November 11, 2025 • 35 mins
In this cozy seasonal episode of Boulevard Beat, Meghan and Krissa explore the power, psychology, and design strategy behind beautiful lighting. As we move into shorter days and longer nights, the conversation shifts from natural sunshine to intentionally curated artificial light — and how lighting can dramatically shift the mood, depth, and warmth in a home. From understanding ambient vs task vs accent lighting, to the return of beautiful decorative lampshades, to the rise of cordless lighting, dimmers, candles, and the emotional resonance of the hearth — this episode breaks down how to make light feel layered, human, and luxurious. Lighting isn’t an accessory… it’s a feeling. And winter is where it matters most.
Takeaways:
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Takeaways:
- Natural light sets emotional tone — but winter is where intentional artificial lighting becomes design’s secret weapon.
- Layering lighting (ambient, task, accent) creates depth and mood — overhead lighting alone is rarely flattering.
- Lampshades shape the quality of light — pleated and patterned shades are having a moment for a reason.
- Cordless lighting gives designers freedom — light placement is no longer limited to outlets.
- Dimmers are the most powerful small investment you can make — they allow lighting to mirror natural rhythms.
- Candlelight + firelight produce a primal feeling of comfort and romance — use them deliberately this season.
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Connect with Meghan Blum Interiors https://www.instagram.com/meghanbluminteriors/
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Connect with Krissa Rossbund. https://www.instagram.com/krissa_rossbund/
Connect with Liz Lidgett https://www.instagram.com/lizlidgett/
Episode Website https://www.blvdbeat.com/about
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to boulevard Beat, a podcast we're life and style intersect.
I'm designer Megan Bloom along with my co hosts, editor CHRISA.
Rossbund and gallery owner Liz Legit. This podcast focuses on
the daily highlights instead of the hustle. Interviews with taste makers,
and personal conversations on how to highlight achievable style. You
con stroll one street at a time, Boulevard Beat proves
(00:29):
the one you should take, all right, CHRISA. Today we
are talking light because, as we all dread it, the
season is changing, the daylight is disappearing faster than we want,
and now here we are moving into this time of
year where interiors rely way more on man made mood
(00:50):
than the natural sunshine that Mother Nature brings.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
So yes, we wish our days were longer, but nature
says that the Earth and its orbit decides that we
get shorter days for the time being. You know, Megan,
as I was thinking about this episode, I was thinking
how much we rely on light and interiors. But really,
if we think about it, light is just so necessary
through so many aspects of life. When we talk about
(01:17):
our health, we know that we're supposed to get so
much sunlight a day that can be more difficult during
this time of the year. But I was also thinking about,
you know, when we see celebrities and they look so
beautiful with the great skin and the great we're like,
oh gosh, they look so great, it's because of lighting. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
I think lighting really is one of those sneaky, like
deeply sophisticated design layers that we just don't really get
into some of the nitty gritty, because it does, like
you said, it affects our mood, our energy. You know,
it gives dimension to those celebrity models on the runway,
but also even just in our home, it does it
can leave things flat or dull, and it just makes
(01:54):
spaces become more alive and magical. And I just think
it's way more than just about picking a pretty shandle.
It's about the many more layers to it.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
And I'm guessing I would like you to elaborate on this,
but I'm guessing that your clients maybe aren't super educated
about light as a category. I sort of feel like
it's under promoted.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Yeah, I would agree. I think like I said that,
I almost feel like sometimes it's like, oh, yeah, we
need to pick out the pretty chandelier and it becomes
more than that of how we're lighting the spaces and
the different layers of lighting, which is I think what
we'll talk about today as we unpack, you know, even
the differences with natural light, artificial light, emotional light, and
just how it needs to feel not just beautiful but
(02:37):
intentional and welcoming, and how we're using light in the spaces.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Absolutely well, I think it'd be.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Great just to you know, there's different types of light
just within the natural light. That's important, you know. I
think as designers we really try and think about that
and how we're using certain rooms in the spaces morning
light and late afternoon light or are you know, just
those very nice, warm, magical times in the day in
(03:03):
our homes and how you feel in them, whether you're
having your morning coffee or reading a book at the
end of the day. Too. It manages your mood in
those areas, which I think too, is why winter light
is so hard, because it keeps things so dark so
for so much of the day.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Winter light is so interesting because, on one hand, I agree,
you don't get that little sunshine perk that you do
during the summer months. I also there's something about the
darkness that I like too, And I guess darkness is
just another form of light, right, it's not as right.
And how you know, you like to be cozy and
your you know, cozy winter socks and your big comfy
(03:40):
sweater and all that too, So it's interesting during this
time of year, especially how you really do get both
and when it becomes dark, that's when you want to
sort of, you know, hunker down with your warm materials
around you.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
And I think it's the light is also so different
this time of year two because it sits so much lower.
So even how it does come into your home, it
looks different in your house than it does in the summertime,
just because the sun is so much lower in the sky.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
It sure is, and that especially rings true during rush
hour traffic when you're driving home west For me, and
that sunlight is in my eyes the entire time, so
it does sit lower for a longer time. And I
think it's important to say this is not an episode
about color, However, I think it's important to note the
morning light and the afternoon light, evening light are all different.
(04:30):
That's why making sure you look at color during all
of those times a day before you make selections become
so important in the world of design.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yeah, it definitely it is because you know, as you know,
sometimes this time of day, you don't get to even
see your home as much during the daylight hours if
you're leaving to go to the office every day and
you come home and it's already dark out again. So
the way color affects and looks in those spaces definitely
changes things.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
It's different, for sure. I know so many people who've
been disappointed in paint colors because they didn't investigate and
sort of examine how those colors appeared throughout all times
of day, not just during your life. So I'm wondering
if we should talk a little bit about task lighting,
because this is something that becomes more and more important
(05:14):
to me. I just think that it's always so important,
And I mean in lighting, we know, it's so much
fun to pick that big chandelier right or the Wisconsin is
that have some sort of beautiful design to them. But
task lighting is so important and so necessary for all
of the activities that you're doing. And I know I've
said this a million times before, but I love to
(05:36):
cook and it's really frustrating regardless of what you're doing
when you can't see.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Yes, that makes it extremely difficult, especially in a kitchen
or the task lighting is so so important. I think
that's probably one of the pitfalls with lighting sometimes is
bad lighting is because people think it's only one source,
and you really need to think through how you're using
the spaces and all the additional task lighting that exs
how you can help illuminate those spaces, making it more functional,
(06:04):
making it easier for you to cook with ease, or
in the bathroom getting ready in different times of the day,
or where you're going to sit and read and making
sure that there's that nice little lamp sitting by the
table or a bedside table and things like that too.
It's important to really highly consider task lighting.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Absolutely as fun as it is to see those spectacular
chandeliers and beautiful forms for lamps. I do think that
can lights are my favorite, just because I get so
many of them and they are functional for sure.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
And I think to the drawback where can lights definitely
illuminate the space really really well. That overhead light is
very flattening. It kind of just obliberates dimension. And that's
why task lighting is important because it helps give a
space more dimensions.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Well, I think task lighting too, especially in the winter months.
You know, I think of myself and my family room
a lot. If I'm reading or maybe catching up on
some work or catching up on emails, I don't want
all that overhead light. Like part of the coziness is
being partly in the dark. So, you know, just having
(07:17):
the lamp on for that glow that's enough for me
to see clearly but not overwhelming the entire space is
important to me.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I would agree with you too. I think it just
sets the mood a lot more. And I'm with you.
I very rarely actually turned my hands on except for
when i'm you know, needing it more often in the kitchen.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Well, and what's become so much fun in lighting right
now is all of the accent lighting. I mean, we
know that, you know, lights for artwork, they've been around forever,
but there are so many more versions of them now
and so that's really been fun to see that category
expand and offer the opportunity for people to place lighting
(07:57):
in places where they may not have it before.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah, these rechargeable little accent lamps are just little spaces
that you can bring a small lamp to the dining
table or a bathroom or a tight corner and just
allows you to kind of illuminate these different areas that
you didn't use to be able to.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
It's a big solution because it can be a pain
from an energy and time perspective and then costly too
to have a fixture hardwired and it's not always in
the right place that you want it to be. So
these rechargeable lights offer that opportunity. But even like the
accent lighting over a painting really highlights those pieces and
(08:38):
makes them additional showstoppers.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Yeah. I love nothing better than a great art picture
light that's over that artwork or at the end of
a hall and just illuminates it, and it's just subtle
and simple and just really lets you enjoy the piece,
the artwork the way it's made to be. And so often,
I mean, you sometimes don't even know where you're going
to put our certain spots either, So it's important to
think about early if you are doing it in a
(09:01):
new construction or remodel, or if not going to more
of the rechargeable options that are existing.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Now, I have a designer question for you. Did you
see I mean again home offices definitely existed prior to
the pandemic, but with people working at home now or
having that capability and option to do so, have you
seen that change a little bit when you are doing
home offices where people say, oh, let's put some more
(09:31):
lights in or you make note of that and bring
that up. As far as a question, yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Mean, I would definitely say the home office is a
popular area. One. You want to make it something that
you enjoy being in and that you can sit in
for all hours of the day while you work. But
it's an opportunity to kind of either highlight some different
working environments so they're more functional, or if it's more
of a den or library that you're working out of,
having that extra scance on the mill work or the
(09:59):
fireplace and things like that, bringing light lower than just
where your chandelier or your can lights would be hitting,
so that way that light is lower for you.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
I just know that personally during that moment of time
that we all went through, you know before, I use
my home office sort of to pay bills very I
don't want to say infrequently, because I like my home
office and I like being in it, but it was
more for making playlist on my computer and that sort
of thing for fun, not so much that I had
(10:29):
to be in it. And when that time came, it's like, oh,
I need a brighter lamp. I need because it was
it was just hard for that many hours a day.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And that's why if you can too, it's always important
if you can have a little natural light in your
home office too. That even is just helpful for you
to have throughout the day. So you're getting that vitamin
D in the winter months too with the sunshine that
comes through, and just a more pleasant working environment.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So I have to ask, are you getting a lot
of request or or do you find yourself specifying light.
I know there are more opportunities for under cabinet light
that sort of thing. I know that there are the
strips now that are so commonly placed above cabinet tree.
You are kind of the kitchen queen, So what does
(11:16):
that look like? Are people requesting more lighting?
Speaker 1 (11:19):
It's definitely something we think about, especially if there's open shelves.
I mean, obviously glass shelves, you want to make sure
that the light can kind of go all the way through.
If they're just wooden shelves and you have the puck
light up above the light kind of gets stuck, and
so that's why the led strips are definitely popular to
kind of illuminate all around the shelves. I mean, you
(11:41):
can just go to town with lighting and all the
accents that happen too. And I think there is a
nice balance of what makes sense and what are you
going to use. Are you actually going to turn all
this on or you're just going to have certain zones
and things like that too. But I'm the queen of
wanting options. I always want to be able to have
options to turn it on or when you're done, if
it's a kitchen, you know, turning the overhead light off
(12:03):
and just having some accent that just has that soft
glow as you walk by it or in and out
doing things in the evening.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Okay, so this is my one lighting complaint. And this
doesn't have to do with lighting as a whole in
interiors as much as it is technology and a little
gimmicky in my in my opinion, I know that there
are some appliances that, especially in the bathroom where you
can get your tub that has a blue light and
(12:33):
it's supposed to affect your mood and then it goes
to magenta, and I have to say, I really just
want plain old white light. Yeah, I don't need There
are a lot of gimmicky introductions that happen in the
world of design, I suppose in any part of life,
but that is one that I just can't get behind.
(12:53):
And I know, even when I bought a new vehicle
a year ago, you know that they're telling me about how,
oh the dashboard might have been seventeen different colors, and
I'm like, who has time for that? I'm usually ten
minutes behind. It's all I can do to get in
the car and push the gas medal. So that's one
thing that in the world of lighting that is offered
now with appliances and a lot of times in bathrooms specifically,
(13:17):
that I it's not for me.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
No, I with you too, And I think especially in
the car, it's like it's more of a game for
my kids to play with to switch the light than
anything else, right right, Yeah, I'm with you. I just
want a nice, warm light. I like you know that
twenty seven hundred to three thousand light temperature. It's very
important too that your lighting temperature is all the same. Shade.
(13:41):
You don't want different color temperatures in your cans and
in your chandeliers and then in your lamps. That just
throws it all off and kind of like we talked
about earlier too, on how lighting affects your mood and
your emotions and how you actually feel in a space.
When that all gets wonky and off, you're not gonna
feel as in that room.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
That's so true. It makes all of the difference in
the world. So I have to ask, are you one
of those people who switches out your bulbs? I know
a couple of people who do that, and I'm out.
I can't.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
I don't have time at different times of the year. Yes, no,
I'm not either. No, nope. Just get me a nice,
warm light and we'll keep it all year around.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Yeah. Yeah, good for people who have that kind of
time on their hands, But that is not me. And look,
I think that we have to talk about dimmers too
if we're talking about how light affects moods and what
it can do as far as ambiance. And I know
that we've brought up dimmers before, but in this particular
episode that is lighting specific. I love a dimmer. I
(14:38):
want a dimmer on everything.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
I am with you one hundred percent. I like the control.
I like to be able to change the way a
room feels. I think dimmers might be the highest ROI
on your entire home because they really can make a
space feel magical in the way it's supposed to be
seen and kind of just get that lighting perfect. I
think it's also one of those things that people think
(15:02):
that it is a big expense to put a dimmer
on a regular switch, and it really isn't. It's one
of the most cost effective, easy things to switch. Even
on an existing home. You can change those out at
any time, which is wonderful.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
It's so true. It's really it's inexpensive upgrade that is
so effective.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
And it's kind of also too. You can have that
set to just that it's more of a sunset simulation
that it's not having your house highly brightly lit all
the time either well.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
And I think that houses in general, design in general
is meant even though we may be at work or
school during the day, it's still more centered around daytime
activity because that's when we're awake and nighttime. You know,
with the exception of the dining room that I think
can be a little bit of an adult sexier space
(15:55):
that is intended for nighttime. Oftentimes that's a space where
you see a lot of design. Pizazz I still think
that most rooms are better during the day, and so
with those dimmers on the lights, it can create an ambiance.
It can give you more control over the design to
(16:15):
make the other spaces more nighttime rooms.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Yeah, you're so right. There definitely is a way to
kind of control how that is and that it feels
differently and just has that nice setting for that daytime.
I know, I've been really enjoying too, just my house
sits kind of up on a hill, and just how
that glimmer of light comes in right now and the
glisten of the orange and red trees just kind of
(16:38):
shine through, and it is it's made to be enjoyed
during the daytime.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Well, and you bring up a good point how the
light dapples in through the trees right now, and that
makes landscaping important too, when you know, maybe we do
an episode on that in the supreme time. But it
does matter because where you place those trees, how the
natural light filters in through your windows is important and
(17:03):
dependent oftentimes on where trees are placed throughout your property.
So that's something to consider too, if you crave that
natural light, to make sure that there's not a big
tree or a tree that's going to grow large in
front of a window. But I do love the dapple through.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
You do well, and even just how the sun shades
certain areas of your house certain times of the day too,
and how that flows in again kind of back to
certain times of the year you might get more natural
light than other times too.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Absolutely, I think it's fun if you know, talking about lamps,
lamp shades have just I think it's safe to say
that we have divorced plain white lamp shades at this point.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Yes, I would agree, Yeah, I would say lamp shades.
Pleated lamp shades are just having a major resurgence. I
think they add such beautiful textural shadow. It sculptures the
light a little bit more, and even just adding color
and no more boring lamp shades the end of that
(18:06):
of just adding a little more personality to the space.
And even if you don't want necessarily that look of
these bold, beautiful colors and patterns, even doing it in
a more neutral sort of a pattern is beautiful too.
I know recently at market to they're just beautiful marbleized
patterns on the lamp shades. I really love too.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Oh yes, those marbilized paper shades are super impactful. I
think it's funny that it's like, whose idea was it
to ever get rid of the interesting lamp shade and
go to these boring white lamp shades? Like who is
responsible for that? Because it's just another design opportunity that's
been neglected for decades. Really, it's not even just a
(18:48):
recent thing that's gone in and out of vogue. It's
been that way for quite a long time.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
It really has. I mean I don't really ever remember
having more of the shades that we have right now.
It's always been beige, linen and just natural to me.
And I think those shades really do change the voice
of the light, you know, what silk does, or linen
or printed pattern versus your basic plane parchment, which you know,
I hate it too when you can see a sconce
when it gets a little burn mark on it, and
(19:15):
it's like, okay, time to get a new one in
the bathroom or different spots too.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Especially during a time when I think the design world
is attractive to people from a layering perspective, not only
layering with light, but color, pattern, texture. People just seem
to understand and be more willing to try layering now.
They want that look, and so I think having that
(19:41):
lamp shade certainly aids that instead of fighting it, because
before it was just plain white and not even for
a world that hovers around design and artistry, it was not.
And so it's really a fun time to see those
lamp shades that have their own personalities come back into
play well.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
And I think it's nice too because you can also
if you're kind of scared to jump into this trend
or embrace it, you can do it. They come in
all different sizes, so if you're not wanting to do
just a big, large shade on your larger lamp, you
can do it on a many little small accent lamp shade,
or on your sconces in your bathroom or different things too,
(20:20):
so you can start slow and kind of embrace it
from there. Or even just the texture of like a
woven sort of a look on a shade is a
nice look too.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
So I love sconces that are installed in built in shelves,
I'll say, like in a library or a den or
a home office I love that look, and I think
that's the perfect opportunity for just a little pop a
pattern and color. It's really fun and it does just
give a little more personality to a room and tells
(20:50):
the story a little further.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yeah, I would agree with you. I am a sucker
for that on a bookcase too, which is what's been
so nice too on the cordless lighting trend, that when
you have a spot where you didn't get your power
to you can easily add these little accessories to that
bookcase to have that cozy feel. I think, you know,
it's just the new accessory candlestick. Being able to add
(21:13):
these little lighting components all over the home.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Well, what I love about them is they can go
not only in places where you you know, didn't hardwire
or have it electrified, but also on places like a
kitchen island. I love that look nighttime in a kitchen
with a couple of cordless lamps to give that glow.
Kitchens are so multi purpose. They're not just for cooking
(21:36):
and not just for eating. So you know, maybe it's
after dinner when kitchen is cleaned up and you just
want to sit there and you know, maybe you have
your laptop out, and I just think it's great for
that and also so much fun to have on a
dinner table.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
I love it on a dinner table. I think it
just really really brings the lighting down. It kind of
romanticizes things down, and again you can kind of then
have your chandelier very dimly lit and just kind of
have that layer throughout. It's just a beautiful placement. I
think that there's so many great uses too, even just
like that powder room you're not in very often, or
(22:14):
a bar kart's always a great spot too, because most
often these little cordless lamps are very skinny as well,
so they don't take up a big footprint of space.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
And for anybody who's listening, what is all so nice
about them? Just for anybody who's thinking, oh, but how
long do they last? I think from some of the
nicer companies anyway, they last a few hours. And the
good news is, like I'll just call out pooky. For instance,
you get a second battery with each fixture, so while
(22:46):
one is charging, the other one is going operating, and
when that if that fizzles out, like in the middle
of a party, if you're talking a powder room, you
can easily just swap it out. You don't have there's
no wait time.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Yeah, that's a good to have a good system down
so you're not frustrated that it's out of charge. That
brings up another point of a type of lighting, and
I think that's just the what candle lighting can do,
that rhythmic flicker that you have from a candle. I
think candles just have that emotional scenes that we all
(23:19):
want and they set the tone.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Candles are one of my favorite categories. I absolutely love them.
I think that one of the most inexpensive but impactful,
effective decisions one can make if they're hosting any sort
of event is to just load that place down with
white candles of all kinds. They can be tapers, they
(23:43):
can be votives, they can be any kind of candles,
but no scent. They don't even have to be scented.
Just the most inexpensive white candles that you can buy
from any of the big box discount stores will go
so far for ambiance.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
It really I think it's just like that primal grounding
that it has in the space, and they can just
I think it's important to kind of layer them at
different heights so you kind of see the candles flickering
at different levels. I think it's just has that nice
emotional gathering feeling of welcoming people, making them feel comfortable,
and the sculptural elements that some candles have anymore. I'm
(24:22):
a big candle person too. I've always got one going
on my island. I feel like even sometimes in the
summer months, it doesn't make sense, but it's it just
is that comfort that it brings to the space.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
I love a summer candle too, so I think that's okay,
that's great. I think it's nice too to always have
a candle going in a powder room. It's just it's pretty.
And I think that, you know, if you're hosting a
party and your powder room is where a guest goes.
Sometimes they just need to use the facility, but sometimes
it's just a moment away, you know, and your your
(24:53):
powder room is your jewel box where you can kind
of go a little crazy with its design and do
something that's archer from the rest of the home and
just to go in there and not only be again
I'll use the word dazzled by what's going on in
that powder room decoratively, but then to have the ambiance
of the light and then you know, a wonderful fragrance
(25:15):
as well. I think is really special.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
I would agree. I think that's such a nice and
a powder bathroom just to always have that, you you know,
especially if you're hosting a larger party and you're not
in there for hours, but then you're going to know
that it's always going to have a pleasant smell and
not get stuffy in there and just set the ambiance
for this.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
I have to ask, do you have any favorite candle
sense that you gravitate toward?
Speaker 1 (25:37):
You know, I would say I kind of dive into
the seasonal a little bit. I think, you know, in
your winter, Christmas, the months, I think it's fun to
have it smell a little bit more in those cinnamon
and just the more nostalgic that the holidays bring around.
So I'm not I probably like different sense of different
(25:57):
times of the year.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
What about you, oh, I have you know, there are
certain things in life that you probably shouldn't be so
opinionated about, and candle sense is one of them. But
I am I don't like candles that are the scent
of anything that I would bake, because I'd rather just
bake it so the ones that are called Grandma's cookies
or whatever, that's a no go for me. I love
(26:20):
big sense and I love smoky sense in the winter months.
And I've said this before when we've talked about color,
but it applies to candle sense as well. I'm such
a girly girl at heart, but there's something about more
masculine colors that I like, or the masculine versions of
any color that I like. And the same is true
(26:41):
with sense. I love like a dirty, fake scent that's
really earthy, and again, some sort of smoky tone. I
don't love the super sweet florals so much. I love
the ones that smell like you know, they're always called
something like fresh linen or fresh laundry like that. I
could maybe buy a bottle of Tide and accomplish the
(27:03):
same thing, but I'll use it in candle form. But okay,
And then here's a little trick that I have and
tip that I use for myself and can offer to
anybody who is listening. When it comes to candles. I
love a pretty rose scent, and that is my litmus
test on the quality of the candle if the rose version,
(27:28):
because rose is pretty common, right, most candle manufacturers make it.
If the rose version is one that I like, then
I can pretty much count on me liking the other
sense as well. From that line, when it's a rose
that's like, oh, that's awful, then I probably won't sign
(27:49):
on to the candle line at all. And I use
that same That's sort of my litmus test also for
buying fragrances in the beauty world. For myself, it's interesting
to go to the rose and if I like that version,
then I'm like, Okay, let's see what else they have,
because I like those notes that they have used.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
So the rose is your first one. You're trying the
scent test before your nose gets tired of smelling all
these ones out.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Yes, and it's not necessarily that I'm going to buy
the rose, it's just that that's my It's like every
company has a rose, and I think you could probably
do that with vanilla too. Some vanillas are too overpowering
for me.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
So well, Chris, I don't think we can talk about
light and the flickers of light that exists without talking
about a fireplace and what that brings to the space,
especially during these cooler months ahead as we often have
fires roaring in our homes, and just that anchoring that
(28:52):
a fire does in the space, bringing light into the space,
and just that energetic hierarchy that a fire brings.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
A house without a fireplace is a no go for me.
That is a one hundred percent deal breaker. I have
to have a fireplace. And I know that there can
be debates over you know, wood burning versus a gas fireplace,
but I think that if you can have a wood
burning fireplace, the mess is worth it. To hear the
crackle pop and just the smoky smells that go with that.
(29:25):
I think it's worth it during those those months to
have the real wood.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
I definitely would agree with you. We have a real
wood burning fireplace in our living room and we use
it often. We go through a lot of firewood, and
it's it's not as much work as you would think.
We always just use like we kind of cheat and
use a little starter and the fire gets going pretty
easily and you've got a nice big fire going and
keeping you warm through the evening.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
Absolutely, I love a fireplace, and from a design perspective,
I imagine for you, you know, it's another opportunity for
place of objects. I mean, if you have a mantle.
Some fireplaces do not. Their flesh you know, into the wall.
But you know, it's the mantle. It's the heart that
offers other opportunities for other decorative elements.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
It certainly does, you know. I mean, I think the
mantle and how it can shift the look from formal
to relaxed instantly. I love it as well in these
cooler months. Two of just layering candlesticks up there, and
that extra layer of a candle burning I think is
just so charming and just adds a little bit more
(30:34):
of that light that kind of comes through too. It
also is a great space just that you can architecturally
have some interest with two. So I think that that
fireplace really has that gathering, anchoring feel of the home.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
It's so funny how within the home there are places
that you're like, oh, I don't really care about that
so much, and then there are places that you're obsessed with. Yeah,
and my fireplace mantle. Only the best of the best
gets to go up there. I'm super picky about the
objects that I place up there, and I do play
favorites with some of my accessories. It's like, no, you're
(31:12):
not good enough to go on the Mantle.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
I would agree with you.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Yes, it's funny, and I do love all of the
beautiful like the antique and irons and some of the
gorgeous fireplace surrounds that exist, both new and old. One
of my favorite houses that I've ever written about at
the magazine has been within the last five years, and
(31:36):
it was a home in the Preston Hollow area of Dallas,
and it was Belgian, I think, from the seventeenth century,
and it was this wonderful kind of French crusty blue
finish where you know, so much of the paint had
had worn off over time, but it was so tall
(31:57):
I could walk into it, and it was laced in
a family room and it was absolutely beautiful. And the
color of that old fireplace surround informed really the palette
for the entire house that was quite large. So not
only do fireplaces offer the ambiance and the lights, but
also the architecture and again this other major significant decorative
(32:23):
design opportunity.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Yeah, I love it when you've got something that's just
the star of the show and it sets the tone
for the rest of the home.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
So, Megan, I know that we're almost to the end
of this episode about lighting, and since we are kicking
off not only the winter months but also the holiday season,
I think we would be remiss if we didn't talk
about Christmas lights. So what is your preference? Colored? Christmas
lights are all white.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
I'm an all white girl. I love just the classic
all white look of the Christmas lights. It just is
pretty classic in there. I do let the kids, say,
have Christmas trees in their rooms, and they each have
colored lights on theirs, and so we get both aspects
of it in the house, but the main areas I'm
in all white.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I've always been an all white light person, but now
I sort of love that the nostalgic parts of Christmas
are making a comeback. And I like that for so
many reasons. You know, for so long people have been
really creative and fun with their palettes for Christmas, and now,
you know, people really are returning to classic traditional red
(33:31):
and green and silver and gold for their Christmas palettes.
And there is also a resurgence in people wanting multi
colored lights like it used to be before we all
became so design centric. I like the look of all white,
but I like the nostalgia of the multi colored lights.
But what I don't like is all one light in
(33:53):
a color that's not white, So like all blue or
all red or all no, I'm not for that. I
need not at all one or the other. So that's
how I feel about Christmas lights. So anyway, Megan, I
think this has been great to talk about light as
we are now in the darkness of wintertime, and you know,
(34:15):
we encourage everybody to first of all, go buy some
plain white candles and all shapes, because that's the most
immediate and cost effective way to add ambiance. But certainly
if you are building a new home or renovating, to
consider all of the different ways that you can use
lighting to affect your mood, to affect the way the
(34:37):
home looks, and just be as functional as possible.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
Yeah, christ I think you're so right. It's such a
good season to play around with light. You know, try
moving a lamp, see how you're actually using light in
different spaces. Maybe it's dimming things earlier, or even just
putting a candle at your coffee table in a random
Tuesday night for no reason other than just the beauty
of that and enjoying light as it's meant to be
(35:01):
in the space. So it was a fun conversation it was.
Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Boulevard Beat.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow along and leave
a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
so you never miss an episode, and of course, follow
your host on Instagram at Megan bloom Interiors, at CHRISA. Rossbund,
(35:23):
and at Liz Legit. We'll be back next week as
we take a stroll down another boulevard
Welcome to boulevard Beat, a podcast we're life and style intersect.
I'm designer Megan Bloom along with my co hosts, editor CHRISA.
Rossbund and gallery owner Liz Legit. This podcast focuses on
the daily highlights instead of the hustle. Interviews with taste makers,
and personal conversations on how to highlight achievable style. You
con stroll one street at a time, Boulevard Beat proves
(00:29):
the one you should take, all right, CHRISA. Today we
are talking light because, as we all dread it, the
season is changing, the daylight is disappearing faster than we want,
and now here we are moving into this time of
year where interiors rely way more on man made mood
(00:50):
than the natural sunshine that Mother Nature brings.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
So yes, we wish our days were longer, but nature
says that the Earth and its orbit decides that we
get shorter days for the time being. You know, Megan,
as I was thinking about this episode, I was thinking
how much we rely on light and interiors. But really,
if we think about it, light is just so necessary
through so many aspects of life. When we talk about
(01:17):
our health, we know that we're supposed to get so
much sunlight a day that can be more difficult during
this time of the year. But I was also thinking about,
you know, when we see celebrities and they look so
beautiful with the great skin and the great we're like,
oh gosh, they look so great, it's because of lighting. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
I think lighting really is one of those sneaky, like
deeply sophisticated design layers that we just don't really get
into some of the nitty gritty, because it does, like
you said, it affects our mood, our energy. You know,
it gives dimension to those celebrity models on the runway,
but also even just in our home, it does it
can leave things flat or dull, and it just makes
(01:54):
spaces become more alive and magical. And I just think
it's way more than just about picking a pretty shandle.
It's about the many more layers to it.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
And I'm guessing I would like you to elaborate on this,
but I'm guessing that your clients maybe aren't super educated
about light as a category. I sort of feel like
it's under promoted.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Yeah, I would agree. I think like I said that,
I almost feel like sometimes it's like, oh, yeah, we
need to pick out the pretty chandelier and it becomes
more than that of how we're lighting the spaces and
the different layers of lighting, which is I think what
we'll talk about today as we unpack, you know, even
the differences with natural light, artificial light, emotional light, and
just how it needs to feel not just beautiful but
(02:37):
intentional and welcoming, and how we're using light in the spaces.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Absolutely well, I think it'd be.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Great just to you know, there's different types of light
just within the natural light. That's important, you know. I
think as designers we really try and think about that
and how we're using certain rooms in the spaces morning
light and late afternoon light or are you know, just
those very nice, warm, magical times in the day in
(03:03):
our homes and how you feel in them, whether you're
having your morning coffee or reading a book at the
end of the day. Too. It manages your mood in
those areas, which I think too, is why winter light
is so hard, because it keeps things so dark so
for so much of the day.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Winter light is so interesting because, on one hand, I agree,
you don't get that little sunshine perk that you do
during the summer months. I also there's something about the
darkness that I like too, And I guess darkness is
just another form of light, right, it's not as right.
And how you know, you like to be cozy and
your you know, cozy winter socks and your big comfy
(03:40):
sweater and all that too, So it's interesting during this
time of year, especially how you really do get both
and when it becomes dark, that's when you want to
sort of, you know, hunker down with your warm materials
around you.
Speaker 1 (03:53):
And I think it's the light is also so different
this time of year two because it sits so much lower.
So even how it does come into your home, it
looks different in your house than it does in the summertime,
just because the sun is so much lower in the sky.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
It sure is, and that especially rings true during rush
hour traffic when you're driving home west For me, and
that sunlight is in my eyes the entire time, so
it does sit lower for a longer time. And I
think it's important to say this is not an episode
about color, However, I think it's important to note the
morning light and the afternoon light, evening light are all different.
(04:30):
That's why making sure you look at color during all
of those times a day before you make selections become
so important in the world of design.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yeah, it definitely it is because you know, as you know,
sometimes this time of day, you don't get to even
see your home as much during the daylight hours if
you're leaving to go to the office every day and
you come home and it's already dark out again. So
the way color affects and looks in those spaces definitely
changes things.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
It's different, for sure. I know so many people who've
been disappointed in paint colors because they didn't investigate and
sort of examine how those colors appeared throughout all times
of day, not just during your life. So I'm wondering
if we should talk a little bit about task lighting,
because this is something that becomes more and more important
(05:14):
to me. I just think that it's always so important,
And I mean in lighting, we know, it's so much
fun to pick that big chandelier right or the Wisconsin is
that have some sort of beautiful design to them. But
task lighting is so important and so necessary for all
of the activities that you're doing. And I know I've
said this a million times before, but I love to
(05:36):
cook and it's really frustrating regardless of what you're doing
when you can't see.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Yes, that makes it extremely difficult, especially in a kitchen
or the task lighting is so so important. I think
that's probably one of the pitfalls with lighting sometimes is
bad lighting is because people think it's only one source,
and you really need to think through how you're using
the spaces and all the additional task lighting that exs
how you can help illuminate those spaces, making it more functional,
(06:04):
making it easier for you to cook with ease, or
in the bathroom getting ready in different times of the day,
or where you're going to sit and read and making
sure that there's that nice little lamp sitting by the
table or a bedside table and things like that too.
It's important to really highly consider task lighting.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Absolutely as fun as it is to see those spectacular
chandeliers and beautiful forms for lamps. I do think that
can lights are my favorite, just because I get so
many of them and they are functional for sure.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
And I think to the drawback where can lights definitely
illuminate the space really really well. That overhead light is
very flattening. It kind of just obliberates dimension. And that's
why task lighting is important because it helps give a
space more dimensions.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Well, I think task lighting too, especially in the winter months.
You know, I think of myself and my family room
a lot. If I'm reading or maybe catching up on
some work or catching up on emails, I don't want
all that overhead light. Like part of the coziness is
being partly in the dark. So, you know, just having
(07:17):
the lamp on for that glow that's enough for me
to see clearly but not overwhelming the entire space is
important to me.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I would agree with you too. I think it just
sets the mood a lot more. And I'm with you.
I very rarely actually turned my hands on except for
when i'm you know, needing it more often in the kitchen.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Well, and what's become so much fun in lighting right
now is all of the accent lighting. I mean, we
know that, you know, lights for artwork, they've been around forever,
but there are so many more versions of them now
and so that's really been fun to see that category
expand and offer the opportunity for people to place lighting
(07:57):
in places where they may not have it before.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Yeah, these rechargeable little accent lamps are just little spaces
that you can bring a small lamp to the dining
table or a bathroom or a tight corner and just
allows you to kind of illuminate these different areas that
you didn't use to be able to.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
It's a big solution because it can be a pain
from an energy and time perspective and then costly too
to have a fixture hardwired and it's not always in
the right place that you want it to be. So
these rechargeable lights offer that opportunity. But even like the
accent lighting over a painting really highlights those pieces and
(08:38):
makes them additional showstoppers.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Yeah. I love nothing better than a great art picture
light that's over that artwork or at the end of
a hall and just illuminates it, and it's just subtle
and simple and just really lets you enjoy the piece,
the artwork the way it's made to be. And so often,
I mean, you sometimes don't even know where you're going
to put our certain spots either, So it's important to
think about early if you are doing it in a
(09:01):
new construction or remodel, or if not going to more
of the rechargeable options that are existing.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Now, I have a designer question for you. Did you
see I mean again home offices definitely existed prior to
the pandemic, but with people working at home now or
having that capability and option to do so, have you
seen that change a little bit when you are doing
home offices where people say, oh, let's put some more
(09:31):
lights in or you make note of that and bring
that up. As far as a question, yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
Mean, I would definitely say the home office is a
popular area. One. You want to make it something that
you enjoy being in and that you can sit in
for all hours of the day while you work. But
it's an opportunity to kind of either highlight some different
working environments so they're more functional, or if it's more
of a den or library that you're working out of,
having that extra scance on the mill work or the
(09:59):
fireplace and things like that, bringing light lower than just
where your chandelier or your can lights would be hitting,
so that way that light is lower for you.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
I just know that personally during that moment of time
that we all went through, you know before, I use
my home office sort of to pay bills very I
don't want to say infrequently, because I like my home
office and I like being in it, but it was
more for making playlist on my computer and that sort
of thing for fun, not so much that I had
(10:29):
to be in it. And when that time came, it's like, oh,
I need a brighter lamp. I need because it was
it was just hard for that many hours a day.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And that's why if you can too, it's always important
if you can have a little natural light in your
home office too. That even is just helpful for you
to have throughout the day. So you're getting that vitamin
D in the winter months too with the sunshine that
comes through, and just a more pleasant working environment.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So I have to ask, are you getting a lot
of request or or do you find yourself specifying light.
I know there are more opportunities for under cabinet light
that sort of thing. I know that there are the
strips now that are so commonly placed above cabinet tree.
You are kind of the kitchen queen, So what does
(11:16):
that look like? Are people requesting more lighting?
Speaker 1 (11:19):
It's definitely something we think about, especially if there's open shelves.
I mean, obviously glass shelves, you want to make sure
that the light can kind of go all the way through.
If they're just wooden shelves and you have the puck
light up above the light kind of gets stuck, and
so that's why the led strips are definitely popular to
kind of illuminate all around the shelves. I mean, you
(11:41):
can just go to town with lighting and all the
accents that happen too. And I think there is a
nice balance of what makes sense and what are you
going to use. Are you actually going to turn all
this on or you're just going to have certain zones
and things like that too. But I'm the queen of
wanting options. I always want to be able to have
options to turn it on or when you're done, if
it's a kitchen, you know, turning the overhead light off
(12:03):
and just having some accent that just has that soft
glow as you walk by it or in and out
doing things in the evening.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Okay, so this is my one lighting complaint. And this
doesn't have to do with lighting as a whole in
interiors as much as it is technology and a little
gimmicky in my in my opinion, I know that there
are some appliances that, especially in the bathroom where you
can get your tub that has a blue light and
(12:33):
it's supposed to affect your mood and then it goes
to magenta, and I have to say, I really just
want plain old white light. Yeah, I don't need There
are a lot of gimmicky introductions that happen in the
world of design, I suppose in any part of life,
but that is one that I just can't get behind.
(12:53):
And I know, even when I bought a new vehicle
a year ago, you know that they're telling me about how,
oh the dashboard might have been seventeen different colors, and
I'm like, who has time for that? I'm usually ten
minutes behind. It's all I can do to get in
the car and push the gas medal. So that's one
thing that in the world of lighting that is offered
now with appliances and a lot of times in bathrooms specifically,
(13:17):
that I it's not for me.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
No, I with you too, And I think especially in
the car, it's like it's more of a game for
my kids to play with to switch the light than
anything else, right right, Yeah, I'm with you. I just
want a nice, warm light. I like you know that
twenty seven hundred to three thousand light temperature. It's very
important too that your lighting temperature is all the same. Shade.
(13:41):
You don't want different color temperatures in your cans and
in your chandeliers and then in your lamps. That just
throws it all off and kind of like we talked
about earlier too, on how lighting affects your mood and
your emotions and how you actually feel in a space.
When that all gets wonky and off, you're not gonna
feel as in that room.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
That's so true. It makes all of the difference in
the world. So I have to ask, are you one
of those people who switches out your bulbs? I know
a couple of people who do that, and I'm out.
I can't.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
I don't have time at different times of the year. Yes, no,
I'm not either. No, nope. Just get me a nice,
warm light and we'll keep it all year around.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Yeah. Yeah, good for people who have that kind of
time on their hands, But that is not me. And look,
I think that we have to talk about dimmers too
if we're talking about how light affects moods and what
it can do as far as ambiance. And I know
that we've brought up dimmers before, but in this particular
episode that is lighting specific. I love a dimmer. I
(14:38):
want a dimmer on everything.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
I am with you one hundred percent. I like the control.
I like to be able to change the way a
room feels. I think dimmers might be the highest ROI
on your entire home because they really can make a
space feel magical in the way it's supposed to be
seen and kind of just get that lighting perfect. I
think it's also one of those things that people think
(15:02):
that it is a big expense to put a dimmer
on a regular switch, and it really isn't. It's one
of the most cost effective, easy things to switch. Even
on an existing home. You can change those out at
any time, which is wonderful.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
It's so true. It's really it's inexpensive upgrade that is
so effective.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
And it's kind of also too. You can have that
set to just that it's more of a sunset simulation
that it's not having your house highly brightly lit all
the time either well.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
And I think that houses in general, design in general
is meant even though we may be at work or
school during the day, it's still more centered around daytime
activity because that's when we're awake and nighttime. You know,
with the exception of the dining room that I think
can be a little bit of an adult sexier space
(15:55):
that is intended for nighttime. Oftentimes that's a space where
you see a lot of design. Pizazz I still think
that most rooms are better during the day, and so
with those dimmers on the lights, it can create an ambiance.
It can give you more control over the design to
(16:15):
make the other spaces more nighttime rooms.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Yeah, you're so right. There definitely is a way to
kind of control how that is and that it feels
differently and just has that nice setting for that daytime.
I know, I've been really enjoying too, just my house
sits kind of up on a hill, and just how
that glimmer of light comes in right now and the
glisten of the orange and red trees just kind of
(16:38):
shine through, and it is it's made to be enjoyed
during the daytime.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Well, and you bring up a good point how the
light dapples in through the trees right now, and that
makes landscaping important too, when you know, maybe we do
an episode on that in the supreme time. But it
does matter because where you place those trees, how the
natural light filters in through your windows is important and
(17:03):
dependent oftentimes on where trees are placed throughout your property.
So that's something to consider too, if you crave that
natural light, to make sure that there's not a big
tree or a tree that's going to grow large in
front of a window. But I do love the dapple through.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
You do well, and even just how the sun shades
certain areas of your house certain times of the day too,
and how that flows in again kind of back to
certain times of the year you might get more natural
light than other times too.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Absolutely, I think it's fun if you know, talking about lamps,
lamp shades have just I think it's safe to say
that we have divorced plain white lamp shades at this point.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Yes, I would agree, Yeah, I would say lamp shades.
Pleated lamp shades are just having a major resurgence. I
think they add such beautiful textural shadow. It sculptures the
light a little bit more, and even just adding color
and no more boring lamp shades the end of that
(18:06):
of just adding a little more personality to the space.
And even if you don't want necessarily that look of
these bold, beautiful colors and patterns, even doing it in
a more neutral sort of a pattern is beautiful too.
I know recently at market to they're just beautiful marbleized
patterns on the lamp shades. I really love too.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
Oh yes, those marbilized paper shades are super impactful. I
think it's funny that it's like, whose idea was it
to ever get rid of the interesting lamp shade and
go to these boring white lamp shades? Like who is
responsible for that? Because it's just another design opportunity that's
been neglected for decades. Really, it's not even just a
(18:48):
recent thing that's gone in and out of vogue. It's
been that way for quite a long time.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
It really has. I mean I don't really ever remember
having more of the shades that we have right now.
It's always been beige, linen and just natural to me.
And I think those shades really do change the voice
of the light, you know, what silk does, or linen
or printed pattern versus your basic plane parchment, which you know,
I hate it too when you can see a sconce
when it gets a little burn mark on it, and
(19:15):
it's like, okay, time to get a new one in
the bathroom or different spots too.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Especially during a time when I think the design world
is attractive to people from a layering perspective, not only
layering with light, but color, pattern, texture. People just seem
to understand and be more willing to try layering now.
They want that look, and so I think having that
(19:41):
lamp shade certainly aids that instead of fighting it, because
before it was just plain white and not even for
a world that hovers around design and artistry, it was not.
And so it's really a fun time to see those
lamp shades that have their own personalities come back into
play well.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
And I think it's nice too because you can also
if you're kind of scared to jump into this trend
or embrace it, you can do it. They come in
all different sizes, so if you're not wanting to do
just a big, large shade on your larger lamp, you
can do it on a many little small accent lamp shade,
or on your sconces in your bathroom or different things too,
(20:20):
so you can start slow and kind of embrace it
from there. Or even just the texture of like a
woven sort of a look on a shade is a
nice look too.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
So I love sconces that are installed in built in shelves,
I'll say, like in a library or a den or
a home office I love that look, and I think
that's the perfect opportunity for just a little pop a
pattern and color. It's really fun and it does just
give a little more personality to a room and tells
(20:50):
the story a little further.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yeah, I would agree with you. I am a sucker
for that on a bookcase too, which is what's been
so nice too on the cordless lighting trend, that when
you have a spot where you didn't get your power
to you can easily add these little accessories to that
bookcase to have that cozy feel. I think, you know,
it's just the new accessory candlestick. Being able to add
(21:13):
these little lighting components all over the home.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Well, what I love about them is they can go
not only in places where you you know, didn't hardwire
or have it electrified, but also on places like a
kitchen island. I love that look nighttime in a kitchen
with a couple of cordless lamps to give that glow.
Kitchens are so multi purpose. They're not just for cooking
(21:36):
and not just for eating. So you know, maybe it's
after dinner when kitchen is cleaned up and you just
want to sit there and you know, maybe you have
your laptop out, and I just think it's great for
that and also so much fun to have on a
dinner table.
Speaker 1 (21:52):
I love it on a dinner table. I think it
just really really brings the lighting down. It kind of
romanticizes things down, and again you can kind of then
have your chandelier very dimly lit and just kind of
have that layer throughout. It's just a beautiful placement. I
think that there's so many great uses too, even just
like that powder room you're not in very often, or
(22:14):
a bar kart's always a great spot too, because most
often these little cordless lamps are very skinny as well,
so they don't take up a big footprint of space.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
And for anybody who's listening, what is all so nice
about them? Just for anybody who's thinking, oh, but how
long do they last? I think from some of the
nicer companies anyway, they last a few hours. And the
good news is, like I'll just call out pooky. For instance,
you get a second battery with each fixture, so while
(22:46):
one is charging, the other one is going operating, and
when that if that fizzles out, like in the middle
of a party, if you're talking a powder room, you
can easily just swap it out. You don't have there's
no wait time.
Speaker 1 (22:59):
Yeah, that's a good to have a good system down
so you're not frustrated that it's out of charge. That
brings up another point of a type of lighting, and
I think that's just the what candle lighting can do,
that rhythmic flicker that you have from a candle. I
think candles just have that emotional scenes that we all
(23:19):
want and they set the tone.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Candles are one of my favorite categories. I absolutely love them.
I think that one of the most inexpensive but impactful,
effective decisions one can make if they're hosting any sort
of event is to just load that place down with
white candles of all kinds. They can be tapers, they
(23:43):
can be votives, they can be any kind of candles,
but no scent. They don't even have to be scented.
Just the most inexpensive white candles that you can buy
from any of the big box discount stores will go
so far for ambiance.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
It really I think it's just like that primal grounding
that it has in the space, and they can just
I think it's important to kind of layer them at
different heights so you kind of see the candles flickering
at different levels. I think it's just has that nice
emotional gathering feeling of welcoming people, making them feel comfortable,
and the sculptural elements that some candles have anymore. I'm
(24:22):
a big candle person too. I've always got one going
on my island. I feel like even sometimes in the
summer months, it doesn't make sense, but it's it just
is that comfort that it brings to the space.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
I love a summer candle too, so I think that's okay,
that's great. I think it's nice too to always have
a candle going in a powder room. It's just it's pretty.
And I think that, you know, if you're hosting a
party and your powder room is where a guest goes.
Sometimes they just need to use the facility, but sometimes
it's just a moment away, you know, and your your
(24:53):
powder room is your jewel box where you can kind
of go a little crazy with its design and do
something that's archer from the rest of the home and
just to go in there and not only be again
I'll use the word dazzled by what's going on in
that powder room decoratively, but then to have the ambiance
of the light and then you know, a wonderful fragrance
(25:15):
as well. I think is really special.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
I would agree. I think that's such a nice and
a powder bathroom just to always have that, you you know,
especially if you're hosting a larger party and you're not
in there for hours, but then you're going to know
that it's always going to have a pleasant smell and
not get stuffy in there and just set the ambiance
for this.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
I have to ask, do you have any favorite candle
sense that you gravitate toward?
Speaker 1 (25:37):
You know, I would say I kind of dive into
the seasonal a little bit. I think, you know, in
your winter, Christmas, the months, I think it's fun to
have it smell a little bit more in those cinnamon
and just the more nostalgic that the holidays bring around.
So I'm not I probably like different sense of different
(25:57):
times of the year.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
What about you, oh, I have you know, there are
certain things in life that you probably shouldn't be so
opinionated about, and candle sense is one of them. But
I am I don't like candles that are the scent
of anything that I would bake, because I'd rather just
bake it so the ones that are called Grandma's cookies
or whatever, that's a no go for me. I love
(26:20):
big sense and I love smoky sense in the winter months.
And I've said this before when we've talked about color,
but it applies to candle sense as well. I'm such
a girly girl at heart, but there's something about more
masculine colors that I like, or the masculine versions of
any color that I like. And the same is true
(26:41):
with sense. I love like a dirty, fake scent that's
really earthy, and again, some sort of smoky tone. I
don't love the super sweet florals so much. I love
the ones that smell like you know, they're always called
something like fresh linen or fresh laundry like that. I
could maybe buy a bottle of Tide and accomplish the
(27:03):
same thing, but I'll use it in candle form. But okay,
And then here's a little trick that I have and
tip that I use for myself and can offer to
anybody who is listening. When it comes to candles. I
love a pretty rose scent, and that is my litmus
test on the quality of the candle if the rose version,
(27:28):
because rose is pretty common, right, most candle manufacturers make it.
If the rose version is one that I like, then
I can pretty much count on me liking the other
sense as well. From that line, when it's a rose
that's like, oh, that's awful, then I probably won't sign
(27:49):
on to the candle line at all. And I use
that same That's sort of my litmus test also for
buying fragrances in the beauty world. For myself, it's interesting
to go to the rose and if I like that version,
then I'm like, Okay, let's see what else they have,
because I like those notes that they have used.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
So the rose is your first one. You're trying the
scent test before your nose gets tired of smelling all
these ones out.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
Yes, and it's not necessarily that I'm going to buy
the rose, it's just that that's my It's like every
company has a rose, and I think you could probably
do that with vanilla too. Some vanillas are too overpowering
for me.
Speaker 1 (28:29):
So well, Chris, I don't think we can talk about
light and the flickers of light that exists without talking
about a fireplace and what that brings to the space,
especially during these cooler months ahead as we often have
fires roaring in our homes, and just that anchoring that
(28:52):
a fire does in the space, bringing light into the space,
and just that energetic hierarchy that a fire brings.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
A house without a fireplace is a no go for me.
That is a one hundred percent deal breaker. I have
to have a fireplace. And I know that there can
be debates over you know, wood burning versus a gas fireplace,
but I think that if you can have a wood
burning fireplace, the mess is worth it. To hear the
crackle pop and just the smoky smells that go with that.
(29:25):
I think it's worth it during those those months to
have the real wood.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
I definitely would agree with you. We have a real
wood burning fireplace in our living room and we use
it often. We go through a lot of firewood, and
it's it's not as much work as you would think.
We always just use like we kind of cheat and
use a little starter and the fire gets going pretty
easily and you've got a nice big fire going and
keeping you warm through the evening.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
Absolutely, I love a fireplace, and from a design perspective,
I imagine for you, you know, it's another opportunity for
place of objects. I mean, if you have a mantle.
Some fireplaces do not. Their flesh you know, into the wall.
But you know, it's the mantle. It's the heart that
offers other opportunities for other decorative elements.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
It certainly does, you know. I mean, I think the
mantle and how it can shift the look from formal
to relaxed instantly. I love it as well in these
cooler months. Two of just layering candlesticks up there, and
that extra layer of a candle burning I think is
just so charming and just adds a little bit more
(30:34):
of that light that kind of comes through too. It
also is a great space just that you can architecturally
have some interest with two. So I think that that
fireplace really has that gathering, anchoring feel of the home.
Speaker 2 (30:51):
It's so funny how within the home there are places
that you're like, oh, I don't really care about that
so much, and then there are places that you're obsessed with. Yeah,
and my fireplace mantle. Only the best of the best
gets to go up there. I'm super picky about the
objects that I place up there, and I do play
favorites with some of my accessories. It's like, no, you're
(31:12):
not good enough to go on the Mantle.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
I would agree with you.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Yes, it's funny, and I do love all of the
beautiful like the antique and irons and some of the
gorgeous fireplace surrounds that exist, both new and old. One
of my favorite houses that I've ever written about at
the magazine has been within the last five years, and
(31:36):
it was a home in the Preston Hollow area of Dallas,
and it was Belgian, I think, from the seventeenth century,
and it was this wonderful kind of French crusty blue
finish where you know, so much of the paint had
had worn off over time, but it was so tall
(31:57):
I could walk into it, and it was laced in
a family room and it was absolutely beautiful. And the
color of that old fireplace surround informed really the palette
for the entire house that was quite large. So not
only do fireplaces offer the ambiance and the lights, but
also the architecture and again this other major significant decorative
(32:23):
design opportunity.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Yeah, I love it when you've got something that's just
the star of the show and it sets the tone
for the rest of the home.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
So, Megan, I know that we're almost to the end
of this episode about lighting, and since we are kicking
off not only the winter months but also the holiday season,
I think we would be remiss if we didn't talk
about Christmas lights. So what is your preference? Colored? Christmas
lights are all white.
Speaker 1 (32:49):
I'm an all white girl. I love just the classic
all white look of the Christmas lights. It just is
pretty classic in there. I do let the kids, say,
have Christmas trees in their rooms, and they each have
colored lights on theirs, and so we get both aspects
of it in the house, but the main areas I'm
in all white.
Speaker 2 (33:07):
I've always been an all white light person, but now
I sort of love that the nostalgic parts of Christmas
are making a comeback. And I like that for so
many reasons. You know, for so long people have been
really creative and fun with their palettes for Christmas, and now,
you know, people really are returning to classic traditional red
(33:31):
and green and silver and gold for their Christmas palettes.
And there is also a resurgence in people wanting multi
colored lights like it used to be before we all
became so design centric. I like the look of all white,
but I like the nostalgia of the multi colored lights.
But what I don't like is all one light in
(33:53):
a color that's not white, So like all blue or
all red or all no, I'm not for that. I
need not at all one or the other. So that's
how I feel about Christmas lights. So anyway, Megan, I
think this has been great to talk about light as
we are now in the darkness of wintertime, and you know,
(34:15):
we encourage everybody to first of all, go buy some
plain white candles and all shapes, because that's the most
immediate and cost effective way to add ambiance. But certainly
if you are building a new home or renovating, to
consider all of the different ways that you can use
lighting to affect your mood, to affect the way the
(34:37):
home looks, and just be as functional as possible.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
Yeah, christ I think you're so right. It's such a
good season to play around with light. You know, try
moving a lamp, see how you're actually using light in
different spaces. Maybe it's dimming things earlier, or even just
putting a candle at your coffee table in a random
Tuesday night for no reason other than just the beauty
of that and enjoying light as it's meant to be
(35:01):
in the space. So it was a fun conversation it was.
Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Boulevard Beat.
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow along and leave
a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
so you never miss an episode, and of course, follow
your host on Instagram at Megan bloom Interiors, at CHRISA. Rossbund,
(35:23):
and at Liz Legit. We'll be back next week as
we take a stroll down another boulevard
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