Glorious Light

by Laura Read

If your dinner parties fall flat, don't assume it's because of the food or the conversation: It may be your lights. As interior designers and architects know, well-placed lighting can turn an unsettling room into a restful one or transform a plain interior into a dramatic one. Cool fluorescent lights near a dining room, for instance, cast a gray light that highlights bags and creases in the face and makes the food look like mush. In contrast, warmtoned lights controlled by a dimmer switch create a cozy atmosphere that encourages comfort and pleasure—along with better conversation.

The world of interior lighting is expanding with innovative materials, manufacturing techniques and stylistic diversity, giving homeowners greater control over the way they illuminate their lives. Infl uences from the Far East to the far north are shaping the styles of fi xtures made in various metals, from hand-forged iron to hammered copper. Shades in fabric, suede, mica, quartz and hand-blown glass are enhancing atmospheres with subtle glows. Well-placed halogen lights and the slowly growing selections of effi cient fl uorescent lights are appearing in work places, kitchens and bathrooms.

"People want their Tahoe home to be a relaxing place," says Elise Fett, an architect and engineer (and TQ Mountain Home Awards judge). "Lights should be simple and elegant, not visually distracting. Lighting needs to work with the furniture and not distract from the view. If things are too cluttered, it's not good. Often less is more."

Fett suggests fixtures made of aged coppers, oil-rubbed bronze or naturally aged metals. "Tahoe is not about shiny or reflective surfaces; it's about being subtle and timeless. Shiny and refl ective surfaces say 'new,' and in Tahoe, generally, people want 'timeless traditional.' Shades also should be softer. If you are going to have something with a bulb behind glass, it's nice to have glass that cuts the glare and distributes the light softly."

We asked Tahoe lighting experts to tell us about some of their favorite fixtures. The Collin Design Studio floor lamp doesn't overpower its location, says interior designer Joyce Blackstone. "It has a very solid splay on the bottom, so it is solid on the floor without looking heavy," she says. "I love this fixture because it's so usable in most of our circumstances here. It's a little more rustic, yet it can be used in a contemporary situation. It's a beautiful, clear, clean line, and the smaller copper shade does not hinder a view." Joyce W. Blackstone, ASID, South Lake Tahoe, (530) 544-2195

The Bernardus chandelier by J. Clayton, brings Old-World charm into the present. "The trend is ringed chandeliers with candles," says Therese Hughes, store manager of The Lighting Showroom. The fixture is beefy enough for the woodbeamed, vaulted ceilings found in many Lake Tahoe homes, yet simple and elegant enough to not overwhelm the spaces. The Lighting Showroom. 8726 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, (530) 546-3902

The Kudu Sconce, available through Shades of Light, features a resin stem based on the shape of an African antelope horn. "I like this sconce because it has great texture and makes a statement without overpowering the room," says Susan Brandy, who as a staging consultant provides furniture/accessory rental and advice on decorating for homes on the market. "It is versatile—two can be paired with a mirror or art, or can be used individually in any room setting—and it works well with rustic and/or contemporary tastes." Susan Brandy, staging consultant, (530) 448-9610

A floor lamp by Hubbardton Forge combines materials of old with the dynamism of fresh, clean lines. "I like the way Hubbardton's lighting mixes contemporary with Tahoe rustic," says Pragmatic owner and interior designer Alicia Benson. "Each piece in the line is unique and combines many different raw materials, such as iron, wood, glass and fabric. This particular lamp acts as an art piece and displays Hubbardton's use of iron well." Pragmatic, 1134 Ski Run Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, (530) 543-3364

The Victoria from Ironworks International is a pewter chandelier with mica shades. "It is extremely functional, as it brings much needed light into the darkness of many Tahoe homes," says Brady Leigh McClintock, an interior designer at Dragonfl y Designs. "The pewter fi nish is a change from the bronze that is popular now. It introduces a lighter palette into the higher reaches of the home." Dragonfly Designs, 475 N. Lake Blvd., #252, Tahoe City, (530) 583-6076

A double sconce in forged steel and turned mahogany by R. Jesse and Company features a stimulating combination of materials: forged steel, mahogany and rawhide. "This is a great decorative sconce for entries and hallways or dining rooms," says Sue Pipal, ASID interior designer and owner of Dragonfly Designs. "I love the contrast between the rustic materials and the charming styling." Dragonfly Designs, 475 N. Lake Blvd., #252, Tahoe City, (530) 583-6076