I was notified of new comments by email. If you google my username, you'll find everything I had to say on the subject. I'm still heartbroken 2 years later and really can't rehash all of this. Even seeing the email notify made my heart sink. Wishing you the best of luck. And thank you again to all of you wonderful ladies who helped me along the way. I'll never forget your kindness.

An easy way I use is to divide the total light output over the room size and compare the result with a desired lighting per sq ft number. For example, assuming that you would like to have ~ 30 lumens per sq ft and the room is 20'x 10' Total light required for the room would be 30 x 15 x 10 = 6000 lumens. Assuming each T8 tube provides ~ 1500 lumens, the fixture should provide 4500 lumens. In this example, you will be short of 1500 lumens (1 tube). The calculation is a very simplistic means of figuring out general lighting and does not take into account distance from the surface to be illuminated, light trapped in the fixture or shadow regions.

Deb Love your new space - Some ideas to help soften - Burlap or linen drapes to just frame the window not to cover. Hung even with the opening. - A chandy where the current light fixture is - A nice piece of salvaged architectural iron work - Like an old gate http://www.google.com/images?q=salvaged+iron+work&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=836&bih=397 - You could repeat the iron with an old plant stand some funky pots w/succulents or other plants - Frame the bulletin board - A metal vintage desk lamp for the other desk http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=836&bih=397&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=vintage+desk+lamp&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq= - Vintage posters Do you want to add any color? Keep us posted Here is a link that might be useful: burlap drapes

Painting the walls only behind the desk area up to the horizontal trim …inside the cabinets and under desk ….would be a small area..but the contrast there will relieve the wood overkill in your view plane …and allow the details of the desk area to stand out better