LOWES…I just love Lowes.  Home Depot is ok, but I strongly prefer Lowes (possibly, because the only home improvement store located close to my home as a child was Lowes).  And now, just as when I was a child, I love wondering the aisles looking at everything from tile, tools, to faucets.  But my two favorite sections include Kitchens and Lighting.  I cannot tell you why, but I can walk down the same aisle 2 times in a week, look at the same pieces again and again, and enjoy every pure second of it.  I think it’s a sickness.

 Due to my frequent visits, I have created an opinion about average lighting shoppers; they have no clue what they are doing. I will always see people walking back and forth trying to decide from three light fixtures, none of which is the same style or aesthetic.  One will be a Victorian influenced, glass beaded chandelier, another a mission style light, and the third…every bachelor’s choice…the tacky colored glass pendants (you know the ones, where you can pick from the different colors and style….blue frost anyone?)  Aside from not having a clue what kind of style is appropriate, I have found many people are not sure how to utilize lighting in their space.  Which is a shame, because lighting can completely change the entire appearance of your home, a couple of switches and bulbs can change your dated dining room, to an elegant glowing banquet room or trendy restaurant?

So let’s talk about lighting.  On the surface, there are three styles of lighting: general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. 

• General lighting, is the overall illumination of the entire area. 
• Task lighting supplies lighting for, well….tasks…reading, desks, etc. 
• Accent Lighting accents decorative elements whether they are particular objects, or architecture in the room.

I personally take those three styles of lighting, and subdivide a little more.

Fill Light:  Brings the over all lighting up.  i.e.  chandeliers, wall sconces, recessed lighting. ( I love for all of this to be put on dimmers, control is key! Dimmers are so inexpensive these days, just buy them already.  My favorite dimmers are the digital dimmers, one touch fade on and fade off…they are the deal, although a little more costly, but totally worth it….it makes you look cool in front of your friends…)

Wash Light:  This enhances surfaces.  i.e. undercabinet lighting on kitchen countertops, backlit cabinets, a pendant hung to highlight a table.

Spot Light:  Focus attention on objects (in front of or behind) i.e.  Spot light your favorite accessories/art.

Task Light:  Lighting for a dask..nothing unusual.  i.e.  Table lamp, floor lamp. (Now I can get on my soap box….please do not use 100w bulbs….use the highest voltage just absolutely needed for long term reading, less wattage needed for a quick “glance” read, and then the lowest you can do for “ornamental pools on a chest/side table.  PLEASE do not destroy the mood of a room, just to ready something, hehe  I don’t have a task light in the house that is more than 40w.)

Ornamental Light:  Adds a touch of whimsy, not really “needed.  i.e. picture light, or a lamp that is around just because it’s pretty...not so much for the function, or a strip light that is used behind an object to wash light behind something to accent the shape.

Candle Light: self-explanatory.  There is never a night, when there is not a candle lit in my house. 

Up Light: Lights used under decorative plants.  The theatre will teach you, there should be as much light from below as above.  I just absolutely love uplights below a palm tree.  The shadows that are cast on the ceiling, or just priceless…and so dramatic!

The important thing here is not to “learn the types” but figure out how to utilize them in your home.  It is important to understand that it's not about using one or two of the types of light, but we should utilize all of the types together. This is when you really sit back and go "wow".

Now...go hire an electrician to come in and wire for sconces! 

Until next time....

Jeremy

Tips:

• Lighting can be so inexpensive, but can also be SOOOO expensive.  There are a lot of great online retailers who sell wonderfully designed lighting fixtures for great prices.  I like www.lightinguniverse.com for example.

• Lighting can completely update the look of your room.  Don’t be afraid to try something a little more “contemporary”.  You can get a very updated look, just by replacing a chandelier, and a couple of lamps.

• Take those horrible ceiling domes down and replace it with a great chandelier.  Chandeliers aren’t just for the dining room table people!  See image at right.

• In the kitchen, place recessed lighting 12” in front of the cabinets.  These lights will highlight your wonderful cabinets, and create “UBER” drama.  Now be prepared, electricians will say they think it’s too close to the wall…but it’s perfect!

• Don’t be afraid to hang a pendant above a coffee table, let it hang very low…like 36” above the coffee table….it will focus light only on the table, and bring everything down to be very intimate.

• If you have a rather large open space, you can segement and identify each section by spot lighting, glow lighting, and by hanging a chandelier/pendant very low in each section.  Think about a trendy restaurant or bar, they highlight what they want you to see, and forget the rest.  This way, you know exactly where you’re supposed to go or be.