Dec 272012
 
PinExt Top 10 Lighting Pins of 2012

Pinterest Badge 150x150 Top 10 Lighting Pins of 2012
Here at Pegasus, we love using Pinterest to discover and share things we love.  But we also love using Pinterest to see the the sorts of things you find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain fabulous. We pinned, you repinned. So, without further ado, here are our top 10 most popular pins from 2012…

10. Breathtaking Bathroom

I believe I must have *longingly* pinned this on some tired, too early Monday morning, but I see now you all were yearning for some weekend serenity too. The lighting itself is pretty top-notch – I mean, accent lights in the bathroom? Shazam! But when you pair that with a huge bathtub and a shower that looks like THAT…well, enough said.

BedandBreakfast com Top 10 Lighting Pins of 2012

Image via BedandBreakfast.com

Continue reading »

PinExt Top 10 Lighting Pins of 2012
Oct 222012
 
PinExt More Bling for Your Buck: How to Use Chandeliers at Home

Hanging Chandelier More Bling for Your Buck: How to Use Chandeliers at Home
Here at Pegasus, we recently added some brand new affordable chandeliers and pendant lights to our website. So, I think now is the perfect time to give you a few tips on how to use them. Read on for practical advice and some unexpected design inspiration for using chandeliers and hanging lights…

For the Dining Room:

I’m sure I only have to type the word “dining room” to make most everyone conjure up an image of a fancy table with an opulent chandelier. Though very little thought probably went into that association, adding a chandelier to your own dining room does take some planning. Two basic rules here:

1. A chandelier should always go about 30” above the table.

2. It should also be about 6” narrower than the width of the table on each side.

If you like the traditional look of a chandelier, but have a larger space to fill, try multiple fixtures instead of one large chandelier, which might look too bulky.

For the Living Room:

For those of you with a living room and dining room in one large space, or if your den has multiple seating areas, double chandeliers will also help the space look more cohesive.

For the Kitchen:

Even though it’s one of the more “functional” rooms in the home, a chandelier can add the perfect ambiance to your kitchen, making everyday tasks feel more fanciful.

While the 30” rule is a go-to for the dining room, a chandelier over an island or open counter top should rest slightly higher, as to not block your range of movement. Continue reading »

PinExt More Bling for Your Buck: How to Use Chandeliers at Home
Aug 212012
 
PinExt Hey, Light Bulb, I Like Your Shape (A Guide)

It’s true, we often pay a lot of attention to shape. This infographic, in fact, makes a career of it! It’ll help you learn to identify each screw-in light bulb by it’s shape – everything from the slinky little chandelier light bulb to the festively rotund globe.

a guide to screw in light bulbs by shape Hey, Light Bulb, I Like Your Shape (A Guide)

Dying to put this infographic on your website or blog? Go for it! Here’s the embed code:

<img src=”http://images.pegasuslighting.com/infographics/a-guide-to-screw-in-light-bulbs-by-shape.png” width=”600″ height=”3500″>
<br><br> <strong>A Guide to Screw-in Light Bulbs: By Shape</strong> created by <a href=”http://www.pegasuslighting.com”>Pegasus Lighting</a>.

 

PinExt Hey, Light Bulb, I Like Your Shape (A Guide)
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 »

PinExt Dimmers: They’ll Change Your Life
Jun 282012
 
PinExt How To Choose Light Bulbs For Your Home: Bathroom Light Bars

Stock Photo Bathroom Lighting How To Choose Light Bulbs For Your Home: Bathroom Light Bars

You depend on it to prevent shaving nicks and makeup mishaps. It wakes you up in the morning; it’s one of the last lights you turn off before bed. Bathroom lighting is crucial to your home. How much thought do you give to your bathroom light bulbs?

We’ve written a couple of posts on bathroom lighting: this one explains a few design tips to enhance the space, and this one advises you not to use recessed downlights over the mirror to avoid the Dracula effect. For those of you who are looking for light bulbs to your bathroom light bar appropriately:

  • The best bathroom lighting emulates sunlight. Heard of G.E. Reveal light bulbs? They have a special coating of an element called neodymium - you’ll see that the light bulbs have a bluish tint when turned off. That neodymium coating helps create something very close to natural, outdoor light.
  • Keep an eye on Color Rendering Index (CRI) – it’s a measure of how accurately your light bulb renders colors. In the bathroom, you want a high CRI. It’s measured on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being sunlight. Anything 85 or above is considered to be very good.
  • Many people don’t think about dimmability in the bathroom, but it’s a very useful feature. Ever felt like you’re blinded by the light first thing in the morning, or wished it didn’t have to be so harsh for late-night trips to the bathroom? If you install a dimmer, you can create those low-light conditions without sacrificing the bright light levels you need the rest of the day.

So, there you have it: For bathroom light bars, look for dimmable, neodymium-coated light bulbs with a high CRI.

PinExt How To Choose Light Bulbs For Your Home: Bathroom Light Bars
Jun 152012
 
PinExt Fantastic Kitchen Remodel Planning Resource

NKBAKitchenPlannerCover Fantastic Kitchen Remodel Planning ResourcePoised 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!

PinExt Fantastic Kitchen Remodel Planning Resource
Apr 232012
 
PinExt Lighting Tips for the Elderly

senior citizens 300x199 Lighting Tips for the ElderlyWe are pleased to present this guest post from Daniel Frank, a blogger for Stannah Stairlifts, about the unique lighting needs for everyone as we age.

Lighting is vital for our health and well-being, and it becomes particularly important the older we get. As we age, two things happen to our eyes. The ability of our pupils to dilate decreases, which effectively makes them smaller, and our lenses become thicker. This means our retinas receive less light, and more of the light that gets through our pupils is absorbed or refracted before it gets to the retina, making an image softer.

This poses some serious safety risks as tripping hazards and other obstacles may not be as obvious as they would be to a younger person. The effects of glare on bright surfaces are also worsened as we get older, making detailed tasks such as drawing or sewing harder. However, there are some fairly simple lighting solutions to this “age old” problem. Continue reading »

PinExt Lighting Tips for the Elderly
Mar 272012
 
PinExt Home Design Trends for 2012

Check out this guest post about this year’s home design trends and how they have been impacted by the recent housing crisis contributed by Lucy Massey, on behalf of Empire Today.  Thanks so much Lucy!3d house design Home Design Trends for 2012

The housing crisis continues to impact us and has profoundly affected home design. Home design trends for 2012 reflect the changing lifestyles of today’s homeowners. While homes are shrinking in size, they are also becoming more livable, more energy efficient, and more accessible.

Before looking at the actual home design trends for 2012, let’s look at how Americans are living in the post-Great Recession era. Many young adults, with heavy student debt loads and poor job prospects, choose to live with their parents longer. Meanwhile, elderly parents are moving in with their grown children. Multigenerational living requires home designs featuring privacy, functional living spaces, and accessibility features. In addition, the economy and environmental concerns have made consumers more aware of energy consumption, resulting in an increased emphasis on sustainable building materials and energy efficient designs. Because the housing market continues to struggle, many homeowners cannot sell their homes despite their growing or multigenerational families. These factors contribute to the latest home design and remodeling trends. Continue reading »

PinExt Home Design Trends for 2012
Mar 152012
 
PinExt How Lighting Can Easily Match the Ambiance of any Bathroom

bathroom lighting 325px How Lighting Can Easily Match the Ambiance of any Bathroom

Helen Davies of Better Bathrooms shares this guest post with us about ways to choose the right lighting for your bathroom. Thanks Helen!

The secret to creating the best ambiance for any room, including the bathroom, is simply having the correct type of lighting. It is a shame to build and decorate the bathroom of your dreams, only to have the feel of the room let down by the quality of the lighting. For example, a person may have gone for a modern inspired bathroom and ruined the decor with an aged ceiling lamp. With the vast majority of different lighting options available, it couldn’t be easier to find a light fixture to match the overall style of your bathroom.

If you have a small bathroom or en suite, lighting is the perfect way to maximize the space. A selection of ceiling spotlights can create the illusion of a larger space, taking away that cramped feeling and improving the overall feel of the room. The good thing about spotlights is that they can be installed into everything from the ceiling to the top of your bathroom cabinets. By installing the lights into shelves or bathroom cabinets you can create the illusion of extra space while showcasing any decorative items or products displayed on these units. Continue reading »

PinExt How Lighting Can Easily Match the Ambiance of any Bathroom
Feb 202012
 
PinExt Home Renovations With High ROI from Lori Gilder

Lori Gilder is an architectural interior designer  based in Los Angeles with a great blog (check it out at www.diaryofarenovation.com).

I came across one of her videos detailing which home renovations give you the biggest ROI. In her opinion, the areas worth targeting are the deck, kitchen, and bathroom. Since we published our “5 Lighting Renovations That Will Help Sell Your Home” post recently, I thought it’d be a great follow-up from an interior design expert:

PinExt Home Renovations With High ROI from Lori Gilder