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Maitland-Smith Lamps and Lighting Wall Sconce, Floral Decor 8112-19
Ever since man discovered fire and its many uses, he has been doing everything to harness it for heat and light provision. With the advent of newer technologies, fire became candles and candles became bulbs, and pretty soon, fire has become mobile. With it came hazards and some unpredictability, though.
So, is there really a way to catch fire and have it safely contained?
Candle sconces were the first to have it contained. Monks in dark monasteries lit their hallways with these. Pretty soon, elaborate structures had darker hallways so more light was needed. Candle wall scones then came in different styles and materials.
Light display is often linked to religious activities. Every place of worship seems to have its own sets of candles or other sources of light. The Jewish menorah, for instance, is placed on the southern side of the temple, with each of the seven branches representing human knowledge. The central lamp is the representation of God.
The predecessors of wall sconces have had different forms, colors and materials. They also often come in pairs so that they can satisfy the needed symmetry in space.
More often than not, wall sconces are circular and they come with brackets for arms. At least this was the case during the 17th till the 18th centuries. Those wall sconces come with drip pans on their arms are also used to provide light to mirrors like those in a dressing room.
Oval sconces came at around the late 1700s. The rectangular ones followed during the early part of the 19th century. It’s amazing to remember the evolution of these sconces. They also came with heat shields and reflectors and they soon accommodated candles that burned longer.
Wrought nails were also used to hang the wall sconces or these lights were simply hung on a wall bracket.
Modern Wall Sconces
These modern lighting fixtures are now made with different sorts of materials. They can be used as an accent art or as ambient lighting. The history of the candle sconce is pretty rich and its modern alternatives are now being used to contribute to the moods and auras in a home.
The wall sconces are flexible when it comes to decorative uses. They are a good source of illumination while they also offer an aesthetic beauty to the walls. They are an effective means of getting attention to areas that are often ignored.
There are now many designs options plus you can already use them with dimmers so that you can adjust the light according to the mood that you want to evoke at a particular moment.
Wall Sconce Installation
Now that you’re ready to install wall sconces in your home, then you have to follow some simple rules.
First, pick the location of your wall sconces. Now make sure that the power to that room is turned off while you’re working on the installation. To be safe, have an electrician take care of this activity for you.
Remember that the ideal height for wall sconces is about 72” off the floor. Mark the spot with a pencil. Pick also your light switch location or at least point that out to your electrician. If there’s already an existing outlet that you can use, then do so.
Draw the locations for the sconces as well as the light switch. Use the drywall to saw cut those portions out. You could cut initially at the draw lines but you will have to trim some more so you can insert cut-in boxes.
The third step is to drill the holes inside the wall. Be sure to locate this as the same stud bay as that of the light box.
Step 4 is to run a 12×2 wire to the second sconce. Use a fishing tape. Run the wires till you reach the last sconce. You can then run the electrical wire from the last sconce to the location of the light switch.
Lastly, run a 12×2 electrical wire from your switch to your electrical outlet, the cut-in boxes, and then insert the boxes to the wall.
You are now ready to mount the sconces.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wall sconce, wall sconce installation, wall sconces
Posted in Accents, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting, Wall Design | Comments Off on Wall Sconces: History and Installation Guide
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016
Uttermost Accessories Garvin Twist Sconce With Candle 19476
Interior design lists lighting as one of the crucial elements yet it is one of the most overlooked phases in design. An effective lighting plan should improve the overall look of the room, furnishings, even the colors.
There are three kinds of lighting that can work together in order to achieve balance. These are the task, accent and ambient lighting. A wall sconce, depending on where it was installed, can fit into any of these three categories.
If you snubbed wall sconces in the past, well, it’s time to reconsider. Minus any wiring task, there are pluggable sconces that can up your fashion statement.
Cords Can be Fashionable
Who said wall sconce cords are plain nuisance? Most wall sconces now come with cords that are meant to be displayed. There are also built-in channels that can improve the wall sconce’s decorative appeal. Many lighting suppliers now offer channels which you can add to wall sconces to cover any unsightly cord. The cord can then be concealed behind paneling or furniture.
Be bold as you choose the wall sconce cord that you will display. This can be made of sparkling metal or any bright-colored channel. You always have the option to spray paint the cord, too, so that it would easily match the color of your walls.
Free Up Your Desk
Get rid of that old table lamp which just eats up desk space. While it is an effective task light, having it feels like you are still working inside the office and not at home. If you have decided to set up a home office, then be sure to tone down the lights. You are, after all, alone in your office environment so you can now adjust the task lighting.
Use the same ol’ plug for your sconce but, this time, instead of a bulky table lamp, what you have is a modern look that didn’t just diminish the amount of clutter on your desk but also gave your home office a more fashionable appeal.
Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Cristal De Lisbon 2-Lt Wall Sconce 22401
Closet Conversion
Another way that a wall sconce could come in handy is when you convert a closet into a disappearing home office. Every square inch counts and so a wall sconce is a great way to optimize available work space; the wall sconce will also make the closet feel less of a closet.
Wall Balance
What wall wouldn’t look lovelier if you place a pair of wall sconces on it? Plug-in wall sconces can effectively frame a lovely art piece. This pair of ambient light can bring attention to your piece of art which is something that you would want the beholders to do.
Be Gone Awkward Areas
There are areas in your home that are a bit more difficult to light. Such is the case with your reading nook, corners and window bench. A pair of wall sconces will effectively add another layer of light (apart from the natural light brought in by the windows). These nooks can be beautifully framed and the result is a jewel-like spot.
When setting up for a reading corner, use a downward-facing lighting fixture. A swing-arm sconce will also be a great spotlight.
Save Bedside Reading Space
If you have a cottage interior design, you can choose a bronze or black plug-in sconce for your bedside light. This is a great way to provide guests with individual reading light while still adding to the cottage appeal. The space is also saved for the nightstand where they can place their eyeglasses and books as they doze off.
Wall sconces can be awesome architectural highlighters. Cap your living room, bedroom, dining room, even bathroom looks as you place pairs of sconces on your walls.
Tags: accent light, accent lighting, ambient lighting, designing the lights, general lighting, home lighting, interior lighting, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wall sconce, wall sconce design, wall sconce installation
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2016
Living Room Uttermost Citographie Gray Linen Armchair 23168. This chair is made of hardwood and made perfect by craftsman detail right on the gray linen tailoring. See how the brass nails streamline the fabric trim giving the needed contrast to the solid oak bare frame.
Craftsman dwellings were inspired by architect brothers Henry Mather Greene and Charles Sumner Greene. These ingenious minds worked together during the 20th century in Pasadena, California. The Greenes were quite inspired by the English arts and crafts movement and Oriental architecture. In their own promoting handmade stuff rather than those created inside factories and were machine-made.
If you want to have a first-hand look at the beauty of craftsman design and architecture, you could visit Southern California where a few bungalows from 1905 till the 1920s still stand. You will surely love this style if you like things that may be old but have got a timeless appeal.
Characteristics to look for include gabled roofs, front porch, tapered columns, partly paned doors, multi-pane windows, and a lot of earthy colors.
Craftsman houses are typically painted in any nature-inspired color. You will see a lot of browns and greens. The low-profile homes often blend with their natural surroundings. The muted palette comprising of just one or two contrasting colors are used to highlight the breathtaking architectural features.
Regardless of the style that you choose for your home, keep in mind that painting an architectural feature with a contrasting color is an effective way to highlight such feature.
Another characteristic that is unique to a craftsman home is the stone detailing. See the mixture of different materials with the siding typically made of wooden clapboard. There are some that feature shingled siding as this was a pretty common style, too, back in the day. The foundations and porch piers are generally made of stone with some concrete block, bricks or stucco used at times.
Craftsman style also comes with roof eaves, exposed beams and rafter tails. All these reflect the influence made by the Arts and Crafts movement, thus, visible handiwork was featured and were considered in style.
Living Room Uttermost Ardusin Hobby Cupboard 25589 is made from select hardwoods. It is hand-finished in worn black. The mahogany dovetail bins are solid wood and are great for your any storage needs.
Democratic Mixing
Get a craftsman style book and mix materials that you can get your hands on. Think of cladding a little addition of brick or stone even when your home already has existing clapboard siding. The addition of exposed rafter tails or beams should not mean that you are supposed to reconstruct your home or even replace your roof. Such details are commonly decorative in nature and can be easily added below a home that already has deep roof eaves.
There is something inviting and warm about a craftsman home. It celebrates the fusion of building materials, lovely structures, and most especially, the 20th century architectural features.
So, how to begin?
Start with a view of some of the craftsman homes still in existence. Take note of the window detailing, those exposed rafters, the facade, stained glasses as decorative accents, and the overall warm glow of the place.
Consider also the kind of lighting used which mirror the exteriors. Find sconce and pendant lighting that will cast a warm, golden glow throughout a room. While this is the general rule when it comes to craftsman homes (warm lighting plus earthy colors), this does not mean that you can’t put your own personality into it. You can opt for the bright home approach where you balance the bright hues with the wooden accents which are the staple materials of a craftsman home.
Other colors that you can add to your palette are white and blue. Gray can also give your craftsman home a contemporary appeal. Include white wooden accent pieces, modern pendant lighting fixtures, and some contemporary art. The result is a comfortable and trimmed yet modern and posh at the same time.
Isn’t it fun to make historical homes appear modern inside? This can be your take on retro meets the contemporary look.Craftsman design is sure to captivate both young and old spectators.
Tags: 20th century, 20th century chairs, arts and crafts, contrast, contrast in design, contrast in interior design, craftsman, exposed finish, hardwood, hardwood furniture, hardwood pieces, interior design contrasts, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mixing and matching furniture, pendant, pendant lighting, retro, Retro design, Retro style, tips, wall sconce, wooden elements
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2016
Artistica Dining Room Quadrille Arm Chair 481-010. Imagine this awesome piece brightening up your dining area.
When trying to achieve industrial chic, there is nothing more harmonizing than the beauty of an open-space home and metal – especially copper. Iron girders and exposed beams, chrome bathroom taps, even stainless steel appliances all add to the exquisiteness of an industrial setting. If these are the only things that you think can be great for an industrial themed home, then think again.
These days, metal is everywhere – from the wallpaper to the flooring, even in furniture pieces.
The Evolution of Metal in Interior Design
Chrome initially said farewell to the bathroom then was seen in modernist furniture and lamps. The year 2014 was all about copper and the paint color of the year 2015 was also this same metallic hue.
The use of metal inside homes is far from new. Nobles during the Medieval Period had wrought-iron homes. Fast forward to the 20th century and metals were still very much in use. Chrome was then the star of the show and was accentuated by various polished mirrors.
During the Flower Power Revolution, metalwork became very popular among designers. It was used in wall sconces, chandeliers, sculpture and lamps. The ‘80s showed the emergence of brass and gold inside smart interiors.
Now, gold taps are common inside bathrooms especially among the most luxurious homes. You do not want to go all out when it comes to the use of copper or any kind of metal, though. Of course, you would not want to come across as loud.
The Tommy Bahama Home Living Room Harcourt Round Side Table 552-952 is made of hammered copper complete with nailhead trim. Concealed in this beautiful piece is a storage unit that serves multiple practical functions.
Copper, Copper, Copper Everywhere
Burnished and subtlety are needful in order to create warmth while adding a bit of sheen. Wallpapers, carpets and tiles also add a richness of copper and other metallic hues. Look at some bookshelves and sculptural forms and you’d be amazed at how copper can become the dominant hue yet restrained nevertheless.
Stuff in your home can be covered or painted with copper shades. Metals are not just there for cladding buildings anymore. It can also compete with wood and other furniture raw materials. Don’t get the idea that copper and other metals are cheap to work with. If you want to embrace quality then be prepared to invest. Your investment, after all, is sure to be enjoyed by your posterity.
Copper has long been used in interior design because it is a venerable metal. Its texture is cool but it can bring warmth in so many fashionable ways.
Bathrooms and kitchens are classic rooms where this gorgeous metal is used. It is both a functional and a design element. Copper is also wonderfully microbe-free which is why it is used in abundance inside these two rooms. What’s wonderful is that you won’t even need to use harsh cleansers in order to remove bacteria from the sink surface. A few hours of staying on copper and the bacteria are bust.
Lamps and Lighting Uttermost Akron Copper Table Lamp 27697-1 is made with handforged metal complete with a washed copper finish. ‘Notice the dark bronze foot? It is sturdy and decorative at the same time.
Copper pots and pans are also priceless decorative pieces in any kitchen. They spell luxury and wealth. Do you have copper cooking utensils to boost? Then bring them out and have them serve as decorative pieces, too.
Hammered copper used in many furnishings have transformed what could have been a so-so piece into a stunning work of art.
Copper lighting fixtures also have a huge impact in illuminating spaces. These are design pieces by themselves – just think of chandeliers, pendants, and table lamps. These are stylish additions in any room. They can add dimension and boldness; they can also effectively define space.
Copper lighting may be used in a rustic, cozy, contemporary or Western setting. Choose from raw to shiny finish, brushed or oil rubbed. Would you want the natural look or do you prefer pieces with heavy patina? The choices are limitless when it comes to exquisite copper.
Tags: chandelier, copper, copper accent, copper accents, copper in interior design, guidelines, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, metal, metal design, metal theme, metallic interior design, metallics, metals in interior design, rich hues, subtle, tips, wall sconce
Posted in 2016 Trends, Color Schemes, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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