Gregory’s Light Bulb

It’s getting close to that time of year again, and it’s no surprise that we love the holidays and all the lighting opportunities and creative ideas that abound. But amidst all the hoopla and good times, it’s important to take smart safety precautions for our holiday lighting.

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.

Outdoor wall sconces are an excellent way to light up your outdoors. They’re easy to install and are allow you flexibility in where to position them. Some of the best wall sconces we’ve come across are Besa Lighting’s outdoor lighting collection has wonderful outdoor wall sconces. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about them because of their elegant contemporary styles and high quality. Check them out! In the meantime, here are some quick tips to keep in mind for when you’re buying outdoor wall sconces:

• 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.

On October 22, 1879, the first successful test of the light bulb was conducted by Thomas Edison. It was a long process in the making that underwent several designs by several inventors before finally finding “the light” on this day 129 years ago. Along with the help of Joseph Wilson Swan, an English physicist and chemist, the duo used past failed attempts at creating the first electric light bulb by a slew of inventors to create the first successful one.

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.

Go into almost any home or office and you’re likely to see something that is so commonplace that,well…you may not even notice it. What we’re talking about is the omnipresent flush mount light hanging in the middle of almost every ceiling across America. The flush mount tends to be a rather plain fixture, trying to stay out of the spotlight, ironically enough, with its basic round shape and complete lack of any original design. The blandness inherent in so many ceiling light fixtures made us go out and find some flush mounts that have some originality without being too contemporary so that they can fit in homes with traditional decor. Nulco Lighting has exactly what we were looking for with their collection of traditional flush mounts that are “not so” traditional.

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!

Landmark Lighting is known for their elegantly decorative lighting fixtures, especially their chandeliers. But we have to admit that we’re especially partial to Tiffany glass chandeliers are absolutely stunning. The wide range of glass designs offer a wide spectrum of exciting designs. And of course, you can put them just about anywhere: living room, dining room, game room, office, etc. The other day, however, a customer told us where she put her Landmark Tiffany glass chandelier - in the breakfast nook!

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!

There’s no doubt about it - colors are more fun. Jazzing up a room with red and yellow colors is the best way to go from a boxed-in, institutionalized white to a warm and festive, sing-along and be merry atmosphere. But sometimes, for whatever reason, it’s not possible to paint the walls red or yellow. However, there are ways to add these colors to your space without opening a can of paint: colorful red and yellow pendants from Alfa lighting, the kings of contemporary lighting.

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!

Having proper security lighting is a must for any home. Not only will proper outdoor security lighting deter burglars, but it will also decrease possibility of injury when you or guests are walking around outside. Therefore, the right security lighting is essential. However, most security lighting fixtures tend to be a little drab-looking. But with Designers Fountain security lighting, you have a wide array of elegant security lights to place on the exterior of your home.

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.