(ARA) – It’s that time of year when driving around the neighborhood at night can seem almost magical. How do some homes manage to look so inviting inside and out during the holidays, while others seem to be suffering from the winter blahs? Believe it or not, lighting can make all the difference – and it doesn’t have to break the budget. Try some of these techniques from the lighting pros to take your home’s ambiance from flat to fabulous.

Make a grand entrance
Curb appeal doesn’t only matter when selling a home, it sets the mood for visiting guests before they cross the threshold. “We recommend updating exterior lights with new technology that will enhance the home facade using the proper light levels and color temperatures,” says Richard Lentz, owner of Dallas-based Lentz Landscape Lighting and its interiors division Lentz Services. “Many homes have floodlights mounted directly to the face, shining up. These could be changed to fixtures using LEDs that would provide excellent lamp-life and low energy consumption.”

Look for a focal point on the property that can be accented with lighting to provide a nice contrast of color. “Tree lighting uses the heights of the trees to spread the light out in a soft and subtle way to bathe the area in light,” says Lentz.

“Properties that do not have large trees can still be illuminated by uplighting ornamental trees or washing the house itself with light,” says Lentz. “Decorative pole lights, garden path lights and step lights have all shown great advances in the past few years regarding style options, bulb types and energy efficiency.”

If you wish to hold your holiday party outside, Jeffrey Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, has some suggestions. “A well-designed landscape lighting system is custom-made for entertaining. The light is low, indirect and perfect for conversation,” he says, adding, “Be certain that stairs and steps are well lit. Guests may not be as familiar with the landscape as the owner.”

For specific holiday-themed drama, explore the latest seasonal decorations powered by LED lighting. “New color-changing technology now allows lighting designers to have the ability to specify custom color scenes or shows to set a particular mood for festivities,” says David Wilkins, president and CEO of American Lighting in Colorado. “Whether you desire a red roofline or one that fades from red to green and back to red, color-changing LED technology offers creativity like never before. You can produce the exact ambiance you like at any moment during your party or gathering this season.”

Continuing the festive mood indoors
You’ve set the scene outside your home, now it’s time to create a warm and cozy atmosphere inside.

Colleen Visage, senior product manager for Progress Lighting in South Carolina, shares several easy ideas for increasing the elegance of living and dining spaces without inflating the budget. “Decorate your existing lighting with festive accents. Replace a chandelier’s crystal teardrops with gold, silver or red glass balls or use berries or ivy to wrap around sconces, chandeliers and pendants,” she says.

Many homes already have track lighting, which can be adjusted to suit your decorating needs. “Position the track heads and mini-pendants so that they showcase the holiday items on display. Track heads and mini-pendants are available in a wide variety of colors to coordinate with the color theme in your decor,” says Visage. “In the dining room, add more light to the centerpiece or a holiday meal by aiming adjustable halogen track or recessed fixtures so that the light shines directly on the tabletop.”

A certified lighting consultant from an ALA-member lighting showroom can aid you in selecting the right fixtures to achieve this effect.

“One of the easiest ways to add festive ambiance during the holidays is to simply use the lights everyone thinks of as exterior, but do so in creative interior applications,” says Edward Cook, president of National Specialty Lighting in Colorado. He also suggests trying some themed novelty lights for a bit of fun. “For example, our Chili Pepper Cactus string lights might make an interesting entry to a Southwest Christmas dinner with lots of poinsettias, and our LED Crystal lights could always accompany a festive mantle.”

Both exterior and interior lighting advancements have changed significantly in the past few years. Today, there are more sophisticated lighting choices than the consumer would have ever thought possible in the past.

“The common mistakes homeowners make in lighting improvements are either using do-it-yourself stores for their lighting solutions (which either fail after a short time or do not achieve the look they were hoping for) or secondly, using an electrician for design expertise and possibly not receiving the most up-to-date fixture and lamp selections that a lighting designer can provide,” says Lentz. “A designer will usually think outside the box for lighting options that a client may not even be aware of and that could possibly make a significant impact on the overall lighting plan.”

For more home lighting ideas or to find your closest ALA-member lighting retailer, go to www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com. American Lighting Association showrooms have professionally trained lighting specialists to help you create the perfect ambiance for your home.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Lighting, lighting tips, lights, track lighting, tree lighting

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Photo Caption: Update your window fashions with new colours such as those in the Hunter Douglas Luminette Modern Draperies offering (shown below right). This collection provides beautiful woven fabrics in sumptuous colors with the look and function of traditional draperies. Luminette draperies also coordinate with Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman shades (shown below left).

The changing of seasons inspires many new trends to follow – new attitudes, fresh colours and shifting weather and temperatures. To help consumers keep up with the trends, Sally Morse, director of creative services for Hunter Douglas, North America’s leading custom window fashions manufacturer, provides the following tips for how to apply seasonal fall elements to the home:

Layer: Pull out a tray and dress it with candles, fresh apples, pears and branches for a great centerpiece on a coffee table or in a dining room. Decorate kitchen chairs by layering a napkin over the back with the point going down and a touch of ribbon looped around the chair.

Bring rich colour into the home: Layer your walls with a fresh and bright paint colour. Add pillows in rich colours as well. Update your window fashions with sumptuous colours such as those in the all-new Luminette Modern Draperies offering. This collection features beautiful woven fabrics with the look and function of traditional draperies, while making a consistent, clean, modern statement. It comes in two fabric styles – Satinee with the appearance, texture and tradition of satin fabrics in 10 rich colours, and Shantung featuring a fine Chinese silk texture in 10 dramatic hues.

Add warmth: A good way to add warmth is with texture. Use area rugs in wonderful weaves and colours. Take advantage of all that Mother Nature has to offer – decorate a wicker basket with moss balls, hedge apples, pumpkin gourds and rattan-covered spheres.

Improve Lighting: Invest in new lamps and wall sconces in the bathroom and bedroom. Make the most of natural light with Skyline Gliding Window Panels which feature 11 1/2-inch or 17-inch panels that overlap one another for a clean, contemporary look and are offered in luxurious new fabrics this fall.

More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca or toll-free at 1-800-265-8000.

- www.newscanada.com

Tags: fall decorating tips, natural lighting, window panels

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Photo Courtesy of Juno Lighting

(ARA) – If the mortgage crisis has you staying put for a few more years, there’s an easy way to enhance your home’s decor while adding value. Upgrading your recessed lighting or installing a track lighting system can brighten up any room and make your space appear larger.

This is not the track lighting from the 1960s and ’70s – those clunky and chunky fixtures in black or white that became hallmarks of contemporary interiors. Now there are a lot more choices: Track heads are smaller in size, available in traditional styles and offered in a variety of finishes including brushed nickel and bronze to coordinate with appliances and hardware. These same metallic finishes are also popular in recessed lighting trims for the same reason, according to Shelley Wang, president of WAC Lighting.

Besides coordinating seamlessly with decor, today’s track and recessed fixtures provide supreme versatility. These lighting products come to the rescue when space configurations make it tough to illuminate all areas.

Out of sight = clean design

“Recessed fixtures are generally preferred for general lighting in almost any room of the house,” notes Joe-Rey Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.

Wang agrees, adding, “They are perfect for illuminating otherwise dark spaces where portables and direct-mount fixtures have limited capabilities and would visually clutter the design.”

Recessed lights offer flexibility in that they can be individually aimed, according to Wang. “Square downlights in singles and multiples are a great linear look that was first made popular in retail and architectural spaces, but are now found regularly in high-end homes,” she explains. “Trimless recessed lights ensure that nothing protrudes below the ceiling plane, giving a minimalist look.”

Homeowners can rely on recessed not only when illuminating hallways and kitchens, but also to supplement other light sources in family rooms and bedrooms.

Glenn Siegel, marketing director for Cooper Lighting, has observed two growing trends: an increase in finish choices and a preference for recessed, square shapes for an architectural look. “In both Halo’s recessed and track lines, we now provide updated metallic finishes that range from Aluminum Haze, Satin Nickel, and Tuscan Bronze to Antique Copper,” says Siegel.

To save on energy, plus limit awkward bulb changes on the ceiling, consumers can buy compact fluorescent bulbs suitable for recessed fixtures. Placing the lights on a dimmer will further cut electrical costs and allow the user to vary the levels of light to create ambiance. Several lighting manufacturers are now offering LED-powered recessed fixtures and hanging pendants suspended from track for even greater energy savings over time.

Where to use today’s track stars

“Almost any room in the house is a candidate for a track system,” Rey-Barreau says. Once relegated to applications such as hallways, recreation and family rooms, and basements, track lighting is now being employed in dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms.

“Track lighting has changed from a mundane product category into one that is design-conscious and extremely flexible,” Rey-Barreau states. The variety of fixture styles and lamping choices are diversified and available in an array of bulb options.

“One of my favorite applications is in renovation projects where the lighting placement is limited by the location of electrical service in the ceiling. Since the track allows for multiple fixtures in a linear configuration, it is possible to provide electricity to the track in one spot while allowing the fixtures on the track to reach many parts of the room,” Rey-Barreau says.

“Tons of homes are built with one junction box in the ceiling, but the residents want to update the space to incorporate general, accent and task lighting,” Wang concurs. “If recessed lighting is not feasible without lowering the ceiling height, a track system is a nice alternative. I faced this issue inside my pre-war New York City apartment and the track solution came out great.”

Track systems have evolved into highly decorative and functional lighting solutions. “The most common type is the monorail, which contains a single rail of electrified cable that can be installed either in straight runs or can be bent in the field for custom designs,” Rey-Barreau notes. The monorail provides the greatest flexibility and has an almost unlimited range of fixture options. With these new systems, the track becomes very much a part of the room’s overall aesthetics.

“One of the advantages of the monorail is that you can attach both pendants and accent fixtures on it,” Rey-Barreau explains. “Therefore, in a location such as a peninsula in a kitchen or a basement bar, you can place pendants above the work surface while creating spot lighting on objects in the room.”

Terry McGowan, director of technology for ALA, also appreciates the monorail’s flexibility. “I like to use it in dining rooms, even if there’s a suspended fixture over the table. Track adds downlighting and sparkle to table settings and can also be adjusted to accent sideboards, buffets, wall art, or sculpture,” he comments. “The decorative fixtures can then be dimmed so they’re not glaring.”

Siegel has noticed that owners who invest in expensive automobiles are installing lighting systems that showcase their investment. “Using both recessed and track lighting, designers are providing both proper light levels and color temperatures in these residential garages to make the spaces both functional and inviting,” he explains.

To learn more about how today’s new track and recessed products can complement your design scheme, stop by an ALA-member showroom near you. Visit www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com, or call (800) BRIGHT IDEAS (800-274-4484) for a list of lighting stores in your neighborhood. ALA lighting showrooms have trained lighting professionals and offer more variety than home centers.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Lighting, lighting techniques

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(ARA) – When you think of the colors associated with fall, green doesn’t necessarily come to mind. Environmentally speaking, however, it should. There’s no better time than now to lessen your home’s impact on the environment and change the way you decorate and live. So, why not go green this fall? It’s not nearly as difficult to become earth-friendly as you might think.

“From products that contribute to good indoor air quality to ones that truly reflect the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ mantra, the number of affordable green interior decorating products has literally exploded within the past five years,” says Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy color marketing and design manager.

These days, you can find stylish, eco-friendly design elements for every room in the house. And, contrary to popular belief, going green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for sustainability. The two can coexist quite effortlessly.

You can start simple by dressing your bed in luxurious sheets, throws and comforters made from fabrics such as rich, renewable bamboo or soft, organic cotton. Cover your floors with formaldehyde-free carpets constructed of recycled fibers or select a natural material, like stone, slate or even concrete. Then, hang energy-efficient window treatments with high insulation and shading properties.

Don’t stop there. Spice up your tired sofa with a design-forward slipcover and throw pillows crafted from 100 percent recycled materials. Add bright recycled glass plates and serving pieces to your china cabinet. Buy furniture made from sustainably harvested wood or, better yet, visit local secondhand shops and repurpose. Or, look around your own home and see what you already have that can be adapted for a new use. You’d be surprised what a little creativity and some good old-fashioned elbow grease can do.

If you’re looking to add bold, fun color, paint fits perfectly into this overall green scheme. It’s an inexpensive, effective and, most importantly, environmentally-minded way to change the look and feel of an entire room. Many paint manufacturers now offer coatings that contain few, if any, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or vapors that are released from paint as it dries.

Using paints formulated without VOCs, such as Dutch Boy’s new Refresh interior paint with exclusive odor-eliminating Arm & Hammer technology, takes your home one step closer to reducing your environmental impact while leaving your interior looking fresh, modern and filled with personality.

Many home improvement products, including Refresh, are also Indoor Air Quality certified by The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, a nonprofit, industry-independent organization that certifies indoor products that meet satisfactory indoor air emissions standards.

Keep in mind that greening your home, inside or out, doesn’t happen in a matter of minutes or even overnight. It’s an ongoing process. The limit to how green your home can be is up to how willing you are to adjust your lifestyle. The choice is yours. “It doesn’t take any grand gestures to start going green,” Schroeder says. “Tiny changes add up to make a big overall impact on the environment.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: eco-friendly design elements, fall interior design ideas, sustainable fall interior design ideas, sustainable interior design, sustainable interior design ideas

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Wallpaper murals are one of my favorite design options because they make a huge impact in a room at an affordable price

(ARA) – When the weather cools and the bright sun of summer fades into autumn’s grayer skies, bare bland walls can feel like an ugly mark on your home’s decor. Suddenly, those undecorated walls that you were too busy to notice this past summer cry out for color and pizzazz – especially if you’re dealing with economy-induced stress.

“Fall is a great time to redecorate because as the weather cools people start heading indoors again,“ says Jonathon Fong, a Los Angeles-based interior decorator and author of “Walls that Wow.” “Home is more important again whereas summer was all about the outdoors. We want to make our homes comfortable, cozy and beautiful again. And when we decorate during the fall, we can show off our efforts at the holidays.”

So what are the hot trends and easy do-it-yourself decorating upgrades that will be hot this fall? Fong and artist Matthew Lew offer a few tips:

Bright, aggressive color

“The hot colors in home décor this fall will be brighter, happier versions of traditional fall hues – butter yellow, orange, persimmon and all shades of blues,” predicts Fong. “These are colors of optimism, and in the current economy, people want to be surrounded by hope. These happy colors put you in a good mood.”

“The hottest colors for room redesigns this fall will be aggressive color combos, using colors like scandal red or lobster paired with yolk yellow or custard,” says Lew, whose work has been featured on “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” HGTV’s “Divine Design” and CBS’s “The Early Show.”

“People want a splash of color in their homes,” Lew adds. “The aggressive color combinations are great because they can make a bold statement very simply without overdoing it. I think people are attracted to that, especially with the economy right now.”

Texture that’s easy to achieve

Adding texture to a wall is another trend, especially if it’s a simple texture – such as stripes – that homeowners feel confident doing themselves, Fong says. Patterns, vinyl lettering or decals, and even wallpaper murals are great ways to add interest to boring walls.

Both designers agree wallpaper murals will continue to be popular, both for their versatility and ease installation by DIY homeowners. Fong has incorporated wallpaper murals from the Web site www.MuralsYourWay.com into his designs, and Lew’s artistry is featured on several of the site’s made-to-order wallpaper murals.

“Wallpaper murals are one of my favorite design options because they make a huge impact in a room at an affordable price,” Fong says. “If you were to have a decorative painter replicate some of the great designs available in wallpaper murals, it would cost thousands of dollars.”

If you’re intimidated by the idea of a mural, you can start out smaller by adding wallpaper murals elsewhere in your décor, Fong suggests. “Cut the mural into smaller pieces and frame the individual pieces. Put it on a door. Mount it to a piece of wood and make a headboard or a dressing screen out of it,” he says.

Finally, when you’re ready for your fall design spruce up, Lew and Fong have a few tips for creating a design you can love:

* “Think baby steps,” Fong says. Decorate a small wall or section of a large wall first. Give yourself a day to get used to your new wall.

* Consider your favorite colors and how you can use them to make your design “say what you want it to say,” Lew suggests.

* Go beyond paint and texture. Try fabric, paper and metal, Fong urges. Get creative, but don’t forget simple tricks too. “Sometimes the simplest thing is a mirror,” Lew says. “It opens up the entire room and brings in light.”

* Keep it real. “Look at your wall’s dimensions and be realistic,” Lew says. “Sometimes having the entire wall covered is too overpowering and a smaller scale would look better. For example, you might want to use part of the wall as a mural and then paint the other portions a similar color.”

* “No matter how it turns out in the end,” Fong says, “say you meant it to look that way.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: fall, wallpaper murals

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Venting skylights can be operated manually or by remote control.

(ARA) – When it comes to brightening and freshening your home, it’s smart to use natural light and passive ventilation. Unlike earlier plastic bubble skylights that faded and leaked, modern glass skylights are dependable and offer nearly endless options for functional decorating.

According to Roger LeBrun, product certification engineer with VELUX America, today’s skylights, properly installed, don’t leak. “Matched flashing systems and other improvements have done away with the number one fear of people who are considering cutting a hole in a perfectly good roof,” LeBrun says.

Skylights are useful in all areas of the home but are particularly popular in bathrooms and kitchens. According to an American Standard survey, American homeowners say if they had a choice of accessories for the ultimate dream bathroom, the number one option would be a skylight to bathe the room with more natural light. Add the privacy factor of light from above, plus the passive ventilation available with venting skylights, and you’ve dramatically upgraded one of the most used rooms in the home at a very reasonable price.

Sun Tunnel tubular skylights blend unobtrusively with decor in many rooms.

Aside from the aesthetic benefits of balanced natural light, there are health-related considerations. Studies show that 20 percent of our population suffers varying degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Individuals with SAD may experience depression, lower energy, increased appetite and a need for more sleep. SAD is directly linked to insufficient daylight.

There are also other light-related health considerations, particularly for older adults. To accommodate the adaptation of the aging eye, the amount of light required for visual acuity doubles for each 13 years after the age of 20, according to research by Ross A. McFarland, Ph.D., and M. Bruce Fisher, Ph.D., in a Harvard School of Public Health publication. More natural light equals better sight, especially for seniors.

Youngsters also benefit. Students perform significantly better in environments that are lit with natural rather than artificial light. A study directed by Heschong Mahone Group in California tracked test scores for 21,000 students in California, Colorado and Washington and found that learning rates were 26 percent higher in reading and 20 percent higher in math in rooms with the most natural light.

Low-E energy-efficient glass in modern, ENERGY STAR-qualified units, is durable, reduces external noises and won’t discolor as did older plastic bubble skylights.

And skylights no longer just sit there. Light and heat gain or loss through skylights can be controlled as never before. Electric venting models are available with remote control, blinds, shades, awnings, insect screening and automatic rain sensors.

For simple, quick installation in areas where traditional skylights may not be the best solution, VELUX Sun Tunnel tubular skylights may be the answer. They admit passive light through highly reflective rigid or flexible tubing to go around obstructions between the roof and ceiling and provide abundant natural light through diffusers for hallways, bathrooms, pantries, walk-in closets or other smaller, confined areas.

For free information on the benefits of natural light and skylight selection, or for free house plans incorporating skylights, call (800) 283-2831 or visit veluxusa.com. For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: energy efficiency, natural light, skylight energy efficiency, skylights, tubular skylights, VELUX Sun Tunnel tubular skylights

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(ARA) – Are you eager to finish renovation projects before the snow flies? Be sure to avoid the most common mistake of weekend warriors — hastily beginning projects before you’ve planned your work. Planning your project from start to finish will save you both time and money.

With a plan in place, there are fewer opportunities for blunders and mishaps. Consider these basic preparation skills before your next painting project to help ensure everything comes together without a hitch.

Timeline
Yes, painting is relatively quick and painless, but it is not instantaneous. If you start painting at 4 p.m., you’ll be up all night. Before beginning your project, make sure you determine how long each step will take. Allow for appropriate drying time for both primer and actual paint application. If you begin applying paint over wet primer — or a second coat over a wet first coat — you’ll have a big mess on your hands. Best practices call for at least an hour to two hours of drying time for most interior latex paints.

Start from a clean canvas
Many people simply want to slap the paint up on the walls and they don’t take the time to think about surface preparation. If you paint a new color on top of walls that are already cracked and full of nail holes, the new paint is not going to adhere correctly.

Instead, plan on washing the walls thoroughly and spackling any holes in the drywall before you apply the first coat of primer. A clean surface allows for a more even application and better quality finish. And don’t forget to use primer. Primer allows the paint to better grip the wall surface and thus helps to avoid cracking and peeling.

End with a clean canvas
If you start clean, you’ll end clean. That means you have to prepare for the final cleanup. Always be sure to secure drop cloths and painter’s tape to any area you don’t want covered with tiny little paint flecks. If you make sure to cover any exposed furniture, electronics, appliances and keep small children out of the room, you’ll spend far less time cleaning up after you’ve finished painting.

Up a creek without a brush
Consumers sometimes forget that the tools they use to paint are just as important as choosing the right paint. A good rule of thumb is to have a multi-use painter’s tool, a sturdy roller frame with multiple roller covers and a few different sized brushes.

Some of the best products on the market are made by Purdy. Purdy tools have been mainstays among professional painters for years, but the company also offers the same quality products for consumers. The new Premium Prep Tool line provides multi-sized painter’s tools and putty knives, all ergonomically designed for comfort and efficiency. For the earth conscious consumer, Purdy recently released the EcoPro line that offers professional grade durability, and roller covers made from recycled plastic soda bottles.

Cheap price means cheap quality
Although the color of your paint is the most visible aspect, the quality of the paint is much more important. If you choose the cheapest paint available, and then it starts to fall off the wall, it won’t matter what color it is. Some of the best quality paints are those manufactured specifically for durability. RedSeal Porcelain paint from Pratt & Lambert Paints, for example, is designed with actual porcelain beads that bond together to form a film that is basically impenetrable to stains. So, a glass of wine spilled on a kitchen wall, or muddy shoes kicked off in the bathroom won’t leave stains.

Make sure to research your paint selection. If you don’t plan on purchasing good quality paint, plan on a lackluster result and constant touchups.

Color conscious
There are a multitude of tools available to help you choose the right color for your space — everything from handheld color chips to poster sized adhesive sheets to actual sample size containers of paint. More importantly, don’t forget to choose colors that will flow from room to room.

Color flow refers to how the colors in each room of your home mesh and blend with each other. Having a deep red dining room buttressed directly against a soft green kitchen with white trim may eventually feel like you’re living in a Christmas tree. Make sure to stay in the same color family. If you really love browns and reds, then stay in the warm and neutral color family. Don’t paint one room blue (a cool color) and have the very next room a shade or orange (a warm color). It won’t look right.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Tags: Painting, painting plan, painting tips

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(ARA) – It’s most likely one of the top reasons you’ve been putting off that bathroom makeover or remodel — you’re just not sure which design elements you want to incorporate into the room. What color theme will you use? Do you want a pedestal sink or a furniture-style vanity? Will you incorporate any ‘green’ faucets or fixtures? And, if you do, will they still look good and perform well?

These questions, and many others, should be at the top of your list when you start mapping out your next bathroom project. Luckily, many manufacturers have made it easier in recent years for you to answer those questions in a painless, affordable way.

“We’ve created several full bathroom suites of fixtures and faucets,” says Jennifer Lee from Danze, Inc. “The elements of each collection were literally made for each other.”

According to Lee, it’s the attention to detail and design that makes the Danze Powder Room Collections so popular. Lines, shapes, color tones and texture carry through from piece to piece, giving the entire room the look that typically comes only from a design professional.

So what should you look for when you’re planning your next bath or powder room project? Here are a few things to consider when choosing the critical elements:

Sink and vanity — Choices are abundant when it comes to the sink area of a bathroom. For those smaller footprint powder rooms, or where storage isn’t as critical, consider a pedestal sink. If a pedestal doesn’t match your taste or function needs, furniture-style vanities can have a significant impact on a room’s decor and add extra storage.

Faucet — This can be one of the most noticeable accessories in the room and one that homeowners and guests interact with the most. Make sure you choose a style and finish that is consistent with the overall decor. A soft brushed nickel or warm oil rub bronze finish can add a distinct detail to the decor. If green options are important to you, explore WaterSense-approved faucets that can reduce water usage by 20 percent, without affecting performance.

Toilet — This is one of the best places to go ‘green’ in your bathroom. High-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush, saving two or more gallons of water each use compared to many toilets installed in the 1980s and prior. And, don’t overlook the tank lever. Danze and other manufacturers sell individual tank levers in a variety of styles and finishes so you can literally match every aspect of the room’s decor.

Shower system — Years ago homeowners had a handful of choices for showerheads. Today, there are hundreds of styles, functions, finishes and components that can comprise a home’s shower system. This is a recently discovered area of the bathroom that can really show off your design flair and create a unique retreat.

Bath accessories — Accessories are another important way to share the little detailing that many styles offer in the bathroom. Whether it’s the ornate craftsman look of an old-world towel ring, or the sleek, long lines of a contemporary towel bar, make sure to pair up accessories that match your room’s faucet, sink and other elements.

Storage — Homeowners can’t seem to get enough storage in most bathroom floor plans. Again, choosing a furniture-style vanity can give you extra storage space, as can many well-designed mirrors — which should obviously match the wood, finish and styling of the vanity and other pieces in the room.

“Coordinating bathroom pieces is easier than ever,” adds Lee. “Choosing pieces that are created as part of a collection is definitely a time-saver and a reassuring way to know the design details were taken care of for you.”

For more information about the variety and beauty of Danze faucets and fixtures, visit www.danze.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Danze Powder Room Collections, faucets and fixtures

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Painting is a cost-effective way to transform your interior from summer's light palette to autumn's bolder, warmer hues.

(ARA) – The warm tones of the autumn harvest provide an inspiring palette for home decor by bringing seasonal beauty in from the fields. This transforms your indoor haven from one resonating light summer frivolity to something a little richer with more depth.

Fall thrives on all things rustic and natural – so it’s no wonder that a home enhanced by a backdrop of deep brown, gold, green and purple reflects the season’s warmth. Nothing says fall more definitively than a cozy room designed in a diverse palette of warm, nature-inspired hues.

“A fall-based color palette offers some of the most enticing and exciting variety of colors to work with,” says Donna Schroeder, color marketing and design manager for Martin-Senour Paints. “It’s truly an unexpected integration of color, and each shade adds depth and character that you’ll appreciate as you ready your home for the cold winter months ahead.”

Paint, in general, is a savvy, cost-effective way to transform your interior from the light, airy summer palette to autumn’s bolder, warmer hues. A simple change of wall colors lends a completely different feel. For example, hues found in Martin-Senour’s fall color palette include Goldenrod Gold, Truffles Brown, Pine Smoke and Cubicle Clay.

For best results, select a well-crafted roller with a cover that's lint-free.

“These colors work together to create a unified feel within your home. Set off gold walls with rich wood furniture and patterned upholstery interweaving the season’s rich truffle-based brown and clay tones. Or, let it pop by mixing it with a timeless neutral, such as this season’s workhorse – gray,” Schroeder says. “And don’t stop with the walls. Consider using these paint hues to refresh tired furniture, too.”

While the pairing of blue and brown remains popular, designers have mined a new combination of colors for fall interiors: green and brown. Blending nature’s two most prevalent colors, this sophisticated, yet accessible, combination plays well in a variety of interior rooms and settings.

While color is critically important, don’t forget, in any painting project true success lies in the initial legwork and the tools you use to get the job done. Make sure you properly prepare your walls before painting. You’ll be glad you did.

Repair any holes or cracks, sanding the spackle smooth. Wash the walls to remove any debris or grime, then prime with a quality latex primer to provide the best possible canvas for your new palette.

The quality of tools you use also is important. A poorly constructed brush or roller cover can make a great color look terrible when it’s applied. Selecting the right brush and roller is crucial. Cheap brushes can lose bristles and spread paint unevenly.

“The challenge is that most paint brushes may look the same on the outside; but it’s the materials and the way the brush is constructed that count,” says Mark Ksiezyk, senior product manager for Purdy Applicators. “The same holds true for roller covers. Look for one crafted of high-quality, lint-free material. And, remember, the nap of the cover should match the texture of the surface you are painting.”

Armed with a palette of rich autumn-inspired hues, a high-quality wall paint, the right applicators and a sense of creativity, you’ll easily be able to reinvigorate your home into a vibrant reflection of the harvest season. As Schroeder notes, “Paint truly is the perfect seasonal reinvention solution.”

For more autumn decor ideas, visit www.MartinSenour.com.

Courtesy of ARAContent

Tags: autumn decor ideas, autumn painting, fall decor, Painting, painting tips

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Bamboo Window Film

(ARA) – If the words “nature-inspired decor” make you think of muted wall hues or overwrought floral fabrics, it’s time to rethink your take on this hot design trend.

Nature-inspired design can certainly be soothing, sedate and traditional, but a plethora of new products and techniques is also bringing the bold, bright and fun side of nature indoors. Whether it’s a throw pillow that looks like birch bark or a full wall mural of green bamboo, nature’s brighter side is spicing up modern American decor.

If you’re looking for fun, funky ways to bring the brighter side of nature-inspired design into your home, here are a few ideas and items to look for:

“Woodn’t” it be good …

Wood has been a beloved design element in home interiors for centuries. But you don’t have to invest in expensive hardwood floors or put up with dated wall paneling to enjoy wood’s rich beauty in your decor. Logs are the latest, and not just in log homes.

From glass tabletops perched delicately atop natural twig and branch bases, or a faux wood-grained area rug to plush throw pillows in fabric that mimics the grain of natural wood, you’re barking up the right tree by incorporating the look of log into your decor.

You don’t have to spend a dime to bring this trendy yet timeless material into your home, either. Simply take a stroll in the woods, gather some eye-catching branches, bring them home, tie with your favorite colored ribbon and use them as an accent piece above mantels, windows or doorways.

Way to do a wall

Wall murals have been around for thousands of years, and the latest twist on nature-inspired murals is bold. Forget the walls of idyllic woodland scenes that were ubiquitous during the 1970s. Modern nature-inspired murals amplify the graphic qualities and bright hues found when you take a closer look at Mother Nature’s artistry.

Pebble Beach Wall Mural

Zoomed in close-ups of a pebble-filled beach, bright green bamboo stalks and graceful birch trunks turn familiar natural scenes into graphic design elements that emphasize color and pattern. Each look adds a unique touch of nature-inspired drama to a room’s design. You’ll find all three murals for just $99 at www.DecorPlace.com, which sells easy-to-install wallpaper murals.

Whimsy away

Some nature-inspired decor is anything but serious. From parchment votive holders made out of real vegetables (at www.vivaterra.com) to lamps that resemble a tumble of glossy stones (www.stonecreationsonline.com), it’s easy to find the fun side of nature-inspired accessories.

Made slice by slice from fresh produce, sculptor Margaret Dorfman presses veggies into durable parchment, then fashions them into flower shapes to create inventive votive holders.

Bamboo is another versatile material that’s finding fun applications in American homes. A serene stand of miniature bamboo shoots elegantly displayed on a coffee table is a perfect foil to the vibrant, joyful color of a bamboo wall mural. A spritely bamboo window film (www.Amazon.com) can balance the rich, practical presence of bamboo flooring.

Americans’ continuing interest in the environment and eco-friendly living is sure to keep the nature-inspired home decor movement going strong. Colorful, whimsical decorator items that remind us of Mother Nature’s sense of humor are finding their place beside the more serene staples of this decorating trend.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: bamboo window film, pebble wall mural, wall mural, wallpaper murals

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