Set the mood, let There Be Lighting

 I always have and probably always will. There is nothing quite like the flicker of a candle or the glow of an open fireplace. You look bet¬ter, your guests feel better and the instant intimacy created by soft, warm light is unparalleled. So how does one go about creating intima¬cy and beauty with modern lighting?

Here are a few tips to remember.

Lighting should be simple. If you want something really ornate, buy a Christmas ornament and dispose of it when you grow tired of it … because you will grow tired of it.

Choose wellcrafted shades. A poorquality shade will show when illuminated. And always turn the seam of the shade to be out of sight.

Be careful. Good lighting is not cheap. You can easily spend as much on lighting as on your furniture. Shop at lowerpriced stores, you may be surprised at what you find.

Do not leave lighting as an after¬thought. Plan your lighting early in your design process, remembering where you are going to put that desk or that side table. If you are build¬ing a new home, be generous with your electrical outlets.

Never use fluorescent lighting in your home. Ever. It is just ugly.

Always buy lamps in pairs. Whenever I find a lamp that can serve both my aesthetic and utili¬tarian needs, I simply buy it and worry about where to put it later. Whether you use them together or break them up into different rooms, you will always be glad that you have a pair of lamps that match.

Remember, in all of the choices that one must make in designing a home, nothing is more difficult than choosing proper lighting. Creating a perfect balance of light is easily achievable but not easy to find.