Anthropologie Inspiration

I always insist on visiting Anthro in every city we visit, so San Francisco was no exception. The babies passed out in the car, so my sis-in-law drove them around while we hopped on the BART and headed downtown. Check out these amazing displays!

I love everything about this display. The layered rugs. The fabric on the chair. The rustic table. Delicious.

This display was eye catching from afar and had impeccable detail look up close. Each piece is a shredded map, thousands of pieces making up the large scale "waves."

The simplicity of this display featured single light bulbs inside of birdcage-like fixtures surrounded by pebbles.  The masculine and industrial appeal of this area gives me all sorts of inspiration!

The entrance area to the dressing rooms greets you with this amazing light installation.  I really can't get enough of this store!  Where is your fave location?

Go Big or Go Home

When I am designing a space, I am committed to seeing that every detail is thought about before considering the job done (this is probably why I never consider any of my own rooms in our home complete).  One of the many intimidators for homeowners is space.  As in, spacial relationships.  There is nothing I can't stand more than seeing a dinky little light hanging in a two story foyer or a tiny picture frame on a huge wall.  In my mind, if you don't have the funds to fill the space, let it be.  I would much rather save my money and buy the perfect piece than waste money on a "temporary" filler that will look horrible and probably never get changed out.  Let's see what you think...

via

TWO STORY FOYER LIGHT

GO BIG

GO HOME

GALLERY WALL

  GO BIG

GO HOME

WALL ART

GO BIG

GO HOME

*Love the letters and the life preservers, but they may have looked less like they were "floating" if the preservers were much closer on either side of the name or on the top and bottom to create a more unified look.

Clearly, I am not all-knowing or the writer of all rules design.  I actually don't believe there are many "rules" to follow when designing.  I simply have a few pet peeves that I think can be majorly avoided if you are not scared to go out on a limb and go with your gut, rather than what your neighbor is doing in her home.  Most of the time, when in doubt, I usually go larger.  Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith and trust your instinct!  

Do you have any nail-biting spacial issues you just can't get over?  Or just any decorating pet peeves you care to share?

Layering your lights

Yes, I have spent the past seven years becoming BFF with all things lighting.  Although I am perfectly comfortable designing the interior and exterior lighting of residential spaces, there is so much more out there to learn.  I didn't spend much time in college studying terminology such as lumens, foot candles, wattage, or sizing chandeliers.  Who knew there is an entire field out there dedicated solely to these details?!?!  (I see an entire post dedicated to this at a later date).


My favorite thing to discuss with and definitely ENCOURAGE homeowners to do is LAYER YOUR LIGHTS!  To me, this means bring it on!  


The easiest example to use is a kitchen.  Light fixtures all bring something unique to each "layer," whether it be task, ambient, directional, or general use.  Here is a simplified breakdown:

• Task:  light used to perform a certain task, lights called "undercabinet" installed in a kitchen typically provide lighting to the countertops directly underneath of the upper cabinets, this is also commonly used to provide ambient lighting while entertaining, use as a night light,  highlight and show off a kitchen backsplash, and provide light to areas out of reach by the general lighting

via Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

• Ambient:  the best way to describe is decorative or mood lighting, glass pendants that typically have a low wattage halogen bulb in them are a good example, this type of lighting is not the main source of light in a kitchen and is usually more decorative than function

via House Beautiful

• Directional:  lighting aimed in a specific direction for a specific task, for example, kitchen pendants over an island or a directional recessed can angled towards a piece of art on the wall

via House Beautiful

• General lighting:  the main source of light in the room such as recessed cans in a kitchen or even a flush mounted light in a small area, if it is the fixture providing the most light in a space, it is the general light of the room

via Kitchen Remodel Ideas

Let's not forget other ways to layer your lights with fixtures such as table lamps, wall lamps, sconces, and ceiling fans with lights!

Does your kitchen lighting satisfy you while cooking, entertaining, and grabbing a midnight snack?  If not, consider adding more dimensions to your lighting lay out.  You may be surprised at how inexpensive it is to have an electrician add wiring for additional fixtures if you already have fixtures in your space.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!