Contributor: Victoria Stoehr, CAPID Member

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.

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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.

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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

homegoods

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.

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

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

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

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• 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

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.

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.

frontdoor.com

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

Have you ever put your neighbor’s paint color in your home and it looked completely different? In fact, you found that during certain times of the day it looked like a different color from one wall to the next.

The reason why a paint color looks different is because of lighting. Colors seem to change when looked at under different light sources and different lighting conditions. The orientation of a room to the sun can have a huge effect on your paint colors.  The same paint color will look different in a room that has a southern exposure from a room that has a northern exposure.  You can use dark hues in a room with lots of sunlight and windows without it appearing to be too dark.  And you can use lighter, brighter colors in a room with fewer windows, or one that has a northern exposure, to make it feel airy and warmer.

media.benjaminmoore.com

media.benjaminmoore.com

After you select a paint color for a room in your house, paint a two square foot area on one of the walls (or on a color board) and observe how the color looks during the day and at night.  You want to make sure that you’re happy with the color you’ve chosen in different lighting conditions.  Even better, paint a two-square-foot swatch on the north facing wall and another swatch on the south facing wall of the same room. You will find that the same color can look different from one wall to another. Once you do this simple test you can be confident in your decision.

Have fun with paint color; it is the least expensive way to add style and interest to your home.

d-decor.com

Contributed by Janice Peters, CAPID

When I work with a new client I can get a general feeling as to what their style is with a few clues.

Art is a good indicator of style.  Abstract art usually reflects a love for modern design, clean lines and a minimal look and feel.  Flea market vintage art can reflect a love of antiques, curvilinear furniture and soft color.  Art is very personal and says something about you and that which you like to surround yourself.  Using a favorite piece of art as a building block for interior design is a good place to start.  It is the perfect way to build a color palette.

apartmenttherapy.com

I have clients tear out pictures from magazines.  I ask them to save pictures of objects, colors, textures, anything that catches their eye.  If there is just one element in the picture that they like, save it.  When I review all the pictures, their style begins to emerge.

apartmenttherapy.com

Your style may not be clear cut and that is okay.  Blending styles can be interesting too, while still utilizing the basic principles of design.

apartmenttherapy.com

There is no right or wrong when it comes to personal style.  A professional interior designer will help you create an environment that is comfortable, functional and fits your style.

Contributed by Jackie Rosenthal, CAPID

Photo by Elizabeth Ribons, CAPID

As we arrived at the 2012 Pasadena Showcase House for The Arts location, it was beginning to rain, but it didn’t matter.  The house grandly stood on well appointed grounds, bright with a light plaster exterior, tile roof and details that noted its early Spanish design.  This beautiful home was our host and luxurious shelter for a much anticipated tour.

pasadenashowcase.org

We gathered together, entered the home through a gorgeous original wood door and began our tour.  Known as ‘Casa de las Puertas’ (House of Doors) -  we noticed more lovely doors and details that make a design home unique.   Much effort was given to respecting the original plan of the home – with smaller rooms and cozy spaces – typical to the era the house was designed.

At the Showcase there is always something unusual and new to discover.  This year, what stood out for me were Wall Design Tattoos.  A medallion above a pendant fixture appeared to be an actual rosette.  Upon further examination, I realized that it was a painting, but not like any I have seen.

mayawilliamsdesign.com

The Showhouse docent explained the process of a printed paper being applied to the ceiling, then covered with a special solvent. The paper was removed and the design remains on the wall or ceiling.  It was unique and I made sure I noted it in my little book.

The overall color scheme was evident throughout the home – a deep palette of spice colors with the occasional touches of bright blues.

interiordesignwestlake.com

A lot of attention was given to details of the home, but as a designer I seek the “ultimate surprise” the unusual, unexpected treatment or idea.

pasadenashowcase.org

While there were a few new ideas here and there, I found myself breezing through the spaces a little more rapidly than some of the others around me…..then, I noticed something. These strangers around me were not designers.  I started hearing their comments about what they found to be interesting, alluring and beautiful.  It reminded me to keep my eyes and ears tuned into their voices – the viewer, the customer, the client.

formlainc.com

As professional designers, our job is to keep our book of innovative ideas and inspiration close, ready to surprise with something unexpected and unique: a touch of color, swath of fabric, or treatment a client had not envisioned, but loves.  To create a beautiful space for day-to-day living in is a special honor entrusted to designers …….and why I love what I do.

Contributed by Elizabeth Ribons, CAPID

Photo by Janice Peters, CAPID

Accessorizing a bookcase can be a lot of fun and a great way to showcase some of your favorite treasures.  Start by clearing everything off the shelves so that you have a clean slate.  Now you can be selective about what you are going to put back on the shelves and how you are going to arrange your items.

Use only hardcover books for the best display.   You will be pleasantly surprised how cohesive your book collection will look once you remove the book jackets and group them by color. Place some of the books on their side for interest.  Use a favorite pair of bookends on either side of a long row of books.

If you have several shelves to accessorize, plan on filling half of them with books and the other half with well placed decorative items like pottery, candles, pictures, art, and natural elements.

Photo by Janice Peters, CAPID

Using gems and minerals on shelves with under cabinet lighting can be quite appealing. Amethyst, with its deep purple crystal points, reflects and sparkles in the light.

Incorporating  faux candles on timers, such as those found in Flameless Candles will  make your shelves glow and flicker, creating lots of interesting accent lighting.  You can set the timer to come on at dusk and they will  automatically turn off 6 hours later.

You can avoid a busy arrangement by grouping items together by color.  If you are using picture frames, keep them in the same finish like all bronze or all chrome.  Keeping the colors consistent will keep your arrangement harmonious and calm.

cottageandbungalow.com

Probably the most important trick to an interesting design is to use items of varying heights.  For example, if you are displaying three items on one shelf, try to have them at different heights.  You can use a couple of books on their side to create “lifts” for some of the items that need a little more height.

Have fun playing around with your arrangements and add new things as you acquire them.  Once you have your bookcase looking great, it is easy to switch your treasures around as your interests change.

Contributor: Janice Peters, CAPID Member