light – Feioi

12/05/2016

Inside out

I may be tempting fate by saying this out loud but it would appear that summer has arrived in the UK – yippee! Who knows how long it’ll last but with reports stating that 2016 is set to be the hottest year since records began, it’s looking promising. As a country famous for its temperamental weather, many of us are very good at bringing the outside in. Lush house plants, fragrant herb pots and beautiful vases adorned with flowers decorate our homes so that we can still enjoy a little nature on those indoor rainy days.

However, with the sunshine and warm weather out in force, we need to think about taking the inside outside for a change! Here are a few of my favourite ways to bring your living space outdoors.

Featured image: Outdoor entertaining by Nkuku

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29/04/201613/09/2016

Light in the home – switches and circuits

And so we come to the final chapter of this lighting series. I know, it’s very sad isn’t it? We’ve covered natural light, hidden lighting, statement lighting, accent lighting, and now for the season finale – switches and circuits. Hmmmm…perhaps a bit of an anti-climax. Nevertheless, this behind-the-scenes cleverness and trickery is just as important as the lighting itself and proper planning will ensure your room is adapted perfectly for your lifestyle. This is how your lighting scheme can reach its full potential.

Feature image: Forbes & Lomax button dimmer controller in stainless steel

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15/04/201613/09/2016

Light in the home – accent lighting

The series continues with our next chapter on accent and task lighting. I’m always going on about lighting levels because they are so important for both design and functionality. Every room will require different levels of lighting depending on how you want to use it. Whether it’s the time of day, activity you’re doing, or the no. of people, being able to adjust the lighting to suit your mood or task is vital for a well designed and practical home. Get it right and you’ll barely notice it because it just works; if it’s wrong, it’s the most annoying thing ever. Accent lighting gives you the flexibility to create different settings and transform your space to work for you.

Feature image: New SS16 lighting range from Loaf

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08/04/201610/05/2016

Light in the home – statement lighting

Lighting is a huge part of interiors, both in form and function. There is a plethora of light fittings available, from budget to extortionate, but I have to say that much of it (dare I say – the majority?) is not actually very nice. In the last chapter, we looked at hidden lighting which demonstrated the impact and effect of just the light itself. Today we consider the more tangible aspect of statement lighting and how light fittings can create a stunning design statement as well as offering a practical purpose.

Feature image: Norm 06 shades, £72.00 from Rume

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01/04/201613/09/2016

Light in the home – hidden lighting

Spring has officially sprung. With Easter efficiently done and dusted before April and the clocks going forward, we’re on our way to lovely long days of (fingers crossed) sunshine. Even with the most gloriously sunny days, our homes all need a helping hand and that’s where the rest of this mini series comes in. Having covered natural light last week, we now look to artificial lighting. As we will see, light in the home is not all about function and practicality. Sure, it’s key to the prevention of bumping into stuff in the dark but it’s also about design – creating shapes, moods and interesting features.

So, onto one of my favourites – hidden lighting. Sometimes it’s all about the light itself and not about the fitting. Hidden lighting can be a bold design statement in its own right or a subtle hint to highlight another design feature. It’s such a simple tool that will seriously up your interiors game. We’re talking next level. Onwards to chapter two…

Featured image from mckimm residential design via Houzz

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21/03/201603/02/2017

Light in the home – natural light

Hello and welcome to the first in a mini-series of blog posts all about using light in your home. If you’re a regular reader then you’ll know I’m always banging on about lighting and how crucial it is in interior design. No matter what your budget or style is, good lighting is absolutely key for your home to reach its full potential.

This series will cover natural light, hidden lighting, statement lighting, accent lights and switching circuits. Each of these elements play an important part in a home and hopefully with these tips and ideas will help you with your own lighting schemes. Read on for chapter 1…

Feature image: Feioi bathroom renovation, photographer Rich Etteridge Continue reading “Light in the home – natural light”