LIVING ROOM: LIGHTING THE WAY

One of the useful functions of this blog is to act as a scrap book for design ideas.  Products that I like are collected and posted here and it's funny how visual trends start to emerge.   I've been looking at table lamps to flank either side of the Living Room sofa.  I kind of know what I'd like, but don't know if I can find it out there - which is the common dilemma.  Ideally, I'm looking for that 'I must have that' sensation which should accompany every purchase, but within keeping with the design guidelines: contemporary, clean, modern, stylish, etc.  In addition to this, it has to be cat proof - so delicate, glass lamp bases that can easily be knocked over and smashed are out.   

 

I think one of the obvious rules when furnishing any room is to try to stay within the design style so that the pieces don't appear incongruous: French Provincial rarely works next to Bauhaus unless you are going for that house clearance storeroom look - which I'm sure will one day be a look.  It is always useful to look at photographs of interior designs that attract you and study them to see how they've worked it out.  Most of all, I am a believer that you should surround yourself with objects that you love or that mean something to you. 

 

For our line-up of table lamp contenders so far, here are the beauties:-  

Evidently I have a thing about square shades...

FEELING BREEZY: A FAN OF FANS

Several people have asked me about the bowl-like lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling, in the bedroom photographs. 

These are actually ceiling fan lights with their blades temporarily removed.  Nobody likes a hot, muggy bedroom at the height of the summer (not that we have too many of those!) when they are trying to sleep.  During the winter you can use the reversable blade action to circulate warm air around the room.

These fans come with a remote control which allows you to select one of  three speeds, as well as allowing you to dim the lights to a comfortable level when relaxing and watching TV in bed.

Bedroom Two

Bedroom One

For the ultimate in ceiling fan lights, Litecraft have launched the innovative and supremely stylish 'Fanaway' featuring the unique design feature of retractable blades which tidily tuck away leaving you with an Art Deco style lamp.  But you might need more than a fan to cool off after looking at the £400 price tag - sadly way out of my budget.

Fanaway available from:-
http://www.litecraft.co.uk/p/7923/fanaway-chrome-retractable-blade-fan-light/

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Always refer to the IP44 zone guide before selecting your bathroom lighting.








From a design aspect, it is not ideal as one light has a round fitting and the other a square.  The over the cabinet light has the right projection depth (190mm) to illuminate over the cabinet where the light is needed (80w).

The ceiling spots can be directed to the other areas of the bathroom, but by themselves (3 x 35w) would probably be insufficient if you like a bright bathroom as I do.  Unfortunately, I have been unable to find one with a square chrome fitting.