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Posts Tagged ‘ambient light’

Chandelier Specs – What to Know When Buying This Lighting Fixture

Monday, October 31st, 2016

Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Tamworth 5 Light Silver Champagne Chandelier 21268

Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Tamworth 5 Light Silver Champagne Chandelier 21268

The chandelier is a lighting fixture that has two or more branches that bear lights. Gone are those days when it was a mere wooden cross beam complete with metal spikes to hold the lighted candles. Nowadays you won’t see chandeliers hoisted up with a rope or chains. These lovely lighting fixtures have evolved into charming pieces with different designs.

Chandeliers, these days, are not just used for lighting but also for aesthetic purposes.

Adding Ambience with Chandeliers

Needless to say, this lighting fixture that’s designed to float inside a room is a great design element. This can easily serve as a centerpiece in any space.

If you’ve seen the film What A Girl Wants, you would find one of the characters there boasting of his lovely chandelier to his guests. It’s not just a conversation catalyst but also something that he got accustomed to being arrogant about.

Chandeliers can also spell luxury in so many ways. They are unequalled when it comes to lighting elegance.

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Finely Cast Brass, Iron And Penshell Empire Chandelier 1954-010

Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Finely Cast Brass, Iron And Penshell Empire Chandelier 1954-010

Picking the Right Chandelier

There are many things that you need to consider when purchasing your first chandelier. Think of materials, different sizes, and light emission when you are out to determine the best chandelier for your room.

There are horizontal and vertical sizes. Know that buying a large fixture could mean an overwhelmed space. Purchasing one that’s too small, though, means it could look insignificant if not unremarkable.

The size and design of the chandelier will also eventually affect the way the fixture will be hung. If you want an elaborate chandelier that would be hung inside a spacious dining room, for instance, then be sure to take the time to do some measurements.

Hold a tape measure to a height that you think would work for your chosen chandelier. Here are some general guidelines –

  • A room that’s no bigger than 10 feet by 10 feet should have a 17-inch to 20-inch diameter chandelier.
  • For a room that’s 12 feet by 12 feet, it is wise to buy a 24-inch to 27-inch diameter chandelier.
  • For something that’s 14’ x 14’, it’s wise to buy somewhere at 24 inches to 36 inches in diameter for your chosen lighting piece.

The length by which a chandelier must hang is dependent on the height of the ceiling. The bottom part of the fixture must not hang more than seven inches from off the floor. If there are windows, then be sure to put the chandelier at the center where it can be seen from the outside.

The Correct Chandelier Materials  

Since chandeliers easily become the focal points in room, then you must know what sort of materials would enhance the room. Candle and crystal combinations make the most nostalgic visions. Glass and crystal, on the other hand, are quite popular in the creation of romantic settings. They are also indicative of wealth and luxury.

The use of antler chandeliers brings to mind those days past when life was simple and lighting was as basic. The rustic design that these offer are perfect for log cabins and those rural lodges; they are also great for a more antiqued look.

You can also invest in metal chandeliers. These come in wrought iron, brass, steel and silver. Add some stones, shells, beads and Capiz and you’d have achieved a fancy lighting piece. Metal chandeliers often look great in modern and contemporary homes. The less ornaments used, the more fitting the lighting fixture is for a modern setting.

Be careful in choosing the colors of your chandeliers. The most famous finishes now are black, gold, silver and brushed bronze. There are also neutral-colored pieces that would easily suit your design scheme.

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Layering Lights: How to Make Your Home Shine

Monday, September 19th, 2016

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Jelani, Table Lamp 26987

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Jelani, Table Lamp 26987 provides accent lighting for your living room.

You may think that light is the least essential design element when the days are at their longest yet this is the best time to buy quality lighting and select fixtures that would properly light your home. The first step that you need to undertake is to know the three kinds of lighting.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting can also be referred to as general lighting since it provides an overall glow. In essence, it does the role of sunlight during the night. Full ambient lighting can be achieved by properly spacing recessed downlights. This can also be achieved by a single central ceiling fixture.

Ambient lighting is often chosen for its decorative feature. Be sure to check the wattage when you want to know how much light the ambient fixture can offer.

One problem that you might have encountered in older homes is that homeowners only used task lighting. This gets the job done, sure, but it can leave a lot of dark corners or make rooms appear smaller.

Minus ambient lights, you are likelier to trip over stuff, this is why this kind of light is now the most common light used in many modern homes. The unfortunate news is that people tend to stop at ambient lighting, not even bothering to layer with another kind of lighting.

Accent Lighting

This kind of lighting, on the other hand, provides any room with a more polished look. Of course, it is important to make the room more visually interesting which is why you should carefully choose accent lights.

Just like any beautiful painting, accent light has the power to draw the eyes to it. This visual piece can be that attractive lighting fixture or some directional lights.

One of the most natural accent lights is the chandelier which can highlight the dining table. Downlights are able to illuminate a piece of art or an interesting decorative cabinet.

Task Lighting

The last type of light is task lighting. This is that focused light that can create a spotlight on a task. This is important in the prevention of eye strain, therefore, to eye health.

What could be more fun than a glowing peacock? Featured here is the Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Cast Brass Peacock Wall Sconce 1900-111

What could be more fun than a glowing peacock? Featured here is the Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Cast Brass Peacock Wall Sconce 1900-111

Relax, Have Fun

A lot of designers rely on lighting designers when taking on a remodeling project. The latter make sure the rooms are properly lit for the crucial tasks. They also know that mood can be easily created with light. If you want to ascertain that your home is correctly lit, then you should begin by knowing the three kinds of lighting and to know how and where to use them.

Apply accent, ambient and task lighting – these are the three kinds of light. Don’t force them, though. It would be unwise to cram them into one space. Layered lighting is only considered successful if the entire room has a flattering glow to it. There shouldn’t be any daunting shadows anywhere. The most interesting parts of the home must also pop because of proper lighting.

The three kinds of light can be layered but don’t get confused by them. A family room, for instance, can have recessed lighting which could provide a casting glow. A ceiling chandelier can double as ambient and decorative lighting. A white table lamp (still in the same room) is a great decorative piece when placed against dark walls. While it is decorative, this lamp can also offer task lighting for anyone who wants to read a good book.

Alright, here’s the simple secret –

Begin with ambient light as the first layer. The task light follows as the second layer and the accent lights finish the job. If you can commit that to memory, then all you have to do now is to find the fixture styles that would match your home’s theme.

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Posted in Accents, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »

Candelabra: Creating Magical Surroundings

Friday, January 29th, 2016

 

Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Esher Twig Candelabra 19866

Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Esher Twig Candelabra 19866

Have you ever wondered why most homes that hang chandeliers and decorate with candelabras are viewed as sophisticated?  You may not have a family member that knows how to craft candelabra with his bare hands but there are a lot of skilled artisans who now put their works in the market.

Candelabras are candle holders which can support two or more of these lighting pieces. Most of these are now decorative in nature, with the artist carefully placing an awesome display. A single candle holder is known as a candelabrum.

The word candelabra comes from the Latin word for candlestick. People have been using candles for many, many years for lighting purposes. Even in the ancient times, people have paired these candles with candelabra.

In the beginning, candelabra were utilized to increase of the amount of light in a room. In the next centuries, however, their role when it comes to enhancing the ambience slowly became apparent. Pretty soon, churches, social gatherings and stages were already using them.

Candelabra are now equal to glamour, chic, stylish and romance. Place one in any room and in an understated manner and you will find more and more guests marveling at their beauty.

Candelabra can also be used during weddings. Just position some by the entrance hall or right on the guests’ tables. These can serve as stylish center pieces. Also, during Christmas, ornately designed candelabra can be placed atop festive tables.

The dining table can be enhanced with lovely candelabra. Nothing can be more dramatic than this central piece. Think of a special occasion that you attended wherein you noticed how the house glowed with warmth and the homeowner probably set up a number of candelabras for guests to appreciate.

Maitland-Smith Accessories Urn Candelabra 1653-754

Maitland-Smith Accessories Urn Candelabra 1653-754

Which Candelabra Should You Buy?

First, consider what you are going to use them for. Are they going to be added as decor? Or will they be used to light a room?

You must also consider the kind of material and the style that your candelabra will have. Of course, it is paramount that you consider your preference.

Candelabra Types

Various candelabra in high quality are now available in our shop. The most common designs that you can look for are – the fountain dropper, crystal droplets, hanging candelabra, glass tea light, standing, and cake candelabra.

The fountain dropper is decorative as it comes with pearl beads or crystals. These gems are attached to the branches with each flowing to the base.

Crystal droplets come in different sizes. There are smaller versions in sparkling dots or the bigger types with diamond-like gems. These effectively catch the light and can magnify the glimmer of candles.

The hanging type is great to use outdoors. Those who choose to bring it indoors should make sure that it is paired with exposed beams or ceilings. The glass tea light candle holder is made to hold many small tea candles also known as votives. It can offer a vintage appeal and is best used in shabby chic settings.

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Kara, Candelabra 19395

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Kara, Candelabra 19395

The standing candelabra have a huge impact in any setting because of their sheer size. Often used in pairs, they offer subtle symmetry as well as balance in any environment.

Lastly, the cake candelabra are placed atop iced cakes to hold birthday candles. These are novelty items that are charming and impressive.

Candelabra Care

Just like any candle holder, you need to regularly clean the candelabra. First, never leave them unattended when the candles are already lit. Standing candelabra can be anchored to the floor but for all others, you have to find a way to make them more stable.

Find a specialist cleaning agent to remove wax. Always use protective gloves when handling hot candelabra.

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