304 LIGHTING

Lighting of houses must be serviceable and also decorative.
Lighting experts say that two types of lighting are necessary for
service, namely, general and local.

General lighting should be provided in various intensities, so
that pressing different buttons produces bright, medium, or sub-
dued light, or very dim light for television. General lighting may
be direct or indirect, or a combination of both. Indirect light is
the reflection and diffusion of light which is first thrown upward
onto a light-colored ceiling or wall See page 314. General light-
ing may emanate from troughs at the top of the walls or above
doors or windows, from ceiling or wall fixtures, from ground-glass
panels flush with ceiling or walls, or from indirect lamps. See
pages 350 and 424. Cove lighting or other architectural lighting
is a great improvement over fixtures as it is inconspicuous tod con-
forms to the lines of the architecture. See pages 176 and 312.

Direct or indirect light coming from the ceiling has some disad-
vantages. It is somewhat unbecoming to the occupants of a room;
it calls attention to the uninteresting ceiling; and produces an even,
monotonous, overall light. Nevertheless, it has great advantages.

Local lighting is produced in particular places, usually by port-
able floor and table lamps, but also by straight or curved lighted
rods, and by lights behind ground glass that is flush with the wall.
Lamps are necessary for reading, writing, working, and card
games. Every easy chair should be near a lamp; a desk, piano, or
table should have its own adjustable lamp.

Light is decorative as well as functional and must be treated as
an art element, to be employed and controlled so as to enhance the
beauty of a room. For example, a room having only indirect
cove lighting around the entire room would be equally lighted
all over and monotonous in effect; but the addition of a few
lamps with direct lighting would provide pleasing accents of light
to give the necessary contrast. The lamps should be placed at
the centers of interest so as to focus the attention where it ought
to be. Light accents at the wrong places can spoil an otherwise
beautiful room. Decorative use of light on the stage and screen
gives suggestions for home lighting. Colored light soon becomes
tiresome; therefore it is not desirable in homes, except possibly
to light a flower niche or similar focal point.