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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: lights

Lighting up Spring Nights

01 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Guest Posts, Ross Donald, The Home

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Asian flavor, backyard, Chinese New Year, Christmas lights, floating lights, Floating tea lights, garden, garden lighting, garden pond, Hanging Lights, landscape, lighting scheme, lights, outdoor lighting, spring, walkway, yard

{Written by Ross Donald}

The snows of winter are melting and the rebirth of spring is upon us. As the weather finally relents from the cold war, people are getting ready to step back out into the world and spend some much needed time in the warmer airs of spring. Gardens are being seated, grills are being cleaned, and patio furniture is getting uncovered and dusted off.  Spending the warm spring evenings outdoors in your yard is a great way to relax with family and friends, more time spent outdoors means it’s time to add a little light to your spring nights.

Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: Landscape Design Advisor

If you don’t have any yard lights or you’ve been thinking about changing your lighting scheme, then springtime is the perfect time to do it. Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal and these are themes you should have in mind when you design a landscape lighting scheme. Low lighting such as pathway lights, hanging lights, and garden lights are excellent choices for adding a little nighttime color to your yard.

Walkway Lighting
Path lights are great outdoor lighting additions to your nighttime landscapes, and sensible ones as well. You certainly don’t want people stepping off a path into any dangerous territory, especially if you have dogs that may be leaving a bit of a mess around the yard. Path lighting adds a nice accent to your walking paths and can serve as a sort of guided tour around your yard.
Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: Pro Cut Lawns and Landscaping

Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: Cedar Hill Pet Memorial Project

Garden Lighting
Is your garden in bloom yet?  Why not highlight the fruits of your labor or your beautiful flowers in bloom. When lighting a garden consider the philosophy of “less is more” and be careful to avoid over-saturating a garden with light. You can even be creative with your light choices and look for color schemes that compliment or accent the flowers in your garden.
Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: Enlightened Lights

Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: OLP of San Antonio & the Hill Country, LLC

If you have a pond in your garden then adding some underwater or floating lights are a great way to give it some serious appeal. Floating tea lights are an easy way to add some light to a pond and are fairly inexpensive as well.

Hanging Lights
Give trees in your landscape the night time effect of coming into bloom by adding some hanging accessories to them. A popular do-it-yourself project is to take a set of jars, bunch up a string of Christmas lights inside of them, then hang them on a tree. It’s a simple craft project that gives more than one season of life to your holiday lights and can make your yard seem rather festive at night.
Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: Best Coolist

Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: Houzz

The Chinese celebrate the lunar New Year in February and herald it as the coming of spring. You can take a design tip from them and add a little Asian flavor to your yard. Paper lanterns come in a variety of styles and colors. Just be mindful when choosing them that you buy safe designs. The last thing you want is a string of paper lanterns bursting into flames on the outside of you home.
Lighting up Spring Nights
Photo Credit: David Cross

A few parting tips
Remember that the theme with spring is one of rebirth and renewal. Refresh last year’s lighting scheme or create an entirely new one with lights. Don’t overdo it, remember, flowers are coming into bloom not fully blossoming. Add enough lights to add a gentle and intimate touch to your landscape but don’t go overboard. Shaded and diffused lighting helps to keep a more intimate touch without overpowering your lighting theme.

At the end of the spring night though, the light design should be something that mirrors you as an individual and highlights the best aspects of yourself and your yard. Add your personal touch and you and your guests will love spending those wonderfully warmer spring nights in your yard.

Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

17 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in The Home

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

christmas, christmas tree, color, Country Living, decor, decorating, festive, garland, holiday, lights, metallic, nature, ornaments, rustic

If you’re like me, you’ve had your tree up and house decorated the weekend after Thanksgiving. If you’re not, than here are some last minute inspiration to get you moving. It doesn’t have to take all day to dress up your home and I know that sometimes you just need a few good ideas to get you moving. Here are some I found to be helpful, thanks to Country Living.

Go with a metallic theme and stick to it.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Choose a rustic theme and keep it fresh, cozy and simple.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

hunting-and-gathering-fireplace-1212-xln

Hang a few festive ornaments mixed with natural elements where it is unexpected.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Create a card garland and display your holiday cards with style.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Brighten up doors in your home or the front entrance with shimmery bells and holiday cheer.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Brighten up other spaces in your home with a little garland, even if its you who only spends time in there.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Greet your guests with a festive foyer and create smiles the minute they walk in.
celebrate-xmas-tree-branch-lgn

Take the kids toys and dress them up.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Use old lights and showcase them in a glass urn or vase for some color.
Last Minute Holiday Decor Ideas

Guest Post: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

01 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, The Home

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

ambient, bathroom, Fixtures, Henderson Properties, Light Colors, lights, modern, North Carolina, pedestal sink, relaxing, Remodeling, Sink, South Carolina, vanity

Even small bathrooms can be remodeled to look modern. With a little creativity and some effort, you can even create the illusion of a larger bath space without completely renovating the room. Here are several small bathroom remodeling ideas.

Change the Sink
To make your small bathroom appear larger, switch to a pedestal sink instead of a large vanity. This not only opens up the space, but gives you more room to move around.

Guest Post: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Photo Credit: Home Renovations, About.com

Use Light Colors
Light colors, such as pale blues, yellows and pinks, open up a small room and make the area appear larger. This simple change doesn’t cost a lot of money and can instantly transform your bathroom into a more relaxing space.

Guest Post: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Photo Credit: View Home Trends

Switch Up the Fixtures
This inexpensive remodeling idea allows you to give your small bathroom a new look without taking up any additional space. If your bathroom fixtures are old and outdated, visit your local hardware store to find new fixtures that will breathe new life into your bathroom.

Guest Post: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Photo Credit: Homes House

Install New Lights
Over-the-mirror lighting is harsh, and can make the space seem even smaller. To give your bathroom an airy, open feel switch your light fixtures for ambient light sources. The whole room will appear brighter!

Guest Post: Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Photo Credit: Homesqu

Remodeling a small bathroom can be tricky, but with these simple ideas you can transform your small space into a room that appears much larger than it actually is.

{This is a sponsored post from Henderson Properties, a full service real estate agency proudly serving residents in North Carolina & South Carolina.}

Shop of the Month – Rejuvenation

08 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Shop of the Month

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

antique, Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, decor, doors, exterior, exterior home, hardware, home, Industrial, lighting, lights, mailboxes, Mid-Century Modern, old world, Period Basics, rejuvenation, victorian, vintage

Rejuvenation is a lighting shop I came across a couple of months ago. Once I saw their products I was in love. They had tons of options from many different time periods which is right my alley. Now that Dan and I own an older home, dated around 1916, looking for vintage and antique items to fill it up is a must. Plus, we adore the vintage style and love to be surrounded by pastime goodies.

The shop carries lighting and hardware within nine collections: Period Basics, Mid-Century Modern, Classical Revival, Industrial, Art Deco, Victorian, Arts & Crafts, Colonial Revival and Old World. I am sure you will find something you love!

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

I also appreciate the clean and modern design of their website as well as their beautiful photographs of their products. It’s also organized and easy to navigate which is very helpful when you offer so much to your customers.

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Besides their inventory, Rejuvenation also offers restored antiques. They also have a blog that showcases the many things that surround their products such as architecture, artists and real spaces that use their lighting. And for any advice or inspiration you may need on the subject, the shop has that too. All of this makes your shopping experience fun and exciting while learning a thing or two in the process.

Check out some of these inspiration photos from their gallery.

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation

Now for some of my favorites! I hope this post inspires the Thomas Edison in all of you and gets you thinking more about lighting and how important it is in a space. Maybe it will remind you to make the exterior of your home just as nice as the inside. With all its hardware and door sets its certainly easy to! Shop around and look at what Rejuvenation offers. I can guarantee you will find something that will look beautiful in your home.

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Rose City

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Jefferson

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Alexandra

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Industrial

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Holywood

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Wildwood

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Arts and Crafts

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Old World

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Door Hardware

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Cabinet Harware

Shop of the Month - Rejuvenation: Mailboxes

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