This whimsical table lamp adds light and color to a casual room.

It’s that time of year again—this weekend we turn back our clocks and get ready for darkness. Well, that sounds a little gloomy, but if your family is like mine, the winter months are a bit of a downer because we enjoy being at the beach and doing outdoorsy things, which is difficult to do when it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon.

The good news is it’s time to turn on the lights! Yes, the silver lining of those early nights is we get to showcase our lamps, pendants and chandeliers. And if you’ve been to decorator shows or stores like Restoration Hardware lately, you know lighting has taken a fun and crazy turn. I’ve even gone a little wild with the light decoration ideas I’ve implemented for my own home remodel (more on that in another blog post). They’re funky—and I love them!

Some of the new lighting you might see are fixtures with pulleys and upside-down baskets. Chandeliers have gone from traditional to everything-goes—including pillar candles, orbs and even birdcages (no Tweeties allowed, though!). Kitchens are getting metal pendants with chalkboards on them that you can write on. Meanwhile, table lamps have unusual stands, such as tripods or vintage bottles.

Inspired by the work of 19th-century experimental physicist Léon Foucault, this Twin-Orb Iron Chandelier is reminiscent of a gyroscope.

Now, don’t get so caught up in these cool fixtures that you forget their purpose, and that is to light your rooms so you can see, especially on these darker days. Keep in mind how many watts your circuits can handle as you purchase lighting. It’s best to go as bright as you can and install dimmer switches that allow you to set the mood you want.

Many California tract homes don’t have ceiling lights, so consider adding recessed lighting, especially in your family room and hallways. It can be an unwanted expense to install new lighting but it also might encourage you to use a room more if you have better visibility in it.

Once you have good overall lighting, use table lamps and floor lamps as accents. Also incorporate chandeliers, perhaps in unexpected places such as your powder room or a nursery.

The bottom line is you really can’t have enough lighting. If you layer it by installing ceiling fixtures and then scattering decorative smaller lamps, the effect will enhance your home as well as make it more useful. Until our all-day sunshine returns in a few months! Please contact us at Tracy Lynn Studio if we can help with lighting or any of your decorating needs.