• Use of formaldehyde-free adhesives in cabinet construction
  
• Use of waterborne stains and paints for all finishes
  
• Use of renewable resource species such as Lyptus and Bamboo - examples below
  
• Member of the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Member U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
• Member Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP)

 

Eucalyptus trees grown on plantations in Brazil produce beautiful eco-friendly Lyptus wood.

Lyptus wood is known for its density, finish ability, overall strength and exotic appeal - all elements desirable when designing a functional kitchen or bath that is also beautiful.

   

Bamboo is truly amazing - a grass that grows to a harvestable height of 60 feet in three to five years, growing as much as 2 feet per day! This material is available in both veneer and solid 1/2" and 3/4" plywood - everything you need to create beautiful bamboo kitchen and bath cabinet designs.

I'm designing a very spa-like guest bath right now and we have selected the bamboo in the center for the cabinets - stay tuned for renovated bath photos in the near future!

• Sometimes I will come across a little gem of a line that is absolutely delightful and this one certainly is! All of these products are hand made by Kathy Bachman and she's proud to say they are VEGAN! She uses only fresh fruits, pure essential oils and the finest plant and mineral based dyes on the market.

• Artisan soaps are made with hand-squeezed lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit juices and zested peels along with freshly brewed teas and coffees. In addition, she uses whole, ground, fresh and dried herbs and spices including fresh vanilla beans.

• Kathy knows where her ingredients come from and how they are harvested - she wants to provide only products that minimize environmental degradation. Always using as little packaging as possible and materials that are recycled and 100% biodegradable.

• And as a bonus, Kathy's business donates a percent of their profits to Amnesty International.
  
  So you can have it all - wonderful  interior design accents that not only delight the eye, but also enliven your spirit!
  
  
  

• cardboardesign - creating furniture from widely-available, low-cost recycled materials and made wholly from recycled paper and wood products. These pieces are produced using pre-existing manufacturing processes in order to reduce their overall impact on the environment. Although a tad narrow - I found this chair pretty comfortable. How about adding one of these to your interior and making an eco-friendly design statement?
  

• Kalei - creating art with mosaics - transforming living spaces with custom murals - modern to chic. This glamorous sculptural chair covered with sparkling gold glass tiles is the perfect example of a functional work of art to be used in interior design today. Although a tad "firm", I found this glowing gold lounge chair pretty comfortable. But more than that - it made me feel glamorous!
  

• Two'sCompany - This is the ultimate recycling spirit for today's interior design! I'll bet you've never thought about saving your large plastic detergent bottles to create a colorful chandelier! Are you up to adding one to your interior or even exterior?
  

• Envision Glam - This is the ultimate in glamorous crystal decor for your interior - cascading strands of shimmering crystals- use your imagination to create a stunning backdrop, room divider or window adornment - interior design ideas are endless!
  

     

In today's interior design, there are accessories and then there are accessories! Take a look at these two very diverse looks - practical and recycled verses glitz and glam!

• Two's Company - Ever wonder what happens to all those old circuit boards? Can you imagine them being used as today's interior design accessories? What kind of notebooks, notepads, pens, etc. do you and your colleagues have on your desks? What do your kids carry to school? These great desk accessories made with old circuit boards recycled into everyday items are durable, fun and make the perfect eco-friendly statement!

• Evision Glam - Everything doesn't have to be "over the top" to add glitz and glam. Sometimes even the smallest touches can make the perfect interior design statement for you. Try using these accents: crystal upholstery studs or crystal braid on your next piece of custom furniture - or add to an existing piece! You will quickly and easily create the perfect understated glamorous look!
  

   

  

   

  Lighting Series:

Click on these links or scroll down for my Lighting Series: get practical lighting tips and interior design ideas that you can use to enhance your home decor.

Action Step #1: Switch Your Switches
Action Step #2: Light Your Life with Lamps and Lights
Lighting Series Intro: Lighting Interior Design Ideas - Lift Your Spirits with Light
Action Step #3: Accentuate with Accent Lights - Coming Next

Please write with your comments or questions and let me know how I can best help you with interior design ideas for lighting solutions that will lift your spirits and create a positive impact in your life. barbara@barbarakrai.com

Barbara Krai Interior Design - Serving Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, Dunedin, Odessa, Safety Harbor, Lutz, Avila, Cheval, New Port Richey, Bradenton, Lakeland and all surrounding Tampa Bay Beaches and regional areas along the West Coast of Florida.

Place this freestanding unit anywhere - choose
from a wide variety of colors, styles and shapes.

Coordinate or contrast your design style.

These units also work beautifully outdoors!

add drama and warmth to any space!

• Basically, it's very simple - all of these units burn clean Ethanol fuel - no venting required.
• Freestanding models are portable pieces of fine furniture. There is no tearing out walls or any build-outs required. Simply unpack the unit and put in position. Add the fuel and start enjoying beautiful fire light!
• Fireboxes of stainless steel can be installed into any combustible or non combustible wall unit, piece of furniture or directly in the wall and need no venting. Other units may be hung anywhere on any wall.
• Add stones or glass rocks to enhance your experience.
• All of these units can be used indoors or outdoors for ultimate enjoyment!
• Bonus - You will receive your tax credit information at the time of purchase.

• William Kidd, Miramar Florida – Ceramic Forms - BEST OF SHOW!
  
   
  Amazing work – truly unique - so textural - you have to touch!
  
  
• Leslie Belcher, Saint Petersburg, Florida - Accessoreez
  
  
  
   
  
  Beautiful art glass jewelry – fun and whimsical!
  

• Bea Lily Hatala, Danielsville, GA – Glass Impressions
  
   
  Wonderful technique of fused glass - amazing brilliant colors!
  
  
• Matthew Hatala, Danielsville, GA – Woodturner - AWARD OF MERIT!
  
  
  
   
  Can't you just see this gorgeous wood medallion on the ceiling highlighting a chandelier?
  
  
• Lisa Cimino, Baltimore, MD - Chee-Me-No
  
  
  Perfect combination of elegant and whimsical - charming and sophisticated!
  
  
  
• Greg-Thomas Moore, Deltona, Florida - The Little Wooden Box Company
  

  
  

   
  

  Finely crafted tiny box drawers – amazing woods - wonderful accent!
  

  
  
• Nikki Sedacca, Sarasota, Florida -  SEDACCA – The Art of Jewelry
  
   
  "For the woman who loves art and jewelry - to dazzle the eye - to uplift the heart!"
  
  
• T.R. Reed, Chattanooga, TN – Artist Deluxe
  

  
  

   
  

  Interpreting 19th century whirligigs - kinetic sculptures for the perfect touch of whimsy!
  
  

  NOTE:
  

  You may reach any of these artists by contacting
•  barbara@barbarakrai.com
  
• and I will be happy to put them in touch with you!

Discover More Interior Design Ideas for Lighting:

Last week Action Step #1 in our Lighting Series:
Switch Your Switches

This week Action Step #2
Light Your Life with Lamps and Lights

Add a Floor Lamp: Perfect if you need light somewhere and don’t have a furniture piece suitable for a lamp. Floor lamps are great behind furniture and in tight corner spaces.

Gain work surface space with light from a floor lamp.

Add a Torchiere: The ideal up-light if you need to get more overall light in the room. In a dark room, a white ceiling lit with a torchiere, goes a long way to brighten up the space. However, let’s assume you have addressed your ceiling and it is beautifully treated, at least a tinted color, and not just white. So keep in mind, any light bouncing off the ceiling will reflect the ceiling color into the room.

Add Wall Sconces: Try a single sconce or a pair – maybe even a triple! A great way to add a different type of light. So many choices: A beautiful handblown glass sconce can also be a work of art; some sconces have covered cords and can be plugged into a regular outlet eliminating the need to fish wires through the wall; sconces on mirrors can be especially interesting - multiplying the look and the light.

Triple play makes this room!

Eliminate the Light Kit: You can have a fan without the light! The light quality in the room will immediately improve! Replace the light with a cap – readily available. We Floridians especially love our fans, but they don’t need to be an eyesore – they can be interesting - and - functional!
This fan pretty much disappears into the ceiling. The fabric blades by Casablanca add a nautical touch to my design studio overlooking Tampa Bay.

Add a “Work of Art” Light: If you have a ho-hum fixture anywhere, replace it with one that brings you joy every time you enter the room. This light does not to be expensive and does not have to be a “work of art” – just something special that really delights you as you enter the room.

This handblown glass "work of art" doubles as a light fixture and certainly delights the eyes!
Where can you add a special light to bring you joy in your home?

Last week we kicked off our series:
Lighting Interior Design Ideas: Lift Your Spirits with Light

This Week: Lighting Action #1:
Switch Your Switches
Our activities are changing at a fast moving rate these days! And lighting controls will create just the right atmosphere for any activity - enhancing everything we do and adding more enjoyment to our everyday lives!

• Entertaining a lot of people? Cocktails? Dinner?
• Having an intimate group of friends in?
• Watching a movie? TV? With kids? With your significant other?
• Working on homework or craft projects with the kids?
• Working on the computer? Business? Enjoyment?
• Curling up to read a good book? Relaxing? Exercising?
• Cooking up a storm? Caterer is cooking?
• Time for breakfast? Candlelight dinner?
• Shaving? Applying make-up? Relaxing in a bath?

 

• Change all switches to dimmer switches: create maximum flexibility for every function and mood! Simple and easy to do – you can hire an electrician or it can be a DIY project. Lutron (the industry standard for lighting controls) has wonderful colors now – everything from Hot Red to Turquoise to Stainless Steel - so you can definitely find one that is close to your wall color.

• Plug-in dimmers: Don’t forget, there are plug-in dimmers for lamps so you can make any lamp part of your dimming scenario.

• Radio Controlled Remotes: for the ultimate, you can install a lighting control system to create your very own dramatic visual environment.

Need Inspiration?
Here are some interior design ideas - examples of rooms with multiple switches creating all the needed flexibility for the activities in the space.

• Entry:
  Your first chance to make a great impression and set the tone for your home!

This entry, although small in square footage, soars in height and creates a wonderful opportunity for multiple lighting scenarios: a dramatic glass chandelier adds sparkle day and night, candlestick lamps on the French chest add another flavor, accent lights on two large works of art add drama and ambiance, an plant uplight under the floating stairs eliminates a dark corner, and more light flows through the leaded glass door where all visitors will feel welcome!

• Great Room:
  The larger and more multi-functional the space, the more important it is to have maximum flexibility with your lighting.

This large multi-functional room is ready for myriad activities! Accent lights on wall art and sculpture in corner, floor lamp and table lamp for task lighting, library lamp for ambiance, torchiere for overall light plus highlighting the art, wall sconces between doors, mini chandelier to highlight bar top, additional downlights for functional kitchen activity, wall washers over the cabinets, accent lights highlighting crystal in cabinets facing the dining area, plant light in the corner, multiple groupings of candles – everything on separate dimmer switches for maximum flexibility – this room is ready for a large party or an intimate get-together. The “surround” lighting in this room definitely gives it’s occupants a warm hug!

• Kitchen:
  Perfect example of a room where you will want maximum flexibility with your lighting: bright lights for cleaning - or mood lighting for entertaining or romantic gourmet cooking.

Lots of options for functional and mood lighting shown here: ceiling downlights for overall functional lighting, island chandelier for ambiance while adding functional light, bar top pendant lights add additional ambiance and functional light: spot on the hood adds an accent, under cabinet lights light the countertop. With all five of these lighting modes on their own dimmer switch, maximum flexibility is created!

• Bath:
  Another room where you will want to create different moods - depending on whether you are shaving, putting on makeup or relaxing in your spa-like soaking tub – or maybe you just need to wake up gently in the morning!

This beautiful spa-like master bath has multiple options for function and mood settings: mirror sconces over the vanities not only lend an aire of elegance and sparkle, but add to the side illumination so important for lighting your face for makeup or shaving, downlights over the vanity sinks assure plenty of light on the counters, additional downlights over the tub and in the shower specifically highlight those areas, a chandelier, out of view, adds additional ambiance and overall lighting, daylight, controlled by shutters, allows for a lot of flexibility – you may enjoy the view as desired and add sunlight to your bathing experience! Scented candles add the finishing touch.

Last week we kicked off our series:
Lighting Interior Design Ideas: Lift Your Spirits with Light

Next Week: Lighting Action #2:
Light Your  Life with Lamps and Lights

Please comment or send questions for more interior design ideas! Let me know how I can best help you with lighting solutions that will lift your spirits and create a positive impact in your life. Barbara@barbarakrai.com