Archive for January, 2010

Schonbek Lighting - A Brief History

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Schonbek

Schonbek

In 1870, Schonbek began as most great companies do - out of a passion for quality and customer satisfaction.  Adolf Schonbek, who was working with his family’s glasswork in Bohemia, walked away to start his own business.

It was the height of the last great era of romance and candlelight. People of means throughout Europe lived opulently in homes richly furnished and lighted by ornate crystal chandeliers. Not surprisingly, Schonbek’s business flourished.

Some of the great works created by Schonbek can be seen in places of prestige such as Buckingham Palace and the White House. The high quality of work brought by Schonbek earned respect all around the world.

Through wars and relocation, Schonbek eventually found its headquarters in the United States.

The craft of chandelier design remains a living art at Schonbek today. Drawing on their rich heritage to revitalize the great styles of the past, Schonbek is constantly reinventing crystal, as well, to be perfectly at home in contemporary rooms. As a result, Schonbek designs are probably the most-imitated chandeliers in the world.

In 2007 Schonbek was acquired by Swarovski. Swarovski is the world leader in the production of fine cut crystal, just as Schonbek is the leader worldwide in the design and manufacturing of crystal chandeliers. Together they bring a potent new mix of creativity to the world of home fashion.

Today, the team of Schonbek and Swarovski are constantly producing crystal chandeliers that are sure to fit any interior lighting scheme.

Kichler Landscaping - Quality by Design

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Kichler Landscape Lighting

Kichler Landscape Lighting

Kicher Landscape Lighting Products offer an impressive array of landscape lighting solutions designed specifically for today’s distinctive homes.  Kichler has been a leader in decorative lighting since 1938 due to their passion for originality and innovative technologies.

Kichler Landscape Lighting Durability

Every Kichler Landscape lighting Product features architectural-grade materials, including marine-grade aluminum, premium copper-content brass, stainless steel fasteners and powder-coated or stainless steel transformer housing.  With the quality materials, the finishes are tested under the toughest environmental conditions to provide years of beautiful and reliable service.

These factors are why Kichler backs their materials and finishes with Limited Lifetime, 5- and 10-year warranties.

Kichler Landscape Innovation

Kichler is reshaping accent lighting using state-of-the-art LED technology for ultimate watt optimization per wire run, professional lighting quality and ever improving energy efficiency - all leading to cost-saving benefits for you, the consumer. Over 70 years of lighting expertise combined with thousands of discussions with professionals provides valuable engineering inputs that result in a comprehensive line of landscape lighting solutions, designed with an installation friendly focus to meet the emerging needs of custom landscape lighting.

Kichler’s innovation goals are simple - Provide Better, Safer, and Faster Solutions for the Landscape Lighting Industry

Currey and Company

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Curry and Company has been one of the foremost leaders in the indoor lighting scene since their formation in 1988.  Currey takes pride in only using quality materials, such as handcut wood or brass.  Currey lighting has consistently been ahead of the curve in design, providing both functionality and an elegant style to fit any interior design.  Unlike many companies in the interior lighting field, Currey has taken the approach of having a broad selection; this gives customers a wide array of products to choose from, making sure that the customer will be able to select a fixture that fits the style of their home perfectly.  For example, Currey’s 5882 Traditional/Classic Cupertino Crystal Bud Wall Sconce is a very versatile fixture:

Currey's 5882 Traditional/Classic Cupertino Crystal Bud Wall Sconce

This elegant piece could fit perfectly into an antique home, such as a mountain log home, and bring an easy lighting solution along with a style that will only add to the warm comfort of the home.  Just as easily, the fixture could fit into any home with floral decor, with the crystal flowers on the sconce adding class to the house.

Currey has a wide array of versatile lighting solutions, and I would encourage you to take the time to look at all of the products they offer; with such a broad selection, you’re sure to find the perfect fixture to make your home your own.