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, 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.
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
The kitchen is a space in the home that attracts the most people – cooking, eating, working and entertaining are all rolled up into one room in a household and that is why it is an area that should be adequately lit. Kitchen island lighting can be a hit or miss; more often than not island lighting should be noticeable and project ample light in a stylish and decorative manner.
Pendants and mini pendants are the top choice when choosing the right island lighting and if you want that lighting to truly pop and achieve that commanding and impressive appearance most kitchens need, here are a few examples you can go with:
• Hudson Valley’s collection of globed pendants from their Beacon Collection will add a unassuming yet industrial ambience as it complements an array of different styles.
• Achieve a truly rustic look with the Brindille Collection from Hubbardton Forge. The twig like look of the hammered metal stems of these mini pendants attracts the eye in a nominal way.
• The pronounced and romantic style of the Point Claire Collection from Kichler Lighting will create a contemporary appeal with the discernible crystal branches the glimmer against the pendants chrome buff. The white fabric shades add a hint of warmth alongside the crystal details.
• Create a dazzling touch to your kitchen island with the unassuming yet sparkling mini pendants from Schonbek’s Matrix Collection – each fixture comes with 50 unique and beautiful crystal colors. Although the crystals will standout, the petite size of the mini pendant can accomplish that subtle drama in the kitchen.
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
One of the most fundamental yet essential decisions to make when choosing your light fixtures is the finish of the product. It is a key component of the design and can either enhance or sometimes even minimize the design scheme of your home. There are, of course some finishes that archaic and some that remain a well-liked choice in light fixtures for decades.
Throughout the years there are countless finishes that have become outdated or old-fashioned but there are those finishes that are inevitably everlasting. In the 90s, multi-step finishes were extremely popular and continue to be so today. Multi-step finishes are just that, finishes that are created through a process (with multiple steps) that truly bring out the details within the hues of the chosen finish.
What is now being considered the “finish of the decade” is Kichler’s multi-step Olde Brick finish (popular in the 90s as well), that has endured it reputation over the years. It was created by Kevin Von Kluck and Rick Hammar initially solely for their outdoor line of products but the desire for Olde Brick indoors was unavoidable and thus, the finish became popular and legally protected by Kichler.
The inviting yet serene tones of the finish is still a preference today and that is why Kichler has witnessed an array of Olde Brick imitators using alternative names; Kichler of course followed with legal action against those impersonators, keeping Kichler’s praised Olde Brick finish their own. Today the only company who is allowed to use the name Olde Brick for its finishes is Emerson, featured in their fans.
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.
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
The dining room is host to a range of events in your home so it is only natural that such a dynamic room can have a medley of lighting styles and brands. Often, the most sought-after type of lighting for dining rooms are the more larger and elaborate fixtures, which creates a nice focal point in the space. A statement piece, like a chandelier, is always a great choice for your dining room but it doesn’t always have to be your first go-to.
The best feature of a dining room is how functional it can be so you don’t need to go with the more conventional style lighting in your dining room; try something out of the ordinary by adding a set of mini pendants, a nice way to layer your lighting, or one or two larger pendants. Linear chandeliers and island lights come in an assortment of shapes and styles and will create a warm and bright ambience for your space.
The necessary lighting for any dining room is overhead lighting and accent lighting – and with recessed lighting, your choice of a central chandelier, pendant or a few mini pendants, you can achieve that classic yet fashion forward lighting your dining room requires.
Murray Feiss shows some wonderful examples of the different styles of lighting you can feature your dining room: the chandelier is from the King’s Table Collection; the mini pendants are from the Preston Collection; and the large pendant is from the Remy Collection
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Hinkley Lighting is one of the major manufacturers of high-quality lighting in the industry and carries the latest designs and styles of fixtures for both interior and exterior lighting.
Hinkley has a range of lighting choices, from ultra-modern to very classic and traditional; they continue to have fresh, innovative perspectives for your home that will add a radiance and warm ambience to any space.
Littmanbros.com carries all of the Hinkley Lighting Collections, which promise to impress with an array of original styles and delightful themes:
The Hinkley Hampton Collection is a great choice to add a distinctive and very chic design for your home; the clean, symmetrical lines (that come in either antique nickel or brushed bronze finishes) and appealing shape of the off-white linen hard-back shade harmonize nicely together.
Or, if you would rather go for more transitional style lighting, then the Hinkley Parker Collection is a nice choice; the bold and sophisticated look of the collection with the double arm construction, like this Hinkley Parker 12 Light Chandelier, will stand out in any foyer or dining room.
Monday, January 16th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
There is an array of different kinds of Outdoor Lighting to choose from and finding the right type and style of Outdoor Lighting for your home can sometimes be a difficult task. Here are a few pointers to make it a bit easier:
You will need to choose multiple Outdoor Lights to use outside your home; the lighted impression and strength at night is a very important factor and you will need a few different kinds lights with about 40 to 75 watts to create that sufficient lighting.
The durability of your lights is important so you should think about the typical weather conditions of your home and decide what the best to use is. Nowadays almost all Outdoor Fixtures have special coatings in order to withstand these elements so make sure that the lighting you choose is listed as “Wet Location.”
Landscape Lighting is also a very popular choice when choosing Outdoor Lighting; there are numerous types of Landscape Lighting to choose from as well and all of these can do an assortment of things for you and your home’s Outdoor Lighting.
Uplights: Call attention to features from the outside; they are placed on the ground shining up to highlight focal points in the landscape.
Downlights: Aim downward, above an area, to emulate natural light or as a type of security lighting.
Path Lights: Go along a path such as sidewalks, driveways and pathways to securely lead a person to your front or back doors.
There are also Flood Lights, In Ground Lights and Outdoor Spotlights.
When choosing the best Outdoor or Landscape Lighting it would be nice to have a blueprint of your landscape to decide the best locations to put the lights. And of course, at the end of this whole process, the most fun part is deciding the style of your outdoor lights that will truly complement your home’s architecture.
Make sure when selecting your Outdoor Lighting that you don’t forget the key places to illuminate; your home’s entryway, all outdoor stairways and passages, your deck or patio and your driveway.
This Landscape Lighting shown is from the Hinkley Nexus Collection. Hinkley Lighting has a lot of wonderful Landscape Lights and Kichler Lighting is also a great brand that has an array of Outdoor and Landscape Lighting as well.