INTERIOR LIGHTING 10-45

Shape, size, and density of bowl are important. For noncritical seeing
tasks, table lamps 19 to 24 inches high equipped with two adjustable
sockets for GO-watt incandescent lamps are satisfactory. Inner bowls
should not be used in dressing-table lamps.
Shades for
portable luminaires. Shade linings should be white, ivory, or
a very pale tint. Slant-sided shades aid in spreading light over a wider
area. Shades for floor and table types which utilize fluorescent lamps
can be reduced in depth, and may therefore have desirable large lower
diameters without appearing too heavy and out of proportion in a small
room. Open-top shades produce interesting highlights on pictures and
walls and provide a more uniform distribution of light. A disk of shallow
louvers or of silk or plastic attached to the upper ring is often necessary to
shield the lamp's "mechanics" from the view of standing observers. The
transmittance and reflectance of shade materials should be balanced with
the brightness of the lamps used so that the luminaire will blend with the
surround brightness.
Placement
of
portable luminaires. All portables should be placed close
to whatever is to be seen. Most of those centered on a large table serve
only for decoration. The type (floor, table, or wall) selected for a given
grouping should be the one which brings the light source nearest the user.
Swivel and extension arms are advantageous, especially at large desks,
sewing tables, and broad-armed chairs.
Luminaires used for sewing, writing, or other handwork should be placed
on the side opposite the hand used so that the hand will not cast its shadow
over the work. Shadows are minimized by diffusing bowls or fluorescent
lamps and when a fixed ceiling luminaire is used in conjunction with the
portables.
Floor lamps usually should be placed toward the rear of the chair or
davenport for which they are selected, so that a seated person does not
view the under part of the shade. Luminaires should not be placed directly
in front or behind a person. Secretary and other tilt-top desks require a
floor typeeither the small-scale bridge or larger swivel types, depending
on the desk size.
Davenports placed flat against a wall with no tables to accomodate
portables are served best by floor types of the shorter dimensions given.
Swivel-arm, floor-type portables serve spinet and miniature pianos, though
a taller floor type placed close to the keyboard is better for upright or
grand pianos.
Dressing-table luminaires should be placed about 30 inches apart.
Shades should be near white and at face height. Wall luminaires mounted
over beds should be not more than 26 inches above the mattress top.
Torcheres do not give sufficient downlighting for critical seeing. They
serve best for soft background lighting, especially in halls, dining rooms,
and game rooms.
A balanced arrangement of luminaires within a room usually is pleasing.