My kids love it when I tell people, "I married a vampire." Not that my husband is afraid of silver crosses or looks like Robert Pattinson.
But he hates the morning light. In our former home I had to install room-darkening shades to keep the sun out of the bedroom. When we moved, he convinced me we should take the smaller, darker of the two largest bedrooms as the master.
Me? I love the light. It lifts my mood and keeps me alert. Not to mention that natural light is essential to my art and craft projects. When Daylight Savings Time was extended to last from March into November a few years back, I was ecstatic.
So, in honor of the dawning of DST 2011 yesterday, I'm offering some tips for making the most of the light in your studio and posting an illuminating giveaway, too.
Tips for Making the Most of your Art Studio Lighting
If possible, choose a space to create in that has lots of natural light, preferably with a northern exposure. The northern light is diffuse, not harsh, so it's easy on the eyes and less damaging to fabrics, paints, etc.
If a room without a lot of big windows is not available to you, make the most of the windows you have. Position your worktable under a skylight, for example. Or put up mirrors that will bounce the light around the room.
Choose window treatments wisely. Install blinds or shutters that can be open to let in all the light during the day and closed for privacy in the evening. If you need more privacy during the day, choose sheers or gauze curtains (this will help diffuse harsh light, too).
Get creative. Use your art to make window treatments that showcase your talents while letting in the natural light. The window treatments act as a kind of gallery for your space, especially when you host an open studios event.
Flip the switch. Gray days happen. Night happens. Basement studios happen. So get some artificial light, preferably the full spectrum kind that lets you see true colors and also saves energy.
It's especially important to have good task lighting to prevent eyestrain when doing close work, even if you have the benefit of the sun.
For a giveaway that will help you make the most of your light and keep your studio clean, visit the In the Studio with Cate blog today. For more tips on how to make the most of your light and your studio space in general, be sure to get your copy of Spring Studios 2011, now available.
