This 6,000-square-foot contemporary home stands as a design symbol for its community. A softly illuminated colonnade welcomes guests who traverse the limestone walkways that appear to float above water.

The lighting of home office spaces should address visual comfort and task visibility. One way to achieve both is through having several layers of lighting providing ambient (general) and task illumination.

In January 2012, the first phase of energy standards for the incandescent lamp (or light bulb) took effect, effectively eliminating common household general-service 100W lamps. In California, these standards have taken effect one year earlier than the federal standards.

Interested in a fun online tutorial that’s guaranteed to help you navigate the basics of lighting? Check out “Discover Lighting,” a five-chapter course offered by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) that’s sure to fuel anyone’s fire for this fascinating and far-reaching field.