It seems nowhere in the northern hemisphere had much sunshine in January. Now with more minutes of light per day and several sunny days in a row, people are craving getting outside or sitting near a window as much as possible. Even with our snow that made driving earlier on Sunday a pain, I really didn't hear much complaining. It was cold, but that sun was incredible.
I had a meeting at my former employers yesterday. My friend from last weeks lunch showed me how they had redone their space to more open concept. This meant they had lowered cube walls which resulted in this huge window area basically beaming sun over the entire floor. I don't know how it will work for computer screens, but the brightness sure made a nice difference. Even in my windowless office, I am happy that I line up with a long hallway that goes to the other side of the building and an outside wall with windows. That little glimpse of the outdoor world on a sunny day is mood lifting, at least a bit.
I finished my work day at home yesterday because of the meeting timing. I took advantage of being home while still light and walked pup early. Even he was a bit more springy being out in the sun. It's still winter though, and once the sun went down, it was dark in a hurry. I do need to figure out before next January how to better capture every bit of sun I can as this year felt so much worse than others. I don't have it, and others I know that don't have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) were feeling the lack of sunlight something fierce. I am sorry for those that deal with it as part of their health.
Besides better preparing for next winter in m mindset, I just want to figure out how to capture more sunlight at home. I've been watching short mini room makeovers. I've never been good at decorating using mirrors, or any other decorating for that matter, but there really are some neat tricks to capture more natural light. I like the coziness of our lower level family room, but because it is half underground and east facing, after mid morning, it is dull light. Ideas please. How about you? Are you experiencing more sunshine? Is your mood a bit brighter because of it?
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
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I have always said that I don't care how cold it may be as long as I have sunshine. That said, I do not like the cold. I prefer it hot. Before I came to live here, I had a huge picture window that solved my need for the sun. Plus, the windows were about six feet long and wide enough. The bare deciduous oaks and hickory trees let in lots of light. In the summer when there was an abundance off light, the leafy trees kept the heat down.
ReplyDeleteHere, there is only a fanlight in the door that is uncovered. I am not allowed to open curtains.
I have to go out the front door, down the ramp and up the driveway into the carport to wash clothes. This gives me some respite from the cave I live in...lol.
He has no lawn chairs and mine were stolen, so no sitting outside. The fan light in the door lets in brilliant afternoon light that blinds me, but I endure it to have sun on me.
In order to have light, any light, I painted walls in living areas white. The bedroom walls were allowed to have color and it was fine. I only used white curtains to help let in some light. I did have white drapes, okay, off-white. Where I could, I had lace curtains. The top half of the door was glass panes. So, glass panes on the door and a white curtain were really helpful.
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Okay, I did not mean to post. It seems I decorate to allow the rooms to look like there is more light. I also had white lamp shades on bright lamps. As for decorating with mirrors, I had mirrors. Everything I did in the house was aimed at having more light.
DeletePerhaps a few mirrors would be nice.
DeleteHow about installing a skylight or two in areas that would allow it? I hear they have come a long way since the 1970's in terms of construction but I have no idea how expen$ive they are or if your DH could handle that sort of handyman work himself so you don't have to pay to have someone install it.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought....
The family room is below the 2nd floor, so no place to put a sky light (no sky LOL). the rest of my house has decent light as we have windows on all sides.
DeleteIt has been beautifully sunny here for three days now and the relatives are loving it!
ReplyDeleteI can see it down the long hallway to "my" window.
DeleteI know what you mean, I don't care how cold it is if it is light. Thankfully my home is what we call "traversant" (not sure what that is in English) but the windows go from facing east to west so I can always get light. I used to suffer some "sadness" when the autumn came round but for some weird reason that seems to have disappeared and I've no idea why, but getting outside is key, whatever the weather isn't it.
ReplyDeleteMy upstairs and the main floor have the light from multiple directions. Just the lower level only has east facing. I like Sluggy's idea of perhaps a skylight in the upper bathroom-no windows in there.
Delete