Welcome to spring. If you're like me you're itching to get outside and enjoy the weather, do a little spring gardening, and tackle some home improvement needs. Spring is truly a time of renewal. And though we enjoy warm weather year round from our Arizona office, spring does bring longer days and more time outside. In Virginia, we're finally seeing spring bulbs and budding trees after a long winter. This issue of Interior Insights features advice on how to build a design foundation. I'm concentrating on two common mistakes to avoid and giving a short primer on energy efficient lighting options, and some ideas for furniture made from recycled material. As always I'm available to answer your design questions and help you with these important design foundations.

Maureen

We all make mistakes but when they happen to your home they can cause an expensive headache.

After years of working with clients, I have seen a lot of mistakes that need to be fixed. In this issue of Dramatic Fusion I’m presenting two of the biggest mistakes homeowners make.

How to Fix a Design Mistake: Furniture and Lighting

Furniture faux-pas

Too much of a good thing

Many times when people move to a new house, couples move in together, or someone is starting out, they find that their current furniture doesn’t work in their new space. The furniture may be too big for the room, too small, or not the right style for the house, for instance placing a contemporary short, chrome-legged suede sofa in a restored Victorian row house.

The fix: In some cases, you have to make the decision to let go of your furniture and set a budget to replace it with more appropriate items. However, short of a complete redesign, consider moving pieces around into different rooms. A comfortable easy chair from your living room suite may be just the finishing touch in your bedroom when paired with a side table and reading lamp. A coffee table accessorized with some plants or other treasures may be just what is needed in a foyer.

My design philosophy of dramatic fusion allows for the combination of different textures and styles. Remember, you don’t have to match everything. Another option is to reupholster or repaint pieces. A contemporary chair with a more traditional fabric can add some interest to your living room.

But I paid good money for that
Furniture sales can be alluring. Whether it’s a going-out-of-business sale, antique clearance, estate sale steal, or a houseful of furniture you trucked back from the factories in North Carolina. It’s hard to resist a bargain but these bargains can cost you a lot of money. If you’ve been tempted by a spur-of-the-moment deal stop before you do it again. Just because something is affordable doesn’t make it good quality. If you have ever slept on a bad mattress you know that a good night’s rest is priceless. Make a plan before you furnish a room. You may get lucky and find a deal and that’s great. However, what often happens is people buy furniture not because it’s really what they want, but because they got a good price. You are then stuck with pieces that don’t make you happy. Don't buy something you don't love just because it's a bargain.

Let there be light

This is what the builder gave us
First, a definition of terms. Lighting refers to light in your home whether it is from natural sources such as windows and skylights or artificial from lighting fixtures.

Lighting fixtures refers to cans in the ceiling, spotlights, and lamps. The fixtures produce the light and can offer dramatic design.

Lighting is one of the most important design elements in any room, anywhere. And it’s often ignored. Let’s face it, there’s nothing sexy about a ceiling can. But I can tell you that proper lighting will make a huge difference in your home and how you enjoy it.

If you are building a home with a builder or have ever done this, you know that builders give you an allowance and that often includes lighting and outlets. If you are limited to the number of fixtures per room, you want to consult first with a qualified lighting designer. I often work with customers at the framing or remodeling stage. By repositioning fixture locations before they are installed, I can improve the final outcome of a project.

Adding Light
Many people suffer in dark homes and avoid rooms because they are too gloomy or seem unfunctionable. Light can solve all those problem. In some cases adding decorative floor or table lamps, or changing your ceiling fixtures can improve both the look and function of your room. You may also need to hire an electrician who can install overhead recessed lighting or task lighting to make your rooms and work areas more comfortable. Again, as I counsel above, consult with a qualified designer if you are unsure where to place your lighting for best results.

A window on the world
I love natural lighting and the view that windows provide to the outside. While skylights and large windows won’t bring in much light at night, they can brighten your home and save you money on your electric bills. If you are remodeling a room or your home take a fresh look at your windows.

I just spoke about the importance of lighting now I'd like to talk about light bulbs. With rising energy bills and a desire for everyone to find ways to "go green" many of us have replaced the majority of our incandescent light bulbs with compact fluoresecents. And many people have switched back in frustration.

Compact fluourescents have some serious design flaws.

• Slow to warm up and emit full light
• Shorter than promised life expectancy
• Unpleasant bluish light
• Contains mercury and must be properly disposed

However, there is an alternative, light emitting diodes (LED lighting). LEDs represent the next generation of green lighting solutions. They are not perfect but here is how they are better.

• No warm-up time
• Last 10x longer 50,000 hrs vs. 8.000 for a compact fluorescent or 1,200 for an incandescent
• No mercury
• Use less energy only 6-8 watts

LEDs are now being made for overhead cans, outside lighting, and decorative lights. The downside is they are expensive, cannot be dimmed, and are not as bright. So while they may not solve all of your lighting needs, they may be able to provide some lighting solutions. As the technololgy improves, the bulbs will as well.  You can read more about LEDs versus CFLs at this Popular Mechanics link.

Reclaimed wood products better than new

One of the advantages of my Dramatic Fusion design philosphy is the use of different materials to achieve a custom look. Reclaimed wood products are a great way to add unique features to your home and are a definate green choice. Today there is a growing interest in reclaimed wood for use in flooring, paneling, and furniture.

Reclaimed wood can offer you an antiqued or weathered look for a new piece. Reclaimed wood is often better quality than "green wood" and there are some interesting design features. For instance, wider panels, weathered colors, and even pieces with a history. Consider the conversations you can start about your kitchen table made from an old barn.

You can see examples of reclaimed wood flooring and furniture online and many stores such as the Arhaus furniture chain carry unique reclaimed pieces. I also have excellent contacts for custom made furniture and can guide you to a one-of-a-kind choice to enhance your home.