Table lamps, picture/wall lights and other
forms of indirect lighting can be combined
to achieve different levels of light. Indirect
lighting is an interesting way of adding atmosphere to a room.
Lighting the shelves of bookcases can highlight objects on the each shelf. It can be a
good DIY project as you simply have to
carve out a part of each shelf and insert a
battery operated Puck light. This will provide hidden light that casts downwards,
lighting the display without producing any
heat. These lights are readily available at
your local hardware or lighting store.
The biggest mistake we see in the Kitchen
is not having a good mix of lighting that
meets the needs of space. There are some
sources and types of lighting to consider.
Recessed lighting is great for overall room
illumination, but isn’t as flexible or precise
as other light types. For lighting countertops and kitchen work areas, under-cabinet
lighting is a much better choice. There is a
broad range of designs available, including
new LED designs. We find the use of LED
light tape works great to add ambient lighting under a cabinet or shelf.
For work areas such as kitchen islands, mini
pendant lighting is an attractive and stylish
A living room is likely to have different seat- choice. Their light points directly to the area
ing areas requiring various lighting options. below, so they are ideal for cooking and
As a base in living rooms and family rooms food prep areas. Installing in sets of three
using strategically placed recessed lights provides a balanced look.
around the perimeter and directional ceiling spotlights works great, just remember A few final tips ~ Remember that if you light
the dimmer. For the various seating areas in everything, nothing will be highlighted.
the room, there are many options. A sofa For the most dramatic and efficient effects,
or chair, for instance, might require a prac- place light-colored objects on a dark backtical yet elegant swing-arm light to provide ground, thereby reducing the output reenough light for reading, while other furni- quired to light your object and increasing
ture can be lit effectively with lamps.
the drama of the presentation. Up lighting
is particularly useful when using by reflecThe problem with relying predominantly on tive surfaces such as computer or television
table and floor lamps in a lighting scheme is screens or glossy wallpaper. Last but not
that 90 per cent of lamps need lampshades, least remember to install dimmers and sepso you have to think about how many sorts arate various lights by switches.
of shades a room can support without looking like a lampshade shop! They also need
Let there be light!
to be beautiful. Lampshades and their fiCathi and Mary Alice
nals are like the shoes and handbags of the
home: the right shoes can make an outfit
– but if you have the wron