Registered interior designer Deborah Burnett, ASID, shares several simple but often overlooked lighting options to ensure that every decorating project is a success :
- Install a can up-light fixture with a compact fluorescent bulb behind floor plants . The heat generated from a typical bulb can potentially harm plants and the short life of incandescent bulbs (450 hours) will become bothersome when they burn out . Energy-saving fluorescent bulbs will last up to 10,000 hours.
- Consider a portrait light fixture over artwork and oil paintings. The use of a crystal-faceted bulb will further enhance the colors and cast a nice glow on the surrounding wall.
- Remove all plastic protective wrapping from shades and be sure the shade is correctly sized for the lamp. A visible bulb socket beneath the shade is a definite don't!
- The measurement from the bulb center to the outside of a chandelier shade should be about three inches so the heat doesn't scorch the lining paper.
- Use appliance bulbs in lamps with small harps.
- Camouflage unsightly cords by surrounding them with leaves from a trailing artificial plant situated next to the lamp (figure A).
Resources Comfortable Living by Design
by Deborah Burnett
Humble Abundance, 1999
Order this title from Amazon.com.
You Can Do It! Decorating
This is a videotape decorating series that shows how to use affordable products and what you already have to create professional-looking decorating results.
Design Service Inc.
E-mail:
deborah@deborahburnett.com
Website:
www.deborahburnett.com
Guests Deborah Burnett
ASID Registered Interior Designer/Licensed Building Contractor, Design Services, Inc.
E-mail:
deborah@deborahburnett.com
Website:
www.deborahburnett.com
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