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New Ways to Arrange

3/25/2017

Most people think they have to push the furniture up against the walls. We often talk about it on the radio show – my rule is “No Wallflowers”. Pull the furniture away from the walls, so you can have an easy conversation with others in the room. Unless you are square dancing in the middle of the room, you can explore all sorts of options.

For example, this picture demonstrates how placing your sofas (or sofa / loveseat) perpendicular to the focal point can look fabulous. (In this case the focal point is the fireplace). How easy is that! Now everyone seated can have an easy conversation with everyone else in the room.

This is a perfect arrangement for a large family, or for people who entertain.

Toll Brothers living roon

Rearrange to highlight the room's focal point

The Toll Brothers luxury builders know this trick. Notice how the seating is all arranged to the focal point.

When staging someone’s home for sale this is the trick I use all the time. I want to call attention to the home’s feature – whether it’s the view or the fireplace, a gorgeous piece of art or whatever…. And I’ve had clients say “we didn’t know the house could look this good! maybe we don’t have to move after all”. What’s the difference? You’re using what you already own, and simply rearranging for better flow and functionality.

In my recent staging workshop, one of the students brought me a picture of her family room. She had her sofa and loveseat perpendicular to the fireplace. The arrangement was open and inviting. I was so proud of her! And it turns out her mother had taken my Be Your Own Designer workshop earlier in the year, and had shared this tip with her. A family that decorates together, stays together, I say.

And now YOU know this tip. No wallflowers. Rearrange the furniture to highlight your room's best feature.

Happy decorating,

Alana

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Let There Be Light

3/13/2017

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Do your rooms have all 3 layers of lighting?

No matter how beautiful your furniture, no matter how luscious your paint colors, it does not matter unless you can see. Sufficient lighting in the home is essential to create a safe space, as well as a beautiful atmosphere. When I was in the theater the director would say that the most important job was that of the lighting designer. Again – it’s because if you can’t SEE anything – nothing else matters.

LIGHTING LAYER #1 - Ambient

Most of us know about the first layer, Ambient. This is general lighting. Basically, this is the overall lighting that makes sure you don’t bump into the furniture. You have to see where you’re going. When you’re walking into a dark room, you flip on a light – whether it’s overhead ceiling light, or a pair of powerful floor lamps, that’s the ambient lighting.

Overhead lighting also includes flush mounted or dropped ceiling fixtures….or that lovely chandelier over your bed. Make sure every single room has ample ambient light to adequately illuminate the space. Moving on to layer #2.

LIGHTING LAYER #2 - Task lighting.

What is task lighting? Anything that helps you see exactly what you’re doing. If you’ve ever used a lighted mirror to put on your mascara, you realize how much easier it is when you have ample task lighting.

For instance, if you’re reading a book, you benefit by having a desk lamp that illuminates the book. Even if you are using a Kindle or Nook, studies show that using a task lamp will ease eye strain while you’re on your device. The most subtle improvements in your task lighting will help you also see colors in a better way, and again ease eye strain as well as reduce headaches. Plus, there are so many attractive task lamps (like this one pictured in this girl's bedroomn).

Most people stop there. But there is one more layer.

LIGHTING LAYER #3 – Accent lighting.

This is the lighting that really brings out your home’s features. Often times you’ll see a fireplace illuminated by an accent light. You can install accent lighting to bring out your favorite artwork (or architectural feature as in the photo at left). This is the subtle-maybe-they-don't-notice-but-its-so-much-nicer kind of lighting.

I love accent lighting over and under the kitchen cabinetry. Try it, you'll like it.

Accent lighting beautifully highlights this stone wall.

This AZ home for sale has all 3 layers of light

When it comes to lighting, use all 3 layers of light in your rooms. See your home in a new LIGHT.

Give us a thumbs up and "share" below. Happy Decorating,
~Alana Light

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Giving Back is Easy

3/6/2017

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We all want to give back and pay it forward, but how? There are countless ways that you (yes, you!) can make a difference in someone’s life. You do not have to be Bill or Melinda Gates in order to make a difference. Here are some ideas and stories to get you started.

Out of the Closet. Cleaning out your closet? If you have clothes that you never wear or won’t fit again, donate those clothes to your local homeless shelter or battered family shelter. Your castoff is a God-send for someone. If you haven’t worn the item of clothing in the past 12 months, be assured someone else will.
Fast Food Friend. Next time you’re in a fast food drive-through, pay for the person’s meal behind you when you pick up your food. You’ll be long gone before they find out. Be forewarned, there is an exhilarating feeling that accompanies this small act of kindness. And what does it cost? <$20
Munch Bunch. At work, buy several snacks in the vending machine and leave a note “I wanted to do a Random Act of Kindness, so I bought your snack. There should be several at the bottom of the vending machine. Pay it forward and let someone else know you care. Have a great day.” Total cost? $10. Feeling afterwards? Priceless.

Give Back Snack. Buy a bar. Feed a child. You eat together. Ryan and his friends created a give back snack that allows a life-saving packet of food to be donated for every bar sold. That's something we all can feel good about! Hear Ryan Devlin's interview with Alana talking about This Bar Saves Lives. Listen here "Life Savers" show 18-Sept-2016 Oh, and they really are outragously delicious. Try the Chocolate peanut butter sea salt one. OMG.

On a Positive Note. Kids at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe were delighted to discover a post-it note with different positive, uplifting sayings on each and every locker, and every teacher’s door. Investigation found that the campus ministry kids got up early to put all 900 post it notes out before school. Love this! Hear Rachel Gantt talk about this Random Act of Kindness, "Creative Guys" show click here 12-Feb-2017 show.
"Good Job." Leave an anonymous note on a coworker’s desk, saying what a great job they’re doing. Easy. No cost. Last positive impact. Try it this week.

What do you do when you see this?

Paid in Full. I interviewed Kenyada Waters of Anchorage Alaska. She saw a man on the side of the road holding a sign (pictured). Obviously he was out of work and desperate. Instead of passing him a few bucks, she stopped and got to know him. She took him to his cell phone provider and paid for his cell to be turned back on. Lo and behold, there were job offers awaiting! One seemingly small act of kindness transformed this man’s life. To hear that interview click here. ("Christmas to Me" show 18-Dec-2016 )

How can YOU give back this week? What small random act of kindness will you do? How can you lift someone's day? Leave your comment below.

Go out and be a light... at home, at work, and in your community.

~Alana Light

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B L O G

New Ways to Arrange

Let There Be Light

Giving Back is Easy

We all want to give back and pay it forward, but how? There are countless ways that you (yes, you!) can make a difference in someone’s life. You do not have to be Bill or Melinda Gates in order to make a difference. Here are some ideas and stories to get you started.

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