The dining-room presents an entirely different problem for the setting is very definite.  The dining-table is the most important area in the room and it should be the most brilliantly illuminated area in the room.  A demonstration of this point is thoroughly convincing.  The decorator who designs wall brackets for the dining-room is interested in beautiful objects of art and not in a proper lighting effect.  The fixture-dealer, having fixtures to sell and not recognizing that he could fill a crying need as a lighting specialist, is as likely to sell a semi-indirect or an indirect lighting fixture as he is to provide a properly balanced lighting effect with the table brightly illuminated.  The indirect and semi-indirect units illuminate the ceiling predominantly with the result that this bright area distracts attention from the table.  A brightly illuminated table holds the attention of the diners.  Light attracts and a semi-darkness over the remainder of the room crowds in with a result that is far more satisfactory than that of a dining-room flooded with light.

The old-fashioned dome which hung over the dining-table has served well, for it illuminated the table and left the remainder of the room dimly lighted.  But its wide aperture made it necessary to suspend it rather low in order that the lamps within should not be visible.  It is an obtrusive fixture and despite its excellent lighting effect, it went out of style.  But satisfactory lighting principles never become antiquated, and as taste in fixtures changes the principles may be retained in new fixtures.  Modern domes are available which are excellent for the dining-room if the lamps are well concealed.  The so-called showers are satisfactory if the shades are dense and of such shape as to conceal the lamps from the eyes.  Various modifications readily suggest themselves to the alert fixture-designer.  Even the housewife can do much with silk shades when the principle of lighting the dining-table is understood.  The so-called candelabra have been sold extensively for dining-rooms and they are fairly satisfactory if equipped with shades which reflect much of the light downward.  Semi-indirect and indirect fixtures have many applications in lighting, but they do not provide the proper effect for a dining-room.

It is easy to make a special fixture which will send a component of light downward to the table and will permit a small amount of diffused light to the ceiling and walls.  If a daylight lamp is used for the direct component, the table will appear very beautiful.  Under this light the linen and china are white, flowers and decorations on the china appear in their full colors, the silver is attractive, and the various color-harmonies such as butter, paprika, and baked potato are enticing.  This is an excellent place for a daylight lamp if diffused light illuminating the remainder of the room and the faces of the diners is of a warm tone obtained by warm yellow lamps or