LIGHTING SERIES III

In this final segment on the Lighting Series, I would like to talk about drama with lighting. Yes, you can have your designer do a formal lighting plan and hire a contractor for the installation and it will be fabulous. However, you can do some things that will immediately give some lighting drama to your space right here and now!

Art Lights- It makes me smile every time I see a piece of artwork that has a wash of warm light flowing over it. Artwork that you might not normally buy you would actually purchase if lit appropriatley. The affect is as if the piece is being lit from within and it draws you near for its appreciation and not just to take up space on that blank wall.

If you are in the process of building/remodeling these art lights can be planned out ahead of time and included in the hard wiring. You can however, make a difference right here and now by purchasing portables that will give you the drama you're looking for. Many stores like Home Depot and IKEA carry an asortment of art lights that can plug directly into an outlet. If the cord bothers you or if it's in a precarious position they do have cord covers that can be painted to match the wall. If you're renting your home or having a special party this can be done in minutes. Everyone loves the effect but doesn't take the time to make this dramatic difference.

Take a look around. Start making a difference inside and out!

Next month Something To Think About...will be on color and mood. If you have a question or something to share please write to me directly at Jessica@JSKinteriors.com

LIGHTING SERIES II

I have always adored lighting. I have often described a unique glowing set of lamps as the "jewelry" of the room. I liken it to the right pair of earrings, that are unique and make a statment, making the outfit. That's why we should be particular in selecting our lighting fixtures; whether its chandeliers, mini pendants, table lamps, floor lamps or art lights. Even the fabric and shape of the shades must be carefully selected.

Lighting creates opportunity for
"Oooooooooh!"

One can never go wrong with lamps that feature the crisp and clean lines of classic shapes such as lanterns, popular pottery, candlestick, trophy style and the like. The reason they are called classics is because they keep coming up and repeating themselves with the same form and it's always right. It was right then and it's right now. How we modernize it is by changing up the scale, material and unexpected placement. What was once considered formal can now be updated by placing it in a casual environment thereby creating interest and lovely character for the space.

One of my favorites, featured left, the Robert Abbey Artemis Table

Lamp in Lead Crystal with Cafe Shade and dimmer. Premium
quality and a classic!

For many years now the art of sculptural glass, in all it's colorful splendor, has been not so shy in the lighting industry. The shapes range from geometric to free form. The scale goes from tiny silver dollars to large jelly fish sized pendants. Speckled with pattern or solid richly colored hanging lighting that come alive when you flip the switch; what an opportunity for personal expression!

Below, hand blown Italian Glass mini pendants by LBL Lighting.

Featured here in Amber and Clear glass options.

Take a look around. Start making a difference inside and out!

Next month Something to think about… will continue with the series on lighting. If you have a question or something to share please write to me directly at Jessica@JSKinteriors.com

LIGHTING SERIES I

Have you ever stopped to think that the vast majority of the time spent in your home is in the evening? Consider your typical week. Even if you stay home all weekend for most people if they added up the hours in that week spent at home a surprising discovery would be that you are "in the dark", so to speak, a lot more than you realize.

I bring attention to this point to say this, now that you have that realization does it not make sense to seriously consider how important the lighting is in your home? Most homes are under lit and tend to be on the dark side. This effects the feeling and mood you have when you are in that space, it effects the ambiance, as well as the more practical side of things, the functionality to work, read, cook, safety, etc.

For this session, let's look at the basics, the three types and uses of lighting:

1. Ambient/General Lighting - is just that, general illumination more or less uniformly, the kind that we are all the most familiar with. This can be direct when the light is shining downward (over head) full on an object or surface or indirect where the light is thrown against a surface like recessed cove lighting for example. The light is thrown against the ceiling or alcove.
2. Task/Local Lighting - direct illumination needed for a specific place for a specific activity such as reading, cooking, etc. For eye comfort, it is best that this source is shielded such as a shade for a reading lamp or under cabinet hidden lighting for food prep. Otherwise, the result is extreme eye strain in a very short amount of time.
3. Accent/Decorative Lighting - illuminating artwork, sculptures, collections, trees, water feature, etc. that that draws attention as soon as you enter the room. That personal touch that highlights objects in the room and gives oh so much interest! Unfortunately, this is where the typical home owner falls short and misses this opportunity to create interest.

Light brings things to life!


Take a look around. Start making a difference inside and out!

Next month Something to think about…will continue with the series on lighting. If you have a question or something to share please write to me directly at Jessica@JSKinteriors.com

Vertical Space

When we take advantage of our vertical space we find many things happen.  One is floor space usually clears.  You find yourself with more livable square footage, uncluttered walk through areas and it is easier to achieve the old adage of “a place for everything and everything in its place”.  Examples for accomplishing this are incorporating etageres and bookshelves.

When we draw our eyes up vertically it lifts our gaze upward and allows for us to fully take in and get a visual sense of the space we are in.  Not just scanning our eyes around the room because everything is waist high.  What about the additional five feet up?  Some are fortunate enough to have a lot more than that.  You paid for that space.  Use it!  An example would be placing your drapery as high as you can.  It salutes your ceiling, creates more of an impact and makes your windows feel larger than life.

I will say right now, this same statement does NOT apply to artwork!  Many, many, many of us hang our photos, mirrors and artwork way too high.  This creates a feeling of the piece not being grounded; just floating up there somewhere without relevance to scale or connection to the room.

To get you on the right track, you can always use the rule of thumb “the center of the artwork should hang approximately five and a half feet above the finished floor.”  Needless to say, this varies when the hanging is going over a fireplace or even a sofa.  In that case more than likely six to eight inches above the back of the sofa, settee or mantel should be your ball park.

Take a look around.  Start making a difference inside and out!

Next month Something to think about…will be on lighting.  If you have a question or something to share please write to me directly at jessica@jskinteriors.com