Post date: Dec 3, 2014 4:34:04 PM
What a difficult process - choosing light fixtures. Mainly because there are so many to chose from and I have so little framework for making my selections. In addition, I have eleven (11) types of fixture to select.
A past blog post I struggled with LED vs. Fluorescent, bathroom mirror lighting, lighting artwork hung on the walls, and ambient lighting. In that post I decided on fluorescent under the kitchen cabinets - where the fixtures are invisible.
Meanwhile I have made some decisions and struggled with others (not yet resolved completely). I tried visiting a large local lighting showroom, but that was not helpful.
For spot lighting I have opted to use a small fixture that uses MR-16 lamps.
These small lamps were originally halogen, which are gradually being replaced by LED light sources. The are readily available in a variety of lumens output, color temperature, and beam angle. The fixture itself has a switch on the base, so I can use the same fixture over the bed for reading and in the ceiling to light the walls.
I found a nice ceiling fixture for ambient lighting that uses efficient Circline fluorescent tubes, looks reasonably modern without sticking out. That was not too difficult.
I also found a fixture that complements the ceiling fixture and can be mounted vertically on either side of the bathroom mirror. Unfortunately, unlike the fixtures in our bathroom in Seatle, they are no longer made to use a simple fluorescent tube, but require two compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps. That is progress?
I am using simple fluorescent fixtures inside the closets, because the light is uniform and the fixtures are invisible above the door. Likewise in the garage and mechanical room I use fluorescents because they are not on display for others to see.
I will use recessed can lights over the shower and above the dining table with LED lamps. These are innocuous and basically invisible.
Above the kitchen cabinets I want to use fluorescent tubes because the use is linear. My architect likes the spotty undulating light that shines on the walls from halogen disk lights (otherwise known as puck lights because they are similar to ice hockey pucks), but I see that as a failing rather than a blessing. Similar-size fixtures use 'festoon' lamps, like those used in auto dome fixtures, which are linear (if small) but at least can be aligned with the wall.
I have very few lights outdoors. One by the main entry door, one by the garage door, and one by the patio doors. I want them to be similar, for some visual consistency. They cannot shine upwards - a provision in the property covenants. That only leaves me with a million choices! I selected half-dozen of various shapes (cylinder, wedge, boxy, quarter dome, half-miter, conical, etc) and presented them to my architect.
He suggested a design by a local Taos artist.
These are ceramic, and the potter no longer makes them, but the design was taken over ('ripped off' was my term for the process) by a big lighting firm and are reasonably priced and seem to be readily available. When I asked the chat support person if the lamp base was mounted "up or down" the response I got was "Vertical Only"! I finally (after two more clarifying questions) learned that if I installed a reflector spot lamp it would shine down. Close enough for me.
They are not exactly as originally designed, but close enough for me - and the architect recommended them, so I'm happy. They are available with either closed top (for dark sky applications) or open top (to put under the portal). Since the ceramic is not glazed, they will need to be carefully sealed and primed so they do not absorb water, freeze, and break in the cold.