The Golden Lighting Centennial 4-light mini chandelier in a pewter finish is on clearance for only $60 and makes a great addition to any interior decor - traditional or contemporary!

This AF Lighting mini chandelier in an Old Brass finish is simply stunning in terms of beauty and price! Get it for only $70 and add priceless beauty to any space. Perfect for traditional households.

The Minka Lavery “Lyric” mini chandelier is a stealthily cool chandelier that enhances any contemporary setting. It’ll hard to find smoother style at a lower price: only $75!

Be sure to check out the rest of our fantastic mini chandeliers for under $75 and get give the gift of elegance this holiday season!

First on the list of Eurofase wall sconces is the Eurofase Alma Wall Sconce priced for around $70.

As you can see, the Alma sconce is a very unique fixture with three beautiful bulbs shaped like techno-like tulips. The shape of this sconce gives the illusion that the tulips are flapping in a gentle breeze and who wouldn’t want such a dreamy image in their living space. The Eurofase Alma wall sconce is perfect for the flower-child on your gift list.

Next on the list is the Eurofase Chrome Dana Wall Sconce.

This dual light sconce gives off a soft, diffused illumination that is perfect for bedrooms and contemporary living rooms and hallways. The smooth design also allows it to blend effortlessly into almost any decor while adding subtle but stunning style. Priced at a mere $40, the Eurofase Chrome Dana wall sconce is an unbeatable deal and a fantastic holiday gift.

And last but definitely not least on our list is the Eurofase Chrome Fluid Wall Sconce.

The Fluid wall sconce has a sleek and shiny design that goes well with almost any room in the house, especially the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. The amber and frost glass helps gives off a soothing illumination. Priced at only $66, the Eurofase Chrome Fluid wall sconce will be a great low-cost gift for anyone who likes contemporary style and warm colors.

Be sure to check out more Eurofase Lighting for more budget-friendly gift ideas!

Lanterns have that special ability to add a touch of charm and warmth to any space. Maybe it’s the candle-like bulbs inside or maybe it’s the image of early Disney cartoons walking through cobblestone streets in the night. Whatever it is, a lantern can really enhance the look of forays, patios, and more.

This particlular 3 light lanterns from World imports is form the Classical Simplicity Collection and made of fine iron with a beautiful rust finish. The 3 light lantern from World Iports makes the perfect gift for those who appreciate the classics. And at less than $100, it’s definitely an old-fashioned price!

The LIL BIG WONDER from TECH LIGHTING

The Lil Big Wonder from Tech Lighting is quite simply one of the handiest lights we’ve ever come across. Perfect for the person on your gift list who likes variety and appreciates usefulness, the smart and compact design (only 4.75 inches tall!) of the Lil Big Wonder can be used as a reading/task light while sitting on a desk or screwed into a wall, an accent light placed on the floor next to plants, fireplace mantle or wherever else you can think of.

The Lil Big Wonder is designed to be easily screwed into a wall if you would prefer a wall mounted light and a special feature that automatically shuts the light off when tipped over. At under $70, you simply can’t get a better bang for your buck than the Lil Big Wonder!

The Feather Boom Arm Wall Lamp is shaped like a boom mic and allows for the same pinpoint perfect positioning. The long arm and convenient handle makes it easy to adjust. Sit back, relax, and let this lamp take over the show. The cool design for a subtly stylish addition to any space and is available in black and silver.

The Sonneman Orbiter wall lamp (shown below) is also a clever design that makes for a stylish and highly adjustable fixture.

Like the Feather Boom lamp, the Orbiter has a large handle that is able to be adjusted to a large number of angles so you can create the perfect lighting positioning. It is available in polished chrome and satin nickel.

Sonneman Lighting makes some of the most elegant wall lamps. Be sure to check out all their adjustable wall lamps as well as their many shaded wall lamps!

So what better place to go camping in warm deserts than the Burning Man Festival? Of course, the actual festival isn’t for a while, but we can internet-daydream by visiting their site, right? Luckily, our internet daydreaming became quite productive because the Burning Man site has an excellent page about green-friendly camping lights.

When out camping, good lighting is a necessity. The Burning Man website has an interesting list of lighting fixtures for camping. Among the recommended lights are: LEDs, tube fluorescents, and lanterns if you have a generator as well as battery-powered lanterns if you do not. Among the lights you should NOT use: your car’s headlights. Makes sense as you wouldn’t want to have to rely on Wile E. Coyote for a jump.

Here are some helpful lighting tips from the people at Burning Man:

When choosing lights to make your camp or art project dazzle at night, choose LED’s & EL wire. They’ll suck less juice from your generator or solar system and last year after year. Look for lots of LED light ropes and other LED lighting products on the internet.

A solar-powered rechargeable battery charger is an excellent way to keep things powered up and ready for nightfall. It beats the cigarette lighter in your car, and the cost is relatively cheap.

Always keep a small flashlight or head-strapped-light with you, as even the best lit camp will still have dark spots and can be dangerous when stumbling to your tent late at night. Even those small book lights can be amazingly bright and useful.

And lastly, at Burning Man, even the light shows are green-friendly. Check out this cool LED light show from the Burning Man festival: Burning Man LED light show

Candle Holders

Candles are a quick and easy way to add a bit of drama and elegance to your table. Candle holders can either clash or blend with the rest of your home’s interior decor, depending on the effect you’re trying to achieve. The Kala Candle Holders from Uttermost offer an exotic flair that could bode well if you’re looking to achieve something a little different. You can have some fun here by mixing styles. Just arrange the candles in a convenient way across the table, putting the largest ones in the middle. By doing this, you create a blanket of warm candle glow for everyone at the table, enhancing the comfort level for everyone.

Tiffany Bowls

Vases are a wonderful way to easily add a beautiful piece to your table and some of the best and most stylish choices come from Dale Tiffany’s collection of Tiffany Bowls. Putting artificial plants or real ferns inside a Dale Tiffany bowl as well as a few flowers makes for a beautiful centerpiece that is easy to create. With many warm colors to choose from, Dale Tiffany bowls will blend in nicely with the pleasant food arrangement you’ll no doubt have on your table.

The CSL puck light is a small and inexpensive fixture that acts kind of like a “put anywhere” light. Puck lights are easy to install and they’re excellent for using as undercabinet lights. Also, they have a sleek design that looks good while blending in subtly with its surroundings.

We highly recommend getting a few puck lights for under cabinet lighting if you’re unprepared to do a mass lighting overhaul. You can also use them for step lights, garage lights, and anywhere else you need a small, easy-to-install light. Check them out!

The idea is that by using energy-conserving LED lights as a way to access internet signals, thus bypassing  the crowded field of radio signals currently in operation and allowing faster internet connections. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

However, the most common wireless network technologies today rely on radio frequencies. Those frequencies can get crowded and slow browsing speed to a crawl as more Internet users and devices occupy the same bandwidth.

“It’s like being in a cocktail party,” Little told LiveScience, noting that the “conversation gets louder and louder” as more people try to talk.

We’re all for the possibility of getting internet access from a floor lamp. They’re definitely cooler looking than routers.

An article in the NY Times describes the sudden change of philosophy. Building owners are becoming less concerned with drawing attention to their edifice and more concerned in taking advantage of government rebates and tax credits by spending money on green-friendly building designs. So while it does cost more money to make a building green-friendly, that money is usually earned back in a couple years with the savings in energy costs as well as the government incentives. Furthermore, given that being “green” is a popular trend, creating green-friendly lighting systems in buildings is an excellent PR move.

The article discusses a number of ways companies all over New York are utilizing technology to make their spaces more energy-efficient. It’s definitely worth a read so check it out! If you’re a business owner, you may find some great ways to reduce energy costs for your business.

A stark reminder of why it’s necessary to take safety measures when creating your holiday lighting display is Shawn Miller, a young man from Illinois who was electrocuted when attempting to toss a string of lights into the trees in his front yard. The lights got tangled with nearby power lines, resulting in 7200 volts of electricity running through his body and the eventual loss of his left hand. Here’s an excerpt from a recently published article:

“Miller had to be revived three times and ultimately, survived the tremendous shock. He lost his
left hand and a finger on his right hand, suffering 27 exit wounds throughout his body. Dozens of surgeries and skin grafts later, he is a walking miracle who wants to offer others the
gift of electrical safety awareness for the holiday season.”

Miller has now teamed up with SafeElectricity.org to spread the word about electrical safety tips to prevent injuries and death, especially during the holiday seasons when we deal with so many lights and lighting displays in outdoor environments - something most of us don’t do on a regular basis. Here are some tips you can use utilize for your lighting:

• Never throw holiday lights or other decorations into trees near power lines.

Don’t throw your lights into the trees.

• Use only lights that have been safety tested and have the UL label.

Look for the UL Certified logo!

• Before use, check each light string for broken sockets, frayed cords, or faulty plugs. Replace damaged strings. Always unplug light strings while replacing bulbs.

• Don’t string together more than three standard-size sets of lights.

• Make sure extension cords are in good condition, are UL-approved and rated to carry the electrical load you will connect to them.

• Match plugs with outlets. Don’t force a 3-pronged plug into a 2-pronged outlet or extension cord.

• Do not overload outlets. Use surge protector strips if multiple outlets are needed.

• Keep electric cords away from high-traffic areas, and don’t run them through doorways, or hide them under rugs or carpets.

• Outdoors, use only lights, cords, animated displays and decorations rated for outdoor use. Cords should be plugged into outlets equipped with GFCIs. Use a portable GFCI if your outdoor outlets are not equipped with them.

• Do not staple or nail through light strings or electrical cords, or attach cords to utility poles

• Don’t let children or pets play with light strings or electrical decorations.

• Place fresh-cut trees away from heat sources, such as heat registers, fireplaces, radiators and televisions; and water frequently.

• Always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

<—-DO NOT DO THIS!!!

• Lastly, and maybe most importantly, DO NOT wrap your pets or even your kids in lights. As cute as the photo op may be, a fractured wire or fractured bulb can result in a really bad electrical shock. Needless to say, a small child and pet are at a substantially higher risk to suffer serious injury from electrocution than dults are, so if you want to have a picture of junior or Rover in Christmas lights, use Photoshop!

Candles can add a powerfully elegant presence to any room. But put the wrong candles in the wrong way and you can ruin the perfect moment. A surefire way to get the right candle-lighting effect is with the Uttermost wall mounted candle holders.

Wall mounted candle holders are an easy and effective way to take hold of any room. These accessories are like large, framed works of art that you can put numerous candles on in various places. And not only do they add a wonderful candle lighting effect, but they’re also very beautiful in their own right.

The Uttermost Claris Wall Mount Candle Holder is elegant simplicity at its very best. Adorned with the natural-beauty look of branches and leaves, the Claris wall mount candle holder is a pleasant addition to any room. It’s neautral design ensures it can go well in traditional or contemporary design schemes in living rooms and bedrooms. The 8 candle spots also allow for a highly customizable light setting.

The Uttermost Kya Wall Mount Candle Holder is a more contemporary, Japanese-inspired design. Candle light is already usually pretty soft and thought of as highly romantic, but the Kya wall mount candle holder is designed with mini “windowpanes” of diffused glass to soften the candle light creating a cleaner and indirect light.

The Uttermost Siam Wall Mount Candle Holder is one of our personal favorites. The complex design is beautiful and can add intrigue and power to any room and any decor. Its riveting design also makes sure you have a beautiful work of art on your wall whether the candles are on or not.

Candle lighting can create the perfecr mood with a simple flick of a match. With a wall mount candle holder, you get tht best of both worlds: elegant lighting by night and a beautiful fixture by day.

• Put a wall sconce on either side of your doorway.

This is not only a great way to create a welcoming effect for visitors to your home, but it is also creates full illumination for when you leave your home.

• Don’t hang wall sconces too low.

For outdoor wall sconces on the patio or on the side walls of your home, make sure the sconces don’t jut out too far. If they do, they can cause trips and falls. Also, heads can hit the wall sconces if arranged too low.

• Get a softer light

Use wall sconces with frosted glass to create a softer, diffused light. This is especially useful for wall sconces used on porches or patios where a softer light is preferred.

One of our favorite decorative lighting manufacturers, Meyda Tiffany, has recently installed the world’s largest “green” chandelier in a performing arts center in Utica, NY.

What makes the chandelier “green” is its innovative use of LED lights. LED lights use a fraction of the energy incandescent bulbs while providing a higher quality light. According to Meyda Tiffany, the chandelier uses a total of 328 LED lights that only requires 1,120 total watts (about what’s needed to brew a pot of coffee), while conventional incandescent bulbs require 7,435 watts (about what’s used to power 17 refrigerators).

Moreover, the LED lights are made by the same guys who make the lights for Times Square New Year’s ball, so you know they have to be good.

We’re really excited about the use of LED lights in more and more places every day, including rock concerts (see our blog on Radiohead’s use of LED lights). Do you know of any other innovative LED lights?

How High?
Normally, you want the lamp shade to be about the same height as your lamp from bottom to the top of the bulb socket. This size is considered standard. But some contemporary lamps go a different route and may have a much smaller lamp shade

How Wide?
Look for a lamp shade that is at least as wide as the widest point of the lamp. You can go several inches wider if you wish.

What Material?
This is entirely up to you. Get any material as long as the shade is the right size and with a design you like. More traditional shades are made of cotton or linen while more contemporary shades are made of silk, plastic, paper, and more. The Mica Lamp Company also makes an interesting array of copper lamp shades that are worth checking out.

The entire process, according to many historians, was 20 years in the making and involved a wide range of materials. Edison and Swan used a carbon filament for their first successful test run and this is the model that became the first commercial light bulb that would change the way the entire world.

Nowadays, we are inundated with light everywhere we go. Light bulbs are on even when the sun is at its brightest. And now that our lives are dependent on constant illumination, light bulbs have evolved.

Nowadays we have a wide array of light bulbs for many purposes. A good place to look to see just how varied the light bulb is today is Sea Gull Lighting. With spiral fluorescent light bulbs and circle fluorescent bulbs that are designed to save energy and give off less heat as well as newer LED lights (see our blog on LED lighting!), the light bulb has evolved to levels Edison, one of the most creative men to have ever lived, could never have dreamed of.

The focus of light bulbs today is more than just a decent lighting source. The public have demanded light sources that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, as well as comforting to the senses with ambient and accent lighting (see our many Design Articles with info on creating relaxing bedroom lighting as well as general ambiance lighting). We’ve come a long, long way since just needing some way to see in the dark. 129 years will bring a lot of changes along the way. Thus, we wish the light bulb a happy 129th birthday! We have no doubt there will be 129 more and we can’t wait to see what will happen along the way.

For starters, we wanted to see if Nulco Lighting had a flush mount that would look right in a bedroom. As we near the holidays, many of our customers are parents looking for something other than the proverbial iPod or Wii to give to their children, so they come looking for some unique lighting for their kid’s bedroom. A popular item recently has been Nulco’s Tea Rose flush mount in a white finish.

The design of the flush mount is unmistakably beautiful and would go well no matter if your daughter is a rock princess with loud, funky posters all over her walls or an art geek with neatly arranged prints of Matisse and Monet masterpieces. The three bulbs allow for proper illumination that isn’t too overbearing. Finally, the price is low enough so that you don’t have to feel like you made a long-term investment on your daughter’s lighting despite the fact she’ll probably be out of the house in a few years.

The next flush mount we wanted to see was something that could really add a depth of excitement to a living room; a dash of luxury and maybe even a touch of royalty - we found exactly that with Nulco’s Ottoman flush mount.

Many of our customers want to add a stunning lighting fixture to their living space but don’t necessarily want the long-term commitment a chandelier often requires. This flush mount from Nulco Lighting is the perfect in-between offering fantastic features including a captivating crystal and chrome finish. With its 6 bulbs, the light can be strong enough to romantically illuminate the average living space. The Ottoman flush mount by Nulco Lighting is really one of the great flush mounts. As this is more of a decorative fixture than a utility one, additional accent lighting may be required if you plan on using this for your main lighting piece in a somewhat large living room. However, we always recommend accent lighting in addition to ceiling lighting so that the overhead illumination is not so glaring.

Lastly, we wanted to find a basic but beautiful flush mount; something that sticks to basics while being unique atthe same time. Nulco Lighting has quite a few flush mounts that fit this description. The Princeton flush mount is one of them.

While remaining true to the basic flush mount design found in most homes, the Princeton flush mount adds bold charm at the same time. With a polished brass frame and an intricately designed glass globe, you get an eclectic combination of beauty, class, and normality. This flush mount looks good in just about any setting; from living room and master bedroom to guest room and bathroom. It is a high quality flush mount that serves a myriad of purposes.

So if you’re looking for a flush mount but want something a little different, check out all of our flush mounts from Nulco Lighting - a new tradition of flush mounts!

We never thought about that yet considered it so appropriate what with the mellow glass colors and soft light that emits from the chandelier so that it’s absolutely perfect for those cloudy mornings. So we looked through our selection of Landmark Lighting Tiffany chandeliers to find the perfect models for breakfast areas.

This model from Landmark is particularly conducive to breakfast and brunch areas. The soft colors emit a soft illumination and the glass allows the sunlight to play off it while bringing out its deeper colors.

The rich and bold colors of this model makes for an elegant piece no matter what time of day or how bright the sun. It adds a richness most breakfast areas tend to lack and makes for an exciting centerpiece.

There are plenty more Tiffany glass chandeliers as well as other styles available from Landmark Lighting. Check them out and add more than milk to your morning coffee!

The color red is always a fun color that can add excitement to any atmosphere. With a red glass pendant, you benefit from a subtle red shade of light emanating through the room. Alfa Lighting offers quite a few really exciting red pendants to choose from:

The Izzy pendant is covered in swirls that make for a funky design that looks great in apartments and lofts aiming for an urban aesthetic.

The Penanno pendant is a more traditional design with a hip red and black lava design. It has an ability to transcend categorical design because it can fit easily in so many design schemes; whether it’s a family home in the suburbs or an artist loft downtown, this pendant is perfect for any setting.

Yellow is also a great color to add vibrance and energy to your setting. The Miramare pendant is a stylish pendant that blends the perfect amount of excitement and subtlety. Like the Pennano pendant above, its style doesn’t confine it to specific decors and so can be placed just about anywhere.

The Casanova pendant has a bright yellow with a trendy streak of orange slashing through it. With this pendant, you’ll enjoy a very contemporary graphic design on a rather traditional pendant shape. The short cone of this pendant is elegantly similar to older pendants but the energy and youth of these colors make for a fascinating juxtaposition. This pendant looks good in any home and room.

Check out the rest of Alfa Lighting’s colorful pendants and add some color to your home without having to get paint all over your old jeans!

Lanterns are a great fixture to place on both sides of your front door; they are both elegant and provide excellent illumination for security needs. Designers Fountain wall lanterns are a great place to start if you’re interested in getting some lanterns for your home.

Wall lanterns are a great choice in that you can easily place them anywhere you wish and their illumination is excellent. Choose from a great many styles from Designers Fountain including styles with black or bronze finishes. Having two lanterns not only creates even illumination, but it also ensures light if one of the bulbs burn out.

Double-bulb fixtures can be strategically-placed on the corners of your home to wash your home’s walls with light. This is an excellent security measure as it keeps prevents starting points for burglars from getting to their eventual goal. And although many people dread putting double-bulb fixtures on their home because they tend to be rather unattractive, Designers Fountain offers double-bulb fixtures  that are subtle and elegantly contemporary.

These are just a few recommendations for your outdoor security lighting. We urge you to check out all of Designers Fountain security lighting to safeguard your home. Security isn’t something that should be put off until later.