Let There be Light

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 67, 4 October 1940, Page 5

Let There be Light

F all the material things that add to the enjoyment of the house, none is more important than a good source of light. With it every room seems more spacious and inviting, and the spirits of the family are lifted after a day of hard work. Scientists have taught us a great deal about light during the last few years. For example, they say

that certain dark finishes on walls, ceilings, and woodwork can absorb as much as half the light which we are paying for. An ivory or a cream finish has a reflecting power of 74% while light green reflects only 62%, and light blue 52%. Dark wood in a home may be easy to care for, but at what a cost -for a dark oak finish reflects only 13% of the light, and a

walnut finish only 7%. Now we can understand why cream or ivory painted woodwork makes a room seem lighter. These are facts for us to keep in mind when we select our wallpaper and paint this spring, if we want the best lighted rooms possible. When we have visited the home of a friend we have perhaps envied her for the charm of her living room in the evening. It seemed so inviting and homelike. If we think a moment, we will remember there was more than one light in use in the room, Perhaps there was one beside a big chair and small table, and. across the room a standard lamp so placed that it lighted both the settee and a chair nearby. Besides when young folk learn how enjoyable a good book with a comfortable chair and a good light can be, they may spend more time at home.-("Spring Treatments for the Home"; A.C.E, Talk, 4YA September 20).