LIGHTING TRENDS:
Think of lighting as art for your home
Provided by ARAcontent
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[June 02, 2012]
Lighting is possibly the most powerful
tool you have when it comes to interior design. It does not make
sense to invest in beautiful furniture, rugs, paintings and
accessories if they are in the dark. The perfect light fixture not
only illuminates a space -- it is also a beautiful, decorative
design element.
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"When looking for a light fixture, think of yourself as a curator
looking for a perfect piece of art," says interior designer Laurie
Smith, known for her role as a featured designer on the television
show "Trading Specs" (2000-2008). Smith says, "Like art, a fabulous
fixture can make a strong design statement, as well as provide
illumination for your space." Often consumers do not realize the
difference updated lighting can make in their homes. Smith suggests
finding one special piece and building a room around it. "In design
school, we learned that lighting is the most exciting and mysterious
medium in design. Lighting is sculptural; it's textural, it's
exciting," she says.
"There are so many varying styles and designs in lighting today
that the possibilities are endless. Different materials and shapes
are just part of what goes into determining that perfect fixture,"
says Smith. "For instance, do you want the shape of your piece to
contrast with your room's schematic or coordinate with it? Taking a
traditional fixture and placing it into a modern setting creates
interest through contrast, while taking a sleek, modern fixture and
putting it into a traditional setting infuses new vitality and a
sophisticated accent."
With so many choices on the market, the task of selecting a light
fixture can be difficult and overwhelming for many homeowners. It's
just a matter of developing a plan or one idea. In a new video
series to help consumers get started, Smith talks about the
importance of lighting to interior design. Each minute-long video,
created by the American Lighting Association, focuses on a different
aspect of lighting and ways to incorporate it into every homeowner's
design plan.
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Videos in the series include:
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Choosing the Right
Lighting Fixture
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Find an Object of
Inspiration
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The Impact of a
Single Lamp
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Lighting Fixtures as Art
The videos can be viewed on the ALA website at
www.americanlightingassoc.com.
Whether looking for one fixture or a complete lighting design
plan, a great place to start is at an ALA-member lighting retail
showroom. There you will find professionally trained staff to help
you select the perfect light for your space. To find a local ALA
showroom, call 800-605-4448 or go to
www.americanlightingassoc.com.
[Text from ARAcontent]
Visit the
2012 Spring Home & Garden Magazine for these great articles:
-
A fresh coat of paint
-
Marrying technology
and decorating
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Lighting your
interior
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Creating a cool
breeze
-
Weekend warrior takes
on the bath
-
Manicuring the lawn
-
Happy trees
-
New outdoor blooms
and foliage
-
Attracting
butterflies to your yard
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