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The art of light |
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How lighting can change the atmosphere of your room |
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By Gemma Montague, BoConcept Glasgow, United Kingdom
In my daily work as a stylist in our Glasgow store, I use lighting as an important part of creating atmosphere in our room sets and many customers have questions about lighting in general. Good lighting can make or break a decorating scheme and should be considered just as important as the furniture in your room. |
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Set the mood |
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| I always distinguish between three types of lighting when advising our customers. Mood, feature or functional lighting. Inspired by clubs and bars, mood lighting is making a big entrance into our homes. The new LED lights diffuse a soft light that is ideal for creating atmosphere. Many new homes feature built-in LED lighting and in some cases it is possible to change the colour of the light depending on your mood. If you're not the lucky owner of a new-built home, it is also possible to have LED lighting in furniture where lights can be mounted underneath cabinets. Or you can place up lights behind sofas and beds. It has a dramatic and simply fantastic effect. |
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Works of art |
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Feature lighting is about creating a focal point of the room. It could be the most important lamp in the room, or it could be a lamp or light that is so unique in its expression that it immediately catches the eye. The pendant above the dining table is a typical example of a feature light. Or pieces of light art on the wall created by lighting that is hidden behind panels.
Lamp designs have really changed over the last few years, and I particularly enjoy the big shades on pendants and the sculptural pieces of light that you can find in table and floor lamps. They give an instant statement and a character to a room. The big pendant shades can be used for so much more than the dining area. Try grouping three pendants in different materials in a corner of the living room or next to a big lounging sofa for a very modern look.
Or use pendants above nightstands on both sides of the bed. If you want a formal dining room, a grand pendant or chandelier would be perfect. But if your dining space is in the kitchen, be practical and choose glass or steel shades for easy cleaning. |
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Do the task |
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| Floor and table lamps are still important pieces of light in our homes because they can focus light where required whether it's for reading or working. Floor lamps are easy to move around, and I would always recommend having at least one floor lamp in the living room that can be placed behind the sofa or your favourite armchair. Table lamps on nightstands and desks have to be fairly high or with adjustable arms so light can be directed to where you need it. But just because it's functional, it doesn't have to be boring. Never have there been so many different, exciting and beautiful pieces of light to choose from. Anything is possible, just turn the lights on and enjoy the atmosphere. |
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