www.selifestyle.com · mARcH 2009 · soUTHeAsT Lifestyle Light the Way - by Denise H. Osborne hen I was a kid, I never liked being in the dark. I suppose that has always stuck with me as my interest in lighting and electrical plans rise to the top of my concerns in interior projects. I suppose you can't enjoy what you can't see. Many spaces can be enhanced with increased lighting. From light switches to completely controlled environments, you can benefit from simple improvements to your home. Just by upgrading your "flipper" switches to the Lutron wide or adding dimmers to your fixtures, you can experience your lighting in a whole new way with a weekend project. There are four general types of lighting...ambient, task, accent, and decorative. ·Ambient lighting is general light that fills the room. The light is diffused and produce an overall glow. · Task lighting provides lighting for a specific area and task. · Accent lighting accents a particular part of the room or object in the room. · Decorative lighting is treated as a design element. Start with a plan. Here is a list of W questions that you may want to consider. Make a plan starting from the time you leave your car and enter your house. What types of lighting do you need? How does your area light up when you arrive home? What can you turn on to get out of your car safely? When you enter the house, what path do you need lit or need to see to unload your gear? Do you want different levels of lighting for socialentertainingorspecificlighting for certain tasks that you do? How do you want or need the room to function? Do you want to be able to control the light level for suitability? Where do you need the outlets? (Hint: do you have a floor plan of how you are placing your furniture?) Many older homes need upgrading to accommodate the technology of today. Any remodeling project needs to include fixtures to enhance the visual enjoyment of the space. Talk with a designer to discuss your needs who can recommend an electrician who will do the work. I say this because between the two professionals, you will likely have a better outcome. Where you cannot change the permanent mounting or add lighting fixtures in a home, portable lighting can add lighting through lamps, torchieres, and desktop. Lamps can add beauty to a space because they are functional and decorative. For some reason, many people tend to undersize their lamps in direct proportion to their furniture. (TIP: When you are sitting down next to a lamp, you should not be able to see the glare from the bulb.) Here are some tips: Install dimmer switches on as many lamps and light fixtures as you can. Install under-cabinet light strips in the kitchen, desk area, or workroom. Use a lamp, uplight, and ceiling fixture all in one room. The layers of light will add interest and provide numerous lighting options. Remove boring ceiling fixtures and install can lights around the room. While you might need to bring in professional help for this one, it will be well worth it! Install a motion sensor on outdoor light fixtures to control the light when people walk too close to the house. Add a light sensor to an outdoor light. There are several qualified electricians in our area. You can refer to the new Southeast Community Business Association directory or go online at www.SECBA.org and look for member categories. If you need decorative lighting, you can call Accessory Design Services for an appointment and help you find the right look for you. u