Room by Room
My writing nook is an awkward corner of the library that I have made useful through stubbornness and good lighting. Writing requires more light than people usually give it. Relaxing in a dim room is lovely. Writing in one creates eye strain that masquerades as tiredness and kills a good afternoon.
The solution is a two-source system. A wall sconce on the left wall, mounted at shoulder height when seated, provides steady ambient light across the desk without hitting the laptop screen. A small adjustable desk lamp handles focused task lighting for reading physical notes or books.
I use 3000K in this space rather than my usual 2700K. The warmer color is wonderful for rest but slightly too cozy for focused work. 3000K is alert without being harsh — close enough to warm to feel like home, cool enough to feel like work.
The desk faces a wall rather than a window, which keeps me from the distraction of watching the garden. Natural light comes from the left — the right direction. On dark winter days the electric lighting fills in completely. It is a workable room. On the right afternoon, it is the kind of corner that makes you want to write.
Naomi at Nest by Naomi covered this from a graphic designer's perspective in her lighting observations about working from home — more technical detail on color temperature for screen work.