LIGHTING IN INTERIOR DESIGN Artificial lighting can create

LIGHTING IN INTERIOR DESIGN Artificial lighting can create moods, had sparkle and emphasis, and be directed and manipulated to meet the goals of the interior. Although artificial lighting is often considered a stable source of light, it is interesting to note that over the life of the lamp, the lumen output (level of brightness) is reduced. There is also a colour shift when dimming the lamp and a gradual colour change over the life of the lamp.

Incandescent light is produced by heating a highly assistant tungsten filament with an electric current until it glows. Incandescent light Constance a continuous, warm, mellow, colour spectrum. Incandescent lighting produced heat and is costly. Lamps (or bulbs) where out quickly and are discarded (or recycled into other materials, such as ceramic tiles). long–life bulbs cost more, but they last longer

Incandescent lighting is used in ceiling and portables fixtures such as table’s lamps. The lighting is flattering and best for warm mood lighting. Colored Incandescent lighting can be archived by using colored glass on the lamps or by placing a colored screen over the lighting. The most familiar are colored Christmas bulbs.

Another type of Incandescent light is the tungsten halogen lamp. The filament of the small lamp is surrounded with halogen gas. As the tungsten burns off, the halogen reacts with the tungsten, creating a bright light. This type of light enables one to direct light to a certain area and to intensify the light by placing the bulb inside a reflective (PAR) lamp. Tungsten halogen lights cost more than common in Incandescent lighting but will usually last longer and produced more lumens per watt.

Low-voltage lighting uses a type of lamp that controls the beam spread usually to about nine degrees. The lamp typically has a built-in reflector with a tungsten halogen bulb that produces superior accent lighting or spot lighting. It also incorporates transformers to reduced voltages to the source. Indoor low-voltage lighting is often used inside recessed or track fixtures.

Fluorescent light is produced by an arc between to electrodes inside a glass tube filled with very low pressure mercury vapour. The arc or discharge produces ultraviolet (invisible) radiation in wavelengths that excite or activate the white power (phosphorus crystals) lining the lamp. The phosphorus fluoresces (glows), converting the ultraviolet energy into visible light energy.

Fluorescent lighting is available in both warm and cool colour spectrums, cool, economical Fluorescent lamps are cooled and unflattering although the lumens per watt are high and the light is cost efficient. Cool white deluxe and warm white deluxe lamps have balanced spectrums and are more flattering, but they are more costly. Fluorescent lamps are available in a wide range of style and types; each dealer will have a chart with all the kind of fluorescent lamps listed. When shopping for fluorescent lamps, it is wise to consult with the lighting personnel for help in selecting lamps that will be most appropriate.

Dimmable fluorescent lighting has been slow to be adopted into residential interior design partially because until recently there was no safe and economical way to use fluorescents with a dimmer switch. Now, however, these components are more reliable, economical, and readily available.

A dimmable fluorescent system consists of an electronic dimming ballast, control wiring, power wiring, a wall –box dimmer switch, and dimmable fluorescent fixtures. (Caution: using a non dimmable fluorescent lamp in a dimmer circuit is a fire hazard. ) Although dimmable components cost more than non dimmable ones, the savings will be seen in lower electric bills and longer life, depending on the frequency of the switching. Lamps can even be set as a nightlight without affecting the life of the lamp. fluorescent lighting maintains its whiteness when dimmed, whereas dimming Incandescent lighting results in slight colour change.