Let There Be Lights

O, The Oprah Magazine | From the Fall 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Credits: Photographs by Sang An, styling by Sam Cook

The Bathroom

"People think of lighting for the bathroom as utilitarian or industrial," says interior designer Larry Laslo, who chose bold black crystal sconces for his dramatic space.
Designers Laura Bohn and Thomas Jayne take a similarly flamboyant approach, sometimes adding a chandelier over the sink. "It's the Liberace effect," Jayne says.
For a more practical look, architect Calvin Tsao suggests sconces on either side of the mirror, and, for skin-loving light, frosted- or milk-glass shades with a mid-wattage halogen bulb on a dimmer.

Light sources:
A pair of dramatic Baccarat crystal sconces by Philippe Starck frame a beveled mirror in Laslo's white marble his-and-hers bathroom. Neutral-colored accessories keep things simple: glass apothecary jars ($18 to $32, the Bathroom); linen hand towels ($28, Takashimaya); pedestal soap dish ($42, Waterworks); and marble-and-oil-rubbed-bronze washstands by Walker Zanger.

Get the scoop on sconces.