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LIGHTING

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Whether you want to improve the lighting in your bedroom or are planning to renovate your entire home, plan for the setup of lights in different rooms. Each room in your house has a different function; therefore, they will need a more specific type of lighting.

To ensure maximum lighting, consult with your home lighting electrician and keep the following room-by-room lighting suggestions in mind.


Living Room/Family Room Lighting


Laying lights is an important concept when planning the lighting for your living room, which is an area of the house where most people gather and spend a long stretch of time together. The activities in living rooms include conversations, reading, watching TV, and other family activities. Install lights that bounce off the ceiling for ambient illumination. This type of lighting creates a strong sense of brightness in the room, as well as avoids the downward direction of recessed lights or shadows. Bouncing lights off the ceiling also suits the human tendency to see vertical planes versus looking at your feet.

Achieve this set-up by integrating valance or cove lighting into a room’s interior. If you have an entertainment unit or bookcase that doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling, add a linear fluorescent or a piece of millwork behind.

Kitchen Lighting

This room’s focus on food preparation and cleanup requires careful consideration of ambient lighting. One of the main reasons sinks are located near the window is to take advantage of natural lighting. Augment the natural light with a recessed fixture or a ceiling-mounted one above the sink. Lights under the cabinet can also illuminate the countertop without relying on an overhead light.

Another basic lighting plan is to have a ceiling-mounted fixture provide ambient light with soffit lighting shedding light above the sink.

Bedroom Lighting

The bedroom needs lighting that promotes comfort and relaxation. Overhead lighting well-diffused by the frosted glass or other material creates a cozy ambiance minus the glare. If you want variety, you can also invest in architectural light or sconces flanking a wall mirror.  

Bedside lamps with warm bulbs are essentials. This enables you to turn off your lights without leaving the comfort of your bed.

Bathroom lighting

Halogen bulbs are the standard for bathroom lighting but compact fluorescent bulbs also help. You can also use recessed downlights or decorative lights for areas in the bathroom over a hundred square feet.

Complement this design by adding close-to-ceiling fixtures that can supplement wall brackets in larger bathrooms.

Mount one lighting fixture over the bathroom’s mirror to light up space but it can cause shadows on your voice. Avoid creating shadows by not mounting them directly over the mirror. If you’re using exposed lamps, avoid using higher wattage. Avoid going beyond 40 watts. Go for lights that provide crisp lighting to render your skin tone accurately.

In the shower, you can use ceiling mounted plastic units or recessed lights. Angle the lights to make sure your fixtures will sparkle.

The right lighting sets the right mood for the right room. Work with your electrician to determine which lighting option or plan is the best for your room.

SHOP LIGHTING….

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I love the look of Industrial Lighting! There is a certain authenticity to it and a simplicity, too! I love how Industrial lighting transforms the look of a space and it adds instant cool factor! Plus you can really merge it with so many other styles – it’s pretty versatile!

I have to share with you this amazing Industrial light fixture – we installed in my brother’s house – it’s fantastic! When I first showed it to him, he had his doubts but then he realized that he trusts me and I would never lead him astray. And of course, he’s getting tons of compliments….

 

So this light fixture is basically so black electrical wire that you ‘swag’ on the ceiling and you add you bulbs – that’s it! You can play around with the placement of the small hooks on the ceiling and the length of the hanging wire.  And the light comes in different sizes too (more wires and therefore more bulbs in the larger version). We played around with some vintage light bulbs – it’s hard to tell in this photo but we have 3 different shapes of vintage bulbs and we installed them at random (which is bit tougher than you would think as we naturally opt for a pattern). The vintage bulbs really add more character to the industrial look.

If you love this Industrial Light fixture as much as we do – you can buy one for under $100! Click HERE

Here are some more of our favourite Industrial Light Fixtures for under $100.00

This Industrial Pendant light with rope detail is simple yet still interesting. This would add a great industrial touch to a kitchen island.

So this is just like my brother’s light fixture in his living room.  He doesn’t have a dining light fixture which is why we did a WOW statement light fixture in his living room.  This unique piece would be amazing in a living room, dining room or even a bedroom. I love it with the vintage bulbs!

 

We are seeing some great merging of Industrial with mid century modern designThis sputnik light fixture in the gunmetal finish with vintage bulbs works well in a modern space or an Industrial one. This looks amazing in a dining room.

This looks like Industrial lighting you might see on a construction site or old warehouse – well that’s the idea! This 5 pendant chandelier with vintage bulbs adds character and a ‘loft look’ to any space.

This is my absolute hands-down favourite Industrial Pendant light – it’s perfect and so transitional! I love the simplicity of this fixture – you can appreciate the glass but also the vintage light bulb. Love how these look over a kitchen island (and the price is incredible!)

Simple, metal sphere with one vintage bulb is a perfect example of industrial lighting! This would add a ton of rustic and industrial character to a kitchen . This pendant is a great example of industrial lighting.

Industrial lighting can really add so much character to your home decor and it works with so many different styles.

Lighting fixtures totally transform the look of any room….

 

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“I keep hearing the word “Sculptural Lighting” lately.What does that mean and how would I execute this trend in my own home?”
One of the things we love most about this job is the constant changing trends and the excitement of something new & beautiful. I love this question because when we were in Toronto this year at the Interior Design Show, sculptural lighting was a huge trend. So many people are seeing the value in having beautiful lighting in your space. It really is an art form.
 
Sculptural lighting has a wide range of defining characteristics. Lighting fixtures have a functionality aspect
but they can also double as being abstract works of art. Sculptural lighting fixtures are so unique and eye-catching that they naturally become conversation pieces in their settings. The variety of shapes, colours, textures, metals,
materials and sizes are so vast, the options for your home are endless! (and so are the price points!)
 
Of course, we understand that changing the lighting in every room in your home is a large undertaking. The idea of having beautiful light fixtures in every room is not a reality for all of us, as nice as it would be. Choose the rooms in your home that you spend the most time in. Perhaps the living room or bedroom is a great place to start. These are often some of the most used spaces in a home. As well as the kitchen and dining room.
 
When we say “sculptural” that doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be over the top. In a modern setting, a simple, pendant can be sculptural. Sculptural also means beautiful.
 
If you’re nervous about being too bold, try adding a chandelier in an open space. Having the crystal and metal mixture will look spectacular without being too much. If you are very adventurous, there are many shapes and styles that will suit your needs.
Here are some of our favourite photos from this year’s
Interior Design Show in Toronto (IDS 2016).

 

 

 

Choose something unique and tailored just to your personal taste!
I’m actually updating the lighting in my dining room – I haven’t chosen anything just yet but I will let you know when I do – it will be fabulous!
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“I see in magazine so many people are using chandeliers in their bedrooms these days. I love the look, but am worried I won’t know how to choose the right one. What are some of the things I should be looking for when choosing a chandelier for my bedroom?”
 

Who doesn’t love a chandelier in the bedroom?

The elegant look they give a space is so beautiful. A gorgeous light fixture is such a feature in a room and lighting is something that can really change a space. Both design wise and functionally. Choosing a chandelier for your bedroom doesn’t need to be complicated!

There are tons of options out there, from rustic to modern, but chances are, your home décor is already headed in a certain direction. Be true to your style! Whether the look you desire is traditional or modern, there’s many options that will work with your decor and provide the ambient light you need.

 

If you love bling, adding a little bit of glitz and glam to your room will give it that sparkle you’re looking for. For a more traditional look, choose a chandelier with more ornamentation or decorative details. If your room’s look is more modern, a fixture with simple lines and fewer details can be a stunning touch.

 
Chandeliers usually work best in rooms with a ceiling height of more than 9 feet. Though, in a child’s bedroom, you might choose a mini-chandelier, since children’s rooms are typically smaller than master bedrooms.
A mini-chandelier may be designed more like a semi-flush light, which won’t take up as much space. This can also work in small scale dining rooms or living rooms.
 

The chandelier should complement, not overwhelm, furnishings placed underneath. One of the most noted mistakes when installing a bedroom chandelier is choosing a fixture that is too small for the room.

Chances are this lighting fixture is going to be a focal point of the bedroom (among others), so we want to ensure that is not falling into the background. Choose a chandelier that at first glance may look too large for the room. Obviously, choosing something gargantuan is going to look silly, but choosing an oversize chandelier will really make a statement in the room. It’s better to have a chandelier too large than it is too small.

 

Once you’ve determined the right size chandelier for your room, choose a fixture based on the room’s main color or material.

What type of statement you want to make?

Is there a certain mood or feeling your looking to invoke?

We want to be true to the décor you currently have/love.

 

 

If you are looking to create a romantic space, go for the sparkle and the glam look of a crystal chandelier. (Put that on a dimmer!!) If you are looking for a rustic space, add some organic textures.. adding a wood element is a sure way to bring the natural feel inside. A modern bedroom is best accented with clean lines and minimalist extras.

A traditional bedroom looks great with a candelabra chandelier and a little bit of crystal. Do some research. Think about what you love in your home and carry that into your décor choices!

 

 

An incredible light fixture makes a statement in any room, so don’t forget about the bedroom – the lights might be off most of the time but why not have a fabulous fixture to look at in the day light? Who knows you might try and spend more time in there…

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“What size and how many pendants should I hang over my kitchen island?”

The ideal number of lights depends on the style and scale of fixtures you choose, and how hardworking your island is. 

Here’s a guide to help you decide which solution is best for your kitchen.

One Large Pendant

Make a modern move by centering one over sized fixture above the island.  A large pendant with a translucent shade can offer both ambient and task lighting. This works very well if your kitchen island is also your dining space, which is something we have seen in recent years in condos.  This light fixture would act as your island lighting and dining fixture

 Two Medium Pendants

Hang a pair of lights evenly spaced over the island to illuminate the work space.  These lantern style pendants add great light to the whole space and have a timeless look that work with the kitchen.  This is a more current look that we are seeing a lot of in single family homes with large kitchens but also in smaller condo or apartment size kitchens.  It’s a clean balanced look and works with any style of decor.

 

Three Small Pendants

A trip of shapely lights will work together to brighten three different areas along the island.  Clear glass fixtures are visually light and mix well with the other style sin the home.  This is probably the most common kitchen island pendant arrangement, light the 2 medium pendant arrangement it works with all styles of decor.

 Other important points with kitchen island lighting…

1. Size and Scale.

One thing to really, really take into consideration is scale and proportion of lighting to island. Over sized lighting has been very on trend for the past few years but it is possible to be too big, so watch out!  Not sure what to do, start with the size of your island, we are seeing over sized (and super handy) kitchen island in homes of all sizes. For example, we had a client would installed a 10 ft island so we were able to install 3 medium sized pendants (equally spaced) and it looks perfect.

2. Mood lighting.

As with any lighting fixture, think about putting these pendants on a dimmer switch.  It is a really nice effect when you are entertaining and using the island for serving drinks and appetizers it really creates a warm and cozy vibe

3. Right height. 

The bottom rims of your pendant lights should hang about 30 inches above the surface of your kitchen island counter. An alternate way to determine the proper height is to measure from the floor upward. With this method, the bottom rims of the lighting fixtures should be positioned 60 to 66 inches above the floor. If the ceilings in your kitchen are higher than 8 feet, light from the fixtures will be dispersed more evenly if you increase the height of the pendant lights 3 inches for every extra foot of ceiling height. In addition, if you have tall family members, it’s a good idea to raise the lights a couple of extra inches to allow more head room.

 

Ideally, the bottom
rims of your pendant lights should hang about 30 inches above the
surface of your kitchen island counter. An alternate way to determine
the proper height is to measure from the floor upward. With this method,
the bottom rims of the lighting fixtures should be positioned 60 to 66
inches above the floor. If the ceilings in your kitchen are higher than 8
feet, light from the fixtures will be dispersed more evenly if you
increase the height of the pendant lights 3 inches for every extra foot
of ceiling height. In addition, if you have tall family members, it’s a
good idea to raise the lights a couple of extra inches to allow more
head room.Read more : http://www.ehow.com/way_5842703_high-lights-above-kitchen-island.html

 

We love fabulous lighting in any room and the kitchen is the perfect spot to add a show stopping fixture.  you have lots of options in style and size…let there be light!

Ideally, the bottom
rims of your pendant lights should hang about 30 inches above the
surface of your kitchen island counter. An alternate way to determine
the proper height is to measure from the floor upward. With this method,
the bottom rims of the lighting fixtures should be positioned 60 to 66
inches above the floor. If the ceilings in your kitchen are higher than 8
feet, light from the fixtures will be dispersed more evenly if you
increase the height of the pendant lights 3 inches for every extra foot
of ceiling height. In addition, if you have tall family members, it’s a
good idea to raise the lights a couple of extra inches to allow more
head room.Read more : http://www.ehow.com/way_5842703_high-lights-above-kitchen-island.html
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