My little girlaboutOtown has been described as “one who knows her own mind and is dedicated to her ideas” – and let me tell you – it’s true. “She won’t be taught”, I say of her often, “she has to learn for herself!”. This is a girl who is never convinced of the cold until she feels it, but who will always bundle up warm once she does.
I suppose the same could be said of me. I need to make mistakes in order to learn lessons, and the bigger the mistake the more important the lesson. I never seem to know when I’m making them, but every one has led me somewhere better.
This is why I have begun to appreciate my mistakes. Rather than resist their repercussions, I try to embrace each one as an enlightening opportunity to delve deeper, understand better and move myself forward. The tough part of course, is surviving the initial sting!
Rewind to last week’s lighting class. The assignment was to put together a lighting plan for a beautiful new build in the country, and to identify ambient, task and accent sources. Our intrepid instructor, a stickler for smart switching, was clear on his instructions. “Consider the effect of the light first”, he said astutely, “and worry about the look of the fixture later”.
So, what did I do? I got carried away. I whipped off a plan I thought was wonderful, and went too quickly through the details. I was whisked away by my imagination, dove right into the decorating, and didn’t heed the wise advice of the lighting specialist.
Alabaster Rocks! Dakota Two Tier Chandelier by Justice Design, via Lumens.com.
Fast forward to presentation time. With fancy pictures and a pleasant smile, I set about describing my stunning design vision. I elaborated on the site, expounded about the fictitious clients, and explained to my entire class that as a decorator, “I just couldn’t overlook the chance to make a stylish statement” with a striking light.
Well, talk about a sting!
My plan featured a few beautiful and very bold statements, but I had failed to check on the effect of the light! I had selected five fabulous looking chandeliers for the dramatic space, each requiring twenty-one (yup, that’s 21) 60 Watt bulbs, and created nothing less than a fantastic fire hazard. I had been hoping to achieve an attractive homey glow, but instead designed the world’s best decorated grow house, complete with coordinating fixtures for every room…
Lesson learned. Logged in. Locked up.
DESIGN IS IN THE DETAILS.
Then, I knew. Now? I understand!
For lovely lighting right here in Ottawa, check out these local sources:
| Arevco Lighting Ottawa | 285 Richmond Rd. |
| Living Lighting | 1600 Merivale Rd., 172 Roberston Rd., 1742 Bank St. |
| The Electrical & Plumbing Store | 1080 Ogilve Rd., 31 Northside Rd. Nepean |
| Marchand Electrical Co. Ltd. | 123 Algoma Rd. |
| Mikaza Home | 1154 Bank St. |
| Architectural Antiques | 356A Richmond Rd. |
November 21st, 2009 at 2:03 am
You’re taking Lighting now?! We must be just down the hall from each other on Wednesday nights
You picked a beautiful light fixture. Too bad it requires so many bulbs!! I’m going to remember this post when I’m in Lighting. I mean this in a totally supportive way when I say that I’ve learned from your mistake too
Ummmmm….. you have to make presentations in front of your whole class??? EEEEKKK!!! I’m SO not looking forward to that!!!!
Thanks for the lighting store links. I’ve been to a few of them, but the others are new to me.
Kelly