I've never been so impressed with a blog article, that I've contacted the author, and asked for his authorization, so that I can post that article in my blog before.  I've found this posting so insightful and specific, that I've asked Matt Astrella from Alglo Engineering, if I could re-post his blog.  He said yes,  and I truly hope that you find it as helpful as I have.  

(Alglo Engineering has also come up with an unique tool that can help all interior designers, stay tuned to hear more about this new tool, below!)

What Is Color Temperature?

Color temperature is mostly a measurement of the amount of yellow or blue white a light is comprised of and is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). The term ‘temperature’ is used because designers often describe how warm or cool light appears, the more orange and yellow light is the warmer and the more white and blue, the cooler.

How Is Color Temperature Measured?

Color temperature is measured by a unit called the Kelvin (K). The Kelvin thermodynamic temperature scale is defined so that absolute zero is 0 kelvins (K). The measurement of color temperature follows similarly the color changes a piece of metal would experience as heat is applied to it. At first, the metal would glow a deep orange-red and then become more yellow-white and finally move to the blue spectrum. The lower numbers on the light temperature scale (2700K is usually the base) contain a more yellow-orange color, the middle of the scale are white and the top of the scale (often ends at 6500K) you get very bright white to blue color.

How Do I Choose Which Temperature to Use?

The color temperature you want to use to illuminate your room depends mostly on the mood you are looking to create. If you are using warm furniture colors such as rich dark woods, reds in oriental rugs, and wall paint, 2700K to 3000K bulbs will bring out those colors more. For rooms with light woods, whites, grays, and blues, and lighter wall colors such as lighter shades of purple and blue the 3500K and even up to 5000K bulbs will compliment best.

Interior designers can swap out light bulbs or use an LED Design Kit to show how different materials will look under the different temperatures.

Another tip is to base it on what the dwellers are using the room for. For example, many people will find a formal dining room more appealing with warmer light, while for a large, open-plan office neutral to cool white light is the better choice. Offices often use 5000K fluorescent lighting that creates a cool white light that has been said to keep people alert and awake.

It can also be aligned with how much natural light the room gets and whether you want to keep that same feeling through dusk and into the night or if you want to switch it up come dark. A room in full sunlight during the middle of the day will be a bright, blue white (around 5500K) while horizontal daylight is near 5000K, daylight on an overcast day is more blue (6500K), and during sunrise and sunset you get extremely warm light close to 1800K.

What Products Fall Into The Different Temperature Ranges?

You can purchase LED products in any temperature between 2700K and 6500K. Solid State Lighting makes it easy to adjust color with dyes.

Metal Hallide and Fluorescent products can also be found in different ranges across the spectrum.

• < 2700K – Warmest: These light temperatures are produced by fire and the sun!
  
  
• 2700K – Warm Light: Most incandescent light bulbs produce warm light which is why they are often used in restaurants and dining rooms to create a warm, comfortable environment. Halogen lighting is also in this range.
  
  
• 3000 - 4000K – Soft, Neutral Bright Light: Light within this range still has a little warmth to it but is fairly neutral. A lot of LED products and some soft/warm CFL bulbs fall in this range for use around homes to create a large amount of useful light.
  
  
• 5000-6500K – Bright White/Daylight: Fluorescent lighting and most CFLs fall within this range and is used in applications where natural light is desired.

Matt Astrella

Editor's note:  Please click on this link, to see the Interior Designer's Light kit, that helps show how different lighting can widely change the colours of the item.  I can imagine this tool being helpful when out at various showrooms, you could bring the light tool with you, take the item aside, then shine the light on the item, to show how it looks with the client's own lighting.  Saving many costly mistakes.

Confused about this new fangled lighting called LED?  Which bulb do I now select? 
Here's a little chart showing the "old' wattage from incandescent lighting, vs. LED, CFL and Halogen wattage.  

The new item to look for is called Lumens, that determines the brightness of the bulb, wattage shows the energy of the bulb.  Just remember that the more lumens you have, the brighter the light.
Check out this chart below, happy lighting!

I am happy to announce, my 12 page spread (6 double pages) in the Prestigious Canadian Home Trends Magazine.......  Yippee!

I was over the moon happy to receive a letter from Canadian Home Trends magazine, mentioning that they saw my profile on Houzz and that they'd love to feature me in their Spring 2014 print and online magazine!

​This prestigious magazine is the most helpful and innovative magazine I've ever seen.  If you subscribe to their online magazine (which offers 168 pages!), you will see they've added special effects to the photos - such as the fireplace has a crackling sound, the photos change from the before to after right in front of your eyes.  Amazing!  Otherwise their print magazine is gorgeous as well.  Who doesn't like to curl up with a nice glass of wine and a great magazine?

My client, was an absolute dream to work with.  She completely trusted me to lead the way to make her dreams a reality.

Here's a photo of her kitchen before...

...and  below, the after.  We removed 2 and a 1/2 walls to open up this floor plan and allow more light to spread through the home.  I simply can't believe the difference.

I always, always, always start with my counter top selection.  My go to source is  Caesarstone, they have such a lovely, well priced selection.  We selected this gorgeous white and gray mixed engineered quartz, called London Gray.  This was the inspiration for the whole kitchen renovation.  

​Our Client is an avid cook and I wanted to create a beautiful kitchen where she could work away to her hearts content - yet be able to clean up easily and quickly.

​One of my favorite things about this magazine, is that the interview questions were very detailed, it took me three hours to fill out the forms as I wanted to share everything,  I find people are so interested in tips and tricks to make their own home more beautiful.

I made a special point of mentioning and thanking my suppliers whom did an amazing job!  One of the top reasons client's hire me, is that I know the best suppliers and tradespeople to work with.  I'd like to make special mention to Warline Painting and Julie Bolton (window treatments) for their attention to detail and professional work.  To top it all off, I loved the stunning Robert Allen fabric that I used.  It helped tie the whole room together!

​Thanks so much for allowing me to share this exciting post.  I don't know of too many interior designers who get a 12 page spread and I'm truly grateful!