272 
HOUSE AND GARDEN 
April. 1913 
transmitted light within the bowl to accentuate such 
elements of beauty as are inherently within the 
structure of the glass itself. This may be ac¬ 
complished by utilizing the reflectors previously 
described, with secondary illuminants of low in¬ 
tensity, placed to diffuse, illuminate and express the 
character of the glassware. 
It is to be regretted that electric illuminants may 
not be so conveniently regulated as gas. The satis¬ 
faction of turning a lamp up, or down, gradually, 
in perfect harmony with one's various wishes, is 
very great. True, there is an electrical attachment 
on the market which accomplishes this in a way, 
but the various gradations are too abruptly marked, 
and its application is limited. To those who ap¬ 
preciate the ability to control electric light in the 
home, with the same facility as gas, the use of 
■“dimmers" such as 
are used in producing 
theatrical effects, are 
recommended. These 
are obtainable in vari¬ 
ous sizes, and may be 
placed on the wall 
near the point of con¬ 
trol or switch. Very 
often they may be 
concealed at the side 
of a piano or behind 
a large picture frame. 
They consist of a 
resistance wire im¬ 
bedded in fire-proof 
material and contact 
with the wall is pre¬ 
vented by projecting 
arms, which serve to 
hold them in place. 
Any intelligent elec¬ 
trician will know how 
to install them in ac¬ 
cordance with the 
regulations of the 
Board of Fire Under¬ 
writers. 
In decorative touch¬ 
es of light, the small 
electric lamps offer a 
ready means of at¬ 
taining many pleasing 
effects. Perhaps the 
best way is to use 
what is known as a 
transformer, which 
cuts down the regular 
comm^rcial voltage 
suppliecl at one hun¬ 
dred and ten volts to 
six or eight volts. 
This voltage involves 
no fire risk, conse¬ 
quently small silk- 
covered wires of the 
same color as the wall 
paper can be readily 
Concealed and distrib- A sectional diagram showing method 
uted without difficulty slolTo?iJ?L Z Z 7 , 
Fig. 3.—A possible indi¬ 
rect lighting unit 
1 he glass bowl with a cluster of lights inside shows a faulty attempt at indirect lighting. 
A powerful reflector should be placed in the bowl throwing all the light on the ceiling. 
Small auxiliary lights beneath this would bring out the beauty of the glassware 
Key for both drawings: i. narrow molding; 2, 
blue gelatine film; 3. tubular lamp; 4. curved 
reflector; 5. supporting moldings; 6. lattice; 
7. artificial ceiling, deep blue; 8. supporting moldings; 
9. urn and pedestal, with light to shine on flowers (e); 
a. lamp; b. reflector; c. support . 
or expense. When the main switch is open, no 
electricity can pass through the transformer, and 
the lighting of the small lamps, of course, denotes 
that the switch is closed — hence they constitute their 
own danger signal. In concealing these small bulbs 
within vases, to give life to a sprig of blossoms 
therein, small reflectors of white asbestos, funnel- 
shaped, may be easily made. 
Be sure that the light radiating portion of the 
lamp lies well within the reflector, else its re¬ 
directing powers will be nil. A touch of light on 
the dial of an old clock, the beautifying of a picture, 
as described in previous articles — the glow of an 
open hearth, and other and innumerable touches of 
light — used as an artist would apply his brush to a 
painting—are only limited by the imagination and 
artistic perception of the individual, which is 
measured, incidental¬ 
ly, by the finished ap¬ 
pearance of his work. 
And now, a word 
as to those who are 
not users of either 
public service sup¬ 
plied gas or electric 
light — and their name 
is legion, covering the 
independent systems 
which may be em¬ 
ployed. 
It need not be un¬ 
derstood from what 
has been said in the 
foregoing articles 
that these methods of 
using light are only 
available in regions 
where gas or electric¬ 
ity are supplied by 
some public service 
corporation. The 
home in the distant 
rural district or the 
far away cottage at 
seashore or mountain 
may receive all the 
benefits of good light¬ 
ing, for while there 
may not be the city 
supply, there may be 
substituted the in¬ 
dependent system, in¬ 
stalled and operated 
by the owner. It must 
not be thought that 
the private lighting 
plant is a heavy ex¬ 
pense or a great an¬ 
noyance to look after, 
or that it is responsi¬ 
ble for fires, for so far has 
the progress of manufacture 
proceeded that there are upon 
the market a number of gen¬ 
erators safe, moderate priced 
and practically automatic. 
(Continued on page 342) 
