INDOOR LIGHTING Brighten your life

No matter what your taste in lighting, you can find it for your home.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
These days, homeowners want more from their indoor lighting than just illumination.
Mike Madej of Bermann Electric in Boardman says indoor lighting is all about ambience.
"Ten years ago, it was more about function. Now it's all about creating a mood," Madej said.
One way to create a mood is to light a room without being able to see the light source.
Halogen fixtures mounted on the underside of kitchen cabinetry are an example of this trend.
"People like them because they are an inconspicuous, indirect light source that illuminates the countertops," Madej said.
Art Deloy, electricity specialist at Lowe's on Niles-Cortland Road, Warren, said small track lighting is another example of this trend.
"People are going for smaller, inconspicuous recessed lighting and small, low-voltage track lighting. Recessed 4-inch lighting is very popular in kitchens and bathrooms, and the low-voltage track lighting is very cost efficient," Deloy said.
Lights that will go where no light has gone before are also a popular trend.
Indoor rope lighting is a favorite because it allows the homeowner to get creative and illuminate unexpected areas.
"You can use indoor rope lighting along the stairway or around a bar, anywhere that is unique or unexpected. It's also popular in basements because the light bulbs are enclosed in a clear, vinyl hose and are safer around water than other types of lighting," Deloy said.
Bendable track lighting is another type of lighting that will brighten unlikely places.
"Instead of 90-degree angles, you can contour this type of lighting into gradual waves and shed light into almost any area. It comes in a low-voltage, contemporary style," Deloy said.
Various styles
And homeowners just can't get enough of contemporary styles.
"Platinum, pewter, chrome and alabaster glass -- these are hot items right now. It's a clean, contemporary look," Deloy said.
Mixing and matching is hot too.
"People are choosing lamps that are the same color but are different shapes, or buying a few lamp bases that are alike and using different shades on them," Deloy said. "The idea is to have items that are alike but also slightly different."
Other folks want exact matches.
Madej said many people want to match their lighting fixtures with other fixtures in their room, such as towel bars, mirrors or picture holders.
"It's still popular to buy a lighting fixture that matches the rest of the fixtures in the room," Madej said.
Wrought iron is a top choice for coordinates.
"Lots of people want wrought iron, and our wrought iron floor lamps and table lamps are big sellers," Deloy said.
Classical touches
Classics such as crystal chandeliers and stained-glass, Tiffany-style lamps also sell well, according to both Deloy and Madej.
"Crystal chandeliers are popular in big foyers, and the Tiffany-style lamps are classics," Deloy said.
Madej said that since people are building larger homes, they sometimes want king-sized floor and table lamps to compliment the sprawling square footage.
"Sometimes larger-sized lamps help balance out the bigger rooms," Madej said.
People who own large homes also sometimes want whole house lighting systems that are set to timers.
"This is known as zone lighting, and it is popular in very big, expensive homes," Madej said.
Zone lighting costs thousands of dollars and is typically installed in new construction by a professional electrician.
With zone lighting, lights can be set on various timers to a desired level of brightness.