Wednesday, April 17th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Is your home in need of an update? Do you still have the original builder grade light fixtures that came with your home? A dark and shadowy space can make a home feel dated, cramped and dirty, but don’t worry because there are some easy techniques to give your house a makeover, making it more modern and creating a style that is more current.
One way to completely change your space is to throw out the shiny brass and beveled glass light fixtures you’ve probably had for so long. Besides being dated, these fixtures tend to be too small for the space and do not have enough light output; larger more proportioned fixtures will modernize your space. In addition to removing your dated fixtures, consider adding the right amount of both task and ambient lighting to your space, this will add layers to the areas of your home. Ambient and task lighting will also add to the perceived square footage of your home by brightening and lightening it up. To make a space feel larger you will want to make sure you have lighting in at least three of the four corners of a room; this can also be achieved by using a combination of table and floor lamps and even leveled wall sconces. Wall sconces will allow you to create a layered look by turning some of them on or dimming them depending on the desired look you want to achieve. Dimmers are another simple way to update your lighting and by installing dimmers, you can get the bright, crisp and clean look of today while also dialing the brightness to your space down for a more calming environment. Dimmers are also great energy savers as they allow you to only use the light that you need in that specific area of your home.
LEDs are also a great energy saver; your current light fixtures can be updated by retrofitting LED bulbs instead of incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Many LEDs are rated for 25 years of average usage and they use about one tenth of the electricity of an incandescent bulb and are dimmable like their counterparts. Lighting accounts for more than 25 percent of a home’s energy, so switching to LED bulbs will yield significant savings. LED tape lights are a wonderful source for LED lighting and are very small and inconspicuous; they can be placed in book shelves creating accent lighting that will add dimension to a space. Home lighting today should be comfortable, easily controlled and energy efficient.
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.
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, March 14th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Whether you’re remodeling or just looking for a more efficient way to light your home, there are far better economical ways to do so. Here are some of our most helpful tips on starting an energy efficient lighting plan from our most knowledgeable lighting professionals.
You can save energy and keep your home stylish and comfortable with just the right amount of light easily these days as there are plenty of energy efficient lighting options out on the market. Make that simple switch from traditional lighting to LEDs, ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, CFLs of fluorescents – changing this aspect of your lighting scheme will truly help you strive to become more energy efficient and most importantly save you money on your energy costs.
Consider adding dimmers or lights with photoelectric lighting controls, such as motion or occupancy sensors to routinely turn off your lights.
Worried about the style of these new energy efficient lighting options? Well, there shouldn’t be a worry in the world with what manufacturers have been coming out with in the efficient lighting sector of design. Brands like Hinkley Lighting with its line of modern landscape lighting and Tech Lighting with its wide range of low-voltage and line-voltage pendants and fixtures strive to create designs that not only are efficient but also very tasteful when it comes to your interior home décor.
According to epa.gov, if every American home swapped their five most used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR we would save about $8 billion each year in energy costs.
Here are some fun facts from energystar.gov:
- With energy savings of 75 percent or more, you can save about $6 per bulb or about $14 a fixture annually on your energy bill.
- By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have earned ENERGY STAR, you can save $70 each year.
- The average U.S. home has about 30 light fixtures; making the switch can earn you more than $400 savings per year on your electric bill.
- An LED downlight in your newborn’s nursery will last until he or she leaves for college.
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 27th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Using tropical style fans in the home isn’t often a top choice in design for many people but with the right blade color and specific materials, tropical fans can be a wonderfully inviting addition to your space.
Ceiling fans grace almost every room in the home and are at the center of the space; it is important to not only have an efficient fan with great airflow but also have a fan that is stylish and with the design and aesthetic of these fans, you can’t go wrong.
Fanimation features an array of tropical ceiling fans collections with various settings for their design inspirations.
According to fanimation.com, their tropical fans are created with “organic and natural materials, such as real palm leaf blades and beautifully designed, rich bamboo blades to create a feeling of Island Living in your home.”
Fanimation has a selection of their top-selling tropical fans and included on that list is the Cancun collection, the Belleria, the Palisade and the Cancun; the Islander was inspired by the Palisade, and both were designed by Tom Frampton, founder of Fanimation.
Thursday, August 9th, 2012
by Benson Littman
You will need to first develop a lighting plan for you and your home; it is the best way to stay organized throughout this process.
First, you’ll want to create a lighting budget, have a good idea on your spending cap. It is smart to walk into this with some kind of financial plan. This will help you and help the designers or lighting specialists you confer with, as they will steer you towards the brands and types of lighting you can afford.
Second, take some time to research; peruse the web or interior design magazines to gather some ideas that appeal to you and harmonize with your design scheme at home. This is a very good way to be ahead of the game when it comes to beginning this whole process of creating a lighting design for your home. Walking into a showroom with some inspiration on what you want may speed up the process or at the very least give the specialists some indication on what you want. It is always good to take the initiative.
It is a smart idea to collect any samples that you can from the space you are trying to create a lighting scheme for. Paint samples, fabrics, cabinet samples or floor samples, are all prime examples on what will be helpful to you and the lighting team you work with. Floor plans and photos of various angles within the space are always helpful as well; being able to see the space in these ways is always beneficial and allows you to recall your current structural design and décor.
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.
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.