a bowl
  • A fresh flower in a vase on the nightstand is a nice touch
  • Clean towels
  • Fresh bar of soap
  • Disposable cups
  • Hairdryer

Remember to inform your guests if you have a security system that is alarmed at night.

And most importantly, invite your guests to feel at home.

Kitchen Accessibility

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Have you ever wondered how a kitchen can be designed to accommodate the various needs of the home’s occupants?  What if only one member of the family is in a wheelchair?  What if the members of the family are all short-statured?

We are all aware that people come in all shapes and sizes, with ever-changing needs and abilities.  The kitchen is probably one of the most important areas in a home where the needs of the users should be addressed.

So what do we do when only one member of the family has a disability, or when people of multiple heights will use the kitchen with regularity?  One of the most versatile solutions to address this is the use of cabinet and counter lifts, appliance lifts or adjustable shelving.

accessiblelifestyle.com

Obviously, this solution means an added expense for new cabinetry, at least in the areas where you want to provide lifts.

Another way to adapt, if you have room for it and plumbing is nearby, is to add an island where you can have an opportunity to step down the part where the sink will be and install a dishwasher drawer if necessary.

barrierfree.org

If you have a whole family of short statured people, permanently placing the cabinets and appliances at a lower level is best.  And if and when it comes time to sell the home, you can simply add a cabinet allowance marked off of the sale price for the next buyer to make the necessary adjustments.

Remember, your family is the one that lives in your house, so give yourself permission to enjoy your home while you are there!

Contributed by: Monica A. Nordquist, CAPID

Home Re-Design – Sprucing Up Your “Home Sweet Home”

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Sometimes it’s just not in the cards or in the budget to tackle a complete re-decorating project or big remodeling job.  Home re-design is a bit like staging a home for sale, except you remain in your home.

Here are some tips for “using what you have” in creative ways to improve and freshen up your interiors.

frontdoor.com

  • De-clutter – You’ve heard the term before, but first things first.  Take one room at a time and clear out any extraneous “stuff”.  Clean, sort, donate and toss. Now you have a blank canvas and can start to visualize the possible changes to make.
  • Analyze and organize –Think hard about the use of the room. Focus on purpose and define your priorities. Make a plan and follow it. Keep a theme or continuous thread from room to room.
  • Re-arrange – Furniture, art and accessories can be arranged in a new way to give new life to your room. Keep all of your favorite things and focus on what makes you happy.
  • Paint – is the number one best decorating tool. Not only will it make everything feel fresh and clean, color is a great way to lift one’s spirits. Neutral is great, but maybe it’s time to stretch your wings and add a bit of spice.  If you feel timid about having bold colors on walls, consider instead adding some color in your life in the way of furniture or fabrics.

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Most importantly, take an objective look at your home as if you were a guest.  Go from room to room with an open mind and a critical eye.  Should you still find this process to be a bit daunting, enlisting a professional interior designer is a great investment.  Your interior designer will work with you to spruce up your home and make the “old” seem like new again.

 

Contributed by Kathy Jarvis, CAPID

 

Teen Scene

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Every teen dreams of having the perfect room – THE place to hang with friends or escape their loving families.  Comfortable seating, flat screen TV, and black-out shades to block the sun on weekends all make the must have list!  The Teen Scene pictured here has a bold painted accent wall and other sophisticated choices, making it the perfect room to transition from teen to college coed.

Teen Scene - Hooks for personal accessories

Julie Gerns, CAPID

Storage is always important in any room.  Not all of the trinkets from childhood go away so easily.   Artwork and decorative hooks for hanging accessories like purses, scarves, and belts let teens flaunt their changing styles.  Areas for homework and makeup are must-haves also.   An area rug defines the seating area and provides protection for the floor if food is allowed.

Teen Scene - shelving storage for personal items

Julie Gerns, CAPID

Teens want to be involved in the room design choices.  They feel a sense of responsibility for selections that may travel with them into young adulthood.  But, be prepared to be asked for surfboards on the ceiling or those wonderful posters of “you know who”.  If special family heirlooms need to be integrated, like a vintage nursery dresser, they can be creatively updated with paint and new knobs.

If you disagree on color or style, remember that bedding, art and accents are easy and affordable things to change and that teens do change their minds often.  When larger more expensive items like window treatments and furniture remain more neutral, they work with any whim and can reflect the style of the home.

Teen Scene - Recreation Room

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If you have a bonus room, create a fun space for activities like movies, video games, pool table, or jukebox and dance floor.  Homes with more than one teen will appreciate this separate area for the teen scene.   Make it a fun place for the whole family (when invited).

Always remember a happy teen makes a happier household.   Listen, and pick your battles when it comes to the smaller choices.  An experienced designer is sometimes the perfect mediator and can direct the project to please the whole family.

Contributed by – Julie Gerns, CAPID