*Some exclusions apply, like if you want light after sunset. UPDATE: I'm not giving up! Stay tuned for Part 2. If you found yourself befuddled trying to buy a light bulb lately, as I often have, this post is for you. It is also for the architects I was swapping "light bulb aisle war stories"... Continue Reading →
5 Tips for 1 Chandelier
I am delighted that Houzz.com continues to publish my stories in their news feed and newsletters. This week I pulled together information from several of my languageoflight.blog posts and a handful of images from the vast photo library on Houzz to simplify chandelier/dining room pendant purchasing. I made use of common wisdom and a few... Continue Reading →
Developing a Kitchen Lighting Plan
Another one just came across my desk: a kitchen where the plans call for lighting placed precisely in the wrong place. Chopping with large knives and dealing with hot pans is no place for poor lighting and obscuring shadows, and this is just one reason kitchens have the most at stake when it comes to... Continue Reading →
Fine Homebuilding (and Lighting)
Today I send a big THANK YOU to the fabulous editorial team at Fine Homebuilding for shaping my article for their readers. It was a fun experience for me and I am delighted with the final product! Read it online.
Chandeliers and Umbrellas
"Sacrifice for beauty," someone once said. Not in my house. Lighting is not immune to questionable fashion trends, and we're in the middle of one right now that makes many dining experiences less enjoyable. "Transitional" design has given birth to the open-structure chandelier, the philosophical equivalent of an umbrella without its fabric cover. You and... Continue Reading →
Buying Guide: Exterior Wall Sconces
Here's a fun challenge to do when you should be washing dishes, mowing the lawn, or cleaning your teeth: Go shopping online for wall sconces and see how many of the product photos have the light turned on. Or you can skip the search and trust me. There are not very many. Most manufacturers and... Continue Reading →
Choosing Downlights with 5 Questions
Need to choose downlights for your home? I took a stab at simplifying the process (there are literally thousands of possibilities) in my latest Houzz.com article. Check it out by clicking the link below.
Of Recessed Cans and Folding Chairs
The Electrical Walk Through I’m grumpy this morning, and a little sad. I just saw another beautiful home under construction, and it was too late to save it from bad lighting. So be warned: while I try to keep most of my posts focused on the positive Gift of Light and the five promises that... Continue Reading →
Dark Sky, Bright Home
I recently wrote an article for Houzz.com on how to make the outside of your home welcoming at night. It had been awhile since my article on downlights drew so many sharply divided comments, so I had grown complacent and used to the vanilla “great article” responses. Whoops. While many readers appreciated the article and the... Continue Reading →
Update/Downlights
I am working on an article for Houzz.com on how to choose the right downlight trim, and it is turning out to be quite a challenge. The article is inspired by my earlier post here, but I wanted to simplify the ideas and provide something a little more helpful. The problem is that choosing a... Continue Reading →