Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Best Interior Design Schools

The Best Interior Design Schools
The best interior design schools are generally the ones which have the most graduates and most successful employment rate on completion of courses. Naturally it can be difficult to access this type of information as it is often considered confidential, but you will find top rating schools boasting about their graduation rate and this can be a good way to find a great school.

There are more and more schools offering interior design classes than ever before and this is due to the rising interest in this field. People enjoy spending money redesigning their homes, and business and the commercial sector are in an ongoing need for creative and talented interior designers. This results in an abundance of opportunities for you after you complete your interior design certification.

What do interior designers do?
Interior designers have a goal of creating functional areas out of spaces in buildings. They design environments for living, working and functioning according to the needs of the client. Graduate interior designers can find work in architectural firms or as a freelance interior designer. Some speciality areas of expertise for interior designers include:

- Kitchen and bathroom design
- Lighting
- Retail store design
- Office planning
- Health care planning
- Universities and schools
- Historic locations

Interior designers by nature must be creative people. Although most of the skills can be learned at interior design schools, creativity generally comes naturally to someone choosing interior design as a career. Creative skills that will be studied in school include color choices and compatibility, textures, space, cultures, materials and more.

The best interior design schools provide a variety of general courses and courses that are aimed at qualified designers who want to become an expert on a particular aspect of interior design. Most people start with an associate or bachelor degree in interior design before embarking upon a speciality subject of study, generally after gaining some employment experience.

Some schools offer interior design apprenticeships which let you study and work at the same time. This provides excellent practical experience so that you can more easily understand that theory that is taught in school. It will also give you excellent opportunity for employment on completion of your apprenticeship, with most people staying on in their current employer.

If you enjoy manipulating space and can see yourself creating outstanding indoor environments then an interior design career is for you. Make sure you research interior design schools before deciding on the one that best meets your needs.

Green Interior Design Lighting

Green Interior Design Lighting
Green interior design lighting is important because light sucks up electricity, generates heat and costs us money. A green lighting designer would tell you that compact fluorescent lamps are much more efficient than incandescent lamps, using 80% less energy. "CFLs last 10 times longer than incandescents and normally pay for themselves," explains David Lee, a 23-year lighting designer with The Lighting Source.

Antique Lamps and Interior Design

Antique Lamps and Interior Design
In the UK in 2008 a Bristol pensioner chained himself to a lamppost and went on hunger strike. His protest was against the removal of Victorian lampposts from the city's streets; illustrating that those passionate about quality design and heritage will do just about anything to protect it.

However, apart from, perhaps, Bristol City Council, there are people out there who appreciate the timeless quality and design of domestic scale antique and vintage lamps. A visit to some antique shops or specialist internet sites will show that antique lamps are available and still hugely popular as a design choice for many.

No need, thankfully, to go on hunger strike to protect these examples of our heritage as the demand for them is continually high.

Occasional Lighting and Permanent Comfort -:

Antique or vintage lamps are ideal for traditional / classic design schemes but can work equally well in even the most modern of interiors. An old, and stunningly effective, design trick is to place one or two display 'antiques' in sleek, stylish, modern rooms.

This juxtaposition of old and new can be used in a number of ways. It can create a high impact visual statement, add a quirky edge to a simple design or create intricate detail in an otherwise clean, clear design. An antique lamp can be the perfect tool to create these effects, adding not only a bold statement but incorporating a functional element. No home should be without 'occasional' lighting and lamps provide a simple and flexible solution.

Wired for Light -:

In traditional / classic, or period interiors, vintage or antique lamps are an absolute must! Whether for a residential setting or a hotel, bar or restaurant the lamp will add a touch of luxury and authenticity.

You don't have to go the whole way and use traditional paraffin or oil lamps - though apart from some fire regulations in commercial properties there's nothing to stop you! These days the majority of antique lamps are adapted for electrical use which reduces the risk as well as the smell.

For those using antique lamps in a period home, one important thing to check is the quality of the workmanship and design of the 'converted' lamp. The majority of antique lamp bases will need some renovation, due to their age. Finding a supplier that can not only expertly and subtly wire the base but provide new shades where necessary is important.

Changing Times -:

While antique lamps suit just about any scheme, you may be looking to compliment a particular design period. Vintage lamps from the 20th century can come in just about any design style you can imagine. From the ornate 'fin-de-siecle' style of the late Victorian and early Edwardian era, to the now retro-chic of the fifties, sixties and seventies; just about any style of lamp can be sourced to add the finishing touch to your home.

Other popular styles include Tiffany lamps and these, like other vintage or antique lamps offer not only a decorative statement, but also are a great investment. Design choices will always be very personal, but in many cases vintage or antique lamps are a good choice as they have this added feature - that they are likely to remain valuable and will most likely increase in value.

Many items of furniture can depreciate in value thanks to inevitable wear and tear. Design classics and antiques however should retain their value and hopefully grow. The cost of such items can vary, but there is usually an affordable solution to suit any pocket allowing you to create that perfect look for you.

Sourcing Antique Lamps -:

As with nearly everything, antique lamps are now easy to source on the internet, as well as direct from antique shops and specialist stores. Specialists, whether online or not, are usually the best place to start your search. Not only will they be knowledgeable - often passionate - about their products, but can offer advice on the types and styles of lamps. A specialist supplier is also best placed to find unusual or rare items - having a network of contacts that can help you source specific items or styles.

This can be invaluable to you if you have a specific style or theme that you are creating, as some designs are much rarer than others. With a good supplier you can find the right antique lamp, make a great investment and preserve a part of our heritage.

An antique lamp creates a comfortable homely lighting effect and can work well in just about any setting. Ideal for period properties including homes, hotels, bars and restaurants, they can work equally well as statement pieces in modern homes and offices.

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co, has had a lifetime's association with antique porcelain and pottery.

He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company's site, he is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects and has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.



Modern Lighting Decoration I Essential Component of Interior Design

Modern Lighting Decoration I Essential Component of Interior Design
One of the most important factors that affect the home environment is indoor lighting, because it can affect our daily life in different degree. Different forms of illumination can affect an object's image, its tone as well as the impression that they leave behind. Lighting can create or destroy the atmosphere of indoor environment.

In many cases, people only start to think about lighting after the interior design has been completed and construction has started. This is a very big mistake. Lighting is also one of the factors to consider during the design phase. In particular, the owner needs to posses the basic knowledge of lighting, so as to be able to provide some personal opinions regarding lighting decoration during the design phase. Regrettably, many architects, designer and reconstruction personnel are lacking in this aspect of training. Over the past ten years, new technologies have been appearing, and large variety of interior lighting products had been introduced to the market. Thus, lighting has been an essential component of interior design.

A splendid lighting decoration must take in consideration of all occupant needs and their lifestyle, in order to satisfy three essential factors: people, construction and point of focus (example: artwork, paintings). But the most important of all, is to provide effective lighting to the person using the space.

- Background illumination.

Background lighting design should archive a soft, gentle and mesmerizing effect to the space. In order to obtain the ideal background light, the modern illumination design uses the reflection from the wall surface and the ceiling light, so as to avoid producing luminescent spot, thus achieving the satisfying light effect. The background illumination light may come from the wall lamp, the hanging lamp or light source from pillars.

- Decorative illumination.

Decorative lighting provides glittering effect to the surface, giving the illusion of it providing the background light. This kind of illumination should be lightly used, so as not to cause the entire space to appear too dazzling.

- Focus illumination.

Prominent light source is carefully arranged to focus on some objects like artwork, paintings or certain construction structures detail. The main goal is to achieve the artistic effect. Focus illumination make use of not too bright light sources like candle or wall hanging lamp. Track lighting and portable type lighting can also be used.



Interior Lighting Design

Interior Lighting Design
The stunning chandelier in the dining room is simply breathtaking. So is the glowing accent wall that conceals a series of fluorescent lights that line its back. The three pieces of quirky and whimsical drop lights that illuminated the bar counter in the kitchen are so attractive that they stand out from all the interior elements in the area. Lighting fixtures are marvelous inventions of the modern world. They either aid the furnishings or the other interior elements in making rooms look as presentable as possible or they, themselves, represent the beauty of the rooms by their eye-catching and elaborate appearance. The proper distribution and application of these lighting fixtures is what constitutes good and effective interior lighting design.

Any interiors that has been brightened up by the most functional and the most appealing kinds of lighting fixtures are transformed into beautiful and harmoniously designed areas. Sometimes, all it takes for a fancy living room to achieve its desired effect is the perfect pendant light. The bedroom can be warm and inviting with comfortable furniture pieces and accessories but it can even be cozier with the right kind of lighting fixtures. Spotlights for the artworks in the display shelves, cove lighting on the wall where the headboard is located, as well as the side table lamps beside the bed, are the lighting fixtures that can not only set the serene mood in the bedroom but can also serve as direct task lighting for reading, studying and finding objects in the bedroom.

Lighting fixtures fall among three categories and these are task lighting, general lighting and ambient or mood lighting. The first category, which is task lighting, is needed for areas that have certain activities going on. For example, a pin light that points directly below the space in front of the bathroom vanity unit. This is needed to help persons in doing their make up or shaving their beards. General lighting has a broader scope when it comes to function. It lights up hallways, living rooms, bedrooms and all the areas in the house but it deals more on the larger spaces rather than on one specific area. The last lighting category is ambient lighting. These are lighting fixtures that create the mood of an area. The living room has to have a livelier atmosphere during the day so brilliant light can be applied, but this brightness can be reduced into a warmer glow at night when the family gathers in the area and they want to have a calmer and more relaxing time. Dimmers can help minimize the glare of lighting fixtures so they should be installed with them especially in areas where the light should be regulated such as the bedroom, living room and dining room.

When you have determined what type of lighting fixture should be assigned in what area, then you can select from a wide assortment of chandeliers, lamps, spotlights, pin lights and drop lights available in home accessories stores and mall department stores. You can also choose from lighting fixture and interior design websites on the internet for the design that you want. Creating handmade lamps and chandeliers is also a great way of exploring your options when it comes to materials and styles, and you can be certain that your taste and preferences are taken into consideration because you dictate the shape and design they will achieve.


Sunday, July 24, 2011

Home Design Plans For A Small Home

Home Design Plans For A Small HomeIf you want to build your own house, the first thing that you should come up with is the design plans. These plans will help you visualize what your house is going to look like when it is completed. Home design plans will determine whether your house will turn out just the way you want it to or, on the contrary, a disastrous mess. Therefore, you will need to familiarize yourself with the design plans and pay close attention to even the smallest details.

The question is how to create a design plan for a small house? Most people are often frustrated when it comes to designing a house in a limited space. But coming up with a design plan for a limited space house is not a very difficult task to do. There are several things that you should keep in mind:

First and foremost, you have to choose the appropriate colors to paint your house with. For a small house, it is recommended that you choose lighter tones with relatively minimal patterns. These will help create the illusion that your house is bigger than it actually is.

Choose the appropriate locations for the kitchen, the living room, the bedrooms, and the bathrooms.

The living room should go in between the kitchen and the bathroom. Most of the time, the kitchen and the bathroom are located at the ends of the house, thus the living room will certainly be located in the middle. By locating the rooms appropriately, your house will be well-organized and cozy.

Use every available space wisely. If you are building a two story house, use the space beneath the staircase to put a drawer or a cupboard. Alternatively, you can also build a small storage room below the staircase. So if you run out of storage space elsewhere, you can easily keep your things in here.

Last but not least, maximize the use of mirrors inside your house. It is a good idea to put a big mirror near the staircase, because it is the focal point of the house. Mirrors can also help create a spacious feel, making the house look and feel roomy.

Hopefully, all the basic tips mentioned above will help you create the ideal design plan for a small yet comfortable home. If you are still in doubt, you can also consult an expert as they know what's best for your house.

Efficient Green Home Design

Efficient Green Home DesignEfficient was the focus of the house My Bigger Half and I designed and had built seven years ago. It's a green home in most ways. But, as efficient as we made it, we didn't think of going with movable walls.

Before I share the movable wall idea, let me digress and talk about other eco-friendly homes and home design. The Solar Decathlon competition. According to the website "The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are affordable, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends cost-effectiveness, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency." There also is to be enough energy generated by the house to fuel an electric car. Student teams come from around the world to participate in this annual event in Washington, DC.

I was thrilled to see the Solar Decathlon competition on the Mall in Washington, DC, October 2009, because that meant I got to tour it. I'd seen and enjoyed two entries before that -- CU-Boulder and Montreal -- and had enjoyed their innovations. So when I found myself on the Mall with all of the entries I knew I was in for a good time.

I saw a delightful array of houses. Beach and mountain, urban and country, as well as modern and futuristic. One house I saw had solar panels comprising the exterior of the building -- all four sides and the roof. Solar panels were of course a common element of all of the entry homes. Lots of light was a common element of the homes, and shading too. Some incorporated gardens, others patios. Innovative, fun and exciting sum it up for me.

One house used modular walls and sliding wall panels to create flexible space. It didn't hit me how useful that concept was until I saw the 344 square foot Hong Kong condo in this video. The architect and owner calls it his Domestic Transformer.

The Murphy bed was the precursor of this idea. My Bigger Half and I do have a Murphy bed in our TV room, making the room more utilitarian and efficient than having two rooms. We don't watch that much TV, and we don't have that many house guests. One room does the duty of two. It's not a transformer in the sense of Gary Chang's, but it's not far off.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Kitchen Pantry

Kitchen PantryA kitchen pantry is one of the best gifts you can give yourself while redesigning your new kitchen. Believe me, there is nothing like being able to walk into your pantry and start selecting the ingredients you need for a spur-of-the-moment dinner party or for the Sunday morning breakfast that you are making for the surprise guests that just walked in the door.

One of the major problems in any kitchen is storage. While working on your kitchen interior design, make room for a large kitchen pantry, even if it is in another room. You will thank yourself for making the room, and I do mean room. If you can only afford the space of an old broom closet, then use it wisely with a modular shelf arrangement that you can change at will. But if you can design a walk-in pantry, you will love having the space and having the supplies at hand. Consider tip out floor level bins for your major ingredients - flour, sugar, rice, etc. You can buy in bulk and save a ton of money.

One word of caution however, flour may contain 'things' that will progress to little weevils if the flour is kept for a long time. As far as other storage, consider see-through bins so you can see exactly what is in each container. The new silver impregnated clip-top containers are a true saver of food stuffs as they do make an air tight seal. Use these for pasta of all kinds as well as beans, lentils and cereals.

Have shelves made so that you can stack like canned goods more than one can high. Do not forget to have some shelves made with enough height for your taller bottles of oils and vinegars. The shelving needs to be heavy and relatively shallow in depth for the can goods. Make sure that there is plenty of light so you can easily see what you have stored in your pantry.

If there is enough room, have a vertical storage area for tall platters and over-sized cookie sheets as well. You can store extra dishes and very large pans if need be. A kitchen pantry is one of the best uses of space you can design into your newly remodeled kitchen.

Home Improvement Kitchen Designing

Home Improvement Kitchen DesigningEvery homemaker's pride is her kitchen, and the decision to give it a makeover is to balance its functionality with visual appeal. Kitchens are no longer unseen corners of activity as they were many years ago, but are a subtle statement, and can be transformed from tired to terrific in a few simple ways.

Walls and floors

A simple change of colour on your walls can bring in a whiff of freshness to dull, lifeless surroundings. Try pastel shades of yellow and green or experiment with a contrasting shade on a single wall. In case you plan to include a snack counter in a corner, try deep shades of orange. "Brick orange is said to enhance appetite," says Uttam Singh, a local restaurateur, "but can seem a little too overwhelming if the kitchen is small. Stick to light shades that make the room look bigger." You can also make the kitchen feel airy by introducing more light. If the location doesn't allow much natural light to come in, introduce a ceiling panel or soft yellow wall lights. A kitchen floor should be easy to clean and maintain, and less expensive options include vinyl and mosaic. Maximise your floor space by keeping your furniture to the bare minimum and hanging all your cabinets on your walls or placing them under the counter.

Cabinets and counters

Indians need a lot more storage space as compared to our western counterparts, thanks to the innumerable vessels that characterise our style of cooking. Organise your vessels neatly into storage spaces and avoid clutter on the kitchen counter. Cabinets can be transformed in a jiffy with paint or laminates, or by changing hinges, knobs, and doors. Try hanging a few colourful coffee mugs or wooden spoons over your counter. An attractive spice holder or a colourful clock can make all the difference. Bring in colourful borders or motifs made out of chipped glass or ceramic over your cabinets. Replace your old handles and knobs with more ornate ones to spruce up your cabinets and enhance their look.

Decorating Ideas to Make Your Kitchen Homely

Decorating Ideas to Make Your Kitchen HomelyDesigning a kitchen can be exciting and there are so many decorating ideas that you could try. Often the kitchen is a room in which most people spend a lot of their time. Whether it is to entertain friends and family or simply to cook the family meals, the kitchen really is the centerpiece in most homes. So, if you are thinking of decorating it, it would be a good idea to spend time researching and finding the right ideas to suit your home as well as your personality.

Finding the Right Kitchen Decorating Ideas to Suit You

There are many ways in which you can make your kitchen look homely and sophisticated or modern and relaxed. From choosing different tiles to rearranging the whole design, you should definitely be able to come up with something that suits your family needs as long as you do the right amount of research.

You can find various different designs in magazines as well as on the internet. The internet has a huge range of ideas to be found, though it might take you a long time to come up with one which you like, so ensure that you have quite a few hours to spare when you set off on your search!

Going to your local library might also be a good idea as an aid in your search. There you will find plenty of interior design books which will also offer ideas as to what you could go for. Usually even little steps can be taken to drastically improve the look of the kitchen - it doesn't always have to be the big changes that make a difference! For example, if you have a table, a simple centerpiece on the table could add that extra touch that it was missing. A tablecloth could also be something different to try. Basically you need to use as much imagination as you can in order to let your personality shine through.

If you are looking to redecorate the whole kitchen then you will need paint or wallpaper as well as paintbrushes, tiles and accessories. You may want to think about moving the sink or boiler within your home but generally that can cost a lot of money and it is also a lot of hassle! So, avoid changing the whole layout around if possible. Of course you could always replace old looking cupboards and worktops with more modern designs if you want to, and you can replace an old looking cooker and appliances with newer ones and that should help to change the look of the kitchen.

Overall it is completely up to you as to how you want to design the kitchen. You need to ensure that you are happy with the designs and you also need to make sure that you have spent enough time researching and looking for new designs. Redecorating should never be a rushed job otherwise it may turn out all wrong!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

Bedroom Interior Design Ideas
There are a wide variety of bedroom interior design ideas. There are certain aspects that are common in all of them and need to be kept in mind while designing the bedroom interiors. In this article we have highlighted all those aspects of modern bedroom interior design ideas.

The design of a bedroom depends on a few major factors. The first one is who will be occupying the room. For instance, the bedroom design for an adult will be absolutely different from the design of a kids bedroom. Similarly, the size of the bedroom also matters. The design that will suit a master bedroom will not be right for a small spaced bedroom. Therefore, in this article we will be talking about a few basic bedroom interior design ideas.

Master Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

The master bedroom is the largest one among all the other bedrooms in your house. Hence, you can get a lot of scope to experiment with the designs of the bedroom. You should select a design for this bedroom in a way that it reflects the personality of its occupants. The color of the bedroom walls should have a calm and serene effect on your mind and senses. Therefore, blue, green and lavender are the most popular choice of colors. However, if you want a more youthful touch to your bedroom, then opt for some warmer colors like misty peach, buttery yellow, delicate pink, light shades of pastels and so on. If you are looking for a sober lively atmosphere in your bedroom, then opt for neutral colors like light shades of brown.

The furniture of a master bedroom include a double bed, wardrobe, dressing table, side tables and a writing table. If there is a terrace attached to the room, then you can keep some formal seating arrangements over there as well. The finish and shades of the furniture should complement well with the colors of the walls as they cover a part of the wall space.

Lighting of the room should involve proper use of both the artificial light as well as natural daylight. For artificial lights use spot lights and decorative lamps to make the room bright. Bedroom walls can be decorated with paintings or artwork or beautiful wall hangings or posters. You can give a personalized touch to the room by hanging a collage of family photographs enclosed in a decorative frame. Use of natural elements like houseplants inside the bedroom can make you feel closer to nature. Plants that bear flowers once in a month is the ideal choice for this purpose as they will bring about a change in the look of the room after every few days. Read more on master bedroom decorating ideas.

Kids Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

Traditionally, the pink color is associated with the wall color of the girls bedroom and blue for the boys bedroom. However, now, times have changed and you have more number of options available with you. Purple, yellow, green, red, pastel, orange, beige are the other colors which are very much liked by small kids. Whatever be the choice of the colors make sure it is a water based one so that cleaning the walls will be an easier task. Once you have finished painting, you can decorate the walls further with the help of hand painted wall murals. Pictures of fairies, geometrical shapes like square and rectangle, birds, teddy bear, cloudy sky, are preferred as girls bedroom interior design ideas. While forest themes, playhouse themes, images of reptiles, wild animals, sports cars are the choice for decorating boys bedroom. You can also use wallpapers for wall decorations.

Safety of the child is your highest priority. Therefore, the ideal flooring option should be covering the floor with carpet or wood flooring. You have to keep enough storage space in kids bedroom as they have their toys, books, crafts and other knick knacks which need to be stored properly so that the floor space remains free. Apart from the bed and cupboard, include shelving, hanging shelves, freestanding bookcases, etc. as per their requirements. The room should be adequately lit with table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces etc. There should be enough fabrics in the form of bedsheets, curtains, pillows, throw pillows, area rugs to give a softer feel to the room. Find more on kids bedroom decorating ideas.

Small Bedroom Interior Design Ideas

For a bedroom with a small space, the design should be simple and the furnishings, the color and the decoration should make it look spacious. Colors like blue and green on the walls can make the room look larger. Use a paint which has a high gloss finish as it will reflect enough light make the room look more wide and open.

The bedroom furniture should have a more compact look so that they occupy less floor space. Moreover, a large piece of furniture will look out of place in a small bedroom. Proper storage is very important in a small space as they can prevent the room from getting cluttered. You can select such furniture for these bedrooms that have storage facilities as well. Most importantly, make sure there is enough light and airflow inside the room so that it does not look dingy.

Use items made of metals, glass and other polished surface for bedroom decoration as they can reflect a lot of light. Putting up a well decorated framed mirror on a wall opposite to the window can make the room look even more brighter. Get more information on small bedroom arrangement: decorating ideas for small bedroom.

These are some of the most interesting bedroom interior design ideas. Combine all these ideas to make a unique design that suits your taste, style and requirements. Just keep in mind that the design should not give a cramped look to the bedroom and the look should make you comfortable.

Sofa Design 2011

Sofa Design 2011 Collection

Sofa Design

Sofa Design
Sofa Design
Sofa Design

Best 3D Home Design Pictures Collection by Architect Ronald Calling

Best 3D Home Design Pictures Collection by Architect Ronald Calling
These are some examples of 3D home design by Architect Ronald Calling. an example couples the 3D Home allows you to choose your dream home design appropriately. Home Architecture Design more easily with the concept of Home Design 3D sketch. 3D Home Architect Design Collection of photographs by Ronald Calling is very nice. let’s see some photos of 3D Home Architect Design Pictures Collection by Ronald Calling.

Minimalist Home 2011

Minimalist Home 2011
Many of us find a house with a minimalist design. This design is usually chosen because of limited land to build a house. actual concept of minimalism was a choice. A dynamic design, simple and efficient.
Minimalist home is usually followed by a minimalist interior. Interior was chosen to adorn the room. Furniture usually refers to a room dominated by a straight line. By building a minimalist home costs can be reduced economically. But it also can be great, depending on the owner. Choosing building materials should also be done carefully. So that after the house is built, the more prominent minimalist impression.

Underground Homes

Underground Homes
Underground homes or earth-sheltered homes as some call them lie mostly beneath the ground's surface. These houses are inexpensive to heat and cool since the surrounding soil acts as natural insulation. Those who design underground homes have come up with several methods for regulating the temperature
Underground homes (at least some) depend entirely upon the insulation provided by the soil surrounding walls and floors. Others, however, have tubes channeled through them to bring in fresh air. Still others use a heat pump to regulate temperatures.

Minimalist Home Design

Minimalist Home Design
Hi .. beautiful drawings of the house ni kat. betol lah if I can house in the picture mcm tu, BEST nye lahh. tp do with power, life was simple. tp alhamdulillah there because he's not home, even though their homes kecik.hihi tu .. ni nak ok not capable Pasai beautiful home. but capable Pasai syokk nye nak kat sitting home. how happy feeling when it can relax2 close to home. son lying terbongkang pound was de sape be angry .. I'm home I'm so happy lah tu kan.walau Dad's house I had tp ni dia.huahaha children .. BUT .. there's not but nye .. but if the days, days and days of sitting home leh-pound bear was not .. it was sitting home bored .. lemak.berlemak livestock cun lah aku.hahah but stil ok .. XPE own juice je dah tau .. haha ​​.. .. If you can gi shopping to do than sit home best je .. tp kn problem nye I takde yg ske shopping friend jap jap .. uh .. there's actually .. I just do not see you again friend who I liked when shopping with him .. haha.boyfren? ermm boyfren man .. we'll long shopping ni kene Bebel pulak.tp stakat xkena again la .. nak g hihi.kalau sorg, xbest la pulok .. but I xperlulah skarang ni nak soh org sebok2 strip shopping friend .. because I now always shopping kat internet shopping on9 je .. .. if tired je day2 bukak lappy then Usha ni la kedai2 over the internet .. no sale .. macam2 suma suma goods I buy ok2 .. xde was cheated into what .. tp taxable hati2 jugak if on9 ni .. nk beli jugak org yg follows no fool like he was selling goods kononnya .. tp .. not to name anyone else but their own bank acc in. .. mcm gitu kes2 pounds of taxable hati2 there .. tau ..
ni hah he's one who shops I bought ske kt kt here .. click here Edastboutique .. nak tgk know what he was selling his own lah ye .. hehe .. I uh dah mcm kn.padahal topic capably run home .. haha ​​xpe2 article saje share2 ngn korang nak .. okay lah .. no son de what the word again .. survivors underwent detik2 happy at home .. your family .. er priority tiba2 je lah .. haha ​​okay, bye.

Home Designs 2011 Trend

Home Designs 2011 Trend
Home Designs 2011 Trend
Home Designs 2011 Trend

Monday, July 18, 2011

Small Kitchen Interior Ideas

Small Kitchen Interior IdeasEven a small kitchen any home has can get the makeover it needs to embody the style and creativity of those living, cooking and dining in it. With the aid of these simple kitchen design makeover tips and style concepts, you can easily get that designer kitchen you have dreamed of.

Some kitchens have an incompetent layout or plan which is why sometimes it feels too overcrowded even if there are a few people in the kitchen. If your kitchen has this kind of floor plan then you would need some major redesigning that is if your finances allow it. Try lengthening a few countertops, removing bulky pantry shelves or getting rid of that center island. In place of the pantry shelves, try cupboards or cabinets. Some expert kitchen designers even suggest closed shelves located below countertops and open cabinets, storage shelves, rack, cupboards and hooks above.

Aside from redesigning cabinets and countertops to get more space, appliances should all be placed in one corner of the kitchen such as the fridge, microwave, sink and stove. This way you would not need to move across the kitchen when cooking plus it organizes appliances at one corner or side of the kitchen for ease of movement plus more space.

If you have a pantry or portable carts then it is best that you utilize these for placing unused appliances or those not needed for cooking. Renovating your kitchen and reorganizing the items in it not only gives the illusion of more space despite its size but also makes work inside the kitchen convenient and easy. In repainting your kitchen, try using soft, huge and pale colors that mirror or reflect light. Doing so adds a tall feeling to any small kitchen. Gallant wall colors would also create the feeling of a spacious kitchen despite the size. A lot of expert kitchen designers also advise to put in excellent lighting under higher shells or even add spot lights in the kitchens' ceiling. Light has been proven to create the effect of being in a larger room. Simply stick to these tips and in no time that small kitchen of yours would create the feel of a huge kitchen enough for cooking class.

Home Design with a Modern Home Furniture

Home Design with a Modern Home Furniture
For the modern home furniture should have a modern home furniture, with white color and impressive look pretty clean, perfect for a large room with people a lot, good for large families.

Modern home furniture made from the finest materials and under strict quality standards, No outsoursing and manage each individual, with you as the customer in mind. Modern home furniture offer plenty of options: recliners, headrests, footrests san removable cover, comfort - pillows Bultex content (the same company that makes patches seats for Mercedes, BMW and Citroens), modern European design and bold look make furniture winning choice for any home.

Home Furniture Design I Living Room Designs

Home Furniture Design I  Living Room Designs
Today shopping for furniture is getting harder and harder due to the lack of funds. We have to tighten the proverbial belt and choose wisely when buying. But; that is not so bad, Why? Because if we are tightening so are retailers. They are feeling the squeeze just like us and they want – perhaps need is the word to sell their products. As the products sit on the floor they loose money and can’t make room for newer shipments. This is definitely good for you – the shopper.

The most important thing to have before going shopping is a budget. This will keep you from overspending.

Many stores are having sales and this is the time to take advantage of these to purchase the furniture you need. Of course; don’t be foolish and go out and furnish your whole house (unless you really need to) since his is just the time for getting what you really need. Here are a few tips that may help:

1. If you have a tight budget splurge on a good sofa. This is where most people will be comfortable.

2. Leave room; when purchasing furniture or add more items later.

3. Put items in a room hat are personal and have stories in them to tell your guests.

4. Don’t buy a coffee table – be creative by using and old trunk or bench.

5. Don’t fill a large one with one giant seating area. Make several smaller ones for more intimate arrangements.

6. Antique pieces give a room personality…but don’t overdue.

7. Old furniture can be recovered or slip covered to update its look.

8. Have a common color to unite the room and pull everything together.

9. Matching pieces is not always necessary as long as the scale is the same.
10. Monochrome palettes make rooms look larger; so keep this in mind if you have a small room.

Once you find what you are looking for you should “make a deal” with the salesperson. The salesperson just wants to make their commission and many times are allowed to make deals. If not; they will check with their manager to see exactly what they can do to make the sale.

Another way to save money on purchases is to see if the floor model can be purchased. Some stores need to get rid of floor models to make room for new merchandise. Some times the store will forgo the delivery fee to move stock. This can help you save more money if it is offered along with a good sale price. If not; you need to decide if the sale you are offered is within your budget. Remember; you can always go to another store to see what deals they will make.
Be creative when shopping. It is not always necessary to shop in retail stores. You will be surprised the items you can find in garage sales, thrift shops and flea markets today. Many people are looking to make money by selling pieces they don’t really want or need. You have the chance to find the items you want and a great price. Be a smart shopper.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Modern Bathroom Remodeling Tips

Modern Bathroom Remodeling TipsPeople are now starting to rethink almost everything from the places they live and how they want to live. Modern bathroom design trends have wanted changes and the innovations had been sensible, fun and interesting so far. The new generation of designers are now breaking out from the mold and creating bathroom interiors that are functional, elegant, and convenient to maintain. So whether you are organizing a bathroom remodeling project or starting to create something from scratch, here are wonderful ideas that will transform your bathroom into the innovative 21st century.

RTA Cabinets. Among the most popular home improvement items in the market today are RTA cabinets. These items offer the best economical deal that gives your bathroom organization, efficiency and an added appeal without breaking your bank. There are various styles, designs and colors available today to complement every bathroom décor. RTA cabinets are available in wall mounted, free standing, base, corner and other non standard models. There are also various stylish and organizational features for you to choose from.

Sinks & vanities. Modern bathrooms now boast sleek wall mounted vanities that enhance visual space inside the room. They are often matched with streamlined wall mounted faucets and streamlined vessel sinks that may not be that easy to maintain but decrease the needed counter depth.

Lighting fixtures. Just by simply altering your bathroom's lighting fix, you are able to renew and give this part of your home a modern look and feel. Aside from creating a nice ambience, bathroom lights can also be designed in a way that it is more energy efficient, thus, saving you a lot of money from your monthly bills. Putting a dimmer inside your bathroom lets you control the mood of the room according to your feelings. Chromatherapy, an innovation in the lighting industry that displays an array of different colors, also helps a person find relief in the day's stress.

Tubs & showers. Stand alone bath tubs and showers are of the features of contemporary bathroom remodeling design. People are now using bathrooms variedly today. Contemporary design already separates the tub from the shower areas through vanity finishing. Steam rooms feature wall mounted steam heads in preparation for a metropolitan expediency.

Toilets. Another fixture going on with the trend of change in bathroom designs are toilets. Hat box toilets which are very convenient to clean are on top of the list. The look of commercial designs has indeed made its way into fame as urinals are more popular ergonomic forms that lessen mess. Contemporary baths now have separate rooms for toilet and urinal as they are more hygienic, convenient and private.

Bathroom windows. Larger windows can bring about wonderful statement into your modern bathroom design. This allows the entry of more natural light into the area saving you from an unnecessary consumption of electrical energy. A good way for you to add a modern touch into your bathroom is the installation of skylights. This type of window will allow for more sunlight to come into the room and also serves as an aesthetic accessory that will serve as a rejuvenating background to your shower.

Bathrooms were considered as places where you can take of business and leave as soon as possible, but modern bathroom design concepts these days are slowly changing its very nature. So don't get loss in the trend and start your very own home remodeling project now!

Modern Bathroom Design Tips

Modern Bathroom Design TipsBathrooms used to be just bathrooms. They had one purpose and we all know what that is. Now though, bathroom design has become big business and the look and feel of your bathrooms is important to adding value to your home.

Bathrooms have recently become a room where design elements must match the rest of the house or make their own statement. Whenever you have guests, they invariably will use your bathrooms and so people now days want to make sure their bathrooms reflect well on them. Gone are the ugly bathroom mats, towels, mirrors, and shower curtains. They have been replaced by designer versions of each of those. People renovate and remodel their bathrooms spending thousands of dollars in a room that once was forgotten.

Modern bathrooms can be specially fitted with radiant heat floors, fog proof mirrors, automatic faucets and other innovative gadgets. Sinks now come in all kinds of colors and shapes and the newest kind of sink sits on the bathroom cabinet. Some bathroom sinks are made of blown glass which add color and design to any bathroom.

People also spend thousands on designer bathroom tiles, rugs, shower curtains, and faucets. Every part of the bathroom can be made to look like more than it really is. The old bathroom was just a bathroom full of dull and even dirty bathroom parts. The modern bathroom is a colorful, clean, inviting room with candles and magazines.

What you choose to do with your bathrooms will be dependent on your budget and the importance you place on having it look great. Even if you don't have a lot of money for an extensive bathroom remodel, you can get creative and make many of the things yourself. If you add those personal touches to your bathroom, your guest will feel more comfortable in the one room where everybody ends up sooner or later.

The Evolution of Modern Bathroom Design

 The Evolution of Modern Bathroom DesignIn recent years, modern bathroom design has made a huge departure from the way bathroom spaces have been designed and built in the past.

The contemporary bathroom is a personalized private refuge, as beautiful as it is functional. Dimmed lighting and scented candles encourage a relaxed mood. Shower and baths are sculptured spaces, akin to indoor fountains of hygiene and health. Bathrooms are a perfect stress-buster. Bubbles swirl in the tub, water pulses and steams forth from fixtures with the power to soothe aches of body and soul. Today's bathroom can be an oasis of efficient yet luxurious indulgence, a relaxing temporary retreat from a hectic world.

Some modern bathroom designs even have areas set aside for aerobic exercise, stretching, mediation or yoga. Some have a small refrigerator and a space for making coffee, or blending fruit smoothies for breakfast. Media has also moved into the bathroom. You can watch television while in the bathtub on a screen which retracts when you are done. There are mirrors which never fog, music piped into the shower stall, and you can access the Internet while dressing.

The cramped, dark bathrooms of decades past have become retreats in which to indulge the senses. The transformation has been dramatic. This change from a merely utilitarian cleansing space to a luxury environment has been partly influenced by modern hotel and spa resort bathroom design. Bathrooms are hot right now in the home improvement business, eclipsing demand for new and remodeled kitchens. The bathroom is now regarded as one of the major focal points in architectural and design schemes.

Bathrooms are also being made far more accessible to everyone who uses them, from the working professional couples to infants, toddlers and children, elderly and handicapped persons. Several barrier-free design adaptations make usage easier for both the able-bodied and those with special needs.

Choosing the Best Bathroom Design

Choosing the Best Bathroom DesignBathroom design covers many subjects. For bathroom designs that say I Design my own bathroom, find the design that fits you best. For the do it yourselfer, that is the starting point. First, one must think of what kind of bathroom style they are going for.

One of the most important things to consider when you want to say "I design my own bathroom", is to find what design fits your style best. What are your likes? What is your style? Find these answers and you will be well on your way to choosing the perfect design for your bathroom.

Will the bathroom fit the style of the rest of the house or will it stand alone?

What will the bathroom look like?

A modern design will give your bathroom a fabulous look and feel. There are a multitude of modern and contemporary sinks, faucets, and showers, and toilets to choose from. A modern design will give your bathroom a very contemporary feel, that speaks to the future... Modern Designs are elegant and give a sense of elegance and style!

A nautical design can add the look and feel of the sea with sea shells, and starfish, or add a sailing theme to your bathroom. There is no end to the ideas that you will be able to come up with..... just picture yourself at the beach or seashore.....

A luxury design will give you all the amenities that you can imagine. Picture towel warmers, spa baths and jetted tubs, fog free mirrors, high tech toilets, and electronic facets.... all in your own home!

A contemporary design meshes a minimalist style with a unique balance of simplicity and functionality. A contemporary design often boasts free standing bathtubs and "floating" sinks.....

Next, the size and the layout of the bathroom must be considered. On many bathroom remodels such as for a small bathroom, the size and layout can't be changed. That is perfectly fine, you will just have to work with what's already there and gear your design towards the small bathroom. At other times you will have more freedom of choice. Another concern may be if you have the need to do a bathroom for the handicapped. This creates a whole new set of standards that must be considered.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Modern Restaurant Kitchen Design

Modern Restaurant Kitchen Design
Time and again, I have heard it said that restaurant kitchen business is one of the most lucrative businesses you can ever think of. I confirmed the truth in this saying when I went all out in the business and I dare say, I am thankful for that one step I took. The fact that I and other people are doing it successfully does not mean every other person can do it. You just have to know what it is all about before you take that plunge.

As more and more people catch the vision of having their own commercial kitchen, the style and creativity incorporated seem to be improving by day. All around you, you will see pleasant surprises of new kitchens springing up and the sight of these modern restaurant kitchen designs are almost enough to increase your hunger by many folds. If you venture to take a view of the interior, it shouldn't take long to convince you to place your order even when you are not hungry. These modern designs are excellent attempts to keep customers coming and asking for more and if you say they are not succeeding at it, you haven't visited one of late.

If you are determined to come on board the wagon of the food service providers, there is still enough space for more people albeit there are rules to the game you must follow if you want to make the best out of your time and money. The first rule you must observe is to find out what the community you want to serve wants. The design of a restaurant kitchen depends to a large extent on the kind of menu the kitchen would serve. For example, you would not expect the same design for church kitchen as you would of a pizza restaurant or a five star gourmet restaurant. Each restaurant design comes with a unique vision and picture in the mind of the proprietor/proprietress of the restaurant.

It is of major importance to strategically place important items in a restaurant kitchen. A great deal of time, effort and energy would be saved when items are strategically placed and located in the kitchen. You must incorporate into your kitchen design this fact. You don't want your staff running around wasting time and dissipating energy. This you may later find out to cost you a tremendous amount of money. Accidents and inefficiency that may arise as a result of this can also be avoided.

To have a well grounded or state-of-the-art design, you may need to consult with a professional first who will give details on the floor plans, equipment schedules, electrical and plumbing drawings among other things. Coupled with your own ideas, you can bring into life what you have always fantasized and that would also be an equally rewarding venture for you.

A modern Restaurant kitchen design requires you to assess your credit worthiness. I can say of a truth, nothing good comes cheap but you can make live your dream and make your plan work if you start planning first on the budget you have for the project.

The Retro Kitchen Design Trend

The Retro Kitchen Design Trend
These days kitchen décor comes in all colors, sizes and eras. The newest trend in kitchens today is the retro kitchen design look. Painted cabinets, glass knobs, and vintage linens combined with new appliances that have a retro look can give you a unique and functional kitchen. This kitchen design trend includes everything from chrome and vinyl kitchen tables and chairs to the familar kidney shaped glass coffee tables that were prominent in the 1950's and '60s. The kitchen retro style uses bold colors, shiny chrome, sunny yellow, jadeite green, along with checkerboard floors and vivid patterns. You can find this fascination with the 50s and 60s everywhere. This period is also known as 'mid-century'.

Some reasons for this trend are that people are rejecting the throwaway mentality. They like for things to have a longer shelf life with more endurance and permanence. They want to go back to a time when appliances were built to be serviced and repaired, not immediately replaced. They want appliances to be built to last.

Many kitchen design professionals consider the original mid-century designs to be very good designs, and now a whole new age group is just becoming familiar with them.

Chrome and vinyl dinette sets can fit in perfectly with this 50s nostalgic look, and manufacturers today make these 50s retro kitchen tables in a bistro, booth or regular dinette style.

You can buy 50s retro kitchen tables that are brand new and include such features as chrome frames and vinyl seats and backs with laminate tops. You can select from a wide array of colors for the cushions.

But if you really want a more authentic vintage look, you can buy an actual vintage piece from this time. It is possible to find this furniture in good condition for around $500.00. If you like to restore furniture you can get some 50's furnishing cheaper and fix them up. restoration. You will also find that the colors and styles of the vintage pieces cannot be duplicated.

There are stoves and refrigerators that are new, but look as if they were made in the 50s - in colors such as candy red, flamingo pink and buttercup yellow. These are retro reproductions of 1950s appliances. They look 1950s on the outside but are totally 21st century on the inside. Retro reproductions can make a dramatic design statement without having to sacrifice performance and convenience to get the look of this period.

Or you could consider going with refurbished appliances that are the actual vintage appliance that have been cleaned and rebuilt with some new components.

Of course one major problem with going with refurbished appliances is that you have to sacrifice a few luxuries like the advantages and the ease of a self-cleaning oven, as well as having such features as electronic ignition and sealed burners. However, these features affect the simplicity of cleaning the stove; they have nothing to do with how well the stove cooks. There is one significant perk, however: Most appliance refurbishers are able to offer color matching, thereby giving you a unlimited selection of colors to coordinate with your new kitchen.

Green Kitchen Design Ideas

Green Kitchen Design Ideas
You've finally made the decision to remodel your old kitchen and are looking for some great environmentally friendly ideas. Believe it or not there are tons of green kitchen design ideas that you can incorporate easily into your new kitchen. Here are just a few tips that might come in handy.
Green Kitchen Design Ideas
Recycle The Old

The first place to start going green with your kitchen remodeling is to recycle those old appliances and cabinets that you plan on removing from your kitchen to make room for you new appliances and cabinets. Instead of throwing out these items, take them to the salvation army or used furniture store. Not only will you be saving the environment by not throwing them away, but someone else will benefit from these items.

Paint

If you are planning on repainting your kitchen as part of your remodeling efforts then choose a paint that has low or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). These paints will not only be much friendlier to the environment but to your families health as well.

Cabinets

When choosing cabinets for your new kitchen go with real wood, straw board or wheat board. Cabinets that use pressed board are made with adhesives that are not ecological friendly and are not good for your health either. An alternative to all new cabinets would be to refurbish or to paint your existing cabinets to give them a new look. This will not only help the environment but could save you money as well.

Counter Tops

If you are planning on having new counter tops then consider recycled paper counter tops. These counter tops are constructed from wood pulp, from managed forests and recycled paper. They are so durable that items from this material have been used in the aerospace industry and to built skateboard ramps. They are heat, scratch and stain resistant and look great.

Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances

If you are adding windows to your new kitchen try to add windows that will make the most of the natural sunlight. This way you will be saving on electricity during the daylight hours and providing a sunny place to work as well.

Any new appliance should carry an energy star rating, helping to ensure that they run efficiently on as little energy as possible.

Recycling Station

When designing your new kitchen include an under the counter recycling station. This will make sorting of those paper products, glass bottles and other recyclable items easy and help to keep your kitchen from looking cluttered.

If you have a compost pile you are using, you might want to include an under the counter holder to scrape your compost materials to be carried out at the end of each day.

Green kitchen design does not have to mean spending a lot of extra money. It simply means, making wise choices and using as many environmentally friendly materials and products as possible. Refurbishing old cabinets and other materials whenever possible will not only help the environment but will save you money in the long run.

Best of all - green kitchen designs can help keep your kitchen clutter free and make you feel good that you are helping to heal the environment while providing a healthier atmosphere for your family.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Rustic Kitchen Lighting 2011

Rustic Kitchen Lighting 2011
The "farmhouse" look is all the rage in today's kitchen design. Natural materials, fresh cut flowers, and whimsical pastel hues are taking the place of heavy, expensive décor in many contemporary homes. What better to complement the refreshing look of farmhouse style than rustic kitchen lighting?

Rustic lighting is loosely defined, but these fixtures typically feature an antique or vintage feel. Look for distressed finishes and "open" designs that create an inviting glow. Want to capture the farmhouse look in your own home? Try these rustic kitchen lighting tips.

"Farmhouse" Pendants: Often used as entry/foyer lights, these tend to feature an open cage design with a traditional candelabra base. A hot trend in kitchen design is using these pendants in lieu of the typical chandelier over a kitchen table or island. This creates an incredibly warm, inviting look!

Rustic Chandeliers: Two exciting new trends in rustic chandelier design are distressed or multi-toned finishes, and frames that resemble leather "strapping." These styles are perfect for those who want to achieve a slightly bucolic look, but retain a touch tradition at the same time.

Outdoor Lights, Inside. Many of today's outdoor wall lights are designed with a careful attention to detail - why not consider using them indoors for an enviable look? Try gas lantern-inspired outdoor wall sconces in the kitchen to transform your space into a rustic haven, reminiscent of old world inns or pubs.

Vintage-Inspired Mini Pendants: Mini pendant fixtures may be one of the hottest contemporary trends in kitchen design, but they can certainly be used to create a rustic effect! Look for styles with antique elements, like gas lantern "turnkeys", metal shades, and weathered finishes. Copper or bronze finishes also work particularly well.

Rustic kitchen lighting will help you create a timeless and fresh look in your kitchen - one of the most frequented rooms in the home! For more expert kitchen lighting tips, check out the "Lighting Trends" area on our site!

LightsOnline.com is the Web's premier online lighting showroom, carrying thousands of up-to-the-minute designs (including stylish rustic chandeliers)! Besides offering all of today's top brands and looks, our lighting experts offer helpful tips in our "Lighting Trends" area! Our ALA-certified lighting professionals are ready to help you with all of your home lighting needs, so stop by today.

Kitchen Lighting Design

Kitchen Lighting Design
Time and money spent remodeling your kitchen causes one to want to do it "right." Your kitchen cabinets and decor is not only complimented but is completed with a proper lighting plan. Many lighting supply stores have folks on staff who are trained to help you design just such a plan.

Lighting for your kitchen should create different dimensions to your kitchen. To achieve that you should incorporate at least 3 of the following types of lighting. Each way will have not only a different feel but will provide a unique function. And by adding dimmer switches to any of the following you can create even more dimensions to your kitchen.

Recessed Lighting

There are a couple of ways that you can use recessed lighting. The first is to use it as a wash of light over the fronts of your cabinets as well as your work areas. A spot would give you a narrower beam of light that could create shadows either wanted or not wanted. A flood light would give you more of a wash of light.

The second function of recessed lighting in a kitchen is to illuminate the whole room. If you have a large kitchen you might decide to use some additional recessed lighting around an eating cove or along walk way areas that might appear dark otherwise.

Track Lighting

Track lighting can be used for the same functions of the recessed lighting. It can either provide light above counters and cabinets so that you can see in the cabinets. Or it can light up dead spaces. Track lighting generally comes down a little from the ceiling. The amount of distance is dependent on how high your ceiling is.

There are basically two styles of track lighting. One that is a straight bar that can either be installed flush with your ceiling or lowered a bit. The second is more of a funky artsy style that is often curvy. They can take LED light bulbs or more often Halogen light bulbs.

Some use track lighting for the design element. Others might use track lighting for the mere fact that you don't have any space above your kitchen to put a recessed can. There are remodel cans that can be installed from below if you can not get to the crawl space above your kitchen. But when you don't have that space is the time someone might opt for track lighting.

Under Counter

Under counter lighting is really more important than most think. The main function is to light up your work area on your counters. It also lights up the area under your counter where recessed or track lighting will not reach.

When under counter lighting is installed it should be installed under all of your cabinets. They either come in the form of low voltage puck lights or string of fixtures that hold a long tube style light bulb.

Pendant Lights

Often you will see pendant lights in groups of three. Always try and install an odd number. Occasionally, two will suffice but one or three is much better. Today pendants enhance the décor or feel of your room. Manufacturers offer many different styles of pendant lights. Those styles enhance your décor whether you are decorating your home in a modern style, traditional style or any other fancy you have.

Pendants are used above kitchen islands or bars. Here, you will want to hang your pendant at 72" from the floor. This will allow anyone standing on either side of the island or bar to have a conversation without having the pendant in the middle of their eye sight line. And it won't be so high that you are blinded by the light bulb if you happen to look up.

Over Table Lighting

Larger pendants and chandeliers are common place in a kitchen over an eating area. These provide an anchor above your table and complete the space whether it is portioned off by a wall or is a part of another room.

You will want to hang a chandelier or pendent in the center of where your table will be. Now, if you live in an older home like mine the electricity doesn't always come out of the ceiling in the right place. What we've done is to place a hook above the center of our table. We insured the cord of the chandelier was long enough to drape from the power to our hook and fall to right length.

Over an eating table you will want to hang your fixture at 60" from the floor. For the same reasons I've noted above with pendant lights, you will want to be able to converse with someone across the table but not be blinded by the light bulbs when you look up into the fixture.

Accent Lighting

Kitchens today are built much larger than they use to be. As a result you have a lot more space to play with. Accent Lighting is not only decorative but can provide function as well. We use ours in the event someone needs to visit the refrigerator or get a glass of water in the middle of the night but doesn't want to completely wake up in the process.

Small portable lamps can be placed on counters where there are no upper cabinets. You might also be able to find one small enough to go under the upper cabinets. These will most always have a clip on shade. Meaning, it's a shade that fastens to your light bulb and isn't connected to the body of the lamp.

Islands are great places for table or buffet lamps. On the corner of an eating bar or an out of the way place can add some style and whimsy to your kitchen. And if you don't happen to have pendants above your island, a portable lamp can provide some height to the area.

Some kitchens are built with seating areas connected. Here you will most definitely want to either use floor lamps or table lamps if you have enough space for a side table next to your reading chair.

Romantic Bedroom Design

Romantic Bedroom Design
The various furniture, bed, wallpaper and lighting is an integral part when it comes to designing a more romantic setting for a bedroom, and for most designers, choosing more vibrant colors and lighting is the main key for a romantic bedroom design.

For most walls, setting different shades of red are one of the more popular shades when it comes to painting the walls, also includes hanging pictures that does not seem too suggestive. Picturing a room that gives warmth as well as allowing the mind to suggest heat into the body. More so when it comes to setting a room with a more nautical approach, like some beach hotels where bedrooms would give an impression of having a hut or cottage near the sea.

Various furniture ranging from rattan or bamboo love seats, beds and chairs would allow a feeling of relaxation that coaxes any bedroom user to pass time with their nighttime activities. For some city dwellers, certain furniture can still elicit a sense of romance, especially when it comes to antiques like hand-me-down furniture that tells a history. It could be anything from dresser drawers, armoires, and even mirrors.

Lighting can be anything from sconces, ceiling lamps and fans, good to capture the essence of the wind coming from the sea. Though it revolves any design that depict sea life as well as old ships, but nothing too gaudy that would seem cheap to begin with. Dimmer switches is a must-have, especially to set the mood the way the bedroom wants it to be upon entering. This can also be done by allowing the switches to turn on the desk lamps upon entering.

As for beds, there is nothing much too particular, unless if it were a king sized one. But having pillows, sheets and quilts for cold weather and with similar vibrant colors are used in order to create a theme. Simply using quilts that are not too heavy would allow more comfort, rather than being burdened by the weight.

There is not much to do when creating a romantic bedroom design all because of choosing the right colors to create an impression. For most, it has something to do with the layout, meaning the bed has to be placed in front when a couple enters the room for the first time and lighting is dimmed enough to give an impression of serenity.