Some Ideas to Consider …

  • Classic Holiday Lighting Tips for your Home

    What do your holiday decorations say about you? Is your personal style classic and understated, or flashy and vibrant?

    When it comes to decorating your home for the holidays, there are many possibilities for expressing your unique flair. Everyone does their holiday decoration differently. What about edible decor, like gingerbread men, candy canes, and strings of popcorn and cranberries? These crafty creations save energy and provide the home-made touch.

    Are you a homeowner that expresses your decorative flair via holiday lighting? Maybe you are simply ‘in the dark’ about how to light up your home, and would benefit from a few handy tips to create classic holiday lighting for your home. The following tips offer energy saving solutions to lighten up:

    Energy Efficiency: Many of us want to create a beautiful light display that is as energy efficiently as possible. Consider making a switch to the newer and smaller bulbs. They actually use 70% less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. If you insist on using larger bulbs, choose 5-watt bulbs. They use about 30% less energy than the 7 to 10- watt bulbs.

    The Convenience of Light Timers: Another energy and cost-saving measure is to hook your lights up to an automatic timer. Timers also prevent you from constantly having to switch your lights on and off.

    LED Holiday Bulbs: A third holiday lighting tip is to start using LED holiday bulbs. They come in a multitude of classic holiday colors. The real bonus is that they are shatter-resistant and are cool to the touch and won’t burn your hands. They also don’t present a fire hazard, a real bonus for keeping your family safe.

    Don’t Go Overboard: You don’t have to go overboard with your holiday light decorations this year. Make sure you’ve got enough lights to capture the look and feel of the holidays without drawing unnecessary attention to yourself and your home. Decorating to your tastes will not only bring you and your surroundings into the holiday spirit, but will also be more energy efficient as well.

    If you are interested in building a more green and energy efficient home, consider Country Club Homes in Fairfield County as your resource to help guide you through the process. You may contact Country Club Homes for more information by telephone at 203-762-0550; or online at www.countryclubhomesinc.com.

    Photo courtesy of Rick_28105 via Flickr

  • Higher Light: Interior Transom Windows

    Transom windows are a lovely historical detail with an interesting history of practical purpose. Before the advent of air conditioning, transom windows were an innovative design feature that allowed for cross ventilation between rooms. Typically, transom windows could be opened and closed using a long metal rod. There were also styles that opened on a…

  • Chic Simplicity: A Black and White Bathroom

    The black and white bathroom is a design classic that always feels fresh. The simplicity of black and white allows for endless experimentation with color and texture to make your space feel distinct and memorable. The walls in a black and white bathroom are an interesting place to explore the use of patterned wallpaper, particularly…

  • Hot Ideas for the Hearth: Custom Fireplace Designs

    As autumn settles in, the age-old custom of gathering around a glowing fire becomes ever more appealing. The fireplace in your home can be a conversational centerpiece with the right application of design skill and imagination. Your fireplace should reflect the overall look and feel of your home, whether traditional, modern, or somewhere in between….

  • Empty-Nesters Purchase Cottage with Downsizing In Mind

    Interested in downsizing? A soon-to-be empty nester couple fell in love with this delightful cottage and purchased the home with downsizing in mind. As the renovation project started, it turned into a labor of love for the couple as they envisioned it as their beach-style retirement home. The small corner lot on Belle Island in the Rowayton section…