Many interior decorators rely on the big brick and mortar home improvement stores for many of the items, such as lighting which will be installed in an individual’s home. There is nothing wrong with this, except that it can be very limiting for the home owner. If the budget is exceptionally tight, then by all means, use these home improvement stores for inspiration and decorative details. Should the budget allow for a wider variety then it is recommended to visit many of the specialty shops and boutiques for that unique treasure.
Stores specializing in lighting or other home fixtures will be able to offer the home owner or interior decorator an incredible variety of products. Instead of three to five brands from which to choose, as one can expect from the home improvement stores, the home owner will very often be able to select from 20 to 30 distinct manufacturers; very likely more.
Some of these featured manufacturers will have the ability to custom make a lighting fixture based upon a sketch and description. If there is a common design or motif the home owner is attempting to complement, it is best to bring a sample with what is trying to be coordinated. An example of this would be a style of picture frame or other lamp that the décor is supposed to match. Frequently it may not be practical or possible to bring a sample to the specialty boutique. In this case, multiple pictures of the item, such as a table, from varying vantage points will be helpful.
One material which has always been a popular choice for custom-made lighting is wrought iron. Wrought iron lamps or lighting fixtures may not always coordinate well with the chosen home décor. There are several other choices of material from which to take advantage. Wood is a very malleable material which can be crafted to blend with any style or period.
The home owner needs to be aware of the added cost the lighting shop will need to charge for a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art. The individual will most likely be required to put a deposit down towards the work requested in order to cover the shop’s minimum costs in the event that the customer decide not to purchase the special order.
Lighting is just a small part of decorating a home. In order to provide a complete decorating solution, the majority of specialty lighting stores also sell pieces such as mirrors, glassware, candlesticks and so on. There are usually too many items for one store to have on display so the home owner needs to make good use of the catalogs available. It is quite likely that the home owner will be able to find just those right fixtures without resorting to the expensive alternative of having the lighting fixture custom made.
