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(ARA) - As people get older there is more time to really enjoy the
homes they have built for themselves. The kids have grown and moved
away, and being physically comfortable has, perhaps, become more
important than it was once. Knowing that aging eyes need a better
kind of light and more of it to be comfortable, remodeling the
lighting in your home improves comfort threefold.
From function to design, lighting affects everything. A room's
appearance and feel, highlights and accents, and utility and cost
are all important in considering how our home's lighting affects how
we live. When contemplating a renovation, consider how lighting
renewal can transform your eyesight, living space and energy
consumption.
"Many of today's lighting trends include energy efficiency and
conservation," says Rick Wiedemer, president of Hinkley Lighting in
Cleveland, Ohio, and a Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC). "People
are seeking decorative ways to direct light exactly where it is
needed and still conserve energy. Under cabinet fixtures and
multiple pendant lights in nooks and over sinks and counters are
ways to add decorative flare when they need special light. And the
new lighting is available with high wattage and low voltage to get a
higher output per watt."
Ceiling, wall-mounted and portable fixtures, and recessed and track
lighting are all available in energy-efficient compact fluorescent
bulbs as well as light-emitting diode (LED) lights.
"Baby boomers are finding that they need three to four times as much
light and that glare is hard on the eyes," says Norm Brown, CLC, of
Norburn Lighting & Bath Centre in Burnaby, B.C., and a consultant
for the American Lighting Association (ALA). "Fluorescent bulbs are
easier to see by than regular light bulbs. LED lights are being used
more for their reduced glare, as well as Halogen, for their white
light quality. You can choose energy-efficient bulbs in many styles
for redecorating your whole house."
So, you have heard about LED lights but aren't sure what they are? |
As Joe Rey-Barreau explains,
"Light-emitting diodes resemble a very small computer chip -- a
sandwich of two very thin layers of glass with a chemical in
between, that when charged with electricity, emits powerful
illumination and saves energy."
Rey-Barreau, a professor in architecture and interior design at the
University of Kentucky and consulting education director of ALA
says, "They're being used in traffic lights, flashlights and cars.
Soon they will penetrate the residential market, and eventually
replace regular light bulbs. They're extremely long lasting with 50
to 100 times more light and 50,000 to 100,000 more hours."
LED lights will be constructed for every type of lighting to fit the
style in your home. Rey-Barreau says, "There's no singularity to
style. I call it populism -- a continuing major trend that's going
on; a diversification of styles. Because there's a style for every
person, and everyone can get what they want."
With decorative finishes in brushed nickel, pewter or Italian glass,
you can find a look that suits your taste. In the kitchen, the
keystone of entertainment, adding a few under-cabinet fixtures will
make food preparation easier, and a few pendant fixtures over the
island or breakfast nook will add a touch of art that draws the eye
in a whole new direction.
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Historically, exotic finishes were seen as high-end, pricey items
that are now more affordable and can be found in the entry level of
product availability. For example, items like Murano glass from
Italy in a pendant, chandelier or sconce have become available to
the mainstream.
"More recently, the varied styles in light fixtures have been
combined to create a new combination of designs for a completely
different look. Traditional and contemporary styles come together --
modernist materials like stainless steel combined with crystals --
for a trend that's different that anything we've seen in the past,"
says Rey-Barreau.
Create a lively, warm living environment with precisely placed
light. Illuminate your prized painting, book collection or family
heirloom with recessed lighting, sconces or the latest, MonoRail.
Kathy Held, manager, buyer and vice president of South Dade Lighting
in Miami, Fla., and a 25-year member of ALA says, "MonoRail is the
biggest thing since ice cream. MonoRail is like track lighting was
40 years ago. It's twistable to configure to any position you want,
to hang pendants or directional head lights, or fixtures -- right up
to the rail, and they come in brushed aluminum and bronze, which is
great if you have a wood ceiling; it just disappears."
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Carefully aimed light allows you to see well, and lights up what you
want people to see; as if creating a work of art with your living
space. In the dining room, where the attention is on the guests at
the table, a chandelier provides the general lighting you need and
adds style and sparkle, perfect for dining, tasks or table games.
"The dining room fixture is like jewelry for your house," says Held.
"You don't change it as often, but when redecorating a room you
notice that your fixture is dated."
Good light is essential to seeing well, especially for the tiny fine
print. For better lighting where you need it most -- for reading or
hobbies -- MonoRail is perfect. |
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Direct it exactly where you need
it, and readjust the direction later when your need changes.
Or, include recessed lighting around the whole room with
numerous switches and dimmer choices to adjust the light on
demand.
To learn how to light up a room for better visibility, accent décor
and energy savings, find a professional who knows how the proper
application of light will suit your needs and bring warmth into your
home.
You can learn what works best, what the trends are, and what to
avoid by finding a qualified lighting design consultant through ALA.
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To contact your nearest American
Lighting Association showroom, call 1-800-BRIGHT- IDEAS
(1-800-274-4484) or visit
www.americanlightingassoc.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content |
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