What’s Hot in Lighting?

Bill Guisewhite, Whitehill Lighting and Supplies, Inc.

The ‘techie’ look is in, with lots of low-voltage lighting,” says Bill Guisewhite III, showroom manager of Whitehill Lighting in State College. Cove lighting is also getting hot, according to Guisewhite. It requires less space and allows for a tighter and cleaner fit, as well as providing a warm, continuous light through the use of dimmers. Cove lighting ensures that the light source is concealed from every viewing angle, no matter how severe. Its invisible nature makes it the perfect lighting system for use not just in coves, but also in shelf lighting, display lighting, task lighting, furniture lighting and cabinet lighting.
“Landscape lighting has been showing up during the past five years in many neighborhoods,” adds Guisewhite. “Many are artistically ‘painting’ their houses with light and highlighting the main features of their home. They are also shedding light on the expensive and beautiful shrubbery.” Landscape lighting serves two purposes—beauty and emphasis, and most importantly, security. “Spill lights are good outdoors for extra security, but make sure they are not offensive to your neighbors,” he says.

Guisewhite has noticed that “families of light” are another trend gaining momentum. Having fixtures to match most rooms in the house, from the dining room to the hallway, to the outdoor series, gives a fresh and put-together look.

Guisewhite also recommends www.progresslighting.com and www.homeclick.com for further information, products, and free expert advice on lighting.

Maryann Lucas, Lush Brothers

“Think big!” says Maryann Lucas, interior designer at Lush Brothers in State College. “A mistake people often make when purchasing lamps is that they buy (and use) lighting fixtures that are too small.” Lamps need to be in proportion to the piece they are put on. For example, if it is a lower table, put a taller lamp on top of it. “Many people are putting tiny lights on a small night stand beside their beds, but they forget that the bed is part of the composition,” says Lucas. “Most nightstands need a more hefty and taller lamp to make the room look proportioned, and it is okay to put a lamp in front of a picture or mirror. A lamp can overlap.”

Lamps can be interesting in places where they are least expected, too. “Putting lamps in the kitchen gives an interesting and different flavor to the room,” says Lucas. Plus, they can change the feeling of the room. “Put a lamp where you want a cozy feeling and a more intimate atmosphere; a room will lack inwardness without them.” Metal lamps and chandeliers are popular, too, especially the “black-iron look,” says Lucas.

Like clothing and fashion, lamps should be updated. “Older lamps get tired-looking. Lamp styles change just like clothing styles change, every once in awhile you should perk them up,” says Lucas.

Finally, if you’re really in the woods, do something about it. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help and guidance,” says Lucas. “Designers can help you with proportions and style, and many work in retail stores so it doesn’t cost a thing to ask. We are glad to help.”

Cornelia Rutherford, Interior Designer

“ Let’s get everything up-to-date,” says Cornelia Rutherford, member ASID and owner of her own marketing and design company in Altoona. “Recessed lighting is much smaller these days.” The newest bulbs, she says, are capsulite bulbs, which are incandescent but have a halogen look. These allow anyone to control—with a dimmer—as well as aim, the amount of light used. “You can actually control the degree and angle of light leaving the bulb, and you can focus on a piece of artwork or a table with either a tight or broad beam,” says Rutherford.

Another new trend is lights on wire, which allows you to bend, curve, twist and point the individual lights wherever you want. “You can do many creative things with these lights,” says Rutherford.

Rutherford also mentions “scene lighting” as increasing in popularity. “People want control over what type of lighting is in their house, and to be able to control it quickly.” Scene lighting is the newest, quickest way to do just that. All the lighting in a house is connected to a control box, which is connected to a dimmer. By changing the settings on the control box and having multiple pre-sets, you can change the atmosphere in just seconds. Imagine going from dimmed party lighting to super bright clean-up lighting, using this computerized system.

“Lighting can now be perfect, and you can have it just how you want it to be in a snap,” says Rutherford. ~Dyanna Stupar