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2012 HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE. LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com May 25, 2012
9
LIGHTING TRENDS:
Think of lighting as art for your
home
provided by ARAcontent
Lighting is possibly the most powerful tool you have when it comes to interior design. It does not
make sense to invest in beautiful furniture, rugs, paintings and accessories if they are in the dark.
The perfect light fixture not only illuminates a
space - it is also a beautiful, decorative design
element.
“When looking for a light fixture, think of
yourself as a curator looking for aperfect pieceof
art,” says interior designer Laurie Smith, known
for her role as a featured designer on t h e
hit television show Trading Spaces
(2000-2008). Smith says, “Like
art, a fabulous fixture can make
a strong design statement, as well
as provide illumination for your
space.”
Often consumers do not
realize the difference updated
lighting can make in their
homes. Smith suggests finding
one special piece and building
a room around it. “In design school, we learned
that lighting is the most exciting and mysterious
medium in design. Lighting is sculptural; it’s
textural, it’s exciting,” she says.
“There are so many varying styles and
designs in lighting today that the possibilities
are endless. Different materials and shapes are
just part of what goes into determining that
perfect fixture,” says Smith. “For instance, do
you want the shape of your piece to contrast
with your room’s schematic or coordinate with
it? Taking a traditional fixture and placing it
into a modern setting creates interest through
contrast, while taking a sleek modern fixture
and putting it into a traditional setting infuses
new vitality and a sophisticated accent.”
With so many choices on the market, the task
of selecting a light fixture can be difficult and
overwhelming for many homeowners. It’s just
a matter of developing a plan or one idea. To
help consumers get started, Smith talks about
the importance of lighting to interior design in
a new video series. Each minute-long video,
created by the American Lighting Association,
focuses on a different aspect of lighting and
ways to incorporate it into every
homeowner’s design plan.
Videos in the series include:
• Choosing the Right Lighting
Fixture
• Find an Object of Inspiration
• The Impact of a Single Lamp
• Lighting Fixtures as Art
The videos can be viewed
on the ALA website at www.
AmericanLightingAssoc.com.
Whether looking for one fixture or a complete
lighting design plan, a great place to start is at an
ALA-member lighting retail showroom. There
you will find professionally trained staff to help
you select the perfect light for your space. To
find a local ALA showroom, call 800-605-4448
or go to www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com.