The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-11-08
Illumination
of the Home

The requirements, artistic and utili-
tartan, which are to be met in eonsid.
er7Tg the artificial Lighting of a house
are so numerous, that it is fortunate
indeed that there are 50 many varled
and beautiful methods of satisfying
the demands. The old requirements
we're simple, direct and easily settled
by the designer and builder: brilliant
light in the center Of the ceiling. war
ranted to illuminate the most distant
cornel with its glare, was considered
all that could be desired. Then came
the dim Pickering gas jet behind
glass globe, and this had to do until
the ideal was discovered. 1t has only
been a few years, however, since the
limitations of the ideal were realized.
OF course, the first consideration is
that of utility. One wants light that
one can see in the way best adapted
TO the sensitive structure of the eve.
The delicate retina shrinks instructive.
~ 4itAH a A&loHg b1AIA4aAE 1EnA. ana
one that strikes upon it mereilessly
without any shading or softening in
fuence. A strong and steady light Is
required, but having obtained the
strongest, it must be made the most
agreeable as well.
A great deal depends upon the posi-
tion of the lights in the room. It is
uncomfortable. even on a day slightly
overcast. to walk when the sun Is di.
reetly overhead, while the slanting sun
set RAYS over one IS shoulder are most
agreeable. The principle holds with
artificial lights IF the ceiling is very
high, and the light shaded so as to
be ineonspieuous, the overhead light
is permissible in a room devoted to en-
tertaining. but even so there should
be side lights TO focus the attention
Father than to direct it to the ceiling,
wtlrh is seldom either beautiful or
Interesting. Candies, sconees. and
table lamps all properly shaded solve
these difficulties for us, as well as being
far more artistic than any ceiling light.
The low lamp, whether electric or oil,
shedding its soft light over the shout
der upon book or work, cannot be
eaualed. The electric lamp is so ex-
tremely convenient and seryieeable
that it has become the most popular
light of all.
Beauty and atmosphere have now
been found to be quite at one with
utility, although it requires much
thought and study to avoid going to
extremes, and to bring about perfect
harmony between utility and beauty.
Tn "A large room where a more or
less even light is required, such as
a reception room, it is necessary to
have the light radiating from side
sciences. candelabra and tall lamps. On
the other hand, in a library, with its
dark bookcases. rich bindings and dim
walls. enc may indulge In dark corners,
and interesting circles of light focus
ing brilliancy and color, and allowing
the shadows TO play upon rich draperles
and books A sufficient amount of gen
eral light may be given by quaint
hanging lamps in corners and nooks.
central chandelier would remove
every trace of the interesting play OF
light and shade.
The diniugroom especially should
have no high ceiling light. Seonees on
the wall ard eandelabra on the table
make the light dance on silver and
glass. In small diningroom, however,
there may be softly colored glass
electric lamp. edged with glass bead
fringe A low hanging globe or Ian
tern combined with attractive side
lights viii be found the most attractive
for the hall.
Nc one piece of furniture or brie-a-
brae can add more in the way of color
and hearty to room than one of the
eolored lamps of which there IS now
such large selection. Especially bean
tiful are those with dull green bronze
standards and loaded glass shades,
most of them being modelled on Hover
and tree forms. An especially artistic
design is one that takes its motive
from the wistaria blossom. The roots
form the base, the vine itself is twisted
md twined about the standard, and
the shade is a mass Of dropping purple
blossoms. Another of similar charae-
ter is an adaptation of the grapevine
and its fruit The golden dafodil IS
one of a great many flower motives
The tinted glass shades and IN their
graceful forms. delicate changes OF tint
and suggestions Of the graceful lines OF
leaf and flower, seem to contain the
essence of the natural living color. The
designs are, Of course, conventional
lied
Candlesticks and candelabra are
made from the green bronze and under
lying opaque glass, with long slender
stem lines and a suggestion Of the ca
Ivx of the flower IN the candle EMP.
Hall lanterns are very strong and DIG
Lifted in design. often made after the
quaint models from foreign lands. dat
ing back even TO the lanterns Of the
Biblical type. They are made Of cop
per. brass. bronze or of bronze and