Blog posts of '2023' 'July'

The right lighting can lift your spirits and make you more relaxed and productive. Here’s how the pros do it.

If you’re tempted to spend more of your time picking out furnishings or puzzling over layouts, remember that lighting can completely transform a space — not just by brightening dark corners, but by affecting your emotions.

“Light is a powerful thing,” said Theo Richardson, the director of development at Rich Brilliant Willing, the Brooklyn-based design studio known for its striking LED fixtures, which he founded with Charles Brill and Alexander Williams. “The right light lifts the mood, inspires productivity and motivates us. At home, light enlivens the little things — our morning routines, or the moments we spend with friends.”

Here are some guidelines for creating a well-lighted space.

Mix It Up

Most designers agree that you need more than one source of light in a room. Think layered illumination: Every room should have a mix of lighting, including overhead, accent and task lights.

In the living room, for example, you might begin by hanging a decorative ceiling fixture near the center of the room. Then we look toward the outer walls for downlighting that can gently wash the walls, curtains and art with warm, functional brightness. This can be achieved with soffit or valance lighting, or even plug-in torchier floor lamps that bounce light off the ceiling.

Depending on a room’s layout, accent lights could be used to highlight art, and table lamps could be placed beside seating to add another layer of light. And for extra ambience, a candle never hurt.

The goal is to create contrast between the light at the center of the room and around the perimeter, and the darker spaces in between: “Without the darker, quieter moments, everything is flat and boring. It’s the subtle interplay between light and dark that creates appeal.”

Go Bright in the Kitchen

One place where bright light is more important than ambience is the kitchen.

Flooding the space by installing high-hats or recessed lights along the edge of the ceiling. If you have a kitchen island, consider hanging pendants overhead, which will light the space without taking up room you might need to eat or prepare food. Also, you’ll be able “to see your guests without having to look around a hanging light.”

And don’t forget under-cabinet light: Running LED light strips on the bottom of your upper cabinets is the easiest way to create an evenly lighted counter space for food prep and cooking.

Consider a Room’s Orientation

If you have a north-facing room without direct sunlight, it will generally require a little more thought.

Installing recessed fixtures along the perimeter of a north-facing living room to complement a central pendant that spread light horizontally throughout the space. Apart from that, using table lamps to illuminate dark corners and a pair of sconces to draw attention to a special piece of art. A dark bedroom, combining a central chandelier with discrete up-lights in the corners of the room, bedside lamps for reading and a pair of sconces over the fireplace opposite the bed.

Banish Bad Bathroom Lighting

“The worst option is a recessed fixture over the sink, as it casts shadows that are not flattering,”. Instead, opt for wall-mounted sconces with 75-watt bulbs installed about 66 inches off the floor, which will help cast even illumination across your face.

Another great feature to add is motion-lighting at the cabinet base, which creates “a very subtle glow” like a night light if you wake up in the middle of the night.

To create a sense of intimacy and spalike luxury, consider installing a sculptural pendant lamp.
The light itself is a beautiful object that meets the eye on arrival to the room and provides focus to the free-standing bath,” using LED strip lighting, concealed behind floating shelves, to wash the chevron-patterned floor with a subtle glow.

Light Up the Corners

When you have an empty and awkward corner, one trick of the trade is to transform that space with an oversized floor lamp. “Look for a lamp that is complementary in finish and material to the surrounding space, and an otherwise lost corner instantly becomes an intentional, polished part of the overall room design.”

To brighten up the space next to a desk in a bachelor’s living room, you may choose the Detrick Floor Lamp, from Arteriors, in an earthy finish with a gray-green shade.

“It did the double duties of providing added light to his work space while also being a statement accent piece,” she said. “It was important to find something in tone and texture that both complemented the overall design and provided enough of a contrast to the surrounding neutrals to really make a visual impact.”

“Over the years, we’ve found that one of the biggest mistakes is made with overhead lighting,” said Robert Highsmith, a principal at Workstead, the Brooklyn design firm he founded with his wife, Stefanie Brechbuehler, and fellow Rhode Island School of Design alum Ryan Mahoney almost a decade ago. “Often it can be excessive, generating spots and unwanted shadows.”

For that reason, residential clients are not advised to use recessed overhead lighting. Instead, Mr. Highsmith recommends hanging a large pendant fixture or a chandelier in common areas. In the kitchen, he suggested using globe fixtures, “for even lighting” that leaves counter surfaces free. For living rooms, he said, try subtle lighting sources like wall sconces and floor lamps, and in dining rooms, “a sculptural centerpiece above a table provides depth, while accent lighting amplifies warmth.”

Play With Ambience

Put dimmers on all of your lights: we prefer a more analog approach that allows you to manually adjust lighting to respond to changes in natural light, seasons and so forth,” Noting that the easiest way to adjust the light in a room is by putting a dimmer on each fixture, rather than replacing a wall switch with a dimmer that adjusts all the lights at once.

In the bedroom, using a bedside light with both a dimmer and a movable shade. With a dimmer and a swiveling reflector that allows the light to be directed or blocked. “We feel like the more flexibility, the better

Be Choosy About Your Bulbs

Home is illuminated by warm-colored LED bulbs, and they look like traditional incandescents. Plus, they’re made for all fixtures, including recessed cans, table lamps and sconces.

For a warm, inviting light, go with 2,700 to 3,000 kelvins, often advertised as warm white. As you go higher in the colour-temperature range, she said, more blues is introduced, and this ultimately gives that dreaded warehouse look. (Those bulbs — often advertised as “daylight” — do better in a garage or a more utilitarian space.)

Your vacuum cleaner works hard to keep your home looking great and smelling good. For most homeowners, vacuum cleaners are often an investment into their home. And like any investment, ensuring it gets the proper care is the best way to protect it.

There are a number of things you can do to help make sure your vacuum works as it should for many years to come. Let’s take a look at seven maintenance tips you should know to help you take care of your vacuum cleaner.

1. Replace the Bag Regularly

One of the quickest and easiest things you can do to maintain your vacuum cleaner is to replace the bag on a regular basis. Many people assume that bags only need to be replaced when they feel full. However, to keep your machine working at its best, you’ll want to replace the bag when it is about 2/3 full, not when it is completely packed with dirt. Debris needs room to enter the bag, and if there is already a large accumulation of debris inside it, there won’t be room for what the vacuum cleaner picks up and it will no longer work as efficiently as it should.

Shark HEPA Vacuum Cleaner - NV752

There are certain signs you can look out for that indicate a bag is full, or getting close to it. The most obvious sign is when you vacuum an area and find it covered in debris that wasn’t there before. This typically happens because the bag is full, and debris escaped and made its way back onto the carpet. Another sign is when you notice the vacuum cleaner suction isn’t as strong as it should be.

One of the main benefits of owning a bagless vacuum cleaner is that you can see precisely how much dirt and debris is trapped inside the machine. Obviously, being able to see how full the inside canister will help you avoid all of the problems listed above and help you maintain your vacuum cleaner.

2. Make Sure the Bag is Properly Attached

It sounds easy to do, but with so many different brands, models and types of vacuum cleaners out there, attaching the bag may prove to be somewhat difficult for some people. This is especially true for those doing it for the first time.

While the method of attaching a bag will differ from model to model, one thing does remain constant — you need to make sure that the opening of the bag is securely on the nozzle. If there are hooks, holders, or clips, you’ll want to firmly attach those in place as well.

If the bag isn’t properly attached, you could find that debris doesn’t enter the bag as it should, but instead fills the inside of your vacuum cleaner. This can damage the cleaner, as the moving parts won’t be able to do their job as effectively as it could. And once this happens, it is virtually impossible to get all of the dirt out of the machine.

In addition to attaching the bag, you also want to ensure that you buy the correct bags for your model. Each make of vacuum cleaner has so many different models, so you can wind up thinking you’re getting the right one when you’re not. If this happens, you may discover that the bag wasn’t as secure as you thought it could be. Check the reference number on your machine and compare it to the number on the bag to avoid purchasing one that doesn’t work.

Additionally, once you find the right bag, stock up on them. With so many new models coming out every year, you never know when the manufacturer will stop making bags for your older model vacuum cleaner.

3. Empty Bagless Models Often

Even though I briefly touched on this point above, I want to reinforce the importance of emptying the dirt and debris from a bagless vacuum as often as possible.

How to Take Care Of Your Vacuum CleanerMany bagless machines have a marker indicating when to empty the receptacle. This is helpful, but even if the debris hasn’t reached this marker, it’s still wise to empty the receptacle anyway. I would suggest you empty it after every use. Don’t let the dirt and debris settle within the unit. And depending on the type of bagless unit you have, you may even want to rinse out the receptacle with water to ensure all of the dirt has been removed.

When you empty it, you’ll also want to clean the attached filter. You can gently knock the filter against the garbage to loosen any clinging debris, or tiny particles that may be trapped inside. Then you can take your finger, or any other object that isn’t sharp, and remove dirt from in between the slats of the filter. It’s not necessary to remove every last bit, but doing a general cleaning of the filter can help it work properly. Some filters are even washable.

4. Clean the Brush Roll

Occasionally, you’ll want to check the brush roll of your vacuum cleaner. Over time, certain items can get wrapped around the roll that can prevent it from spinning as well as it should. These things include floss, hair, and string.

You can either remove these objects while the roll is in place, or you can remove it. I would only suggest removing the roll from the vacuum if you feel comfortable with doing so. You’ll be able to give it a deeper clean by removing it, but what’s the point of doing so if you can’t get it back on.

While it will differ from model to model, the roller of most vacuum cleaners are attached by a plate. So, you’ll first lift or remove the plate and then slide the roll out from the slots on either side. Once you’ve identified objects wrapped around the roll, you can remove them with your fingers or with scissors. Then gently pull these objects from the roll until they come completely off. You may even consider washing it off with soap and water, just to ensure that it’s as clean as possible.

Now that you have the brush roll off of the unit, you now have the unique opportunity to clean or replace the roll’s bearings, caps and inside that part of your vacuum. It may not be damaged or too dirty, but a quick wipe with a damp rag will help clean off any sort of dirt or debris that may be trapped in those areas.

5. Check the Belt

After checking the brush roll, you may want to check the belt, which keeps the roll in place. If the belt isn’t tight against the roll, it may be time to replace it. Check to see if it is stretched out, frayed or narrow. Also make sure that the belt hasn’t slid out of place or become damaged in a particular spot.

As a general rule, the belt should be replaced every six months to one year. This is not a solid number, however, as it really depends on the frequency of which you use your vacuum cleaner, not to mention the brand and model you’re using. If you don’t use your vacuum cleaner very often, let’s say once every two or three weeks, then you likely won’t need to replace the belt twice a year. However, if you use it every single day, then maybe you’ll need to replace the belt every few months.

If you do replace the belt, you can do so by removing the roll, sliding the belt off, and then sliding the new belt on. It’s easy to do, and not something that you need to take to a special technician. In fact, in the Instruction Manual that came with your vacuum cleaner, there’s probably step-by-step instructions for replacing the belt.

6. Check the Filters & Hoses

Most vacuum cleaner models, particularly newer ones, have filters attached to help pick up particles that may contaminate your indoor air quality. If your vacuum cleaner has a filter, you’ll want to clean and periodically replace it. You can rinse a plastic filter, and shake a paper or fabric one, depending on how easy it is to remove.

The importance of keeping your filter clean cannot be stressed enough. This is especially true if you own a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, as that filter is designed to help improve your indoor air quality. Keeping that filter clean can play a role in how clean the air you breathe is.

Lastly, sometimes hoses get large objects trapped inside them. If you find that your hose attachment isn’t working right, a trapped object may be the culprit. You can find the object by peering into the hose or by sticking a hook inside it to see if it hits against something. Some of the most common objects to get caught inside hoses are socks, underwear or small toys.

7. Take Your Vacuum to the Shop

If you notice a problem with your vacuum cleaner and can’t determine the source of the trouble, you can always take it to a vacuum shop. These shops are generally inexpensive, and the clerk can usually fix your vacuum’s issue overnight or even the same day, depending on what the problem is.
Copper Connect provides service and advice on customer’s requirement. Nevertheless, Copper Connect also provide 2 years warranty to vacuum purchased. You never have to worry again!

Planning lighting for a renovation project is an essential part of creating a comfortable and visually appealing space. Here are some steps to help you plan lighting into your renovation project:

Assess your needs: Begin by assessing the purpose and function of each room or area that will undergo renovation. Consider the activities that will take place in each space and identify any specific lighting requirements. For example, a kitchen may need bright task lighting, while a living room might benefit from ambient and accent lighting.

Create a lighting design concept: Develop a lighting design concept that aligns with your overall renovation goals and aesthetic preferences. Consider the style, mood, and atmosphere you want to create in each space. Think about whether you prefer warm or cool lighting, whether you want to incorporate dimming options, and whether you have any specific focal points or architectural features you want to highlight. Lighting is most effective when it's layered, combining different types of lighting to create depth and functionality. There are three main layers to consider:

Ambient lighting: This provides overall illumination for a room and is often achieved through ceiling-mounted fixtures such as recessed lights or chandeliers.

Task lighting: Task lighting focuses on specific work areas, such as kitchen countertops, desks, or bathroom vanities. This can be accomplished through under-cabinet lights, desk lamps, or vanity lights.

Plan the placement of fixtures: Once you have a clear understanding of the lighting layers required, determine the placement of fixtures in each room. Take into account the size and shape of the space, furniture layout, and any architectural elements. Aim for even distribution of light while avoiding glare or shadows.

Yeelight Crystal LED Pendant Light features energy-efficient LED bulbs that offer brilliant and clear lighting. It allows you to adjust the brightness and color temperature to your liking, providing a personalized illumination experience. Additionally, the pendant light is dimmable, enabling you to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion. Installing the Yeelight Crystal LED Pendant Light is a breeze, as it comes with all the necessary hardware and is compatible with most standard ceiling mounts. In just a matter of minutes, you can have it set up and ready to use. Furthermore, this pendant light is effortless to clean and maintain, making it an excellent choice for both busy households and commercial spaces.

Remember, proper lighting can significantly enhance the ambiance and functionality of your renovated space. Taking the time to plan and execute a well-thought-out lighting design will contribute to the overall success of your project.