House 
& Garden 
HOW 
TO BUY LIGHTING FI 
Some Notes on the Values to Look for and the Purposes and Places 
Lighting-New Designs and Their Application to Modern Rooms 
X T U R E S 
of Good 
E. H. GOODNOUGH 
t: 
This antique 
sconce of iron and 
gold has ivory 
drip candles and 
parchment or 
mica shields 
'HE practical as¬ 
pect of lighting 
fixtures is well worth 
consideration. In plan¬ 
ning the lighting of a 
new home, the arrange¬ 
ment should be care¬ 
fully thought out and 
a lighting specialist 
consulted, who will 
locate the various out¬ 
lets throughout the 
building. 
To insure the best 
illuminating results, 
the matter should be 
viewed from all angles, 
and the height of the 
ceiling as well as the 
color treatment of the various rooms should be 
taken into consideration before the final deci¬ 
sion. The extent of light diffusion is influ¬ 
enced to a great extent by the reflecting power 
of the surroundings. One must consider bal¬ 
ance and proportion that the rooms in question 
may retain their proper scale; in other words, 
each piece that may later be placed on the 
lighting outlets should become an integral part 
of the room. 
When selecting lighting fixtures, let your 
first thought be of practical value; without 
this quality all others will be void. In 
brief, avoid glaring effects, if you would enjoy 
your home. Subdued results may 
be secured by using lamps of high 
wattage, softening their brilliancy 
by the use of shades or shields of 
blended parchment silk or other 
materials. Don t place side outlets 
too near doors or window moldings. 
Do not place them on broad wall 
spaces, unless in stiles of paneled 
rooms. The use of suspended cen¬ 
tral fixtures in very low ceilings is 
not recommended; if light is desired 
here, use close groupings at ceiling. 
Place switches for convenient con¬ 
trol not behind doors or in awkward 
positions. Sufficient thought now 
will yield its full reward later on. 
Decorative Value 
Period lighting represents an 
attempt to reproduce completely a 
certain style of decoration. Definite 
period rooms are still attempted, 
but unless treated in a free spirit, 
they are frequently both uninterest¬ 
ing and unlivable. The decorative 
value of a lighting instrument lies 
in its complete ability to blend with 
its surroundings; it must be prac¬ 
tical, it must be well designed, pos¬ 
sess individuality of true merit. 
A lighting fixture must have decorative 
value if only because of the prominent posi¬ 
tion which it holds. Unconsciously the eye 
rests upon an object from which emanates 
light; if it be well designed, artistically per¬ 
fect, harmonious with its surroundings, it 
produces an impression of lasting charm. If 
Simple in outline, yet cor¬ 
rect in form, this wall 
sconce for bed chambers 
is finished in many colors 
of enamel, gold and silver 
An electrolier delicately fashioned 
and well proportioned is splendidly 
adapted for the country dining 
room, being made in combination 
colors to accord with decorations 
it be incorrect, a discordant note amid real 
beauty, the entire room is destroyed by its 
lack of harmony and intrinsic ugliness. 
We can perform better service in well 
lighted offices, with 
labor saving de¬ 
vices. Any family 
is happier and bet¬ 
ter for a congenial 
environment. Good 
lighting is the final 
touch, the added 
element that makes 
for real joy in liv¬ 
ing. Create a home, 
ever so beautiful, 
which omits this 
important feature, 
and your best ef- 
forts have been 
quite in vain. 
Your hall will 
reflect the dignity 
of your household, 
radiating the wel¬ 
come and good 
cheer within, if you 
use a pendant lan¬ 
tern filled with a 
glass cylinder, an 
inner candle group 
simulating real 
candles by the use 
of glowing electric 
bulbs. You may 
create restful effects in your 
living room by the use of 
screened wall sconces for 
general illumination and the 
always satisfying floor lamp 
for intimate work. 
The library should be 
Ftdl of character 
is this hall lantern 
in black and gold 
with cylinder of 
crystal 
your castle where 
peace and cathe¬ 
dral silence reign; 
a place where the 
family may revel 
in books or indulge 
in dreams, as may 
suit their moods. 
The adjustable 
standing lamp now 
comes into its own, 
shedding its warm 
glow throughout 
the room; giving 
all needful light, 
yet creating at the 
same timeadelight- 
f u 1 atmosphere. 
In the dining 
room the light of electric candles from wall 
or pendant fixtures, radiantly glowing under 
the soft influence of mellowed silken cover¬ 
ings, suggests contentment. For reception 
room and bedroom, dainty color schemes are 
now developed in enamel. Colors to harmonize 
with each room produce a most charming 
effect in wall sconces, the room’s most domi¬ 
nant note being adopted for a relief line 
and added color being frequently given by 
introducing hand painted flowers or other 
appropriate motives. A strong revival of the 
Italian spirit has produced lighting fixtures 
of crude wrought iron in color effects of nat¬ 
ural iron rusted, or combined 
with rusty gold. 
The Cost Estimate 
If it is necessary to con¬ 
sider expenditure, the 
amount should be definitely 
decided on before making 
selections of lighting fixtures. 
These may be included in the 
original building estimates, 
but do not be guided by 
your contractor at this stage. 
It is better to increase your 
appropriation here and re¬ 
duce it elsewhere. Eliminate 
from your purchases all use¬ 
less bric-a-brac; reduce the 
number of pieces of furni¬ 
ture, if need be, for these 
may be added at a later date; 
but do not economize on you re¬ 
lighting effects, for they are 
seldom replaced in the aver¬ 
age household. A badly 
designed, ill-proportioned, 
poorly finished lighting fix¬ 
ture is an abomination to 
every esthetic temperament, 
and should find no place in 
any home. Better suspend 
simple inoffensive cords from 
your ceilings (if your rooms 
be planned for this type of 
lighting) with quiet shades 
of glass or paper, than the 
usual commercial lighting 
monstrosities. 
A floor lamp of distinctive 
design, suitable for the liv¬ 
ing room. 
