Eatdrink #44 November/December 2013

№ 44 | November/December 2013 www.eatdrink.ca 29
the eye to a piece of art or to highlight a
focal point, for example an architectural
feature in an older home.
Accent lighting can add drama to a
space. “By illuminating the top of the
kitchen cabinets, adding under-counter
lighting or hanging a coloured pendant
over the kitchen island, you can create
islands of light that bring the grain of the
wood, the print of the wallpaper or the
colour of a wall to life,” says Rouse.
When working with a lighting consultant,
it is best to bring a floor plan that is drawn
to scale, with the layout of cabinetry and
existing electrical, and also to know the
ceiling height. “It is important to plan your
lighting even earlier than other decorating
ideas, because there are frequently decisions
that need to be made relative to the location
and type of electrical outlet installation
during construction,” says Rouse.
Each light will have its own switch and
often its own dimmer, enabling you have
light where and when you need it, and at
the proper level of illumination. Rouse
calls dimmers an inexpensive trick of the
trade. They can be manipulated to create
dimension or to set a special mood.
Once you have an idea of where you want
to have lighting, you will need to decide
on what kinds of fixtures to install. Do you
want mini-pendants or one large fixture
over the kitchen island? A chandelier or a
cluster of pendants over the table? Are you
interested in a decorative piece that will
make a design statement? Do recessed cans
for general lighting appeal to you?
One of the quickest and easiest ways to
update a kitchen is to use drum-shaped
hanging fixtures. The transitional design
provides clean lines and is like a chameleon
A cluster of pendant lights and a collection of candles
augment a space blessed with abundant natural light
that adapts comfortably to traditional,
modern or contemporary décor, says Rouse.
“Whether you decide to go with recessed
cans, lamps, chandeliers or pendants,
decorative lighting is probably the most
important accessory you can buy,” says
Rouse. Choosing unique, artistic fixtures
is one of the major trends that Rouse has
noticed. People are opting for clean and sleek
but upscale, with brushed brass, oil rubbed
bronze and satin nickel as popular finishes.
“Mini-pendants placed over islands
are being replaced with larger decorative
accents, and they frequently match or at
least compliment the chandelier in the
dining room, particularly if the rooms are
close together,” says Rouse. The threependant
configuration is disappearing,
with a move to either larger and fewer
(one or two, depending on the size of the
island) or to a cluster of smaller but more
pendants together.
Another trend Rouse notes is towards more
energy efficient lighting choices. “These days
people are greener than ever before. Lighting
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