This past Sunday I was watching the Academy Awards, admiring Angelina Jolie’s leg and checking its twitter status @AngiesRightLeg all while getting my monthly dose of fashion with In Style. This month’s issue featured, unusually, a questionnaire to help you pick your decorating style.

I especially loved the part about lighting since they featured a chandelier we have had hanging in our showroom this year. It is by Currey & Co. and called the Valentina Chandelier. It is one of my favorite pieces and can really be the only accessory you need in a room.

So if you take the quiz (p. 587) and find yourself picking E on question 1 come see us. Here are a few more of my favorites from Currey & Co.

Most of the time coming up with a great gift idea or a
romantic get away can be difficult.  The time required to plan and
actually go on vacation can be a stretch on your time and your
significant other’s. Thinking outside the box of chocolates can help
give a unique and memorable gift that your spouse or significant other
will always remember, keeping you out of the dog house.

A normal gift certificate to his or her favorite store is
thoughtful but standard. However, a gift certificate for a new kitchen
or bathroom is WOW! Not only does he or she select their new dream
kitchen or bathroom it adds value to your home. You can set the budget
and one of our designers will help maximize it. The person will not
only enjoy the new area once completed but also have the enjoyment of
selecting the perfect finishes.

A new kitchen or bath will be something they remember
every time they enter that room. So when you are perplexed finding
that perfect gift for someone who has everything think about a
renovation project.

If you have recently done work in your home and are starting to get used to it there are ways to “relight” the way you look at it. Most of the time you can spice up your décor by adding back-splashes or a new couch, but what happens when you’ve done those things? Did you remember one of the most important aspects, actually seeing your upgrades?

Lighting can take a dull room and highlight the features you have spent hard earned money on. For instance, the beautiful glass backsplash you installed in your kitchen. Can you actually see it at night or is overshadowed by your upper cabinets? Under-cabinet lighting accentuates your backsplash and can create emphasis on it or the counters; all while providing you an excellent light source for cooking and even a great night light for midnight snacks. Another simple addition is a new lamp, which can either be a focal point or set the mood of a room.

Taking the idea a step further, albeit more complex, you can reinvent the lighting you have installed in your home. Track-lighting is useful and can help highlight or provide the light where you need it, but the off-white or bulky aluminum fixtures are seldom attractive and fit your style unless you still enjoy mid-80’s décor. Companies have been reinventing the track-light by adding style to the equation. From modern to elegant, newer lighting fixtures will take away the eyesore and add new life or light to a room.

However, if track-lighting is not you idea of style, don’t be afraid to take a light fixture you would normally find in your dinning room to other rooms. Chandeliers can really add an interest in a kitchen or living room. The only drawback is the reduction in light output. However, by adding recessed lighting, most light output can be regained. Although more work to put in, recessed lighting can be planned out to give light were needed and really make your lighting plan functional. Smaller lights above your couch or chair where you read can make the absence of a lamp seem unimportant and not be seen when the switch is off.

            So whether you are attempting to highlight your home’s best feature or renovating, make sure you address lighting. It will highlight and make you feel better about the money you have invested in your home.