I love lighting — good lighting. While there is a big difference, most people don’t know the difference between effective and ineffective lighting. Once you have experienced quality lighting in your home, it is impossible to go back. With as many gray days as we have in the Northwest, it is especially important to provide the right lighting to improve your spirit. If you live in a period home like a Bungalow, Craftsman, or Four-Square, you might ask the question: “How do I get good lighting while preserving the traditional look of my home?” I have two answers.

Above; Soft and discreet lighting from multiple light sources is just what you need to create a pleasing and welcoming entry hall, while still respecting the traditional feel of your home.

Above; A very traditionally styled dining room chandelier with carefully placed down lights, wall washers, and traditional art-lighting creates an overall glow in this period styled room. Livingroom, a crisp and bright transitional interior with multiple light sources including a ceiling fan/light, down lights, and floor, and table lamps. Above, a contemporary and simply styled example of task lighting to illuminate a single piece of art which could easily fit into any style of interior.

ONE
Bring your period lighting into the 21st century. As a designer, sometimes I struggle with the issue of appropriate lighting for period interiors. The good news is period or traditional architecture and decor can successfully blend with modern lighting technology. Most modern fixtures can be somewhat hidden so they can work with any type of decor. Inconspicuous down lights and wall washers can be used to bring up necessary light levels without detracting from the period feel, and modern fixtures can be concealed behind moldings or ornaments near the ceiling of the room. You can use a period-looking chandelier while using modern, subtle lighting to fill in the dark spots. There are so many options in lighting fixtures that sometimes it is just difficult to choose.

If you’re after a vintage or traditional look, you are in the right city. Visit Schoolhouse Electric or Rejuvenation; both stores offer a plethora of vintage and period lighting options. Or try Hippo Hardware for a handsome antique piece. If you choose a fixture with exactly the look you want that isn’t safely wired or able to provide a light level that you require, Hippo can do the work necessary to make pieces suitable and safe for your home.

TWO
Forget the period of your home and go with a style that really inspires the creative you. Now mind you, this is my personal answer and may not be the answer you want to hear. In my opinion, period lighting was not sufficient in its own time and is not sufficient now. We do not live the same way people did years ago. You wouldn’t want “traditional” heating in your home. Lighting is no different. No one wants to have bad lighting, and a contemporary home does not deserve better lighting than a traditional or period home. Lighting technology has come so far, and I believe we should take full advantage of it to light our homes in the most pleasing way possible.

For more transitional, contemporary, or modern lighting solutions, try Globe Lighting, Lamps Plus, or, my personal favorite lighting website, Lighting Universe. Check out their Visual Comfort brand; it is one of my favorite lines. Not too modern, not too traditional, just clean and crisp and able to be used in
any interior.

Once you have chosen your fixture, do a little reading on the different types of bulbs available to you and the colors they produce. Incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen? There are aesthetic choices, energy saving choices, so many choices. Low voltage or line voltage? You could also pick up a book or two on lighting. I am really fond of the lighting book by Ikea called Bright Ideas and any lighting book by Randall Whitehead. He is an amazing lighting designer who is able to explain lighting solutions in simple terms. One more option: Call a designer!

As for the aesthetic end of things, regardless of your prevailing style, I personally think interiors look best when no one period is over-represented. I like a nice blend of mixing old and new styles or pieces for a pleasing and non-static interior. Besides, who really wants a matchy-matchy interior? We don’t like matchy-matchy. Lighting fixtures can be art. Start looking at light fixtures a little differently. There are just so many great choices, so take your time and choose wisely. Regardless of style, when re-working your interior, start your lighting plan early. It is so much easier to make allowances for lighting and wiring at the beginning of the project rather than at the end.

I usually try to avoid “rules” in interior design, but that being said, always avoid lighting an entire room with a single, bright, high-wattage ceiling fixture at the center. YIKES! Put on your blinders! What you get is an unpleasant assault to the eye that creates frightful shadows and leaves icky dead spots. What you really want are layers of light from several sources to achieve the most pleasing effect. The best answer to great lighting always lies in using a combination of fixtures, so don’t forget task lighting, which is what you need to do a specific job, whether it’s reading, working at a computer, cooking, drawing, or sewing. This type of lighting is crucial in our modern lives. It helps focus on the area you’re using. I personally prefer to use halogen bulbs for task lighting. Actually, I prefer to use halogen lighting for everything. Educate yourself on the different types of bulbs and lighting to create the best overall plan for your home. Table lamps, accent lamps, chandeliers, sconces, recessed fixtures, track lighting (oh my!); your choices are endless. Now that you have all this good light going on, try installing a dimmer, as it is an amazing tool for adding control and flexibility to your lighting plan. In my own living room I have seven sources of light, all halogen. I have so many options and combinations of light to choose from that it is dizzying. I have two entry table lamps, two chandeliers, two table lamps, one floor lamp, a monorail, and a low voltage track system on the ceiling — on a dimmer of course. Track lighting is my secret weapon. When used well, you barely know it is there.

So there it is; a beginning and very basic discussion on lighting. Try a bit of research and reading on the subject (thank God for the Internet and the library): There is a lot to learn, but the concepts are fairly simple. Should you desire some professional help, contact an interior and/or lighting designer to assist you with a plan just right for your home. Or feel free to contact me a call for a consultation.

JJ De Sousa is the owner of digs inside & out, located at 1829 NE Alberta, Portland. She can be reached at jj@digs-pdx.com or 503-460-3447.