Let There Be Light

When the sun goes down before 5:00 pm, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep your attitude bright.  As we creep into deep, dark winter, allow us to shed a little light on one of our favorite ways to enhance the mood.

Lighting is often overlooked, but it is one of the most important design elements in any room.  It creates mood-setting ambiance, has the power to make us see better, and helps us look better too (the dimmer switch is your best friend).  The trick is to add layers of lighting to your room -- one light fixture is definitely not enough -- with hanging fixtures, floor or table lamps, wall sconces and task lighting.

Here are some new lighting options we took a shine to....

Lighten up.  Overhead lighting adds visual drama to the room as well as a layer of lighting that takes up no real estate on floors and furniture.  All overhead fixtures should be on a dimmer, however to reduce harsh, unflattering light.

Helix
Ro Sham Beaux

Mac
Urban Electric Co

Caviar Adjustable Cluster
Arteriors

Diallo
Arteriors

Kartell Petrol Blue FL/Y Pendant
ABC Home

Willow
Urban Electric Co

Delightful Atomic Suspension Lamp
Via Freshome

Camille
Made Goods

Iron Petals Pendant
Anthropologie

No. 1 Pendant
Tom Raffield

Chord Pendant
CB2

Tom Dixon Beat Light (so many awesome shapes and sizes)
Via Horne

Natalie Page Ceramic Lamps
Via Remodelista

Silver Lining Chandelier
Tracy Glover 

Stand up for your lights.  Floor and table lamps are a great way to add a sculptural, artistic element or just a fun pop of color.  Every seat in the room should have access to a lamp for reading (and a place to put your drink!)

Otomi Floor Lamp
Stray Dog Designs

Burton
Hudson Valley Lighting

Quatrefoil Floor Lamp
Circa Lighting

Magical Thinking Geo Wire Lamp
Urban Outfitters

Alberta Table Lamp
Horne

Luck Be A Lady
Emporium Home

Safari Table Lamp
Currey & Co

Up against the wall.  Wall sconces may be small but they can have mighty impact on the mood and style of your room.  We love to see wall fixtures flanking mirrors, lighting the dining room buffet, above fireplaces or in bedrooms where table space is at a premium.

Jackie O
Ro Sham Beaux

Metro Swivel
Urban Electric Co

Montreal Sconce
Urban Electric Company

Shine a light on it.  Task lighting does not have to be boring to get the job done.

Architects Lamps pull KP duty.
Via Apartment Therapy

Pull the light close.
Via Design Milk

Carthage Table Lamp
Ralph Lauren Home

So many great ways to lighten the mood.  Go ahead and lift your spirits in these darkening days of November.  It's as easy as flipping a switch!

Do it!