david k warfel
Recently a reader posed a tough question following one of my articles on Houzz.com: "I am often stumped by the variety of sizes and baffle colors of recessed lights. Any info regarding how to choose?" Hmm. I had to think about that one, as I often make choices subconsciously from my own experience and preferences.... Continue Reading →
Most folks I know never ask me to advise them on lighting their living rooms, but I get called in often to take a look at kitchens. Modern lifestyles place a much higher emphasis on kitchens than when many of our homes were built, and it makes sense that lighting these spaces has become more... Continue Reading →
CFLS: Ceiling Fan Light Syndrome. Great for vacuuming the carpet, awful for everything else. Everyone uses their living rooms differently, which means everyone’s idea of great lighting will be different. In your living or family room you might watch television, read books, play games, relax on the couch, surf the internet on your iPad, knit, snack,... Continue Reading →
Professional lighting designers use different terms like task, ambient, and accent light when describing what they do. And they may not always talk about storytelling, but it is embedded in their work none-the-less. When I’m working with a client who is converting an old brick warehouse into a frozen yogurt shop, I might suggest neon... Continue Reading →
Need some help applying the language of light your dining room? Check out my article on Houzz.
Imagine yourself in a windowless, featureless room, like an exam room at the hospital. There is a light switch on the wall that turns on the overhead fluorescent fixtures. You can have bright white light or pitch dark at the flick of a switch. And those are your only two choices. So most of the... Continue Reading →
Choosing a color temperature can be tricky. Read my quick summary on Houzz.com.
Once you have light for doing and light for knowing, it’s time to think about light for feeling. Can light impact how you feel? Imagine yourself driving a car. Suddenly, you see flashing red and blue lights coming from behind you. Your heartrate rises, your brain goes to high alert, and you reach a state... Continue Reading →
Light isn’t just for doing- it is also for knowing where we are, where we are going, and who we are with. Imagine yourself in a large room that is completely dark- you cannot see anything. Now add the most basic light for reading- a clip-on book light. You can see the pages now, yes? ... Continue Reading →
Are you a Houzz.com user? Check out my article on the pros and cons of downlights by clicking the link below.
the language of light 