It’s a great question because lighting is often overlooked when decorating your home.  Proper layering of light makes all the difference.  If you get it wrong you’re squinting – either from not enough light or from the glare of too much.  Getting your lighting right will not only make it easier on your eyes and a more comfortable space to live in but it will also make your décor look fantastic!

What are the layers?

There are three layers of lighting – ambient, task and accent lighting.  Each layer has a purpose and it takes all of the layers to have a good lighting design.

Ambient Lighting

The first layer is ambient.  Ambient lighting is the general lighting in your home.  It actually comes from multiple sources.  You get ambient lighting from windows and skylights but it is also the lighting that substitutes for natural lighting.  In other words, the overhead lighting – chandeliers, ceiling fixtures and any recessed or track lighting you may have.  This light source provides the basic lighting needed to see.

Task Lighting

The second layer is task lighting.  Just like the name implies this is the lighting you need to perform some type of task.  It could be a lamp by your chair you use to read by or the desk lamp on your desk you use to help you see your work. Task lighting may be under cabinet lighting that helps you prepare food or vanity lighting that allows you to see to apply your makeup.

Accent Lighting

The third layer is accent lighting.  This layer provides atmosphere and is typically used to highlight something.  For instance niche lighting or directed can lighting may be used to highlight an architectural feature of your home.  Picture lights are used to highlight artwork. Wall sconces might be used to highlight a mirror or piece of art.  Even the lighting inside a cabinet with glass doors is accent lighting.  This level of lighting is often the most neglected.

Where do mistakes happen?

Patricia Rizzo of the Lighting Research Center was quoted in 3 Basic Types of Lighting, a post by Jill Connors for HGTVRemodels.com as saying “Too many people make the mistake of expecting one type of lighting to do it all.  Each type meets a particular need.”  We agree completely.  It is the layering of light at all levels that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.  You can’t leave one out and expect the same effect.

How do you plan for lighting?

It really isn’t as hard as it seems.  You just address all three layers of light.  First stop and think about what the purpose of the room is.  What kind of tasks will you perform?  What type of lighting will you need to perform the tasks and where will you be?  

It is typically best to address the layers in the order mentioned above.  Start with ambient or your general lighting.  Then add in your task lighting.  Now take a look at the room – what do you want to accent?  Approaching it systematically will ensure that you have all three layers of the light you need for functionality but also for visual interest.

If you’d like to learn more about lighting, Light Logic is a blog dedicated to helping consumers learn about lighting.  There are tons of tips for lighting every room of your home and they cover energy efficiency as well.

There are a lot of people who collect vintage linens.  It’s hard to imagine in today’s time that at one point, no self-respecting young lady reached marrying age without a hope chest full of linens that she and her mom had been collecting for her home to come. Often embroidering the linens themselves.  It was a part of the young lady’s dowry to have a chest full of linens to enter her marriage with.  From tea towels and dinner napkins to embroidered sheets, pillowcases and coverlets, these linens were made from exquisite Irish linen, Eastern European damasks and fine Italian needlework.  Wealthy families may have purchased them on trips around the world but even the working classes would follow this tradition.

You can find vintage linens today in a multitude of places - garage and tag sales, antique shops, flea markets and sometimes in one’s own attic or grandmother’s linen closet.  Sometimes you will find museum quality linens and other times not but we’ve found they’re all beautiful in their own way.  Many are reflective of a time when needlework was treasured and the tiniest of details were included.  We often don’t take the time to produce such quality now and even rarer would it be produced by hand.  Cutwork, embroidery and tatted lace edging was common place.  A simple intricate design on a guest towel could take hours to produce. Quilts were made with intricate patterns pieced together from fabric scraps and outgrown clothing.  I personally have a quilt made from the sample book for men’s wool suits.  Some distant relative thought these wool fabric samples were too precious to waste when the sample book was discontinued.  The pieces are carefully sewn together with a bright red crewel stitch and I must admit it is the warmest blanket in the house!

Unfortunately vintage linens are often stained or yellowed and it takes careful laundering to return them to their formal glory.  You can actually get rid of these stubborn yellow stains but it will take time and effort.  Good Housekeeping has a great guide on How to Revive Vintage Linens.  Light, dirt, fluctuating humidity and pests can all cause damage to textiles.  It will pay to learn how to properly store your linens to protect them from damage.  The Institute of Conservation in an article entitled Care and Conservation of Costume and Textiles.  There are businesses who will work on cleaning and repairing your linens for you as well.   The Laundry at Linens Limited is one such place who has been caring for fine linens for over 50 years. 

You can still purchase textiles today of fine quality and workmanship. If you care for them properly and store them well, you’ll be passing them down to your grandchildren and they will be antique, vintage linens one day.

John Donne in the Autmnal said “No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one

Some people dread the sign of summer’s end and while it was fun and we love summer, we welcome the chance to embrace fall.  The beautiful blue of a sky with fluffy white clouds and the wind with a little chill in it making the colorful leaves dance on the ground brings a smile to our faces.  Coming in from a walk in the brisk air and snuggling up under a comfy throw in front of the fire with a mug of apple cider is just about too much to resist.  At Simply Vintage Décor, we’ve run across many people who are afraid of color and they’re not sure how to use it or which one’s go together.  We always say look to nature to determine what will work.  Every color of the rainbow is there and what better inspiration for a color palette than a stunning fall day.  From gorgeous leaves that start out green and turn to yellow, orange and red only to end up in a pretty shade of brown, to the brilliant colors of the fruit and vegetables we harvest, nature is sending us directions every day.

Our best advice at this time of year is to celebrate the season!  Bring a bit of nature indoors.  Add leaves, fruit, nuts and pinecones to bowls and baskets.  Use them to decorate a tablescape.  Bedeck the mantel with a beautiful garland of fall leaves.  Southern Living recently posted 64 Fabulous Fall Decorating Ideas that are just lovely.  We’re sure you will find some inspired design tips here. 

Be sure to decorate your outdoor spaces as well.  Yes, adding the corn husks to the lamp post and displaying pots of mums and pumpkins is a great idea and one that will say welcome to family and friends but also consider creating an outdoor room that you can stop and enjoy the season for a bit in.  Adding some chairs and a bit of décor as suggested by Country Living in a post entitled 3 Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Porch for Fall will create a space to enjoy the season in all its glory.

We also encourage you to think outside the box a little.  Look to rustic pieces to hold your finds from nature and use them in a way they may not have been intended for.  An old grain scoop filled with

All polished and sparkling new is not the mantra for vintage style.  Instead, you’d hear something like a little rough around the edges, worn to a patina or even aged to perfection.  You may find many definitions for vintage décor but really, it boils down to your personal style.  You may prefer the shabby chic look or something a little more polished and refined like comfortable European.  You may love rustic country or the woodsy cabin look.  All of these styles reflect the essence of vintage décor.

Simply Vintage Decor believes what it truly boils down to is décor that is timeless and lived in. Jenny Bohatch, author of 10 Vintage Looks for Your Home in Woman’s Day says “a home adorned with vintage objects exudes a sense of comfort and charm.”  We couldn’t agree more.  We feel like in vintage style, imperfection is treasured and your home will look like the items have been accumulated over time, not purchased yesterday from the hip and trendy shop on the corner.  This is not to say however that vintage décor isn’t hip and trendy – it has become very popular in recent years. 

Vintage décor is very eco-friendly.  Why?  You’ll find many items from furniture pieces to even linens that have been reused and/or repurposed.  It is a great way to protect the environment and it is an extremely practical way to decorate when you have kids or pets.  Another scuff or scratch will only add to the character of the piece. 

You’ll more than likely find that most of the pictures are similar and if they’re not and are all quite different – don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you don’t know what you want, it just means you love the eclectic look.  Eclectic is a combination of multiple styles.  This exercise is important if you’re not sure which way to go.  It will give you confidence about what you like.  Now look at the pictures again – do you see a common color?  Here’s another clue you can use to your benefit.  Are you drawn to the all-white and pastel look of shabby chic and romantic styles or do you like the warmer colors found in country French and country décor? 

Because vintage style encompasses so many different types of décor, we often find most people love vintage in some form or another.  Whether it is mid-century modern or industrial – most decorating styles take advantage of vintage décor.  Even brand new pieces can be considered vintage when the style and design of the piece is most definitely a nod to the past.  You can shop new or you can find wonderful pieces at flea markets and antique stores to repurpose on your own or shop from boutiques that specialize in vintage décor.  So much flexibility – we just love it and we believe you will too!