Lighting Trends for 2014

Instant Sophistication with New Lights  
and Light Fixtures

If you’re ready for a change that will bring immediate impact to your home, may we suggest updating your lighting? 2014 is the year of elegant sophistication. One of the most popular new trends is pendant styled lamps. If you have high ceilings, this is the year for you! Here’s the latest in lighting in 2014:
 
Light and Bright
 
Gone are the days of dark and dingy rooms. This year is all about bringing light into your home with fixtures that are beautiful show pieces. This year’s latest styles can make your home feel glamorous. Designers consider all of these lighting styles interchangeable for an even bigger impact. Combine gold or brass with other metals and bring out the best in new wall colors (remember Navy is the new neutral). No more matchy matchy with lamps. Think blending color, design and style elegantly and you’ll have a great feel for where this trend is going in 2014.
 
Use of the Color Blue
 
It’s everywhere. Blue lamp bases, blue glass shades, blue accents… blue, blue, blue!! As you shop for table lamps and shades, likely you’ll notice that they too want to be shown off! All kinds of shades, styles and patterns await you. A blue patterned lamp is a great way to make your room “pop” if you don’t want to repaint and replace all of your furniture (or if you didn’t want to risk navy walls). Add a similarly colored textured pillow and you’ve taken your room from “ho-hum” to “wow,” for just a few dollars.
 
Copper
 
Just like blue, copper is “in.” But don’t think “ordinary fixtures which use copper instead of another metal.” Think unique show pieces designed to be noticed. What makes copper especially versatile is that its look differs depending upon what kind of patina is used. It can go from bright and polished, to a matte finish or even have a greenish hue. Whatever your home’s style, there’s likely copper lighting just for you.
 
Swedish Design
 
The corner on the market in innovative, open, fun and funky belongs to Sweden this year. You can’t open a catalog or search the internet for “trendy” without seeing an image of a light that makes you think, “Wow. That’s creative – and really kind of neat.” and nearly all of those images are Swedish design.
 
Vintage Industrial Chic  
 
2014 continues the trend of industrial style lighting. It’s not just for your garage anymore. Today you can find this style in elegant kitchens, hallways and even living rooms. This style combines the advantages of brightening the room with having a wonderful conversation piece. Industrial chic is the trending ‘pendant style lighting,’ but with a twist because the “pendants” are actually piping. Solid looking, fun and funky!
 
 By now you’re probably very excited about the idea of swapping out some of your dated light fixtures and lamps and trying something new. And electrical wiring is tricky. Unless you are trained in such things, it’s probably best to hire a professional. At The Fix-It Professionals we’re versatile too! This month, we’re offering a bonus when you hire us to swap out your ceiling fixtures or install timers, dimmer switches or motion sensors.  
 
Read on to find out more.

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5 Trends To Transform Your Home in 2014

As spring approaches, you might be thinking of longer days, warm weather and remodeling your home. There are several main for 2014 that you might want to consider as you plan your home improvements.  
 
Of course, if the purpose of your improvements is primarily to increase property value, you should contact your Realtor for information about which improvements will offer the best return on your investment.
 
If, however, you plan to stay in your home for awhile and the upgrades are for your personal enjoyment here are a few new trends to keep in mind.
 
1. Transform your Bathroom into a Spa Room
 
The current trend in bathrooms is to make them appear spa-like. Think clean, fluid lines and futuristic fixtures. Soft contoured shapes and floating sinks can make your bath appear larger. Add special touches such as a waterfall shower, touch faucets and a heated floor for that luxury spa look and feel. Walk in showers and elegant stand alone tubs are also part of the luxury “bathspa” trend in 2014
 
2. Glamorize Your Kitchen With Metal Backsplashes
 
While tile is still the most popular backsplash in the kitchen, more and more people are choosing metal tile, sheet metal and glass. These “new to the kitchen” materials are beautiful, dramatic looking and very easy to keep clean.
 
3. Upgrade to the Dramatic
 
Dramatic color and glamorous rooms are trending for 2014. Think art deco style or “Gatsby” when selecting lighting fixtures and wall décor. Rich deep colors, even dark greys and blacks are a perfect backdrop in a room of “glam” mirrors and fixtures. Wallpaper adds a luxurious feeling texture to a room even it only applied to one wall.
 
 4. The Latest in Convenience for Your Electronic Devices
 
The number one trend in electrical fixtures for 2014 is a “u-socket.” This is a wall socket where you can plug in anything that charges through a USB port as well as “normal” appliance plugs. If you can’t think of how that might be useful, think i-phones, gaming devices, cameras, Kindles, i-pads etc. This fixture also features a smart sensor which shuts itself off when it detects that the device is fully charged.
 
5. Expand Your Indoor Living Space – Take Some of It Outdoors
 
Having a couple of chairs and a kettle barbecue is quickly becoming outdated. More and more people are expanding their living space by bringing some of it outside. The outdoor kitchen and outdoor living room are two of the hottest 2014 remodel trends, especially in areas (like ours) where the weather is nice most of the year.
 
Building a kitchen in an outdoor patio is as tricky as it seems, considering the wiring and plumbing involved. If you spend loads of time outdoors anyway or if your home is a bit too small for entertaining, these are great remodel options for you.
 
Are you ready to try some of the new trends? How about that U-socket? This is a great time to get started and we can help!
 
Read on for our February “New Trends” Special

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