After my foyer was painted last week, I brought the sideboard, mirror, lamps, and rug back into the space and then left them alone so that I could think about how I wanted the space to look and feel.
It is a narrow two-story space that gets flooded with daylight. I want to keep it uncluttered so that it is a space with breathing room.
A space that will help visually connect the rooms around it, my studioffice, family room, kitchen, and dining room. Keeping things simple, yet adding something with impact is the look I am after. That and something that says SPRING! With the bitter cold we have been experiencing, spring can’t come soon enough.
I put the mirror back up first. It is actually two repurposed wood window sashes where I replaced the glass on each with mirrors. I did this a long time ago and had the mirrors cut to size at my local sheet glass company. I used glazing points (found at the hardware store) and putty to attach them to the back of the sashes.
- I drilled a hole in each sash’s top corner. I used wall anchors that have screws with flat heads screwed into them on the wall. The holes on the back of the sashes fit over the screws. Very secure – going on 18+ years that it has been hanging this way.
- I hung the top sash directly above the bottom one.
- On the top, I hung a decorative ceramic ornamental piece that I bought many years ago. I painted everything gold and added a white wash over the paint.
I decided not to buy anything new to place on the sideboard, but to shop the shelves of my newly purged basement. I found two glass vases and and some long stemmed fake pink peonies.
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I wish they could be real, but I don’t have the budget for that. If I ever win the lottery, my first big purchase would be to sign up to have fresh flowers delivered to my home every day all year long. Until that happens, I am quite content with the fake ones until I can cut the real ones from my garden in the early summer. This is the vase I decided to use. I bought the peonies at Michaels.
I tried this vase, too. I like it because it’s bubble glass, but it raises the tall blooms to the same height of the lamps. Back to its designated shelf in the basement until I can find a use for it.
I moved the tray in from my family room. It looks fresh and new here. I painted the paper lamp shades a few years ago in high gloss white. They are opaque shades where the light is directed out the top and bottom of the shade. This creates the perfect mood light at night since I don’t need task lighting here.
To keep the light soft and bright, I added a Cree LED 60 watt light bulb to each lamp. I have written about how picky I am about lighting and using the right lightbulbs and lamp shades a few times before. It is one area of decorating that many forget to consider, but can make or break your decorating efforts.
A few weeks ago, my oldest daughter Kelly called asking me what she could do in her apartment to make the lighting look more like the light at home. It made me smile that she noticed the difference.
I first told her to remove all the funky CFL bulbs that she uses. The light they emit is unnatural and dull. Then to replace them with dimmable 60, 75, or 100 watt soft white bulbs that add a warm glow. Since she is all about the environment, I told her to head to Home Depot to buy a few Cree LED soft white bulbs. They are a bit more pricey to purchase, but will last 25X longer, are mercury-free, and save at least 84% in energy versus using an incandescent bulb, plus they have a normal light bulb shape so you can use clip on lampshades over them.
I told her not to use the ceiling fixture – the downlight is too harsh. Then to add three or four floor or table lamps around the apartment and make sure if they have fabric shades, that the color emitted through the shade when the light is on is the same. Some shades are more ecru and can look yellow. If this is your color scheme, it is not about the color so much but more that they are all the same.
When you look out over a room with one shade casting off yellow and the others white, it throws off the look of the room. It is just a detail, but one that can make a huge difference in how a room feels. I like to use shades that look white when the light is on. Mix in a opaque shade of any color and you will have good mix. A reading light needs at least a 100 watt bulb. Table lamps for general lighting can be 60 watt.
Following my guidelines should get her apartment looking more like the warm and cozy environment she fondly remembers.
I did a little experiment with my foyer lamps to show you how nice soft white LED bulbs look in the day and in the evening.
Daytime: This lamp has a 60 watt Cree Soft White LED in it. I love the softness of the light – it is white, but with no blue tinge to it. Cree also makes LED daylight bulbs, but I like the warm glow of the soft white much better.
You can see how the opaque shade and the bulb itself directs the light up and down. No light can get through the shade. Since the sideboard is stained wood and has an orange tone, it changes the way the downlight looks, but look at the top of the shade where there is nothing to change the color cast – all white.
Here is how it looks at night. I have the lights on a dimmer switch. This is the brightest they get at night.
I usually have them dimmed lower. I removed the flowers so you can see how not only the shade, but the LED bulb itself direct the lights up and down. You can see a better demonstration in this video.
My number one decorating tip I used to tell my decorating clients was to turn all the lights on in a room to see two things:
- Is the light spread out evenly around the room? If not, move or add another lamp. Higher wattage in lamps that you need to read by, lower for others.
- When the light is on, is the color of the light coming through all the shades the same? If one looks different from the others – change it so they all look the same. Opaque shades don’t matter since the light they emit doesn’t go through the shade.
Try it tonight… play a little game of musical lamps and move the lamps to different places in the room. Try different wattages of bulbs and see if the colors around the room look more vivid. A few good bulbs with shades that emit the same color white can change the way colors look as well as how the entire room feels. A few simple tweaks can drastically improve your decor.
I also added a 100-watt bulb to my bedside table.
Congratulations to the Winner: Pam Clark
- If you didn’t win and would like to try the bulbs, you can buy them at the Home Depot.
Do yo have some good suggestions on where to find nice floor lamps that don’t cost $600.000 to $1,000.00?
I’m spoiled because I bought one Stiffle floor lamp, years ago, that is solid brass with a new white lampshade from Restoration Hard ware. It’s hard to decide what other kind of floor lamp I want on the other side of the couch, that will look good with it? All of the lamps are so expensive.
Thank you,
Cathy
Hi Cathy –
There are many lamp sites that have affordable light fixtures. I would check out the World Market, Parrot Uncle, and Target’s websites. If you have HomeGoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx in your area, they are great places to find high end lamps for discounted prices.
I do have a suggestion. Since you already have a floor lamp on one side of the sofa, have you considered placing a table on one side and using a table lamp? If you use the same color shade and basic style (does not have to match) a table lamp may add more interest to your room instead of two tall floor lamps.
fake?! are you kidding me! if those peonies don’t just make me so happy to look at! and for some reason they are harder to find (real ones that is :)) around where i live.
gorge! thanks ~
I’m a newly married student in my twenties; dirt poor but so blessed.
My husband and I live in a small basement apartment. Light is scarce enough during the day because of how little sunlight filters through, but at night it sometimes feels unbearable – the light fixtures are scarce and dim. I’ve been meaning to go to thrift scrounge up some lamps for FOREVER to try and fix the lighting in here. It’s a tough environment to figure out and I’m at a loss, to be honest :)
We need to make some changes so weekends at home are pleasant (I go stir crazy). Maybe this will help spur me on my way.
But I really have no idea what to do and would appreciate some advice. I know nothing about watts or the different kinds, etc. We are on a tight budget as I’m sure you can remember from your own college days. I’ve been getting the cheapest kind at WalMart and our rooms have a hazy yellow cast.
If you have any tips I would surely appreciate it!
Hi Karen –
The key to getting the lighting in your home to feel better is about the type of bulb, wattage, shades, and placement. When at the thrift store try to look for a few different types of lamps for your space. A table, floor, and desk lamp. Mix them up and place them around the room so the light looks balanced – no dark corners if a task has to be done there.
Look for shades that are the same color so the light looks the same when they are all on. The desk lamp shade could be opaque so the light only goes up and down. This will add a nice ambiance to the room. As for wattage – use different wattages in the lamps. 100 watt for overall room lighting and even task lighting.(tables and floor lamps) 60 watt looks nice, but if your space is really dark you may want to use 75 or even 100 everywhere.
Ceiling light fixtures cast shadows and look awful in small dark rooms. If you have one, you may want to remove the glass cover and see if a clip on shade will go over the bulb. The shade will be upside down, but will help to filter the light. I like the Cree soft white LED’s since they don’t give off that awful grey tinge that other LED and those funky CFL bulbs do. While at the thrift store, look for some large wall mirrors. Hang these across from lamps, windows, or doors to reflect more light into the space. They will also make it look like you have two lamps or windows instead of one and make the space feel more open.
Check out this post for more information on lighting. It may help you look at your space and where and how to add some lighting: https://inmyownstyle.com/2010/09/light-up-your-life-literally.html
I never told you, but thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to write out such a well thought, helpful response to me. Your kindness really touched me and meant a lot :) It’s finally time for us to buy new light bulbs and I’m looking this up to tell my husband what kind. Thank you oodles.
How are clip on shades different from the glass light fixtures?
Here’s a picture I just took of our current light fixtures installed by our landlords: do light shades have an open top or something?
Thanks again for your kindness.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11188374_10206962816848621_577011567025757527_n.jpg?oh=b4d9348117f878e10d5400b0a12c11cc&oe=55D3CF58&__gda__=1439915784_d74e0cb2d566f830821b75dfecf75ca1
Hi Karen – Your fixture isn’t like some ceiling fixtures that block light by the way they are designed or prism the light on the walls, or cast shadows. Yours is rounded and frosted and won’t do this. If you had a clear glass prism style fixture, a clip on shade would soften the overall lighting in the room while directing it up and down.
My office/craft room definitely needs lighting help. Hard to sew at night!
I am moving into my first apartment and my mom has always been picky about lighting! I know it makes such a difference! I am hoping to create the same glow in my apartment to make it feel a bit more like home!
I am struggling to light 2 areas – the living room (which is open to the kitchen & dining areas) and the basement family room. I’ve never cared for the light from overhead fixtures so I use many lamps throughout the house. I’ll look for Cree bulbs at Home Depot. Thanks for this post!
You make several excellent points! My family room has an ASSORTMENT of lampshades, and there is really only one spot good for reading. Thanks also for the suggestion about the Cree bulbs–I get overwhelmed in the light bulb aisle at Home Depot! Great post!
Will try in the living room.
I would have to say the living room could use a makeover. We would love more brightness there.
I’ve always enjoyed lamps and all the different shades but boy are they difficult to place in a full house. I love your style, simple and elegant, I catch myself adding to much color to rooms, excessively matching each and every small item. I have never seen or placed a lamp in my kitchen however this is the room I am constantly frustrated with because I can not see what I am doing!! Thanks for the blog and contest. If you get a chance I’d love to know how to make a vase appear like it has water in it; the vase you did with peonies for ex. Thanks again, Rayna
Hi Rayna – I added water to the vase even though it has fake flowers – the water helps make them look a bit more realistic :-) You can buy a gel at the crafts store that will look like water in vases, but it is expensive and you only get a small amount. Real water is easier.
Hi Diane, just a quick question. How do you stop your fake flowers from getting rusty if y have them in real water? I agree they look much better with water in the vase so I copied you and put my fake peonies in water but after about 2 weeks there were little rust marks on the vase. I’m in Australia; maybe our flowers are different here???
Hi Sonja – Good question. The flowers here in the US rust also. If they do, I use a scouring pad to try to remove the rust stains in the glass. The only way I know of stopping it is to make a slit along one side of the bottom of the plastic stem, cut out the bottom inch of wire and then bring the plastic down again. If you do it carefully, the bottom stem end will end up moving back where it was and looks fine when placed in water.
I’ve never heard of this bulb, so it really spiked my interest reading about it. Pretty much any room in my home could use the change! How exciting it would be to win this! Thanks for the opportunity to do so and thanks for all the great information you share with everyone!!!
My son’s room (now that he’s off to college) need an entire makeover with lighting…first to replace the dark blue ceiling fan shades/lights and also to add some swing arm lamps at the window seat. Being the northeast corner of the house, it needs lighting!
My master bedroom and living room both need lighting makeovers, I have a few lamps in my bedroom but they need new bulbs and shades. My living room only has one lamp right now and I’m trying to help my husband see the need for a floor lamp or two. He thinks the overhead lighting is adequate… But it drives me mad in it’s ability to wash everything, and everyone out!
Oh I would love to be considered for the give away! I am in the process of redecorating my living room space right now and in some desperate need of the right lighting! Going to try your tips today!! :)
Lighting is VERY important. When we moved into my current house, the previous owner had used all CFLs and I thought I had gone blind for a week until I realized it was the light bulbs that don’t put out a lot of light.
Thanks Diane,
I always love to read your blogs and appreciate the info you share. I have especially enjoyed those on lighting.
This was even better and your suggestion to try different lights at night is perfect. We are painting almost every room after 15 years. Our family room runs into the kitchen so these pointers are coming at just the right time! We are due for changes and this is the perfect time to link to your great ideas!!
Wow…lots of posts here but that’s okay. I had NEVER realized what a difference bulbs make!! Of course I buy certain ones for the bathroom but the other rooms all have mismatch bulbs. I bought what was on sale, not what was needed to highlight a room. The one room I definitely need to figure out lighting for is my bedroom!! I will be checking all my bulbs and the watts from now on. Thank you for a great article!!
I am embaraased to say that I didn’t know you could buy opaque lamp shades. I have only seen the ones where light comes through the shade. I think I need new shades as well as bulbs. My house tends to be dark but the room that needs the most lighting help currently is my living room. Thanks for the great post.
our bedroom could use some new lighting! thanks!
My kitchen would be the beneficiary of these bulbs. As with most people, the kitchen is the hub of my house, and these would save me a lot of money in electrical costs!
I would love to have a light makeover for my living room to chase away the gray days of winter.
Thank you for the wonderful tips about lamps, lights, etc. I will definitely look into the Cree light bulbs (if I don’t win!). My living room is where I will begin. I enjoy your blog so much. Thank you for not only the creative things you show us, but also the practical information you share. Your home is beautiful.
Louise
Finally, lighting is explained in a way that makes sense to me and now I can fix it!! EVERDAY when I sit in my family room I am bothered by the lighting. I am constantly changing light bulbs ( types, brands, wattage) and the positioning of where I place my lamps, changing out lamps, etc.. The lighting never looks and feels soothing: too dull, too bright, etc.. Eventually, I will just turn off the lights and sit in a room illuminated by the TV !
My kitchen! The kitchen itself is cute BUT……I have fluorescent lighting above the island. UGLY so I never try to turn them on EVER. I have 2 other table lamps I use and my son make a drum lamp that hangs over the table. The cree bulbs would be a blessing to my kitchen lighting issue.
Thanks a million!!!
i have seen those cree light bulbs advertised on TV…you did a better job of selling me on their strong points. Way to go!
I am guilty of not switching over to energy saving light bulbs in my sitting room. If I win, I could replace them, and fell less guilty when I use my lamps.
My living room! We have a fan with no light and two can lights over our fireplace. That’s it. It’s so dark and dreary!
Enlightening!!!! Lol I thought it the appropriate word. I really needed to read your blog today. Lighting is a real issue in my home and needs to be addressed. My hubby is always complaining about the lack of lighting in our bedroom. Truth is we need better lighting through out the house. We have really tall ceilings that make it difficult. I can’t wait to try your suggestions. Thank you!
My living room is the spot. Have been slowly ridding my home of the incandescent bulbs. Had not heard of Cree, they sound like the best so far, although a bit costly. Sometimes it really is true, you get what you pay for…. Never have won anything so “if” I did it would come as a great surprise! Love following your blog! You have VERY practical & timeless ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!
Great post. Both my living room and family room have lighting issues. Thank you for a chance to win.
Our living room is my reading room and every night I find myself wishing for better light. I’ve seen the Cree bulbs, but never really knew what would solve the lighting issue. Thanks for your input.
My living room could definitely use a light make-over!
Enjoyed your information. My living room could use some improved lighting- thank you very much!
My living room could use some lighting advice! Thsnk you
Thanks for sharing this information. My family room is in desperate need of lighting changes.
My just moved into a gorgeous rental, but the whole house needs a light makeover. The room that will be my office really needs help- there are no windows!
I love strong colors, so I painted my dining room in watermelon red. I think it is lovely, but it can be a bit dark at night, so the right lighting would certainly benefit it.
Thank you for having this giveaway!
My house is a large great room including the kitchen with bedrooms on 2 sides. Difficult to light properly. I need good lighting to see properly.
I think my bedroom could use a lighting makeover. It’s very gloomy.
I need to re-think the family room lighting; that’s where we spend most of our evenings and we’re never quite happy with the lighting!
On another note, I noticed that the first vase is filled with water. It’s certainly a detail that makes these peonies look even more real! Are the stems made out of plastic or fabric?
Beautiful and bright new foyer!
My living room need the most help. Lighting is not right and I just had to toss our a broken floor lamp. Can’t wait to try out these bulbs and thank you for al the great information!
the hall and laundry room!
My kitchen is in dire need of a light makeover. :)
I need better light in my bedroom for reading in bed.
My family room could use some serious lighting! I can’t wait to try these bulbs!
Thank you for such an informative article. These were things I’d never considered…that’s why you’re the pro!
Changing the lighting in my bedroom makes a big difference and that is the room I am most interested in experimenting with. Thanks! These bulbs are great!
I’m slowly trying up update my home on a budget. Last week we painted the dated red brick fireplace white, and what a difference that made! Next I’m going to attack the mantle, and try to refinish it. This room doesn’t get much light, and the painting of the fireplace really helped. I would love to try the Cree LED bulbs to shed warm light in my “new” to me space! P.S. I love your blog. It’s so nice to read practical ways to update your space, and look so beautiful to boot! Thank you.
I, too would LOVE to paint my red brick fireplace white! Was the process difficult, was it a DIY?? I actually lived in my house from 1978 to 1998 and fortunate to be able to buy m y house again in 2013 (long story!) This entire time I’ve been wanting that fireplace white!
I have been wanting to try the Cree LED light bulbs in my kitchen for some time now, but have hesitated because of the cost. I have been wanting to try them in the pendants over the peninsula counter and in the ceiling fan light fixture in hopes that they would help do a much needed “color correction” in there! Do you think they would help my older, honey-spice maple cabinets not look so “orange” especially at night, and my natural oak hardwood floors not look “yellow”? I am hoping that just the right lighting could help enhance the patina of the wood, rather than give them that funky color cast.
Most of all, I am hoping that the Cree LED light bulbs could help bring out the colors of my disappointingly dull and drab-looking, very light-colored granite. I had selected my granite because I had thought its peachy-gold streaks would look lovely with my cabinets. In reality, in my home, I can barely notice the peachy-gold! In my current lighting, the soft gray streaks seem to predominate and “overwhelm” the peachy-gold as well as the background color, which, though I had thought was a creamy white, appears more like an ugly greenish-grayish off-white!
Do you think a Cree LED light bulb “intervention” could help salvage this expensive, decorating mistake? I would love to be considered in your light bulb giveaway, please!
Thank you!
P.S. I love your foyer remodel! Your credenza is gorgeous and your mirrow is so, so clever! The overall space is so beautiful!
Actually, all of my rooms could use help…now that I have your helpful information!
My living room and bedroom could use a lighting update!
The family room and kitchen! Those peonies are so pretty!
We just purchased a new home and I know I can use these tips all over the house. We are concentrating on getting the public rooms (foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen and den) which all flow into each other done first. Most rooms have can or overhead lighting, but I am trying to layer lights as you suggest.
My living room is dark and really needs updated lighting. Thanks for the chance to try these new bulbs!
My living/family room needs updated lighting.
Thank you for the lighting ideas! I would like to focus on my living/dining room to try new bulbs.
I’ve already used Crees in my new kitchen cans and love them. Now onto the lamps in the living room. Thanks!
My bedroom is too dark. Thx for the lighting advice. I’m going to read the other articles you wrote on lighting.
HI Diane!
E V E R Y room in my home is in need of re-think the light. Thank you for this post it has great tips that for sure I will use.
I love your blog I try to check on it as often as I can, but I miss you on my RSS.
My bedroom could use new lighting
I would use them in my Living room and basement! The living room has high ceilings and open floor plan….Layering the lighting has been really difficult, can’t get it to feel cozy at night. Basement….well it’s a basement, prefer lamps to the recessed lighting.
Thanks for sharing a great resource. I had no idea that I could get an energy saving, mercury free lightbulb that gives off attractive light. A no brainer! I’ll be adding these to my rooms for sure.
My bedroom needs help from the lighting department! I love my beautiful creamy brown walls but I just can’t seem to get it bright enough in there and these bulbs may be the answer.
My kitchen nook needs a lighting makeover. First, there isn’t enough light.
There is a hanging Tiffany lamp over the table. We had a ceiling fan and light in center of the room but now only a ceiling fan. In the market for a new light kit for it. I gave added a small accent lamp on a low storage cabinet. So, some lighting work is needed.
Both my kitchen and my dining room could use a makeover, period! Lighting would be a great place to start! :-)
I have been so aggravated with the new light bulbs . Too many choices and no information about what to use where. So, I kept buying the old cheap light bulbs, but, now I can’t find any. I’m very happy and grateful for a primer on what kind to get. Thanks for the chance to win some good bulbs.
My living room for sure, the lighting is terrible! You gave some great tips in this post, thanks!
I love lamps and have a few in storage to bring out when I want to change things. I need to re-do lighting in my living room. Matching lamps are on tables of different heights and a simple Tiffany-type lamp puts out the wrong color light. I think that is what has kept me from accepting its place in the room. Thanks!
My family room needs help! It is so dark, I can hardly read or work on a sewing project in there. Thanks for the tips.
The lighting in my living room needs help. As I make the switch from incandescent bulbs I find I don’t know what to expect from the various newer bulbs available. I want to relax in my living room and don’t want harsh bright lights, but I need enough light to read by. I have difficulty finding the right soft light.
Hi Diane,
I’d use the new light bulbs in my living room. Thanks for the giveaway!
My family room needs some help in the lighting department. Thanks for the chance to win some great lightbulbs.
My livingroom since it is soooooo dark!
Thank you for the lighting information. I will be replacing bulbs all through the house, beginning with my sewing room.
Our living room and bathroom need better lighting!!
In the bathroom! Replaced hot light bulbs in my moms bathroom and used LED bulbs, but now they only reflect downwards and the bathroom has a creepy mood lighting effect. Thanks for the post, I’m going to go get some cree bulbs , but winning some sounds good too, I have plenty of light sources. Your foyer is gorgeous with those fuchsia colored flowers, it makes me wish for spring right now as I look out at the melting snow.
My large family room has 1 small table lamp. It needs help desperately. Thanks for the chance to win.
This is the best explanation/demostration of lighting that I’ve ever read!! You make things so easy to understand, Diane! And the double window mirrors and peonies are just gorgeous! I’m so glad I found your blog last year. I am now urging all my present light bulbs to DIE DIE DIE so I can start replacing them with Crees. The living room is especially challenging and it will be the first one to receive a lighting makeover. Thanks for the giveaway!
My dining room could use a lighting makeover.
The family room grows very dim then dark as evening progresses. The 2 lamps I have there could certainly use some bulb updating! Thank you!
Love the peonies – they look real!!! And I agree, lighting is so important. My favorite lamps have the 3-way bulbs with soft light. I would love to give these light bubs a try in my foyer. PS: Love your foyer table – I’m sure it’s a cherished antique but if it is new … where did you find it at?
Hi Denise – The sideboard/table/desk in the foyer is a cherished hand-me down from my husband’s bachelor uncle. He lived in Brooklyn his entire life in the same rent controlled apartment until he passed away in the early 90’s. I think his parents must have bought it. The top draw slides out and flattens to create a desk. It is a very unique piece and in perfect condition.
oops, I forgot to comment on which room could use help with lighting – my family room!
Yes, I admit it, I need some help with lighting. I’ve probably never had it quite right..will use your advice and “see” if there’s any improvement! Thanks!
Need better lighting in the living room. These look great. I enjoyed learning from the video and your tips about lighting are great. Blessings
Definitely in the basement after restyling! Lovely giveaway!
I could use a lighting makeover in my foyer and in my living room.
I’m on a venture of painting most of my home as money and time allows. Everyone room in my house could use a light makeover. Thank you for the chance to possible win your give-way!
Our family room really needs a lighting makeover. I have some of those funky CFL bulbs for reading lights, and they are sorely lacking!
I would love to replace the bulbs in my living room and family room. They look wonderful in your foyer!
Great post Diane. I am a light junkie. I love to have lots of lamps on during the day or night. They make my home feel welcoming and warm. I even have a lamp on my front porch. So much more welcoming than a glaring porch light. I’ve never tried the Cree, but would love to.
This post is filled with useful tips! Thank you. I, too, purchased a huge box of incandescent light bulbs from Amazon when I heard about the light bulb rules changing ( I saw another of your followers mentioned she stocked up on old-school bulbs). The Cree bulbs ARE pleasing, I’m happy to say, so there are good choices out there still! I am heading to HD today to repair a buffet lamp socket and will give the lighting test a go when my lamp is repaired. Your foyer turned out spectacularly, by the way!
The ambiance that you created with the LED bulbs is beautiful.
Our Master Bedroom sure could use some lighting help. I never gave much thought into the lampshades, but after reading your post I need to go lampshade shopping! New bulbs and shades might just be what I am missing. I love all your decorating ideas. For me, you take the “mystery” out of decorating and make it simple Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!!
I really like the lighting tips you shared. My family room could benefit the most from a lighting makeover.
Our living room will benefit from a light makeover.
My living room/kitchen (small apartment)! I don’t have any lamps in there at all because I haven’t found any that match the space… So it definitely needs a makeover.
Great tips for lighting! I could definitely use some in my living room. With only 2 lamps, it get’s really dark at night.
My daughter’s bedroom needs better lighting. She has several lamps and I just bought her a floor lamp for my her chair. She is studying to be a registered nurse and uses that chair for studying. So I want to create a good light in her room for great studying!!
Definitely the family room where we spend so much time and is connected to the kitchen. Do you have a place that you recoomend for shades–mine are a hodgepodge so that change would help too. I enjoy your down-to-earth sensible ways and ideas!
My kitchen cries for a lighting makeover There are times when I feel like I’m in a dimly lit bar and should carry a flashlight!
My living room has horrible lighting.
Our bathroom desperately needs a lighting makeover. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the tip about the Soft White lights, Diane! I have to swap out my kitchen lights to those. Sent my husband to buy light bulbs for the kitchen and he brought home those horrid curly-cue CFLs in bright white. Now my poor kitchen looks more sterile than a hospital! T.T Thanks to your post (and link to your post about lighting) now I know what has to be done to remedy that.
Actually, I could use a lighting engineer in almost every room. But the kitchen is probably the worst.
Our library/schoolroom definitely needs a light makeover.
Your peonies are amazingly real looking. I will have to see if my Michaels has any in.
I love your refreshed foyer, Diane! You’re so right, lighting is critical. I’ll be sure to look into the Cree bulbs…I love that they don’t contain any mercury. As for improved lighting, our family room needs an injection of light for certain!
Stay warm, and hurry Spring!
My basement has some major lighting issues. I would love to try this lightbulbs. Thanks for the giveaway!
Love the whole thing! My lighting in the living room is horrible! I definitely need some help there!
Thank you for teaching us about the Cree LED bulbs. I live in a basement apartment, so lighting is very important. I’m going to do a lighting makeover in my main living space. It’s too dark!!!
Our Dining Room. It is always so dark and we use that room every day.
Thanks for the great lighting tips! CFLs are on my ‘do not buy’ list for several reasons. I have not purchased any LED lights yet. The living and dining rooms (connected) in our home could definitely use a lighting makeover. Thanks again for the tips and for offering the giveaway!
I learn so much from your Blog. I’m going to look at my home lighting in a totally different way tonight!
My living room, I think, is the one I need to work on first!! Thanks as usual for your tips!!
My living room is in dire need of new lighting! I still have one of those halogen stick floor lamps from 25 years ago as my main light source. Help!
I definitely need some of these nice light bulbs in my living room. Been wanting the new LED’s for a long time, but they sure are expensive…. for me anyhow. Great tip about how to update so quickly Diane. I am a lighting fanactic and I am sick of my dull lights.
I am going to try painting all my shades the same white now……. can I use spray paint? My pc is so slow I barely got to the end of your post. I need to REread it again right now. Thanks for all the help you give us.
Hi Sheryll Lyn – Yes you can use high gloss spray paint – that is what I used. Mask off the wire clip and inside and then spray the paint evenly over the shades. Recoat every 5 mins. 2-3 light coats should do it.
I love your foyer. Those peonies do look very well. I may have to run to Michaels. My whole house could use some lighting, especially the living room. I guess I have never really looked at my rooms with eyes towards the lighting. Thanks for the chance to win some of those bulbs.
Love your entryway. The pink flowers look great as do the lamps. I would take those wicker baskets off your dresser shelves though. I think the wicker is too heavy and the square shape of the baskets doesn’t look right. Maybe dark round thin baskets or bowls, or maybe nothing…
Love your blog.
Our living room could really use a lighting makeover. It is a large room that so far has been difficult to achieve even lighting that is bright enough. I would love to win some LED bulbs…I have been wanting to start incorpoating these into our home but was not sure which brand to purchase. Thanks for the giveaway!
My Living room definitely needs lighting improvement.
If I could win just one bulb, it would be fantastic for our bedroom lamp. The lamp sits on a table my hubby custom made to fit behind the bed which is positioned diagonally in the room. I’m with you—the proper lighting is essential :-)
I love the idea that you’ve brought springtime early to your entryway! You guys in the East have gotten hit harder than we have here in the upper Midwest. Hang in there…spring is on it’s way :-D
Definitely my family room! We built it ourselves with very little thought as to lighting and it shows! Enjoy your down to earth blog, Diane…
Good morning!
Definitely appreciate the tips on lighting…. My living room suffers greatly from me not doing anything that you have recommended, so win or no, the living room is going to be receiving a “lighting makeover”! Thanks again!
My living room could use a lighting re-do. Thanks for the great post!
Our family room is dark due to the back porch roof cutting off direct sunlight into the space. New light bulbs would certainly brighten it up. Love the peonies and your double window mirror!
Oh my goodness, I love this pink peonies! I tend to shy away from faux flowers, but you’ve inspired me to give them a try! We could use some better lighting all over our home, but our dining room is the worst.
I think any of my rooms would benefit from a lighting makeover. I’ve been meaning to purchase some LED bulbs and this would get me started!
The living room is desperate for some help!!
My family room could use a lighting makeover! Thanks for the giveaway…I always enjoy reading your blog! Everyone: Think Spring!! It can’t come soon enough:)
My living room and master bedroom…I live in what feels like a cave!
Would love a family room lighting makeover. Thanks for the great info!
“Enlightening” post! Our great room is difficult to light with its vaulted ceiling. I will try your suggestions.
Thanks for the lesson on lighting, my living room needs a work over. I’m taking a trip to Home Depot today.
Your house is beautiful and I love your blog.
My husband thought I was crazy! Started turning on all my lights- you are so right! My family room really needs the softer touch! Thank you.
I have never been satisfied with the lighting in my home, especially the family room, but wasn’t sure why. Now that I have read your post I have a few clues and will work to make some changes. I would love to try these new bulbs.
My family room is dark and could use an update.
The six lamps in our great room could use a lightbulb makeover! I’ve been very unhappy with the CFL bulbs because they don’t give off enough light and am very interested in trying the CREE LED bulbs you told us about!
I just repainted our FR and am making new window coverings now. The room has never had proper lighting, and you have encouraged me to tackle that issue once and for all! Thank you for the chance at the CREE lighting. And I agree with other commenters~ those peonies look totally real. Gorgeous!
My dining room needs new lighting, well many of my rooms do, but especially my dining room. Thanks for the chance. I am loving your foyer!
My new living room would benefit from these bulbs. It is an older home with no overhead lighting. With our dreary winters in Montana, lighting is very important. We have recently downsized to to our older rental home to save money while all three kids are attending private colleges. Until we sell our older home, this luxury will not be possible. I would really appreciate the fresh outlook on the room:) Thank you!
Thank you so much for the ‘lighting’ decor lesson! My living room/dinning room face north. Help!! Thanks so much for hosting the free CREE giveaway. I sat down with a cup of coffee to just read your info!
Let me see now. I am in the middle of full reno after moving a little over a year ago and have made the commitment, also, to Cree. HD and I are the greatest of buddies :) Let’s go with LR or MBR
My living room is the trickiest room for lighting. It is quite large with very high ceilings. Trying to get enough light is difficult. I want it soft, but there are times we need task lighting. I’ve never tried these bulbs. Need to check them out. Thanks for all your info.
My master bedroom is in desparate need of a lighting makeover — no overhead light and beside lights that are too dim. I never can see properly in there at night!
I enjoyed the tips shared here – the ideas with the 2 mirrors are terrific – I love this post. Thank you so much for sharing!
My living room could use some help. However, after reading the other comments, it is clear to me there are others more deserving. so, leave me out of the contest. I just wanto say how much I enjoy you work and helpful comments.
Our front living room could definitely use some lighting help. It’s always so dark no matter what I try. Thank you for the information and giveaway!
Great post. I love how the light shines from the top and bottom of the shade. I think I’ll try to paint a lampshade with a high gloss paint! Thanks :)
My living room/dining room could use a light makeover.
My living room could really use help in this area. Thanks so much for all the great tips :)
Definitely our family room. No windows, and the french doors are at the far end. Thanks for the giveaway!
My kid’s bedrooms could use a light makeover. I have always struggled with getting the right amount of light for play time, quiet reading time and at night, just enough to keep the “monsters” away!
Our new cottage home has the open living space with the office area, living room and dining area/kitchen all rolling into each other. I would like to “even out” all the light in this area for specific times. Other times we could use a dimmer to have less light in some areas. Thank you for the opportunity to try a different light source. Still trying to make my space right through your help. Judy C in NC
My dining room could use a few lighting changes. Thanks for a great give away!
I have never even heard of that brand before, but now must have it! My kitchen/dining area really needs help in the lighting department. I have two ceiling fans in that space and they have all different kinds of bulbs in them. I need to get my act together!! :-D
Definitely my living room…several nooks and crannies that are great for curling up with a good book but not enough light :/ Thanks for the opportunity for some lighting :)
Thank you! I have never read any of these lighting tips before. My family room needs improved lighting.
I have the darkest living room in creation; no windows, interior room. It truly needs a light makeover
Living Room needs lighting help—no overhead fixture but only one small window at the end of a 20’x12′ room. Have used CFL for years, but my husband detests them, so an LED alternative might be a compromise!
Our great room– it combines lighting needs for kitchen, dining, and living room.
Can’t wait to play the lighting game…thanks! 25x longer is for me!
Your Home looks Lovely as usual, Diane!!!
My Bedroom!!!! It is way too dark, and I Need to see the Light!!! :-)
Thank-You for a chance to win.
I would LoVe a light makeover in my craft room. I have a direct light on the desk, but the rest of the room suffers a bit!
I have been researching what type of bulbs to buy lately, so this WIN would help me start to exchange our old bulbs for the energy efficient ones we should be using. Cost has been the fator so far in replacing them…they are very expensive!
Very informative tutorial on lighting, Diane. I miss the three-way bulbs. Will Google to see if still available. My living room is largish and the lighting very spotty. You’ve inspired me to get it right!
My living room is in desperate need of some light! It literally does not have a built-n light fixture anywhere and we rely on poorly lit lamps as the only source of light in the room.
I just painted and added new furniture to my living room and I would love to have the correct lighting to show it off.
I want to curl up in my new chair and a half with my mini schnauzer and kindle and have the right lighting to read by.
I love your ideas by the way!
Have a great Thursday.
My small den gets very little natural light and either looks too bright with the lamps I use or too dark. I’d love to give these bulbs a try!
My powder room is small and dark. I painted it recently SW Naval and just love the color. Now I really need to punch up the lighting in there! Thanks
Oh the main room. Or living room is what needs a light makeover–badly.
Ah easy, our master bedroom is too dark hence different colored socks on in the morning! We have already started replacing the current bulbs with the Cree bulbs and were shocked at the difference. Would love to buy some more so what a great giveaway.
My family room that is in the basement needs help with lighting.
I would love to try Cree’s LED light bulbs in our living room. This is the first I’ve heard of them and now I’m curious! Thank you for such a helpful blog post and for offering this giveaway!
Also wanted to let you know I have also been purging the basement. Goodwill loves me, the trash men not so much! lol Not done yet, but already feel a BIG sense of accomplishment.
I knew the lighting in my family room was wrong and have been playing “musical lamps” for months. I feel kinda silly not thinking about the bulbs! Snowed in today, but tomorrow a trip to HD is happening. Thanks for the very informative post- I know it is going to fix the light issue!
What a great topic to write about! I new lighting was key but it is easy to let it slide or forget about it! The frustration of finding the right light bulb is over! I love you for that! Good Idea on the video too! It helped allot! I think this is one of your best posts. It is so simple but makes a big impact. Best of all you didn’t have to do some big project that took allot of labor to make a great post!! I think this post will be a big hit for you!! Nice Job!
My bedroom could use some lighting help (as could I!)
My bedroom. Due to the winter and lack of light the our house seems very dark. I have had difficulty determining clothing colors as I get ready for work. I need more light!
My two-story family room. I never seem to have enough light in there!
My living room needs some lighting tune up. Thank you for your inspiration and totally professional approach!
Just returned from visiting my daughter — now I know why I saw 3 or 4 flattened, empty boxes with CREE LED in her recycle bin. I was reluctant to ask but should have known it was environmentally friendly. Hope to see the same thing in my recycle bin soon!!
My living room is very dim and could use some soft light like this.
Your foyer looks lovely! I really enjoy your posts and learn so much from them. I have two questions. I have recessed lighting in my kitchen along with a fluorescent one we hope to replace. Do you recommend the Cree daylight or the soft white bulbs to put in the can lights? Also, if you don’t mind, how many peonies are you using in your vase? I love the look!
Thank you!
Hi Kelly – I have recessed lights in my kitchen, I have not changed them to Cree bulbs yet. I have soft white incandescent flood lights in them. 65 watt. I have them on a dimmer to soften the light. Looks great when we are entertaining. I prefer soft white bulbs, daylight bulbs are nice and bright, but give off too cool of a color cast for my liking. I have 20 peonies in the vase. I buy them when they are 50% off. :-)
I’d never have considered how important the right lighting could be while decorating my home – I look for the LEDs whenever possible, and have some CREEs in my foyer where the light bulbs would be the most difficult to replace, but my kitchen is a mishmosh of all manner of lighting. It takes a special sense of decorating to come up with this particular treatment, and I trust Ms. Diane in all things decorative! I love that these bulbs are all about long life, and now, I’ll be checking to see what type of color they cast, as well! Thank you again!
This is not something I have ever paid attention to…even though I am a lamp collector, and can never have too may…thanks for the info!! this is why I read your blog!
Can’t disagree with you…lighting has always been an important factor to the overall look and ambiance of decor. I didn’t know about this bulb brand. Would love to have it in my home. Add to my living room plus bathroom decorator lamp. Need to save my pennies to purchase. Thanks for sharing. As always, love your posts. Thank you!
My FROG is a dark space that really needs some brightening! Love your posts!
My family room! We are relying on 4 lights from a fan in the middle of the room, and can’t see to read on the sofa. And the fan is ugLy!
Hi!
Thanks for the info on the Cree light bulbs! I can’t wait to try them in my living/dining room. These houses like ours, built in the 60s, rely strictly on table and floor lamps.
Joan
My living room is too dark. I need to bring some “light” into that room!
Hummmm…where to start. I think our dining room is a challenge and our master bedroom. Either or both would be an excellent start. Thanks for the great post…love the sideboard with the baskets replacing the drawers. Being an ex-visual presentation maven myself Diane…I really enjoy your posts.
I need a light redo in our small living room which also has to function as a reading room! Love your blog. Thanks.
Laura
My family room could use some new lighting, it has 2 different ceiling heights, weird angles, and 2 door and 2 windows. It is a lighting and decorating challenge. Love reading your blog.
Each room in my whole house. Take your pick. I find myself standing under a canned light in the kitchen to see anything with detail!
I can’t believe I’ve made it to close to 68 years old and never knew/understood about how lighting affects a room. As a recently divorced woman, I moved into an apartment in a 100 year old house. Trust me … it needs all the help it can get, especially with lighting in my den. I have to make sure the blinds are closed at night as I’m on a main road and don’t want passerbys to peer over and see the ugly lighting of three regular lamps plus a bright desk lamp. I’ve enjoyed your tips for years and they are especially needed now! Thank you!
I think my den and master bedroom could use some lighting help. We are trying to get our house ready to sell this fall for a move across country to my home state of SC. I think some new lighting would help when we are ready to sell. Thanks for a chance at the giveaway.
Simply beautiful.
Our living room and dining room…..they are connected….could definitely use some help! Thanks for the opportunity Diane! ;)
It’s hard to pick one room! I need to take your advice in the family room about keeping the color emitting all the same. I could use some lamps added to the dining room where I only have a chandelier now.
My son’s bedroom needs a better light bulb.
My living room could use a makeover – big windows for light during the day, only can lights for light at night. Need to place a few more lamps, and rethink my shades and light bulbs!
Thank you, Diane, for the very useful post! I definitely need more lighting in the living room. Since I’m reading this in the morning, I’ll look forward to playing around with it tonight.
Thanks so much for the information and your inspiring blog. I am curious to see if these would help my bedroom nightstand lamps? They have red roses all over the shade but boy are they bad for actual light. I really like the shades and don’t want to give them up but I am tired of having to use the overhead lighting every time I want to read in bed. These sound perfect! Another great tip! So grateful!
I never knew ANY of this. I have an upcoming bathroom remodel where u have been reading a lot about lighting. It’s my most pressing need.
My liviingroom could use these! I find it hard to select the right lighting, some bulbs are too “yellow” tinted and others too “white” Would love to give these a try!
Wow….lovely entryway! Love the new paint…and the lighting. From this post, I will do two things. one…replace my light bulbs…and two….get some “like real” peonies.
Our MBR could use a lighting makeover. We have an overhead light and 2 tall bedside lamps. The walls are
blue and there is white trim with plantation shutters. The ceilings are quite high and I just haven’t figured
out the best lighting for this space yet.
I love your style and agree about fresh flowers! Your peonies are lovely and look quite real. May I ask where
you purchased them?
That’s it in a nutshell! I have struggled with all the CFL’s out there. I was one that bought several boxes of incandescent bulbs when they were cleared out at the box stores. I hate the yellow light, the dull light. It all is so depressing! So I am going to give these CREE LED bulbs a try I think the most crucial area is the family room. We spend a lot of time there.
There is something about those peonies that says perfect! They do not look fake at all, quite the opposite to be frank!
My living room is beyond dark! I keep 3 lamps lit 24/7 simply just to be able to get to the hallway and maneuver the living room to the front door. Yes, It’s THAT dark. I would love to see if I can get it to 1 lamp and not 3. Thank you for the beautiful pics and giveaway. I love your repurposed windows stacked like that! Oh, and the topper!
Using your advice Diane made me realize my living room is all over the place. Different light colors and dark spots! Funny how you can look at something a hundred times and then finally see it. Thanks!
Great tips and I can’t believe those are fake peonies, they are gorgeous and look so real!
Every room in my house! the kids and I recently moved into a fantastic rental property – with horrid lighting. I’m slowly replacing all the stand-alone fixtures and bulbs, just to make it lighter, brighter, and cozier. Winning this would help!
I’d definitely be able to use them in the living room. Love the peonies!!
Our family room definitely needs some lighting help – thanks for the chance to win!
Our master bathroom could sure use a lighting makeover! We have one light and it is in the ceiling and doesn’t even have a cover! Its simply a lone light bulb and that’s ugly Lola!
My livingroom can use some great lighting.
Both my living room and family room have lighting issues. Thank you for a chance for the give a way
I a preparing to change all our bulbs, thank-you for sharing all of your experience. It is appreciated.
My living room. Will be purchasing new lamps soon and would love to try your lighting idea.