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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2021

~IN THIS ISSUE~

YOU ASKED US: TIPS FOR PICKING THE RIGHT LIGHTING
SHOP THE LOOK: SU CASA DESIGN LOOKS AND TRENDS
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT : LITTLE WHITE HOUSE
NOTE FROM ANDY: SU CASA DESIGN

YOU ASKED US:

Andy Friesen

~ Creative Director

"HELP!
How Do I Choose the Right Lighting For My Home?"

In an effort to get a well collected or designer look in your home, Andy has shared some tips on how to choose the right lighting fixtures.

First and foremost, Mix Your Light Fixtures.

Don’t stick to the same lighting collection. Often spec homes are built with lighting packages that are all part of the same line. Instead, picking pieces that have something in common but are not the same will give you more of a custom look.

This leads us to his next tip…

Second, Coordinate Your Lights.

This means choose lighting pieces that complement each other.

Here’s an example of coordinating lights: if over the kitchen island you put 2 milk glass globe pendants with an antique brass chain, then you would want the kitchen table fixture to have an element that coordinates them but remains different, such as a black dome pendant with chain and brass-like interior. Now the two lights are linked by the black and brass colors but are different by not repeating the glass globe.

* Even though globe lights are popular right now, don't use them for every light fixture.

Avoid doing things that are too much samesies and more linked by a common denominator. This will give you a well-collected look that is coordinated without looking matchy-matchy.

Andy’s third tip, Pick the Fixture For the Space.

Scale is so important when picking the right light for the room. Make sure you are buying large enough because often those lighting collections are too generic in size.

You will want to take in consideration the size of the room, ceiling height, and if you will be doing single or multiple light fixtures (ie. 2 pendants over an island).

A pro tip Andy uses to get the right size of light for a room is to add the length and width of the room and use the result as the basis for the light's diameter in inches. For example to figure out a light for a 12' x 15' room: 12+15=27. A 27 inch diameter light should be the MINIMUM size to consider for that room size (and if you know Andy, he always says bigger is better when it comes to lights).

A great way to get started is with a Pinterest board to bring all your lighting picks in one space to see how they look together.

If you use any of Andy’s tips for updating or picking your lighting for your home tag us on Instagram @sucasadesign or email us a photo at info@sucasadesign.ca !

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:

Little White House - Homestead
LANGLEY, BC

Photo Credit: Marion Photography

The Little White House was inspired by a true old farmhouse. The details were intended to be classic in their nature for example the front porch, the symmetry, and a cupola on the top of the house.

This home design has so many incredible features to admire beginning with the tall 12 foot ceilings. These add historical character that creates those traditional tall and narrow rooms with higher doors and centered hanging light fixtures.

The house, although not huge, has a lot of volume with the vaulted ceilings over the kitchen and great room. Other features to note is the impressive master suite, a formal dining room, and open concept throughout.

"I’m honoured to have worked with Andy on my last beloved home and now on my future homestead."

~ CeCe Krecsy, Client

This home is versatile in its design and easily altered to be able to accommodate a larger family (additional bedrooms in the basement or a fourth bedroom upstairs by lowering the ceiling over the kitchen).

SHOP THE LOOK
CHECK OUT OUR RECENT DESIGN FINDS

Lighting Look

Mix and match our selection of lights from some of our favorite suppliers to beautifully light up your home!

1. 6-Light Large Chandelier - Oil Rubbed Bronze
2. Large Lantern Pendant - Aged Iron
3. Conical Drum Pendant - Oil Rubbed Bronze with Sand Shade
4. Ceramic Table Lamp - Black
5. Tube Wall Sconce - Oil Rubbed Bronze
6. Double Brass Wall Sconce - Brass
7. Antique Brass Wall Sconce - Antique Brass
8. Sphere Glass Pendant - Satin Brass
9. Convertible Flush Mount - Aged Brass

SHOP THIS LOOK

A Personal Note

From Andy

Planning Planning Planning!

This is what my month is looking like, and I love the process of sitting with my wife and sorting out our house renovation plans. She is practical and all about function which balances out my designer-make-EVERYTHING-look-great side.

I appreciate the balance we have and how she reminds me that things can look great as long as it works for our family.

For example, I wanted to do hardwood on the main floor and then bring the hardwood down the stairs to the basement. My wife loved the idea but when thinking about safety her practical mind knew this was not our best option for our son who has a disability. I had to reconsider that although hardwood on the stairs is beautiful, carpet is safer and more sensible for my family’s needs.

As a bonus, this decision actually ended up saving us from another issue I would have run into at the bottom of the stairs of coordinating the new hardwood to the laminate flooring in the basement.

Bringing Jen in on the process of planning reminds me that in your home something can look amazing but if it doesn’t function for what you need it to – the design has failed. A home has to primarily be a place for functional living and practical everyday usage, while looking good at the same time of course.

Andy & the Su Casa Team