david k warfel
I am as guilty as the next lighting designer. See my design above for proof. Once upon a time, light indoors depended on light through windows or flames from candles, lamps and fires. The windows were automatically scheduled to turn on slowly in the morning and turn off slowly in the evening. They changed intensity... Continue Reading →
No. Er, Yes. Wait a minute, is this a trick question? Retailers and websites are hawking new smart gadgets for our homes incessantly, essentially trying to do what Apple did for smart phones: make them cost a whole lot more. There are smart coffee makers, smart pet feeders, smart doorbells, smart thermostats, smart irrigation systems,... Continue Reading →
The stars of stage and screen spend a good deal of time in their dressing rooms in front of the mirror, checking to make sure they are ready for the literal spotlight. You may not be going onstage, but that is no excuse for poor lighting at your vanity. Leave the film noir to the... Continue Reading →
*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 →
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 →
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 →
T Brand, the paid content arm of the New York Times, recently launched a post on cutting-edge lighting in cars. Paid for by Audi, the relatively short post has fabulous graphics and quotes from experts across the country on how light affects us. About half-way through the article there is a quote from an architectural... Continue Reading →
Lighting Design never goes on sale. Or does it? Black Friday sales flyers have been filling my inbox and mailbox for days. Later this week millions will push back from the Thanksgiving table and rush to the stores to pick up doorbuster deals. We will buy Christmas gifts for family and friends and big screen... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
the language of light 