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.
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.
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.
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.
February 16th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
Under Cabinet lighting not only adds a functionality of lighting that every area could use, but also adds that flair and luminescence that only a certain type of lighting can truly achieve. It adds an illumination that not all lighting can produce; it’s a unique style and distinction you’ll want to have. Add under-cabinet lighting and transform your kitchen, bathrooms, home offices and studies and well as laundry rooms. Here are a few ideas for you to choose from with the help of our lighting professionals at Littman Bros:
LED Under Cabinet Lighting
-Energy efficient and definitely the trend in under cabinet lighting right now, LED bulbs have an extremely long lifespan and offer a white-blue light or often replicate the warmer glow of incandescent bulbs.
-Although a little pricier than most bulbs, LEDs will save you energy and more money in the long run because of the longevity.
-Try LED tape lighting, stick lighting or spot lighting for your under cabinet areas
Fluorescent Under Cabinet Lighting
-Not quite up to par with LED under cabinet lighting, but fluorescent lighting is more efficient than incandescent and also lasts longer – this is why fluorescents are more expensive than incandescent bulbs.
-Your options are fluorescent puck lighting or linear under cabinet fixtures.
Incandescent Under Cabinet Lighting
-A popular choice in under cabinet lighting because of its affordable prices as well as easy to handle and offer a variety of options.
-They have a shorter lifespan and are not very energy efficient but xenon and halogen versions do last a bit longer and are considered a little more efficient.
-Choose from puck lighting, light strips or linear fixtures.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January 11th, 2013
by Littman Bros Lighting
This year, 2013 is host to a myriad of brand new products from a great deal of brands – Dolan Designs has definitely prepared for the new year with new collections that are sure to impress with style and charm.
Dolan’s Monaco collection is simple yet refined with bold lines that boast a transitional yet modern style. The collection offers 3 light chandeliers, 5 light chandeliers, 6 lights chandelier, mini pendants, semi-flush mounts and wall sconces; plan your home’s interior lighting scheme around this collection and your space will illuminate will a subtle elegance and eye-catching presence.
The Infini collection is unique as its name coincides with the design of the fixtures; each piece within this collection features a focal infinity symbol – within the chandeliers, the center column shines with a twirl of satin nickel while the mini pendant adds that twist to the lower portion of the fixture as well as the wall sconce, which has an infinity twirl continuing down the bottom of its design. The simplicity of this collection is truly remarkable as the bold, sweeping lines of satin nickel shine against the brilliance of the satin white glass shades.
The last collection we will focus on new to Dolan Designs is the Delany collection, which features chandeliers, mini pendants and wall sconces with a transitional and mission style design. The bold, dark lines of warm bronze stands out while the illumination of the clear pebbled glass shines bright.
There are more collections Dolan Designs has to show off this year that will inevitably be introduced at the Dallas International Lighting Market. Dolan Designs is dedicated to designing detailed, stylish fixtures with high-quality materials and distinct silhouettes.
