Overman offers yet another reason to
avoid going too bright outside. "This is a
safety issue," she says. "Very bright light on
stairs makes it so you can't see where to step
due to the severe difference between light
and dark. Low-voltage lights (like you see in
apartment building stairwells) make them
more visible. This seems counter-intuitive
because you may think the brighter the better, but that is not the case."
Amid the many important considerations related to lighting, Design Associates encourage, "Seek a design professional if you are unsure about any of these
details, as lighting can be a costly mistake
w w w. d i s t i n c t lymo nt a na .co m
if not specified correctly the first time."
For the best overall look, Overman
recommends, "Use different layers of
light. Two, preferably three layers add
more value to a house. The way you see
everything during the day, you don't
want to lose at night; and layered lighting allows some spaces to create more
drama, others to be more task-oriented,
and others be more conversational. At
any rate, you want to assure that your
lighting choices enhance your décor,
and accent the overall look and function
of your home."
61