Decor

Squinting isn’t Pretty: BenQ E-Reading Lamp

August 6, 2016 · Leave a Comment

BenQ E-Reading Lamp

Thanks to my Amazon Kindle, I’m an avid reader of ebooks. My e-reading falls into two categories: books or PDFs I read for work and pleasure reading. Either way, I want my reading to be a pleasant experience that doesn’t strain my eyes. Think of all the other ways that screens have permeated our lives: watching a Netflix movie on a tablet, late night browsing, or the infamous middle of the night Instagram check.

That is why I am thrilled with the BenQ E-Reading Lamp. This lamp is sizable enough to cover a large area with light but has a slim line to it. The sleek design is adjustable, so if you are doing intricate work (like beading or digital editing), you can focus the light on your work.

With just a tap on the ring, the lamp switches between warm white light and cool white light. Much like the Night Setting on tablets, this adjusts the light for the time of day and the activity in which you are engaging. This is a really nice feature, as most lamps just have one setting, but this lamp takes in the “human factor”. It also responds to the ambient light and adjusts accordingly.

Some might question the price of this lamp. Considering how much computing affects vision, I think the price is quite reasonable compared to worsening vision and the associated risks of long hours at the computer, including headaches due to flicker or glare. Additionally, lack of proper lighting when using computers or tablets can lead to bad posture, which can cause a whole slew of health issues. So this lamp is priced quite reasonably when you consider the cost to health. Additionally, the price is competitive with other lamps with such a sleek design.

I plan on buying another one to put in my office on my desk. I really am thrilled to have discovered this lamp.

Find it at Amazon.com.

I received this product in exchange for testing and review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

Infinity Instruments The Arcadian 31 Inch Rustic Wall Clock

July 10, 2016 · 3 Comments

Infinity Instruments The Arcadian 31 Inch Rustic Wall Clock

A well-made, common element, when found in an expected shape, form, or size can lend character to the decor of an otherwise classic or traditionally designed space. That is why I liked this Infinity Instruments Arcadian oversized clock.

At 31 inches, it holds the design weight of focal point pieces, such as a colorful mid-size painting. As such, the clock can be used above a couch or headboard, or lend some character to a restaurant or store, an office or cubicle, or it can be placed positioned with a grouping of hanging frames or mirrors. It would be suitable for use on a long wall, such as a high or cathedral ceiling side wall or staircase wall.

It is very well packaged, in an inner and outer box, with styrofoam padding and a dedicated full-size packing piece along the length of the clock to protect the golden hands. There is also a piece to hold the two hands apart during transit to avoid scratches. This is important because, despite its heavy metallic appearance, the minute hand seems delicate.

The patina is attractive and can be part of a masculine or feminine decor depending on what other decorative items are situated with it. The clock also could look great in steampunk, industrial or urban-themed office. Paired with some softer elements of the period, it could pass for a Victorian looking piece as well and have a more feminine look.

There is a long, well-secured bracketing hook to hang it on the top just off of one or two strong nails and alternate hardware options for hanging. It runs on one battery. It is not as heavy as it looks, so it is easy to move and hang yourself, but the nail should be as strong as you might use for a 2 to 3-foot painting or framed picture.

I especially like how the patina picks up the light, as the sun moves through the room, it takes on a lovely plum to copper glow on the patina.

No complaints, nice statement piece, be careful with the hands of the clock, they look heavy, but they are delicate.

Decor: Esco-Lite Globe Patio Lights

June 30, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Esco-Lite Globe Patio Lights

I love the look of strung lights on a porch, patio, deck of al fresco eating area of a home or cafe. It evokes the feel of a summer night at a cozy coffeehouse and casts just enough light to create a festive mood. This set is far more substantial than those typically found at the local drugstore; they are high enough quality for use in a restaurant or venue space. If you are thinking of getting these for decorating for a wedding or outdoor party, don’t hesitate, they give a lovely glow and are high-quality.

LIGHT
This particular string of globe lights have a lovely warm white-golden light but not so yellow that they are an orangey-saffron glow. It is very much like candlelight, especially when used indoors or in enclosed spaces. Outdoors they give off a bit of a vintage-light look. They have a streamlined, clean metal look and evoke a trendy, industrial, hipster urban neighborhood restaurant kind of vibe. At twenty-five feet, they are perfect for stringing up for outdoor entertaining, or weddings, holidays, summer parties, or for stringing them on the porch for a bit of light at an entryway. They would also be pretty strung indoors along a full-length mirror in a bedroom; these are sturdy and attractive. They come with sturdy hooks on each bulb socket, so you don’t have to fiddle with plastic hanger type of hooks, and with individual hooks, you can get the exact look you want to the drape of your light string.

They are warm after being on for a while but so far they have not run hot on me. I also like the size of these bulbs – they are large enough to give a soft light to the surroundings and be noticeable, but they are not gimmicky in their shape or size.

This string has a nice thick wire and looks like an expensive set. They can be plugged together with other sets for a total of three strings, which gives you 75 total feet of globe bulbs, which is more than plenty for most design spaces.

PACKAGING
They come packaged very well in a box with inner cardboard holding each bulb, although I could not figure out how to remove the internal packaging around each bulb, so I need to use some bubble wrap to carefully re-pack them since they are glass.

CONCLUSION: I love them! So happy to have these, they are a much nicer quality than any festive or fairy lights I have from drugstore stores. They blend in nicely with various decors and give off a lovely glow. Recommended!

Esco-Lite Globe Patio Lights

Office Decor: Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree

June 23, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree

Our office recently underwent renovations, and I had to clear out all of my decor so it didn’t get damaged. It seemed a good a time as any to redecorate, so I will be talking a bit about some office decor ideas here. I was thrilled to find a lovely piece of art in the Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree.

I picked this piece because it reminded me of the front yard of my childhood home. We have a huge maple tree in the yard, and this painting looks like it was a commissioned work of that area of the property, and of my childhood. My father and I used to play in that area, so it is nice to bright a bit of home into my office. It is beautiful and always brings a smile to my face.

The close up details are stunning. It is one of those paintings that is beautiful from across the room, but breathtaking close-up. The turns of the tree trunk, the individual leaves, the crystal clear water – all are stunning surprises to be found when you examine the painting closely.

Guess what else is cool about this painting? It glows in the dark! Not a neon green, stick-on-planets kind of way, but almost a replica of how light in that area of the yard appears in twilight or if there is a bright, full moon. All it needs is some sunlight and the Dual View Eco Light Inks create a beautiful, soothing view. The Eco Light Inks are interesting: they do not contain phosphorus, which is typically an ingredient in luminescent paints While direct sunlight is ideal, I put the painting near a window with good sunlight, but not direct sunlight, and it worked. In the instructions, it stated that 1 minute of direct natural sunlight per day or 25 minutes of indirect or artificial (aka overhead) light is enough to keep your beautiful twilight view going all night. The light isn’t so bright that it would keep you up at night, I think it would just be a soothing light like a window looking out on a suburban back yard. This painting would be great if you lack windows and would like a view that changes like the outside light. This is ideal if you have a basement apartment, or you simply don’t get as much light as you would like in an area.

The canvas is sturdy and canvas wrapped. It comes with hardware to mount the painting and glow in the dark stars if you want to add some extra light.

Find it at Amazon.com.

Startonight Wall Art Canvas Maple Tree

I received this item at a discount for testing and unbiased review purposes. If you have any questions about my experience with it, leave it in the comments section below, and Iâ€™ll do my best to answer it!

NOVICA White and Red Reverse-Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mounted Round Mirror, ‘White Star’

May 31, 2016 · Leave a Comment

NOVICA White and Red Reverse-Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mounted Round Mirror, ‘White Star’

I adore this intricate mirror from NOVICA. The frame is painted in the reverse glass painting technique, where glass is handpainted on one side, and then reversed for display. This makes the colors seem incredibly vibrant, combining the beauty of stained glass with the vibrancy of a painting.

The detail on the mirror is incredible. The white background has a pearlescence to it, which makes it quite versatile. The edges are highly detailed, making it easy to match with either traditional or modern decor. The coppery gold gilding makes it an impressive piece, yet the floral motive adds a bit of whimsey.

I purchased the item because I thought it was beautiful, but initially, I didn’t know where I would display it. At first, I thought about placing it on a wall near a large Peruvian painting with similar colors. As beautiful as the two items would have been together, this mirror is commanding enough that it would have been too much to have two showstopper pieces together. After trying a few other spots, the perfect place became evident: on the brick wall in the kitchen. We have multiple antique copper pieces and the copper-gold tones of the gilding pick up beautifully when places with other display items. It also reflects the tones of the Tiffany light fixture and the colors of the two play off of each other beautifully around sunset.

About the Artist: Asunta Pelaez learned her craft from her husband’s family and started honing her trade when she was seventeen in the Andes. She uses simple tools like basic brushes, but her process is intricate and meticulous as she creates her beautiful pieces. She uses India ink, tempera paints, and purpurina, or gilt, and creates stunning designs inspired by local illustrations. Thanks to NOVICA’s microfinancing, she can employ several women!

Find it at Amazon.com.

NOVICA White and Red Reverse-Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mounted Round Mirror, ‘White Star’