Secrets of 'secondary lighting'

It's hard to believe, but now that we're past the summer solstice, our daylight hours are gradually decreasing. By August, we'll start noticing – if we haven't already – and do everything we can to revel in brightness.

Your home is where you have the most control: it's a pinball machine of light, operating so fast you can't comprehend it. There's the sunshine that streams in, the artificial light you switch on and off, the candles you place thoughtfully and the mirrors that send it all careening about.

But there's also a more subtle phenomenon I call "secondary lighting." These are the objects with a curious sheen that almost makes you believe they're light sources themselves.

In my own place, the best example is a set of brass storage boxes from CB2 that have a way of illuminating anything inside. Here's one in my dining room:

The boxes come in sets of two, a large duo and a smaller pair. I've got all four and enjoy the unpredictable effect of framing various objects in their interiors – or arranging them empty, full of a tantalizing glow.

Once you start looking for secondary lighting, you'll find it in unexpected places. I have a cast aluminum serving tray that I've repurposed as wall art. Propped up on an acrylic shelf in my living room, it's far more intriguing than the table lamp and floor lamp nearby:

Vintage shops are a treasure trove of secondary lighting. Look for items with metallic surfaces, plentiful in the better stores. This snazzy space age clock is a gleaming find, available now at Atomic Design:

It's smart to start your secondary lighting quest while summer is still here. You'll be well-stocked with enough luminosity to last you for months to come.

Affectionately,