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One of the most
traditional lighting forms is also one of the most innovative:
modern chandeliers. Instead of relying on wrought iron and
incandescent bulbs, some of the newest creations make use of protean
metal shapes, advanced polymers and unexpected bulb forms to create
something like glowing art for any décor. Look around your town long
enough and you may even be able to find artisans who create such
fixtures on a custom basis, offering you the tools and variety you
need to craft something utterly your own. When combined with unusual
construction materials, automated faders and handsome flooring, such
centerpieces can hearken back to a more regal design era.
If chandeliers aren’t your thing, you might want something more
subtle in your choice of lighting. Wall sconces have long been
considered the perfect choice for large rooms and long hallways
because of the even and subtle glow they impart. Today a growing
population of designers has begun integrating sconces into smaller
rooms as well, favoring the romance and intrigue generated by
indirect lighting. Sconces, like chandeliers, have evolved to
include brand new materials and forms in the mix, including
alabaster, resin and oiled paper. Combine a set with overhead
lighting and you have options for any kind of mood you wish to
create.
Of course there is no single modern lighting scheme so popular
nowadays as recessed halogens. These brilliant bulbs, renowned for
their full-spectrum warmth and high luminosity, offer something no
incandescent light can: focus. Because they light with point sources
instead of filaments, halogens can be trained on one spot or set
free with a diffusion lens. Depending on your needs, that means you
could train a row of track lighting on an art gallery and set the
other in your ceiling for an even glow. That said, the greatest
advantage of halogens is how seldom they need to be replaced – it’s
not unusual for bulbs in heavy rotation to last over a year without
difficulty.
Looking for something more modern? One of the latest trends in home
lighting is to forego the bulb altogether and instead offer full
walls and ceilings that emit light at once. Although the effect can
be created using glowing panels similar to the Indiglo watch faces
you see everywhere, a number of forward-looking designers prefer
instead to hide banks of halogens or fluorescents behind polymer
panels. The advantage to this scheme is that the light seems to come
from everywhere at once, not unlike the kind of suffuse beauty you
get on overcast days. Pump up the wattage and the effect is not
unlike an art installation, offering your guests a unique experience
that marries form and function in an unexpected way.
The way you light your home can also have a direct impact on the
planet, which may be why so many modern designers have begun
recommending compact fluorescent lightbulbs. CFL’s have won the
favor of green organizations around the planet for their energy
efficiency, price and convenience, often consuming less than
one-third the energy of their incandescent cousins. Thankfully the
march of progress has addressed many of the concerns about bulbs
such as these, producing brighter and warmer lightbulbs that cover a
wider swatch of the visible spectrum.
Whatever your priority, it’s tough to run out of options for modern
home lighting. Look around the Web for creative schemes that place a
premium on design and beauty and you should come away thrilled with
the results. If you have the time, you may even want to invite a pro
out to the house for fast installation. |
