Bathroom Lighting Design

When it comes to interior lighting, bathrooms are probably given the least consideration of all the rooms in the house. The average people I meet doesn't think to invest there — save it for the living room or kitchen, they say. I see a lot of baths with inadequate lighting at the mirror. Often there's just a single ceiling fixture that's supposed to do it all.
But as the bathroom increasingly becomes a place to relax and recharge, complete with steam shower and spa tub, the lighting requires extra thought. And when it's done right, the payoff is great. After all, this is the room where you start and end your day.
A good lighting plan is a series of layers — placing ample light where it is needed for showers, shaving, or putting on makeup, for instance, while other light sources enhance the overall mood of the room.
"Good lighting is essential for people to see themselves in a complimentary light," says Todd Phillips, president of lighting manufacturer Quoizel. "Whether we are putting on makeup or combing our hair, we want a positive view of ourselves, which can only be accomplished by using the right light source."
Like the rest of the house, the bathroom reflects consumer's changing lifestyles. More spacious and multifunctional, these once utilitarian water closets have become glamour havens -- private retreats designed for relaxation, escape and self-indulgence.
The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers these tips to lighten up your next bathroom project:

    * Lighting in the shower should be bright enough for the tasks at hand. Choose light fixtures designed for use in wet areas.

    * Tubs and showers need good general light, which can be provided by a recessed fixture. To avoid glare, aim the light's beam at the outside edge of the tub.

    * Windows provide natural light and can supplement or replace artificial lighting, particularly during the day.

    * Create a night light by illuminating the floor in the toe-space area below vanities and cabinets with a linear lighting system.

    * Indirect or cove lighting can add a soft, warm glow to the bathroom.

    * Good mirror lighting, provided by warm fluorescent vertical wall sconces, provides even facial illumination.

    * A halogen light above the vanity provides cross illumination when used with wall sconces.

    * Table lamps add a soft touch to bathrooms. Place them away from water sources.

    * A decorative light fixture suspended from the ceiling provides an elegant touch while adding extra light.

    * Focused flood or halogen fixtures over the commode provide good light for water-closet reading.

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French Country Curtains

French country curtains come in many different styles and materials.
The look of French country window coverings varies greatly between

•     the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

•     the mountain ranges (Pyrenees and Alps)

•     the cities (especially Paris), and

•     the countryside of central France.

French Country curtains are simple, yet stylish. Like wall treatments, they play a major role in creating the right backdrop for French Country décor.
Curtains are generous in volume and drop to the floor often ending in a full puddle. If they are tied back, the tie back is simple in design or perhaps just a strip of plain or patterned fabric.
As the French love to bring the outside in, windows are often thrown wide open as the outside view is of prime importance in the French Country home.
Emphasis is not on the style of the window treatment, but rather on the view of the garden beyond. For this reason, French Country curtains are simple with little elaboration. However, this does not mean they will not be stylish and elegant.
Simple French Country curtains with subtle embellishments allow the furniture to speak out and not compete, as it would with elaborate layers of designer valances and drapes.
Fabrics used are muslin, soft fine cotton, unbleached linen or seed cloth. Colors are predominately white and off white, ecru or pale and muted earthy shades.

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Kitchen Curtain Designs

When it comes to kitchen Decor, curtains play a major role in accentuating the kitchen. Thus, the selection of kitchen curtains is of utmost importance. When you go about shopping curtains for kitchen, there are lots of things that demand your attention, like the texture, motif, color, design and of course practicality of the curtain. Don't just get fascinated by the styling or designing, but also check out if the curtain that you want to buy can be easily cleaned or if it requires lot of attention and time to be spent on its maintenance.

Amidst all, you also need to bear in mind, the theme of your kitchen, so as to ensure the harmonious look. Buying what seems attractive is not enough, it is also vital to ensure that each and every piece of decoration or furnishing that you choose to adorn your kitchen with, goes well with the theme of the kitchen. Not to forget that, mismatching can mar the whole look. If you have decorated your kitchen in the country style, don't pick up new age design curtains from the market. Read to know about the kitchen curtain ideas.
Here's some guidelines on what curtain designs you may want to pick for your kitchen decoration.Tiered curtains are one of your classic kitchen curtain designs, with a top valance and then a valance type curtain that hangs from the middle of the window so that light comes in from the top, but the bottom part can be closed for privacy. This type of curtain goes best with a country style kitchen and can also go with rooster, grapes or almost any kind of theme. If you pick the right fabric, like a lacy or sheer it can also look good with a Victorian or even French country.
Swag curtains are similar to the tiered curtain designs except the top portion is longer on the edges so it hangs down around the frame of the window. This type goes well with the same designs as the tiered but is a little fancier in design.
A Scarf type curtain drapes over the top of the window on a fancy rod and hangs down the sides, usually to the floor. This type of curtain usually requires a heavier fabric and goes well with a heavier type of kitchen style such as an Italian kitchen or perhaps a modern style kitchen. Scarfs are usually used in a living room or dining room, but if you have a combo style kitchen you could probably incorporate them in there as well.
Valance style curtain designs are simple curtains that slide into a rod and hang down from the top of the window about 2 feet or so. This style is great if you want to let in lots of light from your window. You can buy a valance in many types of fabric which allow it to coordinate with almost any kitchen design.
Panels hang down the side of the window either to the bottom of the sill or the floor. You can have panels that hang on a rod, or tab top panels. These styles of curtain designs can work in almost any kitchen depending on the fabric you choose. For a modern kitchen, a more modern type of fabric in a solid color will work better. A country kitchen might look nice with a gingham or flowered design. Some of the tab top curtains can be dressed up with little buttons on the tabs to further enhance your decor.

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