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The design, installation and control of lights
is one of the most important parts of a
homes design. Because it influences every
visual image we perceive. Lighting is now
recognized as an integral part of the
overall home design. Unfortunately most
lighting is still being installed by people with
little or no training in proper lighting
techniques.

N.J.E.S., takes great pride in fixture placement, starting with listening to the
customers needs and then taking the rooms shape and the tasks that will be
performed there into consideration. With lighting controls the home owner can
change the look in a room, or control the entire house both inside and out with
just a touch of a button. Instead of going from room to room at night to turn off
all the lights before bed, imagine turning everything off with the touch of one
button on the way to bed. Lighting will make a big difference in how you feel
about your home. Lighting can make a small room look open and airy, and a
large room appear cozy and inviting. It can create a stimulating atmosphere
for a night of entertaining, or a quiet feeling of relaxation after a long, tiring
day.
Whether you choose a traditional chandelier, the clean look of recessed
downlighting, or to accent your garden with landscape lighting, lighting does
make the difference in your home inside and out. Lighting influences the
appearance of every element within a space. Yet so many of us under-
estimates its importance. The process begins with wants and needs for proper
lighting. Choosing the right lighting is essential to acquiring your lighting
needs and wants.

General Lighting
Provides an area with overall illumination.
Also known as ambient lighting, general
lighting radiates a comfortable level of
brightness, enabling one to see and walk
about safely. It can be accomplished with
chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted
fixtures, recessed or track lights, and with
lanterns outside your home. A basic form
of lighting that replaces sunlight, general
lighting is fundamental to a lighting plan.

Task Lighting
Helps you perform specific tasks such
as reading, sewing, cooking, homework,
hobbies, games, or balancing your
checkbook. It can be provided by
recessed and track lighting, pendant
lighting, and portable lamps. Task
lighting should be free of distracting
glare and shadows and should be
bright enough to prevent eye strain.

Accent Lighting
It adds drama to a room by creating visual
interest. As part of a decorating scheme, it
is used to spotlight paintings, house
plants, sculpture, and other prized
possessions, or to highlight the texture of
a wall, drapery or outdoor landscaping.
Accent lighting requires at least three
times as much light on the focal point as
the general lighting around it. This usually
is provided by track, recessed, or
wall-mounted fixtures. There's also accent
lighting for many areas such as coves,
cornices, highlighting art, and more.

Front Entrance
Welcome your guests and
identify strangers with generous levels of light
at the front door. Use a lantern mounted 66"
above the bottom of the door or matching wall
mounts on both sides of the entrance.

Foyers and Hallways
Size the decorative fixture to the space. Two
story foyers will require a larger fixture. If the
fixture can be viewed from above, be sure to
select a foyer fixture which looks attractive
from second story viewing. Stairways and halls
must have good general lighting for safety.
Choose matching close-to-ceiling fixtures for
hallways and smaller chain hung fixtures for
stairways. For safety in hallways use lighting
fixtures every 8 to 10 feet. These can be wall
sconces, surface mounted or recessed ceiling
fixtures.

Kitchen
Decorative fluorescent fixtures
mounted in the center of a work space
is a common choice. Kitchens less
than 100 square feet require a two
lamp fluorescent, up to 250 square
feet will require supplemental lighting.
Downlights mounted 18" off the edge
of the cabinets, and spaced 3' to 4' on
centers is an excellent way to create
additional general lighting. Use
fluorescent or incandescent fixtures,
centered in the room, for general
illumination. For task, cabinet, and
toe-space lighting use,halogen strip
fixtures custom cut to length. Halogen
under cabinet lights or recessed
incandescent fixtures. Install a pendant
over dinette tables and island counters
for dining and task lighting.

Bath & Vanity
Lighting Areas over 100 square feet
require several recessed down lights
or decorative surface mounted fixtures.
Companion close-to-ceiling fixtures
help to supplement bath wall brackets
in larger bathrooms. Shadowless
abundant light levels are needed for
shaving, grooming and applying
make-up. Powerful, efficient new low
wattage lamps offer generous pure
white light. Mount fixtures on both
sides and the top of the mirror. Use a
ceiling fixture for generous overall
illumination. For an enclosed tub or
shower use a recessed or surface
mount approved for the specific
application.

Dining Area
A chandelier or pendant can be a
general lighting element, as well as a
focal point of the home. Recessed wall
washers can provide additional light
while helping to create an illusion of a
larger room space. A chandelier should
be 6" to 12" smaller than the narrowest
side of the table. The bottom of a
pendant or chandelier should be
approximately 30" above a table. Dining
room lighting should be both beautiful
and functional. This requires a mix of
general, task, and accent lighting that
can set the mood for a number of
functions, including a formal dinner, a
family get-together, and other activities
such as homework, hobbies, or family
bookkeeping.

Living Room Area
Recessed lighting is one of the
preferred ways to light a general area
because the light source is concealed.
Close to ceiling or decorative
florescent fixtures can provide ample
lighting. When designing a lighting
plan for a living room or family room,
you need to consider the variety of
activities that occur there. You'll want
to include general lighting for
entertaining and watching television,
task lighting for reading or sewing, and
accent lighting for artwork, plants, and
interesting architectural features.
Dimming controls are ideal for the
living room because they allow you to
design the lighting to suit each mood
and activity.

Bedroom Lighting
When lighting a bedroom, you will want
to create an overall atmosphere of
quiet relaxation, while providing some
bright spots for reading and other
activities. A combination of general
and task lighting that takes into
account the age and lifestyle of the
occupant(s) is needed. Remember,
dimming controls give you the flexibility
to vary the light to suit different moods
and activities.

Home Office
When lighting a home office, you will
want to create a comfortable
environment that is free of harsh
contrasts and distracting glare. You will
need task lighting for reading, writing,
and computer work, and general
lighting for the surrounding area. You
may also want to include accent
lighting for prized possessions.

Utility-Laundry areas
Need plenty of well-diffused general
lighting for sorting and pre-treating
laundry, measuring detergent, and
setting dials. A large ceiling fixture with
energy-efficient fluorescent tubes
should do the job (see light sources).
Warm white tones will provide the best
all-around color rendition.

Closet Lighting
Unless you're lighting a large walk-in
closet, lighting for these rooms is fairly
interchangeable. Tucked away behind
doors, closet lighting doesn't have to
flaunt or carry interior themes. But with
a little effort, you can add charm to an
often neglected space. Closet Lighting
has strict codes because of the
potential fire hazard. In walk-in closets,
we often use recessed fixtures but
have to follow the code to place them.
In smaller closets we like to use
fluorescent lights above the door.
Fluorescent lights do not expend any
heat; therefore, they do not present a
fire hazard.