The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. It’s the room that&’s given priority when it comes to makeovers, and for good reason too. Having a bathroom that’s well designed helps you unwind at the end of the day, as you soak your troubles away in the tub. The bathroom has to be well lit- not in the sense that it has a lot of light, but in the sense that the installed fixtures are not only functional, but give the bathroom an aesthetic look.

Task lighting is necessary for any bathroom. The fixtures for this are best placed directly above the vanity mirror, or on either side. There are different bathroom lights that you can use for that. Serendipity 3 light vanity fixtures can be installed above the mirror. If you opt for dual lights, wall sconces are your best bet. Both of these fixtures provide enough light for your routine activities such as shaving, doing your hair, or brushing your teeth.

The bathroom needs general illumination, so you need to have fixtures that fill that need. Recessed ceiling lights work great for this, as they light up the entire bathroom. If you�re feeling a little adventurous, you can go for something different, such as pendant lights, or even a small chandelier. Do note however, that these lights are not good at task lighting, so when you�re using the vanity and need illumination, you�ll use the task lights as they ensure no shadows are cast on your face.

The shower and the tub need some illumination as well. Recessed lights work well for these two areas. Due to the risk of water contact, these fixtures should be ideally placed in an area that won�t be reached by water. To increase on the safety, the fixtures can be waterproofed to avoid any accidents of an electrical nature.

The vanity also needs to be lit up, regardless of whether wall sconces are present. A halogen light, such as the level 3-light vanity bar would be perfect, and it would provide cross lighting, assuming the sconces are indeed present. If there�s a table present in your bathroom, consider the use of table lamps. They are good for task lighting, so long as they are placed away from the reach of water.

Lighting up your bathroom is an inexpensive way of transforming it, and the results are often very dramatic and very pleasing.

Every homeowner wants to have an interior that looks like it’s straight out of a home deco magazine. But since it’s not always possible to replicate the designs we see around us, we can accent what we already have with a few subtle changes.

One of these changes could be your lighting. Though in print it doesn’t sound like it would make much of a difference, supplementing or even replacing your existing fixtures can help you redefine the space you have in your house, and complement it as well. And as far as lighting fixtures go, you should consider flush mounts.

Flush mounts are lighting fixtures that are most commonly installed in ceilings. They are not recessed, but rather attatch tightly to the surface of the ceiling. They come in beautiful unique designs that not only create accents on the ceiling while also providing a source of illumination. They can be used not only for mood lighting, but also ambient lighting when more than one of these fixtures is used.

Flush mounts spot very interesting modern designs, and best complement decor that has a touch of contemporary style in it. In regard to that, you do need to pick out your flush mounts carefully. The abundance of designs can be a little overwhelming. Decide whether you want them to provide light for general tasks, or to simply provide accent lighting.

The Gamma flush mount for instance can provide enough illumination to light up a bedroom. It’s unlikely that you will use it in isolation though, since other lighting fixtures such as bedside lamps, or even bedside sconces are often desired in the bedroom setting. However, the Gamma flush mount will have an even greater aesthetic role. With its acid frosting shade, glass and metallic accents, it will provide a feature of interest on an otherwise uninteresting ceiling.

Flush mounts need not be reserved to specific rooms in the house. Admittedly, having them in every single room in the house is stretching it a bit, but you can have them in any one of the rooms, including the bathroom.

The Loki flush mount for instance, is perfect for the aforementioned space. It has a more modest design, which is good since the bathroom is a small enclosure and would be overwhelmed by a fixture that occupied a lot of ceiling space. Other flush mounts such as the Flambeau flush mount provide a more artistic way of lighting. The Concordia three-light ceiling mount is good for track lighting as it offers directional lighting.

Wall scones are arguably the most popular wall-mounted lighting fixtures we have. They are an awesome addition to a home, but sadly, they are not always used in the best way. Wall sconces are built to do more than just provide light, and the moment you realize that is the same moment you become aware of their potential.

You first have to define the space that you are going to use with the wall sconces. That will be important in helping you get the right sconces for the aforementioned space. To put this in perspective, if you are purchasing the sconces for use in the bathroom, you will want them in a material that will handle the vapour that emanates when taking a hot shower.

In regard, the Ridgeway wall sconce would be the perfect sconce to go for. It�s made of porcelain and resists moisture, so it can last for years in the bathroom, or any other area where dampness is expected. The Galileo Wall sconce offers similar functionality, though it offers you greater variety as far as the decorative patterns are concerned.

Sconces work better when they are used in twos. That�s mostly because sconces are more of task lights, and they therefore don�t illuminate such a large area. Dual wall sconces are available when you want them to do more than just accentuate.

The Broome 2-light sconce is an example of these, producing enough light for tasks such as reading. Separate dual sconces can be used for accenting, placing them on each side of the mirror, or a piece of artwork that you want highlighted. Single sconces can be used too, for instance in the bedroom where bedside lamps are unavailable.

Give some thought to the design of the wall sconces you purchase because their functionality, and ultimately their appeal can be riding on it. For instance, candlestick shaped sconces are great for accenting, but they may not be used for ambient lighting. The size of the sconce also matters. Though the association is not without exceptions, it�s generally believed that the bigger the size of the sconce, the greater the amount of light that it can produce.

Sconces made with an opaque material are often more dramatic, regardless of whether they direct their light downwards, upwards or both ways. Wall sconces can do a lot to improve the lighting in your home, and the fact that they are easily installed makes them much more desirable.

The kinds of lighting fixtures we have right now are many indeed. While most of them do angle towards modern, or even artistic, almost all imaginable styles are present. This great variety means your home can benefit from a great assortment of these. Choose your lighting fixtures while giving regard to the space that you are going to use them for.

Going for one style of lighting for your entire house is not recommended. That’s because a home, any home for that matter has rooms that will require unique lighting. For instance, if you choose ceiling lights for your entire home, a lot of rooms, mostly the kitchen and the bathroom will stand to lose. Having said that, semi-flush mounts should make it in the list of fixtures you use in your home.

By description, semi-flush mounts look like new-age chandeliers that are borrowed from flush mounts. They have a unique design, and would basically work in most rooms where a chandelier would fit too. The only difference is semi-flush mounts are more subtle- not in their designs, but rather with their size. They are smaller in comparison to the average chandelier, though there are some semi-flush mounts designed to have a bold large design.

Where in the house do you use flush-mounts then? How about anywhere where a chandelier is desired but cannot be used. Hallways, kitchens and dining rooms are the spaces in the house where chandeliers are mostly used (keyword being mostly, not always). These are the same rooms semi-flush mounts can be used too. The reason is that these will not hang as low as a chandelier will, and are therefore perfect for relatively low hung roofs. They work especially well for dining rooms given that they break the tradition of the chandeliers.

A great example of a semi-flush mount to use in your home is the Snowdrift Large Semi Flush Mount. With etched glass designed with a characteristic etching, this particular semi-flush mount has a contemporary appeal to it, and would be perfect for any modern kitchen or dining. It�s from its simplicity that it derives its sophistication.

Do note that flush mounts, and semi-flush mounts are built to accent, and therefore don�t provide sufficient lighting for general illumination especially in a large room. In such a case, make sure you supplement with different lighting options, such as pendant lights in your kitchen, or wall sconces in your dining.

Pendant lights have gained massive popularity because of their ability to add a touch of sophistication to any space. They are used in kitchens because they are able to provide task lighting for the kitchen island. The styles of pendant light fixtures are innumerable, implying that it�s totally easy to find one particular style that not only works for the space you want, but one that pleases you as well.

Pendant light fixtures are more of a contemporary lighting solution, so basically they are all modern. Rustic designs may be available, but they are rare nonetheless. You need to address your needs so that you can end up settling for the one that fits the most. For instance, Snow Drop pendants are translucent, as in light can be able to pass through the pendant. The implication here is that they can project more light than other pendants, so they can be used for general lighting when there is more than one of them present.

How big do you want the pendant? Admittedly, most pendant lights have a minimalist design, as that is basically their signature. However, there are designs that incorporate a more colossal pendant size, but not so big as to contest a chandelier. This is the case with the Ice Storm Large Pendant. A contemporary pendant whose sophistication is clearly exhibited in the polished chrome finish, the Ice Storm Pendant is larger than your average pendant, and can be used to light up more space.

Some pendant lights will offer you a touch of sophistication, uniqueness, all in one, such as the Constellation 9 Light Pendant Chandelier. The abundance of the pendants gives it a chandelier look, though you can still individually separate each pendant. These ones provide you the choice of color, so you can choose the one shade that works for you.

Pendant light fixtures do not have to be expensive. Even on a budget, you can be able to introduce them to your home. Some of the competitively priced pendant lights, such as the Oviform Narrow Pendants, can shine new light into some areas of your home. They can even be used for accent lighting, more so when you consider the many beautiful patterns that you can choose from.

The potential of pendant lights is enormous, and they can be used in many different spaces for your home, from your kitchen, stairwell and even your foyer. They should be a definite consideration when you want new lighting fixtures for your home.

The average American family uses their formal dining room set rather infrequently, mostly for large get-togethers at holidays and special events. It is no wonder then that buying dining room furniture is often the last item on everyone’s list of home design projects. In fact, when it comes to dining room furniture, the purchase is often postponed for years, with other rooms in the house tending to take priority.

In spite of the recent neglect, formal dining rooms had a splendored past filled with specially-designed pieces of furniture and many dinner parties. Today everyone knows that a dining table and an adequate number of dining chairs are essential to make a dining room useable. They probably even know the ins and outs of purchasing a chandelier that is appropriate for the setting, their taste and their design aesthetic. But, do they know what else to buy. A thing-a-ma-jig? Maybe a pair of whatcha-ma-call-its?

There are many more pieces to include in a formal dining room set and they all have unique names. Some are purely for looks, and some serve a specific purpose.

Buffet – Designed out of necessity, a buffet is a long piece of furniture, usually 36” or more in length. It was originally used for storage as well as serving. In fact, the idea of a “buffet dinner” was derived from this piece of furniture.

Sideboard – Another word for a buffet, a sideboard is often used during open house parties to set up coffee and dessert, while the main course is served either sit down, at the dining table, or buffet-style, in the kitchen.

Server – In an attempt to modernize the above terms, furniture manufacturers have coined the term Server. Although simple, it does describe the intended use perfectly. Most buffets, sideboards and servers do not have an upper cabinetry piece.

Breakfront – Contrary to popular belief, a breakfront is not a particular piece of dining room furniture, but rather a shape. In other words, any piece of furniture can be a breakfront, from a desk to a bookcase, as long as the central part of the front of the piece juts out from the rest. Buffets and sideboards often have this breakfront design.

Curio – Curio cabinets are used to display both collectables and fine china and most often have a glass front. They can be located anywhere in a home, but are frequently placed in adjacent corners of a dining room in pairs.

Hutch – Used primarily for displaying wedding china and crystal, a hutch is an upper piece of cabinetry. It needs a base to rest upon. A hutch can have both open shelving, closed shelving protected by glass doors or a combination of the two, depending upon the design and style.

China Cabinet – Generally the largest of the dining room furniture pieces, a china cabinet consists of a base cabinet and an upper hutch. In a formal setting, solid wood doors would cover the shelving on the base, while glass, leaded glass or even stained glass would protect the china above. Open shelving, both above and below, is popular for a more casual, country style.

There. Now you can discuss dining furniture like a pro and shop with confidence knowing that you now understand the difference between a buffet and a breakfront. Depending upon how formal you would like your dining room to appear, how much entertaining you may be doing and your personal tastes, you can design the dining room of your dreams. As far as how to brine and cook a turkey for that big first meal, you are on your own.

So, you have scrimped, saved and gone without and now you’re finally ready to buy your long-awaited dining room set. Perhaps you had the hand-me down table, a card table hidden under grandma’s tablecloth or even an empty room. Now it’s your time. Do you know what to do? What questions to ask yourself before the big purchase? We’ll give you a hint – ok, nine of them.

1. Shape: Obviously, table can be square or rectangular, oval or circular. Your choice depends partly on your tastes and partly on the size and shape of the room. Rectangular dining tables have a tendency to fit the most people, which is especially helpful around the holidays.
2. Size: The size of your dining table depends on the other pieces of furniture in the room, as well as how many you intend to have for dinner. For planning purposes, each person will need approximately 24 inches of elbow room.
3. Leaves: Think of leaves as advance planning. If they are optional, get them. You never know when you will need them. In fact, even if you only use them at Thanksgiving and Christmas, you will be glad to have them.
4. Material: Traditionally dining tables come in a variety of stained wood finishes. If you have children or plan on playing a rousing game of spoons, stay away from the softer woods like ash, alder and pine. Oak, mahogany and Brazilian cherry are hard woods and will hold up better over time.
5. Care: Let’s face it; most people are swamped with to-do lists, car pools and laundry. If you rarely find the time to dust, don’t buy that gorgeous ebony-stained dining table that also happens to be a dust magnet. For that matter, it may not be the best idea to purchase anything that requires more care than you are willing to give.
6. Chairs: Some dining room sets come with chairs and with some, chairs are sold separately. Tastes vary, but know that you don’t have to buy everything matching. Traditional dining room sets lend themselves to matching dining chairs but an oversize pine table or an expansive table of Amish oak both look great with intentionally mismatched chairs. The choice is yours.
7. Space: Curious about what will actually fit in your room? A few key points to remember is that you need at least 32 inches to be able to comfortably pull out your chair and sit down at the table. In addition, if people need to walk behind those chairs, you will need a full 38 inches.
8. Style: Obviously, you should know your style and taste preferences before looking for dining furniture, let alone, before buying. Trendy is great for accessories but may not be the best decision for that big ticket item. In fact, those glass and faux black marble monstrosities from the 80’s didn’t stay stylish very long. A reproduction mid-century modern dining room table, however, will transcend time. It’s a classic.
9. Additional Pieces: Do you have room for any additional pieces of dining room furniture? Can you fit (and afford) extra chairs for use when you have extra guests and use the table leaves? Should you purchase a buffet or breakfront for storage and food service? Do you need the matching hutch for your wedding china or do you prefer to hang artwork above the buffet?

That ought to do it. If you can answer the above questions with confidence (and agree with your spouse), then you are ready to go out into the world and buy your dining room furniture. Just don’t ask us what color to paint the walls.

You stressed and planned and measured and analyzed and agonized about your new living room furniture but you did it. You bought that brand new sofa you have always wanted and it is utterly perfect. The right color, the right shape, the right size, the right everything. Unfortunately, you can’t stop there. You are not even close to being done.

Why, you ask? Why can’t you just quit while you’re ahead? Well, for one, where will you set your drink when you are relaxing on your fabulous new couch? You can’t spend your time on the edge of the seat cushion clutching your drink in your hands. Well, you could, but it wouldn’t be very comfortable.

So, we start the process all over again. The hunt. The search for the rest of your living room furniture, that needs to be as good as, if not better than, your lovely new sofa. It won’t be too difficult. There are a number of options to round out your seating arrangement.

1. The Coffee Table: Averaging 16-18 inches in height, standard coffee tables sit directly in front of your new sofa and should be in proportion to it. You do not need to choose the typical wood one; however, there are a variety of different shapes, styles and materials to choose from. Grouping several smaller tables together creates a modern vibe while mixing either wood tones or styles creates an eclectic look.
2. The Sofa Table: Traditionally, the sofa table or console table sits directly behind a sofa to give you and your guests another option for your resting you glass. In these busy modern times, however, a sofa table is often pulled into service as office space with the addition of a chair and a laptop. When selecting your new sofa table, make sure that the height is just slightly lower than the back of the sofa. Some modern couches have a lower profile and the height of the sofa table needs to be adjusted accordingly.
3. The Side Table: Side tables can be placed around your living room, near living room chairs or next to a chaise. They are small in comparison to the rest of the pieces in your room. You could choose traditional nesting side tables or you can take the opportunity to add a little flair to the room, a little surprise by selecting an end table that is more of a conversation piece. Have fun with it.
4. The Ottoman: Think of the ottoman as the ‘do anything’ piece of living room furniture. It works great at the foot of living room chairs when you want to settle down with a good book in front of the fire. Hidden under a sofa table, ottomans can be pulled into service for extra seating when needed at parties. You can even choose to use an ottoman as your coffee table. The sky’s the limit.

Any decorator or designer will tell you that it’s the accessories that make the room. Your seating is certainly a core part of the personality of your living room, but the right accessories are what can give the room real character. The tables you select are a key part of that character, so give them the thought they deserve.

Once you decide what is best for you and your family, write it down and take it with you when you shop to stay focused. There will always be a pretty table, showing off a little leg and trying to distract you from your goal. Staying focused on what you really need and what will work in the room is key. Happy hunting.

Chandeliers. The ubiquitous light fixture always hangs above the dining room table or in a grand, two-story foyer. You expect to see them used in those typical settings,
but there are other, more unusual places to creatively display a gorgeous chandelier.

1. If you are not sure whether you want your master bedroom to have a cool, beach-y palette or a vibrant red one, pick the lighting first. You can create a romantic bedroom by hanging a chandelier directly above a bed. It can set the decorating tone for the whole room, just be sure to hang it high enough so that you can easily sit up in bed without bumping into it.
2. If you like sleek and modern in your office, a chandelier can still do the trick. Modern chandeliers can range from those shaped like the infamous Sputnik to chandeliers that resemble the essence of rain. In fact, everyone can find a chandelier to fit their style, taste and budget with a little effort. You can even mix and match styles. A classic crystal chandelier can play off a mid-century modern desk and a traditional Louis Quatorze desk could be stripped of its formality with the simple addition of a playful antler chandelier.
3. For more fun, a small half bath can go from Plain Jane to Glamour Girl with the simple addition of a petite chandelier centered on the small ceiling space. Again, it needs to be hung high enough so that no one bumps their head while walking underneath and it should not block the view of the mirror. A small yet very elegant touch like this can transform a small lackluster powder room in seconds.
4. By now everyone has seen at least a picture of the trend of hanging a chandelier over a bathtub. It looks oh-so-glam and can really add to the overall ambience of the setting, making the simple pleasure of a soak in the tub a transcendental spa-like experience. There are code restrictions, so be sure to have a professional electrician do the work on this retrofit.
5. Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Sure, they want to be doctors and lawyers and super heroes, just like their mini male counterparts, but pink is still king, er, queen. For a small investment, you can swap out her boring, builders- special flush mount ceiling light for a glamorous chandelier. She will be the envy of all her friends and you will be her hero. Yea!
6. More and more families are spending their time in the kitchen. And, in turn, focusing much of their design dollar on decorating it. Why not? The kitchen island has become the central meeting place. Deals regarding chores, chocolate and curfews are regularly haggled over this slab of granite. Why not treat it as the important feature that it is and hang three mini chandeliers over it? Who says it has to be a bulky fluorescent fixture or standard pendants? Live a little. Glam it up.
7. You can even hang a chandelier outside on your back deck, patio or any area protected from the elements. Not only does a chandelier create a romantic and uber stylish place to have guests for dinner and drinks on a summer evening, but it’s also adds a touch of the unexpected.

Chandeliers are an easy way to change the whole look of a room. A new light fixture, maybe a throw pillow or two and you have a completely different room for very little money. Try one today; you may surprise yourself.

Actually, that nursery rhyme sums up a rain barrel pretty nicely. Not that rain leaving part, but the having access to rain another day. In fact, household rain barrels let you access up to 300 gallons of water for your yard and garden. Amazing, right?!

If you are thinking that rain barrels must be for those in a dryer climate than yours, you are mistaken. Very mistaken. Rain barrels are for everyone. The average rainfall in your state has nothing to do with your need for a rain barrel. Confused?

First and foremost, water is a finite resource. Just like fossil fuels, there is only so much. Yes, Mother Nature helps us out but in many parts of the country, of the world, it is disappearing. Aquifers around the globe are being depleted by mining operations or, (almost worse) by water bottling companies. Extended droughts have created difficulties all over the planet. In fact, many municipalities have points in time throughout the summer months that require water rationing for gardeners and odd/even watering schedules. Purchasing a rain barrel is a proactive decision for both the environment and for the future health of your thirsty heirloom tomatoes.

Furthermore, do you know where the water from your gutters goes when it rains? Surprisingly, it enters your downspouts, is dispelled throughout your yard and becomes what is
called “storm water run-off”. This is that water that works its way across the yards, driveways and sidewalks before entering the storm drains at the street. And, while this seems like a simple enough process, the water picks up a large number of pollutants along the way, including lawn fertilizers, oil, grease and sediment. The ground water doesn’t get a chance to re-charge itself and the municipal water plant now has even more water to treat and process. Lose-lose.

If you are frugal, here is another point to consider. When you water your lawn and garden with water from your hose, you are being charged not only for the water you use but also a sewage usage charge. That’s right. Most municipalities tie the sewage fees into the amount of water usage per house. So, when you use more water in the hot, dry summer months you are being charged for more water AND more sewage processing. A double whammy, courtesy of your local government. That initial investment in a rain barrel is starting to look more and more appealing, isn’t it?

Organic gardeners work very hard to grow fruit and vegetables naturally. From preparing the beds to weeding to preventing pests, they do it all pesticide-free. It seems counterproductive, though, to grab that hose and cover those lovely little organic seedlings with water from your city spigot. Why? Although considered safe for human consumption, the water has been treated with numerous chemicals including chlorine and fluoride. There are many reports on the internet, some more reliable than others, purporting the evils of those chemicals on the human body. Now, they may be true; they may be false. Rain barrels can eliminate all the wondering for an organic gardener.

Re-thinking the whole idea of a rain barrel yet? It really is for anyone interested in gardening and the environment. For a relatively small investment, you can have peace of mind, knowing that you are not contributing to ground water depletion or storm water run-ff. You can also rest easier knowing that you have your own water source to use during times of drought. In fact, even if you have a well, a rain barrel can augment your water supply and benefit the environment.