Friday, October 10, 2008

Consumer Advisory Council Forming

We are looking for design-oriented individuals to be a part of our Lighting One Consumer Advisory Council - a valuable asset to the Lighting One team.

We will send periodic emails with surveys on:
* Potential Products
* Marketing Techniques
* Home Furnishing Buying Habits

Best of all, you may sign up for this service at no charge to you.

To reward you, we will add you to our mailing list for advance notice of sales and private events.

The information that we receive will be a tremendous help to us. We will not flood your email box and will respect your time. We value you and your opinion…

To register, please message info@lighting-one.com with your name, email address, and physical location. Your information will not be sold to anyone at any time and will stay only within the Lighting One family.

Thank you for your assistance!

http://twurl.cc/5rb

Monday, October 6, 2008

Task Lighting for Your Home Design

Task lighting is the lighting necessary to carry out specific activities in the home. Generally, task lighting is higher in intensity than other types of lighting. There are four primary tasks that require higher than average lighting levels.

1. Lighting for food preparation and cooking

2. Lighting for grooming (shaving, putting on makeup, etc.)

3. Lighting for reading

4. Lighting for a variety of activities in a laundry room.

Footcandles are the unit that we use to measure the amount of lighting reaching a task. A footcandle is a simple concept, and one footcandle is the amount of light reaching a surface that is one foot away from one candle when no other light is present.

The level of footcandles necessary to achieve good task lighting is approximately 50, and can be achieved in a variety of ways. Your lighting consultant can help you to better understand this concept and can help you to achieve this level of lighting.


No matter what your lighting needs are, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you and provide your more Lighting Design Tips. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom. Products vary by showroom location.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Lighting Design Trends

Lighting designers and manufacturers proudly combine fashion and function in their designs, creating compelling decorative lamps and fixtures that do more than simply illuminate – they beautify a home.

Lighting products including chandeliers, table lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps are available in a variety of shapes, styles and finishes to help change the look and function of a room. Although common and traditional polished brass fixtures remain popular to this day, a variety of other finishes are now available and have increasingly gained popularity with consumers in recent years.

Decorative lighting is used for style as well as function. Many homeowners today are focusing on using coordinated families of lamps and fixtures for each room; thereby creating a look that matches their personal style preferences.

Decorative lighting manufacturers design their products based on the diversity of their customers. For example, a homeowner in a rustic wooded area may select lamps embellished with pine-needle filigree. The ability to incorporate special design elements such as these provides homeowners with more opportunity to personalize their homes to match their environment.

When shopping for decorative lighting, always select the highest quality lighting that fits within your budget. Lighting One offers a variety of brand levels that will help you select the products that best meet your needs and budget. And always consider your lighting an investment in your home. Therefore, an investment in quality will certainly provide you with longer life products that will beautify your home for many years to come. And don’t forget to ask your design consultant about Lighting One’s financing options!

Changing lampshades is an effective way to freshen up or update a room’s décor. Lampshade fashions are all about using beautiful materials and combining them with unique treatments. The fabric choices for shades are much more decorative and refined, such as shantung silks and crinkled oiled papers. Decorative trim on lampshades has become very popular. Have fun selecting a lampshade dressed up with a row of glass beads, pearls, rhinestones, tassels or even feathers to complement a setting in your home. Selecting the right shade is an easy way to dress up an area of your home with functional accessories.


No matter what your lighting needs are, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you and provide your more Lighting Design Tips. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom. Products vary by showroom location.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Lighting Help for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Most of us have come to spend our waking hours indoors...eliminating sunlight from daily routines. But, as science continues to discover and understand the role light plays in our lives, its use as both a therapeutic and preventative tool is becoming evident.

Our inability to perceive colors adequately, as is the case on a gray winter day or under poor artificial lighting, can negatively affect our mood and energy flow. In the winter, we invariably have less energy, while in the spring we come alive. For many, these mood swings are severe and typify a condition know as Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). Those affected with S.A.D. act like animals prior to hibernation-increased sleep, diet changes and weight gain.

Combat these issues with options ranging from light bulbs to lamps to doctor-recommended light boxes at 10,000 lux. The Chromalux bulb, Verilux Happy Eyes Lamp and Verilux Happy Lite are all choices available as great full spectrum lighting solutions to help treat S.A.D. The Chromalux bulb has its origin in Finland where life must be sustained in almost total darkness for several months each year. With this innovative, extra-long life bulb, the light is purified, allowing colors to maintain their true color and vibrancy. It has been described as the closest thing to natural daylight.

By using full spectrum bulbs, lamps or light boxes in your home or office, you'll brighten up your area and mood allowing you to see and feel better.


Submitted by Jennifer Guerriero with the Light Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, a Lighting One showroom. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, or for more Lighting One Design Tips, please visit www.lighting-one.com. Please note that some products may vary by location.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Engery Saving Tips for Your Lighting Design

Here are some helpful tips to create an energy-efficient home:

· Install timers and sensors. You can install timers and sensors that turn the lights on at dusk and shut them off after a specific time. Not only does this save energy, it can go a long way toward making your home a less appealing target for would-be intruders.

· Go green! Replacing four 60-watt incandescent bulbs with 13-watt fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) that use about two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer saves about $190 over the life of the bulbs. If all our nation's households did the same, we'd save as much energy as is consumed by some 38 million cars in one year.

· Install dimmers on incandescent light bulbs. Dimming your lights just 25% saves 20% in energy.

· Install ceiling fans. Save energy by using a ceiling fan to cool down rather than the air conditioning in the summer. In the winter, a flip of the switch will keep your heat moving around the room, saving on heating costs.

By sticking to these simple tips, you'll be able to save money and energy.


Submitted by Jennifer Guerriero with the Light Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, a Lighting One showroom. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, or for more Lighting One Design Tips, please visit www.lighting-one.com. Please note that some products may vary by location.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Ask the Experts!

Question: I'm doing a kitchen update and want to use pendant lighting instead of the 6" recessed cans I currently have, but I don't want the pain of pulling the cans out of the ceiling plus doing a bunch of drywall work. Is there a way to convert a recessed can to a pendant?

Answer: You can convert your existing recessed can light to a pendant by using a product called The Can Converter. This product adapts almost any recessed light fixture or can light to work with other types of light fixtures. You can modify can lights to hang a ceiling fan, ceiling light, light canopy, swag light, pendant light or just about any other type of light fixture in minutes. No patch work is required.

Question: I want to make my home more energy efficient on a small budget of a couple hundred dollars. Are dimmers a viable option for me and can I install them myself?


Answer: Dimmers are a great way to save energy with a minimal investment and are easy to install. If every US household installed only ONE more dimmer, we would reduce carbon monoxide emissions equivalent to that of 370,000 cars. Basic dimmers start at $14.99 and remote control dimmer combos start at $49.99. To install, 1. Turn power off at circuit breaker 2. Remove wall plate and switch mounting screws 3. Pull switch from wall and disconnect switch wires 4. Connect the wires in the box and dimmer by matching colors 5. Use wire connectors to secure the electrical connection. Twist wire connector tight and ensure no bare wire is exposed 6. mount and align dimmer 7. Install wall plate 8. Turn power on at circuit breaker 9. Enjoy energy savings!


Submitted by Jennifer Guerriero with the Light Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, a Lighting One showroom. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, or for more Lighting One Design Tips, please visit www.lighting-one.com. Please note that some products may vary by location.

Friday, September 19, 2008

How to Save Energy in Your Lighting Design

ENERGY STAR Rated Products Cuts Home Energy Use of 6,485 Watts to 1,324 Watts. By simply using ENERGY STAR® rated light fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs and LED lights, Lighting Designer Brandi Morley dramatically cut energy use for a new model home featured in the 2008 Parade of Homes built by Stoner Homes at 849 Vista Grande from an estimated 6,485 watts to a an incredibly low 1,324 watts.

If every household in the U.S. changed out just one light to an ENERGY STAR® version, we would save enough energy to light 7 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to 1 million cars according to the US Environmental Agency.

Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when shopping for light fixtures and bulbs. Lighting manufacturers are increasing the number of ENERGY STAR® lines so that you do not have to sacrifice style and design for energy savings. Talk to your lighting consultant on how to cut your energy costs.

Submitted by Jennifer Guerriero with the Light Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, a Lighting One showroom. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, visit www.lighting-one.com. Lighting One is an ENERGY STAR® Partner.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Lighting for Your Bathroom and Vanity

Bath and vanity lights provide task and general lighting. Vanity lighting comes in a variety of styles and offer different numbers of lighting units. These fixtures usually use incandescent bulbs to provide task lighting for applying makeup, shaving, and grooming, but they also provide good general lighting for the entire room.

Note: To reduce shadows, the best lighting for your bathroom mirror is a combination of light both above and on either side of the mirror. The second choice would be to have lighting only on each side of the mirror (as shown here). The third option, but still a good option, is to have lighting only above the mirror.

The product shown is 1061-AP, available at Lighting One showrooms. To locate the showroom nearest you, please visit www.lighting-one.com. For more Lighting One design tips, please be certain to subscribe to the blog.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

How to Hang Your Wall Sconce

There are a variety of wall-mounted fixtures available today. These fixtures provide general, as well as accent lighting to a room. The wall sconce pictured here, would offer great uplighting as an accent to the room. However, since it is made of alabaster and is translucent, light will pass through it to provide some general lighting as well.

Many wall-mounted fixtures are designed in families. Meaning they match other fixtures. The wall sconce above matches a chandelier to give a coordinated look to a room.

We recommend wall sconces to be mounted between 70 and 78 inches from the center of the fixture to the floor. If the sconce is lower than 70 inches you can see the bulb inside. If the sconce is higher than 78 inches, you lose some of the light effect, as the sconce is too close to the ceiling.
Some sconces are designed to resemble a candle. Since you see the bulb, these types of sconces could be hung as low as 66 inches.

General rules of thumb for wall sconces: If the sconce is away from traffic patterns, than a height of 70 inches is fine. However, in hallways where people walk, the center of the sconce should be hung between 72 – 78 inches above the floor. This height allows people to walk by without hitting the sconce. Finally, for higher ceilings it is better to hang a sconce at the 78-inch height. However it is rare that one should hang a sconce below 66 inches or higher than 78 inches.

The product shown is #0606-ORE from the Gianni Collection, available exclusively at Lighting One showrooms. For more information, lighting design tips, or to locate your nearest Lighting One showroom, visit www.lighting-one.com.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Expert Advice & Tips on all of your Home Design Needs

As a reader of the Lighting One Design Tips, you have the opportunity to become a member of one of our new partners... the most exciting new social media site for home design!

Zabitatz.com has created a fun, interactive website platform where you can see, source, and share advice, insight and inspiration on home design. Through aggregating the insight of its members (aka Zabbers), Zabitatz.com allows the pizzazz - energy, vitality, style & flair - of fabulous home design to emerge.

Lighting One will be offering expert advice and tips on http://www.zabitatz.com/ as well as answering your lighting questions. Be sure to check out our sponsored group "Let the Light Shine In." We would love for you join this group. Feel free to add "Lighting One" as your friend.

See you on Zabitatz.com!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Let Your Lighting Bathe Your Bathroom

The key lighting issue in the bath area is at the mirror to provide shadow-free lighting on the face. One fixture mounted over the mirror is a good way of lighting the bathroom, but this can still cause shadows on the face. The best way to eliminate these shadows is to add wall fixtures to the side of the mirror.

If the fixture uses exposed lamps, do not use wattage higher than 40 watts. For fixtures with a clear or well-diffused glass globe use no more than 60 watts. Etched or white glass on a fixture should be used with no more than 100 watts. Color corrected fluorescent lamps should be used when fluorescent fixtures are desired.

Areas over 100 square feet require several recessed down lights or decorative surface mounted fixtures. Adding companion – close to ceiling mounted fixtures will help to supplement bath wall fixtures in these larger bathrooms.

In the shower, the use of a recessed shower light or a ceiling mounted plastic unit is appropriate. And don't forget the area over the commode. Here a recessed unit is always a welcome addition.
Finally, remember that a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) should be used to protect the homeowner with any lighting fixture within the reach of water. Multiple light sources and multiple controls will allow you to alternate between morning efficiency and nighttime serenity.

No matter what your lighting needs are for your Master Bath, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you and provide your more Lighting Design Tips. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Mastering the Lighting in Your Master Suite

With today’s open master suites, the master bedroom has taken on a whole new dimension in the home. Decorative sconces, torcheres, portable lamps, or built in cove lighting can provide glare free fill light. If replacing a ceiling globe in the middle of the room, consider an opaque pendant that directs the light up and off the ceiling, unless the fixture is a light unit for a ceiling fan. (When a fixture is attached to a ceiling fan the light should not be directed upward as it creates a very annoying strobe effect when the fan is on.)

Where we have a master bedroom with an adjacent sitting area, more lighting will be required. Recessed lighting is one of the preferred ways to light a general area because the light source is concealed. The room will come alive through accenting artwork, wall washing or grazing. Another way to accent the room is through wall sconces.

Finally consider adding a few control switches near the bed so lights and nightlights can be controlled without getting out of bed.

No matter what your lighting needs are for your Master Suite, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you and provide your more Lighting Design Tips. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom.

Monday, August 4, 2008

The Latest Trends In Recessed Lighting

Homeowners are finding the most popular way of lighting their new kitchen or extension is with recessed lighting. That's because recessed lighting has a clean appearance and gives off plenty of light. While it's true that recessed is an excellent choice, the type of recessed lighting you choose is very important. Many people allow their contractors or electricians to select their recessed lighting. However, they usually use builder-grade recessed cans, which use 120-volt bulbs and are very expensive to run, and they don't often choose the best layout for your space.

When you take into account the high cost of energy, it becomes clear that the cost of running recessed lights is more important than the cost of the lights. An excellent choice for most applications is energy-efficient 12-volt low-voltage recessed lights. These provide good quality white light without heat, cost little to run, and use long-lasting bulbs. In addition, they are smaller than traditional recessed lights, making them more attractive.

For adding new recessed lighting, a great combination would be to use American-made low-voltage recessed cans, along with high-quality European 12-volt bulbs. An added benefit of the American-made cans is that there is a 10-year warranty on both the transformer and the socket. In addition, the American-made transformers use a lower voltage compared to builder quality recessed lighting. This combination can save over $1,600 over the life of each bulb, which can last over 14,000 hours. These units give off the best quality white light, and there's no heat under the bulbs. Their smaller size, along with their great light output, make these the best choice for most homeowners.

For existing recessed lighting, there are several ways that you can save energy. The easiest would be to use European 120-volt halogen bulbs, which give off better quality light, last longer, and cut down on heat compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. These bulbs, which cost $10-$13 each, will outlast 3-4 incandescent bulbs and can save over $120 over the life of each bulb.

Another good choice for saving energy with existing recessed lighting is LED lighting. These units, which use the latest technology, easily screw into your existing recessed cans. While the initial cost of approximately $125 per unit may seem expensive, they more than make up for through the money saved on energy costs. These units use only 12 watts of energy, which is just a little more than a night-light, but they give off the same light as a 120-volt incandescent bulb. The LED units are rated for 50,000 hours of use, so based on an average of four hours of use per day, they will last 40 years. At today's energy costs, these units will save over $2,500 in energy costs and over $300 in bulb replacement costs. The units are also airtight, so they won't allow heat to escape through them. This saves even more money on heating costs.

Recently people have been touting compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as a good way to save energy. While it's true that they are great in terms of energy usage, they take a long time to reach their full brightness, and give off a duller light than other bulbs. In addition, homeowners must be aware that these units contain Mercury, so they must be disposed of properly. Still, fluorescent bulbs can be a very good choice in areas where the quality of light isn't as important, like in a basement or laundry room.

Written by Philip Finkelstein.Philip is a Lighting One-certified lighting designer, and has owned Illuminations in Rockville Centre, NY for the past 30 years. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Lighting for Your Great Room

Living spaces provide prime opportunities for multi-layer lighting schemes to enhance room ambiance, dramatize wall textures, accent artwork or just provide general illumination in the den, living room, family room, playroom, or bedrooms.

Recessed lighting is one of the preferred ways to light a general area because the light source is concealed. But close to ceiling or decorative fluorescent fixtures can also provide great general lighting.

For accenting artwork, wall washing or grazing, recessed or track fixtures can bring life to a room. Further, low voltage strip lighting helps create drama in bookcases.

Finally, for visual tasks such as reading, playing games, or hobbies, you will require more light than the general illumination provided in the room. To accommodate this need recessed, track lighting, pendants, or portable lamps can provide ample task lighting.

No matter what your lighting needs are for your Great Room, a Lighting One showroom should be able to assist you. Visit www.lighting-one.com for your nearest showroom.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Extend the Enjoyment of your Landscape Lighting

Your home is the single biggest investment you'll ever make. Your home is your castle and your yard is your domain. But for a good part of the year by the time you get home from work your yard is dark. You can't see the landscaping at all, and the house just fades into the night. More and more people are finding that architectural and landscape lighting allows them to extend the enjoyment of their landscape investment into the evening hours. The right lighting creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the exterior of your home and your yard. You'll even enjoy the lighting from inside.

You can enhance the ambiance of your property at night with low-voltage landscape lighting of trees, shrubs and flowers. You can also increase safety by lighting up stairs, driveways and walkways.

Just like the new low-voltage recessed lighting that many homeowners are using inside their homes to save money as energy costs rise, low voltage landscape lighting is available for outdoors, that uses only 12 volts of electricity. This type of lighting is energy efficient, safe to install, and offers better control of light than 120 Volt builders style lighting.

A certified Lighting One designer can easily create a lighting plan by choosing one or two points of interest and making these the centerpiece of your landscape lighting display, and then building the rest of your lighting plan around your focal points. Unique landscape features, such as sculptures and shaped shrubbery, can be highlighted using spotlights, or a sequence of spotlights can create an interesting mosaic of colors and textures. In addition, up lighting adds visual interest to objects such as trees, bushes, statues and fountains.

Other techniques include the use of path lighting to illuminate the areas where people walk or drive, which adds safety as well as beauty. Floodlighting is also a versatile technique used for illuminating a wide range of features including walls, garden ponds or gazebos.

Use silhouetting to provide dramatic effects on a broad surface, like a wall, behind a landscape feature such as bushes. Wall lighting can be incorporated into a wall that a building, pool or walkway area for added visibility.

Many homeowners let their landscaper or electrician design their landscape lighting, but these people aren't the experts in this field. For the best results and maximum energy savings, a certified lighting designer, trained by Lighting One University or the American Lighting Association, should design your landscape lighting. Whether designing landscape lighting or interior lighting, lighting designers are more familiar with the current trends in lighting and use the most energy-efficient lighting products.

Although a homeowner can easily install a small job, on a major exterior renovation a licensed electrician should be used. A well-planned landscape lighting job will encourage more use of your outdoor property and enhance the value of your home.


Written by Philip Finkelstein, a Lighting One certified lighting designer, and owner of Illuminations in Rockville Centre, NY for the past 30 years. To locate the Lighting One showroom nearest you, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Sconces: A Home’s Secret Weapon

Perhaps more than any other type of interior lighting, the wall sconce is the most underrated and underutilized. Almost magical in the way it can transform boring areas into interesting and inviting spaces, the wall sconce should be prevalent in every house that wants to feel like a home.

Whenever possible, use wall sconces in hallways to get a warm, comfortable feeling that will draw you further into the hall and help lead you to whatever room or rooms lie ahead. You can’t get that result using standard recessed cans or simple flush mount fixtures to light the area. Wall sconces can create a nice glow that gives a sense of softness to halls and makes them an added feature in a home rather than an area to avoid. Typically, wall sconces should be mounted at 68” to 72” from the floor.

Large sun-filled great rooms are wonderful during the day, but tend to feel like big, scary, dark caverns at night. Sconces mounted around the perimeter of the room will make the room seem smaller and more intimate.

In lower levels, sconces will dress up the area so that it doesn’t feel like a “basement” and the low-level light from dimmed sconces will give the impression of warmth in an area that often feels cool.

Stairways are another great place for sconces. Many styles can act as a focal point in this area, hanging on the wall like a functional piece of art. A wall sconce also allows for easier maintenance. Reaching and changing the light bulb in a sconce is much easier than in a ceiling fixture or a recessed light that would usually require a ladder in a stairway.

Finally, rather than just another coach light on the outside of your home, outdoor-rated sconces can really make that back deck feel like an extension of your indoor living space.

By making large rooms feel cozier and making small spaces seem special; the power of wall sconces to transform any area to something more desirable should not be underestimated.
Article written by Mark Hansen, Lighting Design Expert at The Ar-Jay Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To locate the closest Lighting One showroom, visit www.lighting-one.com. Sconce shown in photo is 8820-CC from the Knight's Bridge Collection, available at Lighting One showrooms.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Recessed Downlighs for your Home Lighting Design

Recessed lighting has become very popular over the past several years. It inconspicuously provides general, or accent lighting and is recessed in the ceiling with only the trim showing. While this type of fixture can also be used for task lighting, be careful that the placement doesn't have your head block the light from the task at hand.

Since this type of light fixture is recessed in the ceiling, it does not have a style of its own. That means it can be used in any style home. While recessed lighting is ideal for low-ceiling areas, it can also be used in cathedral ceilings with a special adapter. Recessed lighting is available as downlights, adjustable accent lights, and wall washers. These fixtures can be used to light up a kitchen counter, illuminate a family portrait, offer a delightful accent to the room, or create an inviting atmosphere under the eaves outside your home.

The number of uses for recessed lighting has grown tremendously with the creation of low voltage recessed lighting applications, smaller apertures, and with a greater number of beam spreads available in today’s halogen bulbs.

In new construction, downlight cans are mounted easily as the home is being built. Once the house is built however, remodel housings must be used. These remodel housings slip easily into place and clip onto the hole cut in the ceiling.

For more information on this or other lighting needs, please contact your local Lighting One showroom. For a listing of the nearest showroom, please visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Can you have too much lighting?

When you purchase a lighting fixture, make sure you know the correct installation procedure and the correct wattage bulbs to use. Often people will “overlamp” a fixture. Overlamping is when someone places a higher watt bulb in a fixture than it is rated for. A higher watt bulb will produce more heat inside the fixture. At the least, this can cause irreparable damage to the fixture. If you’ve ever seen an alabaster globe with a brown spot on it, the spot could have been caused by overlamping. (Alabaster is easily damaged when the fixture is overlamped.) However that kind of damage is minor compared to the worst thing that could happen. Since higher wattage bulbs produce more heat, the worst thing that could happen is that you could create a fire hazard by overlamping.
Keep this in mind next time you purchase a fixture or lamp. If you have any questions regarding your current lighting or future lighting, feel free to contact the lighting experts at one of the Lighting One showrooms. Visit www.lighting-one.com to find your closest showroom.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Timing is Everything in Your Lighting Design Plans

When you are building a new home, timing is everything. You want to see your lighting design planner as early in the planning stages of a new home as possible. Once a draftsman or archite ct draws plans for a home, it becomes harder and more expensive to change the lighting plan.
Once a home has been “roughed in”, meaning that the wiring has been run, it becomes significantly more expensive to change the lighting plan.

If the plans already drawn and the construction has started, but the rough in has not been done, then changes can be made more easily.

In any of these situations, it important to talk with your lighting designer; tell him/her your desires, your dreams, and your lifestyle. Ideally, you want to go to the designer once you have an idea of what you want your home to be; before you begin drafting the plans for your home. Then you can work with the designer and your architect, to create a functional lighting plan, which meets all of your needs, wants, and desires.

Once a home has been roughed in, or even after sheetrock has been put up, it’s not too late to influence the lighting plan. While you won’t be able to influence the design of your lighting as easily, because it will cost too much to make changes, your designer's level of product knowledge will certainly help you get all you can from the fixtures you select.
For more information on lighting design plans or tips for your lighting, locate your closest Lighting One showroom on http://www.lighting-one.com/

Saturday, June 28, 2008

How to Care for your Crystal

The last several posts have discussed crystal. Today we will offer you tips on how to care for your crystal once you have placed it in your home lighting design.

Full lead crystal is much clearer than common glass and because it is somewhat “softer” the surface of the crystal is more easily scratched. You should never handle the crystal with your bare hands, as the oils of your hand will dull the finish requiring you to clean the crystal. Instead the crystal should be handled only while wearing a pair of soft cotton gloves.

You should avoid use of harsh detergents, chemicals or abrasives. Special crystal care products are available to clean and protect your crystal investment. We always recommend these products to our customers so the luxuriousness of your crystal will last for years to come.




Item shown is a 6-Light Chandelier w/Rosaline Colored STRASS (R) Swarovski Crystals, available at Lighting One showrooms. Visit http://www.lighting-one.com/ to find your closest retailer.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Making & Cutting Crystal

Over the last couple of postings, we have been discussing crystal for your home lighting design. We will continue on that topic and explore the process of making and cutting crystal.

Making crystal involves heating a mixture of sand, potash, (potassium carbonate) and lead oxide to at least 4,352 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the crystal is formed, smoothed and beveled, the crystal is polished to a smooth, brilliant finish. The act of "polishing" is actually accomplished by dipping the crystal into an acid bath to strip away the outside layer of crystal.

Special cutting wheels can be used to cut intricate designs in the crystal. Sandblasting can also be used to cut a design into the crystal. The sandblasting method produces a frosted design, while leaving the rest of the crystal piece clear. When you see the frosted design, it means the crystal was never brought back to the acid bath to be polished.

While any piece of glass can be called crystal, it can only be called "lead crystal" when there is at least 24% lead oxide in the glass. Usually 30% is the maximum amount of lead oxide used in crystal.

It should be noted that each piece of true, hand cut, lead crystal is a unique product. Even though a specific pattern may be used, there will still be very slight variations in pattern size and spacing of the elements. This only adds more charm to the fixture. Absolute product consistency can only achieved by a fully mechanized production system, not by a craftsperson.

Next posting - How to Care for your Crystal

Item shown is a table lamp #6304-AB, excluisvely available at Lighting One showrooms with an exclusive cut from Waterford Crystal Lighting. Visit http://www.lighting-one.com/ to find your closest retailer so you may see the entire Waterford for Lighting One (TM) collection.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

What is Crystal?

Last posting, we touched on the elegance of crystal. Today, we will explore that topic further. First, exactly what is crystal?

The art of glassmaking has been practiced for over 2000 years. But in 1676, this art was changed when an English glassmaker, George Ravenscroft, discovered that he could make a product harder and clearer by adding lead oxide to the melted glass. The new glass had a higher luster, was dramatically heavier, had an increase in the index of refraction, and was easier to cut without fracturing. This allowed the glassmaker to make more elaborate designs in the face of the crystal.

By the dawn of the 20th century the production of cut lead crystal was slowly declining as lower cost imitation molded and pressed glass became routinely produced for the masses. However molded glass cannot compare to real cut leaded crystal. Crystal is so much more detailed, with a brilliant luster and it’s sharpness and clarity cannot be compared with these lower cost imitations. Also these imitations often have rough surfaces and mold lines that would never be found on true cut lead crystal.


Properly cut lead crystal has the magnificent ability to disperse light with almost a diamond like brilliance. The brilliant colors of refracted sunlight passing through a fine piece of deep cut lead crystal are simply captivating!


Next posting - Making & Cutting Crystal

Item shown is a semi-flush crystal basket #30204S22, excluisvely available at Lighting One showrooms. Visit http://www.lighting-one.com/ to find your closest retailer.

Monday, June 16, 2008

The Elegance of Crystal

Now that we have looked at lighting for your home design and other home soultions, it’s important to look at crystal chandeliers for a moment.

Be careful, while crystal has been commonly used in foyers and dining rooms in the past, today there are crystal fixtures suitable for all areas of the home. Since crystal can be an integral part of any room fixture; it is really important that we understand some of the basics of crystal.
Below are topics that will be covered in upcoming blog postings. Stayed "tuned" for more information. In the meantime, feel free to contact your local Lighting One retailer for more tips and ideas for your home. To locate your near showroom, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/.
Upcoming Blog Posting Topics:
  • What is Crystal?

  • Making and Cutting the Crystal

  • Care of Crystal

The item shown in the picture is 30238S22 and is available at your local Lighting One showroom.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Tips for your Showroom Visit to Create your Unique Home Design

So you are enthusiastically shopping for lighting and you enter your local specialty lighting retailer (you know, the ones with all of the expertise). Your expectation is that you will walk out with your new lighting on order... and then the helpful lighting expert starts asking you all of these relevant questions... unfortunately, you are not prepared for them and these are questions you just can't answer. Well, now you can arrive at your destination with the knowledge needed to create your tailored home design plan. Read on for a list of questions that you may be asked. Print this out, and have your answers prepared in advance. This will assist the process tremendously and expedite your unique plan.

What is the size of the room?
What is the décor of the room?
What color is the wall covering used in the room?
What other colors are used in the room?
Are the furnishings light or dark?
What kinds of furnishings are in the room?
How will the room be used?
What are you trying to create with the lighting?
What decorative items do you want to emphasize or de-emphasize in the room?
What is the height of your ceiling? {Editors Note: Added 6/16/08}

For outside lighting:
What is the house like?
What style is the house?
Is it a Ranch, Colonial, or perhaps a Cape Cod?
How big is the house?
What is needed for safety and security?
What is the layout of the landscaping?
What do you want to emphasize or de-emphasize?

There may be other questions of course, but these will cover the basics and allow the design expert to start a plan that is designed to fit your individual needs. If you need assistance, the lighting design experts at Lighting One showrooms are a terrific source. Lighting is what they know best. To locate a showroom in your area, visit http://www.lighting-one.com/ and you are off to a new design for your home.

Item shown is 8015-CM and available at Lighting One showrooms.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Proper Lighting for your Home Design

Proper lighting gives form and texture to a room by warming a dark corner, highlighting a favorite piece of art or creating just the right mood. With proper lighting your customer can experience a quiet evening curled up with a good book, or tell a great story at an exciting party. Lighting gives a small child the security to sleep at night, while allowing a young mother to tuck her angel in before she lies down. Yet lighting can provide so much more. Studies have shown that bright rooms can energize people while darker rooms cause people’s moods to be more depressed.

So then, what is proper lighting? Proper lighting for one person may not be proper for another. There are many things to consider when determining your lighting needs.

Lighting is used throughout the day, not only after the sun goes down. So, you need a well-designed lighting plan to balance and augment natural sunlight while providing the right light for family activities at night. It is important to seek the help of a lighting design expert to create the best plan for you. While you feel this is not cost-effective for you, in the long-run it will pay off in an optimal design. Most specialty lighting showrooms, like those that are part of Lighting One, offer these services with professionals on hand to help you make the most of your home. If you still choose not to use those services, please do as much research on your own as you can. You will be surprised by how much you do not know. A lighting showroom usually has better quality products that will last a long time and provide the best overall value. If you need assistance locating one in your area, go to the Lighting One website http://www.lighting-one.com/ and search for your closest location. Also, subscribe to this blog to have lighting design tips sent to your email inbox on a regular basis.
Product shown is 0411-RD, available at Lighting One showrooms.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Important Consideration For All Dimmers

It is important to understand what type of fixture and bulbs you will be dimming. Most incandescent fixtures can be dimmed.

However, you must be careful when trying to dim low voltage devices, as most of the time, they will require a special dimmer. If you have a fixture that uses an electronic transformer, you must use a dimmer specified for that application. Likewise, if you have a fixture with a magnetic transformer, a special type of dimmer should be used.

Remember too, when dimming fluorescents you will need to know about the type of ballast used by the fixture to determine the correct type of dimmer.

I don't mean to be repetitive but always be sure to have a licensed electrician install any new dimmers. For more information on dimmers, or for recommendations on local electricians, you may contact your local Lighting One showroom. Use the locator listed at http://www.lighting-one.com/ to locate your closest showroom.

As a reminder, you may access previous Lighting One Design Tips postings on lighting, color, design, and other tips by viewing our blog at http://www.iluciolighting.blogspot.com/.

Feel free to leave any comments you may have.

Item shown is 5655-TB and is available exclusively at a Lighting One showroom.

Friday, May 30, 2008

More on Dimmers for your Home Lighting Design

As we mentioned in my last post, there are various types of dimmers. Today, we will discuss more about each type and their respective uses.

Integrated and Programmable Dimmer Switches
Integrated and programmable dimmers allow you to create and save preset lighting settings within a room. Some of these systems offer hand held remote controls, so you can go from a bright room to a romantic scene at the touch of a single button without leaving the comfort of your loved one’s arms.

Touch Dimmers
A touch dimmer adjusts the lighting as you push a button on the wall receptacle. Some touch dimmers will allow an instant recall of the last setting before the lights were dimmed. Some of these dimmers also have indicator lights so you can more easily repeat levels of lighting form one event to another.

Slide Dimmers
The slide dimmer allows you to slide a knob up or down to adjust the lighting. This, less sophisticated dimmer, is easy to install and still allows a full range of lighting adjustment.

Rotary Dial Dimmers
Perhaps the dimmer most people remember from their childhood is the rotary dial dimmer. Rotary dial dimmers have provided lighting adjustments in many homes throughout the years and today they are still as reliable as they were then. Most rotary dimmers also operate as a push button on and off switch. The only downside to this type of dimmer is the difficulty you will have in maintaining a constant level of light, as the level will change every time someone touches the dial. Next posting we will finish the subject of dimmers.

I cannot stress enough to always be sure to have a licensed electrician install any new dimmers. For more information on dimmers, or for recommendations on local electricians, you may contact your local Lighting One showroom. Use the locator listed at http://www.lighting-one.com/ to locate your closest showroom.

As a reminder, you may access previous Lighting One Design Tips postings on lighting, color, design, and other tips by viewing our blog at http://www.iluciolighting.blogspot.com/.
Feel free to leave any comments you may have.

Item shown is 4500-CB and is available exclusively at a Lighting One showroom.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Dimmer Controls in your Home Lighting Design

Dimmer switches allow you to create different moods in a room. With some of today’s more sophisticated dimmers you can control lighting for your entire home using various home automation systems that control the lights through radio frequency and computer technology. These sophisticated systems create and save pre-selected, timed settings. Now you can turn on lights before you get home from work.

These sophisticated systems are expensive and may be outside the budget of many of you, however there are many more options available for the average customer. Dimmers do more than just dim the lights. They also save money by turning down the intensity of the light, to conserves energy and extend the life of the bulb.

As you dim the lights the voltage is lowered which lowers the number of watts consumed. (Volts times Amps = Watts) The lower the wattage the more energy you save. Tests have also shown that dimming lights also increases regular incandescent bulb life.

You need to know that during normal operation, solid-state dimmers generate heat. A solid-state dimmer is roughly 98% efficient. That means 2% of the power dissipates as heat, causing the dimmer to feel warm to the touch. The brighter the light, the higher the load (watts) on the dimmer, so the warmer it will feel. This is perfectly normal and safe.
The most common types of dimmer switches are: an integrated dimming system, touch dimmers, slide dimmers, and dial dimmers. We will talk about each of these in upcoming posts.

I cannot stress enough to always be sure to have a licensed electrician install any new dimmers. For more information on dimmers, or for recommendations on local electricians, you may contact your local Lighting One showroom. Use the locator listed at http://www.lighting-one.com/ to locate your closest showroom.

As a reminder, you may access previous Lighting One Design Tips postings on lighting, color, design, and other tips by viewing our blog at http://www.iluciolighting.blogspot.com/.

Feel free to leave any comments you may have.

Item shown is 2321-BZ and is available exclusively at a Lighting One showroom.

Friday, May 16, 2008

More on Switches for your Home Lighting Design

Our last post discussed the standard switches. Today, let's talk about Pilot Switches.

A pilot switch has a toggle that glows when the fixture is on. These switches are used when the switch is located away from the light fixture. You could use pilot switches outside a doorway at the top of stairwell leading to a basement. When the pilot switch is glowing, you know the light is on, without having to go down in the basement to see.

Next posting we will discuss dimmer switches. Remember to always be sure to have a licensed electrician install any new switches. For more information on switches, or for recommendations on local electricians, you may contact your local Lighting One showroom. Use the locator listed at http://www.lighting-one.com/ to locate your closest showroom.

You may access previous postings on lighting, color, design, and other tips by veiwing our blog at http://www.iluciolighting.blogspot.com/. Feel free to leave any comments you may have.

Item shown is L7059-TH and is available only at a Lighting One showroom.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Guide to Switches in your Home Lighting Design

The standard light switch is the key to controlling the layering of lighting. Besides the classic two-way toggle switch, your local lighting showroom may carry three-way and four-way switches, pilot switches, motion sensors, timers, as well as a wide range of dimmer switches.

Today we will discuss the Standard Switches.

The classic single-pole switch controls a light or an outlet from a single location. Three-way switches operate in pairs to control lights or receptacles from two locations, allowing the you to turn on the lights from the opposite sides of a room or opposite ends of a hallway. Four-way switches are used only in combination with three-way switches to control lights and receptacles from more than two locations. When you need to control a fixture from three or more different switches, you will need to install one or more four-way switches between a pair of three way switches. Just remember, the first and the last switch must be three-way switches.

As I mentioned, there are many different type of switches. We will discuss more over the coming weeks. Please always be sure to have a licensed electrician install any new switches. For more information on switches, or for recommendations on local electricians, you may contact your local Lighting One showroom. Use the locator listed at http://www.lighting-one.com/ to locate your closest showroom.

Item shown is 2404-EB and is available only at a Lighting One showroom.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Diffusion in Your Home Lighting Design

Diffusion is where the light is softened to remove some of the glare. A white opal type diffuser will cause a light loss through the glass of approximately 30%. If the lens is more frosted or crackled, the amount of light lost is closer to 10%. Stained glass, although very decorative has a very high diffusion factor. In some cases, much of the light will not pass through the glass at all.

Keep this in mind when planning your lighting design. You need to determine the uses of the room that you will place your fixture or lamp. If you absolutely love that tiffany lamp and the colors complement your room, by all means go ahead and use it (I love tiffany myself)! However, if you plan to use the space for reading, make certain the bulb is facing where your book would be placed (such as in a torchiere) or have additional lighting in that area.

Image shown is 5905-TR, available at Lighting One showrooms.

Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Monday, May 5, 2008

Color Rendition & Your Home Lighting

Two things determine how we perceive the color of an object in the home. The first thing is the surface color of the object itself. The second is the color of the light that shines on it.
Imagine if you will, a rich cobalt blue vase. If you illuminate it with a blue light, the color of the vase will be intensified. However, if that same vase is illuminated by a red light, the vase will appear dull and “grayish” in color. The vase absorbs the red light and since there are no blue rays for the vase to reflect back, it has this grayish appearance.

Now imagine how lighting affects the colors of your home furnishings and wall colors. It’s important to consider the lighting you currently have when you change your home furnishings or decorating materials. If possible, you should try to see the new furnishings under the same lighting you currently have in your home. Conversely, when you are creating a lighting plan for your home, try to select the right lighting for the furnishings and decorative items you have in each room.

Everything in the lighting industry references incandescent lighting as being 100% color rendering. Fluorescent lighting on the other hand has a unique way of changing the color of objects. It is for this reason that we do not recommended you mix incandescent with fluorescent lights in areas where the two will be used simultaneously. For example, if you have a kitchen ceiling light that is incandescent, and you use fluorescent lights under the cabinet, you will see significant color differences. It is always best to keep the types of light the same when they can be used simultaneously in the same room.
Item shown in the picture is Lighting One item #0411-RD.
Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Monday, April 28, 2008

Color & Lighting Your Home

We tend to think of midday sunlight as the standard for pure white light. However when daylight is passed through a prism, the visible light is actually rendered as equal parts of a continuous spectrum. This spectrum is taught to schoolchildren by the name ROY G. BIV. Each letter standing for the visible colors produced by white light in the order it appears across the spectrum, Red, Orange Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. In contrast, artificial light sources give off varying amounts of these colors. Incandescent light includes most of the spectrum but has a large proportion of red and yellow. When dimmed, incandescent light will become more orange in color.

Many people think of fluorescent light as being high in green and blue, but today fluorescent bulbs come in over 200 colors.


Halogen lights produce a brighter, “whiter” light, than both standard incandescent and fluorescent light sources. Because of this brighter, white light, halogens have become very popular for both commercial and residential lighting.
Color temperatures as measured in degrees Kelvin (K) are used to formally rate light bulbs. Temperatures below 3,500 degrees K are warm-toned, more yellow in color; while higher temperatures are increasingly cool, or blue in color.

Color Temperatures

Approximate Light
6300° Daylight Fluorescent
5500° Natural Summer Sunlight
4100° Deluxe Cool Fluorescent
3000° Deluxe Warm White Fluorescent
2900° Quartz Halogen
2800° 100 Watt Incandescent
2600° “Incandescent” Fluorescent
2500° 40 Watt Incandescent
1800° Candlelight



Product shown is 1374-PC, available at your local Lighting One showroom.
Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Friday, April 25, 2008

Care & Cleaning - Fixtures

Whether inside or outside the home, pollutants can damage your lighting fixtures. Although these damaging effects cannot be eliminated, preventive measures will help reduce them. For interior fixtures, common sense is a good rule. Weekly dusting will help preserve the finish and beautiful characteristics of your products. Polished brass finishes weather more quickly than other metals, but a specially treated brass finish is available through your local Lighting One showroom. Powder coated cast aluminum materials also offer a durable construction to withstand the elements. For glass accents, clean only with a water-dampened cloth. We discourage using a commercial glass cleaner unless the solution absolutely will not touch the metal frame. Always check the recommendations of the manufacturer before performing any of these maintenance and care guidelines.

Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Monday, April 21, 2008

Steps to Take in Creating Your Home Lighting - Step 3 of 3

Below are the different types of lighting and a description of whether they are general, accent or task lighting.
  • Ceiling fixtures are best used for general lighting.

  • Chandeliers also create a general lighting atmosphere.

  • Dimmers can add drama to any room featuring a chandelier. Don't be restricted to using this feature in the dining room.

  • Hanging fixtures, such as those used in a foyer, will offer general lighting that will create a comfortable level of lighting.

  • Pendants are a versatile way to create task or general lighting. Consider hanging several pendants at various heights over your favorite reading chair for a stylish accent.

  • Portable lamps will create general, task, and accent lighting, but have the added bonus of being mobile.

  • Table lamps, floor lamps, and torchieres come in a variety of shapes and sizes to complement any style.

  • Recessed lighting hides away in your ceiling while offering general, task, and accent lighting.

  • Track lighting is flexible enough to offer each form of lighting and has become a very stylish choice.

  • Wall-mounted fixtures will provide general, task, and accent lighting.

Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Image shown is 5654-TB, available exclusively at Lighting One showrooms.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Steps to Take in Creating Your Home Lighting - Step 2 of 3

Once you’ve thought about what type of lighting effects you would like to create for a particular room, you will need to find the right assortment of lighting products to create the desired effect.

When considering lighting, take these things into account:
  • General lighting - replaces daylight

  • Accent lighting - to highlight and accentuate

  • Task lighting - for work areas

Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Friday, April 11, 2008

Steps to Take in Creating Your Home Lighting - Step 1 of 3

Decide what to light by analyzing the space in terms of:

  • Function – activities that will be performed in this area
    Mood – to create an appropriate atmosphere
    Style – contemporary, traditional, etc.
    Tasks – consideration to the tasks to be performed
    Special Objects – items to accent such as painting or sculptures
    Seating Areas – consider results based on where people will sit
    Architectural Features – special features to be emphasized


Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Care & Cleaning - Crystal Chandeliers

Your investment in the sophistication and beauty of a crystal chandelier will last for generations, if cared for properly. Each crystal deserves careful handling during maintenance. Apply a water-dampened soft cloth to the crystals and the frame, or if needed, use commercially sold, non-abrasive, liquid crystal cleaning solution. Never wash crystals in the dishwasher, which causes permanent damage to the crystal components. If you have removed the crystals from the fixture for cleaning, avoid smudging during reinstallation by wearing cotton gloves.

Image shown is 30286BS22 by Lighting One. Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Lamp Shades to improve your Home Decor

Shade sizes are expressed in 3 dimensions. The first represents the top diameter, the second represents the bottom diameter, and the third represents the shade's height. One common rule is that the height of a shade should equal the measurement taken from the base of the lamp to the bottom of the bulb socket. However, some newer styles of lamps and accent lamps may vary from this rule, so discretion should be used when selecting your shade.

The lampshade should be at least as wide as the widest point of the lamp body. Most people prefer the lampshade to be several inches wider than the lamp. In addition, the bottom of the shade should cover the bottom of the socket when viewed at eye level.

The harp determines where the shade sits on the lamp base, and can be used to raise or lower the shade. Shades can be made of almost any material, but the most common are silk, cotton, linen, plastic/vinyl and paper.

See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas. Posted with permission from Lighting One http://www.lighting-one.com/

Friday, March 28, 2008

Outdoor Lighting for your Home Design

Outdoor lighting makes your home safer and more secure by providing necessary illumination for walkways, steps and entrances. The use of outdoor lighting, in conjunction with timers and photo cells, can add even more peace-of-mind by providing a lived-in look while you're away from home and insuring the area around the house is well lit when you arrive home after dark.

The most common type of outdoor fixture is a brass wall lantern, although materials such as cast aluminum have gained popularity due to their rust-resistant qualities. Generally, a light mounted to one side of every exterior door is the minimum lighting for the exterior of a house, however it is recommended that a lantern or other wall fixture on both sides of the door and a pendant or a post light near driveways and walkways be used for additional safety and security. Be sure to select the appropriate size fixture – one that isn’t too small or too big for your home.


See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Wall Mounted Lighting for your Home Decor

Wall fixtures are used to provide illumination for a specific area such as a hallway or a bathroom vanity. Although traditional wall fixtures with arms remain the most popular form of wall lighting, more contemporary wall sconces are gaining popularity, especially for hallway or accent lighting.

Wall lighting can offer needed illumination levels to prevent accidents on stairs, especially when an overhead ceiling fixture is not feasible. Wall lighting can also be used for reading in bed. Use two matching wall mounted or pendant fixtures installed 30" above the top of the mattress for best results.

See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas. Posted with permission from Lighting One at http://www.lighting-one.com/

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Lamps for your Home Design

Accent lamps can be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, entrances or any spot in your home that may require extra lighting. Because accent lamps are typically under 20" in height, they provide just the right amount of accent lighting for most any home.

Table lamps typically range anywhere from 25" to 32" in height and are used for general purpose lighting in living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and family rooms. Floor lamps are also an excellent source of illumination, and are especially useful in dark corners of a room or any other areas that regular lighting may not reach.

Desk lamps are typically 12" to 20" high and are used to light a specific work area such as a desk or small work table. When table space is limited, wall lamps are a good alternative, and are quite common in bedrooms.

Lamps are essential home decorating accessories. The style and finish of a lamp is as important as the wallpaper, carpet or paint used in a room. Although polished brass remains a favorite with homeowners, polished brass, wrought iron, neutral tans, off-whites, and antique whites are gaining popularity.

Remember if you purchase a lamp with a three-way switch, you'll need to purchase a three-way bulb. A three-way switch, on its own, will not provide three levels of illumination without a three-way bulb installed.

See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas. Posted with permission from Lighting One www.lighting-one.com

Monday, March 17, 2008

Recessed Lighting for your Home Design

Recessed light fixtures can be used for concentrated down lighting, which creates attractive and inviting living areas for the home. This effect is perfect for lighting a kitchen counter or bathroom vanity because it confines illumination to one specific area, making detailed tasks easier to perform. Recessed lighting works best with other lighting and can be dimmed for special effects.

Recessed light fixtures can also be used for accent lighting. You can draw attention to a painting, a plant or any other noteworthy object in any room in your home. Rooms may appear larger with recessed light fixtures by washing a wall in light. This technique--perfect for small living areas--adds visual depth by creating shadows and contrasts.

More information on Recessed Lighting is available in Kitchen Lighting on www.lighting-one.com.

See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas. Posted with permission from Lighting One at http://www.lighting-one.com

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Landscape Lighting - Design for the Outdoors

Landscape lighting can be used to improve the beauty of your home’s exterior while providing security and safety. Enhance the ambiance of your property at night with low-voltage landscape lighting of trees, shrubs and flowers, plus increase safety by lighting up stairs, driveways, walkways and grounds with post lanterns and tier lights. Low voltage lighting uses only 12 volts of electricity and is safe to install.

You can easily create a lighting plan by choosing one or two points of interest and make these the centerpiece of your landscape lighting display, then build the rest of your lighting plan around your focal point. Unique landscape features, such as sculptures and shaped shrubbery, can be highlighted using spotlights, or a sequence of spotlights can create an interesting mosaic of colors and textures. In addition, up-lighting adds visual interest to objects such as trees, bushes, statues and fountains.
Other techniques include the use of path lighting to illuminate the areas where people walk or drive, which adds an element of safety and beauty. Floodlighting is also a versatile technique used for illuminating a wide range of features including walls, garden ponds or gazebos. This lighting can also be used to make a path attractive and safe.

Use silhouetting to provide dramatic effects on a broad surface, like a wall, behind a landscape feature such as bushes. Wall lighting can be incorporated into a wall bordering a building, pool or walkway area for added visibility.

For maximum light output, light fixtures should not be covered by foliage, tree branches or bushes. Check the fixtures periodically to see if nearby foliage needs pruning. Also, for maximum safety, light and cables should be installed at least five feet from the edge of a swimming pool.
Remember to regularly clean the lenses and fixtures of your landscape lighting and take the time to readjust ground level fixtures if needed.

See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas. Posted with permission from Lighting One at www.lighting-one.com

Thursday, March 6, 2008

How do you light your foyer?

The appropriate lighting in a foyer is often guided by the scale of the room. Whatever the size, however, the use of layering is a useful and appropriate solution.

In almost every situation, the use of a decorative fixture in the center of the ceiling is desirable. In two-story spaces, the use of a larger chandelier will fit well for creating both task lighting and ambient lighting. The chandelier also will bring attention to itself and create a desirable accent focus.

In one-story spaces it is often more appropriate to use close-to-ceiling fixtures, or smaller chandeliers that have an appropriate scale in proportion to the ceiling height. In today’s marketplace there are thousands of interesting options in decorative fixtures that are either surface-mounted or close-to-ceiling.

To create the most desirable lighting solution in a foyer, look for opportunities to use recessed lighting that will bring additional ambient light to the space. When using a central decorative fixture, it is useful to place two or more recessed fixtures on either side of the fixture to bring added illumination.

Other useful foyer lighting solutions, in addition to the central chandelier, are to use wall sconces and/or small portable table lamps placed on a small table in the space. The sconces and table lamps add a valuable layering effect that brings a human scale to the space. While recessed and decorative ceiling fixtures add appropriate task and ambient lighting, sconces and table lamps bring a sense of human scale and are excellent for creating focal accent points.

See a Lighting One sales consultant for more information and design ideas. Posted with permission from http://www.lighting-one.com/