Summer 2025 Newsletter
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we know, we know, Pinterest home ideas were VERY big in 2014. but have you looked at what we are saving lately?! come follow us to catch the latest trends, twists on traditional styles, and more! here’s what we can’t stop thinking about this summer:
4 things you need to know about lighting // by Michele
You can choose the paint colors, fabrics or overhead lighting, but if you have the wrong bulbs in lamps, these beautiful selections might feel a bit off. Good lighting is key to making all of your selections cohesive and true to the colors they actually are. No matter what the purpose of the light, we always want a soft or warm white. No one wants to feel like they are on the operating table when they are hanging out with you in your kitchen. Here’s what you need to know:
Task Lighting: Task lighting is for specific areas where you need light to do something, read, work, do a puzzle, cook, etc. For task lights, you need bulbs that are typically brighter without being overstimulating. Opt for a soft or neutral white: anywhere from 3500K- 4100K.
Ambient Lighting: Ambient lighting is for general light in the room and makes sure there aren’t any dark pockets. This should be a little warmer white but you could go a little whiter depending on your paint color*-more to come! For a little more control over the vibe you are creating, we recommend a dimmer switch for ambient lighting. For a warm white, shoot for anywhere between 2700K-3000K. For a brighter white that is still warm, try 3000K-3500K.
Accent Lighting: Accent lighting is for highlighting features of the room from architectural elements to art. It would be best to have accent lighting on a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of light based on what you’re doing in the space or even the time of day. We recommend a warm white for accent lighting, something between 2700K and 3000K.
*When choosing ambient lighting specifically, your paint color matters. Paint colors all have an LRV number which is the amount of light the paint color reflects. Lower numbers absorb all light and heat (pure black is 0) and higher numbers reflect all light (pure white is 100). If a paint color is above 50 it reflects more than it absorbs and if it is below 50 it absorbs more than it reflects. If you have paint colors with an LRV of less than 50, you might want to consider a few options to make sure you aren’t squinting!
Lean toward brighter white for ambient lighting (3000K-3500K)
Use white lamp shades to get maximum light in the room if you are doing a warmer white bulb
Make sure you have adequate uses of all 3 lighting types to make sure you can see comfortably in the space.
As you replace lightbulbs, keep this guide in mind. If you need help or if something feels off, call us! We can come out for a consultation and make sure you have optimal lighting for your space.
news from around the office
Summer is well under way and we are trying to enjoy it through this heat! We are finishing up the Lake Burton Boathouse with Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle. It has been fun to watch the progress of the Burton community and we are happy to have been a part of the Boathouse coming to life.
Michele has been loving summer so far with the fam! She’s traveled a little bit with a few more trips left before the back-to-school grind. She’s loving college visits with her daughter and spending time with her son before he starts high school!
Erin is officially back with MGI after back surgery in April. She’s feeling much better and loves feeling some normalcy after a tough 6 months. She’s loving married life and a fun summer! She looks forward to seeing you all again soon when working on your projects!
Several of you have probably met Grace as she bops around town! She has been working with Michele since the beginning of the year and has been such a God-send! She will be joining the team full time in September and we are so excited to have more friends in the office.
We have several projects happening now. We cannot wait to see the installs in the next few months. You are going to love some of the wallpaper our clients have selected as well as custom pillows and drapery. The summer heat sure is stirring up some creativity and we love being a part of it! Make sure to watch on instagram as these beautiful spaces come to life!
trial by travel // by Erin
Travel is one of the most inspiring experiences we can have. From seeing new architecture to witnessing nature in new ways, there is always something to be learned from a trip. I’ve rounded up a few destinations that we are inspired by this summer. Whether you are abroad or seeing travels from social media, we can all bring a little novelty into our homes!
