Work in Progress

Light Fantastic

Schweitzer suggests cove lighting instead of expensive lighting systems or designer lamps. That means building niches along a wall or near the ceiling where you can insert long-lasting, energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. Normally fluorescent light has a harsh quality, but tucked in a cove, the indirect illumination softens. He also likes to rework affordable fixtures. So instead of spending $400 to $500 on pendant lights, Schweitzer bought a few from IKEA for $14 and swapped the white wire for black, giving them an instant make-over.