Another Piece About Lighting

Light brings textures to life.  Usually your eyes tell you how it feels.  Does it look soft?  Does it look rough?  Does it look luxurious, pretty, masculine or feminine?  This is how we interpret things without even thinking that is what we are doing.

The following are some explanations on lighting:

Incandescent light:  It is an artificial light source we call a lamp.  This is the most commonly used.  It  comes in a variety of sizes and intensities.  A lamp gives off light in all directions.  Various finishes and coatings are found on incandescent lighting.  These include clear bulbs, cool white and color.  Today these are being replaced by energy efficient lighting.  I am still not sure that I like them as they take too long to get to their brightest stage.  There are also newer ones that I have heard get brighter quicker.  Even the spotlights are slow in warming up.  They are supposed to last longer, but I've had a few spots blow out long before their time.  They are also quite expensive, but I feel we will have no choice as that is what will become the norm.

Halogen light:  A form of incandescent lighting, however, it is small in size and has a relatively long life.  It is brighter but are very hot.  They are used mostly in curio cabinets or under counter mounts.

Fluorescent lighting:  A low intensity light source.  They are used with a ballast ( regulates the amount of electricity used ) .  They have an extremely long life and do come in colors.  They are more efficient than incandescent.

Today, as I was reading, I learned about Interactive Bulbs.  they create a mood by fine tuning the light in your home.  These are smartphone - controlled  LED bulbs that fit any standard fixture and can produce a range of nearly 16 million hues.  They are called Phillips Hue Bulbs.  I will investigate these further. 

There are also remote control plugs for your lamps.  They use Wi Fi to turn on whatever you have plugged into it, on or off via your smartphone or tablet.  You can do this even if you are not at home.  It is called  "Belkin WeMo Switch".

Lamps:  Just a few comments on  the use of different types.  Over scale table lamps are wonderful in work areas as they allow a lot of light because they sit higher.  These are very hard to find  today.  I am so surprised at that as with taller ceilings, you really need the height of these type of lamps.

Light colored metal lamps, such s, chrome, nickel, pewter and silver can create magical settings as they reflect the light.  Lamps depict the style of the furniture you have.  Crystal and brass can be formal.  Lucite definitely is retro.  Wood and leather, make the room more masculine or a little country.

Again, try out lamps in your room and pick what you like.  Always make sure you can return the lamp if it does not work in your scheme.  Sometime the old lamps just need a new shade to change it's tired look.  I love to look at resale shops or lamps.  You would be surprised what you can find.

Start looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!