ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 29, 1996 TAG: 9612310001
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GARY KRINO ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Seldom have we seen a booklet that's as thorough and comes as straight to the point as ``Lighting Your Life,'' from the American Lighting Association.
It has 27 pages overflowing with tips that tell plainly and concisely how lighting can make a difference, a mighty big difference, in any room setting.
There's information on basic types of lighting, the shapes and forms of lighting, lighting controls, light sources, energy savings and efficiency, track lighting and recessed lighting.
The part we like most is the 14 pages devoted to designing with lighting. Lighting for the living room and family room, lighting for the dining room, the kitchen, bedroom, bath, home office, foyer, halls, stairs, utility/laundry areas, outdoors.
Here, then, is a sampling of what you'll find in the booklet. More on how to order it in just a sec.
For reading in most any room, the booklet recommends what's called task lighting, which comes from behind the reader's shoulder. A good choice is a floor lamp to the right or left of the reading chair. The bottom of the shade should be at eye level (40 to 42 inches above the floor) to avoid glare.
Chandelier in the dining room? A handsome choice. The bottom of the chandelier, according to the booklet, should be 30 inches above the tabletop. A chandelier equipped with a downlight provides task lighting for the table and accent lighting for a centerpiece. Put the whole thing on a dimmer to give a candlelight effect.
Under-cabinet lighting is a prime choice for illuminating kitchen work counters. Mount the lighting as close to the front of the cabinets as possible to avoid glare reflecting off countertops.
Choose energy-efficient fluorescent fixtures (generally 12-48 inches long) that cover at least two-thirds the length of the counter.
A good choice for reading lamps in the bedroom is swing-arm, wall-mounted lamps on each side of the bed. They leave night tables free for clocks, radios, books or late-night snacks. They're a space-saving deal.
For children's rooms, the booklet is big on track lights that are versatile and can be adapted to various uses as the child matures.
Track lights can be swiveled, rotated and aimed in any direction to shed light on play areas, hobbies, homework.
As the child grows, the lights can be redirected toward a stereo cabinet or sitting area.
In the bathroom, you'll need plenty of even, shadow-free lighting for shaving, grooming and applying makeup. For a small mirror over the sink, the pamphlet says, decorative wall-light brackets on each side of the mirror will illuminate both sides of your face evenly.
Depending on the exact location of the mirror, the midpoint of the lighting brackets should be 60 inches off the floor.
Theatrical lighting strips around a bathroom mirror will give the same lighting Broadway actors use in their dressing rooms. You're a star. You deserve it.
If you would like a copy of ``Lighting Your Life,'' send a request with a $2 check payable to American Lighting Association. Send it to the association at P.O. Box 420288, Dallas, Texas 75342-0288.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB