Restaurant Lighting

by.Russell Neal

Restaurant lighting by a skilled and multi-disciplinary design firm will enhance the specific interior design, ambiance, furnishings, and decorations that distinguish a fine restaurant as a unique, exclusive establishment. Because of the many points of differentiation that make an upscale restaurant truly one of a kind, each restaurant lighting system features a high level of customization and specialized lighting effects specific to the individual client. By gaining a clear picture of the many lighting layers and lighting effects, a lighting system can be custom engineered and installed that will synthesize each of these various elements into an individualized restaurant lighting theme that reflects and enhances key elements of design, ambiance, atmosphere, and patronage.

In order to achieve the appropriate lighting levels and effects necessary for custom restaurant lighting, it is necessary for lighting professionals to cross train periodically in parallel industries. When developing a restaurant lighting theme, consultants often draw from partnerships with architectural and an interior design firm whose imparted expertise enables them to catch the subtleties of building style and ornate decorum with just the right mood, level, and colors of light. Things such as ceiling height, coves, placement and position of tables, entrances and hallways, color and texture of flooring and carpet, and fine are decorations all can function as anchors around which the lighting design system is developed.

Additionally, windows are very important considerations for the restaurant lighting designer to take into account. Windows allow natural light to filter into the room, and this can potentially conflict with interior lighting arrays. A superior design firm will design a system that incorporates available natural light into the illumination of the interior.. For country club, hotel, and resort restaurants, many firms such as ILD in Houston, Texas will develop complimentary exterior, landscape, and architectural lighting themes that completely illuminate and bathe the entire property in light and set apart the building as a more refined, relaxed, and better reality than the surrounding world.

Establishing ambience with low-level accent lighting just inside the front entrance is also a very high priority. This creates a refined, romantic mood that distinguishes the world within the restaurant as a place of enjoyment, comfort, and retreat. Depending on the material build and interior architecture of the entrance, any number of ambient and diffused lighting themes may be created that are characterized by subtle shifts in luminosity and color that calm emotions. This often involves combining accent lighting with indirect lighting that descends gently in a "wash" of light from suspended luminaries or cove lights in the restaurant vestibule ceiling.

Such themes can then be extended into the interior, moving around corners and around the walls with decorative lighting fixtures and special effects lighting used by colored lamp housings and proprietary lighting projectors.

Overhead recessed lights installed on dimmer switches allow for controlled levels of task lighting and seating areas. This creates visibility without overpowering the eyes. Chandeliers are excellent fixtures to use in this aspect of restaurant lighting design because they create just the right level of lighting in most dining areas and provide ornate, visual pieces suspended above the room.

A good restaurant lighting design reflects the best elements of dining, decorum, and escape. Make certain that all of these elements are appropriately addressed before signing off on a final proposal from a lighting design firm. Custom designers such as Illuminations Lighting will often offer restaurant owners to co-develop the general aspects of what they want to create for their particular establishment and develop a lighting system that expresses client expectation.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/restaurant-lighting-305771.html

The Importance of the Indoor Lighting

by.Jhoana Cooper

The indoor lighting fixtures provide the necessary light and set the proper mood and ambience of the home space. The lighting of your home can become a daunting and difficult task. Every room will need to be dealt with differently. Even the outdoor spaces will require specific Outdoor Lighting that has to be installed by a professional. The professional interior designers will opt for some durable and light-weight materials, when trying to choose the appropriate lighting fixtures for your home decor. The modern Indoor Lighting fixtures are available in various colors, shapes and designs. For instance, the common light bulb is likely to be used in every arrangement that can improve the way your home decor looks now.. Some fixtures may use higher wattage bulbs, especially when it comes to larger areas. The interior lights are also available as art lighting, clip lighting and mood lighting.

One of the most important factors that may affect your home environment is the indoor lighting; it can affect your daily life in a different degree. For instance, different forms of indoor illumination can affect the object's image and its tone. Lighting can create or even destroy the entire atmosphere of the indoor environment. People are accustomed to start thinking about indoor and Outdoor Lighting only after the interior design has already been completed and the construction itself has started. Actually, this is a big mistake.

Lighting is to be regarded as one of the most important factors to consider during the whole design phase. The owner has to posses the basic knowledge when it comes to the lighting devices; he has to be able to provide a personal opinion regarding the lighting decoration during the whole design phase. You have to become aware that lighting is an essential component of the interior design. For instance, a splendid Indoor Lighting must take in consideration the occupant’s needs, lifestyle and wishes in order to provide effective lighting to every person using the space.

For instance, the background illumination is of paramount importance because its design should archive a soft, gentle and even mesmerizing effect to the home space. So, if the homeowner wants to obtain an ideal background light, he will have to use the modern illumination design because this design uses the reflection from the wall surface and the ceiling light in order to avoid producing some luminescent spots. By using the modern devices designed by famous companies, the house owner will achieve the satisfying light effect.

But if you are highly interested in redecorating your home, you may consider the decorative illumination because this type of illumination can make the difference. This illumination will provide your personal space with a glittering effect right to the surface by giving the genuine illusion of it providing the necessary background light. This type of illumination should be used in a light manner in order not to make the entire space to appear too dazzling for the persons who are using it. Another type of Indoor Lighting is the focus illumination; the prominent light source will be carefully arranged in order to focus right on some particular objects like artwork, paintings or construction structures details.

The main goal of this kind of illumination is to achieve some artistic effects that will impress your family and your future guests. Focus illumination make use of light sources that are not too strong. Still, you have to learn that there is a huge difference between the Outdoor Lighting and illumination. Outdoor lighting can become acceptable with a proper placement and usage. But decorative and even commercial outdoor lighting are likely to work in landscaping; it can highlight certain areas and the strategically-placed outdoor lightings can complement the whole design of your establishment and even provide an aesthetic ambience. Finance is also a major consideration and you will need to need to assess your requirements. The basic function of every type of outdoor lighting fixtures is to provide the necessary safety and accessibility; the chosen designs and sizes of these lighting fixtures should complement their function and you can select fixtures such as accent lights, spotlights, floodlights or backlights.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/the-importance-of-the-indoor-lighting-514977.html

Modern Lighting Decoration – Essential Component of Interior Design

by. Jimmy CK.

One of the most important factors that affect the home environment is indoor lighting, because it can affect our daily life in different degree. Different forms of illumination can affect an object's image, its tone as well as the impression that they leave behind. Lighting can create or destroy the atmosphere of indoor environment.

In many cases, people only start to think about lighting after the interior design has been completed and construction has started. This is a very big mistake. Lighting is also one of the factors to consider during the design phase. In particular, the owner needs to posses the basic knowledge of lighting, so as to be able to provide some personal opinions regarding lighting decoration during the design phase. Regrettably, many architects, designer and reconstruction personnel are lacking in this aspect of training. Over the past ten years, new technologies have been appearing, and large variety of interior lighting products had been introduced to the market. Thus, lighting has been an essential component of interior design.

A splendid lighting decoration must take into consideration of all occupant needs and their lifestyle, in order to satisfy three essential factors: people, construction and point of focus (example: artwork, paintings). But the most important of all, is to provide effective lighting to the person using the space.

- Background illumination.
Background lighting design should archive a soft, gentle and mesmerizing effect to the space. In order to obtain the ideal background light, the modern illumination design uses the reflection from the wall surface and the ceiling light, so as to avoid producing luminescent spot, thus achieving the satisfying light effect. The background illumination light may come from the wall lamp, the hanging lamp or light source from pillars.

- Decorative illumination.
Decorative lighting provides glittering effect to the surface, giving the illusion of it providing the background light. This kind of illumination should be lightly used, so as not to cause the entire space to appear too dazzling.

- Focus illumination.
Prominent light source is carefully arranged to focus on some objects like artwork, paintings or certain construction structures detail. The main goal is to achieve the artistic effect. Focus illumination make use of not too bright light sources like candle or wall hanging lamp. Track lighting and portable type lighting can also be used.

For all your indoor and outdoor lighting needs, featuring modern and contemporary lighting.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/modern-lighting-decoration-essential-component-of-interior-design-400023.html

Bathroom Lighting Sconces

Sconces are beautiful illumination fixtures that will take bathroom lighting to a whole new level of décor. Homeowners love to decorate their abodes with cherished objects and eye-catching colors. The bathroom is a fun place to test out your creative mind, because you can decorate this space to match your personality. No matter how you decorate your bathroom area, you will need to have the proper type of lighting in place to accommodate your design theme. Wall sconces are the perfect illumination fixtures for your vanity area. If you are looking for a lighting fixture that will give your bathroom a touch of charm and soft gentle light, then a wall sconce will fit perfectly into your interior design.

There is a wide selection of bathroom products, including sconces. There are some unique fixtures designed for every room within your living headquarters. RLLD also specializes in landscape lighting and commercial illumination for your convenience. Homeowners can go to the online venue and select the right product for their illumination project without spending copious amounts of time shopping around with other retailers. The professional staff of trained experts, who know the art and science of light are the individuals can assist you in the selection process, as well as answering any questions you might have about installation and lighting technique.

The bathroom is one space within the home that requires ample task illumination. Many routine tasks are performed within this area on a daily basis. Men use this space to shave and comb their hair, while women tend to use this area to put makeup on or engage in other morning tasks. The best way to give your bathroom sufficient lighting is to use a combination of illumination fixtures. Besides the fixtures designed for your bathroom, there also are ceiling lights, wall sconces, and recessed lighting fixtures to accommodate your needs along with many other stylish illumination fixtures that will give this space a decorative touch. Using different light fixtures in combination with one another will reduce shadows and give homeowners an ample light source for completing morning rituals.

What about decoration you ask? Although bathroom lighting is primarily used for task illumination, homeowners can purchase stylish fixtures that will accommodate their design theme. Wall sconces are a great example here. These light fixtures come in a variety of styles and finishes, so choice should never be a problem. RLLD has gorgeous wall sconces for your bathroom, each with its own personality. Many of our sconces come in brass, nickel, and silver finishes, but these are just a few of the choices waiting for you.

Some wall sconces will give your bathroom an archaic, Old World feeling. While other Apothecary style lamps that are perfect for accenting purposes. Other wall sconces have beautiful glass lampshades, such as those found in the Thomas Kincaid collection produced by Westinghouse Lighting Corp. Sconces add charm and personality to your space by dispelling a warm glow of soft illumination. Aziano Lighting also has gorgeous sconces that will give your powder room an upscale feeling of Victorian elegance.

Whether you need contemporary style fixtures for your modern home or traditional illumination products for your residence, there are many selections of sconces designed for this purpose. Give your home a decorative touch of soft light with the unique product line offered.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/bathroom-lighting-sconces-322435.html

Lighting Floor Plans

Lighting floor plans take many shapes and come in all sizes.

Some are more formal and organized, while others are more freeform and pose unique lighting challenges. Variations in ceiling height, daylight and construction materials form a three-dimensional framework around the floor plan. Custom home lighting fixtures must be chosen based on their ability to harmoniously compliment interior surfaces and architectural elements. Otherwise, fixtures will appear too obtrusive and diminish the room's aesthetic. The best way to design a superior lighting floor plan is to install low-profile functional lights and decorative accent lights at unique angles of incidence. Creating a multi-layered interior lighting design in this fashion will ensure decorative appeal and satisfactory lighting levels at once.

One of the most common questions we get about lighting floor plans deals with the actual number of lighting fixtures that a particular room will need.

The answer to this question is highly subjective, and requires a case-by-case analysis of each interior element to determine. Room sizes dictate the number of lighting fixtures and the wattages that must be used to provide general lighting. Factors such as ceiling height, the presence of natural light coming in through windows, and floor space itself play major roles in determining wattage and lumens levels. Hallways, for example, with tall ceiling eliminate the opportunity to plan recessed lighting because the angles are too steep creating objectionable shadows on objects of art. To overcome the effects of tall ceilings, homeowners are sometimes inclined to use the brightest lights to make sure that everything can be clearly seen. This type of lighting floor plan can cause more problems than it solves, however. Too much light creates either indirect glare or glare reflecting off glass and metal surfaces. It also creates a "flattened" look where everything looks two-dimensional. This works against interior decorating and is best avoided through a more strategic and selective blending of general and accent lighting. Floor plans can be illuminated in this fashion with multiple layers of house lighting that magnify important design elements reflective of personal taste and lifestyle.

Decorative lighting and use of chandeliers depends on the interior designer's look and feel of the home.

Most floor plans are traditional or contemporary, and decorative lighting fixtures come in both types of styles to provide a visual compliment to their surroundings. Chandelier lifts, a real luxury are becoming more prevalent in today's modern new home wiring plans due to taller ceiling heights and more elaborate fixture designs. They are useful during the installation of the fixture, for lamp changing and for cleaning purposes. If you are planning to have a chandelier as part of your lighting floor plan, it really should be done by a professional who can install it with a lift. This will allow you to do simple indoor lighting maintenance on your own and avoid the expense of service calls in the future.

Accent lighting is determined by the number of targets to illuminate such as art, sculpture or furnishings.

Recessed low voltage accent ccent lights add great value to any project, and magnify the elements of both contemporary and traditional-style interior décor superbly. Accent lights create focal points and are used to illuminate fine art, antique furniture, dining tables and plants. Accent lighting fixtures typically have small apertures which tend to hide the light source and minimize visual glare. They can also be used as an effective general lighting source in some contemporary lighting floor plans when planning your house lighting.

Although the lighting concepts are repetitive, every home takes on a new design depending on the floor plan.

It pays off in the long run to have your lighting floor plan developed by a professional lighting designer with extensive knowledge of interior decorating and architectural theory. Professionals like the consultants at Illuminations Lighting and Design know how to isolate key features that need enhancement through lighting, and they know where best to install lighting fixtures for functional and aesthetic effect.

Our areas of lighting expertise include residential, commercial, landscape, liturgical, building facades, and hospitality. We are fully equipped to produce CAD drawings, full specifications, custom lighting details, photometrics, energy code documentation, hand renderings, lighting control system layout and programming, and construction administration.

source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/lighting-floor-plans-650862.html

Brightening up Gloomy Hallways in Homes and Apartments

by Eric Strandberg LC, Lighting Design Lab

We've all been in corridors that never feel bright enough. Even though there are plenty of light fixtures and a window, it still feels gloomy. Here are some design strategies to over-come this problem.

Surfaces The first area to look at is not the lighting at all, but the surfaces. What are the colors and textures of the walls, ceiling, and floor? Are they light and reflective or dark and absorptive? Changing surface finishes is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to really brighten up a space. Often a gallon of light colored paint will boost the brightness. When was the last time the surfaces and light fixtures were cleaned? Dirty surfaces and fixtures may absorb over 30% of your light! If you can't change the surfaces, such as with lots of brick and natural wood, then focus on electric lighting solutions to the problem.

130 V Lamps vs CFLs
Because they are on 24 hours a day, common area lights in apartments often have 130 volt incandescent bulbs in the light fixtures. These are long life bulbs, but they put out yellower and dimmer light than their 120 volt equivalent. A good alternative is a screw in Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL). If your existing luminaire will accept a CFL, the advantages of longer lamp life, lower energy costs, less heat, and more light will be yours! The wattage of the CFL should be no less than 1/3 of the bulb you are replacing to achieve the same light levels (20W = 60W).

Lenses Some fixtures have lenses that aren't very efficient at transmitting light. Changing the lens to one with a higher light transmittance may improve brightness but be aware that more efficient lenses for your fixtures may be difficult to find. Also, replacing high density lenses with clearer lenses can lead to glare problems.

Placement In new construction (or if the above solutions aren't practical) take a look at new luminaires and placement strategies. Ideally, the new luminaire should have some surface brightness (translucence) but not too much or it will cause glare. Most of the light from the new fixture should reflect indirectly from a light colored ceiling. The luminaires should be placed by the doors, intersections, and stairways. Don't forget to light the end walls of the corridor so that the user is walking toward an illuminated destination. This is a good place to have artwork for visual interest. Try using a variety of fixtures for different tasks. Mix glowing luminaires on the wall or ceiling for general lighting and more directed light fixtures (like track or recessed cans) on areas of visual interest. The directed lighting might be focused on objects like artwork, signs, mailboxes, and phones. These directed lights could be fluorescent track spots, luminous soffits, or recessed wall washers.

Daylighting and Glare
Surprisingly, the window at the end of a hallway can create more glare than illumination. The contrast ratio between the high intensity of daylight and the relatively dim interior can create glare problems, even on a cloudy day. The window image appears hundreds of times brighter than the light from the luminaires, yet the window only gives about 15 linear feet of useful light into the space. There are a number of ways of working through an existing situation using drapes, awnings, and window treatments but the best solutions incorporate architectural elements that maximize the light penetration while minimizing the glare. Pay close attention to the reflective properties of the floor, as shiny linoleum can really amplify the glare problem! This can be especially difficult for senior citizens, with aging vision and visual adaptation issues. Proper common area lighting can have a great impact on the appearance, function, safety, and maintenance of a building and should not be left as an afterthought.

Source: http://www.elflist.com
Image: http://www.livingpod.com

Restaurant Lighting

Restaurant lighting by a skilled and multi-disciplinary design firm will enhance the specific interior design, ambiance, furnishings, and decorations that distinguish a fine restaurant as a unique, exclusive establishment. Because of the many points of differentiation that make an upscale restaurant truly one of a kind, each restaurant lighting system features a high level of customization and specialized lighting effects specific to the individual client. By gaining a clear picture of the many lighting layers and lighting effects, a lighting system can be custom engineered and installed that will synthesize each of these various elements into an individualized restaurant lighting theme that reflects and enhances key elements of design, ambiance, atmosphere, and patronage.
In order to achieve the appropriate lighting levels and effects necessary for custom restaurant lighting, it is necessary for lighting professionals to cross train periodically in parallel industries.

When developing a restaurant lighting theme, consultants often draw from partnerships with architectural and an interior design firm whose imparted expertise enables them to catch the subtleties of building style and ornate decorum with just the right mood, level, and colors of light. Things such as ceiling height, coves, placement and position of tables, entrances and hallways, color and texture of flooring and carpet, and fine are decorations all can function as anchors around which the lighting design system is developed.

Additionally, windows are very important considerations for the restaurant lighting designer to take into account. Windows allow natural light to filter into the room, and this can potentially conflict with interior lighting arrays. A superior design firm will design a system that incorporates available natural light into the illumination of the interior.. For country club, hotel, and resort restaurants, many firms such as ILD in Houston, Texas will develop complimentary exterior, landscape, and architectural lighting themes that completely illuminate and bathe the entire property in light and set apart the building as a more refined, relaxed, and better reality than the surrounding world.

Establishing ambience with low-level accent lighting just inside the front entrance is also a very high priority. This creates a refined, romantic mood that distinguishes the world within the restaurant as a place of enjoyment, comfort, and retreat. Depending on the material build and interior architecture of the entrance, any number of ambient and diffused lighting themes may be created that are characterized by subtle shifts in luminosity and color that calm emotions. This often involves combining accent lighting with indirect lighting that descends gently in a "wash" of light from suspended luminaries or cove lights in the restaurant vestibule ceiling.Such themes can then be extended into the interior, moving around corners and around the walls with decorative lighting fixtures and special effects lighting used by colored lamp housings and proprietary lighting projectors.

Overhead recessed lights installed on dimmer switches allow for controlled levels of task lighting and seating areas. This creates visibility without overpowering the eyes. Chandeliers are excellent fixtures to use in this aspect of restaurant lighting design because they create just the right level of lighting in most dining areas and provide ornate, visual pieces suspended above the room.

A good restaurant lighting design reflects the best elements of dining, decorum, and escape. Make certain that all of these elements are appropriately addressed before signing off on a final proposal from a lighting design firm. Custom designers such as Illuminations Lighting will often offer restaurant owners to co-develop the general aspects of what they want to create for their particular establishment and develop a lighting system that expresses client expectation.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
Image: http://www.web.ivenue.com

Kitchen Lighting

by Eric Strandberg LC, Lighting Design Lab

"Good lighting can make an ordinary kitchen look extraordinary and bad lighting can make an extraordinary kitchen unworkable."

Have you ever been in a kitchen with just a central fixture? Even if it is bright enough, it puts out broad shadowless light that gives the room a very utilitarian feel, also light at the counter never seems quite bright enough because the ceiling fixture is always behind you and there is no light on the task area. Alternatively, there are the kitchens where practically all the light is under cabinet task light. This approach can be very dramatic and stylish but the space will always feel dark because there is very little light on the face of the cabinets. Paradoxically having lots of task light on the counters makes the cabinets seem even darker.

In each of the above scenarios the lighting is done only half way. The first describes all ambient light and the second has only task light. Good kitchen lighting, from an aesthetic and functional standpoint, incorporates both types of light. A third type of light is accent light, with accent light points of interest are highlighted to give the space extra visual appeal. This method of layering the light is important for achieving positive results in all types of living and working spaces.

Start with the task areas. These are best lit with bright, shadowless light. Fluorescent tubes are particularly well suited for this because of their large surface area and high lumens per watt *1. You want to get the fixture close to the task area, (in kitchens this would be counters, sinks, and tabletops), so mounting the lights on the underside of the upper cabinets is convenient *2. In the case of an island or peninsula counter top, with no upper cabinets to attach lights to, you need to use hanging, or pendant style fixtures to bring the light close to the task area. If this is not possible, you can project light from the ceiling (using either track or recessed fixtures) onto the task area.

The most effective lamps (or light bulbs) for track or recessed fixtures are directional lamps, these shine the light in a particular direction. The most efficient of the incandescent sources commonly available are the halogens. Halogen lamps come in line voltage (120 volt) and low voltage (12 volt). The low voltage lamps most often used are called MR16s. Be aware that these light sources have very defined beam patterns and cast hard shadows, which can make them a poor choice for a task light, but excellent for accent lighting (which I will touch on later). The line voltage halogen PAR30 lamp has a good blend of efficiency and performance so it is well suited for use in track and recessed cans used for task lighting. Since PAR lamps are line voltage, they do not require transformers like the MR16s and this can lower the cost of the system.

Think about ambient lighting. Ambient light is the general, overall light that fills in shadows, reduces contrast, and lights vertical surfaces to give the space a brighter feel. Ambient light is what you need for casual activities in your rooms. If the kitchen has light colored surfaces and lots of windows you should have plenty of natural ambient light during the day. But kitchens are used from before dawn until after midnight -- we can't rely on windows and skylights.

Fluorescent tubes are well suited to the job of providing ambient light. They provide broad, even illumination and their efficiency makes it possible to really fill the space with light without using a lot of power or generating too much heat. Choose a color temperature of 3000K or 3500K for a warmer, more inviting appearance *3. You can put the tubes in a central fixture but you may want to try some other strategies, like placing them on top of the upper cabinets to indirectly reflect off a light colored ceiling. If you have at least 12 inches of space from the top of the upper cabinets to the ceiling, this is an inexpensive way to brighten up a kitchen. Or, maybe you have a custom pot rack hanging over an island and can build lighting into it to reflect off the ceiling and down onto the island.

Add a layer of accent lighting. Accent lighting is what gives our space a third dimension, adding to the quality of the space. Accent lighting is used sparingly on those special home objects that we want people to notice and admire. Accent lighting is usually done with spotlights, and the MR16 lamp mentioned earlier is one of the best. You may be lighting artwork, architectural details, collectibles, or food presentation areas. Remember, good lighting can make an ordinary kitchen look extraordinary and bad lighting can make an extraordinary kitchen unworkable.

Source:Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IES, http://www.elflist.com/article08_kitchen.htm
image:www.planakitchen.com

Office Lighting

by Eric Strandberg LC

As more of us work as independent consultants or telecommute, home offices are being used more and more. Many homes have an "office" in a room or part of a room where for an hour or two, a few times a month, bills are paid, letters are written or recipes are filed. This is not the type of office I am addressing. But, if you regularly spend six or more hours at a time at your home office then proper lighting can increase productivity, accuracy, and minimize fatigue and eye strain. Office tasks (whether computer based, paper based or a combination) require different lighting than most other areas of the home.

Don't watch TV in the dark! How many times have we heard that? The truth in the statement lies in understanding contrast ratios. The eye can adapt to an very wide range of light levels, but it can only adapt to one light level at one time. When one looks at a bright computer monitor on a dark background the eye doesn't know whether to adapt to the bright monitor or the dark background. When this happens hour after hour, day after day, fatigue sets in.

The same thing can happen when looking at a brightly lit sheet of white paper in a dark room. To lessen eyestrain: lower the brightness on the monitor; increase the light in the surrounding area; or both. Just the opposite problem can occur when one places a computer monitor in front of a window. The bright daylight surrounding the screen makes it difficult to see what is on the screen. It is best to place the monitor perpendicular to the window to minimize high contrast and reflections on the screen.

Another area of concern is reflections on shiny surfaces like computer screens and slick printed material. These reflections obscure the task making it difficult to read. Windows are often the most noticeable cause of reflections but other light sources can be a problem too. As you may recall from basic physics, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflectance so if light strikes the task (or monitor) at the wrong angle it will bounce into your eyes. Moving the offending light, changing your orientation to the light, or both can mitigate this problem. This relationship is called Eye-Task-Source Geometry. Ideally the light should come from the side, for example; light coming from the right (whether ceiling, wall or desk mounted) will reflect off to the left. Light coming from the front will tend to reflect up into your eyes. Computer monitors also reflect light sources that are located behind you (over your shoulder).

All good lighting design uses layers of light, for the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing design strategy. The three basic layers are: task (putting high light levels only where we need it); ambient (for circulation and to control contrast); and, accent lighting points of interest (optional but important for providing visual interest).

Using fluorescent is an excellent choice of light source for both task and ambient light. I recommend 4 ft., high color rendering, tri-phosphor lamps (T8 or T5) with electronic ballasts in high activity areas like a home office. A good color choice would be 3500K. (see article; "I Hate Fluorescent") The long life, great color qualities, and high efficiency make it the logical choice. Also, the large size of fluorescent provides a large radiant surface that helps to minimize shadows. For ambient light you can use ceiling surface mounted fixtures, indirect pendants or wall mounted light shelves. For task light you can use fluorescent down lights (either recessed or surface mount) over the task areas or under cabinet (or shelf) lighting. Be sure not to locate a task light directly in front of the work area (like an undercabinet light), as reflections can bounce directly in you eyes. For accent light, a spotlight or two (either recessed or surface) that uses halogen lamps can be a nice touch.

Source:www.lightingdesignlab.com

Lighting In Its Different Aspects And Forms

How many times have you gone to select the perfect light and returned home confused after going through so many types of lamps and lights? The question of ‘how to light my home?’ must have haunted you many times. Choosing the perfect light is indeed difficult, as your options are many and you need to take the right decision and invest in the perfect light. So the best advice is to plan in advance so that you can choose the perfect light.

Lighting forms an integral part of our lives, we need it on all occasions and at all places and in different styles, colors and forms. Lighting enhances the ambiance of a place or the significance of any occasion or place. Just imagine the different forms of lighting you have seen at parks, museums, and sports events, weddings, at homes, schools and colleges. There are specific lights for specific purposes. Lighting can be categorized as indoor lighting and outdoor lighting. Lighting usually depends on the purpose it serves. Indoor lighting can be classified as chandeliers, pendants, picture lights, wall mounted lights, floor lamps, bulbs among several other option. Outdoor lighting can also take many forms.

Colors also form an important form of lighting, whether indoor or outdoor. If you visit restaurants and dining places, you will get a warm welcome with soft, colored lighting to match the ambience of your dining. Low energy lighting is currently very popular. You will find excellent range of chandeliers that are available in excellent range of fittings with an elegant finish. Some of these chandeliers are adorned with crystal dressing to enhance their look and style.

If you are looking for spotlights and recessed lighting, you can have a wide option as well. In these special lighting series you can choose from commercial and domestic range of lighting. These are available in low voltage and are available in several kinds of wall models. These special wall models are suitable for almost all locations, whether you are looking for cabinet lighting, bathroom lighting or under shelf lighting. Most of these spotlights are adjustable so that they can reach different locations and are versatile. Once you purchase these lights you are sure to add a special value to your interior. If you are still confused about choosing the right kind of light, you can search the net and you will get many websites like LightmyHome, which can guide you with the right kind of light.

If you are thinking of any kind of lighting you cannot ignore fixture lighting. A light fixture is extremely important, as it is an electrical device that helps you to create an artificial light or illumination. Recessed light is a type of fixture light, along with table lamps and standard lamps which can be free standing or portable. So the next time, you decide to buy some lighting, give it a thought about the kind of light you need, the purpose of your lighting and of course the occasion of lighting, because your options are many and you shouldn’t get lost when you are purchasing one. And if you cannot trust your decision take some online help from websites like LightMyHome.

Source: Jamie Griffiths,
http://www.ezinesarticle.com/Article/Lighting-In-Its-Different-Aspects-And-Forms/230086