Lighting 101 with Lighting Etc.

January 2016 

LED – You’ve heard the term…….  You know that it is a better use of energy……  But you aren’t sure how to use it in your home…..  That’s what we are going to talk about today.

Please note – this is not a “Technical” post.  This is a post to help everyday people understand and utilize LED possibilities in their homes.  That being said – let’s begin!

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode.  OK….. So what is it?

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through it.

Great!  Now what does that mean to me???  The best part about that explanation is that some really smart folks have applied science to lighting and have come up with wonderful solutions for all of us with regards to the light bulbs that we use in our homes.  The chart below provides basic info to help you realize the benefits of updating your home with LED:

Chart Source: http://www.designrecycleinc.com/

Truth be told – we are still in the infancy of LED with regards to residential lighting applications.  The technology keeps surpassing previous abilities and revolutionizing what it can and can’t do and how it does it.  Also – the cost of LED products will continue to come down due to Supply & Demand.  The technology has been achieved, the discovery has been made, now the products will continue to appear and the price point will begin to get competitive allowing all of us the ability to afford these solutions in our homes.  The key to successfully utilizing LED in your home is to buy a good quality product that has a manufacturer that will stand behind it.

Lighting Etc. has been very careful about jumping into LED product……  We have seen a variety of bulbs and fixtures coming into the marketplace during the past 10 years, but it is just recently that we have been happy and comfortable enough to bring these products into our Showroom to offer to our clients.  Why did it take us so long?  Because we want to bring products to our homeowners that we KNOW will stand the test of time!  We want them to be Dimmable, have Consistent and Correct color, and to be an Easy Solution for our homeowners. 

The easiest place to begin the transition to LED in your home is to change out your light bulbs – The LED bulbs that are now available look as close to regular light bulbs as we have ever seen!!  Here are a few pictures taken from the display fixtures here in the Lighting Etc. Showroom:

 

                          

      

Another place that the change to LED can be made in a pretty cost effective manner is to utilize the retro-fit LED recess conversion kits now available.  Not only will you be lighting your home in a more efficient manner, these fixtures really allow for a cleaner more streamlined look in your design.  Not to mention the fact that they put off a brighter light and produce no heat.  The following pictures show what the retrofit unit look like when turned on and turned off:

Many of us have undercabinet lights in our kitchens and offices.  This is an additional place where LED is truly beneficial in the abundance of light produced with little or no heat!  Remember those melted chocolates……..  that won’t happen with LED!!!  J

We are beginning to see more and more options with regards to actual fixtures (Chandeliers, Sconces, Flush Mounts, etc.) that utilize LED components so that there are no bulbs to deal with at all.  As the LED market continues to evolve we will continue to see new and innovative ways to utilize LED in our homes and Lighting Etc. will be on the lookout for each and every option!

Here are a few that we have found so far on this LED journey that we trust and are proud to offer:

LED Undercabinet Lights by Quorum International

LED Retrofit Units by Civilight

LED Flush Mounts by Quorum International

LED Pendants by ET2

LED Chandeliers by Maxim

LED Exterior fixtures by Hinkley

LED Recess Can Bulbs & A19 Replacement Bulbs by Kobi

LED Candelabra Bulbs by Spotlite

Thanks so much for joining us on Lighting 101 – LED.  If you have questions or would like additional information please feel free to contact us at the Lighting Etc. Showroom, here on our website or reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram!  

We look forward to helping Bring Your Décor To Light!

Blessings!!!

Denise

Let's Talk Proportion

My nephew Forrest started in on me a few months ago......  Wanting me to "Blog" about the questions I ask our customers when they come into the showroom looking for a dining room chandelier.  You see......  I tend to ask them ALOT of questions.......  The main reason for all the questions is so that we can truly meet their needs -  for proportion, function and design....

So today - we will address "Proportion"

Let's begin:
How high is your ceiling?
What are the dimensions of your table?
What shape is your table?
Is it glass topped or wood topped?

How high is your ceiling:
The ceiling height truly sets the basics for the dimension the chandelier should be....  An industry standard that we utilize in our designs is that the bottom of the chandelier should be 5 feet off the floor over a table.  Yes - off the floor.....   Now this is just the first half of the equation - so stay with me here......  If your ceiling is 10 feet tall and we want the bottom of the light 5 feet off the floor - then that means we have 5 feet to fill.......  We like to see proportion/balance between fixture and the chain used to hang it.......  So in this case we would want a fixture that is at least 30" tall (minimum) and not to exceed 42" tall.
Now the reality is that there are no "lighting police" (LOL! - although in some cases there should be) - so if you want to hang your dining fixture a little higher....  by all means - it is your home and you should do what you want to create a pleasing design that you can enjoy each day, but we have to have a "standard" with which to begin the process :)

What are the dimensions of your table:

The second half of the equation now begins......  With the dimensions of the dining room table we can answer our question for what the width of the chandelier should be........  Again - an industry standard that we use is what I lovingly call "Lean In Room".......  I want to be able to "lean in" across a table and not bang my head on the chandelier (granted I'm 6 feet tall... LOL).  What this tells us is that we want 8-10 inches of "lean in" room on each side of the table......  So - if your table is 50" in diameter - your chandelier should be around 34" wide.......  

What shape is your table:

This has become one of the more important variables mainly because of the longer "harvest" tables that we have been seeing in design for the last couple of years.  We want to be sure to compliment and enhance the dining room as a whole - so if we have a really long table with a small round chandelier hung in the center it can look unbalanced - not to mention the fact that we probably won't be providing adequate light, but that is another blog.....  Needless to say - the shape of the table should be thought about when choosing the chandelier.  Keep in mind..... This chandelier will hang over this table 365 days a year, so we want to address the "every day" shape NOT the shape when you put the "leafs" in it a couple of times a year.

Design by Chelsea Whitman of Whitman Interiors with Downtown fixtures from Quoizel by Lighting Etc.

Design by Tiffany McKinzie Interiors with Cesto fixture from Corbett by Lighting Etc.

Is it glass topped or wood topped:
One of the last questions that I ask for "proportional" info is whether your table is glass topped or wood topped.  If you have a wood topped table we need to balance the visual weight of that table - meaning - the frame structure of the light can be fuller and heavier to balance out the wood below it.  Same is true for a glass topped table, because the glass is transparent the light fixture can have a finer frame and simpler structure so as not to be too heavy looking.
This being said - please keep in mind that "design" is personal.  It is your home and you can have whatever makes you happy.

Design by the Parsons Family with Claybourne fixture from Capital by Lighting Etc.

Design by Kevin Wolfe with Autumn Twilight fixture from Golden by Lighting Etc.

These are just a few of the questions that allow us to "see" a customer's space without really seeing it. They help us to help our customers :)  Hopefully, they will help you as well.  :)

Next time we will share the questions we ask to meet the "Design" needs of our customers!!  :)

Until then.....
Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise

Fruition........ The end result of Love At First Sight

One of the coolest things about what we do is that in many cases we can follow a design from paper to fruition......  We begin the lighting process with a set of blueprints - follow it to ground breaking - then on through to the installation of the lighting fixtures.

But the very best part is when we are asked back to see the end result of a project!!  It is something that we truly look forward to and enjoy :)

We are Blessed to watch our customer's faces light up when they find the perfect fixture for their space!!  Sometimes they see it on display in the Lighting Etc. Showroom - or they find it flipping thru one of our catalogs - they might even come across it while surfing the Lighting Etc. website......

Whichever way they discover their perfect piece......  The end result is what matters :)
Each client's dream begins with Love at First Sight........

Fascino by Uttermost

Sharon wanted a "touch" of Bling for her Master Bath - While visiting the Lighting Etc. Showroom she fell in love with the 2-light pendant from the Fascino Collection by Uttermost!!  It provided just the right amount of color, shimmer and shine for her space!!

Lighting by Lighting Etc.

Cesto by Corbett Lighting

Tiffany, of Tiffany McKinzie Interior Design Inc., saw a picture of this 8-light pendant from the Corbett Lighting Cesto Collection in a catalog and immediately envisioned it on the job!!!  She was absolutely right - it was the perfect fixture for the space!!

Design by by Tiffany McKinzie with Lighting by Lighting Etc.

Olsay by Kichler

Many components come into play when selecting the lighting for a space - Chelsea Whitman of Whitman Interiors allowed her fixture choice to compliment and play with the fabric choice of the space - the result?  An incredible design!!!  The minute she saw it on our website - she knew that it would work :)

Design by Whitman Interiors with Lighting by Lighting Etc.

Love at first sight - Yes!  It can happen and when it does.......... you can achieve your end result with a smile on your face!!!  In other words.........

As always....

Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!!

Be Blessed!!

Denise

The Entry - Your Home's "Hello" :)

It's official........  Summer is over, and Fall is here!!  :)

Did you realize that more people will walk through your front door between October & January than any other time of the year........

Whether it be friends gathering to watch a football game, trick or treaters ringing you door bell or family coming over for the Holidays - everyone will be coming thru your front door :)

So........ That being said.........  How's your entry looking?????

With this thought in mind I decided to put together a sampling of some of my favorite "Entry's".  They are varied and include contemporary, traditional & transitional.  Each of these spaces is perfect for the homeowners who chose the fixture and design.

Absolutely LOVE this entry!!  The color palette is fresh, crisp and extremely inviting.  Allowing the Alabaster Pendant by George Kovacs to add a touch of warmth to the space.
It's contemporary design is warm and welcoming to everyone who enters.

This two story open entry is absolutely stunning!  The Metropolitan Sconces on the stair wall were actually added a few years after the house was built and they bring so much drama to the design!!

When you walk through the front door you are immediately engulfed in the rich tones of color and your eye is drawn up to the entry dome!  It is truly breath taking :)   

Double entry fixtures have become one of my favorite trends!!  So many of the homes being built have long entry's that are open to the dining and lead to the family room - by hanging two fixtures you brighten and showoff that length - actually leading your guests into your home.  This entry has a 12 foot domed ceiling with wonderful detailing - and the Revolution Alder Cage allows that light to transition up to the dome.

Another example of a double entry is done on a 10 foot ceiling - these Mercury Glass Pendants by Quorum International create a wonderful interest on the ceiling and beg your eye to look up and see their beauty.

This beautiful entry is made even prettier with the addition of crown molding and the smallest Revolution Alder Cage.  The detail provided compliments the window above the front door allowing the eye to continuously have elements of design to absorb.

This entry is a wonderful example of a blending of designs!!  The front door features beautiful wrought iron details which are mirrored with the frame work of the Chrome Chandelier by Golden Lighting!!  The mix of finishes works due to the complimentary shapes within both components!!  YES!!  You CAN mix transitional and traditional!!  ;)

Even a shorter ceiling can be shown off with the addition of crown molding, paint and a decorative lighting fixture!!  This entry is a great example of a 9 foot ceiling being "elevated" to new design levels!!

Whichever style or design you decide to go with - keep in mind a few of these thoughts:

1. Ease of maintenance is key on an entry!  The cages that we featured are extremely easy to keep clean!!  A "Swiffer" on a broomstick and you are good to go :)

2. If choosing a chandelier or pendant with glass - try to select something other than "clear" glass.  The fixtures featuring glass that we have shown have either Alabaster, Mercury or Scavo glass which won't show dirt and make maintenance a breeze.

3. Be true to "your" home!!  The entry is the first opportunity that your home has to say "Hello" to your guests!!  Let it reflect who you are and what you love.  :)

As always.....
Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise

Design Maintenance - Before & After

As homeowners we have regular maintenance that needs to be done on various things around our homes.  Whether it be seasonally, annually or just when it quits working :)

Of course maintenance on the roof, air conditioner, furnace and water heater are vital since all of these things have to be kept in working order so that our homes are comfortable and functional.....  But what about design maintenance? 
Coming home to an aesthetically pleasing space can improve our daily outlook.  Waking up, living and sleeping in beautiful surroundings can bring a sense of peace and joy into our lives.

Design maintenance can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint or an update of hardware or lighting fixtures.  Many times one change can transform an entire space.  This seems to be extremely true with regards to traditional design.  Many traditional designs have the bones of classic furniture already in place and when you update one or two things in the picture the entire space begins to take on a "current" look.

We were Blessed by one of our recent customers who provided us with "Before & After" pictures of their home.  There was only one element change in each space, but that one change made all the difference!!  Check it out:

The Entry

This space is completely transformed with the introduction of a bronze fixture.  Even though the new fixture is actually smaller than the original - the bronze finish is perceived by the eye and the size allows the window above the door to be a standout element.

Before - Basic Brass & Glass

After - Alder Entry Cage by Revolution

The Breakfast Nook

In this space the new bronze fixture is quite a bit larger than the original brass one and the new chandelier faces up instead of down which tends to add a bit more elegance to the design.  The bronze finish compliments additional design elements in the space such as the wall art and curtains.  It truly updates the design.

Before - Basic 3lt Brass & Glass

After - 5lt Bryant Chandelier by Quorum



The Dining Room

In the formal dining the homeowners have a beautiful suite of traditional furniture in the space.  The new bronze and crystal chandelier adds an air of formality and elegance that the original brass one just could not achieve.  The finish on the new chandelier compliments the wood tones of the furniture and the size shows off the ceiling height as well as the crown molding.

Before - Basic Brass & Glass




After - 6lt Claybourne by Capital

And there you have it.  A "Before & After" of design maintenance!  And what a success it was!!  This remodel is a prime example of how one element change can truly create a completely new space.

As always.....
Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise

Loving the Mix

One of the most common phrases that we hear in the Lighting Etc. showroom is, "I don't want it to be "matchy-matchy"..........  the next most common phrase we hear is "there are too many choices" - LOL!!
Funny, but people really do say both in the same breath!!  :)

Back in the day, (we won't say what day because I don't want to give away my age)....... the average homeowner only dealt with a couple of design choices and basically they were:

Traditional or Contemporary

Brass or Chrome

With the availability of information and options from both the internet and design TV - the average homeowner now has the ability to develop their sense of design at a much deeper level:

Contemporary

Eclectic

Minimalist

Old World

Retro

Rustic

Shabby Chic

Traditional

and Transitional - just to name a few........

And lighting is right there, every step of the way, to allow you the design elements of your dreams!  Today we are Blessed with a plethora of choices and those choices can be mixed to create a unique composition for each and every home.

The hard part for many people is being able to envision from showroom display or artwork, to actual placement in their home........  This is where you have to "trust" your professionals :)

 A prime example is the Veil series by ET2.  At first glance it may seem as if it can only be used in a contemporary setting.  It is a very current design - transitional and clean.  When viewed in a catalog or online it can be hard to think that it may have a broader range of applications....... 



ET2 Veil



This is where you have to trust what you like!!  :)

This fixture added the perfect amount of fun and whimsy that this beautiful kitchen needed!!  It allowed the homeowner to truly put her personal stamp on the space!!  Exactly what she wanted!!

Another example of current design in a traditional setting is the Carabel series by Fredrick Ramond:


Carabel by Fredrick Ramond

 

It can sometimes be hard to imagine introducing a "current" design into a space with traditional bones.  This is where "Loving the Mix" can truly be inspiring!!  Embracing the layers of color, form and texture can truly bring a space to life!!  But you have to see beyond the "cataloged" picture.

Last but not least is one of the current favorites of many in the lighting world.  The Orb!!
This particular orbital chandelier adds the elegance of crystal in a traditional draping inside the frame - allowing the fixture the ability to play a whimsical role in a traditional setting.

Axis by Capital Lighting

 Not only is the style of the fixture a step away from the "norm" for this space but the "Winter Gold" finish allows the light to truly shine in the space!!  By having this lighter color above the dark wood of the dining table the space truly opens up with the light!! 

These are just a few examples of mixing various design styles, elements and finishes.  I guess what I hope you will take from this post is that YOU need to love YOUR space - because at the end of the day......  You live there :)  Don't be afraid to take a chance - Don't be afraid to try something different.
This is why there are soooooo many choices :)


Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed Day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise
 

A Spring Fling With Habitat For Humanity

As we come into Spring - We all get that urge for a Spring Fling :)

In most cases the "flinging" refers to the lightening up of items in our homes......  it is a time to clean house, maybe update and freshen things up.  It is also a new opportunity to help someone else in the process.

Many times, we have clients in the Lighting Etc. showroom who are in the process of a remodel - so what exactly does that entail????  You may be updating your cabinets, appliances, hardware, lighting, etc.  Our homes are a reflection of who we are, and that reflection can change over the years....  Also, if you have recently bought a pre-existing home, you may have fallen in love with the property itself and the construction of space, but it may not reflect your taste in the finishes and design elements used.

It is often that the items that we are replacing are still functional, but may just not be the design that we wish to have for our homes.  Those functional elements can be a Blessing to someone else!!

A few years back we developed a relationship with Habitat For Humanity through their "ReStores".  What exactly is a "ReStore"?

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.  Habitat for Humanity ReStores are proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world. 

This is a perfect opportunity to "give back" - if you are in the middle of a remodel or planning one in the future - allow yourself the opportunity to Bless someone else - Instead of putting those old items at the curb - or attempting to sell them on Craig's List - donate them to the Habitat For Humanity ReStore!!! 

Happy Spring Flinging everyone!!!

Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed Day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise