shedding some light on lamp shades

I have always lived in older homes. I grew up in a 1932 lakeside cottage and currently live in a 1929 brick Tudor. Neither of these homes have a ton of overhead lighting, in fact, most of the lighting for both homes had to come in the form of lamps and wall sconces. Watching my mom deftly handle this lighting issue is probably what got me into lamps. 

One of the benefits of working in residential real estate is picking up on tips that help to make a home warm and inviting. A trick I learned from a skilled stager, and one I incorporate in my own home, is utilizing the triangle of light. That's right, in any given room you want to have three sources of light that are placed in a quasi triangle.

TRIANGLE of LIGHT
In this photo there should be a light source to the left of the photo frame -
this will create a pleasing, properly lit room. 

I also learned that lighting the corners of a room will make the room feel bigger. 

After determining where you need lighting, the next step is to demystify the various lamp shade options so you create the right decorated look for your interiors. 

LAMP SHADES 101

the BELL

The bell shape is the most classic look and offers a graceful sensibility. It lends itself well in traditional spaces. It works well on all shapes of lamp bases, but is the ideal shape for the ginger jar.

the EMPIRE

Empire shades are narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. Different than a bell shape in that it does not curve on its way down.

the PLEATED

Pleated shades, with their dressmaker details make a space feel decorated and bring an air of femininity to a room. These lamp shades work best on more traditional lamps.

the OVAL

The oval shape works well in cozy rooms and should be used with lamp bases that are more one dimensional, something with a distinct front and back.

the RECTANGLE

the SQUARE

If you're looking for more of a modern vibe then look to a square or rectangular lamp shade shape. These make a strong statement and are best used on a square or rectangular base. The square shade looks great on sconces.

the DRUM

The drum shape works well in both traditional and modern interiors and on almost all lamp bases. It's clean lines can help make a dated lamp seem current. 

the TAPERED DRUM

The tapered drum is the perfect shape for contemporary and classic interiors. They look best with taller, chunkier lamps, or round bases.

Now that you have determined the shape of your lamp shade, it's time to figure out the best size for your base. Understanding the ratio of base to lamp shade is key!

THE FORMULA

The shade-to-lamp formula is pretty simple - the shade should be roughly two-fifths of the total height of the full lamp, including the shade.

Lamp shades can be made out of any material. Each material casts a certain feeling, and glow.

THE MATERIALS

PAPER

Paper shades create a casual, relaxed mood and are great for adding texture and dimension. Because they are so lightweight, they are ideal as a hanging fixture.

FABRIC

The imagination is your limit with fabric. You can use any color or pattern on almost any lamp. Linen is casual and laid back while silk is formal and luxurious!

METAL

Metal lamp shades are wonderful for directional lighting, and it casts a sharp beam which makes for an ideal task lamp.

OPAQUE GLASS

CLEAR GLASS

A glass lampshade offers a vintage look and can be perfect for bathrooms and kitchens. Clear glass adds a nice sparkle and opaque casts a softer glow.

Next week I will be creating a DIY lamp from an old wicker covered demi John I found in Snohomish. I will be including all the tools you will need, including where to buy - it should be enlightening!

Wicker covered demi Johns

Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur

creating vignettes like a pro

There are stores that I just waste time in - I don't need anything, but I can't help myself. I love staring at their amazing tablescapes. I marvel in the way talented people bring items together that create a visually beautiful vignette!

For years I struggled to recreate the same designed look at home. I played around with my own items, but I was never able to create the same cohesive look from disinterested elements. I found myself resorting to photographing store groupings (ah, the benefits of the iPhone), then buying everything only to find that once at home the same items placed the same way were blah - nothing - nada, the vignettes just didn't look right.

I can't tell you how many hours I spent on Pinterest trying to dissect the formula (it really would be one of my most embarrassing admissions). I studied plenty of design books as well. I found that the tips and recipes were all pretty much the same - essentially you want to:

1) Start with a lamp (or two).

2) Use books for texture, interest and height

3) Add in some green - can be a plant (dried or fresh) or flowers

4) Add something eye catching

5) Layer in frames and art to create some dimension

6) Use a tray to corral items, especially if they are small items

7) Add in a candle, or two (I would have lit the wicks)

8) Finish with some decorative items that you love

9) And finally, remember scale 

After years of practice, I finally learned - as soon as I stopped trying to make the vignettes perfect, when I decided to just have fun with the items that I love and that have meaning, than the groupings I created were lovely (even beautiful at times) and heart felt!

Now is the perfect time to play around with your treasures - the weather outside is nippy, the holiday decorations have been put away (well, in some homes). I hope you have some fun!

Until next time,

la chasse au bonheur

2016 home maintenance guide

Benjamin Franklin said 'death and taxes are the only things that are inevitable in life'. I suspect this is true, but if you are a home owner, I would add one more inevitable - maintaining your home. I wrote about this necessary evil in detail here.

The following forms will help guide you through the year and make sure you stay on track with your home maintenance. 

I hope these forms from Perennial Planner keep you on track this year!

Until next week,

la chasse au bonheur

2016 budget planner

I've always been a planner and 2016 will be no exception. Twenty years of corporate sales and marketing (aka budgets and forecasting), and fifteen years of self-employment has made me a pro at creating reliable budgets. My best years (and I mean stress wise) start with a solid budget plan (so if I deviate from the plan (I will), or circumstances intervene (they will), my plan gets me back on track).  I found this great planner from Perennial Planner online and test drove it before posting it for you. 

It all starts with savings. This form will help you create your specific goals!

Then spend time creating (and understanding) your monthly Budget.

Keeping logs of expenditures, payments and donations keeps me aware of my spending and provides an easy resource for tax purposes. 

A big part of the wealth management puzzle is paying off debt. I haven't used a worksheet like this before, but am excited to this year!  

Finally,  a form like this will help to keep you on track during the year and will be invaluable when you begin planning for 2017!

Here's to your best year yet!

Until next time, 

la chasse au bonheur

an organized 2016

Every year, after the Christmas decorations are packed away, my husband and I go away for a few days to plan the new year. We spend the first day looking back at the past year's financials - income, expenses, and compare what actually happened to our past year's plan (I know, pretty exciting stuff!). But then, its off to dinner to laugh at our year of unexpected expenses, tight spots narrowly avoided and toast our health, family and each other. 

The next day is the long one - we start with our goals (travel, household improvements, and major, but not necessary, purchases), we add in our known expenses (tuition, college, mortgage, etc.), then work backwards to determine how much we need to earn in order to accomplish our goals. We discuss our individual business plans and finally, lay out our budget for the coming year! Some years we follow the plan, others, like in 2008, we throw it out the second floor window and improvise.

If this type of planning is something you are giddy about (or know in your heart you need), then stay tuned, because over the next month I will be sharing with you some great tools, tips and forms to create an organized 2016. 

My series will start with a Budget Planner (forms to help you determine your savings goals, household budget, logs for recording bill payment, donations and expenses, as well as a debt pay down worksheet, and a useful year-at-a-glance summary sheet). 

The following week we will create a Home Maintenance Binder (included will be forms for recording your annual home maintenance activities, vendor contact information, project planner master list, as well as a record for household purchases and the ever important record for paint colors used throughout the home). 

Week three will include all the forms needed to create a Menu Binder (menu plan, grocery list, pantry inventory, freezer inventory, and places to keep track of your favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes). 

Finally, the last posting for the month will include forms like honey-dos, weekly and monthly cleaning lists, weekly chores and other valuable forms like this useful password log.

Until next week,

la chasse au bonheur

Breakfast with Santa

Call me silly, but I believe in Santa. I believe in the jolly old elf in the ruby red suit, who opens our hearts and makes us all young again. 

I love how just a hint of the big guy will send a child into uncontrollable delight. How millions of children wait up on Christmas Eve - with innocence and anticipation! We all need more of that!

Perhaps that's why I started hosting my annual Breakfast with Santa for clients, friends and families! Watching children I know, and their parents and grandparents spend quality, non-commercial time with Santa was my Christmas gift!

This year, I am hosting two events (because, let's face it, we need a little more Santa this year!). On Sunday, December 13th from 9-11:30am I will be hosting my annual Breakfast with Santa for clients, friends and families.

Then, from 11:45-1pm, Liz Suver and I will be hosting our first annual Photos with Santa for the Montlake Community.

If you are in town and free during any of these times, please stop by the Graham Visitors Center at the Washington Park Arboretum for a visit and photo with Santa (you will love him, he is amazing) and some breakfast fare!

I look forward to seeing you!

Until then,

la chasse au bonheur