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Thursday, October 14, 2010

"I See Dead Corners!"

Remember the movie where the little boy says, "I see dead people"? Well when I walk into a room sometimes I see Dead Corners.

Have you ever walked into a room and it just feels sort of dead and drab? Do you think to yourself this room needs some life? Look in the corners! Is there a lonely chair or table, does it look a little dead? Corners need life.

 If you are limited on windows in your room the corners can recieve life by LIGHT and PLANTS or both. In dead corners I try to put somethng with life in it a light or a plant.
 I like to use up lights in corners not just behind my plants, which by the way make wonderful shadows on the wall and ceiling, but I will even put them behind the chair that is sitting in the corner,or a large armoire.

 We all know that a floor lamp works great or a hanging light but don't forget the power of a simple little uplight. A reader of mine, Jeanette, has up lights in her home and she has forgotten to turn them on from time to time so she is going to put them on timers, great suggestion, Jeanette. So in your corners add Plants and Light and pair them together.

 Uplights can be purchased at places like Lamps Plus  for $14.99. Although they are not decorative or very pretty to look at keep in mind the lamp itself will be hiding behind a piece of furniture or a plant but the light that will be coming from them will illuminate and cast lovely shadows in the drab, dead corner.


First I must say, I am not a fan of the design in this room, personally way to much going on for my taste. But look at the use of the uplights. I am showing you this picture so you can see the wonderful shadows that are cast on the wall and ceiling by placing uplights behind the plants.



This room is decorated simply and notice the plants in each corner. But, I see Dead Corners! Just imagine how this room and its corners would come to life if there were uplights behind the two plants.



Here are two lonely plants in a very dark room but they come alive with light and shadows from the simple use of uplights



Here is a  beautiful room with black walls which could appear dark and drab but with the use of lighting it is bright and cheerful and inviting. The one corner to the left the owner put an up light on the book shelf behind the wing chair and it yet agains brings life to a dead corner.

Are you starting to see the light? So go and look at the corners of your rooms could they use a plant or an uplight to give your room more light?

"Enjoy The Process" Of:

  Adding life to the corners of your rooms with Uplights
Kathysue
                                                                       

21 comments:

Jeanette said...

I'm beginning to look forward to checking out your blog each day to see what you have up your sleeve. You have a big bag of design tricks and it is so fun that you are sharing them with all of us. Ahh, yes, the lighting is so important and you do it so well in your own home. Thanks for the pointers and the reminder about how wonderful those uplights look. I need to remember to turn mine on more often. Maybe I'll put them on timers.

Kathysue said...

Jeanette,that is a very good idea, kind of like outdoor lighting that is on timers.Great tip!I might have to include that somewhere, thanks, Hugs Kathysue

La Dolfina said...

OMG...people are so going to love this blog!
Your are addressing some very important issues, lighting being one of the most critical. It's amazing how many of us forget how the simplest of tricks can achieve such a wow factor in a space.
Just recently, I added 3 uplights behind my couch in my den to throw light up the front of the bookcases that line the wall behind it. I couldn't believe the impact they had. Even though I was thrilled with the effect, I was kicking myself over why I hadn't thought of it for years!!
You are a brilliant teacher...
Keep it coming!!!
Lots of Love,

Terri

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh, Kathysue! You are so clever!...I see dead corners! lol Now you have me hoping night will hurry so I can check out my corners! I have learned so much already! Great post...hugs...Debbie

Paula Bee said...

Dear Kathy,

This is the perfect subject for you! Lighting is your specialty! Soft beautiful lighting really does work wonders for a room. I can't wait to see your post on lamps. Hehehe!

Love,
Paula

Kat said...

I see dead corners - you crack me up Kathysue! Maybe the putzers could collaborate on a horror movie, but instead of zombies or serial killers it could be about horrendous design. Seriously though, this post has me looking around my living room and saying "ah ha!" Thanks for the tips. Hugs, Kat

Kat said...

Oh yes, and we could use Cait's old purple walls as the lead shot....

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Kathysue! Welcome to blogging. You are off to a great start and I'm happy you decided to take the plunge. You will have a ball with this & you have so much to offer with your extensive knowledge and experience. You'll be great at it! Love all these posts so far, very informative.

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Yay....Kathysue is blogging, Kathysue is blogging! :-) Welcome, sweet friend! Love this idea of uplights...never even heard of doing that. I think I've been living under a rock! LOL Love the shadows on the ceiling...great idea!

La Dolfina said...

9 Comments, and you're not even public yet!!!!!!
Does that tell you anything?
To echo the words of Susan...Yay! Kathysue is blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Okay, when did you say you went public? You already have followers and commenters. I think this is a sign of great success. Now I have to go out and get some uplights! What else are you going to have me wanting to go buy? Thanks for a great tip! laurie

xinex said...

What a great idea! I never thought of that. I am really enjoying all these good tips. Thanks again, Kathy Sue!...Christine

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

I agree about the uplighting behind plants....they really do add a lot of character to a room, however, what I have noticed about every single one I have purchased is that they do become very hot after a while (and I do have proper wattage in them) so be careful when you're leaving them on timers to come on when you may be gone! Also they could dry the life right out of certain plants! Not trying to be a crepe hanger here just be aware of the issues too. I have seen some decorators actually put them in another container to act as another heat conduit say a metal tin can or something....just food for thought! I'm with you Kathysue, I think less is best! Luanne

Pinky said...

I don't know why this post came up to me TODAY (10/14/10??? But I have to say I have used uplights for years now! Do you remember Christopher Lowell??? He got me using uplights! I hate dead corners too:):) Xo, Pinky

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I come to find my good friend Kathysue! Where have you been lately? Just missing you, and as always, a spot on post!

Bring Pretty Back said...

Kathysue, I see the light!!! I just put up lights on the list of must haves for the new little house! Thank you!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

La Vie Quotidienne said...

Wonderful ideas to think about. Lighting is so important in a room. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration.(-:

Decorating Lady's Humble Abode said...

Up lights are fantastic inside or outside for a wow factor. So are down lights. I use them as much as I can through out my house. I also use tall solar outside lights and stick them in my inside potted plants they come on at night....they look way cool. You have to make sure that the solar lights get enough sun light coming through a window during the day. Great idea to put them on a timer. Thanks for the ideas. Decgal

Blooming Rose Musings said...

I was so happy to find this fabulous post today.
I still haven't unpacked my uplights after moving and you have inspired me to do so today!
They really do make a huge difference in a room.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder...mine would have stayed packed away and forgotten if you hadn't written this post. Thank you!

Decorating Lady's Humble Abode said...

Pinky your so right, I loved Christopher Lowes show. He had such great ideas. Been uplighting since he had it on his show. Decgal

Karen said...

I'm convinced, I'll dust off the uplight that's on my basement storage shelf and use it behind one of my plants. I kind of forgot about it, thanks for the reminder Kathysue!