Whether you are faced with a remodel of a room or are decorating a brand new home, making smart lighting choices is critical to the overall look you are aiming for. When you go to the lighting store, you’ll be faced with a myriad of choices in lighting options. Here are some tips for making the right choices in lighting:

Illumination

One of the first things you should consider when choosing lighting is how much illumination you need for the room or area. Do you want to light a whole room? Or is it a hallway or foyer? Think first about how much light you need for the room. You’ll notice many bulbs have a wattage associated with them. Typically, the higher the wattage, the brighter the light should be.

Usage

Another consideration is how the light will be used. Will someone be reading by the light? Or is the light just needed for the hallway? Consider that a kitchen or bathroom will need a different type of light than a bedroom, den or home office. Different still is the garage and outdoor areas, which may need bright lights to light an entire garage or less bright light to light a garden pathway or walkway.

Cost

Cost is also extremely important. What is your budget for lighting? There are many cost conscious choices in lighting that are also very eco-friendly as well. Choices like compact fluorescent lights or LED lights are wonderful choices if you are looking to save energy and save money.

Practicality

You’ll also want to consider the practicality of a light. Does a room need just one light? Or does it need one main light and two lamps. Making practical choices just requires common sense.

Style and Design

Another very important aspect of choosing lighting is the style and design of your home. What is your color scheme? What is your overall design motif? Is it modern, classic, traditional, country or something else? Also, consider how lighting will affect the colors in your rooms. Sometimes a badly chosen light will make your room look like a very different color than you intended.

Ambience

Another important consideration is ambience. Maybe you are lighting a corner area where you intend to read books? In this area, you will want to consider the ambience of the lighting choices. Rather than a standard lamp, you may want to consider a lamp that more closely mimics the sun’s rays and makes it easier on the eyes to read.

Whatever lighting choices you make, remember that lights are as important to your home as any other element and can make or break your overall design success.

Gas lanterns, like those found on many streets throughout New Orleans and the French Quarter, were among the most common forms of lighting before the advent of electricity.  Their graceful and unique designs provided lighting both indoors and outdoors.

Today gas French Quarter style gas lanterns are still a popular choice today for both their functional and decorative qualities. Handcrafted gas lanterns are often chosen for the warmth of the light they produce and their artistic construction. With their historic influence and aged appearance, gas lanterns can serve as the perfect complement to homes seeking to re-create a little hint of New Orleans.

Styles of New Orleans Gas Lanterns

Believe it or not there are many different styles of gas lanterns.  Depending on where you look they may be called different things but this guide should help:

♦ French Quarter design.  The French Quarter design is considered the “original” French Quarter style gas lantern.  Their graceful, 4 sided designs hold a classic look yet puts out brilliant light.

♦ The Six Sided Lantern is another version of this popular design but adds an additional 2 panes of glass so the lantern has, literally, six sides.  As you will see throughout New Orleans – these lantern styles can be mounted on a post, hung from a ceiling, or mounted on a wall yoke.  Or for an additional look of class consider adding a “ladder rack” to this design.

♦ Hanging Lantern – This style of lantern hangs from a ceiling or porch usually on a “yoke” bracket which looks like a circle with a stem on top.  A popular accent to the hanging yoke are ladder racks which extend out from the side.  These ladder racks can have fun shapes such as a fleur de lis for a more decorative touch.

♦ Post Mount – these gas lanterns will be mounted directly to a post or column.  The post mount will typically keep the lantern stable on the column but offers a bit of decoration with iron arms that extend out to the ends of the lantern.  A more formal look would be a spider mount lantern which is an extended version of the standard post mount.

♦ Bracket Mount – This type of lantern is mounted directly to a vertical wall with a bracket.  The standard bracket is square in the back and holds the gas lantern a few inches from the wall.  Other options however include a more formal gooseneck bracket which features an elegant swooping design and brings the lantern much farther from the wall.

Decisions When Choosing a Gas Lantern

With the variety in gas lantern designs available, customers face a number of choices. One of the decisions they will need to make is how to display their gas lanterns. If they are being used outside, customers may want to mount them on exterior walls. Wall-mounted lanterns are typically smaller and can be fueled by gas or propane or connected to electricity for convenient lighting.

For lanterns that will be placed in entryways, whether indoors or outdoors, buyers may consider the large selection of hanging lanterns such as the Hanging Yoke. These are available in a number of sizes, so that buyers can create anything from a dimly lit romantic nook to a welcoming foyer awash in glowing light.  As with gas lanterns that are mounted on walls or hung on posts, hanging styles can also be powered by gas, liquid propane or electricity.

Great Choices in Power – Gas or Electric

Another benefit of French Quarter gas lanterns is your choice of power.  While many of our clients opt for the traditional natural gas fueled lanterns, all of our designs can be fitted for use with electricity and a light bulb or even propane.  Choosing electricity allows you to safely mount these lanterns anywhere inside your home thus giving you many more decorating choices for styles of New Orleans gas lanterns.

In order for your home to be comfortable, it needs to reflect your family’s tastes and the way different rooms are used. Your personal style is the combination of these tastes and uses.

Take time to assess your wants and needs. Decorating a room is much like outfitting a wardrobe. You wouldn’t go to a formal event without some forethought as to your dress, shoes and accessories; so too with a room. The best way to discover the “decorating outfits” you like is to create a scrapbook.

The scrapbook will be your catch all for ideas and pictures and will help you establish your own style. I started my décor scrapbook in a drawer of my china hutch. It was easily accessed and out of sight. Look through a variety of design magazines and your Sunday flyers for ideas.

Here’s what to include in your scrapbook:

· Products – These include items that catch your eye. Sinks, furniture, pottery, accessories. · Room Designs – These are complete rooms that you like. You may not care for every detail, but the entire setting is pleasing. · Color Schemes – Choose those colors to which you are drawn. Include paint techniques and color swatches. · Specific Room – As your collection grows, you may want to separate it by smaller categories.

As you examine your choices, you should begin to see some similarities and elements to which you are attracted. Do you prefer formal, informal, sophisticated or cozy? For which areas of the house? These moods can be a unifying factor throughout your home.

Now you need to evaluate which rooms take priority and which are lower contenders. How are these rooms used? Are they for cozy reading or as a showplace for entertaining? Be sure to allow for plenty of comfy seating and easy traffic patterns.

Create a focal point and keep the room balanced. Fireplaces, fabulous views and a home theater are naturals. Consider the visual weight of your furniture, the scale of the pieces to one another and their proportion to the room’s dimensions.

Review the room’s architectural features – arches, ceiling height, built-ins, doors and windows. Eliminate nonessential furnishings to clear floor space and use furniture to divide the space into activity areas.

Go back to how you use your room to help refine a color scheme. Warm colors are good for actions rooms – kitchen, dining, family, and child’s room.

· Red = Energizing · Orange = Electrifying · Yellow = Cheery · Green = Introspective · Blue = Serene · Violet = Dramatic

Consider your clothes closet for color and style cues.

· Romantic – Victorian · Mix & Match – Eclectic · Trendy – Contemporary · Tailored – Traditional · Jeans – Country

These are only suggestions as to how you can approach your color and style decisions. Color affects us emotionally and physically and reflects the emotions of the people within the home.

The important thing to remember when planning for a decorating project is to select a design style that makes you and your family comfortable. After all, you’ll be living in it!

Every Human being has a unique chemistry of his own body, choices, preferences, tastes, likes & dislikes and so is the level of comfort depending upon the specific type of Interior Decoration that one cherishes. It is a pure Art to know yourself, identify your needs closely and then make up a surrounding of your own kind which is as unique as you are. The interior which gives you the best satisfaction to live in or work around.

Very few of us are born with this talent to recognize their need of ambience that suits them the best. In other cases some people require Professionals, Experts engaged in the field of Interior Decoration with skills tuned to the nuances of perfection, art and nature. They discover ones style of life, day to day routine & the living habits and accordingly arrange a interior that is most compatible for them.

Almighty is the best Interior Decorator who always keeps us inspiring with his lovely creations, which we call Nature. We all always like to make a little comfortable world within our own surroundings / premises. At all times we try to follow the basic rules of Nature only, like the darker shades at the lower portions and light shades on the upper, heavy objects in the bottom and putting lighter ones in the upper part.

The Interior Decoration describes many facts about a person who relates to it. In other words, Interior Speaks its own language of art, style and life. A rich Interior elevates our soul !!!!

FEW TIPS

1. LIGHT ARRANGEMENT

Natural Light should be maximum used in any Space whether it is residential or commercial. Manmade lights should always be our second preference. Yellow Lights are good for a space to be used for celebrations / festive happenings. White light is good for reading space, worship places, lawns, lobiies, verandahs, restrooms. Light Blue colour lights are best advisable for Bed Rooms. The direction of light should be in front-top of a reader in the reading room or the subject in question. In all cases the level of lighting equipments should be lower than any Ceiling Fan or major fitiing which cuts the flow of light.

2. FREE SPACE

Free Space is a must between the Openings of different rooms and even inside also. It allows the free flow of positive energies in the premises and the cross-ventilation of fresh air, as well. The advisable direction to maintain a Free space is either North-east or Center of the total space. Free space is often called as breathing space also.

3. OPENINGS FOR CONTACT WITH ENVIRONMENT

Sufficient number of Main Windows, Ventilation Windows and Doors must be provided in any building or interior. It allows to keep us in touch with the free and fresh stock of air, energy and day light. Partial arrangements like blindfolds give a very special look to these openings while maintaing their role intact.

4. USE OF WOOD

The use of wood in our buildings and premises give us a feeling of being close to nature. It is much advised in the Inner parts of the buildings only, which are not much exposed to water / water usage. Natural colours of wood are always better, they never react with any kind of Interiors.

5. FLOOR CHOICES

The choice of Floor is an important matter which depends upon the usage of that part of Floor. Wooden Floor for the Living Rooms / Offices are very good owing to their appearance. However, glossy bright tiled / marble floors are advised for the Spaces which are to be used for Commercial activities and celebrations with very heavy usage.

6. COLOR RELEVANCE

Certain Colours are good for particular directions. However, Dark shades are advised in the Bed Rooms. Light shades are better for living rooms, study rooms. Red, yellow and Orange are good for kitchen or the cooking space.

7. WALL AREA

Wall Area should be treated well, where ever it is exposed to the use of water. Specially in the Bathrooms, Toilet and Kitchen, application of Ceramic Tiles gives an eligance and a clean enviornment. Walls can be decorated by using Handmade Tiles, Handpainted Scenaries, Handmade Murals, Ceramic Tile Stes. A wide range of such products and latest Ceramic Tiles / tiling trends can be viewed at http://www.ambalika.com

8. FURNITURE

Furniture is a primary need for usage and comfort. Also it decorates your interior without a saying. Optimum Furniture should be placed in any space specifically in accordance with the use of that particular space. Excessive Furniture just consumes the positive energies flowing in the concerned space.

Granite, like marble and other stones, is as old as the earth. Granite is the second hardest stone (diamond being the first) and is created from molten rock. It is found world wide, in countries such as Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. In addition to its strength, granite is a very beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. A frequent choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literally hundreds of granite countertop colors including whites, browns, reds, greens, blues and black. The variations of the minerals in each base color creates hundreds more possible variations on the basic colors.

Home remodelers and home builders have experienced an explosion in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design. The natural beauty found in granite countertop colors complement any most tone of wood or style of cabinetry from rustic country to more contemporary styles.

Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with many kitchen color schemes and allows for flexibility in future redecorating. Today, the black and blue colors are becoming increasingly popular, with prices that reflect the demand. Some of the granite colors exhibit “”movement”" or a design within the natural color, while others possess small patterns. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops look alike.

Opinions regarding the color that is best for a kitchen will vary. Dark cabinets can be warmed up with a light colored stone, while light colored cabinets can be anchored with a dark stone. When choosing the granite that will be added to a kitchen décor, it is best not to make selections from “chips” that the decorator or major retailer has on hand. There is so much variation in the color and movement in each stone that it is important to go to the supplier and look at each slab. The slab needs to be reserved at the time of decision, or it may not be available at a later time.

When shopping for granite countertop colors, it’s not possible to locate a match for a specific name of a color found at a model home or mentioned in a decorating magazine. There is not a set list of names, or industry entity that regulates the names to be used. The country of origin will have its own name for each color, and then each of the suppliers, fabricators, installers and retailers will also have their own names. The numerous variations of color in each slab creates additional opportunities for new names. It takes research and visits to the suppliers to help simplify the process. Remember, it’s not the name of the granite color that matters, it’s the mineral qualities present in the stone.

Because of the current conditions of our economy, I felt that this would be an appropriate article to write that might be able to help you with your career prospects. I receive many emails from people that are either looking for work, starting a new business or wanting to change to a different job.

There are at least three sectors in your home that can apply to your career. The first one is pretty obvious – the North, being your career sector. The other two may or may not help you with this depending upon your individual needs. One is the NW which is the Mentors Sector and the other is the South which is your Fame and Recognition Sector.

For this article we are going to focus on the North part of your home or office, which is your Career Sector and should be activated properly. First, it needs to be said that if the North Sector of your house is a bedroom, activate the North corner of your Living Room instead.

Clear the Clutter. The first thing that you need to make sure of is that there is no clutter in this area. Remember, clutter is said to block the flow of positive chi, which we definitely do not want to happen in an area as important as this!

Choose Your Colors Wisely. The element for the North is water, so it is important that the colors in this area reflect that element. Water element colors are blue, hues of blue, black and gray. Look around the North part of your home or office … what colors are the most overwhelming there? If you have metallic colors there, such as bronze, white, silver and gold, this will also enhance the area because the Metal Element supports the Water Element. Do you have brown, beige or yellow colors in a large amount here? If so… see what you can do about changing that, because those are Earth Element colors which does not support the Water Element!

Object Placement in the North Sector. It is important what pictures and objects that you have in this sector as they are said to directly influence your career. If you have a lot of ceramic items in this area, move them to an Earth Element sector such as the NE, SW or your Good Luck Sector.

Here are some ideas of items that you can place in this area that represent Career and/or the Water Element.

One of the best items you can have in this area would be photos or objects depicting water.

An aquarium, with fresh clean water is a great item to have here.

Water fountains are also said to be enhancers of this area.

A picture or figurine of an eagle in full flight is an excellent symbol of success, strength, power and authority. Always have an eagle flying or perched on a tree do not show one looking fierce and predatory.

Galloping horses represent success and your career taking off!

Because of their symbolism of wisdom, Elephants are good items to have in the Career Sector

A depiction of a turtle is an excellent object to have in your career sector. A live turtle is great as well.

Sailing ships are said to be very auspicious in the North to enhance your career. One that has its sails up is best. Stay away from representations of rowboats or pontoons. Sailing ships can be further enhanced by placing I-Ching coins and/or ingots on them.

Other Career Tips:

Bathroom in the North – If your bathroom is in the North Sector of your home, close the door to the toilet and keep it closed at all times. If this is a second bathroom, try to use it as infrequently as possible. Lillian Too suggests that placing a large boulder in your bathroom will help to press down on the bad chi caused by the toilet. If the bathroom does not take up the whole North Sector of your home, you may place items and decorate outside of the bathroom. Also, you can use the North corner of your Living room to activate your Career.

Bedroom in the North. If your bedroom is in the North Sector of your home, it is better to not do anything here to activate it. Use the North corner of your living room instead.

Dragon in the East. The dragon is one of the four Celestial Animals in Feng Shui and is the animal of the East. They can be placed almost anywhere in your home, but I would at least have one in the East. The dragon is considered “All Powerful” and is said to bring about wealth, prosperity, power, protection, great success, good luck and abundance. If you have a dragon that is holding or protecting a round object, that is said to be the Pearl of Life and symbolizes wisdom and great achievement. They do not belong in bedrooms or bathrooms.

Phoenix in the South. Placing a phoenix symbol in the south is said to symbolize opportunities that lead to success and prosperity. Do not display the phoenix AND dragon in this area, as they are for your SW sector. Roosters and Peacocks are also very appropriate for this area.

What is your KUA Number? Don’t forget about activating your Personal Development sector according to the PaKua for your KUA number in a room that you spend a lot of time in, such as a bedroom, living room or office.

Whether you are single and looking for a soul mate or happily married to your soul mate, I hope this article will be of help to you in your Feng Shui practice!

There are several different areas in your home that you can activate in order to improve relationships in this area. The first and most important is the Southwest sector of your home. You may also want to do some decorative enhancements in your bedroom – particularly in the Southwest corner of that room. The living room is also another place that you can activate. And last, but certainly not least – get a “double dip” by making sure the Romance Sector of your personal KUA number is covered as well.

Clear the Clutter. I can’t say this enough…. The first thing that you need to make sure of is that there is no clutter in this area. Remember, clutter is said to block the flow of positive chi, which we definitely do not want to happen in an area as important as this! A stagnated love life leads to unhappiness and possibly divorce – so make sure you have the clutter cleared in this area!

Choose Your Colors Wisely. The element for the Southwest is Big Earth, so it is important that the colors in this area reflect that element. Earth element colors are beige and yellow. You may also use pink and red in this area as well to spice it up a bit! Be careful not to use metal or wood colors in this sector – such as metallic, gold, silver, green or brown. If you do, use them sparingly and make sure that the item you are using has to do with romance if at all possible.

Object Placement in the Southwest Sector. It is important what pictures and objects that you have in this sector as they are said to directly influence your love life. If you have a lot of word or metal terms in this area, move them to a different sector such as the Northwest or West. In this area, try to stay with ceramic items as much as possible.

Here are some ideas of items that you can place in this area that represent Romance and/or the Earth Element.

One of the best items you can have in this area would be a depiction of a phoenix and dragon which are considered the celestial couple – able to overcome all odds together with their strength. They represent Yin and Yang – a perfect balance of harmony.

Display the double happiness symbol in the Southwest of your home, bedroom or living room. Double happiness jewel boxes are great here – just put a small photo of you and your loved one, a ring, a piece of jewelry or anything that symbolizes love in this beautiful box – or leave it empty if you wish.

Red, pink and/or white heart shaped candles are good in this area. You don’t necessarily have to burn the candles – just display them. Aromatherapy can also play a vital part in dispersing negative chi in this area.

Also, you may want to display a pink or red heart shaped crystal here as well. Try to find a painting or a photo of a romantic couple to place in this area. And don’t forget – if you are married – how about a wedding picture or an engagement photo here? If you kept the bride/groom figurine that may have been on top of your wedding cake you can use this too. You may also want to display your bridal bouquet in a plastic case here as well. Don’t box this stuff up and put it in the back of a closet somewhere – DISPLAY these symbols of your love where all can see!

Red or pink roses are also perfect for this area. You may use real ones or silk ones. I like silk because they last forever!

Lovebirds or Mandarin Ducks are said to mate for life – and are perfect relationship enhancers for this area.

If you are a lover of ceramics, the Southwest is a great place to display anything in twos. For example – two dogs or cats playing or in a loving stance – two elephants together – two of any animal representing a male and female relationship is great! Be very careful that you do not use things that have three in them as that can represent someone coming between you and your loved one.

Kwan Yin is representative of unconditional love and bodes well in the Romance Sector. After all, isn’t that what love is all about? Unconditional? How perfect a relationship can be when you each love one another despite each other’s faults and shortcomings!

The Chinese believe that the five elements, earth, wood, fire, metal and water are the forces of nature that make the earth what it is today. Both the Form and Compass Schools in Feng Shui hold these same beliefs and use the Five Elements Theory in their Feng Shui practices and interpretations.

These five elements have two different cycles in nature. One is Productive and the other is Destructive. In the productive cycle, fire produces earth, earth produces metal, metal produces water, water produces wood and wood produces fire. In the destructive cycle, wood destroys earth, earth destroys water, water destroys fire, fire destroys metal and metal destroys wood. The destructive cycle is not necessarily bad – it can be used as a cure for imbalance.

Each element is symbolized by color and material and can be found on your pakua in different directions.

Fire is represented by the color red. Candles and oil burners are good items to symbolize fire.

Earth is represented by brown and tan colors. Terra Cotta planters with potting soil, ceramics and rocks are excellent items to symbolize the earth element.

Metal is represented by white and silver and gold colors. Using metal objects made of copper, silver gold and bronze will enhance a metal sector.

Water is represented by blue hues and the color black. Water can be symbolized by aquariums, ponds or water fountains. It is important that the water is not still and stagnated but free flowing.

Wood is represented by the color green. Live plants, bushes or shrubs are excellent items to symbolize wood. Dead wood – such as furniture does not apply here – the wood must be living.

When deciding how to activate certain sectors, always use the breadwinner’s element to determine what to use and what not to use in excess in your home. For example, if the breadwinner’s element is wood, you don’t want a lot of metal elements/objects in your home because metal destroys wood. By the same token, you DO want to have plenty of water element symbols because water produces wood. Other members of the family can have their elements enhanced in their own personal spaces such as a bedroom or an office.

If there is a situation where there is an element in your home that you can’t get rid of – but is a bad element for the breadwinner, THEN you use the destructive cycle of the elements by placing whatever element will destroy the unwanted element in that area. Let’s say for example that you heat your home with a wood burning stove and the breadwinner’s element is metal. Since fire destroys metal – this is NOT good. So, if you cannot stop using the stove – then you need to find a cure that will destroy fire. The element that destroys fire is water. So, in this situation, you would put water element colors and objects on and around the wood burning stove in order to “downplay” the fire element.

Using the five elements of Feng Shui in the right way should bring a positive flow of chi into your home or office.