Posts Tagged ‘home lighting’

Home Selling Tips Using Lighting

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

One of the crucial factors of a home when trying to sell is curb appeal.  There are lots of homes on the market today, and the only way to get someone to purchase yours is to attract attention; take a step back and evaluate your home, and one area that usually needs more attention is that of home lighting.

The first step you should take is to have your realtor take a look at your home and present ideas on how to improve the curb appeal.  Ask what home lighting trends are popular in the area and what the possible buyers will be looking for in your home.

Here are a few simple tips to improve your home lighting, and therefore increase the appeal to the buyer:

  1. A great first step is to add outdoor lighting.  Walkways, driveways, and sitting areas should get the attention first.  Small, solar-powered lamps highlighting the driveway or walkway illuminate the path for safety as well as for decoration.
  2. Use up-lighting to accentuate the architecture or landscaping elements that set your home apart.  This lighting will pull the buyer’s eyes toward parts of your home which really set it apart from those around it.
  3. Take proper care of the lawn and landscaping, including the lighting, so that the buyer’s interest is not lost before they even enter the home.  A possible buyer entering the home on a good note is much more likely to buy than one already dissatisfied.
  4. Pay attention to interior lighting trends such as dimmers, which add to the functionality of the existing light fixtures.  Small details like this show that you care about the home, and possible buyers will note this.
  5. Replace old, worn, out of style light fixtures with more contemporary, energy-efficient options such as track lighting.  Upgraded lighting in the home will accent your interior architecture and make the home feel more comfortable.  It will also show the possible buyer that they will have to spend less money to renovate the interior.

In summary, keep the home lighting design simple; do not overwhelm the possible buyer, but instead grab their interest and use these small tools to set yourself apart from the competition.

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Uttermost Decor

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

After gaining two generations of furniture manufacturing experience, Bob and Belle Cooper stepped out on their own to establish The Uttermost Company in 1975. Today, the Uttermost Company is still 100 percent owned by the Cooper family, with Mac and Taz Cooper managing the business with a prestigious management team behind them.

Uttermost is best known for their home décor. They are able to proudly stand behind their wide-ranging lines of mirrors, art, metal wall art, and clocks because of their stellar manufacturing processes. Uttermost does not carry two pieces of art that look the exact same; professionals use their years of experience when crafting each piece of art and metal wall art, thus creating a completely original piece every time. Uttermost’s commitment is evident in the pride that every artist takes in his or her work, which translates into superior quality home décor for the consumer.

One of Uttermost’s most distinguishing features in their lines of art and mirrors are the frames. The commitment to excellence at Uttermost has led them to two styles of frames – carved wood and molded polyurethane. With the time-tested manufacturing process, the only difference between the two options is price. The molded polyurethane frame feels and looks just like wood. Uttermost also offers frames in wrought iron or forged steel for certain pieces of art.

The finish is just as important as the frame itself to Uttermost. This is evident in the different styles of finishes that Uttermost offers. The most simple finishes come in one layer; however, the more attractive and elegant finishes require numerous steps which can include hand-laid metal leaf and hand-antiquing, which means that each frame is also one of a kind, just like the art.

In making a name for themselves as a manufacturer, Uttermost has developed quite a following of dedicated customers thanks to their superior quality products.

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A Few Simple Lighting Tips

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Not everyone has the money to enlist someone to help us in planning our home lighting renovations, so we at LightingSale.com have prepared some useful tips for you to utilize when designing your own home lighting project.

  1. Always remember the purpose of the room.  Lighting fixtures in the home should always match up with the purpose of the room. This seems like a simple point, but it is often overlooked when re-evaluating interior lighting design.  Home lighting should be both functional and beautiful.  Keep the purpose of the room in mind, and work with that when looking at lights.  For example, dimming lights in a television/entertainment room are both functional and they add to the experience of the room.
  2. Accent lighting is what makes your home feel like your own.  Accent lights are well-placed fixtures, usually wall sconces, table lamps, under-cabinet lights, or pendants, which illuminate the special characteristics of your home.  Wall sconces, for example, come in a multitude of styles, so you are sure to find one that fits with the home lighting theme you have in mind.
  3. Investigate features that can be added on to existing light fixtures.  Shades, crystal, or different bulbs can dramatically change the way a light looks and the kind of light it produces, usually for a fraction of the cost of a new light fixture.  Changing from normal white light bulbs to flickering candle styled bulbs can make a room more inviting by softening the light.  This strategy also allows the home owner to “customize” the fixtures already in place.
  4. Do it yourself if possible.  Oftentimes, lights can be easily installed with the provided directions, which saves you both time and money by avoiding the hassle of bringing in a contractor.  Avoiding installation costs can save money and empower you to make your home lighting renovations on your own schedule.  However, if you are not experienced with installing light fixtures, you should contact a professional.

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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.

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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.

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LED Lighting

Monday, December 28th, 2009

I thought I would take this post in a little bit different direction and give an indoor lighting technique some attention that it deserves, but has been lacking - LED Lighting.

This partially comes from my personal background as a musician and from the technical aspect of the stage.  Often overlooked, lighting can make or break a band’s concert, and just as in home lighting, certain trends come about and take the stage lighting scene by storm.  The most recent addition to the stage lighting expert’s utility belt is that of LED lighting.  This is due to the numerous advantages over the conventional lighting schemes (and most, if not all of these advantages transfer to your home lighting scheme as well!).

First, and financially foremost, is the fact that LED lights use drastically less energy than conventional lighting fixtures.  (see graph)

Incandescent vs CFL vs LED Savings

This sheet shows the drastic cost savings that come along with the change to LED lighting systems.  The numbers in this sheet assume you change all the lights in your home, but even a few changes can produce a difference in your energy bill over time.
Another great benefit of LED Lights is their long life-span.  Most LED bulbs last from 50,000 to 120,000 hours, and unlike common bulbs, LED lights do not “burn out”, but instead they dim once their life-span is done; this means a LED bulb could last for thousands of hours past its expected lifetime.

Lastly, LED lighting fixtures produce almost no heat.  This is convenient on many different levels - you are able to place lighting fixtures where you could not place conventional lights, you are able to cover them with thin sheets of cloth to add different lighting elements, and it will reduce your home temperature as well.

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GK LIGHTRAIL Systems by George Kovacs

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Welcome to the new world of George Kovacs lighting. GK LIGHTRAIL systems represent a fresh approach to the concept of rail lighting systems. Our improved design offers all the options with a simple philosophy; make it easy. Let your imagination run wild as you invent new ways to light your home. This catalog will take you step-by-step through the process of creating your very personal GK LIGHTRAIL system.

GK LightRail

GK LightRail

GK LIGHTRAIL are low voltage systems that offers you a complete line of components allowing you to create a lighting plan for any room in your home. It consists of flexible rail, a wide array of fixtures and glass, and a variety of transformers that will adapt to all lighting needs. A complete line of accessories are offered to allow your vision to come to light.

Let your imagination be your guide and enjoy the GK LIGHTRAIL system.

Getting Started

To begin the process of selecting what is right for your needs, it is important to answer a few questions:

  1. What is the function of the rail system; is it general room light, is it to perform a task (light a picture), or is it purely decorative?
  2. Determine the size of the room and the general path of the rail.
  3. How high is the ceiling? Is there a slope to the ceiling?

By answering these simple questions, your showroom representative will be able to assist you in designing your very own custom GK LIGHTRAIL system.

Step 1

Designing your lighting system

Use the answers from the Getting Started section to help layout your GK LIGHHTRAIL system. If there is an existing outlet box on the ceiling, your system needs to intersect at this point. Measure the space and draw the layout for the rail. Remember the rail is bendable. With all of the different connectors the only limit is your imagination.

Step 2

Designing your rail

GK LIGHTRAIL is available in 48” and 96” lengths in two finishes, Brushed Nickel and Sable Bronze Patina. Select the finish you desire and measure the length based on your initial drawing. Add the connectors to join the rail together. Be creative and have fun.

Step 3

Choose your standoffs

Standoffs should be placed no further than 3’ apart. Measure the ceiling height and where the rail is to be situated. The rail should not be placed any lower than 7’ from the floor. Use the rail standoff guide to determine which standoffs should be used. The standoffs are telescopic and come with a hang-straight swivel for higher, sloped ceilings. All standoffs, excluding the 2 and ¾”, come standard with a hang-straight swivel.

Step 4

Select your fixtures

The GK LIGHTRAIL offers many different types of fixtures. Pendants, flexible, and fixtures are available in various lengths offering many options. Choose the style and type that best fit your lighting needs.

The standard fixtures come in four different lengths; 3”, 6”, 9” and 12” stems.

The pendants fixtures come standard with 72” lead wire that is adjustable.

The flexible fixture is a standard 18”

Step 5

Choose your shades

GK LIGHTRAIL offers many shade options. You can mix and match colors and shapes to suit your tastes. All of the Series 1 shades work on all the Series 1 fixtures and all Series 6 shades work on Series 6 fixtures. The new Series 4 fixtures are compatible with our low voltage GK LightRail Systems, as well as with our Mono and Multi-Point Canopies.

Step 6

Select your transformer and power feed

Add up the total number of fixtures and the length of the rail to determine what transformer would be best for your layout. Each surface mount transformer includes a power feed for a standard 8’ ceiling. If using a remote transformer, or if the ceiling is higher than the standard 8’, you must use one of the adjustable power feeds.

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The Minka Aire Concept II

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

The Minka Aire Concept II reminds us how Minka came to be at the forefront of the decorative lighting industry. They take pride in the quality and workmanship of every product they manufacture. The Concept II is a contemporary ceiling fan and is engineered for rooms with low ceilings, perfect for anyone, especially for those in a snug apartment or smaller house.

The Concept II ceiling fan is small and compact, allowing for easy installation and ease of use. The soft shape of the body of the Concept II ceiling fan is complemented by the gently curving edges of its three blades. It is welcoming and new at the same time, the perfect choice for any college student who loves simple, yet incredibly functional, options for home decoration.

However, the size does not negatively affect its performance. Minka’s Concept II ceiling fan is an indoor lighting product designed with modernity and contemporaneity in mind–the perfect combination of form, function and design. The Concept II comes in a variety of finishes. From brushed nickel to oil rubbed bronze, you can decide what finish you like best, whichever will fit into the decor of your home. The blades of this ceiling fan can come finished in silver, taupe, or any other of the wide selections you can choose from.

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Geometrix by Schonbek

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Crystal chandeliers are the most elegant option for indoor lighting. People who shop for crystal chandeliers have usually spent time researching. The buying process is requires more careful planning than when choosing other indoor lighting products; you do not rush in without knowing what you are looking for. The Geometrix collection by Schonbek just made that process a lot more complex, in a good way. With chandeliers that range from the Matrix line, cube-shaped and rectangular, to the Geode, spherical and eclectic, this collection redefines what a crystal chandelier can be.
Geometrix
The classical beauty of a crystal chandelier fused with the kind of brilliance and un-conventionalism that could be attributed to a genius mathematician has yielded Geometrix crystal chandeliers. Since their early 1870 start in Bohemia,
Schonbek has come a long way, and they have continued to prove that they are the best when it comes to crystal chandeliers. Creativity is what defines the Geometrix line, and with it, Schonbek has revolutionized high-tech lighting.

Bringing together the purity of halogen light and the fire of crystal, Schonbek
has changed the way light interacts with these chandeliers. The designs of the crystal chandeliers are expressed in spirals and slices, cylinders and rectangles, cubes and waves, triangles, slabs and spheres. The inner drama of the shapes in the Geometrix line are mesmerizing.

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Artificial Natural Lighting, the Brain-imploding Technology of the Future

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

As most things don’t begin, this began with a table. The “Sunlight Table”, a technological innovation in indoor lighting, is the brainchild of Anab Jain and Stuart Wood. Originally developed to observe “how sustainable work environments are established to emphasize the significance of a work/life balance”, the Sunlight Table seeks to literally bring a ray of sunshine into your home.

The Sunlight Table

Whether it’s a 9-to-5 office job, a college classroom, a kitchen or living room or bedroom, most major daily events happen underneath something that at least resembles a roof. In these cases, indoor lighting is an always important although sometimes subtle feature, but it doesn’t do what the sun does: provide vitamin D.

Sunlight is an evolutionary force; it’s not surprising when it’s removed from people’s lives that depression, weight-gain, heart problems and even just unexplained pain can occur. “Indoor lighting” doesn’t immediately come to mind if you were asked to throw out a few suggestions on how to alleviate this problem. But even so–and without a Firefox add-on to do such a thing–the Sunlight Table may be able to help.

Tiny fiber-optic cables were fed underneath and into the table, positioned in neat rows to form a grid. They were then threaded into another window-mounted grid so that any shadows and light sources shined through and traveled down the cables, eventually forming a kind of dot matrix printout of sunlight onto the table that mimicked the outside.

With no electricity needed for this technology to work, I’m excited to see what the future holds.

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