To Sketch a Shed

We were recently asked to sketch a couple ideas for a shed.   The client specified that we accommodate the typical snow blower, lawn mower, shovels, etc.  but have it presented in such a way that it is attractive from the road and is different in design from the typical farmhouse shed.

We started by looking at the rooflines on the home.  We thought one angled roofline instead of 2 would be well suited to the client's contemporary taste.  Generous overhangs will provide shelter during snow and rain storms and allow easier access around the unit.

The home also has painted cedar siding.  By using this material on the exterior of the shed, we would be able to unite the 2 structures. A contrasting green paint for the shed doors adds interest and lends itself well to the home's wooded surroundings.  The rectangular shape of the windows is also on the home's exterior and is a great way to add natural light inside the shed.

How to Properly Light the Rooms in Your Home

Light is an important part of our daily lives. It helps us function, can help determine our mood and effects the way we view different things. It is also an important aspect of decorating the rooms in our homes. We use it to set the mood of a room, to accent a certain part of a room, and to help us relax.

Below is a list and description of the top light bulbs that are highly recommended by interior designers.

Silver Bowl: It has the name Silver Bowl because the top half of the bulb is covered by a metallic finish. This helps to soften the light. We recommend it for overhead lights that have exposed bulbs. It is especially handy when the light doesn’t have a dimmer.

Soft Pink: This bulb is perfect for relaxation! It lets off a rosy glow. We recommend it in the living room, dining room and bedroom.

Round Candelabra: These are great to use in a modern chandelier. For a fun twist replace the typical flame-shaped bulbs in a traditional chandelier with these bulbs. It will bring a modern twist to a classic piece!

Edison: This bulb was inspired by Edison’s original design. The filament is visible and it gives off a rustic glow. While it is a really neat looking bulb it is a bit expensive. We only recommend it be placed in lamps where the bulb is exposed.

Please keep in mind that CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) are going to be your best bet! They last about six times longer than incandescent bulbs, and use 75% less energy. What does this mean? Well basically it will save you about $40 over the course of a light bulbs life.

Height and Size of Lights

Bedroom: Relaxing in bed is probably the best time to read a book! When you are reading you want the light to be perfect, enough to read by, but not jarring. The bottom of the lamp shade should be a bit below your line of sight (16 – 18 inches from the top of the mattress). We usually recommend a table lamp that is about 26 to 28 inches high.

Kitchen Pendants: It is important that the pendants be about 36 – 48 inches from the top of the counter. You want to be sure they lights are not in your line of view while cooking and preparing food. We recommend kitchen pendants be placed above a table or island. The row of lights should begin approximately 12 – 15 inches from either end of the island or table. IMPORTANT: The lights should still be higher than the tallest person living in the house. We don’t want anyone to become injured! ;)

Dining Room Chandelier: The chandelier in your dining room should be approximately ½ to ¾ the width of the dining room table. We suggest hanging the light about 30 to 48 inches above the table. If you want a more intimate setting hang the chandelier a bit lower, and if you want someone is going to be giving a toast during the meal hang it a bit higher.

Bathroom Sconces:  When getting ready for a busy day at the office or for an evening out on the town the lighting is extremely important. Especially when fixing your hair or putting on make-up! We recommend placing the sconces about 36 – 40 inches apart from each other, on either side of the mirror. It is ideal that the bottom edges of the shades are a bit below eye level (60 – 65 inches from the floor).

Lighting can very easily be manipulated and changed throughout all of the rooms in your home. If you have questions or need any other light friendly tips give us a call, or visit us on Facebook!

Hamburger, S. (lighting designer) & Johnson, G.M. (author and lighting designer), (2011). The Guide: Home. Real Simple Magazine.

Selecting the Right Dining Table for Your Space

I don’t know about you, but I have wild daydreams about being able to host epic dinner parties for upwards of fifty people at my home – with everyone sitting at the same table, exchanging stories and eating delicious food (that I cooked myself and is Top Chef worthy, of course!). But, the reality is that the size dinner party I can host is directly proportionate to how many people I can fit in my dining room.

This is one of the top questions I get from clients: how do I pick the right dining table for my space? So, I wanted to share all my best tips with you!

The Basics

There are three main measurements to keep in mind while looking for a table:

·         The width of the table should be a minimum of 3 feet – this allows plenty of room for both place settings and serving dishes.

·         Leave at least 42 inches (about 3 ½ feet) between the dining table and the wall (or other furniture in the room) – this means your guests won’t be slamming their chairs into the walls whenever they get up!

·         When considering how many will be able to sit at the table, allow each person about 2 feet – plenty of room for eating without their elbows touching their neighbors.

Once you’ve got those measurements in mind and figured out, you can start to decide on the shape and size of your table.

Round Tables

Round tables are great for smaller spaces because you can fit more people around a smaller round table – no corners allow people to sit around all edges. To maximize the seating space at a round table, go for one with a pedestal base – no legs around the edges means no legs getting in the way of more chairs.

A 3-foot round table (that’s 3 feet in diameter!) with a pedestal base can comfortably fit 4 people (and you could probably squeeze in a fifth without it being too uncomfortable!). For round tables with pedestal bases, for every extra foot in diameter, you can comfortably add another 2 guests.

So, if a 3-foot table fits 4 people, a 4-foot table can fit 6, a 5-foot table can fit 8, and so on.

The biggest drawback to round tables is that once they start to get larger, it can be harder to reach the food on the table. So, for smaller spaces, circular is the way to go! For larger spaces…

Rectangular Tables

Rectangular tables will be your best bet in a larger space – especially if the room is long and narrow. The minimum length of a rectangular table will be about 4 feet – this takes into account the minimum width of the table being 3 feet.

A 4-foot long rectangular table will comfortably fit about 4 people. And, for every extra foot and a half in width, you can comfortably add 2 more guests.

So, if a 4-foot table fits 4 people, a 5-6 foot table can fit 6 people, a 7-foot table can fit 8 guests, and so on.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

·         If you choose a wider round or square table, consider a lazy susan for easier access to the center of the table.

·         When looking to save space, go bigger on the table and smaller on the seating: try a bench on one side of the table that can pushed underneath when not in use.

·         Don’t forget about the leaves! Consider the size of the table when it’s fully extended to make sure you’re able to use it at full size in your home.

Talcott Mountain Windmills?  No, just April Fools-

So we just passed April Fools Day and are approaching Earth Day.  We don't really play jokes on each other at the office.  One joke that did catch my eye was the piece that Valley Press released about the installation of windmills on Talcott Mountain as a means to provide alternative energy.  The story was on the cover of the newspaper and showed the mountain with about 8 windmills on the ridge right next to Heublein Tower with a caption that said something like, "Bill passes allowing windmills on Talcott Mountain."  I have to admit that was a quite amusing.  I love when publishers can have a sense of humor! What did you think when you saw the story?

Spring Decorating Tips

Spring is in the air!  Have you redecorated for the season?  A simple takeaway: Add colors and plants to liven  up your living spaces.

Check out these great articles about Spring redecorating tips:
15 Simple Spring Decorating Tips - from House Beautiful
Six Easy Spring Decorating Ideas - from Divine Caroline

Which interior paint is best?

What's the latest news in the finish of interior paints?  Consumer Reports has completed its annual evaluation.  This year Benjamin Moore's semi gloss types Aura Satin and Regal Select have won due to the superior ability of the paint to maintain it's shine after its been scrubbed.  Getting rid of those fingerprints, furniture scratches, etc. can take time when you have to find the leftover gallon of paint and brushes, touch up, then clean and put away.  After that you realize there's a place you missed!  Isn't it nicer to select a paint that can simply be scrubbed and done?  A less costly high performing alternative is Behr which is also easy to scrub.

Here's what Consumer Reports recommends based on the finish you're using...

Flat and Matte Finish - Glidden Premium Flat and Behr Premium Plus Flat Enamel

Satin - Glidden Premium, Kilz Casual Colors and Behr Premium Plus Satin Enamel

Semi-Gloss - Benjamin Moore, Behr, Royal Interiors and Glidden Brilliance

One other thing... Don't fret about the smell of the paint fumes as most manufacturers are formulating their paints to contain nearly zero VOC's!

Why hire an interior designer when design services at a furniture store are free?

We have been asked this question from time to time.  Well, you're technically not getting the services for "free" at a furniture store as the retail or sale prices include such things as meeting with a salesperson.  Even more importantly the look of buying everything from a furniture store can be quite stale and underwhelming. 
Why would you want your home to look like the inside of a furniture store?  A few key pieces from these franchises can be great, but diversity is the key to making the space feel like your own and differentiating it from your neighbor's down the street.  Not to mention, interior designers love getting to know their clients!

How about the vigorous training we as interior designer's go through to obtain and maintain our credentials?  The top designer's have a four year college degree, followed by an internship and work experience before qualifying for an interior design exam.  There are also continuing education requirements. 

Think of us as helping you with the complete package.  From stain colors, to wall finishes, tile selection to cabinet design, lighting selection to window treatments; we don't just recommend furniture, but collectively pull everything together to form a concept.  The design is brought to you so you have time for other things!

I was reading an article recently in Architectural Digest about a newly built house in Richmond, VA when something caught my eye.  There was a tapestry on the wall that was quite muted and subdued with perfectly draped wrinkles. It even had the most realistic metallic pinheads.  The backdrop was lovely behind a large mirror. Then I noticed there were a couple of them.  I checked the caption and read that they were hand painted murals by Bob Christian Decorative Arts out of Savannah, GA.  I went to his website and clicked under the “Press” tab and found other amazing creations of art.  I’m accustomed to seeing typical tapestries in multiple colors and standard sizes which is why I found the design of these so compelling.  I loved the layered affect when placed behind the console table, chairs and mirror.   This company truly creates works of art.