Next Step Backward in the Light Bulb Ban Saga

You may remember that I have been following the ban on incandescent (Edison) light bulbs over the past year or so (with an update found here).  Congress passed a law in 2007, which raises the standards on energy efficiency for light bulbs manufactured and imported into the US.  The new standards effectively banned the manufacture and sale of standard incandescent bulbs, since these do not meet the new standards for energy efficiency.

As a designer, I have been following this story because lighting is a HUGE part of any interior project.  Compact fluorescent bulbs just don’t have the warmth or the look of incandescent bulbs, and LED lights just don’t light surfaces effectively enough (yet) for my taste.

Need Some DIY Gift Ideas?

I put together a list of 5 gift ideas for folks who LOVE to renovate their homes.  Everyone has a hammer; hopefully these ideas will give you inspiration for the people left on your gift list this holiday season!

What DIY tools would you have on your own wish list?

Save on Robert Allen Fabrics Through December 29!

Do you have some decorating projects coming up after the new year begins?  You may want to shop for your fabrics now!

From now until December 29, I am offering an extra 15% off any fabric available through Robert Allen!  Visit their website and check out their gorgeous patterns – from modern to traditional, they have something for everyone.  Contact me for pricing – I’m happy to help.

What plans do you have for fabric next year?  New decorative pillows?  Bedding?  Window treatments?  Leave a comment and let us know!

Do You Tangerine Tango?

And….the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year is…..

storage solution: under the sink

Reblogged from a design blog:

One way to tackle the storage space beneath your bathroom or kitchen sink is to put in a bank of drawers. Drawers are one way to ensure that you’re using every inch of cabinet space since you can pull them all the way out (with the help of full-extension glides) and get to the very back and bottom of the cabinet. In this bathroom, we designed a bank of drawers under this sink. The top ‘drawer’ is false, while the second one is cut in a U shape to accommodate the plumbing. The bottom drawer is full-sized …

Love, love, love! Any way to increase storage under a sink is great in my book. And, I think drawers are essential in a bathroom; they are much more convenient than deep cabinets for small things like toothpaste and hair brushes.

I would also use this application for the “spa” cabinets many clients request right now. These often have an open shelf below the sink, which is a great look, but cuts out a lot of valuable storage. With this cut-out drawer, you could do both!

What do you think? Is this something you would put in your home?

Newly Published: Interior Design for Children

For anyone who hasn’t already heard, I just published my very first e-book!  Interior Design for Children is a guide for anyone looking for professional tips and tricks for creating a functional and beautiful room for their child.

Liquid Light

To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the “Steampunk” art movement.  If you aren’t familiar with Steampunk, it is a style of art that has its roots in the Victorian look.  Picture that busy style and add in a bunch of found objects, a touch of technology and a splash of science fiction.  Voila!  Steampunk.

Some Steampunk creations are a little creepy to me.  They include random metal parts, glass eyeballs from dolls, clothing – the range of “stuff” used in the artwork is amazing!  While I LOVE using found objects and repurposing items (I do it all the time with furniture and other items), I tend to have a simpler aesthetic.   However, I did find one artist whose work I could get on board with…

Extra Discount on Hunter Douglas in November

If you are in the market for new window treatments, November may be your month!  Hunter Douglas has an extra discount offer for 3 of their most popular products.

Frank Lloyd Wright: Control Freak or Design Genius?

Frank Lloyd Wright is arguably one of the most famous architects in US history.  Not only are his homes and commercial spaces still visited regularly by tourists, but his style has inspired home designs in neighborhoods around the country.  From Taliesin to Fallingwater to the Guggenheim Museum in New York, Frank Lloyd Wright has his fingerprints imbedded in some of the most recognizable buildings in America.

As an interior designer, I had always heard that Wright had no use for anyone in my profession.  While I knew that he designed much of his own furniture, stained glass and other decorative items for the interiors of the homes he designed, I never realized the extent to which he took his design perfectionism.

"Fallingwater" photo courtesy the Library of Congress website

Need Paint? Visit Sherwin Williams This Week!

If you have fall home improvement projects in mind, you may want to pay a visit to ol’ Sherwin Williams this week.