SKYLIGHTS & LIGHTING
Sun Room Transitional Patio, Vancouver The Dinning room opens onto an enclosed lanai which in turn, opens onto an outdoor area with a custom bbq set for informal entertaining. The lanai is equipped with a stone wall fireplace, giant nano doors and a vaulted skylight Inspiration for a large transitional tile patio remodel in Vancouver with a fire pit
Palo Alto Eichler Major Remodel Midcentury Living Room, San Francisco Living Room and Family Room are one large room with a vaulted ceiling separated by a brick fireplace pillar. New skylights are double insulated with safety glass. The challenge was the technical work required to install a vaulted skylight. All new trims, baseboards and doors in the redone living room. All new, modern lighting was installed. Heated du chateau flooring was added.
Santa Fe Retreat Southwestern Kitchen, Albuquerque Copyright © 2009 Robert Reck. All Rights Reserved. Inspiration for a large southwestern u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Albuquerque with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, granite countertops and stone slab backsplash
Westchester Country Home Contemporary Bathroom, New York Inspiration for a large contemporary master marble tile marble floor corner shower remodel in New York with shaker cabinets, marble countertops, white cabinets, an undermount tub, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a niche -
White Kitchen w Skylights Traditional Kitchen, Chicago Northfield, IL kitchen remodel has an open floor plan which allows for better daylight dispursement. Defining the kitchen, dining, and sitting room space by varying ceiling design and open cabinetry makes the rooms more spacious, yet each space remains well defined. The added skylights in the hall gave natural light in the interior hallway as well as down the lower level stairway. The updated closets and baths use every inch wisely and the visual sight lines throughout are crisp and clean. Norman Sizemore Photography Inspiration for a large timeless u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, paneled appliances, an island, quartzite countertops, white backsplash and white countertops
21st Century Redwood Contemporary Contemporary Kitchen, Santa Barbara Kitchen and interior design. Example of a large trendy galley porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, two islands, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances
21st Century Redwood Contemporary Contemporary Kitchen, Santa Barbara Kitchen and interior design. Example of a large trendy galley porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Santa Barbara with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, two islands, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances
Rear Sunroom Addition in Arlington, VA Transitional Sunroom, DC Metro Susie Soleimani Photography Inspiration for a large transitional ceramic tile and gray floor sunroom remodel in DC Metro with no fireplace and a skylight - Houzz
Rear Sunroom Addition in Arlington, VA Transitional Sunroom, DC Metro Susie Soleimani Photography Inspiration for a large transitional ceramic tile and gray floor sunroom remodel in DC Metro with no fireplace and a skylight - Houzz
Rear Sunroom Addition in Arlington, VA Transitional Sunroom, DC Metro Susie Soleimani Photography Inspiration for a large transitional ceramic tile and gray floor sunroom remodel in DC Metro with no fireplace and a skylight - Houzz
Rear Sunroom Addition in Arlington, VA Transitional Sunroom, DC Metro Susie Soleimani Photography Inspiration for a large transitional ceramic tile and gray floor sunroom remodel in DC Metro with no fireplace and a skylight - Houzz
overlea Contemporary Bathroom, DC Metro Photos by Shawn Lortie Photography Example of a mid-sized trendy master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor bathroom design in DC Metro with gray walls, solid surface countertops, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and an undermount sink - Houzz
Contemporary Kitchen Contemporary Kitchen, Portland Maine Trendy kitchen photo in Portland Maine with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets - Houzz
Contemporary Kitchen Contemporary Kitchen, Portland Maine Trendy kitchen photo in Portland Maine with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets - Houzz
Contemporary Kitchen Contemporary Kitchen, Portland Maine Trendy kitchen photo in Portland Maine with stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets - Houzz
"Pond of You" Traditional Patio, DC Metro Paul Burk Mid-sized elegant backyard concrete paver patio fountain photo in DC Metro - Houzz
"Pond of You" Traditional Patio, DC Metro Paul Burk Mid-sized elegant backyard concrete paver patio fountain photo in DC Metro - Houzz
"Pond of You" Traditional Patio, DC Metro Paul Burk Mid-sized elegant backyard concrete paver patio fountain photo in DC Metro - Houzz
"Pond of You" Traditional Sunroom, DC Metro Paul Burk Example of a large classic painted wood floor and gray floor sunroom design in DC Metro with a skylight -
"Pond of You" Traditional Sunroom, DC Metro Paul Burk Example of a large classic painted wood floor and gray floor sunroom design in DC Metro with a skylight -
BUILD Nashville Bathrooms Contemporary Bathroom, Nashville Double shower - contemporary gray tile and mosaic tile gray floor and single-sink double shower idea in Nashville with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a vessel sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche and a floating vanity - Houzz
Kitchens Kitchen, New York Donna Dotan Photography Inc. Inspiration for an u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula - Houzz
Kitchens Kitchen, New York Donna Dotan Photography Inc. Inspiration for an u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island -
Kitchens Kitchen, New York Donna Dotan Photography Inc. Inspiration for an u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island -
Kitchens Kitchen, New York Donna Dotan Photography Inc. Inspiration for an u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island -
Contemporary Hall Contemporary Hall, Toronto Example of a trendy hallway design in Toronto with gray walls -
Atherton Estate Contemporary Hall, San Francisco Atherton Estate newly completed in 2011. Hallway - contemporary marble floor and multicolored floor hallway idea in San Francisco with beige walls - Houzz
Outdoor Space by Patrick Prudhomme at Sheffield Furniture & Interiors Transitional Sunroom, DC Metro Transitional gray floor sunroom photo in DC Metro with a skylight - Houzz
Outdoor Space by Patrick Prudhomme at Sheffield Furniture & Interiors Transitional Sunroom, DC Metro Transitional gray floor sunroom photo in DC Metro with a skylight -
Renovating a 1970s Kitchen Traditional Kitchen, Boston Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island -
Renovating a 1970s Kitchen Traditional Kitchen, Boston Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island
Renovating a 1970s Kitchen Traditional Kitchen, Boston Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island
Scheinholtz Associates Traditional Kitchen, San Francisco David Duncan Livingston Example of a classic kitchen design in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances -
Winnetka Remodel Traditional Sunroom, Chicago Elegant gray floor sunroom photo in Chicago with a skylight
Pick the Right Decor Make choices that celebrate the light and bright with pale colors and light-friendly reflective finishes. “The amount of natural light in a room can definitely dictate a design,” Henderson says. “If I have a room that doesn’t have a lot of natural light, I have to compensate for that by using mirrors and certain colors.” And she’s not just talking about neutrals. “I really love adding bright colors and patterns,” Henderson says. “Going too neutral can make a room feel really flat.” She adds: “Mirrors are miracle workers, and peppering in some other reflective surfaces, like brass and glass vases, also helps to bounce around the light that is there. Then just play around and see how your space feels best to you. Designing is personal, so don’t be afraid to personalize it!”
Redesign Your Layout You can’t physically pick up your house and turn it in the direction of the sun, but you can redesign the interior to benefit from the areas that get the most natural light. Start by looking at how the sun moves around your home and make adjustments where you can. Consider swapping rooms around so that your living areas are located in south-facing spaces. Or station a workspace by a window to make the most of the light. For those ready to undertake a more expansive renovation, taking down extraneous walls could be an option in order to “borrow” natural light from sunny spaces. Even replacing a solid staircase with an airy, floating design can help brighten a room.
Filter Light Cleverly While privacy is important in many rooms, there’s no need to sacrifice sunlight with heavy, opaque window treatments. Try light, sheer curtains or cellular blinds on your windows and glass doors for a bright, airy look that still provides privacy. “A light linen fabric is a great choice for that really pretty, diffused-light look,” Henderson says. On skylights, use sheer pleated blinds to maximize natural light, as seen here. Bonus tip: In bedrooms, pair sheer window treatments with a blackout option to darken the room when you sleep. Blackout blinds are available for skylights too.
Incorporate Tubular Skylights If you don’t want or need a sky view or more ventilation, then a tubular skylight might be a better option for your home. It’s the quickest, most economical way to add natural light and works well in any room, especially small bathrooms, closets, hallways or areas with a lot of obstructions (such as an attic). So what actually is a tubular skylight? It’s a domed or flat glass lens that’s mounted on your roof, with a reflective aluminum tunnel that connects to a diffuser mounted on the ceiling below. Sunlight is reflected through the tunnel to where you need it, and the unit can be equipped with a solar night-light for a soft nighttime glow, or an electrical light. “Our photographer even added one in her new closet,” Henderson says. “I think in small rooms, where privacy is definitely top of mind, these are the perfect option to bring in natural light.”
“Skylights obviously give you more light, without sacrificing privacy, but there is also something special about light coming in from above,” says Emily Henderson, an interior designer and stylist based in Los Angeles. “It looks amazing and will make your space feel taller and bigger.” Before installing a skylight, she encourages homeowners to think about the room where it will be installed and what added functions you might want. “For a bathroom or kitchen, you might want them to be able to open so that you can bring in some added fresh air,” Henderson says. Ventilation helps remove indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds from cleaning solvents and microparticulates from cooking, as well as built-up moisture. Bonus tip: Let your skylights do the thinking for you — a smart automation system can monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to automatically open the skylight for fresh air at regular intervals, preemptively lower the blinds to prevent heat gain, and keep things shut if it’s raining outside.
Natural light has been shown to be a mood booster time and again — which is more important than ever given the current times — so it goes without saying that maximizing it in our homes is key to our well-being. Natural light has been reported to give us more energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and even increase the beauty and value of our property. But what if your home isn’t blessed with lots of natural light? While a major renovation can correct the issue, there are plenty of other options to help welcome in the sunshine. We’ve rounded up our favorite tips to help you maximize natural light. by VELUX VELUX Add Skylights Creating beautiful spaces filled with natural light and fresh air is easy when you install a skylight. The solar-powered skylights seen here don’t need electrical wiring and can be operated via a smartphone app or a remote control. Plus, you can leave them open without worry, as an integrated rain sensor will close them for you at the first sign of inclement weather. They also come with a “no leak” promise, to ensure you have peace of mind while gaining maximum natural light.
9. Midcentury modern style. Kohler Lighting introduced two collections inspired by the midcentury design era. Arendela, shown here, features multifaceted glass shades and metal arms.
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