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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Resource Form+Function 851 West San Mateo Road Santa Fe New Mexico 800-264-0057 www.formplusfunction.   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, November 22, 2007 Turn it on Pick a porch light that fits your needs and style By Debra Smith Herald Writer Picking the right porch light is about more than ambience. When visitors tromp to the front door on a soggy Northwest night, they need to see those steps. And then there is your family's safety to think about too: Who is that standing on the stoop? Plenty of choices are available that address safety and style, said Lette Birn, owner of Form+Function, a mail-order lighting supplier based in Santa Fe. "The front entrance door is the place to choose to make a statement," she said. "It's your chance for that great first impression. A pair of wall sconces or lanterns flanking the entryway can complete the look you want, whether it's grandiose, contemporary, rustic or artistic." Depending on the architecture of the home, wall sconces or lanterns on both sides of the door may be appropriate. A contemporary home with clean, simple lines might call for overhead lights recessed into the overhang. Be careful here, though, warned Birn, since lighting from overhead can make it more difficult to see the features of a visitor. Consider size and the proportion of a light fixture. Create a welcoming and safe atmosphere by avoiding glare and using as much indirect light as possible. That might mean inconspicuous step lights and small light fixtures positioned under railings or banisters that will direct light exactly where it's needed. "In our experience most homeowners tend to choose entry lights that are either too small for the scale of the door and the wall they are attached to," Birn said. "With larger homes and taller ceilings, be bold." Look at the proportions of the front entryway. The "jelly-jar" wall lights might look out of place on a contemporary home and similarly, a pair of grand, wrought iron lanterns fit for a megamansion would look silly on a bungalow. As a rule of thumb, outdoor sconces or lanterns should be mounted about 65 inches above the stoop and 8 to 10 feet apart. Manufacturers recognize that decks and patios become an extension of the living space in many homes, and homeowners will find lighting that resembles indoor lighting that's safe to use outside, including chandeliers, floor and table lamps. When it comes to the secondary entrances to the home, like the kitchen or back door, there is no need to be as fancy as the front door, but the lighting still needs to provide safety. Birn isn't a big fan of security lights that flood the yard. "That is light pollution," she said. It's impossible to see the stars in many urban areas mainly because of inefficient light sources that do nothing to improve safety, she said. Many communities impose "dark sky" ordinances that require homeowners to choose outdoor fixtures that keep light to a limited area. Manufactures are making new products that shield glare and reduce the amount of light shining upward. Kits that allow homeowners to retrofit existing light fixtures also are available. Your neighbors will love you more if you keep the wattage down outside -- 25 or 40 watts is sufficient outdoors, she said. "In order to avoid glare and create atmosphere, it is always preferable to use several light sources with a low wattage instead of a single one that will keep your neighbors awake." Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com

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