2023

How to Decorate Your Front Porch for Every Season

by admin · Jan 26, 2023

20 Beautiful Front Porch Pictures to Inspire Your Seasonal Project

Your front porch is the perfect place for a seasonal refresh when you get the itch to redecorate! With some classic furniture and lighting and a few simple decor swaps, you’ll have a front porch that’ll make you want to celebrate every season.

Spring

The earth feels brand new when the last bits of winter finally melt away. It’s the best time to breathe some life into your porch. Exercise that green thumb, or fake it with some faux plants. Either way, flowers and greenery are the way to go when spring is in the air.

This picture is a florist’s dream. Hanging many garlands may be a bit unrealistic, but adding a few flowery garlands (possibly on a railing) and a matching wreath would give a similar result without all the effort!

Flower beds are a foolproof way to add some seasonal color. These tulips and daffodils are spring staples. They’re perfectly positioned for height and dimension. Plus, a black pendant light like this is a classic element that’ll work regardless of the season! For proof, check out the same porch in our fall and winter section!

Window boxes are another simple way to liven up your porch. If your green thumb has turned a bit brown, pick some faux plants or flowers instead. Some faux plants look so realistic nobody will know the difference!

Hello yellow! The neutral green and white wreath make this yellow door POP! If your door is neutral, pick a wreath with bold colors to provide a stunning focal point. When the seasons change, simply swap out the wreath and replace the matching greenery.

A vibrant door and warm-toned wreath combo are the perfect spring-summer tie-in. With this pretty pendant light hanging above the door, this porch won’t go unnoticed no matter when you’re decorating!

Summer

Summer nights spent on the porch evoke the nostalgia of simpler days. Sprucing up your porch to fit the season will make you want to grab your favorite drink, cozy up with a book, and pass the time. No deadlines or stress will get in your way when your porch feels like summer!

Nothing says comfort like a porch swing, and this one is to die for. The warm wood tones of the ceiling and swing compliment the black paint and greenery beautifully. This homeowner also gets bonus points for the recessed lighting – a great choice! They blend in nicely without detracting from that gorgeous wood ceiling.

This All-American porch is what summer dreams are made of. The rocking chair is a classic piece of furniture the sconces will fit any season. With a porch lacking a roof overhang, they fit nicely and highlight seasonal decor. Throw in an American Flag for Independence Day and you’ve got a simple summer porch you’ll want to enjoy immediately!

Remember those window boxes full of flowers that died last season? It’s time to say goodbye. Head over to your local plant nursery and find some new flowers that’ll last in your climate. These cute flowers with the amazing green shutters are all the inspiration you need to get to work!

Every cozy porch has one thing in common – comfortable furniture! If you’re still using the stiff, sun-worn furniture you inherited from your Great Aunt Susan 10 years ago, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Pick something you’ll be making excuses to go outside and sit in!

Summer porch decor is all about the plants! These rosebushes over the architectural awning give a minimal touch of color that whispers summer. A dainty pendant is the cherry on top of this charming design. It’ll illuminate this gorgeous porch on summer nights and will transition to every season seamlessly.

Fall

These porches make us want to don our best sweaters, grab some apple cider, and head to the pumpkin patch! The crisp air and flavors of autumn are tough to beat, but these fall-inspired porches make it a close call.

Meet your new best friends this autumn: buffalo plaid, mums, and pumpkins! Throw in some subtle lanterns to tie in the sconces and a neutral wreath that coordinates with the gray pumpkins, and your porch is dressed and ready for sweater weather!

More is more on this porch. Give me all the pumpkins, hay, wheat, and leaves! Adding some lanterns with with candles was a great call here too. Instead of choosing candles that will burn out and need to be replaced, consider solar lighting that’ll charge during the day and light your way at night!

This porch is a mood. The dead hydrangeas that this homeowner somehow worked into their decor are a stroke of genius! The candles in jars add just the right touch of elegance. We’re ready for Halloween.

Speaking of Halloween, how can you not love this decor? This porch has just a touch of spooky season, but it can easily be switched out once October ends. Just tuck the jack-o-lantern away and replace the Halloween railing decor with a leafy fall garland, and you’ll have a Thanksgiving-ready porch in no time. The classic black finishes on the stairs, sconce, and door make this house easy to transition between moods and seasons.

The decor on this porch will have you heading to the pumpkin patch to get lost in a hay maze. This porch proves decorating doesn’t have to be complex. Use what you have! A watering can, a few pumpkins, and a hay bale are all great decor ideas for your fall-inspired porch.

Winter

Bring on the red and green, holiday music, and peppermint hot chocolate! The holiday spirit is alive and well on these porches. Nothing brings more joy to this season than a festive front porch.

Winter may be our favorite time of year to decorate for, but I guess we’re a bit biased. The twinkle lights hanging everywhere fill the whole neighborhood with magic. This porch is no exception! The potted and lit trees and walkway lights lead you to the door. The hanging pendant welcomes you in. You can’t help but feel the holiday spirit!

Pillars like these deserve to be wrapped in red and green. Garlands are a simple piece of winter decor anyone can find a use for! Adding in the red ribbon and festive wreaths dress this porch up for the holiday season.

This porch’s over-the-top creativity has us swooning. Hanging ornaments from ribbons next to the pendants is brilliant! Lights are incorporated throughout this design – from the coordinating pendants, the sconces, and walkway light to the Christmas lights and string of globe lights, this porch is a holiday masterpiece. Planted poinsettias bring the look together and have us dreaming of winter all year.

Decorating for the holiday season doesn’t have to be time-consuming or break the bank. Red ribbons on some existing potted plants (faux or real), an elegant wreath, and a garland turn this house into a cozy holiday home without having to battle with your attic storage year after year. This porch is just missing some sconces next to the windows with red ribbons to tie together the look!

Holiday decor is done right on this styled porch! If you don’t have evergreens in your yard to dress up, a few potted trees like these do the trick. Garlands and wreaths are holiday classics, but we love how even the smallest detail is accounted for. The chopped wood reminds us of a cozy fireplace ready to be lit. Even Santa’s burlap sack is ready for Christmas! As always, lighting is the icing on the cake. With some globe string lights and a white sconce that blends so your decor can be at the forefront, this porch is complete.

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No matter the time of year, your porch can be a safe haven from the chaos of the everyday. Seasonal decorating can help you feel at home as you move through the year, but don’t forget to invest in decor staples, furniture, and functional pieces that’ll last the whole year. Light fixtures with a black finish, for example, will look good and stand out no matter what season you’re decorating for! For some expert advice on creating a front porch that’ll illuminate your decor, give Vogue Lighting a call!

How Lighting Affects Your Health

by admin · Jan 24, 2023

How to Improve Your Sleep by Improving Your Lights

Sleep has massive importance on your ability to perform at your best every day, but it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of health. If you’ve ever spent the night caring for an infant every hour or finishing a paper in the wee hours of the morning, you’ve experienced firsthand the effects of sleep deprivation. Focusing becomes next-to-impossible, and getting through the day awake can be a challenge.

Improving your sleep is key to having a better mood, better cognitive functioning, and overall improved health. According to the Sleep Foundation, “light is the most important external factor affecting sleep.” Everyone knows it’s easier to sleep when it’s dark, but the link between lighting and sleep goes deeper than that. By learning more about this link, you can learn how to create an environment that will give you the sleep you’ve been dreaming of.

The Effects of Sleep (and Sleep Deprivation)

Before we discuss changing your lighting to help your sleep hygiene, let’s talk about why sleep is so important to your overall health. When you sleep consistently, you can “think more clearly, have quicker reflexes, and focus better” (NIH). The National Institute of Health says, “sleep…affects growth and stress hormones, our immune system, appetite, breathing, blood pressure and cardiovascular health.” Part of caring for yourself includes improving your sleep.

When you don’t get consistent and continuous sleep (7-8 hours per night for adults), your health suffers. Some of the more obvious effects of sleep deprivation include a worse mood, impaired cognitive functions, and a shorter attention span. But, did you know that not getting quality sleep can also increase your risk of hypertension, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes? While you sleep, your body performs important functions. If you have trouble sleeping consistently without waking up, it’s time to think about your lights.

Circadian Rhythms

Light and sleep are two sides of the same coin. Light regulates your body’s circadian rhythm – your internal clock that tells your body when to sleep and wake. When light enters your eye, your brain processes information about the light and senses the time of day. Then, a signal is sent from your brain to your body to regulate organs and other systems in your body. (Sleep Foundation)

If you lived in a world where you were exposed to natural light only, your circadian rhythm would align with sunrise and sunset. However, since we live in a modern world where bright lights are available at the flick of a switch, you need to be more intentional about selecting the lights you expose yourself to, especially in the evenings. The lights you’re using may be affecting you more than you realize!

Melatonin

Light also affects the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone your body makes naturally to help you regulate your circadian rhythm. It makes you feel drowsy and promotes quality sleep. The pineal gland in your brain (pictured above) initiates the production of melatonin in response to darkness. When you’re exposed to light, melatonin production slows down or stops. For some people, synthetic melatonin may be recommended or prescribed, but improving sleep hygiene should always be your first step toward healthier sleep. (Sleep Foundation)

Light and Sleep Hygiene

While we want you to sleep well no matter what, your body’s circadian rhythm can be a little sensitive. To account for that fact, you’ll need to manipulate your environment a little. Circadian rhythms are particularly sensitive to light two hours before bed and one hour after waking up. During these times, adjusting your lighting is imperative.

If you have bright household or bedroom lights, dimming them two hours before bed will prepare your body for better sleep. Increasing your light in the morning will keep you alert during the day. Getting dimmable lights is one way to control your lights’ brightness. Using several light sources (lamps, overhead lighting, etc.) is also an option. If dimmable overhead lights don’t work for you, find a dimmable bedside lamp instead! In the morning, turn on the brightest lights in your room and bathroom while you get ready to help yourself wake up. (CDC)

Light Color Effects on Sleep

The color of light you choose at different times of the day will also impact your circadian rhythm and night sleep. According to the CDC, blue and white lights make the biggest difference on your circadian rhythm, especially during the sensitive period at night.

Blue and Bright White Light

White light contains blue light. Common sources of this light are the sun, LED lights, and digital screens. Exposure to white light can help to improve your mood and keep you feeling more alert and focused. During the day, using white light to wake up and to stay productive is a great idea.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, it’s best to avoid blue and white light sources at night. Yes, that means you really shouldn’t be scrolling on your phone in bed – you might think it’s helping you to unwind, but that light is actively disrupting your circadian rhythm. Some phones have a “night mode” that you can enable that will warm up the temperature of the light, which helps a little, but you’re better off reading a book with a warm, dimmed light.

Yellow, Red, and Orange Light

Warm Light, seen as yellow, orange, or red, comes from places like a fireplace or an edison bulb. LED bulbs can also be purchased that give off this type of light – they’re often called “warm white” or “soft white.” Yellow and orange lights have very little effect on your internal clock, so picking these colors for your room shouldn’t interfere with the sleep you’re dreaming of. Red light is the only color that has no effect on your circadian rhythm.

Get Better Sleep with Smart Lighting Choices

Changing your environment to promote better sleep can be as simple as switching out a few light bulbs. Pay attention to which kinds of light you have in your home, especially in the places you spend time at night. If you spend your evenings in the living room under bright white bulbs, that could be impacting the sleep you’re getting.

Fortunately, switching out the color of your light bulbs is a relatively easy fix for most fixtures. To give yourself the best lighting for a good night’s sleep, we recommend choosing warm white bulbs for your bedroom and bedside tables, and for the rooms you use in the evenings, such as the dining room, den, or living room.

Rooms where you need to focus, like the kitchen or your office, often have bright white lighting. Minimize your time in these places, or look at adding lamps or under-cabinet lighting that can allow you to use the room with a warmer, less bright light.

The multi-use spaces in your home where you need to focus during the day and relax at night can be the hardest. Lamps and/or dimmer switches in these areas are a must for good sleep hygiene. Another option would be to install color-changing bulbs that can take you from bright white to soft white throughout the day. Color-changing bulbs usually require you to change the color manually with a remote. If you’re willing to spring for smart bulbs, many can be programmed to change throughout the day or on command.

We know that fixing your lighting environment won’t magically take away all of the things that keep you up at night. But we can guarantee that making smart lighting choices at home will help you to go from early-morning alertness to late-night drowsiness without your light bulbs messing up your internal clock.

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Choosing the right lighting is important for your health. If you need help optimizing your home’s lighting for a good night’s sleep, give the lighting experts at Vogue Lighting a call, or stop by our showroom to chat in person! We’d love to help. Sweet dreams!

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*Disclaimer: Lighting, while important, won’t replace expert health care. If you have concerns about your sleep, please remember to make an appointment with your doctor.

2023 Interior Design Trend: Creating a Cozy House that Feels Like Home

by admin · Jan 23, 2023

It’s 2023 and this is your wake-up call! Your home needs you – it’s ready for a refresh! This year, we’re all looking for a respite from the stress that always seems to work its way in. Designing a comfortable home will make you feel the extra happiness and productivity you’ve been in desperate need of. These 3 expert tips will make your home a haven you’ll be itching to get back to at the end of the day!

1. Choose a Soft Color Palette

It’s no secret that colors have a huge effect on your mood and the feel of a room. These rooms knock the color palette out of the park without sacrificing personal style or comfort. Achieving a soft color palette doesn’t have to be difficult – go with neutrals, a pop of color, or choose a monochromatic color scheme and you’re set!

Neutrals

A neutral color palette seems like an obvious choice when you’re going for comfort, but it can be tough to pull off – without color, other elements like texture or shapes will have to do the heavy lifting.

The heavyweight champions here are definitely the plants! Adding some green to an otherwise neutral-heavy space brings some life and vibrance without destroying the tranquility you desperately need. Finishing this look with a variety of textures and shapes from the hard wood edges to the pair of round tables to the woven area rug makes this space feel comfortable, creative, and cozy.

This neutral bedroom incorporates beige and white with black accents to ground the space. The night stands with pendants hanging above elevate the space, giving you lighting and a gorgeous focal point! We love how this space feels lived-in without looking cluttery. With neutral tones, the soft textures of the rug and blankets are what make this room feel comfortable and cozy.

Picking a neutral color palette for this sitting area really make the shapes shine. We love how arches are carried throughout the design from the furniture to the architecture. This chair looks like a cloud and with the gorgeous light above it, anyone sitting here would feel like they’re in the heavens!

Pop of Color

A cozy home doesn’t have to be colorless! If neutrals don’t speak to you, try mixing them with a pop of color. It’ll give your room some excitement, but not so much that it’ll feel busy or chaotic.

This living room took a bold color and ran with it. The navy blue is a stunning contrast to this cozy tan leather couch. If we could copy and paste this look into our homes, we would! The neutrals pop against the accent wall and we couldn’t be more obsessed.

These red velvet pillows and drapes contrast with the neutral room and bring in some cozy texture. The bright colors spice up what might otherwise feel like a bland living room.

Monochromatic

Choosing a monochromatic color scheme is a 2023 trend we love. It’s bold, but still soft. In a true monochromatic space, there isn’t extra visual stimuli for your brain to process. This gives your brain a sense of peace and calm you may not feel in a room with more going on in terms of color. These rooms use a simple color palette and the effect is cozy with a touch of elegance.

Green is one of the most soothing colors. It can bring a sense of peace and harmony to your home. This couch and wall combo is no exception! Choosing to pair them with beautiful browns makes this sitting room look like it was plucked straight from nature, then given a facelift.

This kitchen uses the monochromatic color scheme to make it look bigger than it is. We especially love that extra wood cabinet with accent lighting both for functionality to store more and for decorative purposes. The calming blues make this a space you’d want to do some stress-baking in!

2. Add Soft Textures

Texture is a vital tool in an expert’s tool belt, especially when comfort is your end-goal. A space can be gorgeous, but if it feels like a place your grandma will yell at you for touching anything in, it won’t really feel comfortable. Texture is what takes a space from formal and austere to a beautiful, cozy space you can actually live in.

There’s no question this bedroom is gorgeous, but it also feels like a space you could spend time in without completely messing it up. The intentionally unkempt linens on this corner of the bed add simulated texture that makes it feel like home. We also love the green velvet accent pillow and floor pillows for an extra cozy touch! A lamp and pendant allows you to have dimmer or brighter lighting to accommodate your changing needs.

There is no world where a chunky-knit blanket and lots of pillows won’t scream comfort. The touches of fur on the rug and the side bench give it an extra dose of coziness. Anyone would love to curl up and hibernate here all winter! Light a few candles in the lanterns and switch on the pendant for the perfect reading spot at night.

This feminine bedroom is a corner of paradise! The colors are soft and gorgeous, but the textures are what really make this space magical. The velvet headboard brings delicate softness to the space. The textured pouf and cane-detailed night stand here are working overtime – and they should get paid for it! They bring elements of texture and give some seating and storage space. The blanket and soft rug are the finishing touches that would have anyone making excuses to retreat here for peace and quiet.

3. Soften Your Lighting

Harsh lighting is the opposite of comfortable! It’ll leave you with a headache and can actually make it harder for you to sleep at night. To bring in some much-needed comfort, you’ll need to soften up your lighting. In a room with soft lighting, the transition from light to dark is gradual and easy on the eyes. Avoid harsh shadows and balance your lights out using these three tips and your eyes and mood will thank you!

Dimmable Lighting

Switching to dimmable lights is a relatively simple way to soften your lights and make your lighting customizable. This cozy room is the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Dim the lights 2 hours before bed to help yourself sleep better, then brighten them in the morning to jump start your mood and your day!

Layer Your Lights

Layering your lighting is a fool-proof way to give you adjustable light. Every room in your house should have at least a few light sources to make it feel more comfortable and eliminate any dark corners. Adding a few lamps across a room and some pendants will give you flexibility to have more or less light depending on your need and mood.

Accent Lighting

Accent lights are the finishing touches that make a room feel complete. They’re the piping on top of the icing on the cake! Adding them makes a room instantly feel warmer and more comfortable. Plus, they soften up your lighting by eliminating harsh shadows in areas that might otherwise go overlooked. Put sconces on an empty wall, strip lighting under cabinets like in this kitchen, or pendants above conversation areas. A room with warm, balanced lighting is a guaranteed ticket to having the relaxing ambiance you need for comfort.

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Listen, it’s 2023 and it’s time you started living your life in comfort! Choosing to design a cozy home is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about overall wellness! You deserve to live in a home you love, so it’s time to get started. With a little inspiration, the expert tips above, and help from Vogue Lighting you’ll be set! Give us a call and we’ll help you soften your lighting and give your home the extra relaxing boost it needs.

How Many Light Bulbs Do You Need? Understanding Lumens

by admin · Jan 23, 2023

Are you updating your light bulbs, but not sure how bright you need them? Or how many bulbs your room needs?

You’re not alone in the confusion. It can be difficult reading the package in the hardware store and understanding what the bulb will do for your home.

This post will briefly touch on how lumens work and then guide you on how to make sure you have the right light for each room in your house.

What Are Lumens?

With major innovations in lighting over the past twenty years, bulbs have become much more efficient. That’s great news for your electric bill and the environment! But a side effect is that watts are no longer a good measurement for brightness.

Watts measure the amount of energy used by the bulb. When all bulbs were incandescent, this also indicated brightness– the higher the watts, the more energy used, the brighter the bulb.

But with more efficient bulbs, like halogens and LEDs, much less power is used while still producing bright light. So a 40 watt incandescent light gives off the same light as an 8 watt LED!

So how will shoppers know that an 8 watt LED will replace their 40 watt incandescent? Instead of measuring power use, lumens measure brightness. Now no matter the energy efficiency, you can compare bulbs apples to apples.

How Many Lumens Do I Need?

So how many lumens do you need for your space? To calculate the right lumen range, you need to know the square feet of the space and the proper foot candles for the area.

The square footage of your room will help you know how much light you need– the bigger the space, the more light you need. To find out your square footage, simply measure the length and width of the room, then multiply those two numbers.

For example, if your room is 10 feet by 12 feet, your room is 120 square feet (10×12=120).

“Foot candle” is a less familiar term, but it means the brightness of a light source from one foot away. The target foot candle range will depend on the activity of the room. For workspaces like kitchens and offices you’ll want more light (more foot candles), and for bedrooms and dining rooms you’ll want less light (fewer foot candles).

Once you have the square feet of your room and the target foot candles, then you can determine how many lumens you need. Simply multiply your square feet by the desired foot candles!

Let’s say that your bedroom is 120 square feet. Multiply 120 by 10 for the low end and by 20 for the high end of the target zone.

120 x 10 = 1200

120 X 20 = 2400

Now you know that you need between 1200 and 2400 lumens for your bedroom!

Simple Cheat Sheet

If you don’t want to worry about foot candles, here’s a chart with a general estimate of how many lumens you need per square foot per area of your home. Remember, these calculations help determine the total light a room needs. But you’ll often concentrate light above tables, countertops, or a desk.

So if your living room is 15 feet by 20 feet, your total square footage is 300 (15 x 20 = 300). Then multiply that by the recommended 10 lumens to get a minimum of 3,000 lumens for your living room (300 x 10= 3,000).

How Many Bulbs Do I Need?

It may seem overwhelming to need a few thousand lumens for your room. Don’t worry– you will still use relatively few bulbs to get all the light you need. For reference, an 8 w LED bulb will give off about 450 lumens of light.

With just a few bulbs, you’ll have all your lighting covered. Put three in the ceiling fan, add a lamp with one bulb, and you’re done!

Need Help?

Proper lighting is essential to a fully functioning home– but it can be challenging to nail balanced brightness, great fixtures, and a budget! Contact the experts at Vogue Lighting for advice on your projec

Gorgeous Nature-Inspired Rooms You’ll Want to Escape To Immediately

by admin · Jan 20, 2023

When you’re designing your house, finding inspiration is key. Taking a step outside can give you a fresh perspective – there’s no better inspiration than mother nature herself! No matter what space you’re working on, drawing from the beauty of nature will make your home feel like paradise.

The combination of earth tones and natural materials in these rooms almost makes them feel more like they should be in National Geographic than a home decor magazine – and we mean that in the very best way possible.

Bathrooms

Picture yourself after a long day of work. You’re exhausted, and what you need more than anything is a moment to yourself. You finally get some uninterrupted time to sit in the warmth of the tub and it feels good. The anxiety melts away. Your bathroom can be a natural refuge from your stress. When you put a little effort into your bathroom, it’ll pay off!

The owner of this room has a green thumb that brings the whole room to life. To complement the plants, they chose a macrame chandelier that’s uniquely fitted for this bathroom. Warm wood and wicker also feel right at home in this organic space. The black furniture and tub ground the look, bringing an effortless cohesiveness. You’d have a hard time feeling anything but relaxed here.

This light and airy space incorporates natural materials like wicker and terracotta pots. The foolproof combination of warm wood tones, green plants, and neutral, natural colors will always leave you feeling like you’re stepping into an oasis! This room is definitely a no-interruption zone.

If it was possible (or ethical) to steal a bathtub, we’d be walking out of this bathroom hauling this one! The wood exterior is a nature enthusiast’s dream base for relaxation. The twinkling lights behind it are also a charming touch to give the bath a glow.

Living Rooms

The living room is the main hub of the house. It’s where work, relax, and entertain guests – you live here. Whether you choose a paired back approach or go full maximalist and pull out all the stops, make sure to include some natural materials to ground yourself and make the living room feel more like home.

Neutrals are the star of the show in this living room. We love the texture the pendant light brings and how it coordinates with the mirror frame and the accessories in the room. The color palette may be limited, but each piece works together to create a neutral haven where texture is the star of the show.

This nature-inspired design would work well in a space of any size. When you’re strapped for square footage, picking a smaller couch that will still accommodate your needs is a smart choice. A pendant light also shows creativity since it won’t take up any extra floor space. It’ll give you the ambiance for an intimate conversation or some light for reading. The texture of the wicker and wood here is also stunning. Adding burnt orange brings a tiny pop of color to make you feel extra happy!

This colorful living room is oozing with style! Who said organic design has to be boring? We can’t help but feel insanely jealous of whoever owns this room. Everything here – the colors, textiles, plants, and warm wood furniture – is to die for. Don’t be afraid to go bold and bright if it makes you happy. This is a living room anyone would be lucky to come home to!

This living space uses nearly all natural materials and earth tones in its design to make a cozy conversation space. From the wood ceilings to the stone accents, the textures here are immaculate. Everything feels warm and welcoming. A wood ceiling fan matches all the decor and will give this homeowner an extra breeze on a hot summer day.

Bedrooms

The bedroom is the best place to be a little braver with your decor. It’s the place you should feel the most comfortable being yourself. Pick bolder earth tones and bring in all the natural materials to create a place that will allow you to be the best version of yourself!

This cozy room pulls out all the stops. The way the headboard coordinates with the gorgeous pendant lights has our jaws on the floor! They give the room a natural glow and highlight that warm orange wall. To some a deep, rich color like this can be intimidating, but this bedroom is the perfect example of what can happen when the risk pays off.

Going dark on the paint can be risky, but using light, warm colors to contrast it is a clever way to combat any heaviness and create balance. The pendant above the bed is a gorgeous focal point that ties in with the wicker and wood. A fixture like this gives off soothing, soft lighting that helps to prepare yourself for a good night’s rest.

If light and airy is more your speed, use this room as inspiration. Natural textiles bring layers of texture and interest to this bedroom that make it feel cozy and inviting. The rugs and layered blankets make this space feel lived-in without feeling cluttered. Sheer curtains allow for lots of diffused natural light for a dreamy daytime vibe, and will reflect just the right amount of light at night to create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.

Kitchens

No matter your kitchen’s current style, a few extra touches from nature can make it a gathering space where you’ll love to spend time preparing and sharing food with your loved ones.

In a small space like this, details matter. The warmth in the butcher block counters and floating shelves stands out against the stark white of cabinets, creating a sense of balance without filling the space up with accessories. When space is small, a single bold choice is a great way to give it some personality – these mismatched pendants do just that! And of course, no nature-inspired space is complete without a little green. In a space full of hard lines, this pothos softens the edges just a little – and it’s perfect for the out-of-the way nook in kitchen since it won’t require much light.

Going with darker textured cabinets was a bold move here. They almost look like they were carved straight from a mountain! In another space, they might look more industrial, but with the wicker pendant and basket, the white tiled backsplash, and the plants for accessories, it gives modern organic. The sharpness of the hard edges and metallic textures is softened by the natural textures and shapes throughout the space, like the draped pendant lighting – a smart choice that balances the design and makes it easier to see what you’re doing while you prep dinner.

This kitchen is a marriage of light and airy and organic design. The green styled cabinets are perfect for storing the most beautiful cookware and dishes. Adding fresh flowers makes a kitchen feel fresh and beautiful. However, the icing on this wedding cake is the lighting! Those cute white pendants and this kitchen are a match made in heaven. They fit the space perfectly and will give you some much-needed task lighting.

Nooks

Almost everyone has that spare corner in their home that they just can’t quite figure out what to do with. Adding a seating nook for reading or working one of our favorite tips to make a space feel cozy and welcoming.

This little nook looks like Shangri-la in the middle of a house! Get cozy with a book and a blanket or just take a little rest here for some mid-day rejuvenation. Everything about this leans into the wildness of the natural world. Even the lighting is freeform and organic, these hanging pendants make this space feel like magic and will give you light to read no matter the time of day.

This boho-coastal nook is just what the doctor ordered for some me-time. We love a good hammock – and this one is just begging to be relaxed in. The driftwood frame with the macrame hammock turns this space from an empty white corner into a light and airy refuge. The beaded chandelier is an unexpected twist that ties perfectly with the accessories, making this nook feel like it’s just a few steps away from the beach.

We can tell every element in this picture was chosen intentionally because it works together so well. From the wood and wicker furniture to a neutral color palette with a grounding green on the wall, you can’t get more organic than this! The dome desk lamp in white is a smart choice for task lighting – its small footprint doesn’t eat up work space, and the height and color make it pop against the dark wall behind it. This work nook may be small in size, but not in style.

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Using an earthy color palette and natural materials in your design is nothing short of gorgeous when it’s done well. We love this trend and want to help you create it in your home. Come visit Vogue Lighting and show us what inspires you. We’ll help you the find the perfect lighting solutions to create your own natural sanctuary.

5 Ways to Make Smart Lights Work for You

by admin · Jan 17, 2023

Everyone wants a home that helps them keep up with chores, improve health, and save money. And many smart home features do just that! But many homeowners aren’t using the time- and money-saving tech available simply because they can’t keep up with all the new features.

Smart lighting is a particularly powerful part of your smart home. Your home’s lighting subtly affects the mood, health, and cost of running your home. So it’s essential to take inventory of your current home lighting– then optimize for your family’s unique needs.

We’ve created this post to help you get the most out of smart lighting! Smart lighting saves you time and money while making your home safer and more enjoyable. We’ll walk you through five surprising ways smart lighting impacts your home, so you know exactly how to upgrade your smart home.

1. Access Your Lights from Anywhere

Using smart lights will integrate into your smart home assistant apps. While AI and voice activation are great tools, you can have much greater control of your lights from the app. For example, if you’re away from home, you can tell which bulbs are on and control them from your phone.

Sick of getting comfortable on the couch only to realize you forgot to turn on the light? Already upstairs and remember that the living room lamp is still on?

Your smart home assistant becomes your new “clapper” switch with a much wider range of accessibility. Simply tell Alexa or Google Home to turn off or on the light bulb by name (you can custom program the name of each of your lights by location or phrase). You can also change the temperature or color of your bulbs from your phone, so you can customize your lights without getting up.

2. Automate Home Habits with AI Smart Assistants

Smart lighting works with your home assistant’s AI to learn your family’s needs and schedule. That means Alexa can automatically turn on lights at your usual time to come home. Likewise, Google Home can dim the lights at night to help you and your kids get ready to rest.

Your home assistant is designed to ask you if you’d like its help with the lights and will automatically learn your habits based on the information from the software in your smart lighting accessories. Not only do these features help your home come alive to meet your unique needs, but they can also save you money on your electricity bill.

3. Increase Home Security through Automation

Many people worry about home security while away on vacations or extended work trips. But, unfortunately, it’s easy for criminals to case out homes that are dark day and night for a week or two and assume that you aren’t home.

Smart lights can continue their habits while you are gone, or you can customize them to turn on in new patterns while you are away. This added layer of protection will keep your home from sticking out as an easy target.

4. Highly Customizable Lighting

Smart lighting can be adjusted and customized in so many different ways. For example, the same smart bulb over a kitchen table can be bright for homework, dim for an intimate dinner, or green for a birthday party. And this level of customization is more than just a fancy party trick– the quality of lighting in your home has a massive impact on how you feel while you’re there.

Being able to change the lights to match your mood is an incredible tool previous generations could never have imagined!

Bias Lighting

You can also use smart lighting to reduce the strain on your eyes. For example, adding LEDs to the back of your TV or computer screen can give your eyes a break by creating bias lighting.

Bias Lighting helps to diffuse the color and brightness, so gaming and movie nights are easier on your eyes. Bias lighting also improves the visual contrast of your images – so your image quality will improve without having to drop money on an upgrade at the electronics store!

While just a soft white glow can help immensely, you can also get fancy with smart bias lighting, which changes color live with the images on the screen.

5. Work with Natural Light Rhythms for Better Health

Color-changing features can also mimic natural light patterns for a healthier home. Many modern homes overuse blue light– light that shines bright in similar frequencies to the sun’s light.

Blue light, like sunlight, keeps your brain alert and focused. When the sun sets outside, the natural world goes from blue to red light (like sunsets and firelight), finally fading to darkness. The gradual shift from blue light to dark allows your brain to shut down and prepare for rest.

Unfortunately, our modern world removes the red light phase of our natural light cycle. We keep blue lights on far too late into the evening and then simply go from bright blue light to darkness. This overexposure to blue light has led many people to have trouble falling and staying asleep.

Studies connect poor sleep with increased depression and anxiety, poor work performance, and increased weight and heart risks.

Many smartphones have a “night mode,” turning the screen a warmer color around sunset. You can set up smart lighting in the same way! We recommend scheduling a color shift, so your lighting sets around the same time every day. Bringing back this natural transition to your family’s schedule can improve everyone’s sleep!

Need Help Creating Your Smart Home?

3 Ways to Layer Light and Level Up Your Interior Design

by admin · Jan 16, 2023

Have you ever been to a friend’s house whose home has that X factor? Something that made it seem really inviting even if their decor wasn’t notably upscale? That friend probably had great lighting.

Color, shape, and texture are the building blocks of interior design–but lighting dictates how everything comes together. So, what goes into a well-lit room? Design experts recommend having 5-7 different light sources in any space. These “layers” of light make it so that you can customize the mood, function, and comfort level of a room depending on how you’re using it.

There are three basic layers of lighting to consider: ambient, accent, and task lighting.

Read on to see how these layers of light work– we’ll show you exactly how things like location, bulb choice, and design combine to give you the perfect lightscape. Then the ball’s in your court! Working layer by layer, and with just a little bit of insider lighting know-how, it’s easy to give your home that X factor too– without having to replace a single decorative pillow.

Layer One: Ambient Lighting

The most basic level of lighting for any room is ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is the light that fills the room, casting an even glow from overhead. In most homes, this will come from a central flush mount (often the dreaded “boob” light), a ceiling fan and light combo, or can recessed lights.

Let’s dive into top considerations to creating great ambient lighting.

Location

If you are using one large light as your ambient light source, keep it central with maximum light flow. It’s usually a good idea to use a glass covering instead of metal or wicker shades to avoid creating shadows.

If you want to create ambient light with a grid of recessed lights instead, spacing is critical. An easy trick to determine how far apart your recessed lights should be is to divide the height of the ceiling by 2. For example: For 8-foot ceilings, divide 8 by 2 (8÷2=4) – consider staggering your can lights about 4 feet apart for optimal lighting.

Pro Tip: This formula will get you started, but there’s a lot to consider if you’re installing a new grid of recessed lights in your home. The size and trim can vary greatly, which will have a big impact on light coverage– and you need to take the shape and layout of your room into account. If you want help getting your recessed lights spaced correctly, stop by our showroom and check in with one of our lighting specialists!

Bulb Choice

Each room of your home will have different bulb requirements. For your kitchen, bathroom, and office, lean into brighter, cool light. These bulbs will activate your brain for better concentration and focus. Look for bulbs that say “bright white” or “daylight” on the packaging.

On the other hand, bedrooms and living rooms are usually dimmer and warmer to encourage relaxation. These bulbs will say things like “soft white” or “warm white” on their box.

Design Tips

While there’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, great ambient lighting will completely transform the way your room feels. Here are a few tips that will translate across most rooms and decor styles:

Consider replacing the standard “boob” lights. While they’re great at lighting a space, the shape of these lights can sometimes feel boring or dated. Don’t be afraid to get creative– there are so many other options available!
Play with paint colors: the color and tone of your walls have a big impact on how the ambient light reflects. Check your paint samples at different times of the day to see how they look with both daylight and your light fixtures.
Think about going bigger! If a flush-mount fixture feels underwhelming, take a look at other options like ceiling fans or pendant lights. Chandeliers are also making a comeback– they’re not just for vintage vibes! You can play up crystal delicacy for a soft touch in a modern room or branch out with wood beads or other designs.

Pro tip: If you’re planning on replacing your ceiling fixture yourself, make sure your new light is properly supported. You might need to install a sturdier electrical box to support the extra weight of a larger fixture– just check the installation guide before you get started!

Layer Two: Task Lighting

The next layer of your lightscape is task lighting. Task lighting shines extra light on a space to make doing a specific task easier and/or safer. It’s especially helpful for tasks that involve working with small objects, like sewing, or that require concentration, like reading.

Location

You need task lighting anywhere you are performing detailed work. Your home likely already has some task lights installed in common places, such as a bright wall sconce over the bathroom mirror where you get ready, and pendants or recessed lights above a kitchen counter.

Lamps are the real MVP of task lighting, because they can go anywhere you can run a cord. You’ll find them sitting on a desk, in the garage over a workbench, illuminating the music on a piano, next to a cozy reading nook, on the bedside table, and more.

Bulb Choice

Task lighting usually uses bright white light to get the best view and activate the attention centers of your brain. There are a few exceptions, however. If you’re lighting a reading nook or a bedroom you’ll want softer and/or warmer light to get that cozy comfort.

Design Tips

Even though task lighting is “task-oriented,” it doesn’t need to be 100% utilitarian. Here are a few ways to think about making your task lighting both beautiful and functional:

When possible, work with odd numbers of light– it will feel more organic. For example, 3 or 5 pendant lights will look usually better over a kitchen counter than 4.
Experiment with different materials for lampshades. A glass shade will maximize the glow, woven shades will give a light filtering effect that softens the light, and opaque shades will concentrate the light. You can completely transform the way a lamp or pendant lights your space with a simple shade swap!
Don’t forget your bathroom vanity! Most vanities have a light above the mirror– but that’s not necessarily the best placement for getting ready. Face-level light on either side of your mirror is best for doing things like applying makeup.

Pro tip: Did you know that LED light is widely considered the best lighting for applying makeup? It’s the closest to natural daylight! Try a backlit mirror or LED strips at facelevel to see your makeup’s true colors.

Layer Three: Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the fun layer– it leans much more into design than function. The purpose of accent lighting is to create a mood, or to highlight a specific feature in a room like an architectural detail or a piece of art.

Location

Unlike ambient or task lighting, accent lighting doesn’t have a simple rule for best placement. Whether it’s hanging from the ceiling, sitting on a shelf, or standing on the floor, accent lighting can come from anywhere and shine on anything.

One way to determine where you need accent lighting is by thinking about your favorite evening activities. For example, where do you and your family cuddle for movie night or bedtime stories? Turn off your ambient lighting and see where you need a lamp, some sconces, or LED strips.

Pro tip: Plan on having 2-3 sources of accent light per room.

Bulb Choice

Accent lighting that’s highlighting a feature is typically small and bright. For accent lighting that’s creating a mood, look for dimmable options. Either way, you’ll need warm bulbs to achieve a cozy glow! Look for bulbs that say “soft white” for the gentlest light, with “warm white” as a close second.

Accent lighting opens the door for you to get creative! Check out some color-changing smart bulbs or LED strips that can really change the way your room feels with just the touch of a button!

Design Tips

Accent lighting is very specific to a person and their space, so there aren’t any hard-and-fast rules. Here are a few ideas to get your imagination flowing:

Fill in the blank: if you’re missing a color or texture in your room, try bringing it in with an accent lamp. Warm up a modern space with a wooden or stone lamp, or balance your color palette with a new lampshade.
Choose the unexpected: use sconces and pendants where you’d normally place a lamp. For example, if you have a couch tucked into a corner that could use more light, save floor space by hanging a pendant above the seat.
Track lighting isn’t just about the lights– it can elevate your room by highlighting other decor and collections! Try placing them above your gallery wall to elevate your wall to an art museum experience.

Pro tip: Renting or want to avoid hiring an electrician? You can still use pendants and sconces! There are special varieties that use a plug– no hardwiring required.

Ready to Customize Your Lightscape?

Now that you have the guiding principles ready, the possibilities are endless! If you’re ready to get serious about your home’s lighting and design, the experts at Vogue Lighting can help you connect to a showroom near you. Contact us today!

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