The Lighting Doctor
Exterior lighting can enhance the visual appeal of a home from the curb.
The right bedroom task lighting can make reading in bed more enjoyable and easier on the eyes.
Whether indoors or out, there are many options for lighting stairwells, and Randall Whitehead breaks them down here.
Recessed fixtures have become a standard part of home interiors. Since the 1990s, people have been stuck with what I call the "contractor’s special," which is a grid of 6-inch-diameter downlights per… more
How do you know when to use a clear bulb or frosted bulb?
There are no hard and fast rules, but luckily you’ve asked somebody who has strong opinions.
First off, just to be confusing, light bulbs… more
Rethinking How We Light Dining Rooms
When I was growing up, the dining room was reserved strictly for company. As a family, we always ate in the kitchen. We rarely ventured into the dining room — it… more
Q. What is the best way to light shelving?
A. First off, you have to think about how translucent or opaque the objects are that you’re trying to illuminate. Solid items, like chinaware and books,… more
TIP 1: Start with basic biology
People are drawn to light like moths are drawn to flame. So, the first rule of thumb is to make the living room the brightest space in the house. Many times, everyone… more
Tip 1: Know what to ask for
Before you decide whether to replace bulbs or replace components, it’s important to know what to be looking for. These points I’ve mentioned before, but I think it’s very… more
TIP 1: Light makes right
You can’t understand light without also knowing darkness. It’s like you can’t understand true happiness unless you also experience sadness. The best design comes when there’… more
TIP 1: Day tripping
Color temperature tells you the hue of illumination that a particular light source emits. The two color temperatures that we are most easily able to identify are incandescent (… more
Ceiling lighting can enhance the architectural details of a space.
TIP 1: Create a sense of welcome
When people walk in your front door you want to give them a good first impression. You want them to feel invited in. People are naturally drawn to light, so it’s… more
Discover what the most effective closet lighting methods are to get a true reading for the colors of your clothing.
TIP 1: True blue light
The mistake that architects, interior designers and homeowners often make is that they don’t consider how finishes will be altered under artificial light sources at night. It’… more
TIP 1: Be street smart
As you’ve heard many times before, “You only get one chance to make a first impression.” From the street, the way a house looks at night says a lot about the people inside.… more
TIP 1: The old switcheroo
The quick and easy thing to do is to replace the existing incandescent or CFL bulbs with LEDs. Most bulbs these days have an LED equivalent. There are now shelves and… more
TIP 1: Go with the flow
It used to be that kitchens were separated from the rest of the house by doors or a pass-through to the dining room. Because the kitchen was set apart, lighting didn’t… more