Understanding color-correct lighting starts with knowing the benchmark of natural sunlight. The amount of color you see in the chart above represents the spectrum volume of color under each type of light. All light has two main, light-rating measures. One is a CRI (Color Rendering Index), and the other is a Kelvin rating. The natural sunlight color temperature has a CRI of 100, and a 5500 Kelvin rating. The main quality of an excellent color temperature bulb, is its color rendering capability. The closer to 100 CRI you can get, the better. Looking directly at a light and its light ambiance, is the Kelvin rating. The very top photo helps communicate those numbers visually.

To simplify the comparison, each chart has a volume of color, that is what you'll see more of in a room. If a balanced representation of color is what you are after, then you'll want a light that is closest to the natural light. Cool-white light is the light that is furthest away from a natural light spectrum. You'll see that items in a room will appear to have a greenish cast on them. Notice how the yellow and green peaks.

Our Interior Designer's page illustrate's visually what happens when light hits an object. Notice that the object's colors changes under different light spectrums.The application: When there are multiple design inputs made on a project, this is an area where color errors inadvertently are made. As each input can be made under different light spectrums.

For more photos on how differing light spectrums affect an objec'ts appearence, click here.