Get ready for some unbelievable before and after pictures.

Today’s post features a kitchen remodeling project from Rob’s Remodeling, Inc. After talking with Rob on the phone, I wished I lived closer to Northbrook, IL (where Rob’s Remodeling, Inc. is based) so I could hire him for any future remodeling projects I might have. He’s the nicest guy, and he’s clearly passionate about doing quality work. “I don’t do this for the money,” he told me. “I just love what I do.”

Rob says he uses Pegasus Lighting products whenever he can. His favorite under cabinet lighting fixture is the Xenon Triangle Light, and he is a perfectionist about making sure clients cannot see any wires once they’re installed. Best of all, he’s as big of a fan of under cabinet lighting as we are: “When I talk someone into doing under cabinet lighting,” he said, “it’s the difference between a good kitchen and a kickass kitchen.”

Without further ado, here are the pictures of a recent kitchen remodeling project Rob completed for a client. Continue reading »

Standing Ovation Our 5 Most Popular How To Lighting PostsI was taking a look at our five most popular blog posts of 2011, and I was surprised to find that every single one of them was some type of “how-to”:

1. How to Layout Recessed Lighting in 4 Steps: This one was inspired by a question we received on Twitter.  It will guide you through finding a focal point, dividing up your room, and mapping out exactly where your recessed lights should go.

2. How to Choose Under Cabinet Lighting: Under cabinet lighting fixtures are some of our top-selling products.  This post discusses the different features available and helps you select the perfect light fixture for your space.

3. Planning Your Kitchen Lighting – 8 Easy Steps: Written for those involved in either a new construction project or a remodeling project that will start from scratch, this post builds your kitchen lighting from top to bottom, walking you through each step. Continue reading »

Sometimes, it’s best to let photos speak for themselves.

Take a look at this kitchen. See the newly installed under cabinet lights nestled discreetly underneath those cabinets? If you can barely spot them, it’s because our LED Thin Under Cabinet Task Lights are incredibly low profile.

The following photos show the kitchen with the under cabinet lights turned off. For all intensive purposes, consider these the “before” photos:

brenda undercabinetlights3 300x225 Photos from a Kitchen: LED Under Cabinet LightingUndercabinet Lights front view off 300x225 Photos from a Kitchen: LED Under Cabinet Lighting

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading »

NKBATieredApproach300 The Latest Scoop: Kitchen & Bath Design Trends

This kitchen, designed by Tia Moras, illustrates the concept of tiered proportions.

The winning projects of the 2011 National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Design Competition were announced last month.

The award winners typically reflect common design themes.  This year, many of the projects used natural elements in design, strong colors, a variety of textures, and detailed ceilings to create a well-designed space.  Chocolate and espresso were popular hues for cabinetry.  Also, there seems to be a trend toward tiered proportions through overlapping heights in island surfaces, countertops, and cabinets (See photo to the right).

Read on for more photos of some of the design winners! Continue reading »

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 »

measuring for under cabinet lights How Many Under Cabinet Lights Do I Need?If you are about to embark on a kitchen remodel and are installing under cabinet lights, follow these guidelines to determine how many fixtures you should purchase.

First, measure the length of the “cavity” under your cabinet where you are going to place the fixtures.

If you are installing puck lights…

For a 6-10 inch cavity measurement (in length), use 1 puck light.

For 11-18 inches, use 2-3 puck lights.  For 19-26 inches, use 3-4 puck lights. For  27-34 inches, use 4-5 puck lights.  For 35-42 inches, use 5-7 puck lights.  For 43-50 inches, use 6-8 puck lights.

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 »

lighting affects appetite The Link Between Lighting & DietingIt’s a basic biological concept: environmental cues have a significant effect on behavior.

Companies use the concept to their advantage all the time.  Red, yellow and orange make us feel hungry, so fast food restaurants incorporate those colors into all their branding.  Wide, open entrances make a building seem more alluring, so retailers design stores with glass frontages and seamless entries.

The thing is, you have some control over some of your environmental cues.  Why not use them to your advantage to help support that New Year’s Resolution to shed a few pounds?

Take a look at the lighting in your kitchen to determine whether it’s helping or hindering your goals. 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 »

Saving Cents How to Remodel Your Kitchen on a Budget1. Take one step at a time:

There’s no rule that says you must complete each component of a kitchen remodel at the same time.  Figure out which project is most important to you and start there.  If you’re dying to replace the cabinets, get a quote and finish that project first before starting on the countertops, flooring, or lighting.  It’ll be less daunting to budget in smaller pieces.  Also, you’ll avoid living with a non-functional kitchen if you’re only tackling one project at a time!

2. Shop for the deals:

Be patient so you can take up every opportunity for a discount.  It’s easy to buy everything from one home improvement supplier, but it’s not likely you’ll get the best prices if you take that route.  Ask your contractor for the inside scoop – a lot of times contractors get significant discounts on supplies.  If you’re shopping for lighting fixtures, make sure to subscribe to our email newsletter.  We offer exclusive coupons to our subscribers each month.

3. Try DIY:

Not everyone can do it, but if you’re at all handy around the house, consider taking on part of the remodel yourself!  You can find extensive resources online or at the bookstore with tips and how-to’s to walk you through almost any project.

© 1999-2012 Pegasus Lighting
Founded in 1993 - Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha