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Step 8. LIGHTING

Hello, this is Dana Smithers from Sun On My Back Redesigns,

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletters. I appreciate your comments and the changes you are making to the way you live in your home. For those of you who are selling I know you are getting the message!

This month we are looking at our Step 8 in our 10 Step No-Fail Formula for Redesigning or Staging your home to create harmony and balance throughout.

If you are just receiving my newsletter for the first time go to my HOME PAGE on the left hand side under eNewsletter Archives and click on Read TIPS archives here. There you will find previous newsletter TIPS on Step 1. FUNCTION; Step 2. FOCAL POINTS; Step 3. CONVERSATION GROUPINGS, Step 4 CASEGOODS (furnishings other than sofas, beds, chairs) Step 5 FLOORING and Steps 6 & 7 ART & ACCESSORIES.

Step 8. LIGHTING for Living.

During my consultations for the past 10 years I can say unequivocally that we never have enough lighting in our homes. Lighting plays such a crucial role in our homes yet we neglect treating it with its due respect!

LIGHTING is something we need to have more of in our homes. Our eyes weaken over time and we need to take care of them with proper lighting. If you live in a city like Vancouver where there is a lot of rain and grey skies you need extra lighting in your homes.

For maximum lighting form a triangle with your lights;
a diagonal is the next best set up.

In home interior design you want to layer your lighting in each room. Not only does this have a function it can also add aesthetically to make a room more interesting with interesting lamps.

There are 3 types of lighting:

1. General – this could be an overhead light or a floor lamp; a torchiere gives you the best lighting as a floor lamp
2. Task –not enough people have the proper task lighting. If you want a light for reading then purchase a true reading lamp otherwise you are straining your eyes. An end table lamp may look good but is probably not spreading enough light on your reading materials for you. Try wall lamps in the bedroom as they can be set at just the right height for reading in bed.
3. Accent – we use this for showing art or collections by focusing a small light directly on the object we want to accent. You can also have an accent light in a china cabinet to show off your fine pieces of china or other accessories.

TIP: To make yourself really look beautiful in your bathroom lighting choose peach or pale pink bulbs. They soften our gorgeous features so we look our best.

The accent lighting really highlights this work of art!

Accent pot lights, floor lamp and 2 table lamps in a triangle are good layering techniques.

Step 8. LIGHTING for Selling

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

Having new and current light fixtures is one of the most important steps you can take in giving your house an updated look which is what buyers want to see. The most new lighting fixtures I have personally shopped for has been 35!

What to look for when shopping for new light fixtures:

1. Best Types of lighting – brushed nickel or stainless steel. These are the most popular looks right now. Sorry but brass fixtures are 'out'.
2. Best Places to Shop – for new trendy light fixtures check out Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Rona and Ikea for medium priced lighting. And don't forget my favourite Home Sense. You can always shop at more high-end lighting stores for those lights you will take with you when you sell your home.

Remember for SELLING, you want potential buyers to really see the best features of your home and good lighting can help you do this!

 

The task lighting really shows off the kitchen space!

This is good lighting for reading.

TIP: If you have outdoor light fixtures make sure they are clean and look new. Since this is part of that 'first impression' for prospective buyers you want to make a good one. Cobwebs on outdoor lighting fixtures translate into "They don't seem to take very good care of their home I wonder what other things haven't been cared for." and we know you don't want that to be the first impression!

SPECIAL: TRAINING HOME offers for REDESIGN & HOME STAGING

SIGN UP FOR NOVEMBER NOW!
$75 Consultation & $150 for our One Day Home Makeover!
Each month we are looking for the 'right' Training Homes that we can teach our students Redesign for living, and Redesign Staging for selling. All of our Training Programs involve some component of hands-on work in real client's home. Check out our website for more details under SERVICES.
To be eligible for our REDESIGN OR STAGING TRAINING HOME you need:

• enough furnishings for us to work with - rearrange, regroup, showcase
• 3 rooms we can make over such as living room, dining room, family room, etc.
• typically you will have 1200+ square feet in your home

A recent client testimonial:

"I have always dreamed of rejuvenating my living room, but to be truthful, I didn't know where to begin. After many hours of struggling for the best placement of furniture, I simply left it for another day - undone. When I heard about the Training Home Offer from Dana of Sun On My Back Redesigns I knew it was time to make a change. Well, what a change! My husband and I were totally amazed at the transition. The upstairs was made more striking by changing the furniture placement; creating areas of interest with existing accessories and artistically re-hanging the paintings.

The living room has a comfortable and inviting environment. It was made more striking by unifying the various individual areas creating a feeling of beauty. The furniture is well positioned for ease of communication and the pictures (albeit be they mine) blend in a harmony of colors completing the transition.

Downstairs, the family room change was huge. The room now feels comfortable to be in as well as possessing a very elegant visual aura about it. We feel that impact when we spend our evenings there. I never thought the rooms could look so great!

What a superb team effort and all done in one day!"

Maureen & George, West Vancouver BC

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5 DAY PROFESSIONAL CRDA REDESIGN & HOME STAGING COURSE

Last 2 Courses for 2007!

Space available for October and November. Class size is limited to 6.

Receive your DESIGNATION & CERTIFICATION
CRSS Certified Redesign & Staging Specialist
Check out my new video clip that walks you through the course!

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COMING in 2008 FROM AUTHOR DANA J. SMITHERS:

• New eBook on Creating Beauty & Harmony in Your Home
• Book – Handbook For Home Staging – Getting to Open House Ready!

Warmest Regards,
Dana J. Smithers

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