Lamps can be magnificent for what interior design professionals call “task illumination” - things like reading

a magazine or having the home help take care of the ironing. A gentle pool of soft lamplight can promote relaxation, especially in some of the very grand London residences that are the focus of so many of our interior design projects. By contrast, sconces and torchières are most suitable when there is a need to project light onto the ceiling and have that illumination glance off back down into the room. This type of reflected light is perfect for residential interior design schemes where the goal is to beautify the room and, most importantly, the people in it!