Chaos Or Calm?

Interior design can be an afterthought for the chronically busy and priority-driven way we live today.  When you really think about how important it is to your well-being, it becomes more of a priority.

When you come home from work or a busy day with the kids, stop for a moment and really think about how you feel when you walk in the door.  Do you feel an instant sense of calm and relaxation?  Do you feel happy and energized?

Take an hour or so to walk around your home and really reflect and sense the space around you.  Do you have a place to retreat and rejuvenate after an especially trying day?

Does your home function well when you entertain?  Do you feel like an accomplished host or hostess, or do you feel slightly uneasy that some things just don't seem to work when you have more than your family around.  How does that make you feel?

Does your home reflect your personality, or is it a blend of ideas and part and pieces that just don't seem to work together. There is no reason for you to give up the special heirlooms or collections. It is my job as a designer to help you create that perfect space that works for you in every single situation.  I would like to think of myself as a curator for your inner soul.

With today's stresses, your home should refresh you the minute you walk in the door.  Does yours?

Let There Be Light!

"Lighting fixtures are one of the most important features of any home" (NY designer Eric Cohler).  We all know that lighting can make or break a room.  For instance, dim lighting inhibits good use of a room while bright, high, light creates an environment almost too harsh and highlights every fault in a room.  Correct lighting is a combination of lighting for room use --recessed or pendant lights for kitchens, continuous low lighting for hallways, a combination of chandelier and recessed lighting for a dining room and task lighting with recessed or pendant drops for a living room/library.  Very often a fixture can be the centerpiece of a room, something that always draws comment from a visitor or the piece you look at when entering a room and admire because of its beauty and look.  It can be antique or just a great piece found at the local lighting store.  I have used an interesting "arrow" fixture with multiple lights over a conference table or a chandelier over a game table.  Let your imagination flow.

Some interesting rules: 

Recessed lights in the ceiling should be 18 inches from kitchen cabinets to light the counter and not have your head shadow your working space.

Wall sconces 60 inches off the floor and 8 to 10 feet apart provide evenly distributed light in a hallway. 

Chandeliers over tables in the dining room - 30 inches from table to first point of chandelier. 

Bedside lamps should be 24 inches above the mattress for great reading light.

How Do You Manage? 

We have some tips for you for a bit of organizing whether you have children or are a couple or single in your house.  We all need to take away the stress of finding things or mastering the clutter in our houses.

·     Display a schedule! Place a wall mounted schedule in a kitchen or family room and include every family member with their own color coding.  It can be for a week or a month.  It will also help for each family member to know where everyone else would be.

·     Start a collection basket near an accessible door to collect library books, video rentals, mail and dry cleaning etc.  Or things that are being donated.  Also have a basket near a staircase for items that need to go upstairs.

·     For families with children have an "in" box for papers waiting signatures or a box for each child that they need to check each morning or afternoon. This will also work for other family members to help keep track of mail.

    A place for keys.  Find the perfect place near a door or stairs and have a rack or holder for the house, car and other keys.

More details on these topics can be found on the Abbott Interiors Facebook page . This will be updated frequently and include additional items.  Please contact me with any questions or if you would like to get together for a consultation.