Ch. 22 Lighting and Accessories

1. Ch. 22Lighting and Accessories

2. Lighten Up! • Lighting can set a mood in a room and work as a positive element • It can also work in negative way if misused • Overlit room • Room too dark • Lighting can effect the way a room is used • It’s important to consider the natural light that enters the room

3. The Purposes of Lighting • General • A.k.a. background • Provides enough lighting to see everything in a room • Task • Focuses light in an area where it is most needed (reading, writing, etc.) • Accent • Light aimed on a specific object to create a dramatic effect (should be 3 times brighter than general lighting)

4. What is in a Bulb? • Categorized by their type and wattage • The higher the wattage = greater intensity of light • Different bulbs produce different effects • Three-way bulbs – 3 levels of lighting • Dimmer switch – lower lighting level to vary the mood of a room • Sources of artificial light: • Fluorescent • Halogen • Fiber optics • Light emitting diode

5. Incandescent Light • Produced by electricity passing through a filament in a glass bulb • Tends to be warm and flattering • Bulbs available in a variety of shapes and either clear or frosted • Frosted = reduces glare, softer light • Clear = produces sparkling effect, often used in chandeliers

6. Fluorescent Lighting • Produced when chemicals inside a sealed glass tube transform ultraviolet rays • Gives off the true color of natural sunlight • Usually long straight tubes, may be circular, u-shaped, or regular

7. Halogen Bulbs • Contains pressurized halogen gas, makes it more efficient than incandescent • Usually smaller bulbs • Produce a whiter more intense light • More expensive bulb = lasts longer • Become very hot when in use and can cause serious burns

8. Fiber Optics • Hair fine strands of glass • Developed for high speed communication, now being used for lighting • Used primarily in museums and for displays b/c it does not emit heat or ultraviolet rays

9. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) • Next major evolution in lighting • Each LED is a silicon chip about the size of a grain of salt, made of crystals • Small electric current passes through the chip and generates light • Can last 100,000 hours or more (10x longer than fluorescent bulbs and 133x longer than incandescent bulbs

10. Types of Lighting Fixtures • Structural • Built-in, wiring hidden from view • Non-Structural • Fixtures that can be moved or replaced • Various ceiling fixtures and portable lamps

11. When Choosing Lighting… • Use general lighting in most every room (most suitable type of fixture) • Consider track lighting for focused lighting on specific areas • Portable canister lighting on the floor for uplighting to accent a specific object • Lamps for direct and indirect portable lighting (floor lamps, clip on lights, desk lamps, etc.)

12. Decorating with Light • How much is enough? • Depends on purpose of room • Good lighting = a number of effects that create a balance • Over lighting a room = big mistake • Combinations of structural and non-structural lighting is best • Downlighting, uplighting, & accent lighting should be considered when decorating a room

13. Entryways, Hallways, Stairways • Entryway = first introduction to your guests • Lighting there should be inviting and engaging • Pendant lighting is a good choice • Hang high enough to be out of everyone’s way • Accent lighting to illuminate artwork or family photos in a hallway or staircase is functional and aesthetic

14. Lighting is a Safety Factor • Entry ways • Hallways • Stair ways • Switches should be placed every 8-10 feet

15. Specific Room Lighting • Living/Family Room • Combination of lighting • Dimmer controls • Upright lighting • Task lighting • Floor lamps • Dark shades to reduce overall light, light for opp. effect • Dining Room • Lighting should be functional and attractive • Pendant or chandelier lighting most common • Dimmer switch for mood setting • Kitchen • Fluorescent is best with task lighting over work centers • Bedroom • Overhead lighting, bedside light • Bathroom • Ceiling fixture, lights around mirror for task lighting

16. Save Energy with Lighting • Lighting accounts for 10-15% of electricity bill • Much of that is unnecessary consumption due to lights being left on and unused • Occupancy sensors are a new advancement to consider • Motion lights for exterior spaces are energy efficient • Incandescent are the most power hungry lights

17. Accessories • Adds the personal touches to a furnished room • Tells your guest something about YOU • Gives a room personality • Sophisticated, simple, rustic, elegant

18. Wall Decorations • Paintings, posters, tapestries, prints, sculptures, stenciling, faux painting • Wall mirrors and clocks • Shelf displays • Wallpaper • Hang items eye level • Consider the proportion between the wall space, furniture nearby, and size of wall accessory • Rule of thumb = art should not be wider than the piece of furniture and no smaller than half the pieces length

19. Wall Decorations Cont.’ • Use simple wall décor on a highly patterned wall • Pick frames for art that complements the room and the art • Position a mirrror so it reflects space and something pleasing • Use lighting to enhance the color and texture of wall decorations • Choose hanging hardware that is appropriate for the weight of each piece

20. Wall Groupings • Several related prints or collection of pieces • Use an uneven number of pieces for more pleasing arrangment • Add height to a room with vertical arrangement of artwork • Add width with horizontal placement • Space between the items is important as well…too wide group does not appear cohesive

21. Additional Accessories • Family photos, souveniers • Candlesticks • Bowls • Baskets • Vases • Sculptures • Stack of books • Candles • plants

22. Eclecticism • Put different kinds of items and styles of accessories/furniture together to create a more interesting effect • Organize by patter, color, or theme • Use color as a guide if you are unsure if something goes together or not • Vary heights • Place taller objects in back of shorter ones

23. Sprucing UP • Pillows as accents on furniture • Plants (real or artificial) • Bright throw • Candles • Books