I wait to see a room in its final stages when reviewing ambient lighting. In our past Berlin apartment we were lucky as we faced the morning sun and it was one of the key reasons we bought the apartment. In the winter, there was enough light even on a classic grey and dower day. In the summer, we were surrounded by silver birches and the soft glittery light is wonderful!
Light the Way
I love lamps as they highlight an area and can offer a wow factor to a room and even a corner. There are stand-alone lamps but I like a table one. It can add colour, pattern and texture to a room without costing much. Lamps are for the ambient light needed and the different ways of lighting a space are discussed in a previous post – https://interiorharmonyblog.com/2018/10/19/lights-lanterns/ Don’t forget to check out fleamarkets and second-hand stores, you buy the lamp stand and update with a shade. Just make sure you check the inside fixture so they match the shade. It’s also important to be sure that they have been wired / rewired safely.
There are three key kinds of lighting, general functional lighting which mainly comes from the ceiling in the form of pendants, down lights and recessed fixtures; second is task lighting for work areas, kitchen benches, bathrooms and reading; and finally, ambient lighting – use sconces, small lamps, lighting in cabinets, or simply put fairy lights in a big glass jar.
Review the room having added practical lights and see if it can add a final statement. A rule of measurement is a height between 24-30 inches. Having said that, in our tiny French apartment we added faux suede lampshades to give height, warmth and elegance to a tiny bedroom. With bedrooms, it is important to take in the height of the lamp. We needed it to be higher than normal so as to not knock them off the tiny floating shelves! In our Berlin bedroom we have shorter lamps which match the Art Deco style of the room.
Practical Lighting
Sometimes a lamp needs to be practical rather than decorative, particularly if for an office or to light a workspace. Use lamps that offer a spot light or enough radiant light to focus on the area. Also consider what bulb wattage you need and if you want a blue, yellow or white tinge. Of course, if it is beautiful like this Art Deco vintage lamp, it can be both practical and pretty.
Also consider the width of the lamp, ensure the shade is wider than the base. I love big lamps but unless you have the space, it can end up being too big. However, a tiny lamp can look lost – go as big as you can and make statement.
Decorate!
I love to use a lamp as a wow factor. Being a Feng Shui practitioner, I found the perfect lamp for the Travel and Helpful People sector. It matches the room colours and is always a talking point. I am not a fan of different styles of lamps but different bases with the same shade or vice versus can make a carefully chosen statement.
