ASK THE EXPERTS
WANTED: ENLIGHTENMENT Answering questions, three designers illuminate light bulbs, precious plates and area rugs that aren’t too tiny.
HOW DO I DETERMINE THE SIZE RUG I NEED FOR MY LIVING ROOM, AND CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME IDEAS FOR OPTIONS THAT MIGHT WORK WITH A SOLID CHOCOLATE SOFA?
PHOTO BY LILLY BROWN; COZETTE BROWN PHOTO BY ALLISON DEMARCO
The conversation area in a living room is where I start for an area rug’s size. At a minimum, the front legs of a sofa and chairs or sectional should be placed on the area rug. Be sure to measure side tables as well; this will give you the length. For the width, measure to the opposite side, ending before the focal point, which is typically a TV console, fireplace or built-in, and leave space to reveal the floor between them. More space is needed for a fireplace, as embers may spark. Also, consider a wool carpet for flame resistance. A mistake I commonly see is area rugs that are too small. Larger area rugs make a space feel bigger, keep furniture in place, absorb more sound and add warmth. Whether it’s a ready-made or a broadloom customized to the size you need, these tips will help guide you. Working with several chocolate-brown leather sofas, I have used a powder-blue Persian-style, off-white-and-gray loop and tan with a light blue-and-green pattern. —Cozette Brown, Allied ASID, Cozette Brown Interior Design; cozettebrowninteriordesigns.com
I INHERITED MY GRANDMOTHER’S
I DON’T KNOW A LUMEN FROM AN LED.
DISPLAY THEM?
FOR KEY AREAS OF THE HOUSE.
Trying to incorporate antique items into a current design aesthetic can be challenging. One way to show off Grandma’s Delft plates could be to artistically create a layout on the wall, perhaps above or around a chest or console table. It could be done symmetrically or off to one side and balanced with a mirror, a lamp or a tall accessory on the opposite side. Another option could be to create a Shaker-style frame applied to the wall around each plate or a grouping of plates. Just get creative to highlight these special heirlooms. —Jill Ryan, Jill Ryan Interiors, Allied ASID, CID; jillryaninteriors.com
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PLEASE SUGGEST THE BEST LIGHT BULBS
JILL RYAN PHOTO BY JASON EAGLESON
DELFT PLATES. HOW BEST CAN I
In simplest terms, a lumen is a unit of the total amount of light visible from a light fixture. LED stands for “light-emitting diode” and is a component in a light fixture that conducts electricity and emits light. LED is revolutionizing lighting not only for its energy efficiency but also because of its ease of use and compactness. The key to using LED lighting in homes is remembering that our traditional source of light originally was fire, PHOTOS BY TOMI STUDIO which emitted a warm color and temperature. Using LED light bulbs in living and dining areas with a 2700K temperature will cast a natural light within the space, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. In kitchens and bathrooms, we recommend LED light bulbs with a temperature of 3000K, which have the brighter, crisper feel needed for task-oriented spaces. And it goes without saying, installing dimmers is non-negotiable! Dimmers allow each light fixture to be set at different levels; with them, homeowners can adjust the tone or mood in each space depending on the activity. —Cynthia Peralta-Brito, ASID, CID, CPB Interiors + Design; cpbdesigns.studio
2/20/24 9:04 AM