How do you light up your world?

From a technical stand point, the emergence of LED products has really opened the door to options for lighting cabinetry, built-ins and other accent areas of your home.  The key to getting it right, is to make sure the Kelvin rating is around 2700-3000K.  This will most emulate the warm white tones of incandescent lighting and blend best with fixtures that are not LED.  You may opt for a higher rating for task lighting, but be aware that unless all your fixtures (including your can lights) are LED, the light quality will have a noticeable difference when the fixtures are turned on together. 


The Edison bulb currently rules in Decorative lighting.  The trend of actually seeing the mechanics of the fixture is very popular with the bulb being center stage.  When using these fixtures, you may need to supplement the area with additional lighting.  The wattage is classified with the same rating as a standard incandescent, but most will warn that the application is for ambient light.  Sconces in the bath will not put off enough light to apply makeup and other bathroom tasks.  Inserting a can light or two will make up the difference, but as noted with the LED bulbs, they may produce 2 different light qualities that you may be sensitive to. 


From a design stand point, anything goes! No longer do we worry about all the finishes being the same.  Clusters of lights vs. a single large fixture also looks more interesting.  Some fixtures having clean lines, while others being a smidge rustic or industrial in the same setting will make your design interestingly eclectic.  So, use the lighting of your areas to set a mood and define your personal style!