| Standard Bulb | CFL Bulb | |
| 25w | = | 5w |
| 40w | = | 10w |
| 60w | = | 13w-15w |
| 75w | = | 20w |
| 100w | = | 26w-29w |
| 150w | = | 38w-42w |
| 250w-300w | = | 55w |
Feb
15
15
Sep
16
16
We are here with Ashton Harrison; Founder & CEO of Shades of Light with an interview of Q & A’s of Lighting Tips, Ideas & Inspiration to guide our readers through the choices & styles for updating your home or starting from scratch with a lighting floor plan.
SOL: What are 3 tips you would give our readers when lighting a room?
AWH:
- You must light for all functions to be performed in the room (reading, cleaning, etc.). If you use directed light (eyeball recessed lights, “opaque” lamp shades, etc.) for tasks, you will have more opportunity for dynamic accent lighting. Use dimmers everywhere to control the “mood” in the room!
- Think of your lighting in terms of “layers”. Vary the height and the direction of the light sources in the room. Use table lamps, sconces, plant uplights, picture lights, ceiling eyeball spotlights, etc.
- Don’t forget accent lighting (see article entitled Accent Lighting under Tips and Techniques).
SOL: How can we customize lighting products to make them have a “one of kind” look?
AWH:
Change the shades on table and floor lamps to match or accent your decor. Use our magic pendant (Magic Pendant Light Choices) to convert recessed lights to pedants and then choose your choice of shade. Use our pendant hardware (Shade Pendant Hardware Kit) to convert a stylish lamp shade into a hanging pendant and replace a chandelier with this trendy look. Add crystals to (or take all the crystals off!) your chandelier. Add chain cover (Linen Chandelier Chain Cover, Silk Chandelier Chain Cover, Tartan Plaid Silk Chandelier Cover), decorative candle covers (Kaarskoker Decorative Candle Covers), ceiling medallion, decorative chandelier shades or fancy light bulbs to your chandelier and sconces. Add natural (sticks, fruit, garlands, etc.) or holiday decorations to your lighting fixtures (see photo).
Shade Pendant Hardware Kit, Kaarskoker Decorative Candle Covers
SOL: What are the most common mistakes made when lighting a room?
AWH:
- Use of a center ceiling fixture or one high-powered light source to light the room.
- Not following 3 tips in #1 above!
- Too much light or not enough light (1 watt per square foot for relaxing spaces and 2 watts per square foot for task areas).
SOL: If you have canned, recessed lighting how can you update with minimal expense?
AWH:
- Use our Magic Pendant Light Choices or Ceiling Light converter to change to pendant or decorative ceiling light.
- Change the fixture to an eyeball and use to spotlight artwork.
- Change the light bulbs to Full Spectrum “happy” bulbs (75 Watt R-30 Verilux Reflector Flood Bulb)!
- Replace the recessed light with a monorail track kit and use light fixtures to spot artwork.
SOL: Could you map out the steps for starting a lighting floor plan for a new construction home?
AWH:
- Plan task, general, and accent lighting for each room. Don’t forget to provide light for bookshelves, artwork areas, floor receptacles for large spaces, ceiling fans (ones with uplights above motor are really great), etc.
- Make a list of all fixtures & quantity of each you need room by room.
- Consult our Lighting for New Construction checklist for all the extras you will need.
SOL: Can you offer tips to stay on budget with the lighting plan?
AWH:
With new home construction, you should budget 3% for lighting. When remodeling, you should budget 5%. Always look at sales and specials first. Then consult the lighting experts in the store or on the phone for help in getting the look you want in the budget you have. There are always good-better-best selections in every lighting category!
SOL: What trends should readers avoid when purchasing lighting?
AWH:
Buy lighting fixtures that have to be “installed” that you REALLY love because rarely do people replace these. Go trendy and fun with portable pieces like table lamps and shades!
SOL: Please offer some suggestions for “Going Green” with home lighting?
AWH:
- LED products have FINALLY gotten to the point where they are affordable, produce warm light (be sure to check this out BEFORE purchasing), and give off ENOUGH light.
- Eco-friendly lighting is made from bamboo, cork, hemp, and recycled wood, recycled paper and recycled glass. Consult our Green Your Home article for a complete guide to going green.
Recycled Green Glass Table Lamp, Driftwood Cluster Table Lamp
SOL: With the holidays approaching what creative ideas do you have to incorporate seasonal decorations with existing light fixtures?
AWH:
Consult our Tips & Techniques for the latest Holiday Lighting Ideas!
6″ Handpainted Metal Chandelier Shade - 6 patterns!, Tartan Plaid Silk Chandelier Cover, 5″ Tartan Plaid Chandelier Shade
SOL: This has been such fun & so informative! Thanks for your solutions & ideas. Can readers send you in questions to help solve their lighting Challenges?
AWH:
I love to give lighting solution ideas! Email me your question at AWHarrison@ShadesOfLight.com.
Ashton Harrison has a bachelor of science degree from UVA and a masters in business administration from the University of Richmond. Ashton was the V.P. of Operations for This End Up Furniture before opening the first Shades of Light retail store in 1986. She started Shades of Light national catalog operation in 1995 and launched the Shades of Light web site in 1997. Shades of Light specializes in the highest quality lighting, lamp shades, chandeliers and rugs for every lifestyle.
Sep
02
02
- Wrap your chandelier arms with garlands (greens or wire stars, etc.) or twisted gold ribbon and Christmas lights. Use low wattage “flicker flame”, “wax-dipped”, gold, or red and green bulbs in your chandelier. For a whimsical touch, try our golden star bulb! Tie tiny holiday ribbon bows around the crystals on your chandelier. Or add wired ribbon bows with long steamers to each chandelier arm.
- Hang Christmas ornaments (metallic balls, gold tassels, cherubs, stars, etc.) from your wall sconces, chandelier and ceiling lights using holiday ribbon. Hang chandelier crystals (to reflect the light) from your wreath, garlands, and Christmas tree. Add magnetic crystals to your chandeliers and metal floor lamps.
- Put candlestick lamps on every windowsill and tie holiday ribbons and holly sprigs around them. Flicker-flame bulbs will give the effect of real candles.
- Create “curtain lights” for your window (hang between curtain panels) using Christmas net lights sandwiched between sheer gold metallic fabric looped over curtain rod.
- Hang mistletoe (using holiday ribbon) from your front hall lantern or chandelier.
- Use a portable outdoor spotlight in your front yard to spotlight your wreath.
- Use a plant light to highlight special holiday arrangements (nativity, decorative Santas, mantle scenes, gingerbread houses, etc.). Or use a battery candle inside gingerbread house, Nativity barn, etc.
- Change your chandelier shades for the holidays. Try red and green or gold silk shades. Or glue holly leaves and berries around the edge of inexpensive shades. Wrap existing shades in wrapping paper or foil and tie them with ribbon (make sure there are no loose ends near light bulbs).
- “Dip” your chandelier crystals and tree balls in gold (use gold spray paint to give this effect).
- Outline your doorways, crown molding and kickplate below cabinets (especially the bar) with tiny light strands (or rope lights).
- Wrap Christmas lights (or rope lights) around garlands & wreaths and the outline your powder room mirror.
- Wrap your banisters and columns with string lights. Then wrap with sheer metallic fabric.
- Put net lights over your indoor plants for a quick effect.
- Line your mantle with window candlelights or real candles in varying heights.
- Use timers on your tree, outdoor holiday lights, and window candles!
- Use our crystal bulb covers (clear or amber) on sconces and chandeliers.
- Fill a Moravian star with tiny Christmas lights and hang from the ceiling over your Christmas tree.
- Lay a gold frame mirror down on a table and top with cluster of crystal candlesticks. Add holly or magnolia?
- Fill glass vases with battery Christmas lights, glass ornaments, and holly sprigs.
- Line stairway with pillar candles, circled with greenery.
- Take white wire Christmas lights and create “sculptures” and hang from the ceiling like a pendant.
- And don’t forget to light the fire and put on the holiday music!
©Shades of Light 2008
Sep
02
02
There are a growing number of ways you can save electricity and make your home more comfortable by choosing the right lights. Just a few of the most promising options include new varieties of CFLs and fluorescent lights, new super-efficient LED (light-emitting diodes) bulbs; and simple strategies for using less electricity and bringing in more natural light.
FLUORESCENT LIGHTS
If you’re ready for a simple way to save energy, think light bulbs. To start with, choosing a compact fluorescent (CFL) is a smart move because these bulbs use much less electricity than old-fashioned incandescents (which produce light by heating a metal filament, and therefore waste 90 percent of their energy as heat). Fluorescent bulbs produce light through a chemical reaction. Not only will choosing a CFL save you about $30 in electric bills over the life of each bulb, it also will help you do your part to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. The compact fluorescent bulb works much the same way as a standard fluorescent light, but the thin tube curves into a round bulb shape that fits neatly into most lamps. Commonly known as CFLs, they use two-thirds less energy to provide the same amount of light, and they last a long time, up to 10 times longer than incandescents.The U.S. government’s Energy Star program, which promotes energy efficiency, estimates that replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL prevents nearly 500 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Today’s fluorescents are produced with electronic ballasts, so they’re not going to flicker and hum as they would with the older magnetic ballasts.
Most experts say not to worry about the health effects of exposure to the mercury in a compact fluorescent, even if the bulb breaks. As a frame of reference, one CFL contains 4 milligrams of mercury, just a fraction of the 500 milligrams found in old mercury thermometers. When fluorescents have ceased to work properly, they shouldn’t just be thrown in the trash; you should dispose of them through your local solid waste agency.
LED LIGHTING
LED lights (light-emitting diodes) are more efficient than incandescents, because the bulbs don’t use heat to produce light. And unlike fluorescent lights, they don’t contain any mercury. Instead, LEDs are made with a semiconductor material that produces photons when electricity passes through it. LEDs are very good at focusing light exactly where it’s needed, plus, they produce light in a variety of colors and last a long time.
SMART LIGHTING STRATEGIES
- Always use the minimum lighting required. Some tasks, especially reading and sewing, require bright light. But in many areas of your home, lower-wattage bulbs may work just as well, such as for ambient lighting in the kitchen. For rooms where you want different levels of light at different times, light fixtures with dimmer settings can be a good option. Not all compact fluorescents work with dimmer switches, so check the packaging carefully.
- Put your home on a “lighting diet.” Paul Scheckel, a home energy consultant and author of The Home Energy Diet, has many tips such as “one person, one light,” as a good goal. He also suggests using low-energy (LED or fluorescent) under-counter lights, light-colored lamp shades, no halogen floor lamps, turning off the lights when you leave a room (as well as fining family members who don’t), and auto on-off and motion-sensor lighting controls in closets, bathrooms, etc. If you’ve heard conflicting advice about when to turn off the lights, you’re not alone. One source of confusion is that there are two separate issues to consider, saving money and saving energy. According to the U.S. government’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), every time you turn off fluorescent lights for more than five seconds you save energy. However, turning lights on and off reduces their life span. If your main goal is to save money, EERE recommends leaving fluorescent lights on for up to 15 minutes if you’re planning to go back to a room. Incandescent lights are less expensive to replace and burn mo re energy when they’re on, so turn them off every time you leave a room to save both money and energy.
- Use solar power for smaller applications, including outdoor lights.
- Daylighting, the practice of designing for maximum use of daytime sunlight (skylights, large windows with roof overhang, etc.), is used to light homes, make people happier, and save energy and dollars everywhere from garages to office buildings. The presence of daylighting often shows increased worker satisfaction and productivity in offices, better test scores in schools, increased sales in retail settings, and, of course, lower energy bills. If there’s enough sunlight to allow us to leave the electric lights off, it saves electricity. The goal is to let in natural light, but to prevent glare.
- Materials - Light isn’t all about the bulbs, though. Having eco-friendly lamps and light fixtures is key to greening your lighting. Look for lamps made with natural, recycled, or reused materials. Lights made from recycled materials include metal, glass, or plastic, and natural materials such as felt, cloth or wood. Interesting lamps that use reclaimed materials such as traffic signal lenses, and recycled wine bottles.
Jun
22
22
10 Easy Update Ideas for Your Kitchen
- Paint one wall a color. Or try a gradated color on the ceiling (going lighter towards the center).
- Change your pendants with larger hip pendants (or convert your recessed lights to pendants).
- Add a large shade over the chandelier above your eating table. Shop here.
- Add LED lighting above your cabinets. This will make a low ceiling seem higher.
- Add a rug. The new & improved “outdoor” rugs work really well in the kitchen because you can hose them off! They now look like tufted carpet!
- Add a bordered sisal rug and repeat the border fabric on your barstools!
- Recover your barstools in an updated fabric.
- Change your knobs (See Top Knobs Nouveau section here and here).
- Paint your outdated tile backsplash with epoxy paints in a random checkerboard pattern in various hues of the same color interspersed with a neutral (gray, white, beige, etc.). Here’s how!
- Replace your center ceiling light with monorail track. This allows for task and accent lighting on artwork, special cabinet and hood features, etc.
Jun
19
19
Thanks so much to Ada-Marie for the great shout out on her blog about her recent fan purchase! We love to hear how well our buyers and lighting specialists are helping customers! Hope you come to visit us again soon! Here are some of the products that she talked about. Check it out here!
Mar
30
30
You should have a table lamp on each table beside seating pieces or bedside, unless you have provided for light from another source (floor lamp, wall light, recessed down lights, track lights, etc). Table lamps are the most flexible lights in your home since you can move them from room to room. We have many unique table lamp styles including traditional, oriental, contemporary, antique, vintage, modern, mission, rustic, country, buffet, nautical, equestrian, Japanese, spa, floral, Martha Stewart, and whimsical. Our table lamps are made of the highest quality of materials including crystal, glass, brass, ceramic, porcelain, wrought iron, wood, chrome, copper, mica, gold leaf, art glass, antler, etc.
The correct height of the table lamp is determined by the seating piece and the height of the table beside it. The table lamp should be tall enough for the bottom of the lampshade to come to the eye level of the person seated beside it. This will provide the best light without glare from the bulb. Table lamps on either side of a sofa do not have to be identical, although they should have the same “visual weight” and height.
Mar
30
30
Whether you are decorating a college dorm or a first apartment, style, price and function should be your main considerations. With the exception of the kitchen and bathroom, one watt of light per square foot (1/5 for fluorescent and for halogen), with the addition of task lighting (reading, studying, needlework) should provide sufficient lighting. Task lights include floor lamps, desk lamps, table lamps and swing arm wall lamps. We offer lots of styles and themes, including nautical, rustic, chic, contemporary, hip, traditional, and more. To create the best lighting design in your apartment, use a variety of height and direction of lighting (uplights like a floor torchiere and plant lights, downlights like an arc floor lamp and directional wall light, etc.).
Mar
30
30
Most ceiling fans can take a light kit. If there is a threaded pipe and nut in the bottom of the motor housing, most standard light kits will be compatible. If not, contact the manufacturer of the fan to find a compatible light kit.
The best ceiling fan lights are the ones that give indirect light ABOVE the motor (often hidden in the motor!). These produce a pleasant, non-irritating light and don’t create annoying shadows when the blades are in motion. The next best chice is a downlight kit below the motor that produces NO upward light.
How to wire a fan light:
If your fan comes with a light kit, it may already be wired and in place requiring only that you install the bulbs and globes. In some instances, however, you may need to wire the light kit yourself. Remove the switch housing cover plate from the bottom of the fan motor. Remove the plug from the center of the cover plate. Feed the light kit wires (black and white) through the holes in the cover plate and screw the plate tightly to the light kit to prevent it from vibrating loose. Locate two wires within the switch housing labeled “for light” (white and blue). Connect them to the light kit wires with wire nuts-white to white and blue to black. Secure the connections with electrical tape to prevent the wire nuts from vibrating loose during operation. Carefully push wires back into the switch housing, and attach the light kit to the switch housing with the provided screws.
Some ceiling fan light kits take a small appliance bulb, while others take tiny but mighty halogen bulbs.
Mar
30
30
Which way (direction) should a ceiling fan turn?
Ceiling fans can reduce your energy bills up to 40% in the summer and 10% in the winter. Reversible motors allow you to put your ceiling fan in forward (higher edge of blade is leading edge) to blow air down and pull hot air up in the summer and in reverse (clockwise) in the wintertime to push air up to the ceiling and then warm air down into the room.
What kind of controls do you need for a ceiling fan?
Typically, a ceiling fan has a pull chain that operates both the light and fan. An option is to purchase a remote control, which provides you with the convenience of being able to turn the fan on and off, up or down from any place in the room. You can choose from a wall-mounted or a handheld remote control.
How do you install a ceiling fan?
Safety is crucial when hanging a ceiling fan. Due to the weight and movement of a ceiling fan, you need to attach the hanging brackets directly to the ceiling joist. If you are not able to gain access to the attic, you can use a brace bar from below the attic. Just be sure it is a heavy duty, adjustable metal bridge that has spiked ends. To make this work, you would cut a hole in the ceiling (if one does not already exist), making it large enough to slip the bar through to the frame. Now you want to position the bar so the legs are completely flush to the bottom of the joists. Finally, rotate the outer shaft so the spikes are set firmly into the wood. Then attach the bracket that holds the motor. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the motor installation. If you plan to use a downrod, attach it above the motor. Next, attach the brackets that hold the blades, then the blades. Often the blades are different finishes on different sides so select the side you want to see and place that side down. Lastly, attach the light kit.
How do you balance a ceiling fan?
Over time a ceiling fan can get out of balance. To rebalance the fan, turn the fan off, identify the wobbling blade(s), and attach the balancing clip that came with the fan, placing it firmly on the leading edge of the blade. Make sure the clip is just halfway between the blades outer edge and the blade bracket. Then turn the fan on to see if this corrected the wobbling problem. Use the other clips as necessary, on each blade, checking the wobble after each placement.
How do you select a style for a ceiling fan?
Although most ceiling fans selected are white, you can make a real style or whimsical statement with your selection! From rustic lodge to belt driven tropical bamboo fans, you can add loads of interest to a room. Nursery and child themes including airplane ceiling fans and baseball light kits can make a children’s room more fun.
What is the best choice for fan blades?
Wood blades are still a popular choice today so if you decide to go that route, just make sure they are properly sealed to avoid warping. This would be especially important if you plan to install the fan in a room such as a bathroom or kitchen, or outdoors. Our exclusive raw oak blades allow you to finish the wood to match or contrast (try a colored stain) your ceiling. In addition to wood blades, you will find some that are a paddle design, tropical palm leaf design, white wicker or beadboard, just about every design you can think of.
How to size a ceiling fan?
The first thing to consider when buying a ceiling fan is the size for the room in which you plan to hang it. Ceiling fan size is measured by the diameter of the span of the fan in inches. A space smaller than 75 square feet should have a 29” or 30” fan, a 75-149 square foot room needs a 42” span, a 150-249 square foot room needs a 52” fan, a 250-400 square foot room needs a 54” to 60” fan and rooms greater than 400 square feet need 2 ceiling fans.
What makes a ceiling fan best?
Obviously, you want your fan to have forward, reverse and at least 3 speeds. The blade pitch, along with the blade span, is what determines the degree the fan will cool the room. The steeper the pitch, the more effective the fan will be in moving the air. Therefore, you should look for blade pitches that are 12 degrees or greater.
Motors that are higher powered will move more air and not overheat like fans that have lower powered motors. The size of the motor generally reflects its overall strength. There are three main motor sizes: small (153mm), medium (172mm), and large (188mm). As the motor increases in strength, it is able to push a blade with a greater pitch or angle. Look for a motor that has sealed bearings, which never need to be oiled. Another good option is a rubber flywheel, which helps keep torque under control. This helps to stabilize the fan while keeping the level of noise down. Most ceiling fan housings are made from stamped steel, whereas the highest quality fan housings are made from die cast zinc. . The larger motors are often the quietest because they use what is called a triple capacitor system. The triple capacitor system ensures that the fan is quiet throughout all of its speeds.
How far should the fan hang from the ceiling?
There is no set rule but you should avoid fans that are extremely close to the ceiling and fans that are closer than 7′ from the floor. For ceilings taller than 8′ it is important to balance the down rod length with the ceiling height. The following is a general guideline:
- 9′ ceiling - 6″ down rod
- 10′ ceiling - 12″ down rod
- 12′ ceiling - 24″ down rod
- 14′ ceiling - 36″ down rod
- 16′ ceiling - 48″ down rod
- 18′ ceiling - 60″ down rod
- 20′ ceiling - 72″ down rod
Outdoor Ceiling Fans
Outdoor ceiling fans have sealed motors and plastic blades to prevent warping from moisture. Due to the wear from weather, pay attention to the manufacturer’s guarantee. This is an indicator of quality and expected life for the fan. Luckily, today’s outdoor ceiling fans offer may looks and styles including tropical, whimsical, modern, industrial, and colorful! Outdoor fans are also a good choice for the bathroom!
Mar
20
20
There is no great mystery in discerning the quality levels of crystal. In fact, the level of quality is as the phrase implies “crystal clear”. Glass trim reflects light while crystal trim refracts it. Within a solid white environment, glass will have no color. Crystal, on the other hand, will still display fire and brilliance regardless of the presence of color. All that is needed is light.
Strass crystal
Strass crystal is considered the highest quality of crystal trim throughout the world. Swarovski Strass, manufactured in Austria, is considered the premium brand of Strass due to a patented anti-dust coating (an invisible optical coating making it easier to clean and maintain) and name recognition. The term “Strass” means “perfect surface of glass” and contains lead quantities of 30% or more. The machine polishing leaves no trace on the surface of the crystal and the hand polishing creates perfect optic clarity, razor-sharp faceting and unique purity and brilliance. And to protect buyers against imitations, the Strass logo is laser etched into miniature inside each crystal piece.
Gem cut, Egyptian, or Spectra Lead Crystal
Gemcut, Egyptian, or Spectra lead crystal (made with 24%-30% lead oxide) is some of the finest refractive crystal. There is no noticeable difference between 30% and 24% machine-polished lead crystal. Lead improves clarity and softens glass for cutting. Though not as expensive as Strass or Swarovski crystal, this crystal is characterized by a prismatic brilliance, visual purity, sharp faceting and precise polishing all its own. Spectra Crystal is manufactured like Strass crystal but without the optical coating.
Turkish, Heirloom, Bohemian, Czech Crystal
This crystal uses a mixture of oxides other than lead, such as soda ash, to achieve high optical clarity and refraction of light that closely rivals full-lead crystal. The EU certifies that glass must contain at least 10% oxides to carry the label “Crystal”.
In fact, one would need a piece of both lead-free crystal and full-lead Strass crystal to notice the difference between them. What you would see is approximately 10% more color/fire in the Strass crystal and no noticeable trace of polishing within the facets. The difference in price is what makes lead-free Bohemian Crystal a value in comparison to full-lead crystal.
Murano Glass
Made in Italy on the island of Murano, authentic Venetian crystal combines quartz, soda, sand, potassium, and lead oxide at very high temperatures. The glass is blown and stretched by hand allowing artisans to create delicate floral and other unique shapes.
Wood-Polished Crystal
In a labor-intensive process, wood-polished crystal is first cut by hand in two stages on iron and then sandstone grinding wheels. Then each crystal is polished on a wood wheel with marble dust. You may notice faint traces of the wood wheel in finished pieces, a mark of authenticity.
Italian Crystal (Legacy, Venetian)
This lead-free crystal is used in antique reproductions to accurately reproduce the antique since lead crystal wasn’t invented until the 17th century. Italian crystal comes from the historic glass-making region around Venice and has a look and feel all its own. Italian crystal is molded and fire-polished rather than hand or machine cut, resulting in a beautifully subtle luminosity. Fire-polished crystal is characterized by concave facets (instead of flat facets), the appearance of a slight texture within the crystal, lessening optical clarity, and a noticeable characteristic of reflecting color in the environment instead of refracting light into a prism of color within the crystal. It is modestly priced, compared with hand-cut crystal.
Lead-Free crystal
Machine-polished lead-free crystal is the closest quality level to Strass crystal. High-quality machine polishing leaves no trace of the polishing on the facets of the crystal. While this is less expensive than Strass Crystal, there are many who would argue that its handcrafted nature elevates it above machine made crystal. When looking closely into the facets of hand-polished crystal, one can see slight grooves in the crystal left by the polishing wheel, as each facet of the crystal was pressed by hand and individually polished. These slight grooves, apparent only from very close scrutiny, lay testament that it is a handcrafted piece of crystal made of exceptional skill and craftsmanship. Many people within the industry have mistaken this crystal for Strass.
Pressed Glass & Chinese “Crystal”
Generally made from sand, soda, and lime heated in furnace and then pressed (molded), or “drawn” (re-shaped), this type of glass is the least expensive. Chinese crystal is cut and polished like more expensive grades, but lacks the high optic quality and precision facets. Seams are usually visible in pressed glass lamps and prisms.
Rock Crystal (Quartz Crystal)
Not real crystal glass at all, rock crystal is crystal rock that is mined, not manufactured. It cannot be mass-produced. Each rock crystal is completely unique, created by geological events and pressures taking place over millions of years. Authentic rock crystal bears a unique mark from this process, and can be identified both by visual appearance and by touch - it remains mysteriously cool to the touch no matter what the surrounding temperature. Raw quartz is mined in only a few remote locations. Rocks are hand selected, then ground, cut and polished entirely by hand - an expensive process. Polishing one piece can take a week or more because of the natural complexity of the rock material, and the rejection rate for imperfect pieces can be 12 to 1 or more. Used extensively until crystal glass manufacturing methods were invented, rock crystal is generally used today in specialty lighting fixtures and custom designs.
Aurora Borealis Crystal
Clear crystal needs direct light to really create lovely rainbows on nearby surfaces, while the Aurora Borealis crystal looks beautiful even without direct light. The Aurora Borealis treatment is applied to one side of the prism and looks like a multi-colored rainbow that is reflected through the prism.
Mar
20
20
METALS: All metals conduct electricity (thus the need for a “ground” wire).
- Brass: Mixture of copper (55%-95%) and zinc and sometimes lead (for strength). May also have some lead, tin, nickel, etc. Yellow brass has 70% copper.
- Bronze: Alloy of copper and tin (25%) and sometimes lead, zinc, phosphorous.
- Copper: Usually plated because it’s too soft to hold shape (unless its fairly thick). Known for its ability to conduct electricity and heat.
Brass, bronze, copper, aluminum, and chrome do not rust and resist corrosion, so they are often used for outdoor lights. A green or brown patina forms over time and helps prevent corrosion. A magnet will not adhere to brass, bronze, or pot metal.
- Chrome: Hard brittle gray metal used to plate other metals to give them a shiny finish.
- Pewter: Alloy of tin (95%) and copper or antimony (sometimes aluminum is substituted which is very light in weight).
Pewter, copper, and pure silver dent easily.
- Tin: Soft and easy to bend. Will rust. Often used in solder.
- Tôle: Hand-painting on tin.
- Silver: Softer than gold and usually plated onto a harder metal. Sterling silver is not good for lamps because it’s too soft.
- Wrought iron: Pure iron mixed with a glass-like material so it can be “wrought” into shapes. (Cast iron is too brittle and cannot be shaped). Iron must be covered with paint or lacquer to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Cast Aluminum: Light in weight, resists corrosion, silvery-white metal.
- Stainless Steel: Resists corrosion and rust. 10% chromium.
- “Pot” Metal: a gray alloy that can be cast but snaps when bent. Cheapest of all metals.
CRYSTAL & GLASS
- Rock Crystal: Natural quartz mined in quarries. Very expensive!
- Crystal: 24%-30% lead oxide (Lead improves clarity and softens glass for cutting).
- Strass (Swarovski) Crystal: most expensive and most “fire”
- Soda Ash Crystal (Turkish, Heirloom, etc.): Next best thing
- Czechoslovakian: Some lead but not much.
- Italian Crystal: No lead, just cut glass. Used in antique reproductions.
- Murano Glass: Combination of quartz, soda, sand, potassium, and lead oxide at very high temperature. Glass is blown and stretched by hand. Many floral and unique shapes in glass.
- Glass: Sand, soda, and lime heated in furnace and then blown, pressed (molded), or “drawn” (re-shaped).
- Pressed Glass: Seams usually visible.
POTTERY & PORCELAIN
- Porcelain: Hard paste ware fired at highest temperature. Purest and most delicate pottery.
- Bone China: Hardest and most translucent of all porcelains.
- China: Soft paste porcelain fired at lower temperature.
- Stoneware: Clay fired to state of vitrification, non-porous, doesn’t require glaze for durability. Hard, heavy pottery that has a glossy surface when fired, so is often not glazed.
- Earthenware: Clay that is not vitrified (glassy). Usually finished with colorful glazes and baked at low temperature. Very soft and easy to chip.
- Terra cotta: (Burnt earth) Clay baked without a glaze, very porous and soft.
- Bisque (Biscuit): Pottery fired once but not glazed.
- Tin-glaze Pottery: Lead glaze made by adding tin oxide to glaze to conceal clay colors (Italian Majolica, French Faience, English Delftware).
OTHER MATERIALS:
- Marble: Pressure and heat cause limestone to form into marble. Pure marble is white. Pink and red marble has iron in it. Black marble comes from carbon or graphite. Green marble is from chlorite. Tiny calcite crystals in marble make it sparkle. Marble can be cut or carved.
- Alabaster: Alabaster is hydrated calcium sulfate which deteriorates when exposed to weather. High temperature will cause it to turn chalky white and then brown. Alabaster is carved, then sanded and smoothed, and then sprayed with polyurethane to close the pores and prevent deterioration. The translucent type is used for lighting fixtures lit from within (bowls and shades and wall uplights). The semi-transparent type (which resembles rock crystal) is used for lamp bases and lamp parts.
- Wood:
- Hardwood: Walnut, Oak. Rosewood, Cherry, Maple
- Softwood: Pine, poplar, redwood
- Wicker and Rattan:
- Wicker is usually made from willow branches and twigs.
- Rattan is made from reedy stems of palms in East India or Africa.
- Hydrocal and plaster:
- Plaster: A lime, water, and sand composition that hardens when dry.
- Hydrocal: plaster with an extra bonding agent
- Cement: Sand, gravel, silica, gypsum, etc. added to plaster of paris mixture and fired in a kiln.
- Resin (Plastic): Synthetic compound that can be dyed and molded. Stronger than hydrocal and non-porous.
CARE OF MATERIALS:
- Brass & Bronze:
- Lacquered: Wash with sudsy water, rinse, dry, and buff with soft dry cloth. An old cotton sock makes an excellent polishing cloth,
- Not lacquered, shiny finish: Wash and then apply brass polish. Let polish dry. Then buff with a soft cloth. Apply thin coat of paste wax or lemon oil after polishing.
- For aged finishes: Mix rottenstone and linseed oil to form a heavy cream and apply with a soft cloth and rub. Wipe off excess and polish with a soft cloth.
- For heavy corrosion: Rub with lemon dipped in hot vinegar, and salt mixture, wash, and rinse.
- Chrome: Wipe with cloth soaked in sudsy water, rinse, and buff with a clean soft cloth. For corrosion, rub with extra-fine steel wool.
- Copper: Same as brass except use copper polish on unlacquered objects.
- Iron: Wipe with a damp cloth and dry. For corrosion, rub with kerosene and fine steel wool.
- Silver: Follow instructions for brass except use a polish that is for silver only.
- Silver-leaf and gold leaf: Use a soft shaving brush instead of a cloth to clean to avoid tearing the finish. To brighten, moisten a cotton ball with dry cleaning fluid or onion juice and gently pat (DO NOT RUB). Dry thoroughly.
- Pewter: Polish with jeweler’s rouge and buff to produce a mirror-like surface. Pewter oxidizes slowly and evenly (as opposed to tarnishes) when exposed to air and gradually develops a soft warm patina.
- Nickel: Polish with household ammonia.
- Alabaster: Use a damp (not wet) cloth and gently wipe clean. NEVER use detergents or abrasives.
- Marble: Remove stains with a paste made from hydrogen peroxide (from the drug store), powdered whiting (from the paint store), and a few drops of ammonia. Rinse with water, buff dry, and apply furniture polish.
(Copyrighted) shades of light training manual
Mar
20
20
LIGHTING FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION:
1. CHANDELIER:
__ Extra chain & wire:_________________
__ All hanging hardware with canopy?
__Light bulbs: _____________________
__Chandelier shades:___X______________________________________
__Medallion: __________________
2. WALL SCONCES:
__ All hanging hardware and candle covers?
__UL label on fixture?
__Cord cover needed?
__Light bulbs: ________________
__Shades:__x__________________________
__Backplate large enough to cover electrical box?
3. OUTDOOR LIGHTS:
__Light selected for EVERY exterior door and garage?
__ All hanging hardware and candle covers?
__UL label on fixture?
__Light bulbs: ________________
__Backplate large enough to cover electrical box?
4. BATH LIGHTS:
__Fixture proper size for vanity?
__Light bulbs:________________________
5. CEILING FANS:
__Proper size for room?
__Light kit:__________________
__Wall control:__________________________
__Label blades and motor
6. CEILING LIGHTS:
__Appropriate wattage for room size?
__Dimmer:_______________________
7. UNDERCABINET LIGHTING:
__Direct wire or plug-in?
__Incandescent, Xenon, fluorescent or halogen?
__Cabinets have “lip” to hide lights?
8. PENDANTS:
__How many are needed and is wiring provided for each?
__Is wattage enough for eating, working, etc?
__Extra wire/chain?______________
9. BEDROOM LIGHTING:
__Fan?
__Swing arm wall lights:___________________________________________
__Reading floor lamp:_____________________________________________
MAKE SURE THAT ALL ITEMS ARE LABELED WITH THE NAME OF THE ROOM AND CUSTOMER.
MAKE SURE THE ITEMS ARE PUT ON ACCOUNT AND A CHECKLIST FOR PICK-UP/DELIVERY IS WITH THE CUSTOMER’S BOX.
MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE BULBS FOR EVERY FIXTURE!
Mar
20
20
CERAMICS: Ceramics are shaped from clay and then heated (fired) in a kiln to make them durable. The material that ceramics are made of and the finishing process create the different grades of ceramics:
- PORCELAIN: Porcelain (also termed china) is considered the finest ceramic because of its white color and translucent quality (ability to let light through) and its strength. It produces a bell-like ring when struck. Porcelain is made from kaolin (a pure white clay made from decomposed granite) and petuntse powder or flint feldspar. Three kinds of porcelain are hard-paste porcelain (fired at high temperatures so the body and glaze become one), soft-paste or frit porcelain (creamy in tone), and bone china (bone ash added for more translucency).
- STONEWARE: Stoneware is water-resistant made from gray or light brown clay fired at extremely high temperatures which causes the surface to become glossy so it is often not glazed. Most U.S. folk pottery is made of slat-glazed stoneware.
- EARTHENWARE: Earthenware is porous pottery made from a mixture of earthenware clays baked at a low temperature which allows them to be utilize the more colorful tin glazes. They must be glazed to be waterproof. They are very soft and easy to break (majolica, delftware, faience). Terra-cotta is an unglazed earthenware made from low-fired clay. Creamware was a lead-glazed earthenware made from white clay mixed with calcined flint.
Decoration techniques for ceramics include:
- Handpainting
- Transfer printing (A copper plate is made and inked with ceramic pigment which is then transfered to paper in a press and then the paper is placed on the surface of the item.
- Decal (also decalcamania)
- Stencil (also called stampino)
- Enamel
The following are common styles of ceramics with their popular or most well-known description.
- CANTON The most common Canton Chinese export porcelain has blue and white landscapes with a stylized border.
- CAPO DI MONTE Capo di Monte is a soft-paste porcelain with molded relief fanciful figures in bright colors.
- CELADON Celadon was an early Chinese stoneware varying in color from gray-green to yellow-green.
- CLOISONNÉ Copper wire separates enamel colors made from glass paste pigments with metallic oxides.
- CREAMWARE Popular lead-glazed earthenware made of Devonshire white clay mixed with flint.
- DELFT (DELFTWARE) Delftware is a tin-glazed earthenware with an underglaze blue decoration.
- DERBY Derby is English porcelain with freely drawn floral patterns or bird and landscape patterns with moth, butterfly, and fruit borders.
- DOCCIA Doccia italian porcelain is most known for its bas-relief deoration of classical subjects (shells, peasants, chreubs).
- FAïENCE Faïence is a tin-glazed earthenware from France (also Germany and Scandinavia) with painted patterns in opaque bright colored glazes.
- FAMILLE ROSE Famille rose enamel uses a delicate opaque pink and metallic gold pigment with very precise drawings of flowers, birds, landscapes, tree trunks, and rocks.
- IMARI Imari is most known for its navy blue and iron-red (rust) colors, gilding with black outlining, and large lidded trumpet vases. Its motifs include oriental scenes, lotus flowers, and scroll borders.
- KARATSU Freehand geometric patterns, grasses, and wisteria were painted in iron oxide on a whitish slip. Japanese.
- KUTANI Kutani has bold large scale motifs and geometric patterns often with red and gold. Japanese.
- MAJOLICA Majolica was an Italian tin-glazed earthenware molded in shapes of nature often whimsical with brillant colors of lead glaze. Popular colors were yellow, orange, green, turquoise, blue, purple, brown, and black.
- MAYAN Classic Mayan ware (from Middle America) included delicate figures, polychrome cylindrical vases with scenes and glyphs from Mayan manuscripts and molded scenes of everyday life.
- MEISSEN Meissen porcelain urns from Germany had fanciful 3-D figures and porcelain flowers, 24K gold decoration, and white skin tones on figurines.
- MING This blue and white ware had carefully planned arrangements of dragons, scenes with people, peonies, lotus, and crysanthemums with foliage in decorative bands. Vases were usually baluster or pear shaped.
- OLD PARIS or PARIS This porcelain had elaborate scenic designs with lots of gold on handled urns.
- RAKU Raku ware is shaped by hand in asymmetrical forms with thick dripping irregular glazes in shades of brown, grey, red, yellow or yellow-green. The only decoration is the glaze poured along the jug with a portion always left unglazed.
- ROSE MEDALLION Colorful oriental scenes with peopleor floral butterfly, and bird decoration often with gilding.
- SATSUMA Ornate floral and oriental scenes with raised gold enameling outlines. Japanese.
- SEVRES Sèvres soft porcelain has birds, bouquets, trophies, flowers and borders using colors such as raspberry, gold, cream, and blue.
- STAFFORDSHIRE Staffordshire was English pottery with motifs of sporting dogs, folk figures, etc usually made in pairs.
- TOBACCO LEAF Pattern of leaves and flowers in multicolors.
- WEDGEWOOD Type of creamware (earthenware) with sculptured Greek and Roman ornamentation and a bisque finish.
Mar
16
16
Need help figuring out what size your chandelier or outdoor light should be?
How many lamps do you need in your living room?
How much wattage do you need in your new bathroom?
What size rug do you need for your family room?
Why are hand-knotted rugs more expensive?
Is a wool rug better than a synthetic rug?
Have other questions that need answers? Check out our customers questions & answers here. Don’t see what you are looking for? Email your question to AWHarrison@ShadesOfLight.com.
Lighting Tips & Techniques
Accent Lighting
Bath Lights
Candlestick Lighting
Ceramics & Porcelain
All About Ceiling Fans
Ceiling Lights
Chandeliers
Crystal (Types of Crystal)
Dorm and Apartment Decor
Floor Lamps
Green Your Home
Holiday Lighting Ideas
Ceiling Medallions
Outdoor Lighting
Sconces
Lamp Shades
Lamp Shade Basics
Lamp Shade Selection “Rules”
Light Bulb Types
Lighting for New Construction - Checklist
Lighting Products - Knowledge Base
Spice Up Your Kitchen without emptying your bank account!
Swing Arm Wall Lamps
All About Table Lamps
Table Lamp Solutions
Glossary
Rugs Tips & Techniques
Choosing A Rug
Construction
Types of Fibers
Maintaining Your Rug
Choosing the Correct Rug Size
Mar
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16
Using blue painters tape; Tape off size of rug when considering what size to use for a visual of the space.
Jan
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RUG CUSHION OR PAD
Not just for keeping your rug in place! The cushion is an important aspect of prolonging the life of your rug. The pad helps cushion the rug from the existing floor underneath to absorb the weight of traffic and to help keep the rug from breaking down. Choose the correct pad to keep the rug from slipping. Determine whether the rug will be on top of carpet or on a hard surface floor. We offer a selection of pads of each type.
PROPER CLEANING
To keep your rug in great shape, vacuum or shake it regularly. You need to get any loose dirt from the surface of the rug. Dirt and soil can work down into the base of the rug and break down the fibers. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on cleaning. When using over the counter products, all traces must be removed from the carpet after cleaning. Otherwise, they will act like a magnet and soil will attach to any trace left in the rug. We recommend professional cleaning for all rugs. We do not recommend protective coatings for natural fibers. They could effect the color and destroy the fiber’s natural ability to breathe. However, protective coatings can be applied to synthetics. Our tufted wool area rugs naturally lose a bit of fuzz. This is natural, simply fetch a vacuum and groom away.
Jan
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Natural
- Wool — Soft thread sheared from a sheep’s coat.
- Cotton — Soft fiber from the plant of the same name.
- Silk — The soft, lustrous fiber obtained as a filament from the cocoon of the silkworm.
- Sisal, Hemp, Coir or Cocoa — Natural fibers from plants of the same name; usually with a coarse and textured shaft.
Synthetics — man-made
- Nylon — Resilient fiber man-made from petroleum based products; strong in construction.
- Olefin or Polypropylene — Strong and colorfast. Great for sunny areas.
- Polyester — Soft fiber; exceptional for cut pile.
- Acrylic — Fiber that gives the appearance of wool; water resistant; usually found in bath carpets and rugs.
- Blends — combination of any fibers synthetic or natural.
Jan
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WOVEN — Threads are loomed together by machine or hand. Examples are Hand Knotted, Flat Weaves or Rags.
Examples: Oriental, Aubusson, Kilim, Dhurrie, and Soumacks.
TUFTED — Threads are punched through a backing material by hand or machine. Surface can be looped or pile.
Examples: Hooked and Needlepoint.
BROADLOOM — Carpet construction that is made into rolls with raw unfinished edges. Can be cut and bound into rugs.
Examples: Plush, Saxonies, Textured and Berber.
Jan
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Choosing the right rug for an area requires planning. Home, work, play or retreat area should make a statement. If you are working with an empty area build from the foundation up. Choose the flooring first, then plan the paint, furnishing, fabrics & accessories around the floor.
- Imagine the total look of the room or space you are creating
- What will the area be used for
- Area with high traffic should have a pattern in mid to darker tones to down play traffic patterns
- A sitting area could have a lighter more fragile pattern
- Lighter rugs will increase the perceived size of the room
- Darker rugs will create a warmer, intimate decorum
- Color, style & texture of the rug will set the “personality” of the room
- Consider the existing floor & size of the area when determining the size of rug. Do you want to play down the existing floor, then get a larger rug with an overall pattern. If you want to show off the existing floor get a smaller rug in solid or tone on tone pattern
Rugs are a functional part of any room. They have many task. Protecting or hiding flaws to the existing floor, warming up the floor, creating a look and building a decorative foundation. The choices are virtually endless when it comes to selection. Our site is set up by categories of decor. If you do not see what you want, call us at 1-800-262-6612 with your request, and we will search our resources to find the match for your needs. Our team of buyers is constantly adding new patterns to stay on top of current trends and cutting edge products. We welcome the opportunity to assist you in your personal needs for that perfect rug for your decorative project.
Jan
16
16
AC: Alternating current: An electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals
Accent lighting: Lighting that focuses on a specific object or architectural feature
Ambient lighting:General lighting in a room
Amp: Measure of rate of electrical flow in a circuit
Backplate: Flat plate behind wall sconce to cover electrical box
Baffle:Waffle device used to reduce glare
Ballast: Device used to control the current and prevent overheating in a discharge lamp
Barn doors: Hinged shutters used to precisely shape the beam of a lamp
Bobeche: Decorative crystal, metal, wood, etc. “bowl” used on chandeliers and sconces, often pierced to hold crystals (originally used to catch wax dripping from candles)
Breaker box: Metal box with fuses or circuit breakers that breaks down electrical service into smaller circuits
Bus bar: Fuse box, breaker box
BX or flexible metal conduit: Bendable tubing that holds electrical lines
Candlecover: Plastic, metal, or cardboard sleeve that simulates the look of a wax candle (to conceal a socket)
Candela: Unit of light intensity (SI), roughly equivalent to 12.57 lumens
Candlepower: Luminous intensity of a light source measured in candela
Canopy: Decorative plate that goes flush to the ceiling on a chandelier or ceiling light that conceals electrical box
Chimney: Open-ended glass surround used on an oil lamp to hold lampshade
Circuit: Path of electrical flow (wiring)
Circuit breaker: Switch that interrupts electricity in case of a short or overload
Check ring: Metal disk that holds candlecover or neck on a light fixture
Clip adapter: Metal bulb clip that attaches to a lampshade converting it to a shade that clips onto the bulb
Collar: Threaded ring that holds the canopy to the ceiling on a chandelier
Color rendition index: A measure of the effect of a particular kind of light bulb on a colored surface (the larger the number, the truer to the color in real sunlight; measured between 1 and 100)
Common: Dark-colored screw on an electrical switch
Conductor: Wire that carries electricity
Conduit: Rigid or flexible tubing that holds electrical wires inside
Contacts: Connection point for electrical wires
Continuity Tester: Test device for electrical circuit
Cord switch: On-off switch for a portable lamp that attaches along the cord
Current: Flow of electricity through a wire, measured in amps
DC (direct current): Electrical current that flows in only one direction, not a complete circuit
Diffuser: Translucent “shield” designed to reduce glare and filter light more evenly
Dimmer: Switch that allows you to vary the intensity of a light fixture
Discharge lamp: Light bulb which incorporates an electronic discharge through a gas or vapor
Duplex receptacle: Outlet with 2 plug-in connections
Efficacy: Lumens per watt measure of the efficiency of a light source
Electrical box: Box in the wall where electrical connections are made to fixtures and that supports fixtures
Electric meter: device that measures amount of electricity consumed
Electronic transformer:
Faceplate: Switch box or outlet cover plate
Filament: Thin tungsten wire that emits light when heated by an electrical current
Finial: Decorative item with threaded base used to secure a lampshade to a harp and “finish” the look of a table or floor lamp
Fish tape: Extending metal tape with a hook on the end used to pull wires through a wall
Fitter: Decorative rim that holds glass shades on place on a light fixture
Fixture: Any decorative electrical item that permanently affixes to a wall or ceiling
Flush mount: Light fixture that hangs flush on the ceiling
Foot switch: Device for turning a floor lamp on and off that sits on the floor and is joined to the cord
Framing projector: device that allows you to accurately control the size of the light beam
Fuse: Screw-in, plug-in, or snap-in device that interrupts electricity in case of a short or overload
Ganging: 2 or more electrical lines ending in the same switch box or receptacle
Ground wire: Wire (that carries no current) that runs from the fixture to metal attached to nonmetal material to ground the current in case of a short (Ground wire is usually bare copper or green).
GFI: Ground-fault interrupter: A sensing device that shuts down the electricity in the case of a shock hazard
Harp: Metal “U” that supports lampshade over bulb and lamp base
Harp holder: Metal “U” that connects harp to lamp base
Hot wire (live wire): Wire that carries the current to a receptacle and fixture (usually black)
Hurricane: Decorative glass surround for candle-like sockets
Illuminance: Amount of light that falls on a surface (measured in lumens per square foot)
Indirect lighting: Lighting that is reflected off a wall, ceiling, shade, etc.
Insulation: Nonconductive coating that protects electrical wires
Junction box: Connection point for wires from fixture to fixture and switch box to fixture
Kelvin (color temperature): Measure of redness or blueness of a light source (the higher the number, the warmer the color)
Kilowatt: 1000 watts (measure of electrical consumption)
Knockouts: Tabs that can be removed from electrical box or fixture to make wiring connections
Lamp: Technical name for light bulb
Loop: Threaded U-joint that attaches chain to the canopy on a chandelier
Locknut: Threaded nut used to tighten parts inside a light fixture
Louvers: Parallel slats on a lighting fixture used to prevent glare and direct light
Low-voltage: Reduction of regular household current (120 volts) to a lower voltage (usually 12-volt) using a transformer
Lumen (measured in footcandles): Measure of amount of light emitted (one lumen is the amount of light from one candle one foot away)
Magnetic transformer:
Medium base: Socket size for a regular household bulb
NEC code: National Fire Protection Association codes for wiring
Neck: Brass or decorative rod used to add space between a lamp base and the socket
Neutral wire: Wire that carries current from receptacle or fixture back to the fuse box to complete the circuit (usually white)
Outlet: Point at which electrical wire attach to fixtures, receptacles, or switches
Pendant: Light fixture that hangs from the ceiling
Polarized plug: Plug on portable lighting item with different shaped prongs to ensure that the hot and neutral wires can’t be reversed
Raceway: Exterior channel that allows wires to be run on the surface of a wall or ceiling
Rated life of bulb: Number of hours at which 50% of the bulbs will fail under standard conditions
Receptacle: Outlet that supplies power for plug-in electrical items
Reflector: Mirrored or polished surface designed to project light in a specific direction
Riser: Threaded brass rod that screws into the top of a harp to raise the lampshade
Romex cable: Romex is a common brand name for Nonmetallic (i.e. plastic) sheathing for wiring which carries hot, neutral and ground wires, both one and two circuit. It is used in dry, protected areas like stud walls, not underground. A similar cable, commonly called UF, has a heavier plastic sheathing and is suitable for underground uses, like outdoor lighting.
SAD (seasonal affective disorder): Depression that occurs in individuals due to lack of sunlight during winter months
Sconce: Light fixture that hangs on the wall
Semi-flush mount: Light fixture that hangs down from the ceiling less than 2’
Service panel: Main fuse box where electrical service enters the home
Set screw: Knurled-edge screw used to hold a glass shade tight in the fitter
Short: Spark resulting from neutral and hot wires touching each other causing a blown fuse or circuit breaker flipping to off
Silver crown bulb: Bulb with silver coating on the end to reduce glare
Single pole: Light switch in the wall where you can only cut on & off the light from that one location
Socket: Electrical component that connects to 2 electrical wires and has threads for light bulb to screw into
Socket reducer: Screw-in socket that attaches to another socket to reduce the size of the bulb base
Spider: Three top horizontal rods of a lampshade frame
Splice: Connection made by joining 2 or more wires
SPT2 wire: Technical term for lamp wiring cord
Starter: Magnetic coil that strikes an arc between electrodes when a fluorescent bulb receives electricity
Stripping: Removing insulation from electrical wires to allow a connection between wires
Three-way bulb: Bulb with 2 different wattage filaments, allowing you to turn on each separately or both together
Three-way switch: A light control switch that allows you to turn the fixture on and off from 2 different locations
Transformer: Electrical device that changes the amount of voltage in a wiring line
Magnetic Transformer: Larger & heavier transformer using copper around a steel core to step down elctricity from 120 volts to 12 volts. Requires special magnetic dimmer.
Electronic Transformer: Compact & lightweight and more efficient than magnetic transformer. Requires electronic low-voltage dimmer.
Turn knob: Brass or plastic screw-on knob used to switch a portable lamp on and off
Underwriters knot: A special kind of knot in 2 electrical wires to secure the wires from pulling out from the socket
UL: United Laboratories testing organization that issues guidelines and provides testing to ensure wiring safety
Vase cap: Brass or wood cap to cover the opening in the top of a vase when converting it to a lamp
Volt: Measure of electrical pressure in a circuit
Voltage drop: Loss of electrical current on long wiring runs
Washer: Open round disc in the center of the top horizontal rods of a lampshade
Watt: Measure of electrical power being used on a circuit (volts x amps = watts)
Wire nut: plastic-enclosed coil used to join the ends of 2 or more electrical wires
Zip cord: Electrical cord with 2 wires joined with grooved insulation between them
Lighting Techniques:
Downlighting: Light filtering downward from above casting shadows on the floor in a moonlight effect
Grazing: Positioning of a light source in a vertical direction close to a surface to highlight surface texture
Silhouetting: Light from behind to create an outlined effect of an item
Spotlighting: Highly focused beam of light
Task Lighting: Lighting that focuses light on areas where tasks are done (reading, make-up, cooking, etc.)
Uplighting: Technique of lighting an item from below, creating shadows above
Wall washing: Light up entire wall usually from at least 3’ away
Types of bulbs:
Delayed-start fluorescent tube: Type of fluorescent bulb that takes a few seconds to warm up
Fluorescent tube: A light source created by an ionization process and a coated glass tube
Halogen (quartz): Incandescent bulb filled with halogen gas to increase the intensity of the light and increase the life of the bulb
HID (high-intensity discharge): Mercury vapor, metal halide, or high-pressure sodium gases in pressurized glass container that produces light when electricity is applied
Incandescent bulb: Household bulb with a tungsten filament wire that lights when electricity flows through it
Neon: Bulb that contains an inert gas (neon) that glows when voltage is applied
Xenon: Similar to halogen but has Xenon gas and bare hands do not reduce life of the bulb
Jan
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Where: Unless you have provided lighting from another source, a table lamp should be placed beside each seating piece.
Size: Although table lamps on either side of a sofa need not be identical, they should have the same “visual” weight and height. The correct height for a table lamp is determined by the chair/sofa and the height of the table beside it. To avoid glare, the lamp should be tall enough for the bottom of its lampshade to reach the eye level of the person seated next to it.
Style: Designers recommend using table lamps as the principle lighting source in a room. By bringing the light down to task level, table lamps provide a warmth and intimacy unmatched by overhead fixtures.
Wattage: The average table lamp will light 40-50 square feet. You may need up to five lamps in a standard 12×20 foot living room.
Shades: The proper shade will add the finishing touch to your lamp. Bulb wattage is determined by the size of the lampshade.
Anatomy of a table lamp:
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Where: Swing arm wall lamps can be the perfect lighting solution when tabletop space is not available: beside beds, behind sofas, between bookshelves, over dressing tables, and even in bathrooms.
Style: Because these lamps have adjustable arms and can be hung at any height, they are excellent task lights for functions such as reading and needlework.
Wattage: Look for swing arm wall lamps that provide a variety of light levels (3-way sockets and dimmers).
Placement: Hang wall lamps so that the bottom of the shade is at eye level of the user.
Shades: Unique lampshades can give any wall lamp just the right personality for your room.
©2005 Ashton Harrison. All Rights Reserved.
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- The more basic the shape of the body of the lamp, the more varied styles of shades it can take.
- Repeat the shape(s) in the lamp body in the shade shape; i.e., a round lamp on a square base can take a shade with a rounded top and square bottom.
- Always take the lamp body (not necessarily the shade) to the store to buy a new shade.
- Match lampshade colors to the trim color in your room and the tones in the lamp body. Don’t be afraid of black or color as an accent.
- Consider your wattage needs! The lampshade (not the lamp body) determines maximum wattage allowed.
- Consider the style of the lamp when selecting a shade. A busy lamp generally calls for a plainer shade.
- For DRAMA, break the rules! Try “extreme” shades! Put a deep cone shade on a short round ball base, a white shade on a beige vase, a cube shade on a stacked ball lamp, a red or black shade on a boring base shape, etc.
©2005 Ashton Harrison. All Rights Reserved.
