;

for

Idea,s

Brigh"t

AII,CI{ITECTURAI,
LIGTil,TII\IG
Trends

in Lighting for the Horne

From

SYLIANIA
RESII}
g

NTIAL TIGHT'ING

DH PARTE{ENT

BRIGHT IDEAS FOR ARCHITECTURAL TIGHTING

By Jan Reynolds
Sylvania Residential Lighting and Color Consultant

Architectural (or built-in) lighting can be both functional and decorative. You can apply
any room or area in a home, and The activities to be carried on in
a

it to almost

to any type of

architecture.
as

room or area, as well

its design and decoration, determine just what

type of built-in lighting should be installed. Naturally architectural or custom-designed lighting can be applied to existing homes. But when building a new home, much time and money can be saved, structural lighting is planned during the blueprint stage.

if

such

STALL

AND \flINDO T LIGHTING FROM VALANCES

Lighted walls and windows in interiors

brighten" areas, which during evening hours or dreary days would otherwise appear dark and unimporrant. Such illuminated sections of dining, living or bedrooms create a touch of
entertaining.

traditional or contemporary

are one way

to "lighten

and

By using properly lighted wall and window areas, a room

seems

to apper more spacious, because

these lighted

areas seem

to move away from you visually. So you can

virtually change the shape and size of a room by the

proper use of lighted valances over windows or across an entire window wall

draperies. These valances can be open at the top and bottom

bringing out too, the full beauty of

or they

providing both upward and downward lighting

can be closed at the top, providing only downward lighting.

A valance is

horizontal strip, made of wood, metal or plastic, which is mounted acfoss a wall or win-

dow area. Ir can be painted or covered with fabric, wallpaper, glass or mirror, depending on personal
preference and the design of the interior. This valance can then be used

to conceal lighting units wood, the edge of and walls. The bottom illuminate draperies which incandescent fluorescenr or plastic or meral valance faceboard may be straight, scalloped, etc. to suit particular tastes. If a metal

valance board is used, it may even be perforated to add sparkle. The inside of any valance strip, however,

should be painted a flat white to obtain maximum light reflection.

Certain factors should be considered when installing valances. In most cases, valance boards should be
at least 48" long over window areas.

It's a good idea to extend the valance strip 6" beyond the window
and makes the window

frame on each side

dow frame. This allows more natural daylight to enter through the glass arca appear larger.

and mount draperies panLy on the wall, instead of exactly to the edge of the win-

A wall-to-wall valance is recommended if

there is less than 12" from the edge

of the

valance board to the adjacent walls. Also, a more attractive effect results,

if the draperies (with wall-to-

wall valance) are extended to the ends of the wall area.

A minimum of 6" should be allowed for the depth of a valance (top to bottom measurement). However,8",lo" or 72" depths
are often preferred as the length

of the valance increases, and

when ceiling heights are 8' or more. At least 6" from the wall to the inside of the valance board should be allowed, to permit use

of

draperies and

to allow for relamping of lighting

fixtures.

If

heavy, bulky draperies are used, then 8" to 9"

must be provided between the wall and the valance board.

OPEN TOP VALANCE

A wall or bracket
GLA33 OR

valance is especially atftactive when used

for lighting over a desk, bed, kitchen ftnge

picture. Over
be

a desk, the bottom edge of the valance board should

mounted approximately 75" from the desk top. Over a bed,

it should be )o" from the mattress top. Over a range it should

be about 58" from the floor. WAIL
OR, BR,ACKET YALANCES

Component parts needed:

1.

A commercial single-lamp channel (wired) of baked white enamel, complete with

ballast. Or a wiring channel complete with white lampholders and the ballast re-

motely mounted in a nearby closet, attic or basement where easily accessible

(this recommended where space is limited).
2.

Shielding material or board to blend with architecture and design of interior

side painted matte white for maximum reflectance.

in-

3.

Fluorescent tubes

24" to 48" depending upon requirements. Or lumiline

candescent tubes and holders.

Mounting suggestions:

1. If open-top valances are used, they should

the ceiling which will result
prescribed

72" from the ceiling line to produce a more pleasing effect, and to eliminate a "bright line of light" on
be placed at least

if the lighting unit is closer to the ceiling than the

are finished

L2'. NOTE; If walls and ceiling

in very light colors, the

operi-top valance may be used as low as 10" from the ceiling line.

2.

The metal channel should be at least LYz" to 2" away from the wall to allow sufficient space for draperies, so mount channel on wood blocks (or continuous block1

l1 *x,:#.'
3.

:J,:xffi [:#. f###ffi

nn

::::

1l

of the light source is at least 2" infrontof the drapery heading. The top of the light tube should be just below the top edge of the valance board.
The wiring channel may be plugged into the nearest convenience outlet, and should
have its own separate manual switch, or should be connected

to a wall switch.

::"

":ffiffiffi:;;.:ffTjff:.::1;
(See last page

ff;::T::::acke'fs'

for Basic Lamps and Fixtures.)

\TALL AND \rINDO$T LIGHTING FROM CORNICES

S7hile valance lighting can produce direct or indirect illumination, or a combination of both, lighting

ftom a cornice is only direct.

A cornice is a horizontal member of plaster, wooC or metal which is attached to the ceiling

6" to 8" away ftom the wall. lfhen lighting equipment is concealed in back of such "wash" of light results on the vertical wall, drapery or window surface. This use
of vertical surfaces to reflect light into a room ot
arca

a cornice, a direct

usually

is one way

of creating more luminous surroundings.

These lighted cornices can be designed for any interior

traditional or contempoftty

lighten up a window or wall area. The downward lighting from such cornices provides a dramatic effect on brick,
stone, fabric or any textured walls.

to brighten up or

It

emphasizes color,

texture and detail, and yet also provides a good general background of lighting for any room in the house. Because of the "directness" of this light, cornices seem to "heighten"
a room

and consequently are recommended for

low-ceilinged rooms. However, additional lighting from portable lamps, valances or wall units should

be provided, since only downward illumination can be distracting, and often harsh and unattractive.

The faceboard of the cornice may be opaque, painted or covered with fabric or wallpaper; perforated metal,
squared

it may be of

or of a translucent material. The bottom edge may be straight, curved, fluted or off, so that it blends in with the general decorating scheme of the room or area.

When installing cornice boards, be sure they are mounted at least 6" out from the wall, and that the

lighting unit is attached to the ceiling

I
space

as close

to the inside of the cornice as possible, yet with enough

to allow for re-lamping. The center of the light source should be at

Il

Ieast

4" from the wall. The minimum depth of the board should be 6"
CEILING

and this only when a single row of small wiring channel is used

(with ballast located remotely in a closet, basement or nearby

cabinet, in the case

of fluorescent units). If the standard

fluorescent single lamp unit is used (with the ballast included

in the fixture), then the board depth should be at least 8". Of course, the farther
auray from the wall the

lighting unit

is located, the better and more even the light spread

will

be,

<-6" MrN.-+

and the more nearly uniform the brightness becomes from

the ceiling to the floor. Nevertheless, some difference in wall

area brightness

is desirable, since a compietely uniform

COR.ilICE INSTATLATIOT{

area

may Pfove monotonous.

If the light

sources themselves are visible from certain viewing angles, because

of the actual location

and dimension of the cornice board, then an extra

used at the lower edge

"lip", louver or some shielding medium should be

of the cornice board.

Sometimes because the ceiling line may not be exactly even, or the cornice faceboard may be a limle uneven, a light leak between the ceiling and the faceboard top may result. To avoid this light leak, use
a narrow, decorative

molding in front of, and at the top of the cornice board. Or the cornice board itself ^

may be fastened to

l"

x 1" wood strip which

has already been mounted on the ceiling. (See last page

for Basic Lamps and Fixtures)

COVE LIGHTING Another method of producing indirect or direct-indirect illumination in an interior is to use a cove,

which is an architectural element mounted to an upper wall, in back of which are concealed light
sources. This cove may be constructed

plastics, but so designed and scaled

of wood, plaster, metal or even some of the newer extruded as to conform with the general decoration of an interior.

A cove may be used on a single wall, two walls or on all four walls of a room to provide moderate levels of general illumination. But in
most instances, coves on two opposite walls prove more pleasing. While lighting from coves is soft and very pleasing, it tends to
become monotonous unless there is other

lighting to

create

highlights, contrast and interest. Any other type of

supplementary lighting may be used table and floor lamps, recessed spots or floods, etc. As the dimensions of a room

portable wall,

ot area increase, there is

a yery definite sense of darkness in the center of the ceiling, in contrast to the higher brightness on the ceiling
closer

to the cove. If walls

are more

than 18/ apart, it is

usually found impractical to use coves.

in the dimensions and installation of coves, in order to be truly effective from a lighting standpoint. The light sources themselves should be at least 10" to 12" down from the ceiling, and when this distance can be greater (I5" to 18" with above-average ceiling heights), the light distribuCare should be taken

tion on the ceiling is much improved. If the center of the light source is placed so that it is at least 4Yz" away from the wall, the excessive wall brightness will be eliminated. It's important to locate light
sources high

in the cove

of the cove. If top lip of cove is lower than the lighting tube,
the tube will be visible from more distant parts of the room.

that is, exactly in line with the top lip CEILING

If cove lip is higher than tube, it

on the ceiling close to the wall.

causes sharp cut-off

of light

Matte finish paints or papers should be used on ceilings

rather than rough or swirl plaster or metallic finishes when

lighted coves are installed, so that a smooth, even effect

results. This type of lighting

will emphasize any cracks, thus making spots or other imperfections in the ceiling

tNStoE OF COVE PAINTED l,vHIIE

it

essential to have as nearly perfect a ceiling finish

as possible.

When the lampholders (sockets) of tubular sources are butted together, end to end, an even continuous line of light results. The interior finish of the cove itself and the wiring channel should be white in order to provide the maximum efficiency. Design of the cove should completely shield light sources
and lighting fixtures so they are not visible from any normal viewing position.
(See last page

for Basic Lamps and Fixtures)

LIGHT SOURCE HINTS FOR BUILT-IN LIGHTING APPLICATIONS

While incandescent lumiline lamps are sometimes used in installations such as these, fluorescent sources
usually are preferred because of their eficiency, variety of length, long life and color qualiry. The incan-

to install, but they produce a yellowishwhite effect, raiher reminiscent of candlelight. But with the eight "white" fluorescent sources, there is a much better choice of color, so that almost any effect may be created. The following "whites" are
descent lumiline tubes are less expensive and perhaps easier

most commonly recommended for residential use: Natural S(hite, Deluxe Iilarm White and Super depending upon the atmosphere or effect desired. Also, these particular "whites" Deluxe Cool White
are flattering

to complexions

as

well as to most of the colors of today's home furnishings. However,

the final color selection is up to the individual. While there are a variety of fluorescent tubes the most popular and probably most practical are the rapid
starr or preheat types. The preheat types come in sizes from 14 watts to 40 watts, and the rapid start in

the 20 watr and 40 watt sizes.

Do use the least number of tubes for

a given

space-that is, if you have 75feet of wall

area, use four

4o watt (4s") tubes and not eight zo watt (24") tubes. Do mount them end to end

lamp socket ends together, so as not to leave a space where a streak of darkness would occur. Use white

that is, butt the

-r

lampholders.

If

possible, use a tandem type channel where the sockets are back to back.

lfhen

space

permits, and you can use two rows of lighting fixtures, shadows can be avoided by staggering the two rows of fixtures. The 40 watt rapid start fluorescent tube can be dimmed, ballast. This means of light control makes trician.

if

used with a special rapid start dimming

it

possible to create any light level desired. Small quite

compact dimming equipment is now available which can be easily installed in a wall outlet by an elec-

NOTE; Tbe 74 warr, 15 watt,20 watt and

30 watt rubes

of the trigger start type, may also be dimmed

by special ballasts, but check your electrician or utility company before installing these smaller tubes.
Remember too, that only fluorescent tubes

of the

same wattage may be used on the same dimming

circuit

and you cannot use fluorescent and incandescent

light

sources on the same dimming control.

BASIC LAMPS AND FIXTURES FOR BUILT-IN TIGHTING

sYtvANlA

INCANDESCENT LUMltlNE LAMP5.

In 30'

40

and 60 watt sizes

113,4

and 17/a inches long.

STANDARD FIXTURE FOR tUMltlNE LAMPS. Allows lamp placement in a continuous row, with sockets end-to-end

to cornice lighting.

achieve any necessary length for valance' cove or

Start and Slimline Instant

SYIVANIA FTUORESCENT tAMPs. In 14 to 90 watt sizes in Standard Start, Rapid 15 to 96 inches long

SYTVANIA STRIP FIXTURE FOR FTUOREsCENT tAMPS. DEsigned especially for small-space areas. Channel ends

Start types. Also in min6 to 2l inches long

iature series, 4 to 13 watts use where space is at a premium.

to

may be knocked out for continuous wiring with lamps end-to-end in a single row to obtain any length needed for valance, cove or cornice use. In t9rrl to 4911 inch and'in 4911 lengths for 15 to 40 watt Preheat lamps inch length only for 40 watt Rapid Start lamps.