Lytestyles is one of our new contributors. They are specialists in all kinds of lighting, particularly “green” lighting such as LED’s.
The appearance or “color” of the visible light comes from the light source. The color temperature is measured in Kelvin, “K”. The higher the color temperature, the visually cooler or bluer the light appears. The lower the color temperature, the warmer and more natural the light appears. Incandescent bulbs have a color temperature of 2700K. Halogen bulbs have a color temperature of 3000K. Fluorescents have many color temperatures ranging from 2700K – 9000K.
Bulbs with higher color temperatures provide a higher light (lumen) output. This is a handy problem solver when you need more light and want to keep energy consumption low.
When mixing different light sources (bulbs), try to match and blend your color temperatures. Too many very different color temperatures will make a space look confusing.
Layered Lighting:
Aging eyes need good lighting, but then again who doesn’t appreciate good light? The key is to specify layered lighting for practical usage and visual effect. That includes a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Decorative light fixtures certainly help carry forth a theme (be it art deco or rustic farmhouse) but they also supplement a room’s overall glow and help to eliminate the “swiss cheese” effect of too many recessed can lights in the ceiling.
Task lighting is usually installed under cabinets or in the form of pendant lighting over the island that shines directly on a work surface, whereas ambient lighting provides an overall glow.
Accent lighting highlights specific points of interest, such as art niches.
There are different reasons for lighting to be layered, one of which is so they can be used independently of each other. Sometimes task lighting becomes a night light when the kitchen is not in use. LED and fluorescent lights now provide energy-saving alternatives to conventional incandescent bulbs, but it’s important to ensure that the color of the light emanating from various sources is consistent with ALL the light sources in the room. Remember the color of the light will affect the color of the surface underneath it, such as paint hues, cabinet stains, tile surfaces food and of course the people in the room.
Credit: Jeffrey A. Davis Photography
Lytestyles
Lighting fixtures, Accessories & Design
Specializing in green, energy efficient fluorescent and LED light sources.
Jacklyn Stanton and Elise Gilchrist are the principals of Lytestyles, a lighting manufacturers’ rep agency for residential and light commercial lighting.
Lytestyles operates three offices in Tennessee - Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville/Memphis.
Lytestyles has been presenting lighting products and lighting design to the industry for 28 years. As an agency, Lytestyles brings a unique perspective to the industry by having a Certified Lighting Designer and lighting technique educator on staff. Lytestyles is known for its “state of the art” and “leading edge” product and design offering. Over the past three years, Lytestyles has specialized in green, energy efficient fluorescent and LED light sources. Lytestyles is a member of the USGBC, SSL Advocates, and the American Lighting Association to name a few organizations. To further serve their communities,
Lytestyles offers educational seminars on lighting design and the new energy efficient light sources.
For further information please visit Lytestyles’ website: www.Lytestyles.com
Jacklyn Stanton
LYTESTYLES
cell 865-804-2815
fax 865-458-1595
Specializing in Decorative, Green, Energy Efficient and LED Lighting Solutions
“Knowledge only has value when it is shared”.
