look on the bright side...

My dear friend (and potential roommate) Katie asked for some helpful advice about lighting. According to Katie, her grayish-blue wall and bedding color-palette looks like "the ocean on a cloudy day". Being the smart "friend of an interior design major" that she is, she realized she should turn to lighting as the solution to her problem.

Katie, like myself, hates overhead lighting or task lighting. I suggest she turn to ambient and accent lighting. Ambient lighting creates an overall glow for general lighting purposes, such as lamps. Accent lighting is used to highlight particular areas and features. By utilizing both of these types of lighting, you can create layers of light in your space to create warmth, drama and variation.

Ikea is a great resource for this particular topic, also because Katie and I have an Ikea shopping date next weekend it is particularly appropriate. These images from Ikea's website Lighting Ideas and Inspiration do an excellent job of explaining these concepts...

Watch as this space changes based on the lighting...

My first key advice would be to use "warm bulbs". These are called incandescent. Avoid fluorescents and LEDs; Although they can be great for other applications, for a bedroom warm is good. Also, by using 3-way bulbs and fixtures you can adjust the level of light to the particular need- reading, ambiance, or just a subtle glow.

Positioning is also a key factor in manipulating light. By placing a light source close to the wall, you do what is called wall washing, this picks up on the texture and color of the wall and adds a unique touch. Spot lighting is another important way to use accent lighting- extend a spot down from the ceiling to showcase a piece of art or a particular area of the space. 

A key factor in lighting a space is layering. You can achieve this by scattering lighting sources around the space. A trick of the trade is to create a triangle of light, allowing for an overall glow and light that is balanced yet layered. Lighting adds warmth, texture and creates a welcoming environment. It can make or break a space. 

Visit IKEA's website for great lighting inspiration

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weekend adventures

My latest weekend adventure was the Crawfish Boil in Birmingham, Alabama. Unfortunately, our friends were not able to join us due to the chaos in Tuscaloosa, but Max and I took one for the team and drank beer, ate crawfish, rode the ferris wheel and jammed to Cee lo Green, Sublime and Green Day.

My most proud accomplishments = convincing Max to ride the ferris wheel despite his fear of heights, Max declaring his love for crawfish despite his previous disgust, and me not getting sick after having multiple cocktails, crawfish and a funnel cake (don't judge). 

I can't wait for next year! 

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times are tougher than ever

I believe that man will not merely endure; he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among the creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of kindness and compassion. William Falconer

With the catastrophic disaster created by the recent tornados, that destroyed towns and lives across the state of Alabama, the times are tougher than ever. Sights of homes destroyed, businesses demolished and loved ones lost are all too familiar. With all of this sadness and disaster, it is amazing to see the good that it can bring out of people. According to ABC News, donations have been made totaling upwards of $150,000 since the disaster occurred on April 27th.  News like this and sights like these above, of everyday people doing there part to help make these tough times a little easier, are a refreshing sight from the sadness and loss. 

Do your part-  click here to find out how you can help!

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