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How to light your Kitchen and different types of lighting

Task Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in setting the ambiance of the room. 

Consider the amount of available light when your create your lighting plan. Adding a window or skylight can allow a refreshing amount of light in from outside during the day. How bright or dark a room appears is effective by its color schemes: light colors reflect more light than dark colors, which absorb it, so a kitchen that is primarily white will require less light than a dark one.

There are three basic types of lighting.

Ambient or general lighting, which provides a soft wash that illuminates a large space; 

Task lighting, which provides illumination to accomplish specific tasks (lights that shines directly on countertops,) 

Accent lighting, which focuses light on a specific object or area for aesthetic rather than task oriented purposes.

Planning a combination of these types of lighting is key to kitchen design. Different fixture types each serve a different purpose, so don't go by looks alone.

Pendent Light

•  A pendent light hanging low over the table creates an intimate mood for dining. 
• Spotlights or slim fluorescent tubes can be concealed on the underside of wallcabinets, while most cooker hoods are supplied with in built lighting. 
• Track lights, for example, usually cast defined beams of light. They are great for accenting the center of an island or highlighting collectibles on a display shelf. Track lighting is a good solution when there is not enough space behind the ceiling to install ceiling-recessed down lights. Track lights, however, usually do not provide adequate general lighting. 

Decorative task lighting is a great way to provide light over an island. Lighting controls can be installed to change light levels to suit the tasks at hand.Lighting affects not only your ability to perform tasks but your mood and the way the objects and materials in the kitchen are perceived. 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIGHT FIXTURES

·                     Down lights, which are also known as "cans," these are circular, ceiling recessed cylinders with reflector systems that are equipped with incandescent PAR lamp, halogen's, or compact fluorescents.

·                     Ceiling - mounted fixtures are mounted onto the ceiling and usually have an acrylic or glass diffusers.

·                     Ceiling - recessed fixtures are mounted flush with the ceiling and can have a lens or diffuser that controls the light.

·                     Track lighting consists of track heads that include the light source mounted onto wire or metal tracks.

·                     Pendant fixtures or chandeliers are suspended on wires down from the ceiling. These are usually used over islands and eating areas and provida a decorative touch.

·                     Sources are wall - mounted fixtures that can be equipped with a variety of sources. They provide ambient or general illumination.

Bed Bench and its uses

What is a bed bench? Where to use it in interiors?

 A bed bench can be used to add an extra hint of style, seating, and storage. If you have with excess space in your bedroom or simply if you need a spot to rest aside from your bed, a bench could be just the solution you’re looking for.

Why might you consider a bedroom bench? A bench can provide both style and function to your bedroom. Beyond its most obvious use of extra seating, benches can provide a place to lay out clothing or balance out the room’s furnishings. Add one at the end of the bed for a complementary touch that will fill up unused space, or place one beneath a window to enjoy the view. Need extra storage? A bench is a great solution: find one with a hinged lid and tuck away extra linens and blankets. 

What size should you look for? Think about where you want to put it in your bedroom. A bench should fall in line with the furnishings, not overpower it. If your bedroom decor is light with fine lines, look for something slim, like an empire bench. If your furniture is heavier, go for a fuller bench that has a body for storage. Make sure the height and width is in proportion to the surrounding furniture.

What style should you consider? Consider your current bedroom decor to help make this decision. If it’s contemporary, choose a bench with sleek lines and stainless steel legs. If it’s more traditional, go for a wooden bench with ornate carvings. Simply want something comfortable? Find a bench with plenty of cushioning that can double as a relaxing place to sit.

How should you choose the right upholstery and color? Benches tend to get a fairly good amount of use, so choose upholstery that’s as durable as it is stylish. Leather is a great choice, as well as cotton or twill. Color is a personal preference: choose either a neutral that will blend in with the rest of your bedroom, or a bright color to serve as a visual accent.

How to buy furniture which is durable and economic

Tips for buying furniture that are durable and economical

Glass Top Coffe Table

L-Shape Sofa

• Always carry a furniture layout of the area with the optimum furniture sizes mentioned. This way you can always see if there is any possibility to be flexible, if the item you like is a size smaller or larger.
• Always check the depth of items like sofas so they don’t end up looking too bulky. Try to select items like sofas with legs rather than a complete base for easy cleaning.
• L-shape sofas look contemporary. If you are tempted to go in for white or a bright upholstery that’s susceptible to dust, check to see if the covers are on zippers so that they could be washed.
• For center tables try to opt for one with drawers for additional storage.
• While selecting dining chairs, go for wooden backs for easy maintenance, or if you want to go for a soft cushioned backrest, make sure the chair covers can be removed and washed.
• Check if the furnishing material is susceptible to chipping. If the price is unbelievably low, try to avoid picking up the item or be extra cautious. The material used may be inferior. Some items use a paper finish which resembles veneer/laminates. It is best to avoid those as they are not durable.
• Never be shy to ask sales assistants questions about the life of the product, its maintenance wear and tear.
• Most companies offer discounts on MRPs. They offer larger discounts if the amount of purchase is higher so you can consider buying things from one place to avail of these.
• Some sales assistants let you know if there is a sale coming around so do inquire if it is sold with the mattress so you are aware of what you are paying for.
• Glass tops for tables give easy maintenance. Try to go for one where the glass can be replaced if damaged or check if the glass is tempered.
• Last but not least, custom made furniture has an upper hand over the ready made ones. They can be made to fit to exact size of the room and give  the freedom to choose materials which is in sync with the design theme and colour of the room.You can also see interesting custom made furniture from 3DBricks

SETTING A FINE TABLE

   Attention to detail will always take you a long way when it comes to setting a fine table for your special evening. A formal does involve a little more work that natural, but it’s definitely worth it.

THE FIRST STEP: TABLE LINEN

Every great masterpiece requires a great base. So, to begin with, take out your best table linen. It should be clean, stain –free and starched.

NEXT: DINNERWARE

For your table to look exquisite, the dinner set must be well-matched with the linen and the silverware.


ALSO NOTE: THE SILVERWARE

Silverware or cutlery is important not only because it is necessary, but also because using the wrong kind of silverware can ruin the effect of a well-laid table. The basic rule of dinning etiquette is to work your way in with the silverware.

FINALLY: ACCESSORIES

                Having set the table, step back and review it. Depending on the mood, you may want to consider adding candles, flowers or any other accessories to your table.

THE COLOR OF CELEBRATION

                 Use a bold colour in combination with a lighter, more neutral tone for a winning table.

IN LINE WITH THE LINEN

                       Go with white or preferably single –coloured linen. Coordinate the napkins with the mats and make sure they’re clean, starched and folded or rolled up, held in place with rings or any other accessory of your choice.

3DBricks's  CHOICE

                    While accessorizing, remember, nothing on your table should be so tall or big that it hinders communication. If it is a gathering of people meeting for the first time, consider adding personalized name tags to the place settings. Lighting is another element you need to be careful about. It should be soft but not dim, bright but not harsh. Add a diffuser or some incense to keep the air smelling fresh and fragrant.Click on to see more interesting dinning table settings.

FOR A BLACK –TIE EVENING

                       The easiest rule of dinning etiquette is to work your way in with the silverware. Place the knives to the right of each plate, with the blade turned inwards. The salad knife would be closest to the dinner plate, followed by the dinner knife, seafood knife, the soup spoon and the cocktail fork. To the right of the knives, place the spoons. The dessert spoon would go above the dinner plate. Forks are placed to the left of each dinner plate.

AT THE END OF THE DAY ….

                         There’s nothing like an evening well spent in the company of friends. So if you’re confused by setting rules, just go with whatever makes you feel good.