Interiors:
Lighting Technology Brighten
By
N.S. Raju
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Have you driven
one of the new cars that have the marvelous headlight
patterns? They illuminate the left side of your lane brightly,
out a short distance. They cut off sharply, to avoid blinding
the oncoming driver, then fan out to illuminate the shoulder
of the road.
This wows my husband, who always comments, "I love
these headlights!"
Well, I love to be "wowed" when I enter a beautifully
lighted room.
First, I just enjoy the effect. Then I look to see the
source for each light and see exactly how the scene was
created. Are paintings lighted from framing projectors,
wall washes or with lighting from beneath? Am I unaware
of the light falling from the ceiling to just the right
places? I check to see whether a new technique or fixture
is being used.
Have you seen the beautiful white, clear light emitted
by the MR 16 low-voltage lamps? These have opened a new
palette for Oklahomans who love the outdoor light that
the lights duplicate.
We now have fluorescent lamps that can almost duplicate
natural daylight without the old, cold (blue) or warm
(pink) fluorescent colors. Fluorescent fixtures have electronic
ballasts that allow them to be dimmed at a reasonable
price. |
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We now have light switches with motion detectors
in them for less than $25. They can be retrofitted
for older homes. No more having to send someone
back to turn off the light.
One of the best things that came from our energy
crunch a few years ago was the technology for lamps
(light bulbs) that offered great lighting advances.
Many of these lamps had been available, but fixture
manufacturers were slow in designing light fixtures
to accommodate them.
That was due to the higher price of the lamp itself
and the low price of electricity. The bulbs cost
$10 to $20. But they usually are rated to last 2,000
hours or more and use fewer kilowatts of electricity.
That saves money and energy in the long run.
Lighting has always been one of the best design
elements for a project, although it is frequently
overlooked.
Lighting design is more than placing a ceiling fixture
or downlights in each room and finishing with the
necessary table lamps to fill in the needed light.
Lighting should be designed and developed with the
furniture placement plan. Just as you develop a
color scheme for the furniture and fabrics, a lighting
plan can enhance the colors of a fabric, piece of
furniture or wall space.
Homeowners are usually more interested in the decorative
fixtures themselves than the type of lamps (bulbs)
or beam spreads they create. Since figuring foot-
candles, kilowatt usage, beam spread, etc., can
be very technical, a good lighting designer can
be worth the fee. |
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Sculpture
Adds Depth..
By Rosemary Sadez
Putting art on walls is a common solution
to the accessorizing aspect of interior
design.
Artworks complete our walls, with beauty
and color complementing the rest of the
decor. But if a feeling of motion is desired,
something that adds more than a flat portrait
-- a sculpture -- is the answer. The sculpture's
three-dimensional form adds zest, movement
and liveliness to a room.
Sculpture has a life of its own. Like a
piece of furniture, it is freestanding.
Its front, sides and back are visible. It
adds dimension within the room. Unlike furniture,
you can't sit on it. A drink cannot be placed
on it. It is not usable. Sculpture has a
purpose of its own; it interacts with the
room and the room's inhabitants. But for
sculpture to emancipate itself from other
ordinary accessories, it needs to have a
special place in the room -- a special backdrop,
a pedestal or table, or a designated place
on the floor where it can breathe and be
admired.
A room that is rather neutral can be transformed
into one of interest with the right sculpture.
The geometry, color and texture of the sculpture
add the missing elements. Often, though,
several pieces that are complementary are
better than one. Sculptures combined with
other accessories are always good.
For example, an abstract, sculptured stone
sitting atop a short pile of books with
a vase holding flowers nearby will complement
each other and the entire room. Another
example: A lamp, a bowl (empty, or with
fruit or potpourri) and the right sculpture
will work wonders for a room. A series of
three or five items is always better that
two or four.
For some reason, odd numbers tend to create
more interest than even ones when working
with accessories. If a space such as a cocktail
table needs more than three items, try this:
three candleholders, a wooden turtle and
a cocktail table book. Those five pieces
or similar ones should do the trick.
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