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Furniture Design Dilemma Paint

Design this, please!

last year

The room is dark. Not much natural light at all. What would you do?

Featured Answer

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written

last year

It's a good idea to educate yourself about different lighting properties. Lighting is often an afterthought, but is actually very important for atmosphere. What I notice right off is the lack of substantial lighting at chest level. That creates an intimacy that is crucial for conversation. Task lighting is for reading and other close tasks such as crafts. Accent lighting is for a particular item that you want to create attention to, such as a peice of art. Ambient lighting you have covered with the chandy and the recessed lighting. To improve your intimate conversation lighting, I would include a table lamp or wall sconce at each corner at chest height. Another thing I would recommend is to put all your lighting on dimmers. That way you have a lot of options regarding what type of atmosphere you want to create. I remember my mother always putting the dining room light on dim (along with candles) when we had special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthdays. Experiment with different combinations of your lighting. The light for your colorful peice of art may be improved by having a dedicated acent light.

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Comments (8)

kandrewspa
last year
Paint the walls and ceiling a lighter color, close to the background color of the rug.
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Sabrina Alfin Interiors
last year
I agree with painting the walls a bright white. And find a rug with some color in it. Everything is too monotone. I'd also find a large light fixture that doesn't cast so many shadows. Something that diffuses the light would be better than open bulbs, even something that casts the light upwards. Some possible options:

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Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
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Also you may consider including mirrors and glass in your decor (only if they go along with your decor). Put a mirror on the wall only if it has a nice reflection. I had custom glass peices put on all my framed art and side tables. That way, the light has more opportunities to reflect the existing light around the room. Another thing you can do is put a mirror behind a light (or wall sconces), again, if that goes with your decor style. Look at opportunities to incorporate "antiqued mirror" in your decor. I have that on one of my lamp bases.
cat_ky
last year
I would paint it all a bright white too, and you really do need some lighting in there. End tables and table lamps, would help considerably. Also make sure the bulbs in your lighting are led and daylight type. It will make a huge difference.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
At the very least continue the ceiling color onto the rest of the ceiling areas. Those are NOT walls I would also paint the fireplace the same color. The framed painting should be located in a better location. A three dimensional item should be place on the face of the fireplace.
Tiffany D
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last year
Would you pant this room sw inkwell? It needs updating and modernizing. Help! I love blue blacks. Thoughts?
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Joe McGuire Design
last year
Would you be open to painting the walls, fireplace, and hearth a lighter color? If so, we think that might help, along with a new chandelier and maybe some lamp lighting.
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