Lighting Tips | Pegasus Lighting Blog

Winning The Battle On Christmas Lights: Artificial Trees

Oct 182012

4140192290 97fc7e53b8 Winning The Battle On Christmas Lights: Artificial Trees

Stringing lights onto your Christmas tree can be a major nightmare. I mean, people have written songs about how terrible it is. Before the stress of the season takes over, check out our latest guest post from holiday expert Linda Knighton. These simple tips for lighting your artificial Christmas tree will help keep peace on earth throughout your holiday preparation.

If you’re new to owning an artificial Christmas tree, you may discover that it’s a little different to decorate. Although it generally takes more time to put light strands on an artificial Christmas tree, the benefit is that once you’ve placed them on the branches, you won’t have to remove them again. Below are some ideas for selecting the right lights for your Christmas tree, and some tips on how to decorate with them.

Use 50-foot light strands. According to Better Homes and Gardens, these lights are less likely to have electrical problems or burn out. If you want subdued lighting, Better Homes’ website suggests 12 boxes of 50-foot light strands for a 6-foot tree, or 20 boxes for an 8-foot tree. If you prefer a brighter look, use 20 boxes for a 6-foot tree or 30 boxes for an 8-foot tree.

Check the Christmas lights before you start putting them on the tree. Make sure all the strands are untangled and that none of the light bulbs are loose. Plug each into an electrical socket to ensure that they work and that none of the bulbs are burnt out. Continue reading »

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What’s the Commotion About Motion Sensors?

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Sep 172012

PinExt What’s the Commotion About Motion Sensors?

getsmart02 GetSmart EdenFX What’s the Commotion About Motion Sensors?

“Get Smart” 2008, The Laser Hallway, Courtesy of Eden FX and AWN.com

You know the story. There’s a jewel robbery happening. After intense planning, the thief infiltrates the museum, probably through an air conditioning vent. When he drops down into the main room he’s still got to navigate the motion sensing security system, slinking under, over, and between beams of light. Perhaps he makes it through, and puts the biggest diamond you’ve ever seen in a shabby sack, ready to make the getaway. Suddenly, he slips, or drops the bag, and activates the sensor by a thread. Foiled! The bad guys get caught and the museum keeps their precious jewel.

While you may not have any multi-million dollar rocks in need of serious protection, motion sensor lights can help you in a ton of different ways. They’re convenient, safe, and will save energy.

Unlike the classic museum sensors that use light to detect motion, most motion sensor lights use PIR (passive infrared) or pyroelectric sensors. These systems detect rapid changes in infrared energy, and thus can turn on the lights when people, animals, or cars approach.

While having every light you own set on a motion sensor might not be a good idea (I foresee superfluous arm waving), select motion-controlled lights can be an invaluable addition to your home or office. Here are a few ways to use them:

Outdoor Lights: If you find yourself stumbling up the front steps with grocery bags after dark, installing a motion sensor spotlight or a few step lights could make the difference between getting inside safely and taking a dangerous spill. Putting flood lights on a sensor will also make navigating your yard and driveway more secure, helping you see and deterring any intruders.
Night Lights: Opting for a motion detector night light will help you save energy – only turning the light on when you need it. If you wake up in the night for a snack or a trip to the bathroom, these lights are also one of the gentlest ways to help yourself see – you don’t get blasted with the full lumens of your overhead light source, and you don’t even have to think about flipping a switch. Continue reading »

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Powerful Lighting Changes for Your Everyday Life (Brought To You by Philips & LEDs)

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Sep 142012

PinExt Powerful Lighting Changes for Your Everyday Life (Brought To You by Philips & LEDs)

Have you seen Philips’ series of lighting makeovers? They’re all on YouTube, showing how LED lights can positively change the lives of people around the world. Seriously, LEDs can solve so many common lighting problems, it’s almost unbelievable! I’ve picked out my three favorites to share with you, featuring three unique problems and their ingenious LED solutions, but you can view all 20+ here.

This first LED makeover takes place in Amsterdam. A couple has been trying to sell their flat for over a year, and they haven’t gotten anyone to bite…

With inadequate lighting, real estate agents complain about low ceilings and a gloomy atmosphere. After the lighting makeover, the agents focus on the unique architectural features, the bright kitchen, and the cozy mood. And when post-lightover they price the flat at 40,000 euros more, it really makes you marvel at the power of LEDs! Continue reading »

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Using Dynamic Lighting Arrangements to Liven up Your Yard

Lighting Tips No Responses »

Aug 222012

Using Dynamic Lighting Arrangements to Liven up Your Yard

Today we have a guest post from Jillian Watkinson of Community Home Supply, a family-owned Chicago kitchen and bathroom showroom. Jillian’s post gives us some tips for improving the look of your home’s yard with strategically placed outdoor lighting.

Regardless of what your backyard looks like, how big it is or what landscape style it’s been built to, the addition of decorative dynamic lighting arrangements in strategic places is guaranteed to improve your yard’s look immensely. Placing lights around your property in certain patterns is not difficult or expensive and can turn even an ordinary yard into a nighttime wonder.

Take a look at the following tips and maybe use some of them to liven up your garden space with dynamic light arrangements.

What are Your Existing Yard Features?

As a first step towards setting out your lighting arrangements, take a good look at your front yard, back yard and any walkways you have to decide where lights could be placed for maximum effect. For example, if you have a walkway in your front yard and a large stone or wood patio in your back, you might want to think about surrounding their edges with small decorative lights in order to accent their presence and shape.

The idea here is to notice the features against which lighting would look best and make them stand out while muting other parts of your yard that would be better off more hidden in the dark. Continue reading »

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5 “Light Hacks” from LifeHacker.com

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Aug 202012

PinExt 5 Light Hacks from LifeHacker.com

If you don’t know about LifeHacker.com, it’s a website about shortcuts to make your life easier. The site offers tons of articles about smart and handy tips and tricks for getting things done and solving annoying, everyday problems.

Below are just a few ideas from LifeHacker about lighting. Some are “hacks” about creating simple-yet-innovative light fixtures, and others use light to avoid common problems:

1. Use Rope or Tape Lights Under Cabinets to Prevent Toe Stubbing

This hack is pretty straightforward – all you need is a rope light, or some handy adhesive tape lights. You can cut them to the perfect length to run along the bottom of the cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom close to the floor. Wire them to a switch, and then when you get up for a late night snack, or trip to the bathroom, you’ll never stub your toe again. (They also add a really attractive layer of light.)

eefce4a0fc38ef1678e91e03dbc80e1c 5 Light Hacks from LifeHacker.com

Courtesy of LifeHacker.com

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How Proper Security Lighting Can Deter Burglars From Targeting Your Home

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Jul 312012

PinExt How Proper Security Lighting Can Deter Burglars From Targeting Your Home

A simple and relatively inexpensive way to protect your home from unwanted intruders is to install security lighting outside your home and to use timers to turn lights on and off inside your home. Thanks to Allen from YourLocalSecurity.com, an ADT authorized dealer, for this guest post with five easy tips to protect your home.

Lighting is a homeowner’s best friend when it comes to protecting home and property. Burglars love the darkness and feed on creeping around in the shadows. A poorly lit home reads like an invitation for them to commit a robbery. There is no such thing as having too much lighting inside and outside your home.

There are plenty of ways to get the most out of your interior and exterior lighting so you can turn your home into a secure environment for you and your family. Consider these lighting tips to discourage burglars from targeting your home:

1. Install motion sensors

Nothing startles a burglar and stops them dead in their tracks better than an exterior light suddenly flipping on as they are snooping around. When you install exterior lighting that operates on motion sensors, it gives the appearance that someone is home – even when no one is there.

Burglars canvas neighborhoods over a period of several days while they search for houses that are in the dark. Lights operating on motion sensors will encourage them to move on from your residence and choose an easier target elsewhere.

Exterior lights operating on motion sensors should be installed at the front and the back of your house. It is also a good idea to position lights at each corner of your house so that the motion sensors can catch anyone approaching from a side or an angle. Continue reading »

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Dimmers: They’ll Change Your Life

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Jul 092012

PinExt Dimmers: They’ll Change Your Life

Are you ready for a positive life change? (Or maybe just a bit of fun…) Check out our new video about the many advantages of dimmers:

Dimmers really can help you in ways you wouldn’t expect. Allow me to elaborate:

They’re Versatile:

By varying the lumen output of the lights in any room, you can immediately change the look and feel. It’s like having multiple rooms in one that you can enter with the simplest touch of a button. For instance, you can change your den from a lounge perfect for festive fraternization into a very official home theater.

They’re Tranquil:

Dimmers can create a peaceful environment to relax. Lowering the lights in your living room while you read, or for a nice long soak in the tub will keep you feeling very Zen. If harsh lights bother you in the morning, slowly brightening the lights is a gentle way to ease yourself into the new day.

They’re Romantic:

There really is no easier way to create ambiance at the drop of a hat. When you and your sweetie are feeling amorous, you can instantly transform any room into a romantic lovers’ retreat by simply turning down the lights. Try it for a date night – it’s a marvelous, imitate alternative to crowded, expensive restaurants. Continue reading »

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Averting Disaster With Portable Lights

Lighting Tips 1 Response »

Jul 032012

PinExt Averting Disaster With Portable Lights

Flashlight In Woods 300x199 Averting Disaster With Portable Lights
Summer is the season of fun in the sun, for relaxation and adventure. But whether you’re camping, road tripping, enjoying calm nights at home, or off in the far corners of the earth, accidents can happen.

While it’s impossible to prevent some misfortunes, you’d be amazed at how much a small light can help you avert disaster. Here are a few instances when a portable lamp would come very much in handy, so you can be prepared for whatever you do:

Power Outages

If you live in any area with intense weather, you know you may be at risk for a power failure. Instead of scrambling to find candles or flashlights when a storm hits, check out these power outage lights. They ensure you’ll never be caught in the dark. The lights automatically detect when there’s a power outage via radio signal, and immediately turn on to keep you comfortable and safe. Continue reading »

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Fantastic Kitchen Remodel Planning Resource

Lighting Tips 1 Response »

Jun 152012

PinExt Fantastic Kitchen Remodel Planning Resource

NKBAKitchenPlannerCover Fantastic Kitchen Remodel Planning Resource Poised for a kitchen remodel? Having trouble figuring out where to start? Get ready to be wowed.

I was perusing the National Kitchen & Bath Association website this week, and came across a section for homeowners called “Kitchen & Bath Planners.” Curious of what an official NKBA planning helper would look like, I downloaded a (free) copy of the 21-page guide for kitchens.

There are checklists, questionnaires, cost breakdowns, and tips galore. There are external links that delve into more detail about any question under the sun.

Did you know that you should expect to spend about 5% of your budget on lighting, 14% on appliances and ventilation, 10% on countertops, and 29% on cabinetry?

Have you thought about user-friendly considerations, like raising your dishwasher to a height that isn’t back-straining, or installing pullouts to make your cookware easily accessible?

Decided what kind of style/overall tone is right for you, and pinpointed clippings of kitchens that you love?

The Bath Planner is just as fantastic – and also free. NKBA, you outdid yourselves!

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Food Photography Lighting Tips to Savor

Lighting Tips 2 Responses »

Jun 042012

PinExt Food Photography Lighting Tips to Savor

Food lighting 300x200 Food Photography Lighting Tips to Savor Ever wonder how food photographers can have you salivating at the first glimpse of a strawberry? A lot of what makes food look so tasty in pictures is the way photographers use the light. Observe the seafood medley to the right. How does the photographer achieve such a clean yet colorful image? Often times it isn’t enough simply to place a plate by the window and snap a few frames—it takes planning! Here are a few ways to use the light to document your next culinary masterpiece:

Consider the time.

The brightness of the light you use should depend on what meal you’re photographing. Use a light bulb with a measure of 1,000+ lumens if you’re taking shots of breakfast foods like these cappuccino doughnuts. An evening meal on the other hand should be photographed in lower light, channeling the elegant ambiance of the dinner hour.

Cappuccino Doughnuts Ann Stratton 300x300 Food Photography Lighting Tips to Savor

Cappuccino Doughnuts courtesy of Ann Stratton from CountryLiving.com

Continue reading »

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