Choose the right bulb to make light of dark days.....

I have been in such a fog lately, due to the "worst head-cold in the world" (seriously) that I totally forgot to thank Kay Balmer of The Oregonian for including me in her latest (last week) article about lighting.......I do love lighting!
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Choose the right bulb to make light of dark days
By Kay Balmer, Special to The Oregonian

January 20, 2010, 2:17PM

Oregon's winter darkness makes me so crazy that I could pull down the drapes and punch a hole in the ceiling. But adding a skylight or letting all the heat escape through uncovered windows is not an economical option, even if you are starving for a little sunshine. So I turned to the people with light-seeking expertise for more common-sense and budget-wise ideas. They've debunked some myths and provided simple how-to directions.

View full sizeJohn M. Vincent/The Oregonian

Common perception: All light bulbs are the same; for more light, just look for more wattage. Fact: Bulbs (both incandescent and fluorescent) labeled "daylight" or "full spectrum" will give you a more natural light to lift the winter gloom, says Camille Whitsom of Globe Lighting. But it's the bulb's lumens -- the amount of actual light produced -- that you need to know. For example, she says, a good 100-watt incandescent should have more than 1,200 lumens while a comparable 23-watt compact fluorescent will have 1,600-plus lumens. We energy-watchers prefer the compact fluorescent bulbs that use far less electricity. (Lighting for older eyes is somewhat different. If you're over 50, see more details in the accompanying story.) How you do it: It's a matter of looking beyond the big print to find the bulb you need. Whitsom also notes that the quality of the lamp will affect the quality of the light and the life of the bulb. Three-way bulbs give more lighting options, but you'll need an accommodating lamp. Or consider adding an inexpensive dimmer at the wall plug-in. (Caveat: Most CFL bulbs cannot be used with a dimmer, so check the packaging to see if the bulb is dimmer-compatible, or do without a dimmer.)

View full sizeRALPH LAUREN PAINT

Common perception: White and lighter-colored paints make a room brighter. Fact: Color is not the issue; it's the gloss of the paint, says JJ De Sousa of Digs Inside & Out. High-gloss paint causes light to bounce around the room, she says, while flat paint sucks up light. The effect is magnified when high-gloss paint is used on the ceiling, spreading light from a ceiling fixture throughout the room. She goes so far as to suggest a glossy black for the ceiling. How you do it: De Sousa recommends using the walls like an additional source of light by painting them with a glossy finish and then aiming lights at them. Sconces, floor lamps and track lighting can all be used in this way. For a look that really pops, make the paint metallic. You'll still want to do your usual sampling of paints before committing to a specific color and sheen.

View full sizeIvan Stevanovic/iStock International

Common perception: It's best to just flood the room with light. Fact: It's true that a lack of light will make you feel more tired, but flooding a room with light only makes it look like a shopping mall. Instead, says Globe's Whitsom, light should be layered to make some areas brighter and other areas darker. How you do it: Whitsom suggests a white or light-colored ceiling to reflect ceiling light throughout the room. Task lighting should then be added at strategic points. A reading light, for example, should be to one side of the chair and back slightly (so your head does not block the light). If it's directly overhead, it will create glare on the reading material.

View full sizeAlex Nikada/iStock International

Common perception: Mirrors help magnify the available light. Fact: Place a mirror adjacent to a window or lamp and you'll get twice the light, says Wendy Vaughn, an interior designer with Bolliger Window Fashions and Interiors. You will increase a room's light by putting a mirror or mirrored surface anywhere it can reflect light. How you do it: Vaughn loves using mirrors and says walls of mirrors are a classic, working well in traditional and contemporary homes. She also suggests using mirrors in other ways, such as topping a coffee table, in the back of dining room built-ins, and as a backsplash for a wet bar or butler's pantry. Mirrors do double duty, she reminds us, by making your space look larger. But remember, you'll want to like what you see in the reflection, so put mirrors where they'll reflect a nice view or piece of art. --

Freelance writer Kay Balmer

Thanks Kay!!!!!!