Plants, Hard Scape and LIGHTING!

September 5, 2020 by Suzanne Lasky

Below is a guest posting on you guessed it….OUTDOOR LIGHTING. Just like the interior of your home, a well thought out lighting plan for the exterior of your home is very important to successful design. I like to take cues for fun outside lighting ideas from restaurant patios and hotel/resort outside spaces. S Interior Design will often work with their clients to design the patio areas of their homes which essentially are extended living and entertaining spaces. Colors and even material selections are chosen to create visual flow from inside to outside. Here in Scottsdale, Arizona we want to use our outdoor ‘rooms’ year round.

All layers of lighting should be considered.

Functional – light the walk ways to the front door, light the address at the front of your home, the garage entry.

Accent lights- up lighting on trees and planting areas, lighting to define a specific area of the yard, wall sconces on back patio areas.

Fun design lighting elements such as the string lights shown below.

Outdoor table and floor lamps powered by solar and batteries also can be used when designing an outdoor living space.

Cool Outdoor DIY Lighting Tips and Ideas

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Ever cruised or walked through a well-lit neighborhood at night and saw how outdoor lighting adds beauty to homes?

With outdoor lighting, you can create and enjoy a relaxed, well-lit space, which is especially handy when summer rolls in. Think barbecues with friends, star-gazing with your kids or significant other, backyard events. Night-time outdoor events create fond and lasting memories, especially when your outdoors is well illuminated.

DIY lighting tips

While it appears to be a daunting task, outdoor lighting can be done without any specialized knowledge or experience. You only need some ideas and creativity. So, here are some tips, advice, and ideas to get you going..

1. Use solar lights

Unless you don’t mind spending a significant amount of your monthly income on electricity bills, consider installing solar powered lights. Besides, they are easier to install and are good for the planet.

Solar lighting systems convert sunlight into energy that is stored in batteries for use at night. However, you need to consider your geographic location before installing outdoor solar lights – without enough sunlight, there won’t be energy to light up the bulbs at night.

2. Balance security and aesthetics

Whatever your reasons for outdoor lighting, they all revolve around security and aesthetics.

It is possible to achieve a balance between the two; lights that look good and provide enough illumination.

For starters, take a flashlight and take a walk around your home at night. Identify the dark areas that need to be illuminated for security reasons. Think about the type of lighting you need. Consider the types of light and the specific areas to place the light, such as pathways, patios, garage doors, among others.

3. Consider your neighbors

Like any good neighbor, there are two things you need to consider when placing outdoor lighting at your home.

First, the position of the lighting is essential. Please do not put the lights facing directly into your neighbor’s windows as this may create too much light at night, making it difficult to sleep.

Secondly, the brightness of the light should be taken into account. No one wants blazing spotlights facing their home. Fear not, there are some solutions. For example, installing epoxy flooring on your deck removes the need for high wattage lights as it is shiny and thus reflects light.

Remember, very bright lights consume a lot of energy, which only adds to your electricity bills.

4. Consider longevity

It will be costly to replace your outdoor lights every now and then. Don’t just go to the market and pick any bulb, no. Check the quality. Even if it costs more, you will save in the long run.

Go for outdoor lighting systems that require little or no maintenance – solar lights score high on this.

Outdoor lighting is exposed to harsh climatic conditions like rain, snow and harsh sunlight. So, look for solutions that are weather resistant. Alternatively, you can shield your lights using various materials.

What’s more, the bulbs can be stolen or destroyed by someone at night while you are asleep. Ensure that the lights are secured and protected against such conditions.

5. Color, style, and size

The color, size, and style of your lights come into play, especially if you are looking to decorate your home with outdoor lighting.

You can choose a single color or mix the colors to make your home more attractive. If you plan on using only a few bulbs, go for the larger ones. And again, the size will depend on the use of the light.

You can create different patterns or styles in different parts of your home. You can use outdoor lighting to direct your visitors/guests within your compound.

Best outdoor lighting ideas

Spotlights

These are lights that only point in one direction. If you want to illuminate your plants, patios, driveway, and statues, this is the best outdoor lighting solution for you. They come with an iris and a manual device, enabling you to change the intensity of the light and also adjust the angle of the beam.

Floodlights

Floodlights are very bright and can be used to illuminate a larger area. They are mostly placed above facing downwards to light up your patios, driveway, among other essential places in your home. These are great when you have a larger event happening in your backyard to lit up all corners.

Step lights

Tired of guessing which step to make on your deck? Step lights are usually placed on the sides of each step to help you traverse safely.

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String lights

String lights are pretty, especially when you are hosting a party or wedding at night. They are easy to install and are placed on poles or trees to create a picturesque scene. Most of them are weather-proof and can serve you for quite some time.

Bottomline

The above tips and ideas will help you light up your outdoors based on your needs. Whether you want to enhance the security of your home or to add some decor to your home, outdoor lighting makes it possible. And with the many variations of lighting solutions, there is no excuse to stay in the dark.

Is Sitting in Your Office Making You Sick?

March 22, 2018 by Suzanne Lasky

Below is a guest post on the subject of how sitting at a desk doing office work is potentially doing us harm. We all are spending increasing amounts of time seated looking at a computer screen for work and for ‘fun’. The author is recommending the proper desk chair to align our bodies and avoid some of the harmful issues. I am going to take it a step beyond it and say- GET UP AND GO OUTSIDE EVEN IF IT IS ONLY FOR 5 MINUTES AT A TIME. Natural light and outdoor air and a quick walk will do wonders —-Oh, and leave your phone inside !

7 Ways Your Office Job Is Destroying Your Body

You love your work and your work loves you back. That would be the most ideal situation, won’t it? However, even if you love your work – the sedentary posture, stressful working conditions and the long hours you put in could be killing your health and body.

If you are aware and choose to ignore that would entirely be your personal decision. Still, we would recommend you immediately start following a healthy regime for your body sake.

If you are unaware and naive about how your office is destroying your health then you need to be made conscious about it. So here we top 7 ways your office is destroying your body’s physical as well as mental well-being along with possible remedies.

The Biggest – Sitting At Your Desk All Day

The biggest hurt that your body sustains every day is the prolonged sitting work. These lengthy periods of sitting posture is a terrible thing for your body with aches and pains being common.

These seemingly normal pains and aches is a reason that could lead to an early death. Other risks of lengthy sitting periods could lead to muscular skeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and more. Even regular work out isn’t a remedy for this habit.

Furthermore is slouching which is even worse

Are you sitting all day long in front of a device in a slouching posture? And you aren’t bothered to straighten it? Well then you are inviting pool of chronic, long-term ailments — including arthritis and bursitis.

Chances Of Physical Hurt Are High

A treadmill desk is a great way to avoid the risk of obesity and heart disease. And if you have one then you could also be prone to a lot of typos while typing. Also, you might also tend to fall often, more than your sit on a chair. So you need to choose your working accessories carefully, especially chairs like the cheap office chairs Singapore and ensure they do more help than harm.

Way too much light while working

Exposure to over-illumination while working is roots to many eye related woes, most common being headaches often even every day. Scientifically over-illumination is taken as total darkness by our bodies. This messes massively with our body’s internal clocks starting increased fatigue, stress, high blood pressure and an increased risk of certain carcinomas.

Bad air quality in your building

There’s a term called “Sick Building Syndrome” which could be affecting your health. This syndrome deals with the quality of air circulating inside your building which can be can be up to 100 times dirtier than outside.

Besides, the dirt the air is also contaminated with unhealthy gases and chemicals. You unknowingly fight the menace of pollutants in the air conditioning and toxic particles. If that was all you have absolutely no idea that there are also dangerous bacteria and mold around and more common in for a buildings that isn’t well kept.

Over-exposure to printers and photocopiers

If the filter of Photocopiers isn’t changed regularly it can be the source to deadly ozone and even small amounts can cause chest pain and irritation. In fact, even the laser printers can harm your health with the toner particles that can affect your lungs and blood stream. This in turn could be the reason for lung disease and other ailments.

Working for over 10 hours per day

According to European researchers people working 10 hours or more every day have a “60 percent greater risk of a multitude of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and angina.”

Endlessly staring at a computer screen

Yes, computer screens don’t give off radiation. But the strain that eyes incur from staring over long periods of time can be detrimental for your vision and eyes. In addition you could also experience headaches and migraines often.

Author Bio:

Tom Jennings is a content executive at primero who is binging on Netflix series and food when not expelling some wisdom. Catch his words, he loves playing with them.

5 Ideas for “Modern Kitchens”

December 18, 2015 by Suzanne Lasky

Below is a guest post on the subject of design ideas for a modern kitchen. In this case the word modern is perhaps a misnomer. I would characterize the ideas as creative. In today’s world we are spending more time in the kitchen area of our homes with family and friends so it is definitely a room in which you want to maximize function, and optimize the look and feel.
S Interior Design has added comments to the post below (shown in italic font).

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Home Design That Welcomes The Outdoors IN!

March 22, 2014 by Suzanne Lasky

Finally the weather is turning a bit more pleasant. Spring has sprung in much of the country (or will soon……). S Interior Design is based in Arizona and it is definitely time to enjoy the outdoors before the triple digit temperature arrives. Below is a guest post about a home renovation in Australia that fully recognizes the opportunity to meld the outdoors with the interior spaces. Quite beautiful!

Clayfield renovation (Bayview) – Bringing the outdoors in

Brisbane is blessed with a gorgeous sub-tropical climate that lends itself to an outdoor lifestyle, and the suburb of Clayfield is a perfect example of this desire to spend time connected to nature. So it’s not surprising that the owners of this pre-1946 Californian Bungalow requested that Dion Seminara Architecture create for them a home that would fully take advantage of the predominantly fine weather.

The renovation involved an addition to the rear of the existing home which consisted of a dining space and a stunning new kitchen. A deck and courtyard were built at the rear of the home with sliding doors from the kitchen/dining room opening the home up onto this area. The result of this is immediately noticeable as the transition from inside to outside is seamless, resulting in a feeling of freedom and a connection when entertain in the courtyard area.

On those days that are less than ideal due to rain or the occasional cold change, the interior of the home can be closed off creating an intimate space that is warm and comforting.

At the front of the property a new double car port blends into the existing home, with a remote-controlled gate sealing off this area from the street. A new gate and gatehouse added to what already was an appealing streetscape and the re-landscaped front yard now takes on the appearance of a pleasant little courtyard itself.

Inside the little used main bedroom and hallway were originally the main beneficiaries of the prevailing north-east breezes that cross the property. Given that not much time was spent in these spaces they were renovated to create a gorgeous, naturally ventilated new living area that features an abundance of natural light. Creating a truly inviting space that thanks to the air-flow and natural illumination, further enhances the feeling of connection with the great Australian outdoors.

For more information on this property visit:

http://www.dsarchitecture.com.au/architects/clayfield-home-renovation/

Using Natural Light in Your Design

May 15, 2013 by Suzanne Lasky

One of the greatest gifts a designer can leverage is natural light sources. Understanding the natural light opportunities in a room can guide material selections and what types of artificial lighting is added. Here in Arizona, S Interior Design likes to incorporate SolaTubes and strategically placed clerestory windows in homes and offices so our clients can enjoy the abundant natural sun shine without loosing heat and privacy controls. Below is a guest post about windows, natural light and window covering options to consider.

Using your window space to the best effect

While the structural architecture and design of a room can have an effect on its atmosphere and mood, it is the lighting that truly brings it to life, enhancing the room’s design and décor, as well as creating the mood. Lighting patterns, colors and targeted illumination can create a variety of moods, from cool, restful and relaxing, to warm, active and cheerful. Both artificial and natural lighting can be used creatively to bring out the best features of a room and distract attention away from more negative areas.

Artificial lighting is an part of interior design, but natural lighting, courtesy of windows, is often overlooked or seen as something to work around. Natural lighting, however, is not only better for the eyes; it is also the best light to see accurately, see colors and tones and is a natural mood-enhancer. Choosing the right window coverings and treatments to allow natural light in to the best effect is an important step in truly finishing a room.

Window decorating and natural lighting

There are a variety of different types of window coverings and treatments to choose from. Selecting exactly which to use depends on the room that the windows are in and the lighting effect required.

Window treatments in the bedroom need to be functional in some way, whether it is blinds that can be adjusted or shades that can be easily raised or lowered. Drapes and curtains are also frequently used in bedrooms; many being made from the same fabrics and trims as the bed linens. Room darkening and heat and sound insulating, these types of window coverings have the added benefit of creating a romantic and relaxing mood, particularly when made from luxurious fabrics and materials, such as sheers, brocades or velvet.

In the main living areas of the home, letting in natural light while maintaining a measure of privacy is the key. Covering only a portion of the window is an ideal way of admitting natural sunlight while maintaining privacy. Plantation shutters, along with other styles of window shutter, are a great way to accomplish this lighting effect. Covering only the lower pane or portion of the window, plantation shutters may be opened as desired to let in even more light. Even when closed they allow plenty to come through while keeping the room’s occupants screened from the outside world. Shutters fit in with almost any interior design, in particular country styles and Victorian design, as well as modern and eclectic looks.

Kitchens frequently do not have large windows or have windows with unusual shapes, so finding suitable coverings and treatments that are stylish, yet functional, may prove difficult. In addition to shutters, which also work well here, café curtains are a very popular window covering. Functioning in a similar way to the shutters, café curtains leave the upper part of the window nearly bare, allowing plenty of natural light to come through, while also ensuring a degree of privacy. Café curtains are available in a variety of styles and fabrics.