Photo courtesy of www.Shades of Light.com

Natural sunlight, when present, obviously plays a key role in every interior and lighting design. It lifts a space in a way no artificial lighting can, and should be a major consideration in the layout, quantity, and selection of artificial fixtures. Artificial lighting consists basically of three functional types:

1. Ambient lighting is essentially general lighting such as that provided by ceiling-mounted fixtures or recessed down lights.  It also could be defined as the combination of light and reflections from various sources and surfaces to produce general illumination.
2. Task lighting is much as it sounds– fixtures chosen and located to light a specific area for a particular task. For instance, a desk lamp or under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen each provides illumination for detail activities.
3. Accent lighting is used specifically to bring attention to an object, a design feature, or an architectural element.

Photo courtesy of www.Shades of Light.com

All three types of lighting, used in conjunction, typically produce the best lighting effect and create a rich, dimensional, layered lighting scheme. Various types of lighting are ideally installed with separate controls. Dimmers not only improve lighting efficiency and lengthen bulb life but also give maximum flexibility for fine tuning the lighting effect. Creating special moods for various times of day and different functions is especially effective in the dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms.

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Photo courtesy of www.Shades of Light.com

Lighting can be simply an effect, with the fixture or source of the light built in or otherwise concealed. Sometimes the light fixtures themselves become integral to the interior design. The fixture, while not only providing light, can also be an object of intrinsic artistic beauty in itself such as a tasteful sconce, an art glass pendant, a bold chandelier, or a handsome table or floor lamp.  Lighting selection offers a unique opportunity to coordinate with other elements and finishes in a space, and to convey your personal style. Many updated designs blend classic elements with unexpected changes in scale, finishes, and interpretations of eclectic motifs. Light fixtures created from recycled and repurposed objects can be conversation pieces and bring unexpected whimsy to interiors.

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LET THERE BE LIGHT