Light Bulbs, Decorative Hardware, Outdoor Lighting, Motorized Shades, Lighting, Design Lighting Group, GA

Lighting Basics- The Right Bulb

INCANDESCENT?  HALOGEN?  LED  

Determining the right type of light bulb for your lighting needs can be utterly confusing.  With so many different types of lighting available to us today, how does one weed through the options? 

On top of the large variety of choices, this industry keeps evolving and the lighting technology continues to improve.  Many of last year’s advancements are already old news and there’s a new version on the market.  It takes a lot of effort to keep up with this light bulb evolution! Here’s a quick breakdown to get you started:

INCANDESCENT:  If you are a lover of the classics, the incandescent bulb may be your match.  Standard incandescent lighting is warm in color, easily dimmed, and looks great in almost any environment.  If you tend to lean towards warmer paint hues and finish materials, and prefer a softer lighting effect- incandescent lighting may be your favorite pick.  The struggle?   Higher wattage, traditional incandescent bulbs have been phased out due to energy regulations.  So- you won’t find your 100 watt or 75 watt standard version on the shelves any longer.  Some retailers still have a supply of 60 watt (or lower) incandescent bulbs.  The phase out of this old technology will eventually come to a close, however.  Then what?  That brings up the next bulb…

ECO-HALOGEN:  Do you enjoy the ease and flexibility of incandescent lighting, but need something a little stronger for high task areas?  Meet the new incandescent: Eco Halogen.  Eco-halogen is a newly designed version of the standard incandescent bulb.  In fact, some of you may have purchased this bulb version without even realizing it differed from the original, since the phase out of the standard incandescent bulb began.  The Eco Halogen bulb has the same silhouette of a standard A-19 light bulb, but instead of a filament inside, it houses an envelope of halogen or xenon gas within the bulb structure.  This Eco-friendly adaptation makes this bulb type 30% more efficient and longer lasting than it’s predecessor.  It also has a slightly higher Kelvin rating than the old incandescent version- which can make this bulb appear brighter and whiter to our naked eye.

LED:  It’s no secret- LED seems to be where the entire lighting industry is headed.  The most energy efficient of all light sources, LED technology has definitely changed the illumination game. No filaments or gas filled envelopes here- the energy emitting diodes that comprise an LED light bulb are teeny tiny microchips, in which an electrical current passes through to illuminate the source.  The result=visible light!  There is much confusion with this new technology, however.  The conversion LED light bulbs that are widely available now have a broad range of Lumen OutputsCRI Ratings, and Kelvin Temperatures within them.  It can be an uncomfortable amount of information to try and weed through on your own.  The plus side: you can have an LED bulb in almost any color of light you wish.

Article Provided By: Creative Lighting

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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Tips: How to Light Your Living Room

“The way you light a room can completely change the space” Melissa LaBancz-Bleasable

The more light sources you have in a room allows you to control the ambience, mood and how you use the room. With that in mind, the living room is one of the most important rooms in the house, therefore, the living room requires ambience, mood and character. Whether you want to chill out and get cosy, read, do a bit of knitting or watch tv, you need the right mood to do so and in turn, the right lighting. To create the perfect atmosphere for your living room space, use a combination of light fittings that serve their own purpose.

The top 3 things to consider:

Feature Lighting – This type of lighting serves as the most prominent light fitting in the living room. It is the first light you see at a glance when you enter the living room and this is where you can go wild with the design.

  • Choose a statement piece(s) significant enough to fill the ceiling space e.g. if you have a long room you may need two feature ceiling lights. If you have a smaller ceiling, one will do.
  • Pendants and Chandeliers work best as feature lights. The options are endless; chrome, silver, satin, gold, copper, brass, colourful or a printed shade.
  • You can also base your decision on how much light you want to portray from your feature light e.g. a single pendant or a 5 light chandelier.

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Ambient Lighting – This type of lighting creates the mood for your space.

  • Using wall lights gives you control over the light and can give a subtle lighting effect in comparison to your feature light.
  • Recessed lighting is another great option for use across the ceiling space. You can easily choose any number of downlights to fit your room size and light requirements.
  • You can choose dimmable lighting products for all of the above. This will give you the option to change the atmosphere from fully lit to low and cosy almost instantly, by the simple turn of a knob.

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Table/Floor Lamps – Table and floor lamps are not only great for adding elements of lighting to your room but also great for adding to the overall design of the room. They serve as a part of the furniture too.

  • Choose one or more table lamps to sit as a centrepiece on a side table, chest or small cabinet.
  • Choose one or more floor lamps depending on space, near a seated area to act as a form of light when needed and also a statement piece in its own right. (See below image)
  • Position your table or floor lamps to where they serve the most purpose and where they look best. For example, table lamps should be placed near a seat so it can also serve as an area where you can turn it on to read something instead of using the main light(s). Floor lamps are generally placed in the corner of the room to light that corner and so they are not so easily knocked over.

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Article Provided By: National Lighting

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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Deciding on New Lighting For Your Home

When the day comes that you decide it’s time for new lighting in your home, or you’re building a new house and you need lighting options, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Lighting’s primary purpose is obviously to illuminate a room, but it can also offer so much more than light. It sets the mood in each space, and it makes certain tasks easier, such as reading in the living room or prepping vegetables in kitchen.

HOW WILL THE SPACE BE USED?

This is often the first, and most important, question to consider when choosing new lighting. Are you designing a new home theater that needs recessed can lights and wall sconces, or are you trying to brighten a basement bedroom with table lamps and a semi-flush fixture? Knowing how a room will be used will inform the lighting you need, as will the time of day when you’ll be in the room. For example, you’ll be in your bedroom mostly in the morning and in the evening, so lamps and overhead lights that aren’t too bright are a great option, since you’ll be just waking up or trying to unwind while you’re in the space.

If you’re lighting a bright living room that gets plenty of sunshine, then fewer fixtures are likely needed. A single ceiling fan with a light, along with a few well-placed lamps will provide the illumination you need, and once the sun goes down, you’ll have plenty of light for reading and entertaining.

DON’T FORGET TO LAYER!

We’ve written before about layering your light, but it’s so imperative to every room that we’re going to cover it again here. Having ambient (general), accent, and task lighting in each room will make the space more interesting, as well as more functional. A living room that only has a single overhead light, and nothing else, can appear very drab and uninviting. Adding a few sconces and table lamps in the right places will not only improve your lighting, it will make the space more comfortable. In the kitchen, you’ll want recessed lights, a central ambient fixture, pendant lights above the island, and under cabinet lighting for your everyday tasks.

Layering the light in a room makes it more interesting, and you can also use it to highlight a certain portion of the room, such as a seating area or workspace.

Article Provided By: Southern Lights

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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Outdoor Entertaining: Light it Right

Warm weather calls for outdoor entertaining of all kinds. It’s easy enough to hang string lights and light some candles in hurricane style lanterns, but why not take it a step further and install some permanent outdoor lighting? There’s a wide selection of decorative fixtures that are designed especially for outdoor use, adding just the right amount of light to make the outdoors come alive at night.

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Just like inside the home, layering light outside is essential to create a welcoming atmosphere and the perfect outdoor living area. Light layering uses three layers of light: ambient, task, and accent lighting. Begin by selecting ambient lighting that provides a general, comfortable level of brightness. Try flush mount ceiling fixtures, hang a pendant or chandelier, or choose a lighted ceiling fan that provides a pleasant breezy atmosphere while lighting up the night.

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Task lighting is necessary over grills, outdoor stoves, sinks, and bars. Several small pendant lights work well in these areas or install recessed lighting into the ceiling to provide direct light over work areas.

Finally, add accent and decorative lighting that accentuates the home’s architectural features and style. For entertaining areas, select wall-mounted fixtures such as sconces or lanterns. Outdoor chandeliers and pendants are a stylish way to bring the design appeal of indoor lighting outside. For a professional, pulled-together look, choose light fixtures with the same finish as the door pulls, fencing, and outdoor furniture.

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Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Decorative Fixtures, Decorative Hardware, Track Lighting, Design Lighting Group, Atlanta Georgia

 

As a final touch, control the lights with timers, dimmers, or motion sensors to turn on lights only when needed or turn them down as desired to create the perfect atmosphere.

Remember that any lighting for the outdoors must be rated for outdoor use, even in areas that are covered. A damp or wet location rating ensures that the fixture is waterproof and that dust and rain won’t interfere with the bulb or circuitry. Outdoor lighting must be durable enough to stand up to the elements.

 

Article Provided By: Progress Lighting

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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Understanding the Layers of Light

The key to good lighting design is understanding the layers of light. Lighting has multiple purposes, which can be described as ambient, focal and decorative. Multiple direct and indirect light sources are needed to properly light up a space evenly and effectively.

Before you set out to find the perfect fixture, think about what you are trying to achieve with your lighting. Are you hoping to draw attention to a fabulous piece of artwork? Will your new kitchen be used for cooking, entertaining and socializing? Are you looking to brighten your home office? The answer will help you determine what type of light source(s) will help you illuminate your space.

 

Here is a breakdown of the three layers of light and what fixtures can be used to create them:

Ambient Lighting

“A light-filled space gives me joy and energy. For others a more cave-like space will have the same effect. It’s all about finding your comfort zone with ambient lighting.” – Judith Taylorfor Houzz

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Also referred to as “general lighting”, ambient lighting provides overall illumination to the space. Ambient lighting produces a comfortable level of brightness without glare or shadows. Sources of ambient lighting include chandeliers, pendants, ceiling lights, recessed or track lights. Your lighting plan should start with ambient lighting, as it sets the foundation for other layers of light. Every room needs ambient lighting as it is what allows you to see.

Focal and Task Lighting

“Targeted to a particular area of a room, task lighting is intended to illuminate specific function.” – Jill Connors for HGTV

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Focal light concentrates brightness onto a specific area. This includes task lighting, which is a type of focal lighting that helps you perform specific tasks like reading, applying makeup, cooking, working and doing homework. Task lighting is especially important in bathrooms, where tasks like grooming and shaving require plenty of light. The point of focal lighting is to draw attention to something. Think about mannequins in a retail space or artwork in a gallery.Focal and task lighting should not produce glare or shadows. Track lights produce beams of light, producing great focal or task lighting.

Accent and Decorative Lighting

“Just because lighting is functional doesn’t mean it should be boring. In fact, the right fixture can be so much more than just a source of light — it can be a source of joy and an artistic focal point.” – Kit Waskom Pollard for Baltimore at Home

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Some people refer to decorative accent lighting as the “sparkle” in a room. The purpose of decorative lighting is to evoke positive emotions. The “sparkle” can be as simple as the shine that is produced from light reflecting off of a polished decorative element, or as elaborate as a crystal chandelier. This type of lighting is an expression of art. It allows you to make a statement, express your personal style and have a little fun with your lighting.

Article Provided By: Lamps.com

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing Light Fixtures

Though many may not realize it, light fixtures are often what tie a room together, giving it just the right finishing touch. That’s why finding the perfect one can be a painstaking process. However, if you go into your search prepared, you’ll save yourself some time and unnecessary frustration. There are plenty of mistakes to be made during your quest for the perfect piece of lighting, but this simple list of dos and don’ts will help keep you on the right track.

Dos

DO plan ahead. Before you begin hunting for the perfect fixture(s), there are numerous planning steps you can take to make your search as easy as possible. Some of these steps are outlined below, but others include reading up on what kind of lighting works best for certain rooms, such as chandeliers for foyer and entryway lighting or wall sconces for bathroom lighting. Assuming that you’re looking for a fixture to fit into your existing décor, this is also when you should determine the details such as the size and style of fixture you want.

DO take measurements of the room. Knowing the dimensions of the room will help you choose a fixture that is proportionate in scale. Eye-balling measurements may work in cooking, but it might not be the best thing to do when you’re purchasing something for your home that you have to look at every day. For instance, if you have low ceilings (8 feet and under), a flush mount or semi-flush mount fixture would be a better choice than a pendant or chandelier in high-traffic walking areas such as an entryway or hallway.

DO know the weight and dimensions of the fixture. It could be easy to fall in love with a light fixture in a department store and bring it home, only to realize that it’s either too big or too small for the intended area. For example, you wouldn’t want to choose an island pendant that’s much longer than the kitchen island itself. The weight of the fixture is also important to consider. It’s crucial that you make sure wherever you’re placing your fixture has the proper supports and cross-checking the light fixture’s specifications with the electrical wiring and architectural layout of your home are essential steps.

Don’ts

DON’T choose form over function. There are plenty of stylish and on-trend light fixtures on the market. Whether you have a rustic, traditional, or industrial design aesthetic, there’s sure to be a fixture out there to fit your sensibilities. But basing your purchase purely on looks could give you a bad case of buyer’s remorse. Considering everything but the fixture’s functionality could leave you with a poorly lit room. Think about the fixture’s light output as well as whether you want it to give off more directional or omni-directional light.

DON’T place too much emphasis on overhead lighting. Granted, you may just be replacing an overhead light fixture, but if it’s the only light fixture in the room, you might want to think about taking a layered lighting approach. Overhead fixtures are wonderful for general ambient lighting, but throwing accent and task lighting into the mix will give your room balanced illumination.

Article Provided By: 1000Bulbs.com

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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How Lighting Affects Productivity and Mood

Flick of a Switch: How Lighting Affects Productivity and Mood

Lighting — the good, the bad, and the ugly — can have a significant impact on your concentration and your productivity.

In fact, your overall feeling of health and well-being can change with just the flick of a switch.

Recent research highlighted by Philips Systems shows a significant link between light and circadian rhythms, otherwise known as the “built-in clocks” that determine your sleep cycle, stimulation, and relaxation.

Lighting has also been found to decrease depression and improve mood, energy, alertness, and productivity.

Given that a study conducted by the American Society of Interior Design revealed that 68 percent of employees complain about the lighting situation in their offices, how can businesses design their workspaces with lighting that delivers the optimal place for employees to think, create, and collaborate?

To learn more about the costs associated with not addressing lighting issues in the workplace, we turned to HOK, a top global design firm. Here are three examples of lighting projects HOK has designed that have provided lighting conducive for a productive workplace environment.

The Flexibility of Lighting Controls Affects Productivity

HOK transformed an abandoned 1930s power plant in Lansing, Michigan, into a new national headquarters for Accident Fund Holdings, Inc., in 2011.

There they installed lighting controls for individual workstations and shared multi-occupant stations. Natural daylight that flows through the building’s energy-efficient windows, which were also installed by HOK, allows electric lighting systems to be dimmed down.

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“We have found, based on the work that we have done, that control of an environment, whether it be lighting or temperature, helps people feel better about their perceived productivity,” said Emily Dunn, a senior consultant based in HOK’s New York office.  This lighting flexibility allows employees to create the atmosphere they need to be productive at work.

Daylight Enhances Human Performance

In collaboration with Dechert Law Office in Washington, D.C., HOK designed a flexible environment that allows attorneys to practice law more productively. The design firm used glass partitions for all offices and soft indirect lighting to “create airy volumes that blur the distinction between interior and perimeter space.”

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HOK also incorporated daylight features to help employees regulate their circadian rhythms. When these rhythms are offset, people experience stress, but a building that incorporates daylight can enhance human performance. In fact, a report by the World Green Building Council found that workers exposed to daylight are 18 percent more productive.

Lighting Design Depends on the Atmosphere You Want to Create

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to lighting in the workplace. According to HOK Lighting Director Tom Kaczkowski, lighting design “depends on the atmosphere that we are trying to create within the work environment.”

In King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s case, the graduate-level research university in Saudi Arabia wanted its interior to promote innovation and creativity. HOK delivered by tailoring each space to its intended use.

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For example, the conference space was situated in a “shaded, passively cooled outdoor concourse” with a hint of sunlight to produce an inviting environment that keeps workers alert. The academic library, designated as a room to keep people relaxed, was fitted with warm lighting to instill a sense of comfort.

Smart organizations know that enhancing the performance of their people keeps companies growing and actively innovating. Thoughtful lighting design can be a powerful tool to increase employee performance. There are real costs associated with not addressing lighting issues at work and they could be fixed with the simple change of the bulb.

Article Provided By: business.com

Design Lighting Group offers a large variety of lighting systems, Decorative Fixtures, Recessed/Track, Outdoor Lighting, LED Lighting, Antiques, and more. If you would like to discuss your lighting needs please do not hesitate to call us at 404-351-5010 or                                                               email us at info@dlightinggroup.com.

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A Guide to Retail Lighting and Why it Matters

While the type of lighting you choose for your store may seem trivial, the reality is that customers will either feel welcomed into your store or turned off. These simple steps will ensure that you are on the right track for meeting your store’s lighting needs.

You’ve pored over every detail of your new business: You’ve created a business plan, worked up a marketing plan and devised an airtight budget. Now that you have checked all the boxes, it is time to focus on your business’s interior.

While it might not seem very important – one big component of planning your business’s layout is the lighting. While the type of lighting you install in your store may seem insignificant, it can actually make or break a customer’s shopping experience. The type of lighting you use affects the “feel” and mood of your store, so it is very important to get it right. For example, no one wants harsh, fluorescent lights in their dressing room, nor would you expect to see dim lighting in a bakery.

The following guide will help you understand different types of light bulbs, various kinds of lighting and the situations or businesses that they are appropriate for. It will also help you choose the best type of lighting for your business, taking into consideration your budget and merchandise.

Types of lightbulbs

There are four different types of light bulbs designed for indoor lighting: incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and LED. Each type of lightbulb has its place and pros and cons. Many business use combinations of light bulbs to achieve overall lighting for their store.

Incandescent

Incandescent light bulbs are typically inexpensive and emit a nice, warm light in all directions. However, they lack energy-saving properties, so they may hike your energy bill. They also have relatively short lifespans, so you may find yourself replacing them frequently, which is a hassle for any business owner.

Incandescent light bulbs are good for general lighting; however, due to the cons listed above, many business owners forgo incandescent lights in favor of more efficient bulbs

Editor’s Note: Need a POS system for your retail store? If you’re looking for information to help you choose the one that’s right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our sister site, BuyerZone, provide you with information from a variety of vendors for free:

Halogen

Halogen bulbs are the figurative big brother to incandescent light bulbs. Like standard incandescent light bulbs, halogen bulbs produce a soft glow in all directions. However, they use significantly less energy, so they are a more environmentally friendly option that will also soften your energy bill. Their biggest downside is that, like a standard incandescent, they have short life spans and cost more than a standard bulb.

Fluorescent

Fluorescent light bulbs are cost-effective and long-lasting. On average, fluorescent bulbs last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This saves you money and the hassle of constantly replacing your light bulbs. Since they are typically energy efficient as well, you will save money on your electric bill.

However, many people shy away from fluorescent bulbs because they tend to cast a harsh light and are not appropriate for many retail settings. Further, while the brightness of incandescent and halogen bulbs can be controlled from a switch panel, fluorescent lights have a set brightness that cannot be customized.

LED

LED stands for light-emitting diode bulb. These versatile bulbs emit different colors of light while omitting directed light. These bulbs also deliver high performance in all situations; they brighten instantly even in extreme temperatures and can last for many years without needing to be replaced. The biggest downside of these bulbs is their higher-than-average price.

Types of lighting

There are four primary types of lighting to consider for your store: general, task, accent and decorative. As with light bulbs, you will most likely integrate a combination of different types of lighting to achieve the overall look you want for your business’s lighting. It will depend on the type of business you run and the feel that you are going for.

General lighting

General lighting, also called ambient lighting, is the main type of lighting that you use throughout your store. When choosing ambient lighting, it’s important to select a light source that illuminates your store so that it does not feel dim or gloomy but also doesn’t overlight the room, which can create a harsh feeling throughout your store.

When choosing ambient lighting, consider the type of business you operate. If you have a coffee shop, you don’t want harsh lights shining down on people while they enjoy their coffee or chat. If you own a toy store, you do not want customers struggling to see the merchandise.

Task lighting

As the name indicates, task lighting is mainly used in areas where you or your customers perform certain tasks. It is good to use task lighting near the entrance of your store, at checkout and in certain areas throughout the shop. It is a good idea to install task lighting after you have installed your general lighting so that you can more easily find the areas that you need to highlight with additional brightness or effect.

When setting up task lighting in your store, it is important to not overlight the area. Too much task lighting eliminates its effectiveness and minimizes the significance of the areas. It can also confuse customers and overstimulate their vision.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting can add special flair or “oomph” to specific areas in your store. For example, if you have jewelry or another product behind the counter, you can use accent lighting to highlight these products. Typically, store owners use spotlights or track lighting to highlight certain areas of their stores.

Be careful when using brighter lights in your store, however. Placing bright lights where they might shine in your customer’s eyes can cause problems and lead to customers leaving the store before buying anything.

Decorative lighting

Decorative lighting allows you to have a little fun. Unlike the other lighting sources listed above, decorative lighting is purely ornamental. Perhaps during the holiday season, you hang up strings of lights. While a strand of colored light bulbs doesn’t illuminate much throughout the store, it can go along way toward setting the tone or mood of your business. Other decorative lighting sources that are not seasonal include chandeliers, ornamental lamp shades, wall lights, etc.

Decorative lighting can give your store some much-needed personality; however, avoid overusing decorative light fixtures. Your store could look cluttered or, worse, the decorative pieces could cancel out the functional lighting.

Other considerations

While the type of business you run largely determines the types of lighting (and bulbs) you select, there are other things that you must consider: namely, your budget.

In an ideal world, you would be able to buy any type of lighting you want for your business, including a decorative crystal chandelier. The reality, however, is that when you are selecting lighting, you must consider the upfront costs of the light fixtures as well as the long-term maintenance they require and the energy bills that will accrue. Other things to analyze include the following:

Consider the long term

When choosing light bulbs, it might be tempting to select the cheapest option upfront. However, saving money now may cost you more down the line. Inexpensive incandescent light bulbs have to be replaced frequently. Not only that, but the U.S. and many other countries are phasing out these types of light bulbs because they are so inefficient.

Get a second opinion

There is nothing wrong with enjoying a sales pitch. However, do research on your own to determine if you are getting the best deal for your business. Even the most high-tech LED light bulbs (and the nicest line of track lights) may not be the best fit for your store.

Learn how to layer light

Layering different kinds of light will help you achieve the best look and mood for your store. Not only will it help you highlight different products in your storefront, but it also gives your store warmth and dimension. Layering light can be tricky. Before purchasing expensive lighting, talk to a professional about the best techniques for layering light. It might cost more upfront to consult with a professional, but in the long run, it’s important to get it right the first time.

 

Article Provided By Business.com

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Lights from Lead and Concrete

James Plumb Creates Hand-Sculpted Lamps from Lead and Concrete

No two works are the same in JamesPlumb’s new lighting collection, which features crumpled sheets of lead that sit on top of cubed concrete bases.

The London-based studio designed the series of handmade lamps as part of their Studies in Permanence collection, which they devised as a rejection of the  “conventional perfection” that comes with mass-produced objects.

Each lamp features a blocky concrete base, a bulb, and a crumpled piece of lead that has been sculpted by hand.

“We are drawn to objects that cannot be replicated, and to the idea that total permanence cannot be,” the duo told Dezeen.

“In these works, no two pieces of lead will ever be the same shape – it’s this guided unpredictability by the human hand that excites us.”

Each piece of lead was individually patinaed to create unique shades. The duo then rolled the material out into sheets, making it more malleable for sculpting.

This also gives the lead a thin and lightweight appearance, despite it being around four times heavier than its concrete counterpart.

The shadows cast from the bulb is intended to emphasize the differences in two materials – the complex forms emitted from the lead is set against the simple block of shadow from the concrete.

“The lead partly takes on its own personality and agenda, and in these works, we observe and respond to this fluidity,” the designers told Dezeen. “A blend of carefully considered shaping by design, and accidental incident as the lead takes its own paths and folds.”

JamesPlumb’s Studies in Permanence collection reflects the artistic background of both the designers, who studied fine art sculpture at the Wimbledon School of Art.

The collection also includes a sculptural bench, which was showcased by Gallery FUMI and was one of Dezeen’s top picks from the PAD design fair in London earlier this month.

 

Article Provided By: DeZeen