Today I have attended a presentation on light control in sustainable interior design by Lutron. I am a big advocate of controlling light levels in the rooms designed at my studio with the use of dimmers on the incandescent as well as fluorescent fixtures. You could call me a "dimmer queen", since even in my own home you would find that there is practically no light switch without a dimmer or timer installed.

I guess it's my urge to control everything with the greatest precision, even the light levels of the rooms I'm in. But there are only benefits to the "dimmer craze": you are able to select the light level you need for the task as well as for creating the ambiance for the space, and you are saving energy and extending the life of the lamp (which always means saving some $, too).

Lately I have fallen in love with Lutron's new Vierti line. The Vierti single touch dimmer is as decorative as it is functional. It supports all types of lamps: incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, LED, you name it. Multi-location dimming allows you to dim the lights from any entrance to a room. And the most important feature to every designer (and many homeowners) is that they come in a range of 10 matte and 11 metal finishes, with a white, green or blue LED status indicator bar (altogether 63 color combinations; what's not to love?). You can complete the style for your whole house by using complementary no-dimming switches. The finished look is sleek and downright minimal.

My favorite color combination is the Architectural Metal Brown faceplate with the green LED strip (see below). Find your favorite look on the Lutron website.

Lutron Vierti brown with green LED

©2009 Lutron Electronics, Inc.

On-time service

Up front rates

Professional & Friendly uniformed drivers

Clean, Shiny Trucks!

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We charge by Volume, not by the time it takes us to remove your junk. But as to how much space your items take up in our truck(s). For more information on pricing please check out www.1800gotjunk.com/la

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1-800-GOT-JUNK? Is The World's Largest Junk Removal Services
We've been featured on Oprah, Dr. Phil, CNN, Forbes, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal etc.
E-Waste Certified by the State of California

What Do We Do:
We will remove almost anything, from old furniture and appliances to e-waste and renovation debris. We are a full-service junk removal company and will handle everything from loading to cleanup. We recycle up to 60% of the items removed and make every effort to donate as much as possible to non-profit organizations.

On-time service, up front rates, professional & friendly uniformed drivers and clean, shiny trucks.
Book online and save $10 http://www.1800gotjunk.com or call 1-800-GOT-JUNK (1-800-468-5865)

How Do We Price?
We charge by Volume, not by the time it takes us to remove your junk.
Just 3 Easy Steps

1. Book online at http://www.1800gotjunk.com or call 1-800-468-5865 (1-800-GOT-JUNK) ; choose an appointment time that's convient for you, often the same day, if needed.

2. Our truck team will arrive at your jobsite to give you a free estimate, and present you with a price list. Our prices include all labor, weight and dumping fees.

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Areas Serviced:
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AGOURA/AGOURA HILLS

By SHIRLEY RICHARDS

In the picturesque setting northwest of the San Fernando Valley one finds a delightful community called Agoura. Close to the bustle of Los Angeles, Agoura is a quiet diversion of rolling hills, open spaces, diversified housing tracts, and gentle breezes with pleasant temperatures.

Named for an early settler, Pierre Agoure, the community continues to be surrounded by grass filled areas. Mr. Agoure was a prosperous sheep farmer and later a cattleman, and the western image is still maintained with some local celebrations such as Pony Express Days.

Although most of Agoura's housing is north of Ventura Freeway along Kanan Road, several desirable housing tracts and horse properties are at the other exits such as Liberty Canyon, Lost Hills, Reyes Adobe, and Lindero Canyon. Popular roads are those leading through the scenic mountains to the Pacific Ocean, namely Kanan and Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon.

Agoura is composed of two counties. The Los Angeles portion has incorporated as the city of Agoura Hills and has the zip code 91301. Its school district is called Las Virgenes Unified. The Ventura portion uses the name of Agoura or Oak Park and has the 91377 zip code. The County of Ventura's Board of Supervisors guides Oak Park residents. Its school district is labeled Oak Park.

A couple local landmarks on the Agoura Hills scene are Ladyface Mountain, which rises over 2000 feet above the residents, and the Indian Statue perched atop a knoll south of the freeway. Ladyface is so-named because the profile resembles a lady reclining on her back. The Indian reminds one of the peaceful, farming tribe called Chumash which settled long ago in the area.

Do consider the good life-Agoura (Oak Park) and Agoura Hills!

SHIRLEY RICHARDS, CRB, CRS, e-PRO

COLDWELL BANKER

818-889-4083; 805-370-2851

E-mail: Shirley@ShirleyRichards.com

Website: www.ShirleyRichards.com