DESIGN TIPS AND MORE / DAY 5 -- BARBARA BARRY

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Mood is everything and who wants to dine in bright light? 60 watts for the dining room.  I want it bright when reading, so 75 to 100 watts for the living room.  It's nice to have options--if you don't have dimmers, then have some variety from 40 to 100 watts, so you change the mood for the occasion.  The bathroom needs overhead as well as side lighting.  Keep the overhead to 75 watts, with 60 watts on each side.  The best lighting is at eye level, not overhead, which creates shadows.  And the best light is diffused light from a white or off-white lampshade.

Barbara Barry

(interviewed by Lisa Cregan for House Beautiful)