San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-01
EXPERT TELLS
HOW To SELECT
HOME LIGHTING
Application Of Common
Sense Brings Posi-
tive Results.
NEEDS ARE DIFFERENT
Fixtures Suitable for Some
Rooms Unsuitable
for Others.
NEEDS ARE DIFFERENT
By Lillian Cassels Of the Society
~ For Electrical DEVELOPMENT. Inc.

lamps, Sne VIII INA lnat tneSe nave
been made in many forms, shapes
sizes and degrees Of efficiency; and
may be astonished and somewhat be-
wildered at the outset by the beauty
and the diversified colorings and
concentrations provided. But in this,
as in other buying, an application of
common sense will bring positive re-
suits in comfort and efficiency; and
lighting system built up which will
be both a present joy and a nucleus
for wide future development.
Living room needs call for illumin-
alton at times which flood the entire
room with soft but brilliant light :
which viii not create glare nor allow
direct light-rays TO shine into the eyes
under it. This is accomplished by n
central fixture of which there are
in the market many desirable types.
Several systems Of breaking up the
Hght-rays and spraying these through
the room in bright yet pleasing glow
ere in use in these central fixtures !;
both beauty of material and design
is considered. and one can hardly 20
astray in selection. il the basic needs
of light that illuminate without glare
is kept in mind.
The Family Room.
When the family gathers to talk.
play cards. or entertain. this kind of
illumination is what will be desired.
But at other times, when one or
smore individuals are reading or work
ing in the living room. more pleas
ing effects are obtained BY the use
of separate lamps with the over head
light switched off. Portable lamps
must be so shaded and placed that
their ligEt-rays will not Offend by
shining directly into anyonc's eyes.
:. Piano lamps. located so that they
hgGt tie music being rad not the
Payers face, are available for plac-
in: either beside an upright piano
or on the Gesk section os a pa-lor
gard. 4 small wall bracelet, .hieIdsd
--sr"' n reflector or sh lie that tpr, VS.
Its light-rays, down into the talking
machine, is most convenient while
changing records and needles. Another
comfort is sewing-lamp, provided
with a daylight lamp adequately
shaded This supplies tight of a
whiteness approaching that Of real
daylight; and is valuable for fine
work. or for reading in instances when
articifial light tires the eyes.
A Circle Of Light.
Dining room lights are OF several
types. There has been a tendency
to forsake the old-time dome. which
had several faults. 1t was frequent
]y unsightly and clumsy, and in the
way when table was moved. II it
hung low enough so that lamps did
not cast binding rays in the eyes
OF diners, it impeded clear view
across the table. Yet no lighting eff
feet seems as appropriate to dining
rooms as one which floods the table
with light, bringing out the beauty
OF exquisite service and the attrac-
tive colors of food, while the rest of
the room remains in shadow. This
seems to throw around the group at
the table an outer wall of seculsion.
and TO make. the gathering one of
lies brightest moments.
:. Mirror lights are seldom found. Yet
1t would appear that it might BE-
wearing on mans nerves to be-
Obliged 10 arrange his necktie or
brush his hair over his wife's shout
ders as he probably does il his own
dressing mirror is unlghted. When
there is but one wall bracket. it is
not difficult 10 guess whose dresser
is arrayed beside it.
Two lights for each mirror ono
on each side. give the best light oh
tainable; light being thrown upon the
fact of the person dressing. and NOT
into the mirror-which latter is a 50.
rious fault found in a great deal Of
mirror lighting. However, one pend
ant hight Just about the mirror and
>hRM two feet from the wall gives
satisfactory results if the lamp be suf- |
ficiently powerful and the shading
properly done.
Simple Designs Best.
IL central fixtures are used in bed |
rooms. they should be simple in line !
and rather unobtrusive. This does not
preclude beauty or harmonization with |
ones scheme of decora tons. There
are being made so many type of CEN
ter fixtures that all tastes may be
served. 1t is essential here, however.
as elsewhere in the home, that there
be visible no bare lamps TO vex the
eyes. IL the central figure be close TO
the ceiling, and the ceiling fairly high,
then shades are not absolutely essen
tial; but even in this case frosted or
enameled lamps should be used.
1t Is quite possible TO find beauti-
fully decorated translucent glass
shades in sizes which are adaptable
TO all these bedroom lights. as we'll
as to lights elsewhere. Some Of the
hand painted shades are works of
art. Parchment or silk shades are
also liked; but the flow Of light is
impeded a little more by this mate
rial. Chandeliers and brackets re-
Gently have been shown with deli
cately tinted enameled colored embel-
lishments on the metal. A few OF
these have the color repeated in some
chaste crystal pendants. while the
shades are in perfect color accord.
Portable lamps as additional sources
Of light are frequently liked in the
bedroom. A reading lamp beside one S
favorite chair is preferred by some
to the bedside reading light. While
wiring is being done it is not diff
cult to provide outlets sufficient so !
that Carrying needs and varying moods |
may be accommodated.
Porches and Halls. {
The front porch should have I
light controlled by a switch just in Z
the door. There must be a wealth {
receptacle for il. Decause the !
y exposed to moisture and s
81 temperature, it should be c
per or galvanized iron. This