By Sebastian Conran and Mark Bond
How many ways can one really dress up a light bulb? And what does it matter so long as the light works? Masters of contemporary design Sebastian Conran and Mark Bond believe lighting style to be essential to the atmosphere of a room.
In their book, Contemporary Lighting, the two combine forces to provide a guide for readers to make the right decisions about illuminating their modern spaces. The book provides something deeper than step-by-step instructions: it begins with an introduction reminding the reader of the natural significance of light in day-to-day life, followed by a brief history of lighting. The next section includes an easy to read key with large, numbered photographs of various light bulbs. Conran and Bond then define the seven types of lighting: ambient lighting, downlighting, uplighting, spot lighting, candle lighting, task lighting, and occasional lighting, each presented with a one-page description and full-page photograph examples.
By the time readers reach page 40, they will be ready to begin making necessary lighting decisions. In the predominantly photographic section titled Material Lighting, readers are guided toward the style light that best suits them. They then are able to visualize these lights within fully designed rooms in the chapter Room Effects. The book concludes on a practical note with “factfile tips on buying lights.”
From cover to cover, this book blends a short, easy read with all you need to know about contemporary lighting. It not only prepares readers for proper light-fixture decision-making, but also inspires the designer within to dress that bulb in style and, in turn, affect the very ambiance of a room.
128 pages, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
