The Art of Illumination: Residential Lighting Design

Those looking for "connect the dots" instructions for various lighting projects will probably be happier looking for more detail-oriented books, perhaps books in the Sunset or Black and Decker series.That said, I rate this above the other dozen or so books I have recently acquired on this topic in preparation for working on a new house. The reason is simple: this is the book that suggests ways of thinking about lighting and demonstrates the consequences of planning -- or not planning -- in various ways. To think usefully, not to mention creatively, about lighting, I felt I needed a way to think about the overall impact. While other books provide lots of specific information about particular situations, this is the one that offers more of a systemic outlook. But it is not lacking in specifics. It offers enough detail about every technical aspect of lighting that I finally feel able to listen more intelligently to lighting specialists and electricians. The information seems up-to-date, at least in terms of what's available in the market where we live, and it is the single book on the topic that I would not part with as we begin the day-to-day slogging through making another house into our home. Don't buy this book if what you really want is a specific recipe to cook up half a dozen recessed lights and some task lighting in your kitchen. You'll be disappointed. But if you're willing to tease apart the vagaries of your particular space and suss out the special uses of your own kitchen, this book will reward you by empowering you to develop and evaluate lighting solutions for yourself.

I purchased this book as I'm building a home. As a resource for unusual and striking architectual and accent lighting this book has it all. The photos and descriptive drawings have allowed me to work with my electrician to hopefully produce a great lighting design without an incredible cost.

Glenn M. Johnson's book, The Art of Illumination Residential Lighting Design, is an extrememly helpful book. I am a lay person. I have no background in lighting design, architecture, or electrical engineering, I just want to build my dream home. Through the easy reading of this wonderful book I have discovered the many (more than I had imagined) interesting techniques for lighting outside, inside, and especially for lighting specific things such as art, furniture, and accessories. I had no idea there were so many types of fixtures, lamps, and control systems from which to choose. This opens up a large realm of possibilities for me. The ADAPTIVE Method is ingenious. This organized approach of planning and implementing my lighting project takes all the guess work out and keeps all of the people involved on the same team! My confidence level that my project is turning out right is high. Speaking of 'high' , I highly recommend this magnificent book!