Thursday, April 4th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Lighting is no longer just about lighting up a space with general lighting, it has become so much more than that – designer lighting is meant to enhance a space and add purpose to your home. With the various kinds and styles of lighting come alternative lighting designs and variations other than general lighting or ambient lighting. Other common stylish lighting distinctions are task lighting, which would be achieved with lamps on a desk or pendants over an island. Accent lighting and decorative lighting are two more types of lighting that create depth and interest in a space – accent lighting is used to accentuate an object or element in a space like picture lights over paintings or puck lights in glass cabinets; decorative lighting is purely ornamental, one of the most common applications is cove lighting above cabinets or in tray ceilings.
There are different designer lights that can create these various lighting types in a space, the most common being chandeliers and lamps. You can also consider using different style like flush and semi-flush fixtures that sit closer to the ceiling. For accent and task lighting, wall sconces are a great choice and add wonderful depth to your space and pin lights, which are small compact lights, are typically used for accent and decorative lighting. With your outdoor areas, consider wall lanterns or outdoor hanging lanterns to hang from the ceiling or wall. When picking out your designer lighting it is important to consider the function you want, size and materials of the light and how they will fit in with the current décor of the space.
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.
Friday, February 10th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
This is the time of year when lighting manufacturers across the United States meet in Dallas, Texas to showcase their new releases at the National Lighting Convention. In a venue that more closely resembles a shopping mall than a convention, industry leaders set up beautifully elaborate installations and compete for the attention of retailers from around the nation. This year, the buzz surrounded some unique styles and designs.
Greek Key, a design generally associated with the world of fine art and ancient sculptures, has now found a seat as one of the most sought after styles of the year. Blending the style of ancient relics with the contemporary styles of modern lighting, light makers such as Uttermost, Eurofase, and Elk are creating beautiful lines of transitional lighting fixtures that are proving to be as popular as they are unique. Known as meander in the art world, these geometric borders were commonly found in the pottery of ancient Greece, the Shang Dynasty, and now the lighting in your home. While walking around the convention, it is noticeably incorporated in table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, and just about every other type of light.
Littman Bros. Lighting, based in Schaumburg, IL has been making their way to the Lighting Convention for over three decades. Noticing the varying trends every year, Owner Dan Littman said “It’s exciting to see what the newest industry trend is going to be. This year, everyone seems really excited about Mercury Glass Lamps.” While circulating the many booths at the show, Interior Designers, Store Owners, and Manufacturers seemed to be pretty infatuated with this unique style of lamp. Mercury glass is a blown glass with a double wall. Liquid silver or silvering solution is added for decorative affect. Companies such as Dimond and Kichler are using these manufacturing techniques to create beautifully colorful or clear glass pieces that absorb and reflect the illumination. It is really no surprise to see so much excitement about these lights.
Littman was also excited about the abundance of fixtures using new material such as leather. “I’m glad to see manufacturers are still being innovative with materials. It makes designers and customers excited to keep coming back to the store.”
Staying current with lighting trends at the Dallas Lighting Market has enabled Littman Bros. Lighting and littmanbros.com to continually be a premier source for designer lighting from around the world.
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, January 11th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Chandeliers outfit your home with the necessary light, known as general lighting or ambient lighting, which provides an area with overall illumination. General lighting is essential to any lighting plan and can be accomplished with a top-notch Chandelier.
Shopping for a new Chandelier doesn’t have to be a daunting task; with a few guidelines and helpful tips, you’ll have a wonderful addition to your foyer, kitchen, dining room or great room in no time:
• Be aware of your home’s overall style and choose the appropriate design that suits your needs. There are a lot of Transitional Style Chandeliers out there that effortlessly blend with either contemporary or traditional style decors.
• Determining the right size of your Chandelier depends on the size of the room you want to light so make sure you have evaluated the space in which you plan to hang it – for a dining room, measure the table you plan to hang the Chandelier over (it should be about 12” narrower than the table); any other room, you should measure the size of the room, ceiling height and furniture so the proportions harmonize. The Chandelier should hang at least 6 ½’ to 7’ above the floor.
• How much light does your space need? Determining this will help you choose how many lights you want on your chandelier. Depending on the size of the room and how much ambient light is needed is how you will establish the number of bulbs you want.
• Adding a dimmer control is a great idea, it will also help with your bulb choice, as it allows you to modify the light depending on how much is needed at the time and what mood you want to achieve.
Chandeliers can add a radiant shine and flair to your foyer, kitchen, dining room, bedroom or even bathroom (depending on the size); it is usually the focal point of your space, the first thing people see when entering the room so you should take your time deciding on what style and size is fitting for you and your home.
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!
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
by Littman Bros Lighting
Foyer Lighting: A First Impression
You only get one chance to make a first impression. A foyer functions as a welcoming platform, the primary entrance to any home. Foyer lighting can serve a dual purpose of not only lighting the main entrance, but also conveying an important initial sense of style.
You can set the mood with the perfect foyer chandelier or foyer pendant light. Flush Mounts and semi-flush mounts also work perfectly in foyers with lower ceilings. Whether you are coming home from a hard day at the office or welcoming guests to celebrate a happy occasion, you want to create a welcoming atmosphere when you walk in the door.
Choose a foyer fixtures based on your distinct style. The options are endless. Shop by lighting collections and help navigate your way to the perfect foyer light. Visit our Designer Collections Boutique.
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
by Littman Bros Lighting
In order to welcome your guests and ensure safety, you’ll need high-quality general lighting in your foyer. Your hallway should be illuminated every eight to 10 feet for safety; stairs should be lit from the top to bottom to prevent accidents, with switches at both ends.
If you have a large foyer with a high ceiling, a decorative foyer chandelier can be an attractive focal point especially when a ceiling medallion is used. If your foyer is smaller, you can use a smaller mini chandelier or you can use a flush mount light. Foyer chandeliers are usually taller than wider.
Wall sconces are ideal solutions for foyers, stairways, and halls of all sizes. Place matching sconces on each side of a decorative mirror. Continue Reading Foyer, Stairwell & Hallway Lighting