No_2_April_and_May__1939 — Page 13

"By the courtesy of the General Electric Co. of China, Ltd., 2, Queen's Building, Hongkong, we are now able to reproduce a further article on "Modern Elec- tric Lighting for the Home" prepared by the British Empire Lighting Service Bureau of Lon- don. The first article on this subject appeared in our issue of January last."

(Right) The chief point in the room on the right is the lighted fire surround. Coloured lamps, to harmonise with the decora- tions, are concealed behind the heat reflector, casting their light onto a matt metal background.

(Below) Modern interior deco- rators to-day treat light as an integral part of their schemes. The mirror glass dining table has a panel of light in the centre, lighting is concealed behind a projection of the wall and the picture has its own illumination.

Hong Kong Builder

HOME LIGHTING

THE DINING ROOM

Where the dining room is used exclusively for meals the dining table is the centre of interest, therefore the lighting should be arranged immediately over the table or actually on the table itself, with some supplementary lighting for the rest of the room to avoid too great a contrast when looking about.

The general lighting of the room depends to a great extent on the style of decoration, but in every case it should be borne in mind that the comfort of those seated

at the table is of cardinal importance, and for this reason the light should be soft, well-shaded, and free from glare or harsh shadows. To assist in avoiding the latter, pearl, opal, or flame-sprayed lamps may be used, while additional lighting can be provided by decorative wall brackets which can be artistic features in themselves and assist the general scheme of decoration.

There is a wide range of fittings from which to choose, but in most cases pendant fittings are preferred cver the dining table. However, the modern tendency in interior decoration is to dispose of these and substitute for them table standards or floor standards. This is a good idea because should the room be used at any time as a sitting room, this form of lighting is then of greater use than a fixed ceiling fitting. Many people favour architectural or built-in lighting in their dining rooms, particularly where this room is used for no other purpose, for then a sympathetic general illumination is produced all over the room. Dining tables themselves are frequently illuminated by a panel of light actually inserted in the table top; the wattage need not be high and the effect is remarkably attractive.

THE KITCHEN

The kitchen is the workshop of the home, the room where the important task of preparing and cooking food for the entire household is performed. Not only this, but various other domestic tasks of an exacting nature take place here, and for these reasons it is most important that the lighting should be of the highest utility value. For general lighting, clear lamps in open fittings should be avoided in every case as they create glare and dense shadows, and it is almost impossible for anyone to work in the room without "being in their own light."

The ideal form of kitchen lighting is a fitting of the totally enclosed type, consisting of a white diffusing glass globe secured to the ceiling by means of a porcelain or metal gallery in whatever finish is suitable to the room. If the ceiling is high a suspension rod can be employed.

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