The big bad light and other tales
First, let me start by saying, that this post will offer little to no new information to most. It’s not a guide or a collection of tips. If you are looking for that, check out this video: all you need to know.
That being said, if you want to hear my journey of defeating awful lighting and saving the big light from the hands of bad design, then keep on reading.
This tale (as so many others) begins in my childhood. My mother preferred harsh overhead lighting, and when i say “harsh” i mean fluorescent, 7000K, hospital lighting. Throw in the occasionally mismatched lightbulbs, spooky flickering and little to no alternatives and you have successfully recreated the vibe of an interrogation room (sorry mom).
When i finally got creative control over my lighting options, i overcompensated with the warmest bulbs i could find, not really paying any attention to the lumens (aka. the brightness) and let me tell you, the cave ambience is also not one that will help with your mood. I also have to mention that being very unexperienced with putting together (i didn’t dare to say “design”) a room, i opted for exposed lightbulbs all over the space - those trendy Eddison style ones, which meant that the room stayed dark and i was constantly forced to stare into the light. Until i couldn’t take it anymore.
I started getting alternative sources of light, and stratigically picking and choosing how bright i want them to be. After dressing up my lightbulbs and considering the luminosity together with the temperature, is when things finally clicked for me and suddenly i didn’t need therapy anymore (this is a joke, not advice :) ).
Having to turn on and off ten tiny lamps every day tho, forced me to fix the big problem. The big light. Putting all my learnings together, i started searching for big light options that would:
Have a shade, to diffuse and or manipulate the light in a way the space needs it.
Be warm AND also bright
(Some lamps have built-in LED sources, but the same consideration applies to the bulb selection).
Give me the freedom to place them where I want and not where the builders decided it should be.
Fit within the design/aesthetics of our home.
If you want to see the result, you can check out this reel i made about it: here
