apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

On another note....Jamie sounds not like a "friend" let alone a "dear friend".

oh hdtex--she was just remarking on a main difference between our places. There was no harm done to me!

Two questions:
1. My kitchen is really dark, since I only have three windows in my entire apartment and none in the kitchen! So I need to turn on the overhead kitchen lights all the time. The one over the dining area casts a glare on whatever I'm reading...how many lamps and what kind would help with this? It's also a ceiling fan, and I'm in a rental, so I can't replace anything.

2. Can you read by a pink bulb?

Thanks.

Pteetsa-For the kitchen, you might want to look into some under the cupboard lights. Ikea sells some that are battery operated (I think) and just stick under the cupboards for counter light. Otherwise, for a cheaper solution you might want to try hanging one of the rice paper lanterns that a lot of places sell. This gives a glow of light rather than a hard light that causes glare (this one could work in the dining room or kitchen, if you have the space for them).

Anyone else?

well, if you are young and fun you can put up white Christmas lights. I've aged out of this, but I did always dearly love the look. Or what about a table lamp on the table in the kitchen and another one on the counter, if your counterspace allows. there are some really small ones.

A very good post and one I have always felt lacked attention by many.

It's not just adding lamps, but where you place them can make a world of difference. I have 6 lamps in my main living area, a combination of living/dining area. A nice old blue glass lamp on my little maple chest that I use for a landing strip, a small accent lamp from IKEA on a shelf in a corner of the dining area near the kitchen. In the living room, I have 3 table lamps, one on a low table in front of the fixed sections of the glass slider, it's got a compact flourescent bulb in it and is on a timer so it's on from roughly 4-9, winter, 5-10 summer or something like that, the 3 others are over by the couch.

What I"m getting at is, spread your lamps around the room and do not place them all on one side of the room and it does indeed make for a nice feel in the space, despite the slightly crowded situation in the living area at the moment. :-)

My kitchen too does not have a window in it and I do use the overhead light, but it's a 3 light fixture where you can swivel the heads and they are fitted with par 30 CFL bulbs and I do have a T12, 24" flourescent tube under the cabinet above the sink (part of the apartment) and a range hood with light, also fitted with a CFL and for the most part it's fine.

Like others have said, get some puck lights to put underneath the upper cabinets and it'll make a fairly big difference but also try CFL's in there, the light output once fully bright tends to be more than it's comprable tungsten varient for a lot less energy.

Hey ciddyguy--have any pictures of the lampstravaganza in your living room?

I want those windows.

Yes I want those windows too. i have crappy renters windows and renter nipple lights.

those windows look like they're in Paris. and you can't duplicate the natural light of that city anywhere else.

I have overheads, but my ceiling is 9'7". My studio has six lamps. Three floor torchieres and three table lamps. Next to the living room is the hallway/office. I have a smaller table lamp and a torchiere here too.

I live in a dorm room that is lit only by a small light over the dresser. I got a torchere lamp and also a lamp with three task lights, and some bright bulbs.
When they're all on, it transforms from being a dark, messy dorm room to being a cozy, quirky oasis.

Amen. For two years, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment I hated until I happened upon a beautiful ceramic lamp that transformed the entire place; it was like living in another space altogether. I'm now at five lamps and counting...