Lighting

"Light has illuminated the path of humanity" – While Einstein was probably referring to one of his mind-blowing theories, lighting has also revolutionized the home. Before incandescent and fluorescent lighting, most activities stopped after dusk. Only royalty and the aristocrats had the money for torches, lamps, and candles. Yet nowadays, lighting is used for more than just being able to use the computer to buy dog food at 2 AM in your pajamas. Lighting has become a crucial pillar in the foundation of home decoration and design.

Outside lighting – lighting around your house not only brings an additional layer of security but also can complement your landscaping and outside decorations.

Lamps – lamps are not so much about the light but rather the decoration and style; make sure it matches the rest of your décor. However, a nice soft yellow light would be nice to set a mellow and cozy mood.

Room lights – lighting in your home is critical, not only for mundane things like checking your plummeting stock portfolio in the newspaper but also for illuminating the rest of your furniture. So to have great room lighting, have quality standup lights that can project across the entire room. For the lights installed in the ceiling, either buy new ones that match your décor or at the very least get quality light bulbs that complement your home and suit your lifestyle:

Technologies – there are many kinds of light sources; the two major ones used in residential homes are incandescent and fluorescent. Although fluorescent are big energy-savers, the white light they give off are not very pleasing to the eye. Incandescent light bulbs come in all sorts of strengths from less than 10 to more than a 100 watts although 60 should be plenty. Halogens are also common as room lights. They are actually quite flattering and very powerful, resulting in brilliant light to 300+ watts.

About The Author Home Decorating Designs http://www.home-decorating-designs.com Jeff@carpunky.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Carpunky

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The new corner mount or hip mount option provides additional light and reduces shadows in paint booths and other areas where proper lighting and detail are critical for the illumination of products. The one-piece housing is constructed of 20 gauge pre-painted steel and can be installed at a 45 degree angle, either vertically in a corner, or horizontally between the wall and ceiling (hip mount).

It is designed for use with a 4 foot / 4 lamp, fluorescent light fixture. The symmetry of the enclosure design allows for the front access fixture to be opened in either left or right configuration (for vertical) or up or down configuration (for horizontal).

When used in paint spray booth areas, the fixture enclosure mount is used with a vapor/dust proof (Class I & II, Division 2) light fixture to isolate the fixture from the Class I, Division 1 work area. The panel mount light fixture design provides a simple and efficient means of installation and the 3/16" clear tempered safety glass lens assembly opens to the front of the fixture for easy changing of the fluorescent lamps.

The following is an acceptable method of installing panel mounted fixtures into the corner of a paint spray booth.

Requirements:

* Fixture must be rated Class I, Division 2 and have inside access listing for use in a paint spray booth.

* Panel construction must meet the requirements of NFPA 33 Chapter 3,

"Construction and Design of Spray Areas, Spray Rooms, and Spray Booths."

* Fixture installation wiring to meet the requirements of NFPA 33 Chapter 4,

"Electrical and Other Sources of Ignition."

NOTE: All wiring must be performed by a certified electrician and in accordance

with all national and local electrical codes and regulations.

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The dining room light fixture serves two purposes. First, it provides light by which to dine by, but more importantly, it sets the tone for the homeowner's personal style. A grand dining room light fixture is the first thing noticed when you enter the room.

The current trend is candle style chandeliers. They are usually made of hand forged wrought iron, and can be found in single, double and even triple tiers complemented by candle style shades. Candle style shades can vary across designers. Options include resin candle shades that have the look of dripping wax. Onyx style candle shades are unique because of the beauty of natural stone mixed with wrought iron. There is also a line of shades made from real paraffin wax. These shades have the look and feel of real candle wax, but are specially formulated to accept low voltage light bulbs for the convenience of electricity using a light switch.

Some chandeliers are designed to use with real candles. Though they can be very beautiful, they are difficult to use as you need to hand light each candle and be sure to blow out when not in use. For most people, this is not very convenient.

When choosing a chandelier, you need to choose a finish that complements the other fixtures in the room. In example, you would not mix silver and brass in the same room. It is also important to match finish with the colors of the room. Cool tones are complimented by black or silver finishes. Warm tones are complimented by brass or gold finishes.

What is your dining room style? Are you more traditional or contemporary? Or are you going for an elegant look? Wrought iron chandeliers can compliment either a traditional or contemporary style, depending on the chandelier design. A more simple wrought iron piece would go well with the contemporary style, whereas a grand multi tiered chandelier would be considered a more traditional look. An elegant look would be a glass or crystal chandelier.

Though a chandelier is used as a light source, putting the fixture on a dimmer switch allows you to choose a fixture on looks first, while providing the flexibility of how much light the chandelier provides with the dimmer switch.

Lastly, be sure to determine if the chandelier you choose requires any special light bulbs, as they can be expensive and difficult to find. Ideally, the chandelier will come with the appropriate bulbs.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com

For more information about unique wrought iron light fixtures, visit us online or email us questions at uniquelightfixture@msn.com

http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com

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The proper pool table lights is critical to playing your best game of pool. The ideal pool table light fixture is attractive, unobtrusive, and provides just enough illumination without creating a glare. Choosing the right pool table lights for your home need not be difficult. Just keep a few points in mind.

The Best Pool Table Lights for the Job

The most effective pool table lights cover the entire length of the table. Measure your pool table before you start shopping. The majority of pool table lights fixtures available have multiple globes in order to direct several points of light at the table, usually two, three, or four globes. Multiple globes on your pool table lights fixture also help to eliminate any glare. Some fixtures contain multiple globes within one larger fixture.

Traditional vs. Contemporary Pool Table Lights

Pool table lights come in a wide variety of styles and finishes. Traditional, Victorian, Tiffany-style lights are popular pool table lights. These fixtures, modeled after designs by the famous glass artist, Louis Comfort Tiffany, are made of small panes of glass joined with lead piping. These colorful glass pieces are put together to form all manner of designs, logos, and slogans.

Tiffany-style pool table lights are available in one long shade with several bulbs inside the globe or in multiple shades along a single, metal bar. They may be elaborate, multi-color showpieces or relatively simple, one-color pool table lights fixtures.

Other traditional fixtures of pool table lights come in black or brown wrought-iron fixture with alabaster glass shades. Most often the pool table lights fixture is crafted into a scrolled design with multiple glass shades. This style of light fixture is also widely available in bronze, brushed pewter, and brass finishes. pool table lights made from ooden fixtures, too, can lend a warm and homey touch to your poolroom.

Contemporary pool table lights can give your room a clean, sleek, modern look. Bar pool table lights in chrome and brass with simple, smoked glass shades can create such a look. Some pool table light fixtures insert a vibrant touch by adding green, red, and blue colored glass shades.

Something a Little Different

Customize your pool table lights by adding a college or professional sports logo. Tiffany-style lights often incorporate the logo into the glass motif whereas solid glass shades can be etched with your favorite team’s logo. Cheer on the “Fighting Irish” of Notre Dame, the Colorado “Avalanche” Hockey team, or the New England “Patriots” right from your recreation room.

Military logos are also popular designs for pool table lights. The Marine Corps, Navy, Army, and Air Force insignia are all available, both in Tiffany lights and in solid etched glass shades. Also consider “Jack Daniels” logo pool table lights or perhaps one with the “Harley Davidson” logo.

The Technical Stuff

Installing your pool table lights should be relatively easy for the weekend home remodeler. There must be a secure place onto which to mount your pool table light fixture and that it has its own separate electrical box. As with any electrical project, turn off the electrical current before you start working on mounting your pool table lights.

The correct light bulbs go a long way to ensuring your pool table lights fixture is safe as well as creating the right mood. 60-watt bulbs are recommended although some of the pool table lights with multiple shades might look better with 40-watt bulbs instead.

Where to Shop

The Internet has made shopping for pool table lights much easier. A typical search yields hundreds of online retailers of pool table lights. Browse through thousands of pool table lights, right in the privacy of your home. Many Web merchants even offer free shipping and live online customer service. Expect to pay from $150 for simple bar pool table lights to over $1000 for an elaborate Tiffany-style light fixture.

The right pool table lights can give your poolroom that ambiance of casual elegance or rustic charm that you desire as well as providing the lighting necessary to play your best game of pool. Shop carefully; consider all your options, and you’ll enjoy your pool table lights fixture for many years to come.

Richard Aubin is the publisher of the bi-weekly pool playing tips newsletter, full of tips, tricks and practical advice you can use to improve your pool game. Get his free 7 day consistency and concentration course - Visit how to play pool for more information.

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Lighting is one of those home improvement projects that everyone loves to do. Change that old chandelier to a fancy new one, or that small lighting fixture to a larger one that adds more light in the room. And one of the most popular ones, change that small light to a nice new ceiling fan. These are all great improvements to your home and relativity easy to do yourself, but whether you decide to do it yourself or hire an electrical contractor to do the work there are some things you need to consider before you go out and buy those new lighting fixtures.

The first thing you need to consider is the power requirements of the new fixture. If you are changing an old fixture with only one light bulb to one with two light bulbs, this will most likely not be a problem. But if it is a larger fixture or a chandelier you will need to take this into account.

You can go about this by finding out what is on the existing circuit that you intend to change the fixture on. Go to your main electrical panel and turn off the breakers until you find out which circuit the fixture is on. Next you will need to find out what is on that circuit, so with only that breaker off check and see what other fixtures or devices do not work. Next you will need to add up the current draw on the existing circuit, as per code you are only allowed to draw 80% of the current provided for by the circuit breaker protecting the circuit. For example if it is a 15 amp circuit breaker you are only permitted to draw 1200 watts, which is a total of twenty 60 watt light bulbs. At first glace this may seem like a lot but I have seen people have 20 60 watt light bulbs on a single chandelier.
Checking to make sure that you don’t overload the circuit is very important; you will also need to make sure that the switch or dimmer is rated for the proper current draw of the fixture.

The next thing you need to look at is the weight of the new fixture, the box you are attaching it to has to be rated for the weight of the new fixture. Different electrical boxes have different ratings as far as the weight that can hang from them. This will only come into play with larger fixtures or ceiling fans. A ceiling fan must be hung from a box that is rated for a ceiling fan. If you are installing a heavy fixture or a ceiling fan you will most likely need to change the box also.

The National Electrical Code allows you to hang up to 50 lbs. from any electrical box that is threaded to accept No. 8-32 machine screws. Make sure your electrical box is securely fastened before you hang a new light fixture from it. If your light fixture weighs more than 50 lbs or is a ceiling fan, you will need to install a fan brace box. Check the label to make sure the box is designed to support the weight of your fixture.

Considering these aspects in advance will help you be better prepared for the project before you purchase the fixture. It will also keep you safe and compliant with the National Electrical Code.

John has been in the electrical industry for over 20 years and is currently running wireityourself.com an online do it yourself home wiring site.

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Ceiling fans are a very personal choice depending on the styles you like or themes that you have. With new technology and more designs coming out, your options are numerous. You can choose from different blades depending on the style or size as well as the finish it has. Your motors will vary depending on the application. When choosing your ceiling fan there are a few basic things to keep in mind. Knowing the size of the room is important so you can pick the right size of fan. Also the height of your ceiling should be measured. Do you want a ceiling fan light fixture or not? Choosing a flush mount or a hanging mount can drastically change a look. Another thing is choosing the style of fan, from a tropical fan, airplane ceiling fan, or rustic ceiling fan for instance. Make sure you have a reversible speed on your ceiling fan for different ventilation options. You may even want a ceiling fan with a heater.

What grade is my ceiling fan.

A specific grade is placed on ceiling fans to help determine what our needs are. The first is the Performance Grade. These fans have larger motors usually tow speeds and very quiet when in operation. Being so durable these fans can be used 24/7 as they are built to last. The next is the Medium Grade ceiling fan priced better for the consumer will give you durability and along with the functionality that your deserve. These fans are great for rooms with heights of up to 12 feet. This fan is designed to be used for 12 hours or less at a time. The next is Economy Grade, and this is when price is very important. The fan's components are chosen to keep the price low and affordable. The functioning and durability will still be present. These ceiling fans work well in a room with the ceiling eight feet or less and should not be in use for more than eight hours at a time.

Features for ceiling fans

A modern ceiling fan is not the same basic fans you used to choose from when they were first made. Starting with the motor, they are measured in a watt which tells you the power of the motor. Speed and design affect the overall performance of the ceiling fan. The better the design will give you a quieter running fan but will cost more. Always check and see how reliable a fan is by looking at repair records to see how much downtime these particular fans have. Also check on the availability of the ceiling fan parts you may need. I f you want more than a ceiling fan pull, maybe you should check out a ceiling fan remote control which will allow you to operate your fan from anywhere in your room without getting up. Being able to have the right ceiling fan ventilation, you should make sure that you have a variability speed control so that you have the option to move the amount of air you need to.

Daryl plaza is the owner of ceilingfanhandbook a website designed with resources/reviews to help you discover the potential and benefits of your ceiling fans.

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A major problem with central room lighting is that it is often not bright enough to illuminate the task you are trying to perform. There is often something between you and the source of the light, casting a shadow over what you are trying to do, making everything more difficult. The easiest way to eliminate this problem is to increase the light emitted by your current room light fixture by putting in a brighter bulb. Unfortunately this permanently increases the light in the room and can be oppressive when you do not need to see things close at hand. The solution is task lighting.

The most common form of task lighting is found in kitchens. Undercabinet lights are installed behind a facia panel and provide direct light onto work surfaces. This eliminates the problem of shadows falling across food preparation surfaces and greatly reduces the risk of accidents when using kitchen implements. Undercabinet lighting is available to purchase both online and at regular “offline” outlets.

Task lights are also extremely useful in other rooms of the house. A clip-on spotlight can be moved around a room to whoever needs it and wherever it is needed. An angle-poise lamp can be positioned differently depending on the particular task you are undertaking, whilst a floor standing lamp can be more permanently positioned to provide backlighting to compliment the primary source of light in a room.

Many manufacturers offer bathroom task lighting, mainly in the form of a light above a mirror with a shaver socket incorporated in the design. Be aware that these need to be fitted by a qualified person, water and electricity are notoriously bad bed fellows and there are many regulations governing light fittings in bathrooms.

The bedroom is another location that task lighting has many advantages over central room lighting. A couple can have a task light each, allowing one to continue to read when the other wants to go to sleep. A room that contains a display of some description will benefit hugely from the addition of task lighting. Whether it is a low voltage track lighting arrangement, that allows spotlights to be directed onto a display cabinet, or a small uplighter that bathes a painting in a natural glow both will have the desired effect. They will naturally draw the eye of the onlooker to the item or items on display.

An easier way of bringing task lighting to a room that is lit only by a central lighting fixture is to change that fixture for one that is itself a task light. Many companies offer central task lighting, a three way spotlight fitting or a track light with a central feed are just two ways of changing the whole feel of a room without great cost or expense.

As with any electrical work always ensure that it is completed by a competent person, A badly fitted light is as dangerous as no light at all.

Karen Hughes is an interior decor consultant, get further lighting ideas at Lighting Capital this is your first stop for information about lighting.

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