Upcoming Home Lighting Trends Seen at Market

In order to stay “in the know” and ahead of the trends, Lighting One attends Lighting Markets to see what is new in the upcoming marketplace. While visiting numerous showrooms at the recent International Lighting Market in Dallas, Texas, it was apparent that there were a few reoccurring trends. In order to help keep YOU in the know as well, we thought we would share a few of our findings.

The focus appeared to be on lighter colors and softer metals. Polished Nickel also stood out among the sea of fixtures. The incorporation of shades in both fabric and metal was observes in a majority of showrooms. Fixtures accented with crystal, along with colored and clear beads were very popular.

Spheres and globes, and more non-traditional shapes were also apparent.

LED Lighting continues to be the hot topic and many suppliers presented limited introductions due to the rapidly changing technology, although suppliers like Satco, one of Lighting One’s preferred partners, introduced a very large assortment of LED bulbs.

Basic entry level price points in both the traditional and contemporary categories were evident to help consumers find better values without being driven to Home Centers for their lighting needs.

Promotional products such as Tiffany lamps at Quoizel, another Lighting One preferred partner, were also featured.

So, to stay ahead of the trends and be in the know, be sure your lighting needs are fulfilled with lighting experts at any of our family-owned lighting showrooms throughout the country. To find the nearest location to you, visit www.lighting-one.com.

The image shown is Lighting One’s #30312-PW two light sconce with crystal drops, as an example of the crystal beading and metallic finishes that are very popular.

Spruce up Your Home for the Holidays!

You have your family coming in for the holidays and you would LOVE to redo your entire home before-hand... but who can afford it these days? Well, there are a few things that you can do to give your home a whole new look without having to take a second mortgage!

Placing a few new lamps around the house can provide a fresh look for your home, while providing much needed lighting for reading, homework, or projects. This additional splash of light will also brighten your home and make it feel more inviting. OR use these new lamps and turn off the overhead lights for an intimate ambiance.

Strategically placed under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen will not only provide better lighting for your workspace, but also provide your kitchen with an updated look, accent your beautiful counters, and add another layer of invitation to your already welcoming kitchen.

While we are in the kitchen, let's take a look at the lighting over your island. Placing a few art-glass mini-pendants over your island will give your entire kitchen a lift and a modern look. Or install an island light for a dual purpose fixture, that will also allow you to showcase your cookware and keep it in a handy place.

Replacing your dining room chandelier can instantly dress up your dining room. Find one that complements your style, whether traditional, modern, casual, elegant, or even eclectic. Add a few sconces on the wall to complement the chandelier, add another layer of lighting, and provide further decoration for the room.

Let's not forget the bathrooms! Sconces to either side of your vanity mirror will not only provide a high-end look for your bathroom, but your make up will thank you as you will see a more natural look with no harsh shadows. Adding a crystal mini-chandelier in your bathroom is a trendy new way to create an elegant up-lift or to enhance your shabby chic feeling.

While you are redecorating, add a few lamps in your bedrooms - reading lamps for homework spaces, torchieres for seating areas, swing arm lamps above the bed for reading, or table lamps for the side tables.

Think ceiling fans are only for the summer? Not so! Ceiling fans can be used all year around. Simply reverse the airflow and your ceiling fan will circulate the heat throughout the room and keep your room from feeling too stuffy. Not only will it help your energy savings (by better distributing the air) but also, if you buy one this time of year, chances are pretty good you can find them on sale!

So, don't spend a fortune redecorating your home. Pick a few of these tips (or even all of them) and you will find yourself with a drastic change in your home for much less than remodeling!

For more design tips, contact your local lighting design specialist. To find a showroom near you, visit www.lighting-one.com.

The product shown in the picture is 0411-RD and is available at participating Lighting One showrooms.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/