Lighting: A Design Source Book (ISBN 1556706987)

Amazon.com Review:
Lighting is as integral a factor in any interior design plan as color, objects, and arrangement. Wilhide understands that lighting is more than simply what we see; it's also how we feel. Lighting is a central factor in how any space influences our moods. This big, lavish book provides practical help on positioning and installing light sources throughout every room of the home. Dramatically and beautifully illustrated with more than 300 color photographs, it also includes source lists for the specific fixtures and lamps shown. A casual perusal of the lively photographs alone will give the reader inspiration and fire the imagination for creative use of light for dramatic effect, to soothe or relax, to warm a room, or to cool it down visually. This book is not only fun to look at, but also practical and useful for any would-be decorator, beginner or professional. --Mark A. Hetts

Excellent Introduction to lighting:
On top of helpful tips and information about different types of lighting and lamps, the books lean heavily on lighting for more modern interiors. It does talk about universal applications in period styles, but I feel the author's interest is more on the modern side. Most of the photos and examples are taken from modern interiors. If you like contemporary and modern flavor, this is a book to miss! Definitely a keeper!

I sent this book back:
First book I ever returned to Amazon because it was of unacceptable quality. The book should be titled "Pictures of pretty lighting fixtures" as the photographs are quite well done, but I found no useful information on the design of lighting. There is nothing on the subject of how to illuminate a room. Indeed you will see some examples of incredibly underlit rooms. They look good in the pictures because the photographer, Ray Main, has added what looks like a couple of thousand watts of bounce flash. You will see some kitchens where the people will need flashlights to cook their food. I did not see any room that looked adequately lit by the actual fixtures. The discussion of fluorsecent lights is very disappointing. In the age of energy conservations the fact that fluorescent lights emit about 5 times more lumens per watt than incandescent lights makes them definitely worth considering. I had hoped to see some artistic ideas for using these interesting but awkward light sources, but there was very little and what there was was disappointing. Kudos to Ray Main for beautiful photographs. Look somewhere else if you want "A Design Source Book".

What else can I say:
What they said! This book is very,very,good. Not only do you get excellent information on lighting, but wonderful ideas on contempory decorating. Two for the price of one, it doesn't get any better than that.

Needs Work:
This book lightly touches on all aspects of lighting, some more heavily than other. But it definitely needs work in some sections. Also there is no mention of LCD, Natural Gas or Pipe Lighting, which should be addressed in any newer versions. The web links should also be checked and updated accordingly. Borrow it from the library first before you decide to buy it.

An Introduction Rather Than A Source:
It is a beautiful book, but I was disappointed that there wasn't more on actual lighting theory.