Lighting: A Key to Creating an Environment

I’ve seen the light!

This is one of the light fixtures the electricians were installing on one of my jobs today.

This is the PH Artichoke by Louis Poulsen. It’s an amazing work of functional art!

Is it for everyone? No, probably not. Not in terms of style, size or price point!

I won’t even say how much this thing cost…its one of those situations where “if you have to ask”…!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Light up My Life!

Yesterday we talked about painting being a great winter project because it can be done indoors and out of that biting cold. (They are forecasting SNOW IN FLORIDA!! tonight)

The best paint job in the world, the best architecture, the best interiors, the best furniture…all looks the same in the dark!

The importance of lighting is hard to over stress! It makes a difference!

Three Types of Light

When considering lighting, it has to be considered from three separate and independent sources. Each one will be utilized in different ways at different times. These are:

• Natural Light
• Permanent Fixtures
• Lamps, Candles, Fireplaces (alarm clocks)

Just kidding about the alarm clock, though there are times…

Natural Light

I wish I had a way to make this picture glow, as a message from on high! I can’t even remember what I’m writing about…I think this is going to bump off my wife and kids as my new desktop background.

Oh yes, natural light! Whether you live in a place like this one, or in any place anywhere (except maybe NORAD) you can take advantage of natural light! And you must!

In general, the biggest problem with natural light is simple: not enough of it!

Make A Hole

As a remodeler this is one of the most frequently encountered problems with a “stock plan”. In a perfect world, every house would be designed for the site on which it sits. It would take advantage of the sun, the views, the breezes (in season!), etc.

Since this is not the way it’s always done, there may be a huge opportunity here for you. Cutting a window into a wall isn’t as hard as you think it might be. You have a sledge hammer don’t you?

Wait…don’t do that just yet. Email me first and show me some pictures of where you want the window to go and lets discuss it a little bit. Wouldn’t want the second floor bathroom coming down on your head.

Look Up!

Is the wall too important? Maybe you need that wall for the bed or the dresser. Maybe the closet is even on the exterior wall, which is not an un-solvable problem by the way!

A skylight is a great way to get natural light where windows aren’t an option.

If you can get both, all the better!

Now these aren’t usually a D.I.Y. project. Unless you’re highly proficient with most construction trades, you want to bring in a pro here.

I could go on, and on, and on. Other options include glass block, transom windows, French Doors, glass in your existing doors. That closet I was talking about…go ahead and put a window in it and then change the closet doors out to something with frosted glass. The impact can be incredible! But alas, I must move on to:

Permanent Fixtures!

No, I’m not talking about the in-laws!

Light fixtures can make up for an otherwise bland design and there aren’t many easier quick projects!

We’ve all heard about the different uses for light fixtures, ie. general lighting, “task” lighting, etc.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but it’s important to consider what you need and where. Not only for functional purposes, but for the beauty of your design!

I found this chandelier to the right over at Hooked On Houses. It’s a Martha Stewart design and it’s clean and traditional. Much the opposite of the first fixture I showed at the top of the post!

Pendants are Hot!

The use of pendant lights can really liven up a design while doing a great job of providing light for a surface area such as a kitchen counter, a dining room table, or a bar.

The photo above has another type of fixture as well: wall mounted.

Wall mounted fixtures come in all shapes and sizes. They are among the easiest to replace (since you’re not working over your head), and anyone can run up to Home Depot or Lowe’s and get a great fixture for less than $50.00.

Case in point:

This fixture is available at Lowe’s for only $17 bucks!

You can take that old fixture off the wall in your hallway and put this one up in about ten minutes!

Ten minutes and $17 dollars and you’re stylin’ already!

As with natural light, I could go on, and on, and on like the energizer bunny. There are SOOO many things to talk about; ceiling fans, recessed cans, cabinet lighting, indirect lighting (way cool), and so much more. If anyone wants help with something specific, email me. The idea for this blog is to be interactive and real, so I want to hear about your project! But alas, I must move on before I:

Get Fired!

Whatever you do, don’t forget the oldest light source of all: Fire.

Fire, in the form of a candle, fireplace, firepit, match … whatever, is some of the most beautiful light you can get after dark.

Maybe some of you who have been feeding your fireplace for a couple of months now are a bit “over it”, but from a lighting perspective it’s huge!

If you want to stop messing with the wood pile, you could always go with gas, like this fireplace on the right.

I stole the picture from The Nester and she has a pretty funny story to go along with it. I mean, to me it was funny; she probably didn’t think so at the time!

Tommy Bahama

I can bring any subject matter back around to Tommy Bahama. It’s a gift. Last, but not least, don’t forget the candles! You can place them in a wall sconce, in a candelabra, even in those little floaty thingy-ma-bobs…what are they called? Tealites? Tiny candles.

The best, in my humble opinion, are:

Now THAT is a light fixture!