| Party Lighting |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-507 |
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Q: Can you give me any lighting tips to set the right mood at my party? A: (from DIY entertaining expert, Jeanne Benedict) Great food is only one aspect of a successful party. Atmosphere is another. The creative use of lighting can help you achieve the a particular ambiance or atmosphere you're going for. Here are some suggestions. - Consider illuminating a draped cocktail table from underneath to create a dramatic look. Use battery operated touch-lights (figure A), and place them on the table legs underneath the table (figure B). Attach the lights to the table-legs using double-stick tape. Using the battery operated lights eliminates the inconvenience of electrical cords, and prevents the potential hazard of someone tripping over a cord.
- If the table is near a wall outlet, you can use a metal clip-on light or canister light under the table, as long as the cords can be placed so that they are unobtrusive and don't prevent a risk of someone tripping. For an even more dramatic look, you can use colored gels on canister lights to create colorful illumination.
- For a nice table-top illumination, float tea-light candles in a clear bowl filled halfway with colored water (figure C). Using a round, glass bowl in this way offers a nice complement if you are using round Japanese lanterns suspended from the ceiling.
- Gently place the candles in the water so that no water gets on top, and the wick remains dry. To make lighting easy, light the candles using a lighter with an extender -- like those used to ignite grills and fireplaces. The floating candles help add an elegant look for tabletop decorating (figure D).
- For overhead lighting, you can suspend hanging light sockets from ceiling hooks, and use colored bulbs (figure E).
- These suspended sockets are ideal for illuminating paper Japanese lanterns from inside (figure F). Follow the instructions that come with the paper lanterns to expand, suspend and light them. Be certain to follow any safety precautions provided by the manufacturer. Typically, the lantern hangs suspended from the electrical cord and is fastened by a wire clip.
- An alternative to the hanging sockets is to fasten a battery operated touch-light to the wire frame within the paper lantern, and suspend the lantern from the ceiling using mono-filament line.
- Clip-on lights with directing light shades can be fastened to drapery rods and directed to highlight wall areas or certain areas of the room. Colored flood lights and gels can be used to provide colored accent lighting.
- For a whimsical effect consider using a strand of twinkling white Christmas lights beneath a translucent tablecloth under a buffet table (figure G). Using crystal organza or a Japanese mirror organza will enhance the effect with a starburst patterns from the white lights.
- Finally, you can also use the white mini-lights in patio plants, large houseplants, on tent poles, suspended from rafters, etc. to make your party sparkle.
RESOURCES :
Pick a Party: The Big Book of Party Themes and Occasions
Model: 0671521233
Author: Patty Sachs
(September 1997); 204 pages
Any Excuse for a Party!: Hundreds of Fantastic Themes, Invitations. . .
Model: 0787115657
Author: K. Callan
Clever Party Planning : Party Planning Ideas and Themes for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Model: 0966125320
Author: Suzanne Singleton
The Art of the Cocktail Party : The Complete Guide to Sophisticated Entertaining
Model: 0452272351
Author: Leslie Brenner
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