Let there be light

My mom always gave us heck if we were reading in the dark or busy working on a craft project without ample light. My husband is the same way and now I catch myself giving the same advice to my daughter and my clients.

Inarguably, lighting is the most overlooked or under-planned element in a design layout. For some crazy reason, we think rooms light themselves and require little, if any, planning.

Whether you are building new or renovating, visualize yourself in the room doing everything you plan to do in that space. Plan to light the room for the tasks you imagine you will perform there. Next, add general lighting and mood lighting with wall sconces and valance or recessed lighting. You also need to light artwork that will hang on the wall and sculptural pieces that will be displayed.

To determine the adequate amount of wattage required for a room, take the length times the width of the space and multiple by 1.5. For example, in a typical 12 x 20 living room, you should have a minimum of four table lamps, two floor uplights and four recessed ceiling lights positioned throughout the space. Here's an example of what you'll need:

• 12 X 20 = 240 X 1.5 = 360 MINIMUM
• 4 LAMPS X 40 WATTS each = 160 WATTS
• 2 UPLIGHTS = 80 WATTS
• 4 CEILING = 160 WATTS

Enlighten yourself about home lighting — but don't read up about it in the dark!