Monday, November 29, 2010

Hinkley Lighting

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Hinkley Lighting

Hinkley lighting is a family owned lighting systems manufacturer based in Cleveland, OH. They are a very old company and have been providing lighting systems to “discerning customers” as their website puts it, since 1922 when they were established. They are a well-known manufacturer in the US and have a number of unique designs that suit any interior theme for both homes as well as commercial establishments.

Like a number of other well-known lighting systems manufacturers they started small and grew over time to have a pan American presence now. They also offer direct retail marketing and you can request information on any of their products and buy directly from them. Just their website is so well made that it is a mirror of how well their products will be made too.

There is another brand called Fredrick Ramond that is part of the same company. This brand was established as a more upscale brand to Hinkley and offers lighting systems to the more particular customer.

Hinkley lighting has a number of showrooms around the country where their products are put up on display. Not only do they offer their products for sale, they will also take care of the installation and after sales service because they pride themselves on their customer service.

OK, enough said about the company then. If you take a look at Hinkley products, you will find that there are a number of unique designs that you do not find in other lighting system manufacturers. By default all their designs are really classic and even the more modern ones are a seamless blend of the old as well as the new. The impression you get is that they are favored more by designers and architects rather than retail buyers, and home owners. This is not surprising because their products are slightly on the higher side in terms of price and the lowest priced lamps are around the $70 mark. Compare this to the lesser known brands and you can get comparable ones for $40 or $50 while the unbranded ones cost much less than this.

What they are good at however is giving you something that you will not get elsewhere. If you take one of their wall sconces or chandeliers, they are all uniquely designed and you will not find another one which even comes close in terms of design except maybe in another Hinkley showroom. If you are really “discerning” about what kind of lighting you use in your home then Hinkley lighting is definitely worth a look see. Just log on to their website and browse through their gallery. Not only can you look at pictures of their products, they also give you a lot of information on how you can use certain lighting systems to the best effect possible. Although this is meant to be used with their products you could always use a good suggestion elsewhere too. For example, I have always gone with wall sconces and simple pendant lights above my bar at home, but Hinckley suggests that a couple of simple three arm chandeliers would do just as fine while giving your room a better tone. This is actually true and considering that I spent just as much on the pendant lights as I would have on a simple chandelier this is good advice.

Of all the lighting manufacturers’ website I have visited Hinkley is by far the best designed and easy to use. Although I have never personally used any of their products, just visiting their website has left a pleasant memory that will stay in my mind till the next time when I want to add something to my home. Take a look too and you may be as favorably impressed. If not, you’ve only lost about 5 minutes of your time.


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Sunday, November 28, 2010

Light Shades

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Light Shades

Light shades are just that, they are shades meant to mask the light coming from a light source so that it does not glare your eyes. Shades are not meant only for lights, you also have sun shades otherwise called blinds and eye shades also called dark glasses or coolers. Even the cap or a hat has a shade but is usually referred to as a peak.

The eyes are a remarkable organ. They are better than the best camera and have the ability to focus from closer than a foot distance to the horizon and beyond. All this with just one lens; if you wanted a camera with similar ability you will have a long wait because there isn’t such a thing and likely never will be.. Of course you have cameras on board satellites that can take less than a meter resolution from kilometers up in the sky, but it will not be able to focus close up. It is the versatility of the eye that is not able to be copied, not its ability.

The only problem with the eye is that because it is so sensitive, more than a certain amount of light will damage it. Of course the body has an instinctive protective mechanism which is screwing them shut, but if you need to be able to see at the same time you’ve got a problem on your hands. This was no great problem and all you had to do was mask your eyes either by keeping something over your eyes, like when you are looking up at the sun or by covering the source of light, like a light shade.

Light shades were especially important in those days when there was no electricity and no high power lamps. In fact even until the 1930s and 40s you did not have very bright lights at home and had to have a shaded desk lamp when you were working at night. The shade effectively did two things, cut out the light coming to your eyes while focusing it on to what you want to see. This is the reason why the outside of the shade is usually of a darker color than the inside; the outside has to absorb light while the inside will have to reflect it out.

These days you can keep your light at a great distance and still have sufficient lighting for you to do your work and most commercial establishments do this. However when you are at home you are not as interested in having bright light and most likely want to mask your bulb so that the light that comes out is dimmer. Of course you could say that if you use a lower wattage bulb it is equally effective, but this is not so. A lower wattage bulb will give off very low light which may not be sufficient while a good shade will cut out light that comes upwards so that your eyes are in comfortable semi-lit glow while still focusing light downwards so that you can clearly see the room.

In these days of unlimited choices the only reason shades are still being used is because there is no other effective replacement for them. Shades however do not always have to come in the traditional inverted cone over the light shape. You get so many different designs along with so many different degrees of transparency in them that you are spoiled for choice. You get the traditional paper shades that are probably the cheapest while at the same time being very pretty and you get the normal glass shades that are either plain or colored. A variation of this would be the tiffany or slag glass shades that are more expensive but are equally beautiful. You also get the prism glass or crystal shades that provide diffused lighting not so much by reducing the amount of light that comes out but by refracting the light in so many different directions that you can look directly at a really high powered lamp and still not feel uncomfortable. Your choice is limited only by your imagination and of course the size of your wallet.


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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Novelty Lighting for Big and Little Kids

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Novelty LightingNovelty lighting will always be the perfect fit for a child's room. Getting creative when decorating a child's room can be a lot of fun.  The options to decorate your child's bedroom have dramatically increased in recent years. In today's world parents are spending a lot of time and money on their kids and there are a lot more products in the marketplace to decorate kids rooms. The juvenile products market is exploding in kids decor, kids furniture, kids novelty lighting; etc.

Matching the lighting to the theme of the room is easy with ELK and Landmark novelty lighting. Lights of moons and stars will allow them to drift off to sleep peacefully. Dancing ballerina's, butterflies and hearts add a whimsical nature. You may even inspire an athlete with their favorite sports lighting. All your kids to dream big.

DON'T FORGET THE BIG KIDS

Elk Novelty LightingWe talked about kids, but lets not forget about the big kids in the house. Big brother or Dad. Sports fans, car fans, train fans; etc. Celebrate their dedication to their favorite sport by decorating their room with novelty sports lighting. Add that special touch to the family room or rec room where they watch their favorite sports team.

Do you know someone who has a passion for planes or spends their free time collecting trains? Surprise them with lighting to commemorate their passions. 

ElK Lighting and Landmark Lighting are the leaders in the decorative lighting industry for quality grade novelty lighting. ELK Lighting is the license for top brands such as Trump Home Lighting. Landmark is the cornerstone for game room and billiards lighting.



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Friday, November 26, 2010

Pool Table Lights

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Pool Table Lights

If you have played pool or billiards you will know how important good light is. A bright light is essential while at the same time you need to make sure that the light is evenly spread so that the bare minimum of shadow falls on the table. You wouldn’t want your aim thrown off because of your own shadow, would you?

Many people actually take these lights for granted and do not pay any attention to them. They think that any light is good enough, but this is not true. If you have a wall mounted light you will get bright light on one side of the table but get a really big shadow when you move to the other side. Ceiling lights are much better as long as they are directly above the table but even here if the light is too far above the table it will tend to cast a bigger shadow than if it were closer. If you are an avid player you will know the importance of hitting the white ball exactly where you intended and any distraction will throw your aim off.

The reason why most pool table lights are pendent lights that hang at or even below head height directly above the table is because of this. If you are going to the expense and the trouble of getting a pool table then getting an equally good pool table light is of paramount importance. Having a good pool table with bad lights is like dressing well and wearing scuffed shoes. Also the green table top does not reflect light and does a good job of absorbing it and so you do not have to think too much about putting in a bright light although ordinary CFL or incandescent lights are sufficient. You do not have to go overboard and get halogen lights because they tend to give off a lot of heat and you cannot stand too near them.

The traditional pool table lights as mentioned were pendent lights, very often three in a row with a rod connecting them so that they did not move independently. Sometimes there are more than three and sometimes only two. Finding one, or more than five, is very rare simply because you do not require so many lights and one is not enough. Very often all the lights are installed inside one big shade so that the light is evenly spread around the table and does not fall as three splotches.

These shades can come in any shape and design you want starting from the simple ones to the very intricately designed tiffany ones. There are also shades that carry the names of popular alcoholic beverages and these look really cool. There are other more fancily decorated ones that players would not go near, but it is still there if you want it.

Obviously these lamps are expensive. If you are getting a pool table lamp it means that you have a pool table and these do not come cheap. The average price of these lamps is around $300 to $400 a set of either three or five lamps with many of the really well designed one’s going up to $1000 and beyond. You will very rarely find lamps below $200. if you are looking to save yourself some money you could try ordering it online. Some of these stores can give you up to a 20% discount which will amount to a lot considering the price of these lamps. In fact you could get both the table and the lamp together and avail of massive discounts. Just be careful to whom you give your credit card details though.


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Enhance Your Interior Lighting for the Holidays

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Elk LightingLight can be the most important decorating element, creating warmth that makes a space feel like home. As the holidays fast approach, we are spending more time celebrating with family and friends. We are usually attending as well as hosting many of our own parties. The right lighting determines the atmosphere in your home. It can relax or invigorate the atmosphere and can also just add a decorative holiday touch.

Many people concentrate on decorating their home on the inside for the holidays. There are simple jobs that can create a very appealing and grand entrance for the outside of your home. The simple projects of painting your door, changing the door hardware or adding a festive door mat can create a more inviting entry way to your home. To hightlight these changes to the front of your home, don't forget to change your outdoor lighting fixtures. These simple changes will make the exterior of your home more inviting for your holiday guests. We recommend using Elk Lighting for exterior lighting.

Lighting is the single most effective element in decorating, dramatically improving the look and feel of any room. Gentle lighting from several sources can accent as well as create a comfortable atmosphere. Ambient lighting is used to enhance focal points and even create a festive and artistic feel in a room. Ambient lighting can be created through specific placement of table and floor lamps which will create a comforting effect that is both relaxing and interesting. In contrast, bold lighting will bring out the rich dramatic colors used in the decor. It will draw your attention to the brightly lit areas where family and friends will gather. The general illumination of a room can strongly influence the mood of a room from bright and festive to more intimate and romantic. The simplest things can have the most profound effect on us and how we view our home. Decorate and celebrate the holidays with decorative lighting fixtures.   



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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Holiday Lighting Ideas

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Elk Lighting Holidays

** Decorations may be a fire hazard if not installed properly - be sure to keep all decorations away from exposed bulbs on light fixtures.

Wrap your chandelier arms with garland or gold ribbon and Christmas lights.
Use low wattage "flicker flame" colored bulbs.
Tie tiny ribbon bows on the arms of the chandelier.
Hang Christmas ornaments (colored balls, gold tassels, stars) from your wall sconces and chandeliers using holiday ribbon.
Add crystals to chandeliers, sconces and even table and floor lamps to reflect light.
Change your chandelier shades for the holidays. Wrap existing shades in wrapping paper for foil paper and tie them with a ribbon.

We recommend Elk Lighting for all of your Outdoor Lighting and dining room Chandeliers. Be sure to check out our article Enhance Your Interior Lighting for the Holidays for great ideas on new light fixtures for the exterior and interior of your home to spruce up the holiday mood.



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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Security Lights

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Every place has some form of security lights or the other. Whether it be your home, office, parking lot, or just an open space, lights are used as deterrents to deter intrusions as well as to identify any such attempts. They are also used to light up dark places so that anti-social activity can be minimized.

This is not a new phenomenon and although gas and electric lights have only been for around a hundred years, having street lights to light up the street and provide security has been around for much longer. Even now a campfire is not extinguished but is left to burn even after everyone has gone into their tents if there is no danger of fire spreading because it keeps away wild animals. Who knows security lights may have started when man was living in caves and first started to use fire for his use.

The only problem is that crooks have evolved nowadays so that they mostly do not burglarize homes in the night when the whole place is well lit. They instead do so during the day when there is just too much activity going on around for people to notice what is happening. Another problem is that after the advent of high discharge lamps, they have become favored as security lights because not only are they very bright, they are also very energy efficient. Power bills become a major problem if you are going to leave a number of lights on the whole night long. High discharge lamps are so bright that it causes glare when anyone looks there and criminals tend to take advantage of this. In fact in a town called Overtornea Sweden townspeople started turning off all lights in order to conserve power and found that crime rates dropped by 50%. This is not a one off case and in another test carried out in West Sussex, UK, all night lighting was found to have actually increased the incidence of crime in that area by 55% although the people felt that they were safer.

This seems to imply that security lights are not very effective at providing security and is more to lull you into a false sense of security than anything else. These lights are effective only if there is someone watching the area that is lit, either directly or through CCTV. This does not mean that security lights have outlived their usefulness however and if crooks have evolved, so have lights.

There are a number of security lights that are activated by motion or are tripped by breaking an invisible laser light that are actually very effective, maybe not as deterrents but at least to foil intrusions. In fact these days you also get solar powered LED lights that are actuated by motion sensors and cost only around $90 or so. These lights are actually a good deal because they are cheap, easy to install, and are very effective too. Obviously some amount of precautions have to be taken to ensure that these lights are not damaged or removed in order to aid a future burglary, but that will have to be done for any kind of light, not just the solar powered ones.

The normal security lights are spotlights or halogen lights mounted high up on houses and although very effective as outdoor lighting systems, they are not necessarily good for security as mentioned above. It is better therefore to look at newer technology if you do not want to take the risk of leaving your home unlit. It might be very nice to read statistics on paper, but following this is a whole different ball game.


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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Ceiling Light

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Ceiling Light

Ceiling light fixtures provide lighting throughout the house. Carefully selecting the appropriate lights through form and function can greatly improve the look and feel of your living spaces. One thing to keep in mind when selecting furnishings and accessories is the style of your home. There are light fixtures to suit any style, from contemporary to classic.

When choosing any light fixture you need to ensure that products offer an adequate amount of light. To determine the number and power of the bulbs you need, which will determine how well the room is lit, you must take into account the size of the room and the height of the ceiling. If the room is sufficiently lit you can go with the same general type of light you have. If it seems a little dark or a little too bright adjust the size and number of fixtures or, perhaps, install a dimmer.

Recessed lights can be ideal for all areas of the house. All recessed lighting is directed downward from the device unless it comes with a trim to help direct the light to an intended location. Down lighting can create shadows and contrasts that can make your living space more interesting and attractive. Directional recessed lights can be used to highlight paintings or other decors in your home. In the kitchen, they may be directed to focus on areas of work. With the proper design of directional lighting, it can cover all work areas with bright light for detailed work while providing a soft light is reflected in the rest of the room.

Track lighting can be used in the same way as the directional recessed lighting. Available in a wide variety of styles, the lights can match almost any decor. If you have a particular wall of the paintings or accents, consider track lighting to draw attention. In homes with high ceilings, including a variety of chandeliers and ceiling lamps are available. Traditional and contemporary chandeliers provide general ambient light, while several styles of light fixtures hanging from direct light downward. A small number of ceiling lights, or pendant lights, you can add an interesting effect that the pools of light throughout the room.

Although there are plenty of people using other lighting lamps, table lamps, the ceiling light remains the main source of light for most of the rooms. Years ago this type of product was considered as something that is only useful and not something to bring character to a room. Today, you can choose from thousands of different types of accessories of all shapes, colors and designs. If you are willing to spend the time to search you can find the best ceiling lights that will match any design or feel of the room you have. Today options for ceiling lights are almost limitless. By proper selection of lighting can transform your home for a moderate cost.


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Black Table Lamps

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Black Table Lamps

The only time that most people will actually change the lighting system in their home is when they first move in or when they are doing a major remodeling. This means that you tend to have the same kind of lighting system for ages. There is nothing either good or bad in this; just that you will have to decide if this is what you are interested in. It all depends on what sort of person you are.

For example there are some people who wouldn’t mind the same thing every day in everything and most men fall into this category. They can eat the same food every day, they can alternate between the same five or six suits for years and they don’t even change their hair style. Women on the other hand are different. They don’t want to eat the same thing every day’ which is probably why women are stuck with the cooking’ and they definitely cannot get by with just five or six sets of clothes. Even if they don’t do anything radical, they will at least get their hair trimmed differently and maybe do it up in a different way.

This being the case sticking with the same lights day in and day out for years may really not be what you want to do, although you may think that you don’t have a choice. Well you actually do and you don’t have to break the bank to do it either. In most cases it is not the light fixture but the wiring that is the problem and if you sort it out then you are good. This is because the wiring is concealed and if you want to change the position of the lights you will have to do something about the wiring.

There are however a number of options that you can choose from where you do not have to touch the wiring at all. For instance if you get yourself a couple of floor lamps, you can just dummy the existing fixtures and use these lamps. You can get yourself battery powered cordless lamps and if you are interested in going green and don’t mind a little climbing around you can actually put in solar lights. Some of these solar lamps actually will come with remote lamps where the panels are kept separate from the lamp and all you have to do is to install the panel outside with the lamp on the inside. This may not be what you want to do but it is still an option.

Another thing that you can do is to get yourself some kind of lamp that is radically different from others like a black table lamp. These lamps are generally not found in most houses because the black shade tends to absorb most of the light making it very dim but there are so many instances when you will want dim light. If you have a bar at home you can put a black table lamp on either corner, or if you want to create a really soothing atmosphere in your bath you can put one in there. In fact simply because black is not for everyone, you will get these lamps in designs that you will not get in any other lamp. You get radical designs, and some that you will not be able to call lamps at all because they are more decorative items than a lamp.

You can do exactly what you want to do and if you want any help in deciding, all you have to do is go online and search for images of what you want. It is one of the best ways of finding what you are looking for, and who knows, you may even get an idea on what you want to do for your home to make it less boring.


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Sconces

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A sconce is one of many styles of wall lamp. The original wall sconce was almost certainly a good outcrop of stone placed in a cave that was utilized to hold a stone basin filled of animal fat along with a wick of woven reeds. All the way through the years, as the oil lamps gave way to candles and back to hurricane lamps, a wall mounting was often the perfect place for a light fixture. It may cast light on an area larger than a desk light and was allows the space to be utilized for other functions.

Wall sconces can give some of the hottest and exciting light in a room. You can create an incredibly warm and welcoming atmosphere in any room with candle sconces on the wall. Some of the most common forms used to decorate them by hanging them near a fireplace or around the beautiful pictures and mirrors. No matter where you intend them to used, it will enhance the decor of your beautiful room.

Sconces can be made in many shapes and designs, from older, traditional designs, up to the more modern looks of today. They can be used with almost any decor you have in your home. A traditional design could be the wrought iron candle sconce on the wall which tends to help make your room to be a more comfortable environment. These types of sconces are perfect for the person who loves to use scented candles or using candles of different colors to accent your decor. You can also buy different designs and colors like bamboo, beige, black, chrome, old bronze and brass candle sconces on the wall and the list goes on and on. Taking the time to choose the best one to match your decorations will add the most value to your room.

There are many types of art designs that a person may have in mind when it comes to buying wall sconces. You can buy them made of many different materials such as wood, metal or acrylic. No matter what the kind of material you prefer, you will find that they add elegance to you room. A purchase of the metal variety of sconce helps to add shine and glitter to the room.

Wall sconces can be one of the most beautiful decorations you have ever seen and are something not seen that much these days…which is in itself an attraction. You can light up a room with some of the most beautiful candles to bring comfort. Just by changing the type of candle used brings an entirely different look.

If candles are not to your liking wall sconces are also available as regular lighting. These, however, would require the installation of electrical wiring and outlets in the desired locations as most homes tend not to have provisions for wall lighting.


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Saturday, November 6, 2010

Flush Mount Ceiling Lights

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Flush Mount Ceiling Lights

Knowing what kind of lighting to select for your home can be a tough process, most specifically if the space is rather limited. Even though a lot homeowners are opt for a table lamp or floor lamp for their lighting needs, these types of accessories take up space and don’t always provide an appropriate amount of lighting for a room. For this reason, flush mount ceiling lights can be a more appropriate alternative, as these lights are out of the way and provide an adequate amount of lighting. It is a great way to provide lighting with appealing décor without taking up valuable floor space.

Celling light fixtures are a necessity in hallways and entryways. There are many advantages in using these types of lights as they can offer a variety of designs to add to your décor but not overpower it. On the other hand, the key to these fixtures is that they are sometimes better suited to some rooms more than others, so it is significant to use them in the appropriate areas. For instance, an room with low ceilings is not the best choice for semi-flush or pendant lighting while areas that need a good amount of light are the best suited for ceiling fixtures of either flush or semi-flush mount. The bedrooms and bathrooms are good examples where either kind of lighting is suitable. If the ceiling is high enough you could even opt for hanging fixtures like chandeliers or pendant lights.

Flush mounted fixtures are simple to take care of as well as low maintenance given that they are installed on the ceiling. They tend to keep bugs and dust out of the fixture better compared to other semi-flush lighting options. Should the exterior of these lights get covered in dust, you can give them a fast clean with a lint free cloth. The flush mount ceiling light is best for homes that have inadequate space, particularly if you have pets or kids who were prone to dragging on electrical cords.

Another advantage of ceiling lights is the electrical wiring is in the walls, thus these lights do away with floor lamps, cords, and table lamps. They may be turned off and on with the flick of a switch, and you have the choice to hook them up to a dimmer hence you can manage the amount of the lighting. If you need to change out the bulbs, it is done with little difficulty. The cover merely unscrews, and you may change the bulb. You can as well choose for light bulbs that are Eco-friendly which may last longer and uses lesser energy compared to incandescent bulbs. However, on the flip side, incandescent bulbs are reasonably priced and will supply you with ample of hours of lighting.

What people find irresistible about these flush mounted lights is that they are smooth as well as non-obstructive, thus they will tend not to be off-putting from the decorations in the room. Although these ceiling fixtures will not draw people in as a chandelier would, they are a delicate way to improve your existing furnishings while, at the same time, providing sufficient lighting.

They also come in a huge number of styles and designs along with a price to suit any budget.


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Black Chandelier Lighting

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Black Chandelier Lighting

The color black is usually not associated with anything good. Most times, black means moody, gloomy and faintly sinister. The problem is that all these feelings are not natural, but are creations of movies and novels. What most people do not realize is that although black and dark are associated with negative feelings dark is also romantic. No one ever writes about a brightly lit romantic dinner, and most people only think of stars if they want to say anything romantic, never the sun.

All this may be deviating from the topic, but it is just to show how even black has its uses. What black tends to do is to provide contrast, and depending on the way it is used it can either draw the eyes to or away from something. For example if you have two contrasting colors that will clash like, for example, the color of the wall and your window curtains, giving the curtains a black border would somehow make the whole thing better. In the same way if you want to paint your ceiling some other color other than white putting in a black border will give it a sharper look because it will tend to frame the ceiling.

It is in the same way that black chandelier lighting is used. Black chandeliers are not very common because people think that black and light are oxymoronic. If you want to put up a chandelier why would you want to put up a black one is what most people tend to think. Although what people say is accurate to a certain extent and black does tend to dim down the effect a little, it is much better to go with a black chandelier in certain places than in others. For example, if you want to put up a chandelier above your dining table or your bar, a black chandelier is probably better than any other kind of lighting. For the bar you could go with either a three arm or a five arm one depending on the size that would be most appropriate for you. You could also get the ones that come with black shades on top of the lights because it will give you exactly the effect that you are looking for in a bar.

Above the dining room you could once again go with a black chandelier of the appropriate size but this perhaps go for one without any shades and with smaller lights. This will give you a semi bright, semi dim atmosphere that is just right for your dining room. You could even go with a small one for your bathroom if you want to.

Not all black chandeliers are the jet black, midnight shade of black that you will imagine when you say black. There are different shades of the same black, especially the black crystal chandeliers that are appropriate for most settings and are even used in living rooms and big halls. They have a very subdued yet classy look, which even the normal crystal chandeliers will not give you.


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Friday, November 5, 2010

Plug In Wall Sconce

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Plug In Wall Sconce

A wall sconce has a very long and interesting history. The sconce is not actually a lamp at all, it is the fixture that holds the lamp and started off as a bracket to hold lamps. For centuries light was provided by firebrands that were stuck into holders along the walls because that is the only place where they could be kept apart from you holding them in your hand. In fact the development of the candelabra, as well as the chandelier, came about only because in large halls the light given off by the lamps along the walls was not sufficient to light the center of the room.

The sconces have traditionally been placed around 5 feet off the floor and the reason is once again because they had to be kept as high off the floor as possible without being too high to replace the lamp. When firebrands were replaced by oil the lamps had to be kept topped up with oil and since this job necessitated the person being able to see what he or she was doing it had to be kept at the same height as their head. Over the ages these sconces have evolved to the present day sconces that can take electric lamps.

Whatever the reasoning behind it wall sconces give a totally different effect to the room from ceiling lights. With regards to efficiency the ceiling lights are probably the best at giving all round illumination which is why they are the preferred method of providing light in most commercial establishments. At home however you are not as bothered about efficiency as you are about having relaxing light and that is the reason why the wall sconce has not gone out of fashion and is still widely used today. Usually lighting systems are installed when the house is built or remodeled because this requires a lot of wiring that needs to be concealed behind the walls. If however you want to add in a couple of wall fixtures but don’t want to go to all the effort in remodeling the entire room a plug in wall sconce is a good idea.

A plug in wall sconce is nothing but an ordinary sconce that has a length of wire with a plug at the end so that you can plug it into any socket in your home. This eliminates any need for a lot of behind the walls work; all you need to do is to screw in the sconce wherever you want it and plug the wire into the socket. The difference from the regular sconce is that regular sconces will have wires that come off its back allowing you to fix it only where you have provisions to do so. With a plug in wall sconce all you have to do is to use some chord covers and hide the wires under the carpet and you are done.

If you think that the carpet is only on the floor and what about the wires on the walls, just go for a sconce that has provisions for it. Some designs come with a long pipe that reaches the floor so that the wire can be taken through this. If the wire is not long enough you can add a little more. Some insulation tape round the ends is more than sufficient to make sure that any accidents don’t happen.

The plug in wall scones is a great option for anyone who wants to change the way the lights look in their homes. It also gives you the option of moving the light to another place and all you need to do is use a little putty to cover the screw holes of the previous installation. Of course you could go with floor lamps, but you will always have to worry about someone bumping into it and knocking it down. There is also the small matter of cost that makes the plug in sconces more practical.


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Ceiling Lighting

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Ceiling Lighting

Home improvement is something that everyone needs to take time to think, plan and implement. One thing to keep in mind during this process is the overhead lights. Good ceiling lights can enhance your room and decor. The ceiling lights are also useful for providing light in your room. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to lighting fixtures that you are planning to buy for your home.

The modern looks of ceiling lighting helps to set a mood that will suit the way of life of its users. These various ceiling lights are not merely used for the lightning purposes but as well as to portray the personality of the home owner.

Fixtures should be situated in a position to provide adequate lighting without being obtrusive. Being that these fixtures are available in a wide range of different sizes, shapes and designs there’s bound to be several that will suit your needs. The biggest may actually be trying to choose from such a wide array.

During the selection of ceiling lighting, one should take into account any special needs. They would include such factors as:

The amount of light needed in the room or area.The effect you are trying to portray.The choice of either direct light or dim light which will be influenced by the previous point.Your budget for the fixtures and their installation.Are there any accessories needed with the lighting to establish the effect you desire?Maintenance factors such as changing bulbs and cleaning.

You can buy an accessory that looks very eye-catching, but it would be of no use if it does not meet your needs. The ceiling light ought to match the general look of the area used to further improve the overall décor. An ill-fitting lighting fixture can ruin the whole effect. You may want to select an indirect light to present a more subdued effect.

When installing ceiling lighting, you should measure the height of the floor up to the fixture. Then only after that you will be capable of selecting the right lighting fixture. If the height is adequate then chandeliers can be used in open areas…they are always an option over tables or other furnishings where people won’t be walking under them. If the height is on the lower side then flush or semi-flush mounted fixtures is the best option.

Installation of a ceiling fixture in the bathroom not only adds attraction to your bathroom, making the space more attractive, but also helps illuminate some areas that are of great significance. As a result some special considerations need to be taken into account. For example in the vanity area you are going to want brighter, indirect lighting to help in applying makeup, shaving and the like. A walk-in shower may require more direct lighting but you may want a subdued effect over the bathtub. There are many ceiling lights that are prepared according to the plan size and the bathroom floor. You may have lighting fixtures in the bath areas with smooth lighting to make a relaxing ambiance.


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Outdoor Decor

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Outdoor Decor

There’s no place like home. Home decoration is a science and an art, and a beautifully decorated house creates positive vibes as well as makes a home a fun place to be. Home decor has become one of the most essential parts of our way of living in recent times. The home décor items are in demand. Many are available in the market to choose from to offer your home a new look that match to the type of accessories you have. Home decorating ideas can cater to the tastes and whims of all ages and all budgets. Today, home decor is a profession in itself. Following some home decorating tips that are easy and simple can make your home more attractive and welcoming.

Eye-catching outdoor decor is the perfect way to make a memorable first impression with guests. Stunning metal boxes painted by hand, both modern and traditional vintage signs with relaxing scenes of nature and art metal outdoor evokes visions expansive panoramic views of the southwest. These are only some of samples of outdoor decorations. With so many options, you will be able to highlight your love of gardens with a fun-loving nature expressing a quirky welcome decoration for your guests. The proper selection of outdoor decor will bring the beauty and splendor to your outdoor space. The exterior decoration is an essential source that renews the whole picture of your home. A good exterior home design gives the best possible appearance. Spice up your exterior with these cool decorations.

Metal mailboxes that are hand painted – Hand painted metal mailboxes, each painted with a single theme are the ideal way to welcome everyone. Paint it with vibrant artistic designs which will show your decorating style and underlining your own personality.Plant Pots – The decorative pots also add a touch of decoration outdoor gardens and patios, balconies and decks. Pots are made available in countless colors, textures, shapes, styles, materials and sizes.Metal Welcome Signs – These signs come with an impressive array of choices to welcome your guests with open arms. Various designs of welcome signs available in the market are simply irresistible.Slate Welcome Signs – Slate signs of welcome are the perfect blend of traditional decor and modern crafts. Peaceful images of hummingbirds elegant and serene Amish life to curious kittens and serene coastal scenes effort to create a peaceful and cordial welcome to all.Outdoor Metal Art – The art metal outdoor decor perfectly highlights the innovative style of your house.Wall Decorations – Simplicity can be boring, but exaggerating the design and concept may be interesting. Decorate the outside wall should be both presentable and relaxing for the eyes. It must also somehow reflect what can be found in the interior design to project the cohesion and harmony. After all, the outer wall remains a part of the whole structure, thus establishing the unity and harmony is very important. When it comes to wall decoration, it is difficult to choose the material and accessories or pattern of the wall, but with the creative ideas you can make it pleasant, elegant and beautiful. The exterior of your house, gives the impression of the inside of the house.

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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Recessed Lighting

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Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is one of the favorite choices to bring light to the kitchen. Having good lighting in any room is desirable but it’s pretty much a necessity in a kitchen due to all of the different tasks that are done in it. While there are professionals who design lighting to maximize recessed lighting with a few tips you can manage this yourself.

It’s essential to know the best area to install any light fixture but recessed lighting has its own set of requirements due to its focused lighting. Being that the light is focused downwards, unless a special trim is used to direct it to a location, where you place the fixture and how many fixtures are used is critical.

The kitchen is very different from any other room in the house. Besides being the room in which food will be prepared it also tends to be an area where family and friends congregate. As a result there is a need to provide both task lighting and lighting that adds to the décor. Recessed lighting excels at that.

In planning the placement of kitchen lights you want to make sure that there will be no dark areas where work can be performed with special attention being paid to the counter tops. You want the light to be overlapping while, at the same time, not having too many fixtures as that may tend to get a bit cluttered ruining the overall effect. Ceiling height can play a large factor in this and if your ceilings are extremely high…although that is very unusual in a kitchen…then pendant lighting may be a better option over recessed light fixtures.

A light will have to work in many different ways in the kitchen. When a kitchen cabinet door is open, light from the ceiling must be capable of illuminating the interior. Also, the light should also be available for countertops, bar areas, and anywhere that the preparation of food is produced. This requires some careful planning so that the fixtures are far enough in front of the cabinets to illuminate the interior while also being over top of the counter space to provide sufficient task lighting there.

Another important area in the kitchen for lighting…some might say the most important…is the kitchen sink. The sink should never be in the shadows because who likes washing dishes in the dark? For that matter, who likes washing dishes period? So it’s important to provide an enjoyable area to do so.

Being that most kitchens serve so many roles it’s probably best in most cases to look at using other types of light fixtures alongside the recessed ones. Most kitchens have an eating area set off to the side where a pendant light or two may prove to be more useful and attractive. While recessed overhead lighting can keep this area well lit pendant lights can provide a more specific light and, with the addition of a dimmer, create a totally different atmosphere. If the kitchen table tends to also double as a work place for paying bills, homework and the like then recessed lighting could be used in conjunction with the pendant lighting to provide brighter task lighting as needed.


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HID Lights

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HID Light

The high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps are a modern innovation which makes use of a gas discharge globe rather than an incandescent globe. They are small compared to other headlights, which makes them a well-liked choice for luxury vehicles. HID headlights have a lot of advantages over other lights, such as smaller size and longer life. However, its high cost, high brightness level, and the mercury substance must as well be measured.

HID headlamps use a quartz bulb which contains two tungsten electrodes and a xenon-mercury gas. The same mercury vapor lights are usually used for large areas such as sports fields, warehouses, parks and highways. These are regularly filled with other gases that have long start times, but uses Xenon HID headlamps reduces this time to less than one second. In the startup process, a high voltage spark between the electrodes ionizes the gas and then let current to run through the electrodes. As more gas is ionized, the flow of current between the electrodes increases quickly. As light is free from the plasma created by the ionized gas, the startup procedure may come out as a dim light following shortly subsequently by a brighter light.

The light from HID headlights has more than double the existence of the halogen lamp and other type of lights. The lights used in an HID lamp are in lower intensity, which make it more attractive especially for smaller lights. While glare is a problem, it is greatly reduced by using automatic systems that angle the beam level to the road, and using a lens cleaning system to reduce light scattering.  A key problem with HID headlamps is that the price is nearly three times the standard headlights. They also need a converter to change the low voltage DC battery to high voltage alternating current. The entire extra expenditure is more than fuel for reduced energy consumption. Another concern is the content of toxic mercury and the effect it has on environment if the HID headlights are removed or broken. While HID lamps produce high levels of internal UV light it is taken in by the glass thus it cause no danger. The globes are totally different from the lights which can not be used in the headlights that are not intended for them.

HID headlights are mainly used in luxury vehicles where look is more important than cost. It provides greater visibility and life while allowing light to have a more attractive and smaller profile. They need special high-voltage tools to power to reduce glare. Perhaps the barely possible successors are the LED headlights, but will take several years before they gain a significant market contribution. Until then, HID headlamps remain as equipment on a lot of new vehicles.


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