You do not have to select trendy colors for your home.  They should be right for your environment, especially your lighting conditions.  And they should be right for you and your lifestyle.  The "Today's Home"™ show on May 8 featured a discussion about color, with guests Teresa Tullio and Nancy Alwin (both are certified color consultants).  We talked about the importance of color in our built environment, and why light and color are important, inseparable elements of our lives (listen to podcast).  

Awareness of colors' effects on us has been documented back to early Chinese and Egyptian civilizations; they were the first to use chromatherapy.  Johann Wolfgang Goethe connected colors and psychology in his 1810 book, "Theory of Colours". Faber Birren's book "Color Psychology and Color Therapy" was first published in 1950.  Both books are still used in art and interior design classes.  For this article, I'm using pigmented colors for reference. Pigmented colors are called "subtractive". Here are some guidelines to help you select color schemes for your home, based on the compass orientation of the interior rooms you want to paint:

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►  North and East exposures:  Select warmer colors (i.e., red, yellow and orange) to balance the natural coolness of the daylight (blue). These colors include wood, because most wood is brown (achieved by mixing yellow and red, with a touch of green).  It's okay (and recommended) to use cool colors for accents.

Warm colors evoke psychological responses ranging from positive energy and comfort to anger and hostility.  Warm, dark colors will make a room appear smaller, because they seem to advance.

►  South and West exposures:  Select cooler colors (i.e., blue, purple and green) to balance the natural warmth of the daylight (yellow-orange).  If you're using a lot of wood, avoid yellow or orange wood (maple, birch, bamboo, teak), and try to select cooler and darker wood colors (mahogany and cherry).  It's okay to use warm colors for accents, but they should be used very sparingly.

Cool colors are often described as calming, but can evoke psychological responses of sadness or indifference.  Cool, light colors will make a room appear larger (or a ceiling higher), because they seem to recede.

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Dark colors absorb light, while light colors reflect light.  The colors you choose could easily affect how much energy you use to light your home.   When choosing paint, look at the light reflectance value (LRV).  A room where you intend to cook, read, sew, use power tools, or use a computer should have a higher LRV than a sleeping room.

Be careful about using pure colors (red, yellow, blue, green, orange, and purple) for walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, or large accessories, because they will dominate the room.  Most paint colors are mixes of multiple pigments to achieve a "livable" look. Dramatic colors should be used only in powder rooms or dining rooms.  It's been popular to paint one interior wall a totally different color, but this should be done carefully to avoid creating an artificial focal point, or accentuating a room's proportions.

Complementary colors (red/green, blue/orange, yellow/purple) should not be used equally.  If both of the colors are pure (saturated), and similar in intensity (value), they will appear to vibrate. When complementary pigments are mixed, the colors cancel each other out to achieve gray or black.

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Some people have been blessed with perfect pitch.  I was blessed with color memory, which used to drive my mother crazy when we went shopping. "Can we get this sweater, ple-e-e-ase?  It will go with my [color] skirt."  Sure enough, if she bought the sweater, it would be an exact match, or blended beautifully with the skirt.  The same thing would happen when she was decorating a room. No, she never asked my advice, but I'd give it anyway, especially if she was making a mistake.  Neither of us understood why my recommendations were correct until I started attending interior design school.  I had a natural talent, but had to learn the theories to become an expert.  Anyone can have an opinion or give advice, but if the opinion or advice comes from a professional, it should be supported with reasons, based on education, training, and experience.

Get more information about color in an article on the D. P. Design website.

If you would like to get more information about updating or remodeling your home office, kitchen, bathroom, or color palette, I'm offering a FREE 45-minute phone consultation to help you.

© 2011 Diane Plesset – All Rights Reserved

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IS INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION TRULY DEAD?

ANOTHER "ZOMBIE"?

Several weeks ago, the general consensus was that HB-2491, the bill to license and regulate the interior design profession in Oregon, was dead in committee.  Last Friday, I received an e-mail stating that proponents of the bill had requested (and been granted) an Informational Hearing about the proposed legislation.

Unable to attend the hearing personally — 8:30 on a Monday morning, at the Oregon Capitol, you've got to be kidding! — I watched the streaming video.  And took copious notes.  Later, I listened to the audio archive.  Jay and I were able to record the hearing, so we could make it available to you.  Jay has already uploaded the file, so you can listen to it at your convenience.  The hearing is exactly 30 minutes long.

Because the hearing was to clarify misinformation contained in HB-2491, no one from our side spoke.  But, I felt it was important to make a record for the committee members and you, so I wrote the following rebuttal to comments made during the hearing:

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Dear Committee Members:

Thank you for taking time to read this rebuttal to comments made during  the Informational Hearing by HB-2491 proponents.  I was not able to attend, but did watch the streaming video, and listened to the audio archive.  

    1.  Proponents have yet to provide any evidence to support their claims that licensing and regulation of commercial interior designers will protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, or that the public needs/wants such protection.   Proponents have never proven the need for additional laws governing life-health-safety issues already regulated by existing codes.  Examples used parenthetically during the meeting, with no supporting evidence:

•  Indoor air quality
•  Americans with Disabilities Act
•  Nursing homes
•  Hospital ICU and CCU
•  Schools and universities
•  Government buildings
•  Office buildings

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    2.  Only three states have practice acts (FL, LA, and NV).  19 states have title acts (AL, AR, CN, GA, IL, IA, KE, ME, MD, MN, MS, MO, NJ, NM, NY, OK, TN, TX, VA).  The statement “…one-half of U.S. states have similar licensure” is blatant misinformation, because the legislation proposed in Oregon is a practice act.

    3.  Proponents have faIled to show any evidence that licensing or regulation of commercial interior designers will generate job opportunities.  The comment made “ . . .to create competition in a down economy” is not only unsubstantiated, but contrary to observed fact.   Evidence from Florida proves that regulation of the profession benefits a small handful of designers who meet NCIDQ requirements of education, experience, and examination.  Proponents provide no evidence that interior design licensing is good for the profession and the state.¹
    
    4.  Inappropriate selection and use of finishes, fixtures, and furniture by building owners cannot be prevented by licensing and regulation of commercial interior designers.  Anecdotal stories and examples are used regularly by proponents of legislation to achieve their goals.  The fact remains that proponents provide no evidence to support the anecdotal stories.

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    5.  Decorative finishes, fixtures, and furniture are not regulated by codes.  Regulation of the interior design profession will not change this fact.  Elimination of the perceived problem is best achieved through consumer education (see Comment #8 below).    

    6.  It was admitted during the hearing that professional liability for inadvertent human mistakes is not affected or changed by licensing and regulation of commercial interior designers.  There is evidence to support the fact that after states have passed laws regulating interior designers, there is an increase in the number of lawsuits against designers, NOT for malpractice, but for contract disputes.²

    7.  During one section of the hearing, 17 references were made to “interior designer” when the speaker was talking about the need for licensing and regulation.  There was reference to the roles and responsibilities of an interior designer, not just commercial interior designers.  While proponents claim that they are only trying to control the field of commercial interior design, they admit that it is difficult to clarify and define specific characteristics of commercial interior design as totally distinct and separate from other fields of practice within the profession.

    8.  I believe that the proponents’ goals would be better served by educating consumers about the advantages of hiring a designer with specific education, experience, and examination.  Around the United States, and in Oregon, the organizations supporting interior design legislation have spent millions of dollars.  I contend that it would take less time, money, and effort to achieve consumer education.  We would not be wasting your valuable time with this issue if ASID, IIDA, CIDA, and NCIDQ had chosen a different tactic 25 years ago.

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In closing, I ask the following questions about interior design legislation that was not covered in the Informational Hearing:

•  What’s broken?  What needs to be fixed by legislation?  
•  Is legislation the last-resort solution?
•  What, if any, other solutions have been explored and/or tried?  
•  Who really benefits from interior design legislation?
•  How much is the creation and operation of a regulatory board going to cost?  Who’s going to pay for it?  Can Oregon afford it — now, and in the future?  (NOTE:  It was admitted during the hearing that there are only 299 qualified interior designers currently in Oregon.  Is this group large enough to financially support and sustain a regulatory board?)
•  What are the short-term and long-term effects on contractors, suppliers, consumers, and the majority of interior designers, if legislation is enacted?

Thank you, again, for taking time from your busy schedule to read this rebuttal.  Please contact me if you want further information.

INFORMATIONAL HEARING: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

1  Florida’s Interior Design Regulation:

Wall Street Journal Article (link): 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703551304576260742209315376.html?KEYWORDS=arian

Letter In Support of Deregulation (link):  http://www.idpcinfo.org/FL_CoalitionLetter.pdf

2  Institute for Justice Studies:
    Designing Cartels (Link):
        http://www.ij.org/images/pdf_folder/economic_liberty/Interior-Design-Study.pdf
    Designed to Mislead (Link):
        http://www.ij.org/images/pdf_folder/other_pubs/designedtomislead.pdf
    Designed to Exclude (Link):
        http://www.ij.org/images/pdf_folder/economic_liberty/designed-to-exclude.pdf

The above is re-posted with permission from IDPC-NW
 

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UPDATE: APRIL 11, 2011

Proposed legislation to regulate interior designers in Oregon and Washington (and other states) is dead — at least for now.  We're all keeping our eyes on the outcome of the deregulation battle going on in Florida.  If the Florida law is overturned and deemed to be unconstitutional, it will be hard for state coalitions (financially backed by ASID) to get regulatory legislation in other states. 

As it has been proven in Florida ever since their law was passed, legislation for the regulation of interior designers hurts everyone, including consumers.  The only ones to benefit from regulation of the profession are ASID, CIDA, IIDA, and NCIDQ, and members of those organizations who want to eliminate their competitors.

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What can "Today's Home"™ listeners do? 

►  Tell everyone you know in Florida about our fight to protect consumers' rights, and ask them to voice their opposition via e-mail, fax letters, and phone calls to Florida's legislators and the governor.  

►  Get current information about interior design regulation in Florida and around the country.

►   Make a donation to the Interior Design Protection Council, which has fought so hard for all of us (and achieved great success) in the past five years.

►  Become aware of interior design legislation in your state, and help us fight it.

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ENTREPRENEURS + TELECOMMUTERS

Do you have (or want) an in-home office that really works for you?  The perfect office, no matter how often you use it, or how many hours you occupy it, should be functional and comfortable.  It must fit your needs, and be an effective tool for your success as an entrepreneur or a telecommuter.  It should work with you and for you, to avoid typical problems associated with an office that just "happens:"

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►  Eye strain

►  Neck and shoulder pain

► Carpal tunnel syndrome

► Lower back pain

► Misplaced documents and tools

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Home office design is not a new service offered by Diane Plesset.  Recently, a former client suggested that D. P. Design offer it as a special service, because so many people are establishing their own home-based business or telecommuting. Planning the space of an office is a natural extension of bath and kitchen specialization, because every inch must be utilized for maximum function.  Whether you have a closet, a room, an attic or a basement that can be converted to work as an office, it needs to fulfill your physical, technological and aesthetic needs.  Good office design considers these personal factors:

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► Are you right-handed or left-handed?

► How tall are you, and what are your proportions?

► Do you have any limitations (sight, mobility, hearing)?

► How much do you use technology?

► Do you need binders and books for information?

► Do you need storage for accessible filing?

► Do you need a large, flat workspace?

► Do you need space to meet with people in your office?

► What time of the day are you most productive?

► How do you rate the lighting in the area where your home office is (or will be) located?

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Diane Plesset, the host of "Today's Home," has been helping entrepreneurs and homeowners create and update home offices for over 20 years.  With years of training and experience,  she can help you, too, so your in-home office helps you be more effective and profitable. Recently,  Diane was honored to be featured in the January issue of Kitchen-Bath Design News, the article entitled "Home Office" (pages 36-37).  She is offering a FREE 45-minute telephone consultation, to talk with you about your home office needs, answer your questions, and help you solve any problems that you're having.

Request your FREE 45-minute phone consultation today, to talk about home office problems and possible solutions. Simply fill out the form below, and Diane will contact you to schedule your "virtual meeting". 

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ECONOMIC CRISIS: ITS EFFECT ON HOMEOWNERS

The economic crisis that began in 2007 is continuing, and its effect on homeowners continues to grow, a problem that's larger than we've faced individually and collectively since the Depression.  When Jay and I talked about creating “Today’s Home”™ a year ago, we agreed that the format should be positive and uplifting, with good information for listeners, “Inspired Ideas For Your Home and Lifestyle”. No political talk, because the subject can be divisive, requires people to take a stand. But after I read three related e-mails, and heard news reports about foreclosures in the past week, I decided to expand the program’s subjects to include homeowner advocacy as one of our major goals.

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We cannot deny or hide reality of the economic crisis. We can talk about beautiful things for your home, what to do before you build or remodel, but I feel compelled to open a dialogue, create a forum, where we can explore possible solutions to this horrific problem. Individually, there is not much that we can do, but collectively, we can make a positive difference. I’m not advocating the establishment of another political party. Is it possible to create a non-partisan alliance of consumers who want to work together, to explore possible solutions for the housing crisis that’s plaguing us?  Yes, definitely!

How many people do you know who have been affected by the economy? Have you, or anyone you know, lost a job or had a major career change due to the economy? Do you know people who have experienced the threat of foreclosure, or who have gone through the trauma of losing their home? The recession that began over two years ago has touched and affected all of us. Two questions keep coming up: “What can we do?” “What can I do?”

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The fact that a trade newsletter, “Housing Zone” featured two articles about foreclosures in the same issue confirms that information about lenders’ greed-driven practices is finally being scrutinized. Both articles are an abbreviation of more in-depth research by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, and an article by David Streitfeld in the New York Times. I’ve attached links to all of the articles at the bottom of this post.

Many organizations, like AARP, have consumer advocacy coalitions. AARP is a politically strong entity, and as Baby Boomers have reached the appropriate age, membership in AARP has grown. What has AARP, or any other organization, done to solve the housing crisis in America? There’s no evidence that any of our elected officials have done anything, although there’s lots of talk about what they’ve done or what they will do, after the election. I’m going to assign a specific part of the “Today’s Home” website to Foreclosures, where we can share our ideas and help to resolve the problem. In 25 years as a bath and kitchen designer, I have learned that for every challenge, there are many possible solutions. The best solutions are discovered when there is open-minded, creative discussion focused on solving the problem without assessing blame.

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When was it established as standard practice for lenders to say, “We can’t do anything until you miss a payment”? Why is it their policy to demand that consumers jump through so many hoops, when the information inadvertently gets lost? Why haven’t they reassigned, hired and trained employees to streamline the mortgage modification process? Why don’t they understand that they’ll make the same amount of money whether they foreclose and sell homes at a discount or work with homeowners to create win-win results? Don’t they understand, or care, that their actions will ultimately affect everyone in this country, and the world’s economy?

What are your thoughts and ideas about what we can do? How do we break through the bureaucracy to expose and change the indoctrinated beliefs and behavior?

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Links:

AARP:

http://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/news-09-2010/j_p_morgan_chasetofreezeforeclosuresoverflawedpaperwork.html

Housing Zone, Overview Article about Harvard University Report:

http://www.housingzone.com/pb/print/article/harvard-report-excessive-risk-taking-lapses-regulation-led-nonprime-mortgage-lending-boom

Harvard University, Joint Center for Housing Studies Report (218 pages):

http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/publications/finance/UBB10-1.pdf

New York Times Articles:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/business/01mortgage.html?_r=3&pagewanted=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/09/business/09mortgage.html?pagewanted=1&ref=business&src=me

© 2010 Diane Plesset — All Rights Reserved

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We vowed not to have "Today's Home™" be a political internet talk show, but there are two issues we decided to focus on, because they create serious consumer problems, specifically for homeowners:

►  Foreclosures and housing

►  Interior Design legislation

Consumer Advocacy requires commitment, and action.  I've been a consumer/homeowner advocate for over 20 years, working to educate people so they will make informed decisions about home improvement, building, and remodeling.  It's my passion, the main reason for offering seminars, writing my book and articles, and broadcasting a weekly internet talk show. The natural extension of my role as an advocate is to focus on foreclosures and legislation, providing honest, reliable information to help the listeners of "Today's Home"™.

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HOME FORECLOSURES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THE ECONOMY

My husband and I have personal experience with unethical business practices of large financial companies that jeopardized our home ownership.  Here's what we learned during the year-and-a-half that we negotiated with First Horizon and Met Life:

►  Be persistent; call the lender at least once a week to check on the status of your negotiation

►  Keep a journal of every conversation, including:

►  The date and time of day

►  The person who talks with you, their department or division

►  A phone number, if available (i.e., an extension number)

►  Details of the conversation, especially what they represent or say

►Send all documents by certified mail, with return receipt (keep the receipt; they will "lose" your documents!)

►  Do not be surprised if it takes at least six weeks for the document to arrive that the right department,

►  It may take six weeks (or more) for a representative (loss mitigation agent) to be assigned to you

►  The agent or representative may ask for updated documents because so much time has elapsed

►Keep copies of everything you receive and send

►Call your state attorney general to verify if they will help you with your problems

►Do NOT fall prey to companies that promise to help you resolve your situation, especially if they want money up front and will not provide references and a written contract

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I made several mistakes while we were negotiating with the lender.  These suggestions are going to be hard to read and follow, but it's in your best interest if you remember:

►The lender doesn't care about you personally

►Don't let your feelings get the best of you, because the people you talk with don't care about your home

►Representatives from the lender will say anything to get you off the phone, even if they're lying

Example:  We were told to call the Federal  "Help for Homeowners" program.  Our lender was not a participant in this program.  They knew that, and they also knew that the on-hold time would be approximately four hours.  By the time we actually talked with someone at "Help for Homeowners," several days had elapsed.   They were no help for us, and precious time was wasted.

There are no easy or quick solutions to this horrific problem.  A resource to check out thoroughly is Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has developed a plan to help families stay in their home.

If you have any information or ideas that might help, please share it. 

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LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE INTERIOR DESIGN PROFESSION

Since the January 22 program,"Today's Home"™ has commented regularly on Interior Design legislation during several programs, the ongoing battle to:

►  Protect all interior designers' right to practice

►  Protect consumers' rights to choose a designer for their home decorating or remodeling project

Patti Morrow, the Director of the Interior Design Protection Council, was our first guest to address this important issue.  More recently, Adeline Keeler-Smith, an award-winning Florida interior designer, was a guest on "Today's Home"™.  You can listen to (or download) both of these interviews, to get more information about what's at stake for designers and consumers if legislation passes. Here's what you can do to help:

►  Be aware of Interior Design legislation that's been introduced in your state. 

►  Understand the impact that legislation will have on you and your state; read legislation, and gather factual information provided by the Interior Design Protection Council and yours truly.

►  Write to your state legislators, to voice your opposition to legislation.

►  Donate to IDPC, and you will be joining the Freedom Movement to protect interior designers and consumers!

Stay tuned to "Today's Home"™ for regular updates.  Recommend "Today's Home"™ to your family and friends.

WIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEMS: VERVE

What can you do with these new wireless contol systems?  A better question is:  What can't you do with them?

The basic concept for  Verve Living Systems is that your controls are completely un-wired.  No wires to the back room.  No wires for electric power.  Totally wireless control!  How do they do it?  When you press a button, a tiny bit of electricity is generated.  The system uses that electricity to power a radio that signals your command to the "brain" box.

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What does this mean?  You can put a switch/control anywhere.  The range is around 300 feet.  Anywhere is on a wall, on a window, on the table, in your pocket, wherever is most convenient.  You can move it, re-program it, whatever you want to do. The great thing is, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand how it works, how it will work for you.   The controller can be programmed to handle any circuit or circuits you want, dim lights, run ceiling fans, open the garage door, etc. 

You can even access the controller over the internet.  If you're out of town, and, "Did I forget to turn off the lights?"  You can connect from your smartphone or any computer, and turn the system off, or onto a programmable "vacation" setting.

What's involved in getting a Verve system installed?  Can you do it yourself?  Well, no.  You really need to have an electrician do the installation for you.  The pieces include a "controller" that can handle up to 10 different things, a single controller for heavy loads and various switch modules.  Your lights are connected directly to the controller.  Once the controller and your lights are installed, you can install and program the wireless control switches to do whatever you would like yourself.  You can have, for example, one switch that sets your kitchen lights up to 80%, your dining room at 50%, and your front porch light at 100%, all at one clicik.

What's it cost?  According to Verve, it costs little more than conventional setups, because the wiring is much easier and quicker, paying for much of the cost of the equipment.

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DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECTS: POWER TOOLS

What Do You Need?  How Much Should You Pay?

You can go wild at a "big box" store or your local hardware store and spend thousands of dollars on power tools for your do-it-yourself projects. What power tools you purchase depends on:

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►  How handy you are

►  How much you need and want to do around your home

►  How much time you have for D-I-Y projects

►  Your budget

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It depends on what D-I-Y project you have in mind, but it's best to start your power tools collection with a circular saw (aka "Skil Saw").  A decent basic circular saw will have a blade 6-1/2" or larger, and should cost you around $50.  Yes, you can spend over $200 if you want.  The extra cost gets you a tool that you can use every day for years.  Unless you're going to be a professional carpenter, not a Do-It-Yourself'er, you likely won't need a top-of-the-line unit.  Get a corded unit. Cordless saws are really speciality tools, not general-use tools.  When using a circular saw, do make sure your work is clamped down or is held by somebody other than you.

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Second, get a "chop saw" or "Miter saw".  These are similar in some ways to a circular saw, but have larger blades (often 10" or more) and are mounted so you can set an angle, and get the same angle on every cut.  Be prepared to spend up to $100 for a decent one.  Be warned, saws are power tools designed to cut things.  They have "blade guards," but, if you're careless and get yourself in the way of the blade, you will get hurt.  When using a chop saw, clamp it down to a work table, so it doesn't move.

Your next D-I-Y power tool should be a drill or power driver.   A power driver will accept a "drill chuck" and become a drill.  A drill will hold a screwdriver bit, and will work as a power driver.  The only real exception is if you need to drill concrete.  If so, you need a "hammer drill", or you'll be drilling for years, probably melting drill bits.  A regular, cordless drill or power driver will cost you around $50.  A hammer-drill will cost a little more.  Cordless is fine for this use, but I suggest getting two sets of batteries, so one can be charging while you use the other one.  Lithium batteries are the current "best", but "NiMH" are very good, too.

The last basic tool is a "random orbital" sander, around $40.  I've used ours a lot, sanding cabinets, furniture, floors, miscellaneous wood, etc.

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If you plan to set tile, don't bother with a "score and snap" tool.  It takes years of experience to get one of those to work well.  I've never managed it.  I got a diamond saw, and have been very happy with the results. Get one with an overhead motor.  The cheap ones with the motor under the table don't work well.   Expect to spend around $200 for one that is good enough to be worthwhile.  NOTE:  Setting tile is tedious work, and needs to be done well.  We figure that we've saved over $6,000 by setting our own tile, but it took about four times as long as it would have taken a professional tile setter; it was a necessary trade-off.

Don't forget non-powered hand tools such as screwdriver kits, a good hammer, a level, carpenters's pencils and markers, measuring tapes, and a sturdy tool box.  Your basic tool kit should also include safety goggles, kneepads, masks, earplugs, and heavy-duty gloves.

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Yes, we now have dimmable LED light bulbs.  These can be used anywhere you would use a regular light bulb.  I found both L.E.D. MR-16 and "A" types, at about $20 at big home-improvement stores last month.  Here's what they look like:

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The dimmable L.E.D. MR-16 is a standard 12-volt unit (on left), and plugs in just as most others do.  It's rated at 7 watts, and puts out about the same light as the 50 watt halogen I replaced it with.  The color is just about the same, but when you dim it, the color stays exactly the same, no getting yellow or red when it's dim.  It comes on instantly, doesn't flicker, and is in my book very satisfactory.

The dimmable L.E.D. "A" lamp on the right is rated at 9 watts, and puts out nearly the same amount of light as the 50 watt halogen unit it replaced.  Color is as close to dead-on as I can tell, and it, too is very satisfactory.

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Both these units are rated with a "CRI", or "Color Rendering Index" of 85, which means it's acceptable for evaluating and comparing color for painting, fabric, thread, photography, etc.  Normal incandescent lamps don't do as well, being very blue-deficient.   Here's how they look installed in our ceiling:

If you're going to compare how much a bulb costs, you need to calculate not only the cost of one bulb, but how long it will last you.  A standard bulb lasts 1,200 hours, and costs about $1.50 each.  One of these LED lights will last you abut 30 times longer, so you're ahead on bare cost of the bulb.  Then you can add up the cost of electricity, and find you'll save far more over the lifetime

You can see why Diane and I are sold on L.E.D. lighting — especially when it can be dimmed to create the mood you want, in addition to providing great lighting.

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Dear Oregon Homeowners and Consumers:

We are currently fighting to defeat unnecessary legislation in Oregon (House Bill 2491), which proposes to require registration of interior designers.  We need your help, to contact Oregon Legislators and register your objection to the bill that is full of contradictions and purposely vague references.  If passed, it will give control of the interior design profession to only five individuals.  But that control extends to you, because your right to choose who you want to hire will be limited, and you will ultimately pay more for professional design services.  There is more information about HB-2491 in my previous blog, and this site contains detailed information about the organizations that are behind similar legislation that's been introduced all over the United States, to achieve monopolistic control of the interior design profession.

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It's easy for you to help us keep Oregon free from unnecessary and unwanted legislation.  It should take no more than ten minutes, because all of the work has been done for you.  Below is a sample letter, and links to members of the Business and Labor Committee.  Just follow the simple instructions below the letter.  Thank you for your support and help!

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I am writing to voice my strong objection to HB 2491 that is before the Business and Labor Committee.  If enacted, HB 2491 would impose licensing on the design profession, which is totally unnecessary and unwanted legislation.

House Bill 2491 should not be enacted for these reasons:

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►  There has been no outcry by consumers for the regulation of interior designers "to protect the health, safety, welfare, or peace" of the general public; existing codes and regulations do this.

►  In this difficult economy, Oregon should not pass new laws which will increase the state's deficit, and make it even more difficult for its citizens to earn a living.

►  It is bad legislation for Oregon citizens — unnecessary and unwanted — because it limits our freedom to choose who we hire.

►  It is bad legislation for businesses that work in the building and construction industry (not only designers, but contractors and suppliers).

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With a State unemployment rate at 10.6%, which exceeds the national average, and a budget deficit of over $3 billion, why would the legislature even consider a bill that will increase unemployment and increase the budget deficit?  No legitimate governmental interest will be served by the adoption of HB 2491.  I urge you to reject the effort of a few industry insiders who are asking the legislature to shut down their competitors. This kind of legislation is unnecessary and unwanted in Oregon!

Sincerely,

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INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Highlight and copy (ctrl C) the text  between "I am writing…" and "Sincerely,"
2. Click on the link to a legislator (see below)
3. Paste the text into the message body area
4. Type your name and address below "Sincerely"at the bottom of the text, then click the "send" button
5. Repeat steps #2-4 above for each one of the legislators listed

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RECIPIENTS:

INTERIOR DESIGN LEGISLATION HEATS UP

In the past seven weeks, interior design legislation was introduced (or re-introduced) in 15 states (Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, OREGON, WASHINGTON, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and  the latest in Pennsylvania).  Bills have been successfully defeated by grassroots organizations in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, but there's still a lot to do.  Why should you, as a homeowner and consumer, care? How can or will this legislation to regulate the interior design profession affect you, if it's passed?

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If ASID (the American Society of Interior Designers) has its way, they will control the interior design profession nationally, through legislation in individual states, which will effectively drive thousands of talented professionals out of business.  This will limit your ability to choose who you want to help you decorate or remodel your home.  Basically, ASID is saying that American consumers are stupid and need to be told who's qualified through legislation and regulation.  We know they're wrong.  They're the stupid ones!  They've never learned that consumers don't want or need interior design legislation to "protect their health, safety, and welfare". Please join me, to end the ridiculous "turf war" in 2011!

Do you have questions or comments about the proposed legislation?  Has legislation been introduced in your state?  Please send an e-mail to me (diane@todays-home.com or diane@idpc-nw.org), and I will reply with facts and reliable information.

* Update:  Several links were posted to the IDPC-NW blog, to help Oregon residents send messages to the Business and Labor Committee members.

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There is so much bad legislation being introduced during every session!  What can we do as consumers, homeowners, and voters, to prevent bad legislation from being enacted?  One of our goals at "Today's Home"™ is to be a Homeowner and Consumer Advocate, to help you wade through information about Home Foreclosures and Legislation that is detrimental to your best interest.

Patti Morrow, the Director of the Interior Design Protection Council, was our special guest  on January 22.  I have been associated with her for over three years, to kill interior design legislation that's been proposed in many states.  For latest information, visit the IDPC-NW blog*, the IDPC website, and Ms. Morrow's blog.

© 2011 Diane Plesset

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