Archive for June, 2010

Question: “Hey, so I was wondering, what’s the big difference between a floor lamp and a torchiere? I’ve seen them both and they pretty much look the same to me. Is there once place you use one and another place for the other? I’m trying to find the right one for my living room. Please help!” - Sarah, VT

Answer: Hi Sarah, not to worry!

There’s a simple way to sort this out. Floor lamps and torchieres do look alike, though they have different functions. Torchieres are designed to reflect light off the ceiling and walls for ambient effects. They provide a less light but to a much bigger area. If you have a dark corner that needs some illumination or a space that doesn’t have a lot of ambient lighting, then you would use a torchiere to lighten up the room.

Now, a floor lamp is a bit different. Though both lamps are tall and shaped similarly, floor lamps are more geared toward task lighting. So, if you need a lamp next to a chair or desk so that you can read, work on something, etc. then you would use a floor lamp.

Hope this helps and good luck with the living room lighting!

Lighting a space can be tough, especially when you’ve just moved into a space that already had a prior lighting design. Sometimes, you’ve just got to make your own adjustments to suit your needs, not to mention, trim your energy bills.

If you’re moving into a home or apartment, here are some quick fixes and adjustments you can make to so that you maximize your lighting while saving on energy costs:

1. Try repainting a dark room in a light color. This minimized the need for more artificial lighting in the space, which in turn, saves you money on both fixtures and energy use.
2. Install task lighting in large spaces that normally use up a lot of ambient light. Some examples of task lighting include under-the-counter kitchen lights or bathroom mirror lights.
3. Replace those bulky, thick curtains that your previous tenants left behind and set them aside for use during the winter months, when you need to lock in heat. During the summer, switch to sheer curtains that can let more sunlight in so that your home is illuminated naturally.
4. Replace all incandescent light bulbs in your fixtures and lamps with CFLs, or compact fluorescent lights. These save on energy big time, plus, they have a huge lifespan, which saves you money in the long run.
5. Need to change fixtures in your new space? Then look for LED lighting fixtures or fixtures that receive the government’s Energy Star rating. This ensures that you save on energy while getting beautiful light in your home.

“Hi. I just got a new chandelier for my dining room and I was wondering what the rules are in terms of hanging and choosing the right kind of bulbs. Any tips are welcome! Thanks!” – Francis, NY

Hi Francis!

Chandeliers are beautiful lighting fixtures that merit a little extra special treatment when it somes to installation. As a general rule,  you should try to hang your chandelier so that it’s between 30 and 35 inches above the table. Also, consider the size of the room when picking your chandelier.

There should be a minimum of 150 watts total in the chandelier to provide enough illumination (check the fixture instructions to find out what type of bulbs it needs) and the size of the fixture shouldn’t overwhelm the space.  Make sure the chandelier is aligned above the center of the dining table.

Finally, make sure that the chandelier is installed securely. Be sure to check the ceiling electrical box before installation so that you can be sure that the fixture is properly supported. If you have any issues concerning wiring or support, you may want to call in an electrician.

If you’ve gone to the store lately to buy some more light bulbs, you’ve probably see some funny looking bulbs that are shaped kind of like a spring. These odd-shaped bulbs are called CFLs and if you’re looking to save energy and money, you need to have them in your home.

CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp (lamp is just another name for a bulb) and this new, innovative source of lighting may change the way we illuminate our homes. You see, in your average light bulb, you’ll find a piece of tungsten or other metal that heats up and when it does, you get light. CFLs work differently. They use a chemical reaction between gases to produce light, which means you use less energy to power the light initially, which in turn means lower energy bills.

CFLs are initially expensive when you go to buy new ones, but once you see how they differ from traditional bulbs, you’ll see that they’re definitely worth the investment. First off, CFL bulbs give off the same amount of light as regular incandescent bulbs, so there’s no difference there. Plus, you can get CFLs in both warm and cool lighting temperatures, which means you have some versatility when it comes to creating a lighting look in your home. But the light temperature isn’t why they’re a new favorite amongst those who want to save money and conserve energy.

The metal in traditional (incandescent) bulbs often wears out quickly, which means that you have to replace the bulb every few months, or even sooner if you use a light frequently. CFLs last much longer, which means you’ll save money in the long run when it comes to replacing bulbs. In fact, some research shows that CFLs can last as much as 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs! With this longevity, it’s a no brainer to choose this form of eco-friendly lighting over those traditional incandescent bulbs that burn out quickly and eat up more energy.

Make the switch to CFLs today. It’s good for our planet as well as your bank account!