Lighting isn’t really a stand-alone topic. It overlaps with remodeling, home design, energy efficiency, commercial building design, architecture, and new construction – just to name a few. There are some excellent writers in the blogosphere covering all of those topics. Bookmark the blogs below for interior design inspiration – they are among our absolute favorites!

f logo kitchen sync 3 Awesome Blogs for Interior Design InspirationKelly’s Kitchen Sync (@kitchen_sync on Twitter): Read Kelly Morisseau’s posts, and you’ll have a wealth of information on kitchen design, bathroom design, and top trends. You’ll discover new, revolutionary products. You’ll learn what makes excellent design, and what makes designers cringe. We are constantly sharing Kelly’s helpful posts with our Facebook and Twitter followers – she’s fantastic!

final logo for color recipes 3 Awesome Blogs for Interior Design Inspiration

Color Recipes (@Color4Charlotte on Twitter): We first “met” Donna Frasca of Color Recipes on Twitter during a chat with kitchen and bath professionals – #kbtribechat is on Wednesdays at 2pm for those who want to join in. She’s a Color Specialist in Charlotte, NC, and she helps homeowners choose color palettes that complement their homes. Her blog documents the paint colors she pairs. The interesting spin is that she uses food as inspiration for each color palette. If you’re considering painting any room, Color Recipes will give you a unique perspective.

freshome logo 3 Awesome Blogs for Interior Design InspirationFreshome (@freshome on Twitter): Yes, Freshome publishes posts multiple times a day. Yes, it can really build up in your RSS feed, if you have one. And yes, they are totally worth following if you’re looking for interior design inspiration. Freshome uncovers and shares “the latest and greatest products in architecture and design.” Here is where you will find drool-worthy photos of apartments and homes you would trade for your own in a heartbeat. Each post is compelling – there’s no question that Freshome will spark new ideas for you.

 

photosynthesis lamp Photosynthesis LampThis lamp from product designer Meirav Peled Barzilay creates a natural growing lampshade.  The hanging metal grid only requires a light bulb and the vine of your choice.  Over time, the plant is meant to “fill in” the grid, forming an incredibly unique lampshade that blends outdoor aesthetic with indoor design.

The product is called the Photosynthesis Lamp.  There are other versions available with the same idea.

Designers, what do you think: Would you use something like this?

Shaker Style Kitchen 300x202 Top 7 Kitchen Trends for 2011Every year, designers from the National Kitchen & Bath Association gather to report the trends they are seeing in current projects and predict styles for the rest of the year.

It’s essentially a forecast for the remodeling industry!  Here are the kitchen trends straight from the NKBA survey:

  1. Dark natural finishes in countertops, cabinets, etc.
  2. “Shaker style” kitchens. Named after the religious sect known for their prominence in New England in the late 1700s, Shaker kitchens are based on the premise of simplicity.  Cabinets look clean, simple, and sturdy; and are typically recessed panel doors accented with simple hardware.  Shaker kitchens have a good deal of storage space to minimize clutter on countertops.Wood floors with rustic grains/color variations also create the old-fashioned look.  The move back to Shaker-style kitchens indicates that ornate looks (think Tuscan, French country styles) are fading away.  Why?  Designers say this stems from a desire to think about resale value.  Apparently, the simple look is more marketable to future buyers. Continue reading »

kitchen renovation Pegasus Lighting Roundup: The Last Month, in a Nutshell

Considering a kitchen renovation? Be sure to check out the "In lighting tips" section!

Our lighting roundups feature recaps of the latest news, tips and trends in the industry.

Our goal is to provide an easily accessible source for you to stay informed, so the snippets are designed for quick reading.  If we’re not writing about something you’d like to see, we’d love to hear from you!

In lighting news…

The Wall Street Journal reported that mid-range kitchen remodels offer higher return on resale than upscale kitchen remodels.  If you’re sticking to a budget, stay away from ultra-trendy style choices to increase your resale value.  Also, check out this article on how to heat up buyer interest.

Can green construction beat the building blues?  We hope so.  This article from Reuters discusses the 2-year construction market slump and whether green building trend will jumpstart the industry again.

Cree made history on January 27: They developed the first LED A-lamp that is equivalent in performance to a 60-watt standard incandescent bulb, meeting ENERGY STAR requirements.  Exciting! Continue reading »

lancearmstrongskitchen Pegasus Lighting Roundup: Wrapping up 2010

Lance Armstrong's kitchen. Think it's gorgeous? Read on to create the look.

It’s a new year, and time for a new Lighting Roundup: featuring quick recaps of the latest news, tips and trends in the industry.  Here’s to a bright start to 2011!

In lighting news…

LED has been the talk of the town lately.  Read about some of the latest technological advances here.  Also, check out this blog post from an attendee of the Green Building Conference in November: it discusses hype vs. reality on current LED lighting products on the market.  The LED lighting market is expected to triple over the next three years.

Green building is thriving, according to a new report by McGraw-Hill Construction.  Over the past two years, the market has grown 50%, even though total construction starts have shrunk 26% over the same time period.

Continue reading »

1. The Chandelier Made from Pens:

biro chandelier 5 Lights That Will Wow You At first glance, this may look like a standard chandelier.  Look closer.  It’s actually constructed from 347 recycled Bic Cristal pens and 347 paper clips.  Talk about what you wouldn’t expect a light to be made of!  This one has got to be in the same category as the chandelier made from 3000 ping pong balls.

2. Better Defined as “Sculpture”:

lighting ceiling sculpture 5 Lights That Will Wow You This piece of light art was designed by Marcus Tremonto.  Its super-thin structure cascades from the ceiling to create a truly stunning effect.  Check out more of Tremonto’s work, you won’t be disappointed.  He blends style and function in a captivating way that makes you think twice about convention.

Continue reading »

1. Under Cabinet Lighting:

xenon thin undercabinet light 5 Lighting Trends That Will Never Go Out of Style

Often cited as a top remodeling project in terms of high return on investment, installing under cabinet lights is always a great decision.  It provides task lighting to make cooking and cleaning easier and accent lighting to highlight a beautiful backsplash or countertop.  At night, the glow from an under cabinet light is particularly alluring.  Check out our post on How to Choose Under Cabinet Lighting.

2. Energy Efficient Lighting:

Everyone loves lowering their monthly energy bill.  Whether you’re switching out those old incandescent bulbs for CFLs, trying super-efficient LED cabinet lighting, or using fluorescent light fixtures for a closet or display case, energy efficiency is the way to go.  Besides, today’s incandescent bulbs will no longer be available for sale in the US by 2014 due to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.  Go green! Continue reading »

light painting1 Pegasus Lighting Roundup for September 24 to October 8

Find more light painting photos in "Other Cool Sites..."

In lighting news…

The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) gives out awards every year for particularly impressive projects.  The 2011 Call for Entries has been announced, and the site is now accepting submissions.  Don’t miss the final deadline on October 29!

The parent company of Chili’s Restaurants recently completed the largest roll-out of LED lighting in United States history.  125,000 lamps were installed in all 827 of its restaurants.  Annual savings will add up to a whopping $3.7 million.

Continue reading »

Recessed Lighting Layout How To Layout Recessed Lighting in 4 Easy StepsWe received a question on Twitter recently about how to layout recessed lighting and I realized we don’t have any blog posts on that topic!

If you’re using recessed lights (aka cans, high hats, pot lights, or downlights) to provide the general lighting in a room, follow these tips to create the ideal level of brightness:

1. Ready your sketchbook.

Use a blueprint of the room to pencil in exactly where you want the recessed lights to go.  Before you start, take measurements of any furniture in the room and create paper shapes that are correctly scaled for the blueprint.   This way, you’ll be able to see where the light will fall. Continue reading »

We have received great feedback about our Lighting Library iPhone App, which was released in April.  (If you haven’t already checked it out, you can download it here).  Since so many people found the Lighting Library app helpful, we decided to compile a list of the most useful, intuitive, and cost-effective iPhone apps for home improvement professionals.

There’s something for everyone: the interior designer whose client needs help selecting a paint color, the contractor who is trying to keep track of projects while on-the-go, or even the handyman who could use a lighter toolbox.  Screenshots for each app are at the bottom of the post.  Happy reading!  Leave a comment if you think of any we missed. Continue reading »

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