david k warfel
Let's take a quick break from the philosophical and answer a very basic question: How do you choose light fixtures? The answer is different from room to room and from person to person, but here are a few tips to guide the process for your dining room. Step 1: Choose a Size Most online chandelier-sizing... Continue Reading →
The start of a new series, part memoir of darkness, part manifesto of light.
So now you know- because I am certain you read all of my posts again and again until they are burned in memory- that we need light that helps us adapt to changes in tasks, times, eyes, and moods. Most of the time, I do not add any lights for changing. I add dimmers... Continue Reading →
If you're looking to review the layers of light and apply them to your living room, my article on Houzz.com (link below) would be a good place to start. In addition to my oh-so-nifty sketch, you'll find photographic examples of each layer from multiple projects in multiple styles. Enjoy!
It is late at night- too late- and I am weary from a solid stretch of too much work and not enough rest. It feels too familiar. When I am this tired, I tend to ruminate on my purpose in the world. Recently, I have come to believe that my purpose in my professional life... Continue Reading →
My latest story published on Houzz.com (link below) features photos from Houzz's deep archive of photos and a sketch that simplifies patio lighting into six ideas. Writing the articles is a fun challenge. How do I make lighting design digestible? Any suggestions you have are welcome. 🙂
We used to have a better language for light, but lately we stick to words like LED, lumens, and color temperature. Necessary, perhaps, but not particularly inspiring. In history, we used words like Helios, Prometheus, Zeus, and Ra that belied our dependence on light. We organized our temples, our festivals, our stonehenges around light. We wrote... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I get questions that seem simple but are complex to answer. A recent Houzz reader asked me "what spacing should I use for my recessed downlights?" Yep, this post is definitely on the practical side. Hmm. A lot of "designers" have rules of thumb for spacing downlights- perhaps you need one for every so... Continue Reading →
Adapting to changing lighting conditions is so critical to the human visual experience that we have a body part designed just for this task- the iris. Each eye has a constantly changing aperture- opening- that allows us to see easily at sunset and at mid-day. The iris allows us to appreciate a candle-lit dinner and... Continue Reading →
If you or someone you know suffers from Social Jet Lag, Ambient Light may help. Talk to your doctor before using Ambient Light. Possible side effects include... I can hear the television commercial extolling the virtues of the latest miracle drug, Ambient Light. It energizes you in the morning! It is clinically proven to reduce the... Continue Reading →
the language of light 