Sylvania Bright Ideas for Kitchen Lighting Brochure 1964

8/13/2019 Sylvania Bright Ideas for Kitchen Lighting Brochure 1964

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SYLVANIA


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BRIGHT IDEAS FOR KITCHEN LIGHTINGBy

Elizabeth A. MeehanSylvania Residential Lighting Consultant

The kitchen of today is better planned, more attractively decorated, equipped with more labor-savingappliances than ever before. All this makes working in the kitchen much more pleasant and efficient.But all too often one of the most important elements of kitchen design fails to receive the attentionit deserves. That is, kitchen lighting.\)7e11 planned kitchen lighting makes food preparation, cooking and cleaning up, easier and faster.Safer too, because it helps prevent accidents, burns and cuts. Proper lighting helps create a cheerfulenvironment, making the kitchen a much more enjoyable place to work in. It also plays up kitchen colorschemes and decoration. The kitchen becomes a much more pleasant and attractive setting for eatingbreakfast and informal meals. as well as a favorite spot for relaxed famrly gatherings.In too many fti16fiens, lighting gets only the most casual planning. Typically, the sink is placed undera window. To supply all the light needed, windows are relied on during the day and a single electricalfixture at night. But in daytime there may be too much light at the sink, and not enough at the rangeand counter areas located away from the windows. Forgotten is the fact that for alarge part of the year,the main meal of the day is prepared after the sun has set, more often than not under inadequate light-ing. For kitchens to function as they should. not only must daylight be conrrolled, but electric lightingmust be carefully planned.Lighting for the kitchen falls into two categories - general and local. General lighting should providediffuse over-all lighting for the kitchen as a whole. This creates a more comfortable working environ-ment, by reducing the contrast in brightness between lighted work areas and surrounding areas whichare not as bright. General lighting also provides light for seeing into cabinets and drawers when opened.


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--Local lighting is specifically planned for a work area, such as a sink, range or counrer top. It shouidprovide a high level of shadowless light for specific seeing tasks, such as cleaning vegetables, choppineor slicing, browning meats, reading recipes, mi*ing, and scouring pots and pans. Up to a cerrain poinr,the more light there is on the work, the easier it is to.rsa, and thereforc to c/0. Good liqhting saves youtime and effort.DAY LIGHTING On fair days windows may supply all the kirchen light needed. But rvhen a workarea, such as a sink, is located in front of a window, translucent curtains or blinds should be used tosoften daylight glare. They should be light in color so as nor ro wasre daylight and ro add to the illu-mination by reflecting after-dark lighting.FLUORESCENT LIGHTING Fluorescent tubes are ideal for kitchen lighting for several reasons.As compared to the familiar incandescent bulb, their softer, more diffuse, light is easier ro see and workbl.. They supply more than three times the light output of incandescenr bulbs for the same amount ofelectricity. Their operating temperature is much cooler roo, a point to consider when the kitcl'ren gershot. Their iong slender shape is perfectly suited to installation under cabiners, or in valances or soffits- wherever it's desirable to use a long even line of light.Natural White is the fluorescenr color recommendedlook natural and wholesome. Deluxe $Varm nflhiteand standard 7arm White can be used in kitchenswhich have predominately wood finish or withwarm color schemes, while Deluxe Cool tVhitecan be used with cool roned decor.

for best all around color rendition, making food

INCANDESCENT LIGHTING Incandescentbulbs are used in ceiling fixtures for localor general illuminarion. 7hen incandescentdownlights are used for local lightingthey must be mounted close enough together(16" to 18") so that their beams of lightcross and minimize distracting shadowson the working surface.Practically the only rime incandescent bulbsare used for undercabinet iighting is whenthey are incorporated in a range hood.


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GENERAL ILLUMINATIONThere are as man\' \\'a).s ro lieht a kitchen as there are kitchen designs. With a little imagination, excitingand much more elficient structurat lighting can take the place of the standard fixture located in thecenter of the room. Formerll' all the u'ork r";as done on the kitchen table in the center of the room,irround lvhich the famill'gathered. It r,vas logical to have the main source of light above the table. Buttoday"s kitcl'ren plans generalll' place the u,ork surfaces along the rvalls, leaving the center area empty.Seerng tasks are no longer performed in the center of the room. So it seems reasonable to move thesources of general lighting to the edges of the room, too. This both increases light *'here it's neededmost and makes the kitchen seem larger.LARGE LUMINOUS AREASOne u,a.1, of bringing light to the perimeter of the kitchen is to expand the size of the center ceiling unitinto a large luminous area. There are preassembled lumrnous panels. usualh' 4' x 6', ready to hang,avarlable on the market.Better I'et isare mountedthrougl-routkitchens.

a full lun-rinous ceiling in u'hich the nhole cerling rs the light source. Fluorescent channelsabove a complete ceiling of translucent plastic to provide practically sl'radowless light

the kitchen. But this tecl.rnique, tfiough excellent, is frequentl)r too costl,v for average

OFF CENTER CEILING FIXTIIRESInstead of a light source in the middie of thekitchen. surface-mounted or recessed fixturescan be arranged off-center. Four incandescentfixtures used near the corners of a medium-size kitchen rvill give better light for workingand also u'ill produce an interesting geometricpattern on the ceiling.Completely shielded, single or double-lampfluorescent fixtures can be butted in asquare or rectangular pattern to conform withrhe plan of the kitchen in a most attractivemanner. Obviousll' light sources mountednearer to rvall cabinets u'ill make it easier toselect things inside the cabinet whenthe doors are open.


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A series of recessed downlights may be used along the cabinet walls only if rhere is light on rhe ceilingfrom some other fixture such as a Canopy Oaerbang (see pg. 13). Downlights creare a decorativescalloped paftern of light and shadow on the cabinets, but are not difruse enough for comfortableseeing because they create harsh shadows.

BUILT-IN GENERAL LIGHTINGBuilt-in or structural lighting can take a kitchen out of the ordinary class with little added expense.Properly installed built-ins not only make a kitchen distinctive, but also provide good quality, high-level lighting. Most built-ins are simple enough for the home handy-man ro install when remodeling,yet builders use them in model homes for a luxury effect.VALANCE ON SOFFIT //. . ./.1 .//.. . .///. ... . .,:'/ 'aOne of the simplest yer mosr effective rypesof built-in general lighting is the valanceboard mounted on rhe face of the solfit(the filled-in area berween cabinet rops andceiling). The valance shields a continuous rowof fluorescent tubes running the full length ofthe cabinets. Single-lamp fluorescent channelsshould be installed so rhere is at least tO'lbetween the ceiling and the lluorescenr tube.'fhe valance board shouid be at least 5"deep, tilted 15o to 2oo, and mounted 6//from the face of the so1fit. The top of itshould line up with the top of the fluorescentfixture and should not obstrucr theopening of cabinet doors.

TUMINOUS SOFFITFor another pleasing architectural effect, lighting fixrures can be installed inside the soflit itself. Insteadof plaster or wali board for the solfit facing (usually 12" high), translucent glass or plastic is used.Unshielded fixtures with two continuous rorvs of fluorescenr tubes are mounted in the cavity. Theinside of the so1fit should be painted matte white or lined with reflecting material. The ceiling should bematte white for best results. The light florvs across the ceiling and is reflected downwards, giving thecheerful. open eifect of sunshine.


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EXTENDED SOFFITThe soffit, u'hich is usually only as deep asthe wall cabinets (..\2"), can be extendedto match the base cabinets and accommodarebuilt-in lighting. On the ceiling inside thisextension, reguiar two-lamp fl uorescentfixtures are mounted. A diffusing panel oftranslucent glass or plastic is used on thebotom of the extension to shield thefluorescent tubes. The bottom ofthe extendedsoffit then becomes a light panel, allowinglight to flow dorvn the face of the wallcabinets. Again reflectors should be usedwith the tubes. or the inside painted mattewhite. Since there is no light floiv on theceiling, this kind of lighting creates anintimate, cozy elTecc.

CABINETS $TITHOUT A SOFFITIf there is no solfit above the wall cabinets the

simplest way to get good quality, generalrllumination is simplv to lay bare fluorescent

channels on top of and at the back of thecabinets. The cabinets must be 72" {rom

the ceiling. It is desirable ro tilt the channelon a 4to block. If the bare lamp can be seenfrom a long viewing angle across the room,a 3" high lip should be mounted on top of

the cabinet. This is usually best lookingwhen the finish matches the cabinets.


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FURRED OUT CABINETSOne of the most effective wd1,5 1e provide both general and local illuminarion is to fur rhe cabinets outfrom the wall and mount fluorescent tubes behind them. The cabinets are attached to two 2" x 4" stripsmounted on the wall, one 4" beIow the top of the cabiner, the other 4" from the bottom. The lightingfixtures are then mounted between the cabinet and wall, a row at the top and a row at the boftom. Theresult is contemPorary in feeling, giving the cabinets a delightful floating appearance. The lighting isexcellent because the upper tubes supply indirect general illumination reflected from rhe ceiling andthe lower ones furnish high-level, shadowless, direct light over rhe full length of the work surface.CENTER CEILING FIXTURES - SURFACE MOTINTEI)When the budget is modest a surface-mounted center ceiling fixture is a practical choice. There aremany well-designed fixtures on the market today in all price ranges. A drum or pan fixture completelyshielded with ceramic, enamelled, opal glass or plastic, containing one 150 watt, two 75 watt or three 60watt incandescent bulbs will provide the most economical general illumination. These unirs should begenerously scaled, because tl"re iarger the fixture the less bright it is and, therefore, the more com-fortable it is.

Also available are more distinctive rypes ofsquafe or round fixtures, either open at

the top or completely enclosed. These maybe decorated with handsome narural materials

such as metal, wood, linen or raffi.a thattake the fixture our of the purely functionalclass. Fixtures should be selected rhar give a

wide spread of light throughour the roomand not just downward. Square fixtures should

be at least 16" square and round fixturesshould be a minimum of 16" rn diameter.

Fluorescent fixtures are a little more expensivethan incandescent fixtures. A bare fluorescent

tube, straight or circular, is never recom-mended for general rllumination. All tubes

should be shielded. For average sizekitchens one may be adequate if

it contains four 20 watt. two


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30 watt or rwo 40 watt standard bulbs, or a 32 watt and a 40 watt circline bulb. The fixture should beshielded with glass, plastic or louvers.

Large arca (30" sq. or 40" sq.) shallow fluorescent fixtures trimmed with wood or metal are particularlyeffective, providing good light in a handsome manner.

RECESSED LIGHTINGIn the kitchen it's generally desirable to have light reflected from the ceiling. This provides betterseeing conditions as well as a better psychological atmosphere in which to work. Recessed lightingof course provides no light on the ceiling. $(hen recessed fixtures are used exclusively the floors,walls and cabinets must be light in color to reflect as much light back to the ceiling as possible.General illumination can be supplied by recessed incandescent or fluorescent fixtures. Because ofthe reduced effrciency of recessed units, it's usually necessary to use twice as many recessed fixturesas surface-mounted ones.

Recessed fluorescenr fixtures should be shielded with glass, plastic or louvers. Recessed incandescenrsquares or rounds equipped with diffusing glass, plastic or lenses are acceptable. Open downlights,such as hi-hats, are not recommended for general illumination in the kitchen because too many wouldhave ro be used and their light is too harsh. (See the Sylvania Booklet "Bright Ideas For RecessedLighting," #R-39o, for more complete information.)

LOCAL LIGHTINGNo marrer how good the general illumination, it is always necessary to have additional lighting forlocal illumination at the work surfaces.Local lighting is provided by a fixture or fixtures mounted above the work surface. It can be installed onthe wall, on the ceiling, or in a soffit. Since light only travels in straight lines, the light must fall on thearca in front of the person to prevent working in one's own shadow.

For good tighting the work counters and walls behind them.should be light in color to reduce bright-ness contrast, and have a matce or semi-matte finish. Highly polished surfaces, such as stainless steel,create an uncomfortable glare, and dark colors waste too much light by absorbing it.


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FOR SINKS LOCATED AT $(/INDOS(/ AREA S(/ITH SOFFITWhen tl-rere is a so1fit that extends across the sinkincandescent fixtures. A trvo-lamp. 36" long shrelded

SINK LIGHTINGThe greatest variefi' of seeing rasks, and the most dilficult, are performed at the sink area. That's why'good sink lighting is a mu.rt. The light here should be ahead of the worker, since working in one's ownshadorv decreases eihciencl', and increases the chance of accidents. The light should be v'idespread anddiffuse enough (at least 76" of 1l-rorescent) or there should be e nouuh of them (three 75 watt incandes-cent bulbs) so there are no harsh shadows on the sink area.

area, it's an ideal placefl uorescent fi xture rvith

to recess fluorescent orNatural \White tubes will

give high-level, good quality light. Ifthe so1fit is wider. the fixture shouldextend the full width. Or tq'o unshieldedfluorescent channels may be mountedrn the hollow space and diffusing plasticor louvers put underneath. The insideshould either be painted matte whiteor reflectors should be used around rhetubes. Frequently a scalloped valanceis added for decorarive interesr.A minimum of two recessed or surface-mounted incandescent downlights withJ5 watt reflector bulbs is recommendedfor 36" wide sink areas, three for 48"wide areas. The downlights should havelouvers or lenses for proper shielding.For a very gay effect, use a series ofdifferent colored surface-mounted bulletsor downlights, repeating the accentcolors of the kitchen.


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Unshielded fluorescent lamps may bemounted on the bottom of an enclosed

sof6t betq'een s,all cabinets, only if afaceboard at least 8" deep is used.

The 2-lamp channel should be mounteddirectll, behind the faceboard, which canbe scalloped or plain, natural or painted

wood. This is an eas), do-it-yourselfproject that provides good lighting.

Decorative touches fbr traditional kitchenscan be added bl.mounting two carriage

lanterns or a patr of Chimney Lamps on thesides of the cabinets next to the window.

FOR SINKS UNDER CABINETS

These should be low wattage (25 watt)so as not to be too bright. They also serve

nicely as night lights.Surface-mounted glass drums may also be

centered over the sink. using a bulbof at least 100 watts.

The same lighting techniques for lighting a sink are recommended for range lighting under cabinets.FOR RANGE UNITSLocal lighting is as necessarv at the cooking area as at the sink or work counter. It lets you see to brownmeats properll', measure ingredients, detect burning and determine proper consistency of sauces andgrav)'. The light that comes ri.ith free-standing ranges is never adequate, therefore, local lighting mustbe designed in the kitchen plan, for both free-standing and built-in range units.Range hoods u'ith one 100 watt or two 60 watt bulbs centered inside the front edge of the hood doan adequate job.If there is no hood over the range unit and it is located against a wall or under high cabinets, a fluores-cent u,'all bracket is recommended It should be at least 36" Iong (30 watts) and mounted t8" abovethe floor. There are several good looking fixtures available either with opaque (wood or metal) ortranslucent (laminated materials, decorative plastics) faces. Care should be taken that the face of thefixture which is in immediate viewing range is not too bright. There are also fixtures available thatfunccion as a shelf, so that cookbooks or spices are in handy reach.

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A built-in valance bracket is another huppysolution that can be a do-it-yourself project. Forbest results mount the fluorescent channel onthe wall 58" above the floor (normal standing eyeheight). Mount a faceboard 6" from the wall,and at least 4" high. There should be 2" betweenthe faceboard and the center of the fluorescenttube. Decorate the faceboard with paint, paper,tiles, scallops or any way you like. For a plusfeature, put a piece of frosted glass across the top,forming a translucent shelf on which to showoffpretty jars or keep your seasonings handy.For free standing ranges without a hood, see Islandcounters on page 13.

FOR COUNTER TOPS UNDER NtrALt CABINETSThere should be a local light source for every work surface three feer or longer. Fluorescent lamps aregenerally used because of their linear shape, cooler temperature and higher light output.Ideally fluorescent lamps should run the full length of the work surface. However, rhe use of a 20 watttube in a 24" to 36" space, or a 30 watt tube in a 36'/ to 48" space, or a 40 s,att tube in a 48" to 60"space is satisfactory.

UNDERCABINET FIXTURESThere arc many excellent undercabinet fixturesrecommended. Fixtures with adjustable metalfrosted glass or plastic.

available todar'. Shielded fixtures (as illustrated) areshields are not as elficient as fixtures shielded with

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Care must be taken in the selection of anundercabinet fixture if there is a dining area in rhe

room. If the face of the fixrure can be seen froma seated position, it should be of low brightness,

having a piece of ribbed glass or plasric mountedhorizontally or on a diagonal. If it cannor be seen,veftical translucence on the face, using perhaps a

"wrap around" difruser, is acceptable.These fixtures are mounted on the wall, centered

on the work surface, immediately under the cabinetbetween )o" to 58" above the floor.

Some very shallow fixtures are available (only 1"deep) that can be mounted on the bottom of thecabinet itself. They are inconspicuous yer do a

good lighting job. These are particulaily adaptableto remodeling.

Interesting decorative effects can be achieved by making your own shielding. Mount a fluorescenrchannel on the bottom of the cabinet and attach a shielding lip at least 3" deep to rhe bottom of rhecabinet 6" to 8" out from the wall. Brightly painted perforated metal or board provides a gay accenr.Or a lip of the same wood as the cabinets or kitchen trim can be used.

UNSHIELDED TUBES UNDER CABINETSUnshielded fluorescent tubes may be used mounted on the bottom of the cabinet if the bottom of thecabinet door is extended 3tt . The back of the fixture channel should face the room and the fluorescenttube should face the wall. This gives a neat custom-builr effect.Unshielded fluorescent tubes may also be used under a cabinet if they are mounted under the frontedge of a cabinet that is less than 58" above the floor - providing they cannot be seen by a personseated in the room. These, too, should have the back of the channel facing the room.


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ISLAND COUNTERS AND COUNTERS \Y/ITHOUT S(/ALL CABINETSMany of the newer kitchen plans call for island work counters, sinks or ranges. These somerimes havea sofrit over them, but more often thel' do not.To light a counter work area u,ith or u,ithout a soffit, recessed fluorescent or incandescent fixtures arerecommended. Shielded fluorescent fixtures should be as near the length of the counrer as possrble.The minimum installation q'ould be two 16t' Iamps (30 watt) for counrers up to 48" long.A series of properly shielded recessed incandescent downlights can also be used. These should be{itted with reflector lamps of at least 75 watts, and should be mounted on 16" centers for minimumshadou,'s on the work area. Recessed dorvnlights with louvers and a perforated brass skirt create apleasant decorative effect when used in this way.When there is no so1fit above the counter, surface mounted fixtures as well as recessed fixtures canbe used effectivel,v. A shallow 2-lamp fluorescent fixture or incandescenr downlights will provide thesame kind of light as recessed units. Several manufacturers make shallow fluorescent fixtures withhandsome wood sides that add a warm decorative touch. Surface-mounted downlights can highlightkitchen decor if thel' are painted in ga1' accent colors. They may also be of perforated brass, wood,bamboo, or richly colored glass. The spacing is the same as for recessed fixtures. (See the booklet"Bright Ideas With Recessed Lighting" for more details.)Pendant fixtures also provide good lighting while enhancing the decor. When spaced 16" to 20"aPart, translucent pendants not only provide iocal lighting on the work area but also contribute togeneral room illumination. Metal or wood shielded fixtures tend to create deeper shadows.When several pendant fixtures are used over an island coLrnter they also serve as a visual room divider.They may be all mounted at the same height or at various heights, for an interesting decorative elfect.The botom of the fixtures should not be lower than 72" from the floor.

CANOPY OVERHANGFor kitchens with either traditional or contemporary styling, a canopy overhang provides an economicaland eficient built-in light source with a luxury efrect. It is excellent over a long work counrer nexr roa window wail, or one without cabinets. As shou'n in the diagram, rhe canop\. contains trvo conrinuous

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rows of fluorescent lamps. One row ismounted on the wall and the other on theback of the faceboard which extends20" to 24" o'tt from the wall. Diffusingplastic or louvers shouid cover the bottomto diffuse the light. It should be at least10" below rhe ceiling (Iz" is better).The faceboard should be at least 6" deep,and can be painted, papered, or givena natural wood finish.This canopv throws light up on theceiling for indirect general illumination,as well as providing high-level shadowlesslocal lighting on the work surface.

FLOATING CANOPYIn open-plan kitchens with contemporary sryling, a floating structural element with built-in lightingmakes a handsome architectural device for both generai and local lighting. The canopy should be6" deep and the same length as rhe island counter but 2" narrower. Its length should never be less than4t and it should be hung at least 12" ftom the ceiling. The bottom is shielded with translucent plasticor louvers. Natural finish wood sides give a rich appearaoce. Fitted with two, three or four rows offluorescent lamps, the canopy provides both indirect general illumination and high-level shadowlesslight on the work surface. A variation on this technique is to enclose the bottom in wood, too, andmountaseriesof semi-recessedorsurfacedownlights 16" to18" apart,alongthelengthof thecanopy.This provides both incandescent lighting on the work surface and fluorescent lighting for generalillumination.


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DINING AREASWith the trend to increased decoration in the kitchen, the dining areain a kitchen takes on nerv im-portance. The general illumination for the room is usually perfectlv aclequate for seeing to dine by.However, it is much more pleasant to have separate lights just for the dining area.If the dinin g area is a bar counter thetechniques mentioned above for IslandCounters are recommended.If the dinin g area is a separate table ornook, a generously scaled hangingfixture or a multi-pendant fixture setsthe table apart from the purely functionalareas of rhe room.Fixtures should be properly shielded andgive both upward and downward lightdistribution. They can be in periodor contemporarl styling.By using only the light froin hangingfixtures and under cabinets, you cancfeate as much atmosphere in thekitchen as in a formal dining room.Or if you have a multi-level switch ordimmer control equipment, you can adaptagers or a lare snack for tv,o after the party

the lighting atmosphere to suit a group of hungry teen-is over.

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SYLVANIA BULBS AND TUBES FOR KITCHEI{ LIGHTINGINCANDESCENT BULBS KITCHEN LITE

150 watt Soft White.ldeal where strongglare-free light is needed.

REFLECTOR LAMPS

{ 75 watt R-30 Spotlight75 watt R-30 Floodlight

60 watt lnside Frostedor Soft White



CHIMNEY LAMP

25 watt Satin White60 watt Satin White

150 watt R-40 Spotlight >150 watt R-40 Floodlight

FLUORESCENT TUBES

24" 20 walt - Natural, Deluxe Warm White or Deluxe Cool White36" 30 watt - Natural, Deluxe Warm White or Deluxe CoolWhite48/'40 watt - Natural, Deluxe Warm White or Deluxe CoolWhite

Prinied in tl.S.A. DRsmtAEii;iinT ntEpnltttE s ElEcrnntlrcs W

Documents

Sylvania Bright Ideas for Kitchen Lighting Brochure 1964