Throwing Some Light on the Subject

The attitude of your favorite room can change with the flip of a switch—as in light switch. 

You can set a sultry mood with low lighting, or make your place cheerful with bright bulbs.

“Just make sure the lights fit the task,” Johanna Hawf emphasizes. Hawf owns Johanna Hawf Interior Design on Holland Road in Powder Springs, and uses lots of lamps and accent lighting in her work.

Gary Wilbourn sells a wide variety of lights at on Hopeland Industrial Boulevard in Powder Springs. You can get track lighting with sleek frosted glass pendants for a contemporary look, or select a glitzy chandelier.

But, Wilbourn says, “most customers go new tech, with LED and CFL lighting.” 

Many of the LED lights are used for under-cabinet lighting, making it easier for people to see their work on counter tops or desks. LEDs work well for cove lighting, too, highlighting a niche or small space.

You’re seeing more of those “new tech” fixtures and bulbs in home décor and improvement stores since the federal green laws kicked in back in 2009. 

While many claim to resemble “daylight,” there’s still a bit of an unearthly cast to them, which is why Hawf and other decorators suggest going for tinted shades to counter.

David Lynn of Lighting of Georgia on Jordan Road in Powder Springs says the new CFL bulbs will cost less in the long run, but can pinch your pocket a bit short term. 

“We see the modern bulbs more often with recessed lighting,” he adds. “More folks are going with recessed lighting than with standard overhead fixtures. Although you’ll still see people requesting the standard ceiling light, sometimes with a ceiling fan.”

When it comes to overhead lighting, Hawf admits to not being a fan. “Recessed lighting can be effective, but I really like lamps to make a room warm and personal.”

There are an infinite number of lamps you can use to make a statement in a room. I’m a huge Tiffany lamp lover, because I love the colored glass, and it disguises the CFLs that I caved and bought when I got tired of changing out my fluorescents all the time. 

But I’ve seen equally impressive contemporary lamps that look like modern sculpture and produce the same amount of light.

“Don’t forget about your wattage,” Hawf warns. “The most impressive light in the world will look dull if you just have a 25 watt bulb in it. It’s particularly sad with a fancy crystal chandelier in a dining room.”

While “box” overhead lighting (as in tube lights grouped together in a box attached to the ceiling) isn’t considered fashionable, it does get the job done in providing a lot of light in a room at once, keeping counter space clear. 

However, Hawf points out that track lighting and directional lighting can give you the same space and provide lighting where you need it. “You just pull the light over or point the light at the space that needs to be lit.”

Track lighting and angled recessed lighting can point a spot light on items of interest in a room. It’s an effective way to highlight a favorite painting or a treasured art piece. 

Sometimes a light fixture can define a room. Ever see a rec room with a neon beer or ice cream sign, or one of those stained glass billiard lights hanging over a pool table? Fixtures like those make it easy to set the theme for the room’s décor.

It’s up to you to decide if you want your lights to serve as a backdrop or grab the spotlight.