Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Although there are many crystal fixture manufacturers out there, there is truly only one brand that is Schonbek – they have been the premier manufacturer of fine crystal lighting for more than 140 years. Schonbek was founded on craftsmanship and customer service; every piece is handcrafted in New York to heirloom quality. They are built to stand the test of time, both in quality and classic design. These fixtures are exquisite jewels that should be passed on through generations of family. Schonbek has built custom pieces for all the finest venues, from the White House to Buckingham Palace and their innovation goes far beyond custom fixtures; Schonbek is responsible for almost 200 patented technologies. They have developed the crystal lighting industry from the very beginning.
In 2007, Schonbek partnered with the Swarovski Companies; this combined the finest chandelier maker and crystal manufacturer into one company. Together they share 255 years of innovation and quality. Schonbek will continue to be the leader in premium crystal light fixtures, although they have always had traditional and contemporary pieces, their new line push the design envelope. These modern pieces from Schonbek Lighting ensure that Schonbek does not get left in the dust as the lighting industry evolves once again.
Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
There is no denying that brass is out…..or is it?? Don’t be alarmed, that old shiny brass from the 80s and 90s is not making a comeback, this finish has evolved into a more refined, elegant and sophisticated set of finishes in the lighting world. While satin nickel has been a long-standing, ever-popular finish, the rise of oil rubbed bronze has swayed designs towards the warmer tones. Right now, the hottest finishes in lighting and décor are matte gold and champagne – satin nickel and gold combo; it has the glamour and subtlety of satin nickel with a warmer palette. Fixtures like the Crystorama Broche collection are inspired by vintage jewelry but feel very modern, sophisticated and sculptural in a golden hue. Hinkley’s contemporary Monaco collection becomes more transitional and elegant when finished in a matte gold finish while the traditional pieces like Schonbek’s Amytis collection, also being finished in a matte gold, only adds more to their elegance and sophistication.
Matte gold is richer and far more refined than their tacky, brass relatives. The texture and hue inspires many of its forms and furnishes, it pairs nicely with gem tones as well. Emerald anyone? Emerald, the Pantone color of the year, pairs well with warm tones and adds some rich character.
Trending: Today’s fixtures are lighter in both color and design. The newest finishes are champagne, satin nickel and gold combo, satin gold and white. These finishes modernize both traditional and contemporary designs, creating a delicate elegance that fits into any décor.
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Popular lighting finishes are forever changing to coordinate with the evolving styles and trends of today. Finally there is a finish that compliments every space – white light fixtures are ever so versatile that they feel modern in an edgy downtown loft and chic in a vintage country cottage.
A classic crystal chandelier instantly becomes chic when it is turned white, like in the Murray Feiss Chateau Blanc collection as well as fixtures like the Cyan Design Treviso white chandelier shown here. Other white blown glass designs add sophistication and a classic touch to any space, like the glossy white rod iron effect in Crystorama’s Solaris collection; it has a retro and modern flair.
White goes with every palette – remember, white can add a clean, bright element to brighten a dark space or soften loud colors and textures and a modern or vintage feel can be created when added to a monochromatic or simple white space. When creating your lighting design plan, don’t forget you always have white to brighten up your home.
Thursday, February 21st, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Even though Valentine’s Day has passed and the chance to surprise your loved with your romantic side on that momentous day will have to wait a year doesn’t mean you can’t learn some new and romantical lighting tips; special, romantic lighting and decorating trends for you and your significant other to enjoy from our very knowledgeable lighting professionals.
Mood lighting for any space within your home is necessary to create that ideal lighting for two. Creating the right lighting can be as simple as changing the color of your light bulb to transitioning your lighting scheme into something brand new. Here are some tips to follow when deciding what to do to illuminate your romantic side with the perfect lighting:
Try going for a theme or color scheme with the decor of your space, the lighting will harmonize with the tones you pick and help the overall ambiance of the room.
Subdued tones and colors mixed with gentle fabrics add a cozy touch.
Chandeliers are known to be the most romantic looking silhouettes for any space but if you don’t have one installed in your room, try changing the lamp shades to warmer colors or adding a thin, darker linen over the top of the shade (be careful of flammability of course).
Try little twinkling lights strewn throughout the space or adding little candles for another romantic light source.
Dimmers are the best way to achieve the romantical and warm lighting to set the perfect atmosphere, if you don’t have one installed, doing so is pretty simple and will be used for future endeavors as well.
If you are picking out a fixture and want a romantic design to your space, go for chandeliers in more distressed finishes and antique silhouettes, maybe with a touch of crystal embellishments. Crystal chandeliers add an elegance and graceful presence to a room.
Last, but not least, don’t forget the flowers! Romance becomes complete with some flowers and the perfect mood lighting.
Thursday, September 13th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Maria Theresa chandeliers date back to the 1700s when the Australian Empress, Maria Theresa reigned. They are beautiful fixtures that are known to have more traditional silhouettes that are covered and draped with crystals.
It is often mistaken that the frame of Maria Theresa chandeliers are made of glass but actually, they are known to have a metal frame that is covered in glass. The metal frame is simply an instrument on which the crystal is enclosed and ornaments are draped upon to restructure the array of designs that are Maria Theresa; from the most minimalistic designs to exceptionally ornate.
Schonbek Worldwide Lighting features a collection in honor of the Empress Maria Theresa. Schonbek’s Maria Theresa collection is a wonderful example of this style chandelier; their version however is highly stylized while featuring the typical crystal listels outlining the shapely frame. Crystal embellishments of Heritage Handcut crystals are also covering each piece within this collection.
Thursday, August 30th, 2012
by Benson Littman
Crystorama, a family owned lighting company, is known for creating quality, very classic crystal lighting while incorporating modern silhouettes and materials into their lighting designs.
Crystorama has been designing exquisite fixtures for more than seven decades and is a company that has grown to be an expert in crystal lighting; they have compiled a very informative guide to consult when purchasing crystal lighting. Below is Crystorama’s 5 C’s to Consider when Purchasing Crystal:
Circumference: First, you need to figure out what size chandelier you need for your space. According to Crystorama, the proper scale is 2” per foot of the room. So, if the circumference of your room is 12’ by 14’ you will need to look for a chandelier with a diameter of about 26”. If this chandelier is for a dining room, the fixture should hang about 30 to 32 inches above the table. Here is a little diagram courtesy of Crystorama to help:
4-6 person dining tables: 20” to 24” chandelier
6-8 person dining tables: 25” to 29” chandelier
8-10 person dining tables: 30” to 36” chandelier
Collection: After you have considered the necessary size for your crystal chandelier, the next “C” on the list is meant for you to choose a collection that incorporates your preferred silhouette and style that will match your décor and harmonize with the surroundings within your space.
Cutting: Typically you have a choice in crystals, depending on the brand and manufacturer, so when choosing your crystal light make sure you pick your desired shape, cut and color of the crystal embellishments that will accent your fixture.
Color: The finish of a crystal chandelier is important; it’s crucial to pick the best finish to complement your space as well as one that will “reflect the true color spectrum of the crystal,” according to Crystorama.
Confidence: Have confidence in the brand and manufacturer you choose to purchase from. According to Crystorama’s 5 C’s guide, “a chandelier, whatever its shape, size or cost, is an important purchase.”
Although Crystorama began exclusively in the distribution of classical, crystal chandeliers, it advanced its common crystal designs to crafting an assortment of lighting displayed in their pendants, flush mounts, wall sconces and vanity lights, becoming one of the top industry leaders in residential lighting.
Thursday, August 23rd, 2012
by Benson Littman
Crystal lighting is a very elegant means of lighting your home and it adds a beautiful and stylish touch to your interior lighting design. Today, there are so many different styles and brands that are being designed and crafted and these manufacturers truly know the significance and value of the crystals they use when creating these ornate compositions of light.
Here is a brief overview of the types of crystals out there so you know what you are getting when you’re on the hunt for your next crystal fixture:
Swarovski Elements – This type of crystal is considered the most luxurious and most exceptional crystals in the world. It is a uniquely genuine and naturally pure variety of crystal out there today. It comes in countless shapes, sizes and colors and are each machine-cut and polished with precision; the logo of Swarovski Elements is engraved into each crystal, impossible to replicate.
Spectra Crystal – Is a machine-cut Swarovski crystal that was illuminates a radiant shimmer and is designed by the highest authority in crystal expertise; it is created to be an enhanced, top-quality crystal at an affordable price for customers.
Heritage Handcut Crystal – These crystals are hand cut in a method that is deep-rooted in crystal cutting history, dating back centuries. Each crystal is unique in shape and form and is cut by hand in two stages, on an iron and sandstone wheel. After, they are polished on a wood wheel with marble dust.
Optic Handcut Crystal – These crystals are significantly refractive. Optic crystal was originally solely used in scientific studies and instrumentation but Schonbek’s engineers started including them in their chandelier models.
Gemcut Crystal – Are shaped into a very sharp and precise form and are polished to create a pure and super refractive crystal.
Vintage Crystal – Vintage crystals are very whimsical droplets of beads in a very traditional shape of faceted ovals, woven into chains.
Legacy Crystal – This type of crystal comes from Venice, Italy and emanates an understated shine and is known to be more affordable than the average cut crystal.
Rock Crystal – this is truly a unique kind of crystal as it can’t be manufactured and mass-produced. It is one of the oldest crystals around and are mined by skilled gem-cutters and are not created in any type on synthetic process in crystal cutting or polishing.
The design and manufacturing of crystal fixtures requires ample understanding, knowledge and familiarity with the crystals and creations made in order to produce such superior designs in lighting. An array of brands produce crystal lighting of all designs and Schonbek Worldwide Lighting is one of them; Schonbek features lighting that is bejeweled, ornamented and trimmed with an assortment of exquisite and delicate crystals. Schonbek carries all of the above crystal types and incorporated them into their designs in very distinct and unique ways.
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
ET2 Lighting’s “Spot-Light of the Month” showcases the fresh and avant-garde Neo Collection; a collection that features an array of pendants, wall sconces and one very unique 8 light flush mount.
According to ET2 Lighting, “Neo stuns with optic crystal glass cubes that take on the hues and tones of the spaces they inhabit.”
They say the substantial yet compact design of the Neo Collection is ideal for dining rooms, entry ways, hallways and media/entertainment rooms. Wherever these fixtures end up in your home, they will entice with a dramatic and striking illumination of light.
The crystal glass cubes emulate that of an ice cube reflecting in a glass, while dark and light tints spread through the clear, glossy chunks. A xenon bulb sits within each cube on the fixture, shining from within and allowing the polished chrome finish to luster even more.
The wall sconces featured in the Neo Collection range from 1 to 2 lights, the pendants are offered in 1, 3, 5 or 9 lights (with each cube being suspended in a unique and progressive manner). The flush mount, shown here, is an 8 light fixture with rows of crystal cubes that emit a brilliant sparkle.
ET2 Lighting offers a wide selection of inventive and bold collections of lighting and continues to be the pioneer of contemporary designs that renovate an area from a commonplace space to a unique stretch of territory.
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
The lighting that Crystorama offers combines tasteful crystal and glass designs that create an overall charming illumination. Crystorama, a family-owned company, has been celebrating its designs for more than 50 years now and pride themselves in extraordinary quality and design.
According to crystorama.com, with every chandelier it manufactures, “Crystorama draws upon its history, knowledge, and legacy of stellar craftsmanship, and then embraces modern shapes, inspirations, and materials. Crystorama chandeliers are timeless and always in fashion.”
With seven decades of lighting and design experience, it is no surprise that Crystorama fixtures can be found in such impressive venues as the U.S. Supreme Court, Constitution Hall and the Palace Theatre.
Looking through the company’s many unique designs, it is apparent that the family at Crystorama strives for superiority in lighting, which is shown in their design techniques and distinct style they emphasize in every product.
Crystorama uses some of the finest crystals in the world to adorn their fixtures such as Swarovski Elements, Swarovski Spectra and Hand Cut Crystal, cut by hand in two stages on a iron wheel and then sandstone wheel. They use their resources to seek out the best quality crystals worldwide.
Crystorama Lighting Group started out solely in the design of chandeliers but has now moved forward creating an array of classical crystal designs in lighting shown in their pendants, flush mounts, wall sconces and vanity lights; they have become one of the industry leaders in residential lighting.
Monday, January 9th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Add an eye-catching sparkle to your space with the classic and refined style of Crystal Lighting. Here are a few tips:
Crystal Chandeliers and Crystal Foyer Lights have been popular for years and years and are the epitome of timeless elegance and class. Crystal Style Lighting features lavish and very delicate designs with brilliant and elaborate adornments of crystal rosettes and droplets – a style that dates back to the 16th Century. Often, in smaller spaces, large and elaborate chandeliers overpower rooms but with the smaller Crystal Flush Mounts, Mini Chandeliers and Wall Sconces, it is possible for any size space to be bejeweled in the ultra-chic Crystal Style Lighting.
This classic Crystal 12 Light Imperial Silver Chandelier by Schonbek Worldwide Lighting displays that sparkle and pizzazz Crystal Style Lighting will bring to your space. For a more modest fixture, if you have a smaller space to light, the Schonbek Equinoxe Flush Mount will be a great addition to your home.
Schonbek Worldwide Lighting features an array of wonderful Crystal Styles – find more Crystal Lighting from Schonbek right HERE!
Peruse Littmanbros.com for even more affordable Crystal Lighting HERE!