According to Mollie Ann Grill, head of interior design at LTS Builders, northeastern Pennsylvania's largest builder of custom homes, abundant and oversized windows are the keys to making a scenic setting a part of the interior decor. In addition, all LTS homes feature sliding patio doors, which allow for sunny dining spaces and easy access to backyard decks. In several designs, elegant two-story foyers are splashed with sunlight from massive expanses of glass. A sunny ambiance also is achieved through sidelites located alongside entry doors. French doors are another increasingly popular customizing option, including interior applications, because they carry more natural light throughout a home, Grill explains.
Skylights are popular, too, because they add glowing highlights to volume ceilings.
In traditional and neoclassic designs, optional transoms are making a big comeback, topping off windows and accenting volume ceilings with even more splashes of light. Grill says homebuyers work with LTS interior designers to establish a customized lighting allowance that lets them put together a package to suit their personal tastes and budget. Recessed lighting remains popular option for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Recessed fixtures are handy for spotlighting kitchen work areas, or for defining different functions in living areas. Recessed wall washers provide a more indirect flow that can subtly highlight a particular area of a room or a hallway.