Light Imitating Art - How to Use Lighting as a Decorative Feature

Lighting is often thought of as a necessity, which it is, but not often as part of the decor. This is more the case in residential settings. For years architects in commercial buildings have used lighting to compliment their designs. A good example of this melding of light and art is the Chrysler building in NYC. Most of the original lighting followed the Art Deco style of the building, with many of the fixtures custom made to fit the style.

In residential settings the most common use of decorative lighting fixtures is in the form of a dining room chandelier or some wall sconces. There are so many unique and beautiful light fixtures to choose from. Using a combination of unique light fixtures, varied patterns and controls, the lighting can in itself become a work of art. Even something like recessed cans with some planning and forethought can be placed in patterns that enhance the room from a decorative standpoint.

A very popular form of lighting used today in kitchens is pendant lighting. Placed over an island or peninsula, they can help define the space and add an element of art into the room. Taking a simple set of three pendants and altering the height of the fixtures, a new visual experience can easily be created. Too many lighting plans just conform to a given symmetrical pattern. Recessed lights placed in rows that are very commercial looking in nature. Instead of the lights placed in 3 rows of three you can have rows of three, two and three. This minor change now adds interest and is visually pleasing.

There is also the style of the fixtures themselves. The vast majority of recessed lights used are a basic baffle and bulb. There is so much more in the way of recessed lighting. There are trims for recessed lights that come in glass, different colors, wall washers, gimbal rings and so many more. It just takes a little thinking out of the box to take a different approach. Not to mislead anyone, these more unique designs cost more money. The truth is that most people are willing to pay a little more but they just aren't made aware of all the options available.

On your next remodeling project, consider the lighting in your decorative plans. The finished project will be a step above the rest!

Paul Forte has been in the lighting and electrical field for over 25 years. He has helped countless homeowners across the country with their lighting needs through his Website - Here is a very unique Pendant Lighting Layout and a little How To.

In The News:


Interior decorators in Central Jersey reflect clients' tastes
Scarlet Scuttlebutt, NJ - Nov 27, 2008
By BRANDON LAUSCH • Staff Writer • November 27, 2008 BRANCHBURG —The sales pitch of custom interior-decorating business Decor&You basically comes down to ...

Decorator turns Dubuque theater into holiday site
Chicago Tribune, United States - Dec 1, 2008
"You either got it or you don't," said Meyer, a man with a penchant for interior design and storytelling. "And, no, I'm not going to do anybody's house. ...

Fathead(R) Offers to Decorate the First Daughters Rooms with Jonas ...
MarketWatch - Dec 1, 2008
... about decorating their own rooms, we wanted to reach out to the First Lady's transition team to offer our expertise in the 'Department of the Interior', ...

NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)

: New Home Staging Design Guide Takes Guesswork Out of How to ...
NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) - 13 hours ago
In fact, even if you’re an interior designer, decorating to sell and decorating to live are two completely different objectives and need to be handled ...

Top 10 Home Decor Trends for 2009 - Interior Genius
Imperial Valley News, CA - Nov 27, 2008
Carmen Natschke -- editor of "The Decorating Diva" -- sees a revival of what she calls “Hollywood Regency.” According to her Web site, this style is ...

WHIZ

Holiday Decorating Safet
WHIZ, OH - Nov 30, 2008
"You want to make sure that you use interior for interior and exterior for exterior. And something safety-wise for your interior, you want to make sure you ...

Interior decorating trends toward rich color, vintage look
Tampabay.com, FL - Nov 10, 2008
"We are drawn to old-culture decor — a Tuscan farmhouse kitchen — but we want state-of-the-art appliances in that kitchen. So we are drawn to both vintage ...

Lights, music, Christmas: Area houses decorated to brighten spirits
Southeast Missourian, MO - Nov 30, 2008
A little bit of extra lighting in the interior of the home will include lights around tall bookcases. "Their greenery was natural. ...
Glenn House serves as alternative to Parade of Lights Southeast Missourian
all 2 news articles

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Business partners use house to show off design, decorating talents
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Nov 14, 2008
"A house should be more than a place to eat and sleep," said Mr. Tot, 56, a North Side resident and owner of Nolen Painting & Interior Decorating. ...

Local shop offers interesting vintage Christmas decor
Huntington Herald Dispatch, WV - Nov 29, 2008
Brass Rabbit Home Accents has been selling interior decorations for the past five years. "I've been in this kind of business for 15 years and I felt like it ...
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