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Archive for May, 2011

A Guide to Eco-Friendly Kitchen Lighting

May 31, 2011 By: admin Category: electrical fixtures

1306884624 11 A Guide to Eco Friendly Kitchen Lighting

Many people are eager to reduce their carbon footprint and often see their homes as an obvious place where they can really cut down on their energy consumption. But while everyone knows about the importance of recycling or the savings that can be made from insulating their home, not many have thought about ‘greener’ kitchen lighting as a gateway to an eco-friendly home.

Your kitchen has massive potential as an energy-efficient focal point and lighting is one of the easiest places to start as you progress towards a greener household. Sure, you’ve thought about replacing those old light bulbs for new eco-friendly ones, but have you ever considered how you might maximise the room’s natural light? or how you could reduce the number of lights in the kitchen without compromising its aesthetic? Here are some tips and tricks to get you started.

Natural light – Benefits and things to consider Most kitchens have some degree of natural light streaming through a window, but are you making the most of this free, eco-friendly light source? Having a kitchen bathed in sunlight is the simplest way to reduce the need for energy-consuming artificial lighting and it can also help to greatly enhance the overall appeal of the room. think about where you could put in an extra window or, if appropriate, consider installing a skylight for maximum light exposure. ‘Domed’ skylights have the added benefit of absorbing harmful UV rays and spread light to give the impression of a room ‘flooded’ with natural light.

If you’re planning to open your kitchen up to more natural light, though, there are a couple of important considerations that you need to make. first, think about the room’s colour scheme. Certain colours and surfaces work better with natural light than others, and it’s important to know that you’re creating your desired visual effect. As a general rule, gentler, more ‘neutral’ colour schemes that incorporate whites, yellows and light blues work superbly with natural light, while bolder blacks and reds sometimes feel off-putting and intrusive. also, think about how the room will look at night. More natural light is great, but it’s not a complete substitute for artificial lighting.

Artificial lighting – Adaptable, efficient solutions Artificial lighting will always have a role to play in your kitchen. It’s just a case of choosing efficient lighting that meets the wider functions of the room. As a first step, swap your conventional energy-guzzling bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which last much longer while providing the same levels of light. Alternatively, why not go for LED lighting? these lights are incredibly energy-efficient and offer more focused, intensive light for an interesting visual effect.

Of course, kitchens are often more than just places for food preparation and some may desire lighting that sets the mood and helps creates an atmosphere. In this case, a dimmer switch or three-setting control could be the answer, allowing you to use light in an eco-conscious, responsive manner. or consider using several smaller lights to create an ambience that uses only the optimum amount of energy.

An integrated approach In the end, your lighting choices will depend on both the design and function of your kitchen. What’s important is that you take an integrated approach that makes the most of both natural and artificial light. For example, you could open your room out with a skylight but use under-cabinet LED lights to give the room an attractive and distinctive night-time character. Whatever your approach, there are many options open to those looking to implement environmentally-friendly kitchen lighting solutions.

This post has 426 words. It will take approximately 2 minutes, 7 secondes for reading it.

A Brass Lamp Adds Beauty To Your Nautical Home Decor

May 31, 2011 By: admin Category: torch

1306848627 26 A Brass Lamp Adds Beauty To Your Nautical Home Decor

Fire pits, torches, and candles were three ways of lighting an area in the older days when electricity had yet to be invented. These sources of light were oftentimes very unreliable and wore down quickly. because they were so unprotected from rain and snow as well as high winds, these light sources were prone to blowing out. Keeping the rain off a torch or candle was a difficult, trying feat. the creation of the brass lamp was in response to this need to correct the obvious condition. the light source in a brass lamp was guarded from rain and wind by the glass panes of the lamp and the metal frame that held all the pieces in place. Small vents were left at the top and bottom of the brass lamp, in order to siphon off heat. the light source within these items varied due to the time and age the lamp was used in.

During the great boom in whaling in the later 1700′s, many a brass lamp was fueled by a combination of whale fat and oils. Many people preferred whale oil because it burned without a great fuss. Unlike other animal oils, whale oil burned without smell. Before this time period, many a brass lamp encompassed a small candle made from animal lard. the astounding lack of odor in many candles oftentimes made up for the fact they burned with a darker cloud of smoke. the more sophisticated candles included the honey sweet beeswax candle that only the more prosperous could afford. the clean-burning of the beeswax, when compared to animal lard, made it a very attractive option.

As the hand carried it, a brass lamp was expected to dutifully light the way. because some people damaged their lanterns, they would often get blown out by wind or rain. the panes of glass are just as important to the lantern as any other part, and this glass makes them a wonderful decorative item. though there are some types of these pieces that don’t have a single pane, they are very rare. most often, the lack of glass panes is a sign of an antique piece. Glass was a rare substance, and as such many people treated this item very carefully. the constant use of this item, however, caused it to lose more than just its glass paneling. A house tended to keep the same type of this item, and simply have many copies of it lying about. during this era, only the wealthy could afford to buy multiple types of lanterns. in order to maximize their display effect, wealthier people chose lanterns based on how well they went with the theme of a room.

These pieces can be used in a home setting in which the lantern itself provides a more old-world feel. those who put these items in a working space will sometimes find the item evokes images and memories of the sea. indeed, these pieces were commonly used on the ocean. on the ocean, light was especially important. not only did the light provide visibility, but it also provided comfort. the brass lamp is famous for its great adaptability.

This post has 384 words. It will take approximately 1 minute, 55 secondes for reading it.

Should I cut my own rayon fringe or buy some?

May 31, 2011 By: admin Category: cheap floor lamps

1306827048 90 Should I cut my own rayon fringe or buy some?

So I had this cheap Ikea floor lamp, about 5 feet tall, with a paper lantern-like lampshade. The other day when I decided to do some redecorating in my room I picked up the lamp and without thinking it hit my ceiling fan. well the fan came out of that the winner.

So basically what I have left is a 5 foot tall lamp pole with a (roughly) 21 inch circle base at the top. I really want to get a LONG rayon/chainette fringe to attach around the top base. Kind of like the fringe that you find on flapper dresses or tassels. But the only place I can find fringe long enough (like 32 inches at the longest, and I don't even know if that's long enough) is online to be used as a belly dancing skirt. Is there a way to make my own fringe very similar to that, or a special place to buy super long fringe?

Thanks a lot!

This post has 121 words. It will take approximately 36 secondes for reading it.

How to Buy a Genuine Antique Chandelier

May 31, 2011 By: admin Category: antiques dealer

 How to Buy a Genuine Antique Chandelier

There is absolutely nothing like a genuine antique chandelier that could create an aura of nostalgia to any room where it is placed. Aside from its aesthetic worth, there is also its monetary value. even for those individuals who do not collect priceless antiques, there is no doubt that an antique chandelier is a worthwhile investment. However, it is because of the fact that they are very expensive that you should take certain tips on buying antique chandeliers into consideration.

First and foremost is searching for a reputable antiques dealer. unfortunately, this is easier said than done, considering the fact that there are many unscrupulous sellers selling cheap and fake antique chandeliers. You might want to start your search by making inquiries from antique shops in your local area. even if they don’t have chandeliers in stock, they are sure to refer you to other dealers in their contact network. they can also advise you on which sellers to avoid.

The next step is to acquire the services of a licensed and certified appraiser. an appraiser is a man or a woman who has been trained to determine the authenticity and value of certain prized items, including antique chandeliers. they will help you in determining if the item you are planning to buy is genuine. You yourself will need to carefully inspect the item for damage and defects in the circuitry, especially if you are planning to use the chandelier.

Antique chandeliers are commonly classified according to the time period in which it was made. Considered among the most highly prized lighting fixtures are those belonging to the Victorian era. Other much sought after antiques belong to the Renaissance, Gothic and Rococo Revival periods. because of their age, these fixtures have been crafted for use with candles, gas or kerosene, although some genuine antiques have been restored and fitted with electrical wiring and circuitry. Elaborate and intricate, these chandeliers are primarily made out of wrought iron, bronze, brass and crystals.

Even if you do find the antique chandelier of your dreams, you should be prepared to do regular maintenance if you want to preserve your precious lighting fixture. Daily dusting of the fixture is a must. instead of using harsh soaps and water, it is best to clean the chandelier with metal polish and have it occasionally treated with anti-rust solution. in case you have purchased a chandelier that needs to be repaired and returned to its pristine condition, enlist the services of a certified and licensed restorer.

Learn more about how you can buy an authentic antique chandelier today!

This post has 308 words. It will take approximately 1 minute, 32 secondes for reading it.

How to Use LED Lights for Decorating

May 31, 2011 By: admin Category: uplighters

1306805423 98 How to Use LED Lights for Decorating

When it comes to decoration, creativity is a very important factor. a decoration theme does not look good if the right colors are not used. LED lights can be used for the purpose of decoration due to their unique designs, variety in colors and appearances. To use LED lights for decoration, you need to design a layout. First of all, you need to select lights according to color combination of the desired room. for instance, some people use soft colors for their television lounge. if the color scheme includes colors like blue and beige, you cannot very sharp colors like red for the decoration. thus, choosing the right color is the first thing which you need to look at.

The shapes of the lights need to be appropriate. if you are putting LED lights in your television lounge and it is rectangular in terms of shape, round shaped lights would not look very appropriate. instead, you should use square shaped lights. The size of the lights and intensity of the LED’s depends on the room size. Lights should have an intensity which is not irritating for the people who sit in the room. In addition to that, the quantity of lights should also be selected accordingly.

Another area which requires thinking when you are using LEDs for decoration is the placement. normally, people consult an interior decoration expert to determine the right placement. you can put colorful LED lights near the roof in the form of a geometrical pattern. some people like lights arranged in a circular manner. However, you can choose your own pattern but it should not clash with the overall theme.

LED lights are used a lot for decorations in events. when you are inviting people, you have to be careful about the lighting. The colors should not irritate the guests in any manner. for instance, if an LED light is put right on top of the seating arrangement, it would create irritation. if you are putting up a stage, you would need a lot of light. for instance, you would have to put LEDs on the corners so that the stage looks bright.

You need good ideas for effective decoration. In case of lighting, try to use an arrangement which has not been used in the past. Apart from that, do not use lights only for the sake of using them. some people have a habit of using LED lights of all possible colors. this gives a cheap appearance.

This post has 273 words. It will take approximately 1 minute, 21 secondes for reading it.