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Design Update By Janice Costa ALA Provides Tips for Lighting Kitchens & Baths The best lighting strategies include multiple sources of light that take into consideration not just the aesthetics of the space but how the room will be used. KITCHEN LIGHTING ⊕ When using recessed lighting, plan the lighting around the perimeter of the kitchen, approximately 30" away from the wall. ⊕ For over the sink or range, recessed downlights assure even illumination. Square downlights provide a Photo: Ken Pamatat - Creative Images Photography stylish alternative to the traditional round ones. ⊕ Undercabinet lighting – including slim, energy-efcient fuorescents, miniature track lights and low-voltage linear systems – can be used to illuminate countertops. To provide even distribution of light on the countertop surface, undercabinet fxtures should be installed at the front of the cabinet. A dimmer switch allows for enhanced energy efciency, along with difering levels of light that can add depth and dramatic impact. ⊕ For pendant lights over an island or breakfast bar, the ALA recommends mounting each pendant so that the bottom of the shade is approximately 66" above the foor, making it possible to look across the room below the pendants. If the shades are not very deep and there is seating at the kitchen island or peninsula, the pendants can be installed a few inches lower (60" above the foor). The ALA suggests installing one pendant for every two feet of counter space, using an odd number of pendants to create better balance. If the pendants are extremely narrow, additional fxtures may be necessary to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look. BATH LIGHTING ⊕ In the bathroom, l ight i ng t he g rooming station properly is critically important. For lighting around smaller mirrors, the ALA notes that "decorative wall fxtures placed on each side of the mirror will provide the even, shadow-free facial illumination necessary for daily grooming tasks. For best results, Dramatic accent lighting gives mount fxtures at least 28" a powder room plenty of apart and 60" of the foor." punch in this design by Diane With larger mirrors, a strip Plesset, CMKBD, NCIDQ, CAPS of horizontal vanity lights of D.P. Design. can be mounted above the mirror; the ALA recommends installing this 78" from the foor. ⊕ Toe kick lighting provides added safety for middleof-the-night bathroom trips, and can be especially helpful for those who are visually challenged. ⊕ In the shower/tub area, recessed downlights with shielded fxtures will provide appropriate illumination while protecting reclining bathers from glare. ⊕ Dimmer switches can be used not only to provide ambiance, but to enhance comfort for multiple users with difering light sensitivities. ⊕ Bulb colors can also impact the way light works with the rest of the design, so don't be afraid to experiment! For more lighting tips, visit the ALA Web site at www. americanlightingassoc.com. Photo: Stickley Photography W hen it comes to planning lighting strategy for a kitchen or bath project, it's important to look at both the overall (general) lighting plan, as well as specifc areas where task lighting is needed and places where accent lighting can be incorporated to add a touch of drama. According to the Dallas, TX-based American Lighting Association, general lighting can best be accomplished with a mix of chandeliers, ceiling fxtures, recessed or track lighting. Task lighting, on the other hand, should focus on specifc areas where extra light is needed, such as cooking areas (in the kitchen) or grooming areas (in the bath). In the kitchen, task lighting should take into consideration what functions the homeowners perform in the space, including cooking and food prep, homework, hobbies, bill paying, computer work, etc. While the vanity area is the most obvious place where task lighting is specifed in the bathroom, it's important to look at all of the bath functions to see where else task lighting might be needed (i.e. in the shower, where tasks such as shaving, reading shampoo bottles, etc., may require additional lighting). Separate toilet compartments can also beneft from task lighting to facilitate reading. In this kitchen designed by While general and task Amy Kruger of Bryce & Doyle lighting are critical to the Craftsmanship, accent lighting functionality of the space, transforms the bookcase/ accent lighting is all about display shelf into a striking playing up specifc aspects focal point. of the design. Accent lighting can help to defne the focal point, whether it's a dramatic tile mural backsplash, a striking range hood or a beautiful stone shower alcove. According to the ALA, "To be efective, accent lighting requires as least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting surrounding it." The latest LED lights also ofer a host of fexible and energy-efcient options to provide accent lighting with "wow power," from underlit countertop designs to dramatic lighting efects in the shower. To maximize the effect of your lighting plan, the American Lighting Association ofers the following tips. In a minute April 2013 ForResidentialPros.com | A bathroom becomes a more special place because of Geberit. More roomy. More aesthetic. Just more. Geberit installation technology is securely located behind the wall. Where it should be. Spend all the extra minutes you want, as long as you know Geberit is behind the wall. Call 866/787-3924 for your designer's kit or visit → geberitnow.com. 29 Circle No. 20 on Product Card