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

Will it be Bronze, Silver or Gold????

For the past few weeks, with the onset of the 2014 Winter Olympics,  much thought and discussion has been given to three colors......  Bronze, Silver or Gold...... 

Theses same three metals have been of great discussion for quite a while with regards to lighting selections as well.
Let's take a moment and look at each finish before we decide where on the podium we will stand:

Bronze

A warm, rich color with many variations.  Some bronze finishes are dark, with an "Oil Rubbed" quality that has hints of copper - while others have a warm sheen which can reflect a myriad of rich color tones..... There are dozens and dozens of varieties in the bronze finish, but all of them work well within a rich, warm color palette.

        

Silver

A neutral finish that can work well with a traditional, transitional or contemporary design.  The variances in the silver category include Pewter, Brushed Nickel, Chrome and Polished Nickel as well as a few "faux finishes" with a silver base.

           

Gold

This is not your Mother's brassy gold - this is the new era of Gold.  It is a demure, elegant tone that can be done in either a matte or brushed finish.  Although it can also have a sheened finish - it is rich and luxurious, and is often considered a faux with high and low tones.

   

 


All three finishes are "precious metals" and beautiful designs can be achieved with each.....

Traditional Elegance with a Bronze finish (courtesy of the Baxter family)

A Rich Classic design done with a Silver finish (courtesy of the Benoit family)

Warm and Luxurious with a Gold finish (courtesy of the Benoit family)

The best part is that you can have the "metal" of your choice!!  And everyone can be a Winner!!

Be sure to visit Lighting Etc.and check out all the options that are available to you!!  We look forward to helping you achieve your lighting dreams!!

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

The Golden Rule - One of the things we love.....

One of the best parts of being a small, family owned and operated business is that we don't have a corporate structure that inhibits who and what we are......

We are Blessed to be able to run our business the way we think it should be run.  We are able to treat our customers the way we want to be treated.  The "Golden Rule" is a real thing in our world.

We are Blessed with each and every person who walks through the Lighting Etc. doors - whether they are looking for one light bulb or an entire house full of fixtures - we are Blessed each time the door opens.  This is something that Granny and Paw-Paw instilled in us, and it is something that we will always focus on.

On January 30th Lighting Etc. was awarded the Best Of Houzz Award for Customer Satisfaction!!!

We are so Blessed to win this award!!  We are Blessed to have the incredible customers that we have!! We are Blessed to be able to be a part of someone's dreams!!  We are Blessed to be part of such an exciting industry!!  We look forward to each and every opportunity we have!!

God is so very good to us!!  We know that it is His Grace that allows us to continue and we hope that we will always be able to let His Light Shine!!

Thank you to each and every person who wrote a review, voted a vote, and walked thru our door!!
We are here because you allow us to be.  We look forward to your project.  We look forward to your question.  We look forward to getting to know you.  :)

The beauty of technology is that we can open our doors virtually.....  Feel free to check us out and get to know us at the following:

http://www.light-etc.com
www.facebook.com/LightEtc
www.twitter.com/@lightingetc
www.houzz.com/pro/lightingetcnrh/lighting-etc
www.pinterest.com/lightingetc/

If there is something you have a question on feel free to call us at (817) 514-8552.  We don't have voice mail - so you will get to talk to a "real" person and we will do our best to provide an answer.  :)

We may not have the biggest building in town, but we like to think that we have the biggest heart as well as the best customer service and display in the business :)

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

"This Little Piggy Went to Market, This Little Piggy Came Home........"

And I Giggled with Glee the WHOLE way!!!!

What an amazing Market we had!!!

For those who don't know....... Twice a year, January and June - we go to the Dallas Market Center for the Lighting & Home Decor Market.  This is where we preview and order the season's lighting and home decor items.

For the past 3 or 4 years it has been challenging to say the least.......  During the housing downturn the lighting manufacturers did not introduce many new items.....  There were always a few pieces, but nothing that made my head spin.

January 2014 was a WHOLE different story!!!
We saw soooo many new fixtures and finishes!!!  Design and Style was the focus this season!!!
We bought, and bought and bought!!!

All in all - we probably ordered between 300 and 400 new items for the Lighting Etc. Showroom :)
(  Yes!  That's a "smiley" face )

The showstopping HOMERUN, in my humble opinion, was the Quorum International Introduction!!

The photos do not do justice to the beauty of these fixtures!!

Quorum International - January 2014 - New Introductions

Quorum truly provided a complete range of design from contemporary to traditional with all the elegance needed to provide long term versatility.

The Aged Silver finish was beautiful and was shown on two of the new introductions.

The use of Mercury Glass with a Bronze finish achieved a new level of "Tradition".






Another "Favorite" was the Maxim Lighting & ET2 Showroom!!  We can always count on Maxim & ET2 to bring their "A" Game!!

This year we found an incredible mix of form and flair on the Maxim side and a wonderful amount of Bling and Edge on the ET2 side!!

Maxim Lighting - January 2014 - New Introductions

ET2 - January 2014 - New Introductions

Last, but definitely not least - was the Corbett and Troy Showroom!!!

We LOVED their fun and funky new fixtures!!!  Once again they raised the bar as to where lighting can go and how it can get there!!

On Left: Corbett Lighting - On Right Troy Lighting
Both are part of their January 2014 - New Introductions

Of course there were a ton more fixtures than can possibly be shown in one little blog......  But the beauty is that they can ALL be shown in the Lighting Etc. Showroom!!  LOL!!  At least I hope they can since they are all on their way!!

If you don't live local, please feel free to visit us on the web at light-etc.com as well as on our Facebook page at facebook.com/LightEtc and our Pinterest Boards at pinterest.com/lightingetc/ and last but not least join us in a few "Tweets" at twitter.com/LightingEtc.

As always, thanks so much for the "read" - have a Blessed day and we will Light It Up again next time!!
Be Blessed!
Denise

Lights, Family and Blessings!

As with half of the population.......  I am sitting here today reflecting on this year of 2013........

I have to start this blog with giving credit where credit is due......  And all of that Glory goes to God!!!
We have been so very Blessed this year!!  There truly is not enough time to put into words the wonders that God has done for us this past year!!  That being said......  I'm going to attempt to share the "highlights"  :)

Quorum International 2013 January Market Party

January is always a busy month here at Lighting Etc. - Not only is it the start of a new year, but it is the month of Market.  The month that we go to the World Trade Center and walk hundreds of showrooms to find the new and beautiful treasures that we will sell for the next 12 months......  January 2013 had one additional element, and that was the addition of my Niece, Jennifer, to the Lighting Etc. staff.  Jennifer was an answer to Prayer!  We had certain administrative needs that had to be addressed and Jennifer was the solution to those needs!!  A true Blessing was realized when brother and sister joined together to establish the future of this 3rd generation company.

April 2013 marked the one year anniversary of our "Technology Endeavor" - Yes!  One year since we had begun to use the Ipads in the showroom!!  What a Blessing that turned out to be!!  LOL!!  And to think...... I didn't want to "waste" money on them!!  Forrest had a vision for the future (And Praise God that he didn't listen to me :) - and the path to that future included a completely redesigned website as well as a foray into social media!!  Lighting Etc. can be found all over the place!!  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Houzz (just to name a few).  The future is going to be exciting!!

The summer months of 2013 were also full of Blessings!!  The first came in the fact that our beloved "Big Robert" came back to work in June!!  We are so very Thankful!!  Robert has been part of the Lighting Etc. family for over 10 years, and his absence was felt far and wide in our business.
July brought the addition of another family member - Tabitha answered our ad for a showroom sales position and moved here all the way from Minnesota!!  Talk about a leap of Faith!!  We Thank God for Blessing us with both of these people, as well as the rest of the wonderful staff here at Lighting Etc.

Fall of 2013 proved to be one of our busiest season's in three years!!  Builders built, Remodelers remodeled, Designers designed and Homeowners DIY'd!!  We were Blessed with God' Grace!!

New deals were made with many manufacturers, new product was bought and inspiration was found.  We brought in over 1,000 new pieces!  We revamped the entire Lighting Etc. Showroom!!
Softer finishes, cleaner lines and new designs brought excitement to the design table for 2013!

As we close out this wonderful year that was 2013, we will always remember December 13th......
The day that our PawPaw passed away.  We are Blessed to know that God's Promises are true :)
We will see him again!!

As we look forward to 2014 and the keys to the future that it holds, we will continue to stand on Faith and His Word:

Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Romans 12:12

As always, thanks so much for the "read" - have a Blessed day!  And we will Light It Up again next time!!
Denise