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ambient lighting

Craftmade Fortuna Chandelier
Craftmade's Fortuna Chandelier is a good example of decorative lighting.

Incorporating LED Into the Four Essential Light Layers

Lighting is a foundation for good design and functionality. There are four layers of lighting essential to providing an optimal atmosphere and functionality in the home. Today’s LED light resources…
Randall Whitehead, the lighting doctor
The addition of landscape lighting subtly blends interior and exterior spaces.

Using Layered Lighting to Transform Spaces

As you are well aware of by now, the techniques of lighting have greatly evolved beyond simple table lamps and chandeliers. Still many homeowners have not updated their thinking much beyond this…
Randall Whitehead, ambient lighting, the lighting doctor
Ambient lighting sets the tone in this San Francisco space. Photo: Randall Whitehead; Interior Design: John G. Martin, Turner Martin Design

Ambient Lighting Softens a Space and Fills Up the Senses

In the November of 2019, I wrote about a condominium project in San Francisco. It was called ‘Accent the Positive’. I talked about using accent lighting, one of the four functions of light, as a way…
Randall Whitehead Lighting Doctor Accent Lights
Avoid Museum Syndrome by using the right balance of lighting fixtures.

The Right Light Balance Puts an Accent on the Positive

As I have mentioned before, there are four functions of light — Task, Accent, Decorative and Ambient.  Each one plays an important role in creating a cohesive lighting design. Here is an explanation…
Lighting Functions
Different Lights for different purposes

A Tisket, A Task Light

Lighting really does have a language to it. There are terminologies to help us categorize the specific jobs they have in creating a cohesive lighting design. While we are now adjusting to some of…
Sculpture with lighting shining on it
When accent lighting is done effectively it moves people’s gaze throughout the space. Recessed adjustable fixtures, using LED MR 16 lamps, help add focus to the art and decorative objects. (Photo: Randall Whitehead)

Accentuate the Positive

Good lighting design uses various types of illumination to create an inviting overall environment. As you have heard me say before, the best lighting happens when you layer different types of…

Bedside Manner: Lamps Enhance Bedroom Decor, Functionality

The type of lighting you use next your bed depends on how you want use it. For some people bedside lamps are used for reading purposes. These are the people that still enjoy the feel of an actual…

Best Color Temperature for Ambient Lighting

Q: How important is color temperature in ambient lighting? Should this be a concern if you are using fluorescents or LEDs for your ambient lighting? A: Frankly, I think color temperature is…
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