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, 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.
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.
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Tiffany Style Lighting is a wonderful way to add unique lighting to your space:
Most Tiffany Lighting is classified by its bright and colorful glass in the form of a mosaic with complex patterns and a beautiful, luminous and very vibrant glow. The design of each Tiffany Style fixture is distinctive and seemingly very time consuming; each portion of glass is wrapped in copper (repeated for every piece of glass), placed inside a dome-shaped mold and then bonded together.
Today, Tiffany Lighting has expanded its color and textile palette, creating a much more modern and contemporary feel. Look for very colorful portions of glass in a geometric or natural pattern with dark bronze finishes like this Kichler Lighting Elegant’e Bronze Pendant. Although, the modern Tiffany Style fixtures tend to have a polished nickel or satin nickel finish.
Littmanbros.com has an array of affordable Tiffany Style Lighting on sale now!
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Here are a few pointers to help you add some Classic/Traditional Lighting to your home:
Traditional Style Lighting consists of a lasting design scheme that is often considered Early American or Victorian style. A very decorative and elegant approach to lighting, Classic or Traditional Style Lighting features striking and luxurious elements with heavy ornamentation and intricate detailing. Look for an exaggerated design, simple finishes (like bronze or gold), gentle curves and an overall classic sophistication with rich embellishments.
This 12 Light Chandelier by Dolan Designs is a good example of Classic/Traditional Style Lighting.
Take a look at even more Traditional Lighting at Littmanbros.com right HERE!
Monday, January 2nd, 2012
by Littman Bros Lighting
Add Contemporary Lighting to your home to complement your style:
Contemporary/Modern Lighting should incorporate a very clean and simple design with minimal use of accents or ornamentation. Contemporary designs represent a very subtle complexity of up to date trends; smooth lines, fresh geometric shapes with the most current and avant-garde materials are used. Since this style of lighting is so minimalist and modest it tends to be a wonderful choice of lighting for an array of settings.
This 8 Light Chandelier from Access Lighting is an excellent example of Contemporary/Modern Lighting.