Recipe for a Radiant Kitchen

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Layer one part accent lighting with two parts ambient, add a heaping tablespoon of task illumination and a dash of decorative and you have a delicious space that serves hosts and guests alike.

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Task Lighting

In the same way that fruits and vegetables keep a body working in tip-top condition, good task lighting helps busy chefs create their best cuisine, supporting all of a kitchen’s many activities. A nearly invisible 3⁄8-inch profile helps Kichler’s Design Pro LED Disc lights provide seamless illumination under the cabinets for meal prep and other tasks. Also shown: the company’s Design Pro LED Modular (in cabinet), Design Pro LED Linear (toe-kick illumination) and Prairie Ridge mini pendants. www.kichler.com

Ambient Lighting

The meat and potatoes of any lighting recipe, ambient lighting brightens the entire space and softens shadows. In this contemporary California kitchen, Bruck Lighting’s Rony Spots give the room an open, welcoming feel. The easy-to-install fixtures were also the perfect solution to the room’s ceiling restrictions. Also shown: the company’s Cristello pendants. Photo by Douglas Hill; interior design by Emily LaMarque Design Studio. www.brucklighting.com

Accent Lighting

Much like spices help bring out the flavors in a dish, accent lighting helps highlight decorative elements and add depth to a space. Glassware stored in a glass cabinet becomes part of this traditional kitchen’s décor when illuminated with Sea Gull Lighting’s Ambiance Lx LED festoon, which is an easy-to-install replacement for xenon lighting systems. The LED festoons are dimmable and come in warm and cool white color temperatures. www.seagulllighting.com

Decorative Lighting

The cherry on top of any lighting recipe is the visual flourish of decorative lighting. Nuvo Lighting’s Link Collection lends an artistic touch to the clean lines of this minimalist kitchen. The Tube pendants and Dual Tube wall sconce are both shown in a textured black finish with satin white glass. www.nuvolighting.com

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