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Natural light and your house design, by Joe Snell

January 28, 2015 Leave a Comment

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Last year, I was approached at a family barbecue by a friend of a friend who had a problem. The problem was she said, that it was incredibly hard getting her family going in the morning and that breakfast was simply a form of extended torment. After much discussion back and forth it did not take long to define the primary problem was most likely a lack of morning sun (by the way, we did discuss the quality of the coffee on offer โ€“ it was apparently good — and then again we had to consider the kids too!). It turned out the breakfast area was in the middle of the house without a window or skylight in near sight and, apart from the clock, it was hard to tell what time of day it was.

Morning light is one of the most fundamental, and in my opinion most overlooked, elements of a home and a lifestyle. Now with our knowledge of daylight and our circadian rhythms, it is a no-brainer to ensure that we have some sun on the breakfast table! The morning light will literally wake you and your family up and get you going!

One of Joe's projects where he has added a skylight in the breakfast area
One of Joe’s projects where he has added a skylight in the breakfast area

It is a common issue with many houses I have visited over the years having poorly located breakfast areas. It has always surprised me to see how many families have spent their good lives having breakfast (arguably the most important meal of the day) in dark and depressing spaces.

In fact, when designing a house, well before I worry about the breakfast table styling and accessories (for example what type of bowl to have your cornflakes out of), I make sure that there is going to be some sun on the breakfast table. Imagine how much more of a happy and productive day you and your family are going to have when you have enjoyed the twinkle of some winter sun off your spoon of strawberries! And knowing you are going to have some morning sun, imagine then what styling you could enjoy โ€“ is it going to be Scandinavian blonde timber with a navy cloth, or bright daisy yellow napkins against a pure white slat bench? The inspiration for the space and the experience is so much greater because the fundamental is right, and in this case it is the capturing of morning light.

So, how to make immediate change? Well, first of all, find out where the morning sun is coming into your home. Seek it out and adjust your planning; sometimes it means changing rooms to suit a breakfast table and chairs catching the sun. Never be afraid of light as it is always better to take it away with well-placed blinds or screens than not have it at all โ€“ particularly in winter.

Once you have located the morning sun in your home, freshen up the space with lighter and brighter colours to reflect the light and make it a morning place โ€“ whites, yellows, light coloured timbers โ€“ it does not have to be the whole room โ€“ it can just be the breakfast area. Once you have brightened the space consider a large mirror. They can be a great addition if placed in such a way to reflect the outside in โ€“ whether it is a view, the garden, a tree or even the sky. Remember that the early morning light is quite horizontal, particularly in winter, so a mirror can literally bring the morning into a space and all the beautiful light reflections are an added bonus.

Image source: Dwell. Click for details
Image source: Dwell. Click for details

In terms of a renovation, do all of the above and literally design around the morning light โ€“ include windows and skylights that are designed to capture and funnel light into your breakfast space. Good quality skylights these days are so much more available and better priced than in the past. Some even include electric sun blinds and automatically close when they sense rain. Give priority to your place of breakfast in your design so that it is located on the edge of your house, preferably near an outdoor area, so on those perfect mornings you can easily spill outside. Consider as well the convenience of its location as for many of us, breakfast can be a bit of a rush.

At the start of the day, there is nothing more important than making sure that you get your familyโ€™s body clocks and appetites going with some sun on your breakfast table. With some clever design and planning, invite that morning to breakfast!

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
#homestylingsydney #interiorstyling #interiordesignsydney
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#creativehomes #housestyling #sydneyhomes
#interiorinspiration #myhomedesign
I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

โœ”๏ธ I'm English ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008๐Ÿ˜† 

โœ”๏ธ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. ๐Ÿ› 

โœ”๏ธ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) ๐Ÿ““ 

โœ”๏ธ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London ๐Ÿš” 

โœ”๏ธI had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK โค๏ธ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง 

โœ”๏ธ At school, my favourite subject was French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท and I was head girl ๐Ÿค“๐Ÿค“

โœ”๏ธ I'm addicted to โ˜•๏ธ , long hot baths and๐Ÿ’„ (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

โœ”๏ธ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message ๐Ÿ˜

โœ”๏ธ My favourite cuisine is Japanese ๐Ÿฃ ๐Ÿœ and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

โœ”๏ธ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

โœ”๏ธ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or๐Ÿท 

โœ”๏ธ Cheesy as it sounds, ๐Ÿ’โ€โ™€๏ธbeing a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life ๐Ÿง’๐Ÿ‘ฆ

โœ”๏ธ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view ๐Ÿ“– 

โœ”๏ธ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

โœ”๏ธ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker ๐Ÿ˜ฏ ๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better ๐Ÿ˜˜

๐Ÿ“ธ @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? ๐ŸŽจ 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

โ€œWe are very honoured to have been a part ofย The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,โ€ he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

๐Ÿ™Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! ๐ŸŽจ 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find ๐Ÿค—

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
๐Ÿ“ธ @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Comments

  1. AvatarElizabeth Smith says

    February 4, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Who is responsible for the fabulous floral canvas in the kitchen area in the top photo?

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 4, 2015 at 10:54 am

      I will ask Joe if he knows!

      Reply
  2. AvatarBaz Du Bois says

    February 10, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Great information Joe.

    Reply

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