Shades and diffusion

Apart from looking good, metal shades also diffuse light from a table lamp very effectively, as demonstrated in this photograph. As well as this, the matching lamp base brings added reflection, and creates a similar effect to the mirrored wall sconces of old. Well, that might be slightly fanciful, but stick with my train of thought for these purposes.

Light diffusion in this way, (which is also achieved by using card shades), is a good alternative to the more obvious control that one can attain through dimmers. I do recall a recent interview with that doyenne of interior design, Sir Terrence Conran, who expressed joy at the invention of the dimmer, and wonder at how we ever lived without them; well something like that anyway.

The other obvious alternative is of course using lower wattage in the bulbs; I have dimmers for overhead halogens, which at the appropriate shade of dimness, (and I don't mean stupidity), allow for a very effective light source to pick up the shiny bits in the sitting room, such as the silver. For the other lighting - table lamps, I use a low wattage of only 25 watts - with the up lighters I use directional halogen bulbs with 50 watts). Apart from the mood lighting this allows, it is also Eco-friendly. (What, what? as George the Third was alleged to say with alacrity.)

So Brownie points all round then.