LIVING Index
Beauty
Budget Decorating
Children's Activities
Computers
Decorative Accessories
Doors
Entertaining
Faux Finishing
Finance
Fireplaces
Floors & Ceilings
Flowers & Plants
Food & Cooking
Furniture
Handles, Knobs & Hinges
Health
Household Tips
Insurance
Lamps & Lighting
Linens & Fabrics
Non-Traditional Housing
Outdoor
Painting & Staining
Pets
Recycling
Rooms & Furnishings
Accessories
Arranging
Bathrooms
Bedroom
Colors
Design
Foyers
Furniture
Kitchen
Office
On a Budget
Small Spaces
Themes
Walls
Other

Safety
Stamping & Stenciling
Themed Decor
Wall Coverings
Wall Decor
Window Treatments

BEST OF LIVING
Mold Quiz
Home Safety
Room Planner
Pet Care Guide
Weekend Projects
DIY to the Rescue
Sparkling Solutions
Organize Your Home
Ultimate Media Room
Picture Perfect Parties
Queen of Clean

SPONSOR LINKS

  • Enchanting Chandelier, Elegant Windows
  • Enchanting Chandelier, Elegant Windows
    From "Weekend Decorating"
    episode WDC-202


    It's now the morning of the second day of this master bedroom transformation, and Golden has spent about nine hours on the project at this point; the great new look is progressing quickly. So far, the focus has centered around great accents: first, the delicate yet eye-catching ceiling rosettes, followed by the metallic drama of the focal wall. Now it's time to address the room's lighting and windows....
    advertisement


    When you're designing the interior of a room, don't treat lighting and window treatments as "throwaways," says Golden. These details have far too much impact on the look of the space to be chosen in haste -- so give them extra-special consideration!

    Chandelier Enchantment

    Expert Tip: Keep lighting in bedrooms softer than in kitchens and dining rooms. Bedside lamps are perfect for adding extra light when needed.

    1. For this bedroom, a small-scale (or "baby") chandelier has been selected for the area above the bed. Although it's a bit "over the top," says Golden, it adds whimsy and elegance to the space. This particular style features an organic form adorned with graceful leaf shapes, a burnished gold finish and smooth, rounded crystals that give it a slightly contemporary edge (a departure from the traditional faceted crystals that suggest a more formal look).

      Note: The chandelier's organic design is a perfect complement to the newly-added rosette detail on the ceiling.

    2. Once you've chosen your particular lighting fixture, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, observing all necessary safety precautions. If you're uncertain about any part of the process -- or have limited electrical experience -- consult a qualified electrician for the installation.

    3. When selecting bulbs for a bedroom chandelier, you can opt for the basic candle-bulb form or you can select a more stylized, flame shape with a wiggly tip. Whichever type bulbs you prefer, make sure their glass is translucent so they'll create the look of real candlelight (opaque bulbs won't produce this effect).

    4. A last word of advice on bedroom chandeliers: don't use mini shades on the bulbs -- these are best reserved for dining rooms, says Golden. Keep the style clean and bright!

      Note: Small-scale chandeliers have recently become quite popular and can work well in almost any room or setting.

    Window Wonders

    1. In creating the initial concept for the look of a room, it's often effective to have a style "catalyst" or inspiration item, on which you can base choices for colors and other visual elements -- a painting or a picture in a magazine, for example. Here, the gorgeous fabric Golden has chosen for the window treatments serves as the catalyst for her design plan; the color palette for the entire room has been set using this rich, silk-look material.

    2. Better still, though the fabric looks like silk, it's actually easy-care polyester... purchased for a mere $12 per yard -- amazing! The style of the window treatments -- straight-line panels with basic swags -- lends the windows a polished, somewhat masculine look that works wonderfully with the colors and overall style of this space.

    3. To give the elegant, wooden window hardware a warm, polished look that coordinates with the rest of the room, Golden has brushed each piece with a light application of metallic paint.

      Expert Tip: When buying or making window treatments, measure every window first -- often windows that look identical are not.

    Sensational Seating Area

    1. Turning her attention to the seating / lounging area, Golden addresses the need for light in this space with a distinctive ceiling fan featuring wooden blades, alabaster globes and a warm, rust-look finish. The fan's style makes a handsome contrast to the delicate chandelier and lends a more tailored look to the seating area. It's also a functional addition: not only will the globes provide ample light for reading, but the fan will maintain gentle air circulation, keeping the space comfortable.

      Note: Feng shui principles warn against placing a fan directly over the bed since the motion of the blades can metaphorically "chop" the person(s) sleeping below.

    2. If you have an existing fan with blades that just don't fit the look you're creating, check to see if they're reversible: the finish on the opposite side may work perfectly with your new style.

    3. Finally, consider adding a dimmer feature to your ceiling fan lights to create a romantic feel.

    Before moving on to the final phase of the project, Golden shares some key points on lighting styles and window dressing:

    1. As you begin furnishing a space, choose lighting fixtures first, making sure they work with the decor you've selected.
    2. Select your window treatments with care: they can radically change the a room's entire look.

    Now Golden is ready to take on the final phase of this phenomenal project: perfect furniture placement and A+ accessories!

    Time elapsed: 12 hours.

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: