E. Jean!...forgot about this important tactic! My best friend in high school, still a dear friend, went from local acting to Hollywood. She shared about a saying or directive she learned out there: "HIT THOSE BABY PINKS!" They intentionally used pink light bulbs for a softer and warm glow. One of my dear friends (maybe a little more concerned about aging than usual), I met here in my thirties, took that wisdom to heart, and all lights in her home became fitted with pale pink bulbs--except for over the large chair where she liked to read.
Hmm, maybe I'll look into this now that I really have wrinkles that I'd love to blur!
I remember reading that Dita Von Teese uses pink lighting on stage because it makes one’s body look fabulous. I always thought that would be nice in a bathroom. Or if I decide to run away and become a burlesque dancer.
Marissa Hagarty painted her ceiling in dining room soft pink. I did that when we repainted for water damage. Clashed big time with my peach granite countertops! Oh well.
Just fill the house with fairy lights! Haul out all the strings of Christmas lights, arrange them around the edges of your rooms and plug em in. That will put a lift in your step and your heart some joy!
Oh, Elizabeth! I have a lot of overheads, and despite the ways in which they are problematic, I like my overheads, but yer floor lamps and table lamps get around the problems of the overheads. So, when it comes to lights, you're looking on the bright side!
You're so funny. No matter what kind of lousy mood I am in, you make me laugh. One could not imagine the world getting MORE unfair, and yet today it has gotten even more unfair in TN. I saw all that shit, and then I see this off the chart request for lighting. "Readers! Help me!" and I got bounced back into my good mood. I am the farthest thing from an interior decorator but I know they say soft light. Get an artistic lampshade that is like a painting! And keep writing these nutty, off the wall, juicy questions. You just might be keeping our souls alive.
Got a knit cap with a rechargeable light for Amber, my amazing mail carrier, as a "tip" two years ago for Christmas. It was getting dark in the late afternoon and she wasn't able to see her way clearly on the route. I asked her if the USPS provided hats with lights or headlamps and she replied in the affirmative but said it was clunky/uncomfortable.
Came across this hat on Kikkerland website and she still wears it!
Oh, and one more thought: a big mirror. You can position a mirror on the wall opposite the brightest window, so that when you look in the direction of the mirror, it's as though there's another window on that opposite wall. I have a 3 x 4-foot wood-framed mirror that I bring from abode to abode—it's a handy light-multiplier.
I live in a place that doesn't have a ton of direct sunlight. Mostly late afternoon sunlight. I backed my bookcase with these 3 x 5 little mirrored squares. Took me a while. But whatever daylight comes in, is magnified.
My little condo receives 70-80% natural light with the blinds semi open for the cats to gawk at the neighbors and roadrunners. I don't care for overhead lights so I have two tall floor lamps with lovely leaf patterns iron works and a northern lights lamp that has many patterns and colors. I am up at 5:30am and in bed with an audiobook most nights by 8:30pm.
My office at the hospital is no overhead lights as well, with two lamps with ambient lighting ~ the decor is an homage to the National Parks of the west ~ the whole setup makes people jealous 😉
LED! Whatever you do, get LED bulbs with the highest lumens. I recommend “soft” (warmer) and not “daylight” (cold and harsh). Floor lamps are my fave. The ones aimed up are not good for reading. So you need ones aimed down for reading. I guess I can’t attach pictures?
Hahahahaahah! I sometimes nap sitting on the couch with my cat. My dog naps nearby on his doggy bed. Otherwise my life is filled with romance, exciting encounters with mysterious strangers, cell phone pinging non stop and gentlemen callers arriving with flowers. I also mop my own floors.
Move into the White House. After you run for President.
Have Trump light his makeup on fire (after he scrapes it off'n his face) and set it on fire, that's enough oil to replace Iran for 10,000 years and'll provide a purty light.
Goodness gracious! Don't buy those! I'm a table lamp girl. Overheads are only good if you wanna know what color you're pulling out of the closet. Just saying. Also they make those nice lightbulbs now that give you softer light. We can all use that! Table lamps, E. Jean. Table lamps. And then there's candlelight, of course, which makes all of us ladies look AMAZING. I don't recommend it as a primary source of lighting, but if you're wanting some romance, candlelight.
E. Jean - here’s some suggestions for our age group:
Switch to LED bulbs, which provide superior, consistent light, last longer, and reduce the need for hazardous bulb changes. For general lighting, aim for 3000K (warm white) for comfort, while 4000K-5000K (cool white/daylight) provides higher contrast and better visibility for tasks.
Layered Lighting: Combine ambient (overhead) lights, task lighting (lamps), and accent lights to eliminate dark spots and shadows, which are particularly hazardous for older eyes.
Motion-Sensor Nightlights: Install motion-activated lights, such as Ravencourt LED strips (approx. £16.99) or Phillips sensor lights, along hallways and in bathrooms to provide automatic, safe navigation without needing to find switches.High-Output Task Lighting: Use adjustable floor or table lamps, such as the OttLite Vision Saver Plus Floor Lamp (approx. $89.99), designed for visual impairment. These provide 1000+ lumens and a high Color Rendering Index (CRI > 80) to aid in activities like reading or sewing.Under-Cabinet Lighting: Install LED strips under kitchen cabinets to directly illuminate countertops, reducing accidents while preparing food.Dimmers: Use plug-in dimmers, such as the Lutron Plug-In Lamp Dimmer, to allow for adjustment of brightness throughout the day, avoiding excessive glare.Crucial Adjustments to Reduce HazardsReduce Glare and Shadows: Avoid shiny surfaces, use opaque lamp shades to shield bulbs, and position lamps to prevent direct light from hitting the eyes.Brighten Transitions: Ensure stairways and hallways have high, even lighting to prevent depth perception issues that lead to falls.Accessible Controls: Place light switches or lamps within easy reach, utilizing smart bulbs or voice-controlled devices for added convenience.Light Colors: Repaint dark walls or ceilings with lighter matte finishes to improve light reflection.
I need cataract surgery hit putting it off and need more light to read. Good luck.
I'm having my second cataract surgery in a couple of weeks (the first one was in October), and if it goes the way the first one did, it will be perfectly doable in terms of the surgery experience, and the resulting vision will be magnificent. In my first eye, I went from a blurry brownish-yellow world to razor-sharp true colors, rediscovering blues and violets. I encourage you to not put it off too much longer.
Cataract surgery in my mind is miraculous. I can see without glasses, except for reading, despite paying the big bucks that suggested that reading glasses might no longer be necessary. But, though I now can see, light continues to be an issue - I need more of it. E.g., I can see better at night but only in well-lit environments and I need my house lit up like a christmas tree a good bit of the time.
What is truly gorgeous is E. Jean's spirit. I feel like I visit a little spirit-spa when I read her column. It washes all the self-pity out of me and I get in touch with my bolder spirit!
I like table lamps. I like yer floor lamps. I do not like overheads.
I think I’m no help at all. But I love giving advice.
I agree about overheads. Always in the dark with small table and floor lamps.
We look better in the dark with small table lamps, don't we Samantha?
E. Jean!...forgot about this important tactic! My best friend in high school, still a dear friend, went from local acting to Hollywood. She shared about a saying or directive she learned out there: "HIT THOSE BABY PINKS!" They intentionally used pink light bulbs for a softer and warm glow. One of my dear friends (maybe a little more concerned about aging than usual), I met here in my thirties, took that wisdom to heart, and all lights in her home became fitted with pale pink bulbs--except for over the large chair where she liked to read.
Hmm, maybe I'll look into this now that I really have wrinkles that I'd love to blur!
I remember reading that Dita Von Teese uses pink lighting on stage because it makes one’s body look fabulous. I always thought that would be nice in a bathroom. Or if I decide to run away and become a burlesque dancer.
Marissa Hagarty painted her ceiling in dining room soft pink. I did that when we repainted for water damage. Clashed big time with my peach granite countertops! Oh well.
Oh but peach countertops! How fun.
Baby, I'm into the pinks!
Did they work? (the pink lights)? Did everyone look younger and more glowy?
We really do.
Just fill the house with fairy lights! Haul out all the strings of Christmas lights, arrange them around the edges of your rooms and plug em in. That will put a lift in your step and your heart some joy!
No reason why we can’t have fairy lights year round.
Same here, Samantha. I only turn on the overheads when I am vacuuming up dust bunnies.
Ah, yes. They are needed for this. I only like overheads if they pre-date 1950. But I can’t afford antique lighting.
Oh, Elizabeth! I have a lot of overheads, and despite the ways in which they are problematic, I like my overheads, but yer floor lamps and table lamps get around the problems of the overheads. So, when it comes to lights, you're looking on the bright side!
Where's the laughter emoji?!!!
You're so funny. No matter what kind of lousy mood I am in, you make me laugh. One could not imagine the world getting MORE unfair, and yet today it has gotten even more unfair in TN. I saw all that shit, and then I see this off the chart request for lighting. "Readers! Help me!" and I got bounced back into my good mood. I am the farthest thing from an interior decorator but I know they say soft light. Get an artistic lampshade that is like a painting! And keep writing these nutty, off the wall, juicy questions. You just might be keeping our souls alive.
Lamp SHADES!!!!!!!! Of COURSE! OF COURSE! I never thought of shades! Thank you, Ruthy!
Lamps, lamps, and more lamps of the floor and table type with shades but able to use 3 way bulbs for bright, brighter, brightest.
You recommend a three-way, Ruth Ann? Do my lamps prefer a thruple?
Depends on the socket. The lamp description should indicate its preference thruple-wise. You always can try a 3 way and see what happens.
Who's on first?
I like these guys: brightech.com. Prices reasonable, quality good.
Floor lamps, a big table lamp, and a good desk lamp, that’s what you need.
Ooooooh! Now we are talkin'! Clever! Enticing! Do not cost an arm and a leg! Such a great discovery! Thank you Deborah!
Just get a cute little head lamp from REI!
Keep your cozy low-lit room and wear a lightweight headlamp when you don't have company!
VALERIE!
VALERIE!
VALERIE!
I GOTTA HAVE A HEADLAMP!!
This is genius!
You are the second person in two days to tell me to get a headlamp!
🫠
Everyone in the woods needs a headlamp. I just moved to the Northwest Angle of MN. Look it up!
Got a knit cap with a rechargeable light for Amber, my amazing mail carrier, as a "tip" two years ago for Christmas. It was getting dark in the late afternoon and she wasn't able to see her way clearly on the route. I asked her if the USPS provided hats with lights or headlamps and she replied in the affirmative but said it was clunky/uncomfortable.
Came across this hat on Kikkerland website and she still wears it!
https://kikkerland.com/products/rechargeable-light-up-beanie?variant=44878339637305&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17180932054&gbraid=0AAAAADtC0MfN0vFC4WNpO-HmJVlT99NC3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_bPBhDXARIsACiq8R2Ugc1wCCrDwf-7yUAO6sTI0SaLNI1hu6RxMcVtXf-iUkIWNhOHQp4aAhL7EALw_wcB
I worship this beanie!
This is great! Warm your head. Light up your bedtime or recliner reading! I ordered them for me and friends. Thank you for the tip!
Kikkerland website RULES.
I need one so the bus driver can see me in winter!
Oh, and one more thought: a big mirror. You can position a mirror on the wall opposite the brightest window, so that when you look in the direction of the mirror, it's as though there's another window on that opposite wall. I have a 3 x 4-foot wood-framed mirror that I bring from abode to abode—it's a handy light-multiplier.
ERab, you should be designing lighting on Broadway. This is magic.
Ooh, thank you!
I live in a place that doesn't have a ton of direct sunlight. Mostly late afternoon sunlight. I backed my bookcase with these 3 x 5 little mirrored squares. Took me a while. But whatever daylight comes in, is magnified.
Mirrored squares!
Wait.
Mirrored squares!
I like this, Ruthy!
My little condo receives 70-80% natural light with the blinds semi open for the cats to gawk at the neighbors and roadrunners. I don't care for overhead lights so I have two tall floor lamps with lovely leaf patterns iron works and a northern lights lamp that has many patterns and colors. I am up at 5:30am and in bed with an audiobook most nights by 8:30pm.
My office at the hospital is no overhead lights as well, with two lamps with ambient lighting ~ the decor is an homage to the National Parks of the west ~ the whole setup makes people jealous 😉
Kathleen! Ask your cats to remind you to send the ling to your "two tall floor lamps with lovely leaf patterns," please.
Franklin Iron Works Folia 66" Bronze Organic Vine Uplight Floor Lamp - #81A51 | Lamps Plus https://share.google/OHM5qDowUMOFp8ZWm
Gorgeous!
I was feeling sad about all that's happening in Louisiana and Tennessee. And then I read E Jean. Smiling at the light you send to all of us!❤️🌼
Awwwww, thanks Mare!
LED! Whatever you do, get LED bulbs with the highest lumens. I recommend “soft” (warmer) and not “daylight” (cold and harsh). Floor lamps are my fave. The ones aimed up are not good for reading. So you need ones aimed down for reading. I guess I can’t attach pictures?
I have no idea what is going on here. I just woke up from a brief nap so maybe that's why I am confused.
Nah, you’re good. It’s a foray into lighting and design.
You NAP!!??? Nora! That is more interesting than what is going on here!
Hahahahaahah! I sometimes nap sitting on the couch with my cat. My dog naps nearby on his doggy bed. Otherwise my life is filled with romance, exciting encounters with mysterious strangers, cell phone pinging non stop and gentlemen callers arriving with flowers. I also mop my own floors.
Move into the White House. After you run for President.
Have Trump light his makeup on fire (after he scrapes it off'n his face) and set it on fire, that's enough oil to replace Iran for 10,000 years and'll provide a purty light.
HAR!!!!
I have two words for you, E. Jean: LAVA LAMPS
Before you scoff and pshaw, envision it.
Turn off your mind, relax, and float down stream.
I take your suggestion SERIOUSLY, CAROLYN!
It may have been written with a wink … but it is a serious suggestion, E. Jean.
It is not dyyying…🎶🎶 Too funny! 😂
Goodness gracious! Don't buy those! I'm a table lamp girl. Overheads are only good if you wanna know what color you're pulling out of the closet. Just saying. Also they make those nice lightbulbs now that give you softer light. We can all use that! Table lamps, E. Jean. Table lamps. And then there's candlelight, of course, which makes all of us ladies look AMAZING. I don't recommend it as a primary source of lighting, but if you're wanting some romance, candlelight.
Miss Nancy, Have you seen Kubrick's Barry Lindon? Shot with NATURAL CANDLELIGHT. A movie has never looked more powerful.
I had no idea! But it was Kubrick and if anyone was ever going to do it, it would've been him!
E. Jean - here’s some suggestions for our age group:
Switch to LED bulbs, which provide superior, consistent light, last longer, and reduce the need for hazardous bulb changes. For general lighting, aim for 3000K (warm white) for comfort, while 4000K-5000K (cool white/daylight) provides higher contrast and better visibility for tasks.
Layered Lighting: Combine ambient (overhead) lights, task lighting (lamps), and accent lights to eliminate dark spots and shadows, which are particularly hazardous for older eyes.
Motion-Sensor Nightlights: Install motion-activated lights, such as Ravencourt LED strips (approx. £16.99) or Phillips sensor lights, along hallways and in bathrooms to provide automatic, safe navigation without needing to find switches.High-Output Task Lighting: Use adjustable floor or table lamps, such as the OttLite Vision Saver Plus Floor Lamp (approx. $89.99), designed for visual impairment. These provide 1000+ lumens and a high Color Rendering Index (CRI > 80) to aid in activities like reading or sewing.Under-Cabinet Lighting: Install LED strips under kitchen cabinets to directly illuminate countertops, reducing accidents while preparing food.Dimmers: Use plug-in dimmers, such as the Lutron Plug-In Lamp Dimmer, to allow for adjustment of brightness throughout the day, avoiding excessive glare.Crucial Adjustments to Reduce HazardsReduce Glare and Shadows: Avoid shiny surfaces, use opaque lamp shades to shield bulbs, and position lamps to prevent direct light from hitting the eyes.Brighten Transitions: Ensure stairways and hallways have high, even lighting to prevent depth perception issues that lead to falls.Accessible Controls: Place light switches or lamps within easy reach, utilizing smart bulbs or voice-controlled devices for added convenience.Light Colors: Repaint dark walls or ceilings with lighter matte finishes to improve light reflection.
I need cataract surgery hit putting it off and need more light to read. Good luck.
You have educated me, High Road! I thank you!!!
And P.S. Cataract surgery----Do it! A whole new world full of VIOLET and bright greens awaits you!
Sherold, great suggestions and information!
I'm having my second cataract surgery in a couple of weeks (the first one was in October), and if it goes the way the first one did, it will be perfectly doable in terms of the surgery experience, and the resulting vision will be magnificent. In my first eye, I went from a blurry brownish-yellow world to razor-sharp true colors, rediscovering blues and violets. I encourage you to not put it off too much longer.
ERab - so glad it helped!
Cataract surgery in my mind is miraculous. I can see without glasses, except for reading, despite paying the big bucks that suggested that reading glasses might no longer be necessary. But, though I now can see, light continues to be an issue - I need more of it. E.g., I can see better at night but only in well-lit environments and I need my house lit up like a christmas tree a good bit of the time.
What a gorgeous comment, Ruthy! I couldn’t agree more. We need this humor and whimsy in our lives.
What is truly gorgeous is E. Jean's spirit. I feel like I visit a little spirit-spa when I read her column. It washes all the self-pity out of me and I get in touch with my bolder spirit!
Absolutely!