A Foolproof Guide to Choosing Lighting for Your Home

Have you ever struggled to create the right mood in a room with your lighting?  Whether too bright, too dark, too yellow or too blue it can be difficult to get it right. Here is your foolproof guide to all your lighting issues

Lighting plays an important part in your design affecting not only the mood of the room but also the functionality of your space.  Proper lighting is essential to create the vibe you want your room to convey

One of the most transformative elements in any space is lighting. It not only serves a practical purpose but also sets the mood and enhances the overall aesthetic. Whether you're renovating your home or just looking to refresh a room, selecting the right lighting can make all the difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the world of lighting and make informed choices for your home

Let’s talk about the 3 main categories of lighting:  Ambient, Task and Accent.  

Ambient lighting is the main lighting of the room typically from ceiling fixtures, chandeliers or wall mounted lights.  This type of light sets the overall tone of the room and usually fills the whole room.

Task lighting includes lighting for specific areas like desk lighting, island lighting and under cabinet lighting. Task lighting should be bright so as to complete your task but not too harsh that it strains the eye.

Accent lighting adds depth and dimension to the room while highlighting an area.  Examples include artwork or architectural lighting and wall lighting.  This lighting should be brighter than the ambient lighting.

Lumens and Kelvins explained

When it comes to lighting, two key terms you'll often encounter are lumens and kelvins. These terms are essential for selecting the right lighting for your home, office, or any other space. Let's break down what they mean and why they matter.

In simple terms, lumens indicate the brightness of a light bulb. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light. This measurement is particularly useful because it gives you a clear idea of how much light a bulb will produce, regardless of the wattage. Higher Lumens = Brighter Light: For example, a standard 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens. If you need brighter lighting, look for a bulb with a higher lumen count.

Kelvins (K) measure the color temperature of a light source. Color temperature refers to the hue of the light produced by the bulb, ranging from warm to cool. It's measured on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000 kelvins.

Warm Light (2000K-3000K): Bulbs in this range produce a warm, yellowish light, similar to the glow of a traditional incandescent bulb or candlelight. This type of lighting is cozy and inviting, making it ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.

Neutral Light (3100K-4500K): This range produces a more neutral white light, often used in kitchens, workspaces, and bathrooms. It offers a balance between warmth and coolness, providing a clear and pleasant light that's suitable for tasks.

Cool Light (4600K-6500K): Bulbs in this range emit a bright, bluish-white light, similar to daylight. This type of lighting is excellent for areas where you need maximum visibility and alertness, such as garages, workshops, and offices.

By understanding lumens and kelvins, you can make informed decisions about your lighting needs, creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you're looking for a warm, inviting glow or bright, invigorating light, knowing how to balance brightness and color temperature will help you achieve the perfect lighting setup for any environment.

Choosing the right lighting for your home involves balancing functionality with aesthetics. It’s about creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere while enhancing the functionality of each space. By considering the type of lighting needed, the style of fixtures that best suits your decor, and incorporating modern energy-efficient options, you can transform your home into a well-lit sanctuary that reflects your personal style and enhances your everyday living experience.

Remember, lighting evokes feeling. Let your home shine with the right lighting choices!

How to update your home during a Pandemic

Covid has us all thinking about our homes.  Being home so much has us all contemplating what works, what doesn’t, what we love and what we could do without.  With us all homeschooling and working from home, office space is at a premium.  Our kitchens are on overdrive and many times they just aren’t cut out for how we need them to function.  With so much togetherness, private, quiet relaxing spaces are also desperately needed.  

Are you ready to make some changes in your home but not sure how during a pandemic?   Virtual Design is the new design of the times.  What exactly is virtual design?  The internet and our digital capabilities have allowed us all to conduct business from home and interior design is no exception.  Virtual design consists of full design plans which are sent to you digitally.  It gives you that same curated, custom, designer look with professional guidance.  With no actual physical contact, it is a great option during such trying times.  

At R+B the design plan is completely interactive, consists of floor plans, design concept boards, and full product list with instructions on how to complete the design. The client can purchase directly from the page or can opt to have the ordering managed by us. Meetings are usually held via zoom or face-time calls.  At Romeo + Baglio we use our same expertise, provide our same resources, and tradespeople as full-scale in-person design.  

This service is great for those who want the curated designer look without the in-person contact. You get that special, unique, high-level design to help you create that cohesive space you desire. 

Partners in...Design

        Rebecca Baglio and Andrea Romeo

We are excited to announce that Andrea Romeo, founder of Kate Reece Design has taken on a partner!  After meeting years ago when their children attended pre-school together, they became instant friends.  Rebecca Baglio and Andrea Romeo have gone from friends to creative partners in this new, exciting endeavor.  

Both women share a love of design, creating beautiful spaces and servicing their loyal client base.  Andrea and Rebecca bring diverse talents and backgrounds as well as their individual design styles.  A seed was planted when they began working together on Rebecca's home in Ridgefield and on special projects in Hilton Head, South Carolina with her husband, an attorney and business owner of Pinnacle Development Group. The ladies enjoyed working together so much that they tossed around the idea of joining forces.  It was then that they realized this could be the perfect collaboration that would make Kate Reece Design a cut above!

Rebecca began her career as a corporate attorney and has also been an intricate part of many real estate development projects with Pinnacle Development Group on Hilton Head Island overseeing most of the design process for new construction and remodeled homes.  With her knowledge, experience and focus on client relations, she will be a welcome asset to our design firm. Rebecca's professional experience and love of design coupled with Andrea's longstanding work in interior design spanning residential, commercial, and new construction projects will be the perfect union of two skilled and very creative women.

We hope that you will join us on this exciting new journey as we look to take KRD to new heights while remaining a premier boutique design firm that keeps clients needs at the forefront!  

Ridgefield Guild of Artists’ 11th Annual Festive Home Fundraiser

Let the holiday countdown begin! We are gearing up for the holidays at Kate Reece Design and our first stop is the Annual Festive Home Fundraiser in support of the Ridgefield Guild of Artists. Established in the fall of 1974, the Guild plays a major role in the regional arts community. Funds raised at Festive Home are key to keeping the Guild’s doors open and programs going like the many exhibitions and opening receptions each year.

Kate Reece design has been selected along with eight other decorators to transform a white-walled, antique barn gallery space into a magical holiday emporium for the 11th Annual Festive Home, opening Friday, November 20 with a special Preview Party, open to all for an entry fee of $20. Join Andrea Romeo and KRD as we celebrate the start of Festive Home that night from 6-8pm and enjoy festive refreshments, music, a raffle and more, along with the first peek at the “homey” but ever so glittery holiday market. Then, the event continues for five weeks with free admission from Saturday, November 21 through Sunday, December 23.

This year’s theme for the event is “Home for the Holidays!” We’re bringing back that homey feeling of a joyful home with decorated foyer, mantel and tabletop designs. The stunning holiday vignettes around the barn act as dramatic backdrops, showcasing the many items for sale. 

Expanded holiday hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 11am-5pm. Galleries will be closed November 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving. Call 203-438-8863 or email rgoa@sbcglobal.net for more information about the Eleventh Annual Festive Home.