Check here often for tips on selecting the right lighting for your home, the correct placement, and how to care for your lighting. This can be anything from where to hang a chandelier to how to properly utilize accent lighting to spark a unique and "illuminating" room design.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Consumer Advisory Council Forming
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
Friday, October 3, 2008
Lighting Design Trends
Monday, September 29, 2008
Lighting Help for Seasonal Affective Disorder
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.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Engery Saving Tips for Your Lighting Design
· 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 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.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Ask the Experts!
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!
Friday, September 19, 2008
How to Save Energy in Your Lighting Design
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
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.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
How to Hang Your Wall Sconce
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.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Expert Advice & Tips on all of your Home Design Needs
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
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
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.
Monday, August 4, 2008
The Latest Trends In Recessed Lighting
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
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.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Extend the Enjoyment of your Landscape Lighting
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
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.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Recessed Downlighs for your Home Lighting Design
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?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Timing is Everything in Your Lighting Design Plans
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.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
How to Care for your Crystal
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
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.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
What is 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!
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Elegance of Crystal
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.
- 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
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 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?
Item shown is 8015-CM and available at Lighting One showrooms.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Proper Lighting for your Home Design
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.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Important Consideration For All Dimmers
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
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.
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
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.
Friday, May 16, 2008
More on Switches for your Home Lighting Design
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
Today we will discuss the Standard Switches.
Item shown is 2404-EB and is available only at a Lighting One showroom.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Diffusion in Your Home Lighting Design
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
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.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Color & Lighting Your Home
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
Monday, April 21, 2008
Steps to Take in Creating Your Home Lighting - Step 3 of 3
- 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
- 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
- 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
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Lamp Shades to improve your Home Decor
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
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 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.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Lamps for your Home Design
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 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.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Landscape Lighting - Design for the Outdoors
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