| A "how to" on lamp selection or home decorating | | | | putting your new lamp? Remember, you are just |
| should first address the fact that individuals may | | | | pondering for the moment. For now simply hold |
| have strong personal tastes or preferences. After | | | | these considerations in your own mind and give |
| 25 years of close personal relationships with | | | | them some thought. |
| designers, decorators, store buyers and most | | | | What room is the lamp going to be placed: living |
| importantly the retail customer, we have evolved | | | | room, den, bedroom, dining room, foyer, kitchen, |
| a unique perspective on how to select a lamp. | | | | bathroom, game room, entertainment room, etc? |
| I remember an interesting event that occurred in | | | | Where exactly is the lamp to be used: a table, a |
| 1979 while attending the International Home | | | | desk, night stand, counter top, mantel, book case, |
| Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina. A | | | | chest, dresser, sideboard, armoire, etc? |
| designer came into our showroom where we | | | | When will you typically be using the lamp: morning, |
| were exhibiting our lamps, pictures, other | | | | noon, afternoon, bedtime, after supper, late night? |
| accessories and furniture. She carried with her a | | | | Will others be in the room with you when you are |
| catalog page from one of the country's largest | | | | using the lamp? Will the light from the lamp affect |
| retailers at that time. On this page was a listing in | | | | others in the room? |
| tabular form, showing the "exact" shade size to | | | | Now that you have pondered the above ideas, let |
| order if your lamp was a particular height. Imagine | | | | us look at some specifics especially sizes. Home |
| that in today's market ! Obviously it would not | | | | decor items are very important as they relate to |
| work at all. | | | | each other in the same room. How big is the |
| We will not be quite that specific but instead offer | | | | table, counter, shelf, etc. where the lamp will sit ? |
| you some guidelines that will give you confidence | | | | A large lamp on a small table or small area will |
| in selecting a lamp for any area of your home or | | | | appear overpowering. A small lamp by itself on a |
| office. We also consult with hotels, motels, | | | | large table or in a large area will appear lost. |
| casinos, nursing homes, prisons and other | | | | How large is the room where the lamp is to be |
| institutions. These situations have unique | | | | used? A tiny lamp left exposed in a huge room |
| considerations that must be addressed individually | | | | will appear lost and vice versa. How high are the |
| but many of the same principles apply. | | | | ceilings? Many medium to large homes today have |
| Before you go looking for a lamp, ponder some | | | | 17' or taller ceilings in the great room. Generally a |
| questions. You may be surprised how much this | | | | 30" tall (or above) end table lamp is right at home |
| pondering will help. | | | | in a room this size. Of course a lamp sitting on |
| A journalistic approach will help you to formulate in | | | | the bookcase in this same room may only be |
| your own mind just how to select a lamp. | | | | 12-15" tall. The mantel lamp in this same room |
| Who - What - Where - When - Why and How ??? | | | | may be 25-35" tall. Think of relativity (remember |
| Who are you? Are your tastes and your current | | | | Einstein). |
| home decor formal, casual, country, | | | | The construction material of your new lamp can |
| contemporary, etc. Your living area is a reflection | | | | be extremely important. The most durable |
| of who you are and what you like. So, who are | | | | materials are cast metals, stone, porcelains, |
| you? Do you just want to do something on a | | | | crystals, glass and wood. All of the antique |
| whim (in the way of home decor), then perhaps | | | | heirloom lamps that we see and work with today |
| you are not so concerned with what your current | | | | are made from these materials and they very |
| theme is about. Otherwise you will want your new | | | | handsomely stand the test of time. Resin or poly |
| lamp to "fit in" with what you already have and | | | | resin and hydrocal are not recommended for any |
| like in your home. | | | | lamp that you wish to keep as these materials |
| What is the main purpose, the primary use for | | | | nearly self destruct. |
| the lamp you are considering: reading, writing, | | | | Still pondering? You should already be well on your |
| work project, area lighting, accent lighting, an | | | | way to fine tuning what you need. If you find |
| object of art, a beautiful specimen lamp, just | | | | that you still need help, free consultation is |
| something pretty that will light up an area? What | | | | available from some home décor |
| colors are you using in the room where you are | | | | manufacturers via the internet. |