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Lighten
Up make the most of your artificial lighting | 1 2 3 continued from page 2 Mood lighting So while it’s not totally practical, mood lighting is nonetheless essential in any room that’s going to be used for entertaining/fun purposes – in other words, pretty much every room except the office. A smattering of nicely-shaped small table lamps placed strategically around the room, a hanging lamp with a beautiful translucent shade (Japanese-style paper globes, available through IKEA and other furniture stores, are very cheap and look great) – anything with a low-wattage incandescent bulb will work well to add ambience to your room. Incandescents are preferable to halogens, despite the fact that they’re less energy-efficient – their yellow-red cast provides a cozier, warmer glow. Play around with colored lights as well – blue feels a bit funky, red fun and festive, and the ever popular black lighting (ultraviolet) seems always to be a big hit with guests. Task/spot lighting can also be transformed to suit your mood lighting needs: replace with a lower-wattage bulb, then aim at a wall/ceiling … the light will be reflected and cast a lovely soft, diffuse glow. Other great mood lighting ideas: string Christmas lights along a ceiling, through houseplants, along a bookcase, or make use of good, old-fashioned, candlelight. o o o o o The right lighting can truly make or break a room. It defines the usability of a space, and creates a sense of character. Best of all, it’s one of the cheapest and simplest ways you can add style to your home: just look for cool-looking lamps boasting funky shapes and interesting materials at garage sales, thrift shops, and places like Target and Ikea. Design a room to accommodate the three primary types of lighting – general, task and mood – and you’ll have a truly multi-functional space that will be as conducive to work as it will be to play. o ---------------------------> lounge . nourish . host . laze . home.
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