We get a lot of calls from people who want to create beautiful lighting for their homes but find it a daunting mystery. The first thing we tell them is that just by asking the question they have already avoided the most common mistake — treating lighting as an afterthought. Proper lighting is as crucial to interior design as furnishings, wall coverings, and window treatments. And by following a few basic principals, anyone can design beautiful, inviting lighting.

Since lighting alone can change a room’s mood from warm and intimate

to dramatic and daring, it is important to decide what you want before your renovation starts. This will insure that the proper wiring will be in place to realize your vision. It’s too late once the walls have been put up and paint applied.

The key to a well lit room is to create a balance of different lights. One of the biggest mistakes people make is to put just one light in the middle of the ceiling. This creates a flat wash of light that kills any dynamism.

An inviting room combines decorative lights, like pendants and chandeliers, with atmospheric lights, like downlights, uplights, table lights, floor lights, spots, and sconces. Notice how the pendants in this kitchen combine with spots, sconces, under-cabinet lights, and natural light to create a soothing atmosphere.

Leaf through your favorite home magazines. Study how interior designers use all these different lights to create comforting and compelling environments.

Another key is to use a dimmer with each light to maximize the ability to achieve the best mood.

Our hand-blown Murano glass lights have been used by designers for years to create ideal environments for their clients.

They come in two styles, clear Cristallo

and eight colors of translucent Scavo.

Cristallo glass is a pure crystalline material that casts a lovely glow as well as fanciful refractions on walls and ceilings.

Scavo is known for its beautiful “excavated artifact” texture and its soft, pleasing light.

When designing with scavo lights, we always recommend that homeowners predominantly use the more subdued colors of ice, amber and amethyst,

reserving the brighter mango, sky, lemon, lime, and aqua shades for children’s rooms and other spaces that require a colorful accent.

Bedrooms should be designed to be relaxing sanctuaries. The right kind of lighting can help achieve that.

Remember, mix different types of lighting to create an overall pleasing effect.

For a bathroom, the soft glow of a pair of Scavo wall fixtures placed astride a mirror casts a flattering light.

A bathroom can be livened up with some strategically placed flush-mount fixtures.

Our pendants and in-line chandeliers are ideal over kitchen islands and counters where friends and family congregate.

They provide the sort of warmth and atmosphere that makes a kitchen one of the most popular gathering places in the home.

Our pendants are also well suited for stairwells. We can custom design any fixture to fit any stairwell.

A multi-arm chandelier makes a spectacular centerpiece over a dining room table.

Lighting design isn’t difficult. Just remember these basic principals, and you will have the kind of home that will melt away your troubles every time you walk in the door.

And don’t hesitate to call us for advice. Better yet, stop by our showroom. We’re glad to help.