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Yearly Archives: 2018

The Importance Of A Lighting Plan

A lighting plan can make all the difference in home decor.  Most people do not know how important it is.  Having the proper mix of overhead lighting, wall lighting and table lighting can change the entire mood of a room.  I recently visited the “Light Lab” at Patdo Lighting and was so impressed with all the elements they can add to each room in your home.  Partner’s Mari Lou Nania and Gary Novasel are truly experts in their field.  I was able to sit down with Gary and have him explain exactly what creating a lighting plan can do.  Whether it is a new construction or simply just sprucing up one room, they can certainly lend a hand!!!!

One of the most enjoyable parts of being a Lighting Designer is when I work with a new client who has never used a lighting designer before. Throughout the design and specification process they are constantly amazed at the depth and breadth of the information and factors that we need to get into to create a proper design. There are questions about life style and family activities, artwork and collections (and protection from UV) , flexibility, furnishing style, finishes and placement, texture, wall, floor and ceiling finishes, structure and plenum, insulation, Electrical, Energy and Life Safety Codes,  lighting’s effect on color, color rendition (CRI), color temperature, energy savings, dimming and control, flexibility, drama, functional and shadow free task lighting, the psychological factors of light, construction details and constraints, craftsmanship, budget, product lead times, fixture size, aperture shape and glare control, maintenance, environmental impact, security, and on, and on, and on…..It is this depth and  diversity of  required information that I think best defines the process and practice of Lighting Design.

“I had no idea!” Clients say, “ I  just thought you just went to the Home Center and put a light in the middle of the room or have the Electrician go to the Supply House and install a couple of downlights in the corners”. This is what I call, “Lighting as a Commodity”.

Lighting is THE most powerful, yet UNDER-UTILIZED  design tools available.   When we treat lighting as a “commodity” we miss out on enormous opportunities to transform our environments as well as the joy of living and working in  properly lit environments.  

It is  when our client’s projects are complete, furnishings and artwork are in place and Patdo has aimed and adjusted all of the lighting, that we get to hear the BEST comments, “Wow, I had no idea how beautiful my home could be.”  I will NEVER build again without a Lighting Designer on board!”  “I’m going to tell all my friends not to DARE do a project without Patdo.”

Frank Lloyd Wright called lighting, “the great revealer of form”. He made this statement  in the context of the very crude and early  lighting equipment  available to him in his day. Just imagine the power of lighting now with today’s amazing new LED technologies and products at our disposal!







Andy Warhol for Christmas

Who’s ready to give Andy Warhol this Christmastime?  We have hired Emily McElweath, Warhol expert, to lead our group on a tour of the Warhol exhibit at the Whitney Museum.  What a great gift for your mom, sister, BFF, etc.   Here is the museum’s blurb about this once in a lifetime exhibit….

Few American artists are as ever-present and instantly recognizable as Andy Warhol (1928–1987). Through his carefully cultivated persona and willingness to experiment with non-traditional art-making techniques, Warhol understood the growing power of images in contemporary life and helped to expand the role of the artist in society. This exhibition—the first Warhol retrospective organized by a U.S. institution since 1989—reconsiders the work of one of the most inventive, influential, and important American artists. Building on a wealth of new materials, research and scholarship that has emerged since the artist’s untimely death in 1987, this exhibition reveals new complexities about the Warhol we think we know, and introduces a Warhol for the 21st century.


For more information or to hold your spot, EMAIL ME.  A certificate announcing your gift will be available for you to put under the tree.

Statement Earrings for Black Friday

This Black Friday I plan on getting a Starbucks and spending the day online starting my Christmas Shopping. I feel like the list gets longer and longer each year.  I will admit that I do wait for this day to get a few things for myself.  I stock up on embellished sweaters….Saks Off Fifth and Last Call have great ones.  Mostly, the ones that were in the store last season for $$$$ and they are both having huge sales and addition percentages off!!! It’s worth a check…but back to the earrings….I am going to buy a bunch of statement earrings for clients and friends.  I know that there are gorgeous ones out there but wayyyyyy over my budget…here are some really fabulous ones for way less…you might even get a few for your self!!!  Happy Shopping!!!!! (oh some even have coupons for additional $ off)






Acrylic is sooo HUGE this year……

I saw this same style at Anthropologie…sooooo great for Holiday parties!!!!


This has a great glitz look…but not too much…just right!!!!!!!


I saw another blogger wearing these on Instagram…I just ordered them for myself!!!!


Last year I bought the identical pair at Zara and wore them on New Years Eve….I get so many compliments every time I wear them…


I think these might be my favorite….I love anything with turquoise!!!


You cannot go wrong with this pair…I think they make the most amazing gift!!!!


Such a gorgeous earrings…esp for someone going someplace warm soon!!!


And here is the smaller version


Lastly a perfect earring for all your Holiday parties..I love all the colors!!!!









Crockpot Magic

I made this recipe for my family visiting this week and all I can say is that it was MAGIC!!!!!  Everyone was obsessed!!!!   The only thing left to say is that you HAVE TO TRY IT!!!!!!!

image geniuskitchen.com
  • 1 – 16 oz jar(s) unsalted peanuts
  • 1 – 16 oz. jar(s) salted peanuts
  • 1 – 12 oz bag(s) semi – chocolate chips
  • 1 – 12 oz bag(s) milk chocolate chips
  • 2 – 10 oz bag(s) peanut butter chips
  • 2 – 1 lb pkg white almond bark or vanilla candy coating (I used white chocolate chips)

  • Layer all ingredients in a large crockpot (starting with peanuts). Turn the pot on low, cover with lid, and leave sitting for 2 hours. Then, remove lid and stir to combine. Replace lid and leave sitting for another 30 minutes. Stir again and then spoon mixture on to wax paper or non-stick aluminum foil. Allow to harden for at least 1 hour. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Mac And Cheese

A good friend of mine, Todd Wood started a food blog called It Happens At The Bean.  I have to say it is one of the best I have seen, in the food and recipe category.  He is such a talented self taught cook and posts a lot of his own family recipes that have been passed down by generations.  This week he posted a crowd pleasing mac and cheese and I thought I would share it with you in case you need something else to round out your Turkey Day menu.  You are going to LOVE this….I cannot wait to make it myself!!!!

image ithappensatthebean.com



  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large heavy pot, cook the macaroni in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and run under cool water to prevent carryover cooking; set aside.
  2. Return the same pot to medium heat, Melt 3 tablespoons butter and whisk in the flour. Cook until the flour is lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly pour in milk and continuously whisk while it thickens. Add dry mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, hit sauce, and simmer 4 to 5 minutes. Fold in cheese with a rubber spatula. Turn off heat and gently fold in macaroni.
  3. Transfer the pasta–cheese mixture to a buttered 2-quart baking dish and smooth over the top. Bake until bubbling and the top is golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes prior to serving warm.





THIS casserole pan is perfect for cooking mac and cheese!!!

IT’S BACK!!!!!……..The Blog Holiday Sale

It’s back!!!!!!!..our Holiday blog sale…this year there are 7 new styles to choose from.  They are all soo incredible in person.  Today a friend who bought the camel poncho wore it with black pants and leopard shoes and big gold hoops…she looked adorable.  These make great gifts and are hard to resist for yourself.  The price for all the styles are $160.  They all all made of the finest cashmere and fox fur.  To purchase or for more information, EMAIL ME.

This style is available in all black…collar and poncho!!!!