Your Design Dilemma Solved!

Do you have a Design Dilemma? Building a new home or renovating an existing one? We’ve got an expert here at LKNConnect — Margi Kyle. A professional Interior Designer for over 45 years, Margi has an extensive portfolio, a brilliant vision for color and style, and a willingness to help the design-deprived among us! If you have a Design Dilemma, write to Dr. Margi at [email protected] and ask your question. Include pictures and details, and Dr. Margi will respond to your Design Dilemma with a perfect Solution!

Dear Dr. Margi,

We moved into our new home on Friday, June 4. We immediately noticed there is only one light source for these massive rooms. Can you suggest some interesting lighting ideas?

Thank you! –Amanda DeWitt

Dear Amanda,

Thank you for your question. I am not a huge fan of overhead lighting. Its main purpose is to be able to get you into the space safely and then give you time to turn the other lamps on. A general rule is every space needs 3 levels of lighting from the ceiling down: task lighting, which are your lamps, and then uplighting, and other soft accent lighting, such as rope lighting, candles, etc.

In our living room alone, I have a total of 9 sources of lighting. That does not include all the candle and rope lighting. I will say, you do not need to turn them all on at once. In the early evening, I use the task lighting from table lamps to read and watch TV. After dinner, I turn off the table lamps and enjoy lots of candles and the uplighting behind trees.

When you put light from the floor up, it creates shadows and mystique. It gives the room a new energy and helps you relax and enjoy the evening. This is my dining room with an example of uplighting and rope lighting. Have fun with lighting; you can always take it away or not turn it on.  But if it isn’t there, you don’t have the options of creating mood through the different types of lighting techniques.

I will talk about the different bulbs in another Q and A. At night, take a picture of your room and see where the dark holes are in the room. Do one room at a time. Put different sources of light around and see what the room looks like at night.

If you have a design Dilemma and need some help, please email me at [email protected].

Or call me at 704-661-5223. I look forward to helping you solve your Design Dilemma!

For over 45 years, Margi Kyle, “The Color Doctor”, has built an astounding portfolio from the ever-important ‘Designer’s perspective’. Never idle, this Professional Interior Designer has contributed to this industry as an Interior Designer, Television Host, Mentor, Keynote Speaker, Educator, and Writer.  Margi has Taught Interior Design of over 45 years and is the executive director for We Make Color Easy, The Dewey Color System.  As well as one of the  founders of a new E-Mentoring Co-op Company called DesignVisions2020.com.

To contact John McHugh regarding his photography, you can reach John at Ocaid Photography at 8712 Lindholm Dr. Ste 300 in Huntersville. You can reach John by phone at (425) 947-4546 and via email at [email protected].