Nest Request - No Natural Lighting

Today’s Nest Request centers around a common problem in urban living: “My NYC apartment feels like a cave – neither of my two dingy windows give much light. What can I do to fix this short of moving?”

Reader, I feel your pain. When I first moved to New York City, the only sky I could see was reflected off the opposing building’s windows. And we’re not even in the minority: Manhattan has over 1.6 million people crammed into just 23 square miles (that’s over 70,000 residents per square mile for those counting). As you can imagine, with no place to go but up, people on the lower floors or smaller buildings often have little to no light.

So unless you’re a vampire or enjoy living in a bat cave, here are a few things that are sure to brighten up your home:

Use mirrors. They’re built to reflect light, so what little light you do have is amplified. If you place it right, it can make a world of difference. This trick dates back to ancient Egypt, where giant tombs were illuminated by as little as one light hole. Strategically placing a series of mirrors, they managed to light up whole caverns. If they can do it, certainly you can too. For extra light, don’t forget to add floor and table lighting on a dimmer setting. Check our last posting on the Robert Abbey lamp.

Use light walls and fabrics. Dark items capture light; get rid of them (yes, this includes your chocolate colored sofa and black on black painting). Lightly colored items will naturally deflect more light. Don’t be afraid to use white draperies on white walls for a crisp and clean look.

*Images by House Beautiful

Use glass or windows in temporary walls. I know in a lot of apartments in NYC, 2 bedroom apartments are often legal 1 bedroom with a fake wall. To bring in light yet keep privacy, try using moveable partitions with frosted glass.

Thanks for the great Nest Request. Keep your design dilemmas coming! To submit a question, send an email to Nest Request at info@emc2interiors.com. And as always, if your question is selected, you can get a 10% discount off your next room.

Nest Request - Fear of Color

Today we reach into the mailbag to answer one of my most common questions: “What color should I paint my wall? Should I just stick with the safe white or off-white? I am looking for a contemporary design style that I won’t get bored of.”

Not surprisingly, the answer to this varies by person. There are actually quite a few people who prefer a bright, colorful room through furniture and accessories and/or bright colors on every wall. Most people, though, fear bright walls and go too far in the opposite direction, leaving all of their walls empty and white. If you are one of the latter, here are a few ideas that will cheer up your room while keeping it contemporary and fresh.

The first example, seen below, showcases all white walls, but adds natural accents like a drift wood chandelier, stone accent table, and granite fireplace to mesh the bright and airy outdoors with the organic, architectural room.

The next example is a decidedly more eclectic look. This style is for someone searching for a little excitement without overdoing it. While the main walls remain neutral, color on accent walls adds a pop to the room. To mitigate this effect, the opposing white walls and neutral accessories tone down the colors and instead introduce focal points (see 10% Theory of Design post regarding focal points) on the architecture.



The final example is a transitional look with all beige walls and bright white molding. By incorporating over-sized furniture and a plethora of textured items, these simple beige walls can transition to any style you want. This also makes changing styles a simple affair.

*Images by Benjamin Moore *Discount is applied to the standard hourly rate related to the design of one (1) room only, may not be combined with any other offers, and is subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes.

The key theme here is to use pops of color deliberately and strategically, adding warmth to engender a finished look to your room.

Please feel free to email me directly with questions specific to your situation and – who knows – you might be featured in an upcoming column and receive a 10% discount* on your next room!