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.
Tuesday, May 7th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Limited Time Only – While Supplies Last
Fine Art is the premiere lighting manufacturer for all your lighting needs – they hand make every detail of their fixtures and are based in Miami, Fla. Fine Art is updating a handful of wall sconces and lamps from their collections and while supplies last you can purchase these pieces of illuminating art at 70% off:
Select pieces include lamps and wall sconces from the Veil collection (741615, 742210); the Veil collection consists of woven, metal shades layered with dynamically painted metal strapping.
Fine Art’s Encased Gems is a popular collection that displays oversized colored gems encased in silver or gold leaf finished metal (709650-1, 726650-1 are included in the blow out).
Also a part of the Fine Art Lamps select sale is the Perspectives Silver Leaf Table Lamp (734510-2), which is part of a large collection of geometric pieces with soft, sheer fabrics in both silver and brushed gold finishes.
And don’t forget the Grand Canal Silver Coupe Wall Sconce (746850) as one of the last pieces included in the 70% blow out sale – this is a very lengthy wall sconce with clear glass and silver leaf accents that fits right in the more popular light and airy style lighting.
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
LEDs are the newest and most talked about energy saving technology for lighting today – they use approximately one tenth of the power of an incandescent fixture. This amount of energy savings is not only great for the environment and your wallet but this new technology also influences the designs of light fixtures.
There are fewer design limitations with the use of LED lighting; the lower energy consumption frees the light fixture from being attached to a power source. Fixtures are now able to be completely mobile without sacrificing their operational time and batteries last so much longer. LEDs are also so much smaller than even halogens, which allows for sleeker, thinner and smaller light fixtures.
A great example of LEDs influencing fixture design is the Slim-Line LED Picture Light by House of Troy. This wonderfully versatile picture light features a cylinder that holds the LED bulbs and it is approximately one inch in diameter and it runs off of 4C batteries. Older picture lights like this were much bulkier in design and shape, sitting at approximately three inches in diameter and they only ran for about six to eight hours before the batteries needed to be changed.
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 27th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
There are 4 basic components to a Low Voltage Track System: track, standoffs, transformer and light fixtures.
• Track – this is what the light fixtures attach to, it brings power from the source to the very last fixture.
• Standoffs – standoffs hold the track steady so that it does not dip with the weight of the fixtures. Standoff sizes will be determined by your transformer size.
• Transformer – this cuts the 120v power running through your house down to 12v, which can run along the monorail track and through the thin pendant wires.
• Light Fixtures – monorails can hold both low-voltage track heads and pendants.
All Low-Voltage Track Systems use different forms of the components above. Once you decide which type of system you like, follow the rest of the guide to help you select your individual parts and pieces.
• Basic Track Kit – a great example of some functional and contemporary basic track light kits is the George Kovacs LED track light kit; this style track kit comes in bronze and silver finishes and offers a simplistic yet sleek design in track lights. They are simple to install and a wonderful choice to blend into your home’s current décor.
o Includes all parts and pieces need for installation
o Light fixtures are fixed and can not be mixed and matched
o Lower in price because they are pre-packaged and not a la carte
o Hand bendable and can be cut
• Monopoint vs. monorail with Tech Lighting low-voltage pendants
o Customize to your length and wattage needs
o Some kits are available for common lengths and wattage’s
o If not using a kit all components must be added separately
o Standoffs required every 30 to 36 inches
o Light fixtures are always a la carte
o System can be suspended from both a level and angled ceiling
o Hand bendable and can be cut
• Tech Low-voltage pendants come with the option to buy as a complete single pendant (monopoint) or as multiple pendants hanging on a single track (monorail). All you have to do is find your favorite Tech low-voltage pendant style; all of the choices in finish and glass are on the product page. If you choose monorail and want to hang 3 pendants on a monorail, for example, change the quantity on the product page to 3. Then click add to cart. You will be prompted to add the monorail kit once the pendants are added to the cart. Here are two popular Tech Lighting low-voltage pendants:
o Tech Lighting Low-Voltage Cabo Pendant
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.
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Ceiling fans are not only a very practical addition to the home but they also provide a stylish supplement for both your indoor and outdoor areas. When it comes to finding a ceiling fan for an area of your home that is damp rated or outdoors, like an outdoor covered section or porch, you must remember to look for a fan that is “UL Listed for Damp Locations” or “UL Listed for Wet Locations.”
Both types of ratings are designed to be exposed to the elements without any kind of risk of electrical damage or danger, designed specifically to endure environmental stresses like moisture, heat or rain. It is important to remember that if your ceiling fan will be exposed directly to any kind of rain or wetness, it should be a wet location fan. A damp location fan can be installed in areas like a screened in porch or sunroom, a wide porch where rain cannot get in, any area that is completely covered where rain cannot reach as well as bathrooms with a tub or shower.
All Modern Fan Company ceiling fans are rated and marked as “Suitable for Damp Location” – Modern Fan Company offers a variety of fan designs in more contemporary styles that are durable for your outdoor or damp location indoor areas of the home.
According to modernfanco.com, always consider the environmental factors when selecting you fan because they say that although you can anticipate your fan to have sound performance for years to come in damp locations, “the degree to which the appearance of a fan may be impacted by the environment will vary widely.”
Modern Fan Company is a company that provides customers with contemporary designs that are “both technically and artfully appealing” and are very modern, so if you are looking for a more classic design for your ceiling fan, Minka Aire Ceiling Fans also have a selection of damp location fans that range from contemporary to traditional.
A fun way to go with ceiling fan design with Minka Aire is a more tropical fashion for the outdoors, like the Gauguin fan with lavish Bahama beige blades or the Shangri-La collection of fans.
Emerson Ceiling Fans is another brand that brings functionality and style to the table with their wide selection of damp location and wet location fans. Try the Summer Night series of outdoor area fans, which are designed specifically for “any outdoor area where you need to create a breeze but don’t want to worry about the elements.” They are weather-resistant and great for covered porches, decks or patios, according to emersonfans.com.
Thursday, February 7th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Ceiling fans offer not only a functionality to your space but also provides a stylish and industrial element. All of the various style options come in a wonderful array of colors and finish options that harmonize beautifully together. Here are some of our favorite ceiling fan finish combinations:
This is one of Emerson’s Luxe Eco fans that incorporate sleek and modern elements and utilizes finishes relevant to today’s home fashion – this specific Luxe Eco fan is in a warm oil-rubbed bronze finish with walnut blades, the combination of the different color browns and russet hues bring a traditional vibe to this already contemporary fan.
The Torto fan by Fanimation features a dramatic design that puts “a new twist to an old friend” and this specific finish is actually new to Fanimation’s contemporary line of Torto fans – a deep, dark black finish set against a frost glass light kit. Whether it’s this sleek black finish you like for the Torto, any finish fan with this design is sure to be the coveted centerpiece to your space.
Minka Aire’s Artemis fans come in so many finish variations it would be difficult to figure out which one fits your space’s energy – one of our picks would be the subtle maple finish with the etched opal glass. The fan’s lighter tone can balance with more transitional and modern decors and the unique shape of the three-bladed fan adds that touch of pizazz and style.
Don’t forget that most fans also come in a polished nickel finish that usually balances well with almost any blade finish – the combo of the nickel finish with say, a walnut or cherry finished blade can be that final touch of style and originality your space needs.
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
The January Dallas International Lighting Market was filled with new and innovative designs from an array of some of the most capable manufacturers in the industry. Here is a small selection of some of the new releases Littman Bros Lighting enjoyed at the show:
Murray Feiss added some more products to their already inspired Urban Renewal collection. This style of table lamps takes you to the oceanside as well as the earlier moments in the Industrial Revolution – mixing that classic Cape Cod style with the antiqueness of the old lantern styles in our history allow for a wonderful reproduction of an engineered-like piece of work. The rustic antique brass finish adds that final matured and industrial touch.
Elk Lighting brought forward this unique and contemporary inspired Jorgenson collection, which was designed with solid wood, mirroring the silhouette of the legs of household furniture, the sharp angle of the wood is framed with accented polished nickel metalwork – this collection truly stands out as a brilliant yet simplistic design in lighting.
This distinct silhouette from Savoy House is from the Abigail collection and features a vintage forged black birdcage with faceted crystal pendalogues. The fixtures within this collection boast boldness that harmonizes wonderfully with the delicate birdcage silhouettes.
Quoizel’s Mercer pendant is a very modern and simple design but the addition of the mercury glass adds a touch of rarity and vintage appeal to the design. Layer these pendants throughout your home and they will add a nice touch to your space, illuminating a glistening shine through the unique glass choice.
Vaxcel came out with a rustic and almost olde world inspired collection called Meritage that truly encompasses the feel of mid-century renaissance era with the black iron finished accented with charred wood – the pillar candle-style glass tops it off adding that necessary drama factor to the pieces.
Thursday, January 17th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
This month Maxim Lighting is focusing on a very regal collection with a contemporary twist, the Oak Harbor collection – a collection that promises to complement any space it adorns.
The Oak Harbor collection is comprised of wall sconces, vanity lights, flush and semi-flush mounts, pendants, mini pendants and chandeliers; a compilation of beautifully designed fixtures that all can be decorated as a harmonized lighting scheme within your home.
According to maximlighting.com, Oak Harbor is “fit for bold contemporary settings and epitomizes the masculine sensibility.” It’s an uncomplicated design with a strong iron structure in a rustic burnish finish that “creates an honest unpretentious foundation.”
Each fixture within the Oak harbor collection features tapered metal ribbons forged into flowing form with beveled, soft square frost lichen glass shades that boost this already bold and handsome design. The frost shades against the dark, iron silhouette cast a warm natural light and the detailed beveled edges of the shades allow for a soft square appearance that balances the heaviness of the frame.