DON'T MAKE THAT LIGHTING MISTAKE

Light plays a significant role in our lives. When the sun goes up and indicates that our day is about to begin till the time it goes down and we wind down ourselves. Whether it be at home, in school or at the office, or maybe when we visit restaurants, museums and other public places, light affects our mood, our ability to concentrate, to relax or simply to have a good time. Perhaps we may not notice this as it is part of our daily lives. It is about time that we make lighting our priority. Proper lighting after all is key.

When I started building my home way before I was an interior designer, I knew only a few things about light thereby causing me to make mistakes. Yes, most of them involved decorative decisions, and some were functional ones.

Mistake #1 Color of light

I grew up in a home with white artificial light. Yes, it is what you call daylight. For all the areas in my home, this was a standard thing.  Later on, we did have some warm white lights but somehow it seemed too dim for our usual purposes so my mom simply changed it back to the regular daylight. At the time, I didn't know that I needed to compute for the lumens (Wikipedia: SI derived unit of luminous flux, a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source) of the light which will enable me to know the proper illumination needed for a space. Looking back now I realize that the proper wattage and the distance of the lights from each other would mean better lighting.

As much as I do love daylight, if you like to set the proper mood, then consider other colors of light.

Warm white lighting

First and foremost, function should be given priority. For task lighting, a bright white mimics daylight (measured at 5000 to 6500 Kelvin) and makes for more productivity. That is why fluorescent lights in daylight are a staple for reading and other detail-oriented work. Daylight is also used for the dresser or where you put on makeup to ensure proper color rendering.  Warm white is more inviting, relaxing and ideal for areas like the living and dining rooms where you want a warm, cozy glow.

Mistake #2 : Room Color

Secondly, consider your room's color palette. If your colors are on the warm side (yellows and reds), use cool white or warm white to enhance. Conversely, use daylight for rooms on the cool side of the color spectrum (that means more on the blues, greens and violets).

The good news is there are new lights too that switches colors from daylight to warm white all in one bulb.

Mistake #3: Brands

Third, don't mix color brands in the same room. Even if both brands indicate warm white, this doesn't necessarily mean that they are the same color temperature. Yes, I've been there. You will notice also a color difference between newly purchased lights and older lights. That's just the way it is.

Mistake #4: Style of your Lighting  

Whether you're buying a downlight, pendant light, floor lamp or task lamp, do remember to consider your room's design style. For a more pleasing outcome, match your choice of lighting. Yes, I did make this mistake in one area of my home. I loved this industrial style of pendant lights and used it in my open kitchen. My dining room in the meantime has a crystal chandelier. Yikes! Design mistakes are easy to make if you are uninformed. I have yet to correct this but I'm consistently haunted by it! 

Correct these lighting mistakes now and make your home a better place to live. Join my weekly newsletter so you won't miss any of my tips and tricks! Link at the bottom of this page.

CHRISTMAS TABLESCAPES: IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS

Christmas is a few sleeps away and if you're entertaining at home, let's dress our tables to impress your family and friends!

Make use of your existing dinner plates and you can add color/pattern by using a metallic plate charger in silver or gold. Use fresh fruits and lay it as your centerpiece. It's practical and beautiful.

via Apartment Therapy

Flowers are always beautiful. Make it look warmer by adding unscented candles.

via Domino: Photography by Lily Wilson Weddings

Want a more natural look? Woven placemats and a few fresh leaves and other natural elements look perfect for a Scandinavian look.

via Deco & Style

A more elegant and natural look is by using metallic cutlery, simple dinnerware with contrasting colors and a simple herb cutting for added interest.

via Sarah Sherman Samuel

DESIGNER'S ADVICE

“Use a mix of colors either by contrasting your plates with a different color, pattern or using a charger. Another way is to use a different color table napkin. Find a color palette that you’re using for your Christmas decor and bring them to your table. ”

Hoping you enjoy this process as much as I do! Join my newsletter for more tips, trends and tricks!

MASON JARS: ARE THEY IN OR ARE THEY OUT

Mason jars used to be a novelty, especially with those inspiring Pinterest photos and all the DIYs on how to use these for your home or your parties. However, sometimes all good things must come to an end. If you're like me, I constantly change things up. Yes, I do get bored easily and while that does not necessarily mean going out and buying new accessories, it means being creative and making use of things at home. 

So what are my latest finds?  

My husband loves wine. You know what that means. I get to have these different sizes and different colored wine bottles! The beauty of these wine bottles are the number of things you can use it for- from water containers to glass vases to simple décor that can work with your home.

via Pinterest

via Etsy

via Fashion.businessdailyheadlines

If you don't have any wine bottles, jars can be used as well.  

via Google.se

A little creativity goes a long way. Let me know what you've done with your jars and bottles in the comments below.

JOIN ME AND GET THE LATEST NEWS, ADVICE AND TRENDS IN THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

CHRISTMAS, THE SCANDINAVIAN WAY

We love all things Nordic. How can we not? It's minimalistic-- which means less expensive -- and yet, it's very chic. Check out the following for some ideas to decorate the Scandinavian way! 

Place a tree in a woven basket. You can still add Christmas lights for some sparkle. 

via The Merry Thought

via Style My Day.nl

Make a small tree taller by propping it up with a crate or any wooden box.

via Indulgy

Place branches on the wall with twine. Stick to a neutral scheme for your decor. This is perfect for small spaces!

via Cox and Cox

Use driftwood in place of the usual tree. 

via Inspired by Lou

Dried tree branches make a simple but eye-catching look. 

via Christmas.365greetings

via Google.com.ar

Hang a few DIY wreaths on your window for an instant accent! You don't even need any baubles!

via Femina

Make your own Christmas star with a few branches or wood dowels. Tie it up with twine and layer  some candles, and a vase with greenery. Remember to use different heights for added appeal!

The wonderful thing about this style is that it's simple to do and very cost efficient. It's time to get ready for the holidays!

Subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this page for more tips, tricks and news!

TRICKS PROS USE TO LIGHT INTERIORS

Do you wonder why you get an intimate, cozy feeling when you enter a fine dining restaurant? Or maybe a brighter, more vibrant space for a playroom? Aside from the interior style and the decor that is used, this is mainly attributed to the type of light/s used to illuminate the space.

Why is light important to interior spaces? It is because we can create different moods and different purposes depending on the type of light.

Work in layers.

This means that you should decide on your general lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting.

General lighting is the uniform level of illumination that enables you to see your surroundings and walk safely.

Accent lighting highlights key pieces you want to put a spotlight on. This may include art in the form of a sculpture or painting, or collections placed in open shelves or cabinets, or even architectural features like a column or intricate architectural details you want to put emphasis on.

Task lighting is a more focused light that allows you to perform certain tasks, such as undercabinet lighting for the kitchen or a desk lamp for an office.

Be mindful of the color of light.

In general, warm light gives a cozy ambience and cool light that goes on the bluer side gives a brighter, more vibrant feeling. Check what kind of function your space needs and employ the proper color of light. Daylight, the color in between warm and cool, is perfect for areas where you need truer colors. This means you can use this on your makeup area, or for other areas where true color rendition is important. That is why proper lighting knowledge is very important especially for retail stores selling fashion or makeup.

Do you know this is why supermarkets also employ this technique when they light their produce? It makes them look fresher. Try to remove the produce and check them out in a better light--whether daylight or fluorescent. You can tell there's a difference.

Finally, remember the purpose of your lighting.

As mentioned earlier, there are different uses for each type of light. This does not mean you sacrifice your design style. There are many decorative lighting solutions you can employ that will match the design style of your interior.

Loving these tips? Be a part of my tribe and know the latest news, trends and promos in the interior design community. Subscribe to my newsletter (bottom of page).

SLEEP LIKE A BABY

Imagine that you have the most relaxing and peaceful sleep of your life. Won't that make you start your day right? Now, envision yourself having trouble sleeping and when you finally do, your back aches in the morning. Perhaps even more than your back. Your legs seems tired, your body doesn't want to move. Is this the way you want to start your mornings? We spend at least six to eight hours minimum a day on our bed. That means around a third of our day. Choosing the right mattress for us is something vital to a good life.

What types of mattresses are there in the market? From the cheapest to the most expensive, these are what you can find locally.

First, we have the polyurethane high-density foam. This is a regular type of mattress supplied by Uratex. This type has medium to firm support. Yes, it's the same material used for your dish sponges.

via The Mattress Ideas

Second is the latex foam mattress that uses a combination of synthetic and organic eco-friendly materials. This is a firm type of mattress. It's like really firm! I bought a Sleepcare latex foam pillow at Duty Free, and yep, gave it to my husband as I had an achingly sore back in the morning! 

via In Nature

Third is the spring mattress. These are made with hand-tied steel coil springs to support your back. Take note that each manufacturer has a different layer that adds comfort to your sleep. For the first photo below, we have the regular spring mattress.

via Ikea

For the next photo, we have pocketed coil springs. Each coil is individually wrapped in a "pocket" which means that if you sit down on edge of the bed, the other part won't "move." Of course, there'll be a slight movement but it won't be as drastic as the regular coils. This is perfect for a couple's mattress.

via Amazon

Fourth is the memory foam. Memory foam was developed by NASA during the 1960's. I won't give you the technical details. The important thing is that memory foam molds to your body shape. The idea is that the foam cushions your shape and gives you a more pleasant sleep. I tried memory foam before and boy was it hot! So if you tend to get hot (as is normally the case here in the Philippines), either lower your airconditioning temperature, or maybe, even better, try the new memory foam with the gel technology supposedly cools down your body temperature. This is one mattress I haven't tried though--and I am so tempted to try at least the pillow! Yes, I admit I'm a pillow junkie! I've been trying and buying different types of pillows over the years.

via Snug Mattress

via Amazon-Lucid

Now that you know all the types, which one should you choose? Aside from the budget, find out what type of support you normally gravitate to. Is it soft, medium or firm? This will narrow down your choices quite a bit.

Also, as an added feature some use a combination of types. Most common is pocket-coil springs with a memory foam top. Some even have a plush pillow top that makes your sleeping much more comfortable.

What is truly important is to actually try lying down on the mattress. No matter how much explanation I may give you, you'll never know how it feels unless you try it. Lie down on your back, or on your side, or if you sleep on your tummy, try that too. Simulate how you normally do it. Stay for a while and try different types. I've done this at Dexterton Mattress Gallery. That's the way I chose my bed and no, this isn't an advertisement! I just love my Simmons! Find out what mattress sizes are available in the market by clicking on the image below.

If you think my tips rock, wait till you join my tribe! Subscribe at the bottom of the page!