How to Buy New Light Bulbs Without Guessing

The days of incandescent lighting are coming to a close, and most of us agree it's for the best. But if you've been buying incandescent bulbs for years (and who hasn't?), replacing these bulbs with CFL or LED options can be a frustrating task. Since the terminology used for labeling new bulbs is somewhat different than that of old bulbs, it can be tough to figure out which one is right for you. We can help decode all that. 

Give Up Watts

In the olden days, watts were essentially the most important detail on a bulb. In order to light your space correctly, you matched your old bulb wattage to new bulb wattage. As it turns out, watts refers to the amount of energy a bulb requires, not the amount of light it gives off. CFL and LED bulbs can give off more light without using as many watts as incandescent bulbs, so when you're checking wattage, go for the lowest number possible. 

Look for Lumens

If you want to know how much light your bulb will give off, check the number of lumens. Lumens represent how much light a bulb produces, regardless of how many watts are required to produce it. Since we're so used to checking bulb wattage, we often ignored this information with incandescent bulbs, but with new, eco-friendly bulbs, it can be the most important! On average, a 60W incandescent bulb produces 800 lumens of light. For brighter spaces, opt for more lumens. And vice versa. 

Mind Appearance

If you're used to shopping for "soft white" or "daylight" bulbs, it can be frustrating to not find those terms on CFL and LED labels. This information is still there, in fact, it's even more detailed! Check your bulb packaging for the term light appearance. This measurement includes the temperature of a bulb in Kelvins. You can find more detail on that system here, but in general, the lower the temperature, the warmer, more yellow your bulb will be. Bulbs with higher temperatures, or cool bulbs, give off light more similar to natural daylight. 

In addition to these important details, you can also find this helpful information on your CFL or LED bulb packaging:

  • Estimated yearly cost - Typically based on average United States energy costs and usage

  • Life - How long your bulb will last, usually based on 3 hours of use per day

  • CRI - Color rendering index - A rating of how accurately colors display under this light

 You can even check to be sure that the bulb you're selecting is dimmable! While it may be a bit of a change to move from incandescent lighting to more eco-friendly options, with a little adjustment and practice, buying a light bulb can be just as easy as it's always been, and maybe even more effective! 

by Anjie Cho

One Day Refresh: Breathe New Life into Your Space

When was the last time your space got a makeover? Perhaps you’re longing for a new look, but lack the time to create and implement a complete overhaul of your room(s). Take a deep breath and listen to this. You can update any room in your home in a single day with these tips. 

Paint an accent wall.

Painting a full room takes time. There’s identifying a color you can live with, taping off the trim, coat one, coat two. You get the idea. Painting an accent wall, however, can be relatively quick and painless. Pick one wall you want to highlight. Look at your existing décor for the right pop of color to complement your primary wall hue. What colors show up often in your accessories? Use your favorite as a guide for your accent wall color. 

Add a rug.

Another easy update lies just beneath your feet: your floor. Whether you’ve got hardwood floors or wall to wall carpet, adding an area rug can update the look and feel of your space. Even changing out a rug that’s already there for something new will refresh the room. Here’s a hint: placing an area rug down and arranging your furniture around it can delineate a seating space. Or you can define a cozy reading nook in a corner of your room. Remember, the rug’s texture, color, and pattern can also help create a mood for the space.

Update your lighting.

How about a simple, often overlooked change that can yield dramatic results? Updating your light fixtures can be impactful! Something as simple as changing the light bulb to one with a soft, warmer glow can influence the ambiance of your room. Swapping out the lampshades on your existing fixtures can change the entire look and feel, too. If you really want to step things up, invest in a can of spray paint to bring a new look to your old lamp base. Or shop for a brand new, fabulous fixture that can be the centerpiece of the room.

Change up your accessories.

Odds are you’ve already thought about trading out your throw pillows and other accent pieces. You may even have considered updating your window treatments (great ideas, by the way!). Don’t overlook the difference that updating smaller accessories can make too. Pick up new drawer pulls to change up your dresser and end tables. Swap out door knobs and light switch/outlet plates for something new. In the bathroom, a new soap tray and toothbrush holder can be a good start. Changing up the towel rack (and the towels that hang on it!) can alter the room.

Pay attention to the details of your space and change what you can. All those little bits add up to dramatic impact!

by Anjie Cho

6 Design Trends to Tap into for 2016

6 Design Trends to Tap into for 2016.jpg

With New Year’s in the rear-view mirror and a bit of 2016 under our belts, it’s time to take a good look at what’s hot in interior design. Some of these trends require a long term commitment (you’re not going to update appliances every time style’s collective mind changes, after all.) Others are simple updates that can be swapped out when you tire of them. 

Black stainless steel

From the telling activity level on Pinterest to the pages of design’s top magazines, there is one trend that consistently emerges: black stainless steel. Appliance manufacturers have created a finger-smudge resistant finish for this sleek new look, something anyone that’s tried to keep a stainless steel kitchen clean will appreciate. If the charcoal grey to outright ebony is too dark for your liking, take a look at bronze hues some brands offer. It’s a nice change from the traditional silver tones, yet not as dark as its black and grey cousins. 

Rose Quartz and Serenity

Your home is your sanctuary. Pantone gets it, and that’s why they introduced paired Colors of the Year for 2016: Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue. The combo reflects “connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace,” says Pantone. You don’t need to repaint a room with one, the other or both of these calm and collected tones to tap into the trend. These hues work well in accessories like area rugs, pillows and throws. 

Cozy nooks

After a long day, you want to come home, kick your shoes off and get comfy. Right? Creating a cozy nook is something we can all get behind! Whether you build out your own reading nook or dedicate a sacred space for meditation, the goal is to carve out at least a small space to relax and recharge. 

What’s new is old

From reclaimed wood to distressed finishes, the look of aged material adds texture and interest to your space. Tap into your inner DIY guru and have fun with this trend. For example, a refinished dresser with new pulls might make a one-of-a-kind buffet for your dining room. Pallets can be broken down and turned into everything from wall art to end tables. Get creative. 

Pendant lights

Big, beautiful chandeliers have their place, but this is the year of the pendant light. From modern to romantic these hanging gems are at home in the kitchen, as well as the bathroom, bedroom and any other space you want to dangle a little style from above.  

Heated entry floors

Adding radiant heating to the floor is not entirely new. It’s become a popular bathroom splurge in recent years. The toe warming, chill shaking warmed floor is now finding its way into the entryways of your home. Just imagine pulling your snow covered boots or rain dampened shoes off on a toasty warm surface. Bliss!

by Anjie Cho