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, November 9th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
This past week several new “smart” screw-in LED bulbs were introduced to the public and one specifically, the Philips “Hue”, is available at retail level, according to an American Lighting Association (ALA) monthly newsletter. The Hue is not being sold at just any retailer either; try Apple, which is now selling these “Wi-Fi enabled Philips light bulbs” in stores everywhere.
With the new Philips Hue, you can now control the dimming capabilities and mood-setting more easily, controlled over Wi-Fi with an app from the Apple Store or Apple.com used from your smart phone or other device. It also requires what Philips is calling a “bridge,” which must be connected to your wireless router; meethue.com says “it’s the ‘bridge’ between you’re your bulbs and your smart phone app.”
According to meethue.com, Hue is “more than just your average light bulb, it’s a personal wireless lighting system that can display different tones of white light – from warm yellow white to vibrant blue white and can recreate any color spectrum.”
With Hue, you can set your lights on a timer to wake you up in the morning, setting your lights to gradually brighten over time; Hue can also recreate a light from a picture, simply choose the light in the picture you want to recreate and Hue will reflect that choice instantly – your phone becomes a “palette to paint with light.”
Also, Hue has created “Community Scenes,” in which the “Hue community has been creating scenes from their favorite images – click on an image to view a scene and if you like it then you can use it with your own wireless LED bulbs,” according to meethue.com.
The Hue starter pack includes three LED bulbs and you can coordinate up to 50 bulbs through the wireless system; each individual bulb after that costs around $60, a bit pricey but it seems as though you are buying not only a bulb, but an experience; something intuitive and connected.
Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Philips Lighting University has now made it much easier for you to become the authority in LED lighting with their new app (sold on iTunes), Learn LED, which is intended to provide you with the premier LED education tool, on the go, when you want it.
Instead of having to sit through extensive classes or search the web and sorting through the best site for information on LEDs, Philips has brought the knowledge to your fingertips. According to itunes.apple.com, Learn LED allows you to “customize the level of learning that you need – whether it is to get inspired with LED application videos, getting up-to-date on technical terms, learning about LED technology or delving in-depth with our range of e-books.”
Philips also has stated that this newly released app is just a first in a sequence of mobile learning apps to facilitate consumers to enhance their LED knowledge.
In an article from Residential Lighting, Gina Gasbarre, Marketing Communications Manager for Philips Consumer Luminaires North America said the app includes topics such as how to light your space with LEDs, color rendering, lumen output and much more. Gasbarre also mentioned that this app will allow sales reps to use the app in their showrooms as a means to educate themselves and their customers, it’s a no hassle instrument that supplies the right information for anyone.
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.
Thursday, August 16th, 2012
by Benson Littman
For commercial buildings, emergency lighting is an important part of the accessibility of the building. Often, emergency lights aid navigation during the nighttime hours both inside and out. There is an array of types of emergency lighting out there and they are available in a wide range of styles that will function efficiently when installed correctly.
Test your emergency lighting regularly, they must be tested monthly for commercial buildings and at least annually for inspection if you have them inside a public building or your home.
LED lighting for emergency lights is a great option as they give off an excellent bright light with a small amount of energy.
Make sure you meet the code requirement set up by various authorities like the National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and health Administration. Make sure you have a professional install and plan your emergency lighting system accurately. For your home, if you choose to install emergency lighting (although not required) it is just as easy to set it up on your own as the homeowner.
Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
by Benson Littman
Although floor lamps and torchiere’s seem similar in appearance, there are noteworthy differences between the two and assist in different functions for your interior home lighting. Here is some information about each:
Floor Lamp – Floor lamps are habitually used for task lighting, next to a chair or table for reading, sewing, homework or other similar activities. It is meant to amplify visual accuracy and prevent eyestrain while working on important tasks throughout the day. Table lamps can be repositioned accordingly and often have swing arm options and a head that is multi-directional to help with the aim of light. It has a heavy base and a thinner silhouette than a typical torchiere’s form.
Torchiere – This type of fixture is a similar shape to that of a floor lamp but can often have a thicker silhouette. The main difference between the table lamp and torchiere is the function; a torchiere is used for accent lighting or general lighting instead of task lighting. The light illuminates upward, often shining its light up against the wall to the ceiling.
Use table lamps for direct task lighting; table lamps feature a light that can be directed downward towards the task you need to complete. And use a torchiere in your home for some ambient or soft, glare-free general lighting for entertainment purposes.
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.
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
by Benson Littman
When picking out a shade for your lamp, you should always remember that the shade should harmonize or complement the lamp without overpowering the design and shape of the lamp itself.
Typically matching your shade shape with the body of your lamp works out the best for the overall look of the lamp; a square lamp will look good with a square shade and the same goes for a round or oval lamp, you should look for a round shade. Of course, if you would rather have a less modest, more dramatic look, you can mix and match varying shapes and sizes with your shade to add a little pizzazz to your lighting scheme.
As far as size, the rule of thumb tends to say that the shade should be about 2/3 the height of your lamp’s base. Ratio is important, you don’t want a lamp that is out of balance or top heavy. The widest part of your shade should also be about a half inch wider than the widest part of your lamps silhouette.
Some common materials for lamp shades are: linen, cotton, silk, paper or vinyl. There are of course many more varying materials out there but if you are trying to go simple, those are the basics.
Here is some general information about the customary shapes of shades that are seen today:
• Empire Shade – This is the most common type of shade with lightly sloped sides (wider on top than bottom) and can be textured with pleating. These can match a traditional or transitional style décor.
• Bell Shade – Similar to the Empire shade but has more of a wave-like flair at the bottom of the shade.
• Drum Shade – These are very chic in style and can become a contemporary or retro style for your lamp. It has a flatter shape, more round than the Empire or Bell and has the same width on top and bottom and has ample light emission.
• Coolio Shade – Has a sharp, more dramatic slant, as it is small on top and very wide on the bottom. This is a very functional shade for lamps.