| A "how to" on lamp selection or home decorating | | | | using in the room where you are putting your new |
| should first address the fact that individuals may | | | | lamp? Remember, you are just pondering for the |
| have strong personal tastes or preferences. After 25 | | | | moment. For now simply hold these considerations in |
| years of close personal relationships with designers, | | | | your own mind and give them some thought.What |
| decorators, store buyers and most importantly the | | | | room is the lamp going to be placed: living room, den, |
| retail customer, we have evolved a unique | | | | bedroom, dining room, foyer, kitchen, bathroom, |
| perspective on how to select a lamp.I remember an | | | | game room, entertainment room, etc?Where exactly |
| interesting event that occurred in 1979 while | | | | is the lamp to be used: a table, a desk, night stand, |
| attending the International Home Furnishings Market in | | | | counter top, mantel, book case, chest, dresser, |
| High Point, North Carolina. A designer came into our | | | | sideboard, armoire, etc?When will you typically be |
| showroom where we were exhibiting our lamps, | | | | using the lamp: morning, noon, afternoon, bedtime, |
| pictures, other accessories and furniture. She carried | | | | after supper, late night? Will others be in the room |
| with her a catalog page from one of the country's | | | | with you when you are using the lamp? Will the light |
| largest retailers at that time. On this page was a | | | | from the lamp affect others in the room?Now that |
| listing in tabular form, showing the "exact" shade size | | | | you have pondered the above ideas, let us look at |
| to order if your lamp was a particular height. Imagine | | | | some specifics especially sizes. Home decor items are |
| that in today's market ! Obviously it would not work | | | | very important as they relate to each other in the |
| at all.We will not be quite that specific but instead | | | | same room. How big is the table, counter, shelf, etc. |
| offer you some guidelines that will give you | | | | where the lamp will sit ? A large lamp on a small table |
| confidence in selecting a lamp for any area of your | | | | or small area will appear overpowering. A small lamp |
| home or office. We also consult with hotels, motels, | | | | by itself on a large table or in a large area will appear |
| casinos, nursing homes, prisons and other institutions. | | | | lost.How large is the room where the lamp is to be |
| These situations have unique considerations that | | | | used? A tiny lamp left exposed in a huge room will |
| must be addressed individually but many of the same | | | | appear lost and vice versa. How high are the ceilings? |
| principles apply.Before you go looking for a lamp, | | | | Many medium to large homes today have 17' or taller |
| ponder some questions. You may be surprised how | | | | ceilings in the great room. Generally a 30" tall (or |
| much this pondering will help. | | | | above) end table lamp is right at home in a room this |
| A journalistic approach will help you to formulate in | | | | size. Of course a lamp sitting on the bookcase in this |
| your own mind just how to select a lamp.Who - | | | | same room may only be 12-15" tall. The mantel lamp |
| What - Where - When - Why and HowWho are | | | | in this same room may be 25-35" tall. Think of |
| you? Are your tastes and your current home decor | | | | relativity (remember Einstein).The construction |
| formal, casual, country, contemporary, etc. Your living | | | | material of your new lamp can be extremely |
| area is a reflection of who you are and what you like. | | | | important. The most durable materials are cast |
| So, who are you? Do you just want to do something | | | | metals, stone, porcelains, crystals, glass and wood. All |
| on a whim (in the way of home decor), then perhaps | | | | of the antique heirloom lamps that we see and work |
| you are not so concerned with what your current | | | | with today are made from these materials and they |
| theme is about. Otherwise you will want your new | | | | very handsomely stand the test of time. Resin or |
| lamp to "fit in" with what you already have and like in | | | | poly resin and hydrocal are not recommended for |
| your home.What is the main purpose, the primary | | | | any lamp that you wish to keep as these materials |
| use for the lamp you are considering: reading, writing, | | | | nearly self destruct.Still pondering ? You should |
| work project, area lighting, accent lighting, an object | | | | already be well on your way to fine tuning what you |
| of art, a beautiful specimen lamp, just something | | | | need. |
| pretty that will light up an area? What colors are you | | | | |