Have your home singing the blues

English: La Sal Gallery interior design 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you feel like you got caught up in the neutral twilight zone? Many interior design shows tend to have the homeowners jumping from one foot to the next  in their pursuit to have that commonly accepted, easy to adapt to perfect home. The frustrating part is, neutrals can be boring at times, especially if you have a yen to create a different sort of space more conducive to your tastes. To  heck with appealing to the masses. The good news is, the "masses" are shifting in what they like right along with you.

It is true neutral colors are easy for others to adapt to, and this can be extremely important when you're selling your home, however year in and year out, it can be a little monotonous visually. Initially the neutral concept was probably born out of an era pre dating -home decorating shows, where home owners  had to just wing it. It was like born out of the necessity to help those tone down some of those more bold colors and learn some stylish design in the process.

Today's buyer is looking for overall style over neutrality. What they are desperately running from is homes stuck in a time warp.  Luckily,  blues and greens are being embraced, and this opens up and gives us some well deserved wiggle room from the beige days. However, that being said, the style you pair up with these colors still needs to have a modern and contemporary flair, IF you'd like to sell.

 Muted colors are on the way out and some of those caustic bold colors in the reds and oranges may be as well, the quest for clean lines, and serenity may be reflective of a society now well informed about decor and design and over stressed economically, thus needing the serenity.  Greens and blues pair well also with crisp white trim which is timeless, and they also marry well with dark wood finishes so it is a win win yes?

Related articles

• 2014 Color Report: Interior Design
• Why color matters
• How to address focal point confusion in your home
• Grey, the new beige in home decor
• Design trends and colors for 2014

Blinded by the light? You don't have to be...

The big questions about lighting are right here. If you are wondering what to buy to replace old fixtures, please don't be side tracked by all the bedazzling styles, and finishes, you have to answer the following questions first:

Where is the light fixture going?
 One light does not fix all problems, so it is always good to make a note of each room in your house you are replacing the lighting fixtures in. If you are replacing lamps be sure to find those that are the optimal height for reading and sewing. Lamp shades have an impact on the lights performance so make sure to pick a shade for your lamp that directs light into the area you need it. The lamps that are taller make for easier reading. Shades that go upward, are typically better suited for aesthetic purposes and ambiance.

What is this light being used for?
 If your light is a simple over head fixture, ask yourself if it was adequate if so take note of the size and type of light bulb being used and use that as your guide. If your lighting was not adequate a simple change in bulb wattage may be in order. If it was over your bathroom sink, or perhaps your kitchen sink , these lights tend to be “task” lighting and often times, must provide a stronger light. If harsh lighting isn't preferable, you can purchase dimmer switches that will allow for you to brighten and dim according to your needs when it is in use.

Who will be using this light?
Believe it or not this is an important consideration. We all don't have the same eyesight, eventually someone in the house may have declining eyesight and need brighter lighting to be able to live comfortably. Led lighting is great for lamps and will provide a specific direction for light to travel. Fluorescent lighting provides powerful overhead lighting and is idea in baths, laundry rooms, and kitchen cooking areas. These are important for those with poorer vision. Both are more energy efficient than regular incandescent lights and LED lighting lasts far longer and ultimately uses less energy than all others. That being said, for best lighting of an entire room fluorescent works the best.