There are so many great new outdoor decorative accessories and furnishings coming onto the market today; it’s fun creating/redesigning fresh air “rooms” where clients can read, relax, entertain and eat. One of the benefits of having a well-utilized outdoor space is that it really does make a house seem quite a bit bigger than it actually is.

Time to light up!

This year, two of my favorite things are Restoration Hardware’s Laguna Fire Tables and Fire Columns. These modern concrete pieces are stylish and can add drama to an outdoor room at night, throughout the year. The compact Fire Columns can also work well on smaller patios and terraces where space is limited (they come in various sizes, shapes and finishes).

Now, my husband can have the fireplace he loves…  outside of our Florida house! Hot, indeed.

If you are in the market for a new sofa, dining table or bed, or any other big piece of furniture, it’s a good idea to measure your door frames and any narrow hallways leading to the room, before making the purchase, besides checking the dimensions of the room itself. All of this information is vital if you are buying something large that is on final sale.

Do you think your home might present delivery men with a challenge?

Staircases and elevators can be a problem for delivery people, so remember to take these measurements and angles into consideration, too, and advise your salesperson. If you have any doubts the piece will fit, ask the store to send someone to measure your space. This step can save you a lot of time, money and agita.

Just as a bold statement necklace can sometimes add pizzazz to an outfit, a striking ceiling light fixture can, in certain places, add more style to a room.

Butterflies chandelier from Modern Poverty

Bib necklace from Stella & Dot

But just as you wouldn’t wear a big, eye-catching necklace with all of your outfits, every room is not necessarily suited to a dramatic ceiling centerpiece.

When it comes to lighting, a good deal of thought needs to be given to function as well as form, so here are some things to consider:

1. Height: How high are the ceilings?
If a ceiling is less than 9′ high, a hanging fixture may make the ceiling appear lower than it actually is. Instead, consider recessed lighting that can effectively illuminate a space, though hidden, or opt for track lighting that can hug the ceiling and allow the room to feel as spacious as possible.

Try to avoid hanging fixtures with exposed bulbs that cast harsh shadows

2. Bulbs: Does the fixture have clear bulbs that create harsh shadows on the walls at night?
Many stylish lighting fixtures with exposed bulbs look great as ornamentation during the day, when they are turned off. But at night, when switched on, they can cast unattractive shadows across every wall making the room look garish and tiring the eyes because of the glare. If your fixture has concealed or shaded bulbs, you and your room will probably look and feel a lot better.

Can you imagine how tired your eyes would feel after only 5 minutes in this bathroom?

3. Ceiling composition: Is there a junction box in the ceiling?
For rooms with concrete ceilings and no junction box it would be better to rely on table lamps or floor lamps to illuminate the space in order to avoid major electrical work and expense (especially if you rent). Be sure to use pairs of lamps to make every room look more balanced and provide better task and general lighting.

4. Lasting power: Whatever its style, is the fixture trendy or classic?

Style for style's sake? Recessed lighting would make this kitchen feel more spacious and comfortable than a big hanging chandelier with glaring exposed bulbs

Most lighting fixtures are costly. To get the most value for your money, try to find one that will look good for years to come and will work well in other spaces, too, should you move.

A classic pendent lighting fixture could work well in an entrance foyer or family room as well as in a dining room

Wishes do come true… if you wait five years. For some reason it seems to take that long when it comes to home furnishings.

Fifteen years ago I remember thinking, “Gee, why aren’t there more stylish and durable coffee tables on the market?” At the time, the choice was limited to delicate glass-topped and wooden rectangular tables with pointy corners that required drinks coasters to protect them. Most were impractical and unexciting.

Arhaus cylinder - Lots of space for serving and display, and good Feng Shui, too.

Macy's multi-functional cocktail table.

Then, ten years ago, leather ottomans that tripled as cocktail tables, storage pieces and footrests appeared, as well as distressed wood coffee tables with drawers; oval wooden tables with shelves in lots of finishes, round hammered metal tables, tables on casters, drum style tables – lots of options became available that were durable and really interesting.

Five years ago, I found myself wishing for more interesting table lamps. Most of the lamps were pretty boring. Flash to the present: I’m happy to say that today there are lots of really good-looking lamps on the market. This is exciting news because there’s nothing like a great pair of lamps to add balance and a bit of style to any room.

Finally. Anthropologie's stylish lamp collection with some edge.

Have you seen the fab new collection of lamps from Anthropologie? Check out this group. 

The Cleo Lamp from Crate & Barrel.

I like this one from Crate and Barrel, also. There are lots of stylish options everywhere, both online and in stores. Yay for more and better design alternatives!

Are you hoping for something to improve? If you could have more choices for a particular piece or design element, what would you wish for? Put it out here. Perhaps your dream will come true, too, and you won’t have to wait five years.

Arhaus cylinder cocktail table:http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/living-room-furniture/coffee-tables/35VALCOFGR/

Macy’s multi-functional cocktail table:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=472705&CategoryID=35423#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D173