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A vintage-inspired lamp with a shade of shantung
silk is just one of the many options in discount
lighting available this season.
More than ever, fashion and function have come
together to create decorative table lamps, floor
lamps and chandeliers that do more than simply
illuminate -- they create ambience.
Lighting, for the most part, has been accepted
as a utilitarian must-have. However, new to the
accessory runway are lamps with ornate handcrafted
bases made of cast iron, carved wood, hammered
copper, brass, and elegant combinations of hand-blown
glass, crystals and marble.
Decorative lamps and chandeliers are a key accessory
for your room, said Gary Babcock, vice president
of fashion and merchandising at Arhaus. They can
soften any setting making it more intimate and
charming. Selecting the right lamp is just as
important as selecting throw pillows or artwork
for a room.
When making lighting choices, consider the following:
Your lighting choice should complement the entire
room setting. Match the lamp to your furniture
style to help complete the look. For example,
select a sophisticated lamp to use with furniture
that is more refined.
Buy lamps in pairs or in similar styles to create
the mood in your room.
Don't guess! Take a snapshot of your room to
the store with you. A good salesperson should
be able to offer you several appropriate choices
of lighting.
Changing lampshades is an effective way to freshen
or update a room's decor. Lampshade fashions this
season are all about using beautiful materials
and combining them with unique treatments. The
fabric choices for shades are much more decorative
and refined, such as shantung silks and crinkled,
oiled papers.
Anything goes this season, as decorative trim
on lampshades becomes more popular. Have fun selecting
a lampshade dressed up with a row of glass beads,
pearls, rhinestones, tassels or even feathers
to complement a setting in your home. Selecting
the right shade is an easy way to dress up an
area of your home with functional accessories.
Chandeliers are back, and better than ever! Chandeliers
are not just for hanging over the dining room
table anymore. A beautiful, effective way to create
a focal point, chandeliers can add ambience to
any room. Made of solid, handcrafted metals, new
chandeliers are heavily adorned with hand-cut
crystals and blown glass fruits, birds, beads
and baubles. These extra touches will add sparkle
and interest to the style of your room or setting.
Chandeliers can be used in every room of the
house -- be creative! For example, hang one over
an occasional table in the living room, or over
each nightstand flanking your bed. Another ideal
spot is over a foyer table, or hang a cluster
of two or three in a corner of any room. Chandeliers
can even be incorporated into the canopy of a
bed.
If you choose to hang a chandelier over the dining
table, try using more than one for a more dramatic
look. Hang a group of small chandeliers together
over a table clustered at the same or different
heights.
Hint: Hanging chandeliers 24 inches to 30 inches
above the table will provide the best lighting
and visual appeal. You can also bunch up a decorative
fabric chain cover for a more finished look.
Much of home furnishing today reflects the need
for homeowners to surround themselves with things
that are functional. Lighting is a significant
consideration when determining a room's functionality
and should complement a homeowner's lifestyle.
There are three basic types of lighting that work
together to illuminate your home: general, task
and accent.
General lighting provides overall illumination.
Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks
such as reading, cooking or doing paperwork, and
accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating
decorative interest. All three types of lighting
can be found in table lamps, floor lamps and pendant
fixtures.
Here are some hints:
A good lighting plan combines all three types
of lighting in an area or room. It often helps
to draw a simple diagram when considering your
needs.
Consider using a combination of table lamps,
floor lamps and pendant fixtures.
For visual appeal, consider mixing sizes, shapes
and styles of lamps in a room. If you have three
lamps, you may want to invest in two similar lamps
and a third lamp in a different, more ornate style.
Try grouping two or three small chandeliers in
a corner or hanging one over an end table for
added drama.
Consider lighting as part of the next 'layer'
in a room after the furniture is in place, Babcock
said.
Try some of the newest lighting looks to add
drama. Lamps are now more elaborate and beautiful
than ever before. Unusual shade treatments and
decorative trims are very important this season.
Decorative lighting can dramatically change the
look of any room. As a result, more homeowners
are enjoying the mood that only lighting can create.
With today's options, there doesn't have to be
a question of fashion or function -- now, you
can have both.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Find all kinds of discount lamps, lamp shades,
interior and exterior lighting online.
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