Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

by Littman Bros Lighting

Lighting can impact the experience of a room more than any other architectural element. Besides the obvious function, lighting can be used to evoke predetermined emotional responses. The first step in lighting a space is to think about its functionality; how do you plan on using the space? Will your dining room be strictly for entertaining in the evening or will it double as a homework center? By answering questions like these you will know how much light you will need for the tasks at hand. Then we can move on to focus on the mood you want to promote in your different scenarios.

Bedrooms, spas and relaxing spaces benefit from soft diffused lighting – dimmers and warmer lights are calming and more desired. They minimize the harsh shadows and provide a more relaxing and visually compelling environment. Diffused lighting lacks in shadows and highlights, which can create a dull and boring atmosphere. Add a few direct lighting sources to highlight different textures and create some interest. Direct lighting creates highlights and shadows and is great as a complement to your primary light source.

In contrast to soft lighting, higher levels of illumination create cheerfulness and alertness. Combine direct lighting with an overall higher level of ambient lights; think brighter over head lighting, lamps or recessed lighting. Higher levels of light should be directed over specific task areas. Create a playful mood by positioning lighting fixtures to create rhythms with the highlights and shadows. Reflections and diffusions create an active effect on an atmosphere.

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

by Littman Bros Lighting

The first priority when lighting you bathroom is not making the space look good, but rather making you look good, the most ideal and flattering light possible.

In order to create this satisfying and flattering glimmer of light for you in your bathroom is to start with lights that illuminate on either side of the mirror within your space – this is the most pleasing to the eye because it immerses you in an even illumination of light.

Try to avoid a light that casts a downward shadow on your face, this could be from a recessed light that shines from above a mirror or sink, which creates glaring shadows under your eyes, nose and chin, a very unflattering illumination.

Here are some quick tips to remember when lighting your bathroom:

- Try adding dimmable fluorescents to your bathrooms to allow for a warmer, natural lighting and accurate color temperature for your space.

- Use a vertical or linear shape light for your bath so you can get a full range of light from the top of your head to your toes – incandescent and halogens often come in this style of lighting.

- Throughout the day it is rare that we are seen under incandescent light so remember, when doing your makeup, hair or getting dressed in the morning before your day begins, to do it all under a “daylight quality of light.”

- If your bathroom comes without a source of natural lighting from windows add your own natural light by placing two sconces next to the mirror at eye level, casting directly towards your face. Pendant lights act in this same way, coming off from the ceiling, but with a more dramatic flair.

Friday, March 9th, 2012

by Littman Bros Lighting

Lighting Tips: Make a small room feel bigger

When windows are limited in any room, it can be challenging to disperse natural sunlight. The best way to optimize lighting in a small space is to multiply the light sources. If you use only one type of light, it can in turn make the room actually feel smaller. Use a monorail track light with directional track heads to spotlight certain focal points in the room, rather than illuminating the entire space with one single light. Tech Lighting designed a monorail surface transformer kit that can hold up to six directional tech track heads. Each of tech lighting’s low-voltage track heads and pendants also come bundled as the monopoint (MP) option. This option includes all hardware and hangs from a single monopoint canopy. View all tech lighting track heads and pendants.

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

by Littman Bros Lighting

There are certain criteria you should know when finding the right lighting for your home:

When hanging an outdoor wall sconce, it should measure about 1/3 the height of your door and when hanging two outdoor wall sconces, they should measure about 1/4 the height of your door.

For your foyer lighting, in order to determine what type of lighting would be best, you should make sure that the bottom of the fixture is at least 7 feet from the floor. For two-story foyers, you should make sure the ceiling fixture is seen from the outside. If your foyer is on the larger, you should add some wall sconces around the room to accent your space; wall sconces should be placed just about 60 inches from the floor and 6 to 8 feet apart.

For bathroom lighting, a vanity light is usually a minimum of 24 inches wide and the center of the fixture should be hung 75 to 80 feet above the floor. A wall sconce on either side of the mirror in your bathroom allows the light to be spread evenly throughout your space and across your face, which is important in a bathroom. The wall sconces should be hung at eye level and be about 36 to 40 inches apart.

For a set of pendants over an island, the bottoms of those fixtures should be about 30 inches from the countertop.

For chandeliers, you should measure the length and width of the room you want to hang it in, add those numbers together – the sum of those measurements, in inches, should equal the perfect sized chandelier. The bottom of your chandelier should typically be 30 to 32 inches above the tabletop.

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

by Littman Bros Lighting

A decorative Chandelier is an excellent way to add significance to a space – they provide a pleasant down light for the room. Also, know that you should always have your chandeliers on Dimmers in order to create a more relaxing and tranquil ambiance. The new trend this year is installing chandeliers over islands instead of the standard single pendants. If you’re on the hunt for that one-of-a-kind chandelier that will enhance your space, start perusing Littmanbros.com now, you’re bound to find something that matches your taste.

Lighting truly brings a room together and nothing affects the mood and function of a space like lighting. The kitchen is a room that deserves a lot of attention when lighting your home and it is usually the most utilized and fundamental room in the house; its where people habitually come and share their time together. You should make sure to have your two main lights positioned over a main table, Island and or counter tops. Your kitchen should also have LED recessed cans and Under Cabinet Lighting in order to give the space different levels of light.

Wall Sconces provide soothing, indirect light and can also create a dramatic effect on your walls – great places for sconces are dining rooms, study, master bedrooms, hallways and powder rooms.

Bathrooms should be lit with an overhead Mini Chandelier as well as a light over the mirror or side sconces. With varying levels of light your bathroom will be shadow free.

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

by Littman Bros Lighting

Lighting is an inexpensive way to make your bathroom shine. When coordinating bathroom lighting, combine fashion with function to make your fixtures emit ample amounts of light.

Good mirror lighting, like that provided by warm fluorescent vertical wall sconces will provide the even facial illumination necessary for eliminating dark circles and shadows. Vanity lights must be bright enough so you can see to shave or apply make-up, yet soft enough to compliment facial features. To reduce glare, install theatrical lighting strips with frosted bulbs around your mirror.

In small bathrooms, mirror lights will illuminate the entire room, but in larger bathrooms, an additional ceiling light is needed for general lighting. A recessed infrared heat lamp will give you added warmth on chilly mornings.

Tub and shower enclosures can be adequately lighted by placing an enclosed recessed down light in the ceiling. These down lights are also recommended over whirlpool baths or in saunas. Continue Reading Bathroom Lighting