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The #1 Rule In Residential Lighting

Nov 212012

Besides just having light, light layering (having multiple light sources for different purposes) is the most important, all-encompassing rule in home lighting design.

I recently ran across a post on Freshome featuring a loft installation designed by Luiz Fernando Grabowsky. It demonstrates this essential rule with finesse, using multiple lighting fixtures to bring out every aspect of the room. I was especially impressed because it does so in such a small space, and manages to make the place look so unique.

Let me break down how and why this loft rocks my world with its light layers. But first, here’s a photo:

Casa Cor Kitchen The #1 Rule In Residential Lighting

Image via Freshome.com

Ah, the lovely, lovely light. This space is such a great example of light layering. A single light source never does any space justice. You need different light sources for different purposes, for aesthetics and functionality. Continue reading »

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3 Unforgettable Lighting Projects from Young House Love

Thoughts on Light No Responses »

Sep 212012

PinExt 3 Unforgettable Lighting Projects from Young House Love

If you’ve never visited the DIY, home renovation blog Young House Love, you’re in for a treat. John and Sherry, bloggers extraordinaire, are renovating their home step-by-step, giving their readers a detailed look into the process. Every day they have some new clever project to write about. (And the way they tell stories gets addictive, quick).

The blog has a ton of posts on home lighting, some technical, some crazy and fun. Today, I thought I’d share with you my 3 favorite DIY lighting projects from Young House Love:

YHL Basket Light 150x150 3 Unforgettable Lighting Projects from Young House Love

Courtesy of YoungHouseLove.com

1. The Basket Pendant

Who would have thought a thrift store basket could become such a striking focal point? Using an old consignment pendant light (for the lighting kit) and some makeshift hardware, this light was up and ready with only minimal assembly required.

I love this project for 3 reasons: First, the way the light plays with the basket casts the neatest shadows on the ceiling. Second, this project is so simple, you can use almost anything you want (within reason) to make a really personal, meaningful centerpiece for your room. Finally, the basket Sherry and John used is actually a fishing basket, used in many African and Asian countries. What a cool fact!

YHL Office Light1 300x201 3 Unforgettable Lighting Projects from Young House Love

Courtesy of YoungHouseLove.com

2. The Chandelier-Turned-Office-Light

For this lighting project, John and Sherry modernized an outdated chandelier in their office that just didn’t match their aesthetic at all. All they did was doctor up the old bronze chandelier with a little indigo spray paint, and attach it to a giant drum shade for a much sleeker edge.

What I think is totally remarkable here is how Sherry and John used a fixture that they already had – just made some unexpected changes to help it fit their style. Continue reading »

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

Light Bulbs No Responses »

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>.

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What You Can Learn About Lighting Design From Modern Family

Thoughts on Light 2 Responses »

Apr 092012

PinExt What You Can Learn About Lighting Design From Modern Family

Have you ever critiqued the interior design on your favorite TV show? It may sound strange, but it’s interesting to look past the characters and consider what you would have done differently (or similarly) with furniture placement, color schemes, and lighting design. I’ve definitely found myself thinking, “nice under cabinet lighting” a time or two while watching a show set in a luxury kitchen. Maybe that makes me a lighting nerd …

Modern Family is one of the most popular sitcoms on ABC right now, featuring three households that are impeccably designed. Phil and Claire Dunphy live in a traditional style family home with their three children, Jay Pritchett and wife Gloria live in a sleek, modern house with Gloria’s son Manny, and Mitchell and Cam’s home is a blend between the two styles. I included a few snapshots below, along with lighting design lessons:

1. Just a few recessed light fixtures can wash an entire wall with light. You can see just four recessed cans in this photo, but they create a wall washing effect so that the far wall becomes a focal point. I actually wrote a post recently on how wall washing recessed lighting is often used in museums, hotels, and art galleries because it makes quite a statement. As you can see, it’s just as easy to incorporate into a home! The photo is of the Dunphy living room. Read more on how to wash a wall with light here.

Dunphy family room What You Can Learn About Lighting Design From Modern Family

Photo via zimbio.com

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The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for May 21 to June 11

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Jun 112010

PinExt The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for May 21 to June 11

Solar lantern The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for May 21 to June 11

Two companies will distribute 10 million LED lamps in rural India over the next 3 years.

In lighting news…

Journalist Tim Conneally wrote an informative, humorous take on LED technology in his article I left a light bulb on for one year straight, or: Why LED bulbs are about to change your life. He discusses his experiment comparing LEDs with CFLs for a year and talks about the implications of Philip’s new LED “replacement bulb.”

MIT is investing millions in a ‘living lab’ initiative to cut electricity usage by 15 percent in the next three years. About half of the reductions will come in the form of more efficient LED lighting systems.

John Bullough from the RPI Lighting Research Center in Troy wrote a great article on The Science Behind LED Technology. He explains the basics of LEDs and how they can be incorporated into homes. Continue reading »

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Ambient Lighting & Wine: A Surprising Link

Lighting News 1 Response »

May 182010

PinExt Ambient Lighting & Wine: A Surprising Link

10371 wine sparkle Ambient Lighting & Wine: A Surprising Link Apparently, your perception of how a glass of wine tastes is influenced by more than just the brand name. A study by German researchers found that the type of ambient lighting can significantly affect consumers’ quality ratings of wine. Crazy, right?

Participants who drank the same glass of wine in rooms with fluorescent lamps producing red or blue light rated the taste quality higher than those who were in rooms with fluorescent lamps producing green or white light. The red-tinted fluorescent light seemed to provide the most pleasing effect: consumers indicated they were willing to spend more for the same wine under this light, and noted that it tasted fruitier.

More than 500 people were involved in the study, which was published in the Journal of Sensory Studies. In an environment where fast food restaurants seem to unfailingly incorporate red and yellow into each menu, sign, and building to stimulate hunger, the study is likely to have an impact on the restaurant/wine bar industry.

And just in case you’re interested, you might want to check out our mini pendant lights with red shades.

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The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 29 to Apr 16

Pegasus Lighting Roundup 1 Response »

Apr 162010

PinExt The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 29 to Apr 16

stimmel gwyneddkitchen3 lg The Pegasus Lighting Roundup for Mar 29 to Apr 16

A photo from lighting designer Eddie Cohen's tips on improving task lighting in the kitchen

There’s been a lot of speculation in the news lately about LED lighting. Research teams are working to improve it, market analysts say it still faces challenges, and the lighting industry in general is scrambling to release affordable products. Meanwhile, remodeling growth is back, according to a report released by Harvard University. Read on to find out more in our Lighting Roundup!

In lighting news…

For the first time since 2006, home improvement spending is on the upswing. 2010’s annual growth will be five percent, and the positive trend is expected to continue in 2011.
Continue reading »

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Planning Your Kitchen Lighting – 8 Easy Steps

Lighting Tips 3 Responses »

Apr 012010

PinExt Planning Your Kitchen Lighting 8 Easy Steps

1. Set a budget. Think about what you can afford and don’t forget to account for costs of labor if you end up having to hire an electrician.

2. Find out what your current circuit in the kitchen can handle. In order to do this, multiply the amps by the volts. Most circuits have 120 volts. So if your circuit was 15 amps, you’d multiply 15×120. That amounts to 1800 – the total number of watts your kitchen circuit can handle. It’s a good rule of thumb to use your circuit up to 80 percent of its capacity.

3. Consider the condition of your current wiring. If you’re in an older home, you might consider rewiring the room (this is where you should contact an electrician if you don’t have experience).

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How to Hang Pendant Lights Like a Pro

Lighting Tips No Responses »

Mar 252010

PinExt How to Hang Pendant Lights Like a Pro

We recently posted about how you can remodel your kitchen in minutes with one of our uniquely designed mini pendant lights. One of the most popular spots to place these is above a kitchen island, although they also provide an interesting effect above a foyer, bar, or small end table.

If you’re thinking about installing a pendant light above your kitchen island, here are some tips about exactly where to hang it:

For an island with no seating: The light should be hung about 30 inches above the counter. This will provide adequate lighting for chopping and reading recipes. The general rule here is to think about where the light will hang in relation to your height. You don’t want to reach across the counter and be hit in the head! Most islands are about three feet tall, so an extra 30 inches would place the light at five feet six inches. If you’re much taller and will be working at the island, you’ll want to tweak the height of the pendant light accordingly.

For an island with bar stools or chairs: Make sure the light is not in your line of vision if you are sitting at the island. My sister recently had to adjust the pendant lights in her kitchen for this very reason. Pendants typically provide a nice glow, but when they are hung too low, the glare is very unpleasant. For an island with chairs, the lights should be hung a bit higher: about 36 to 40 inches above the counter.

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Remodel Your Kitchen in Minutes

Lighting Tips 3 Responses »

Mar 172010

corner over cabinet 250 Remodel Your Kitchen in Minutes Most people will tell you that changing out one or two light fixtures does not mean you have remodeled your kitchen. We would respectfully disagree.

Mini pendant lights instantly both brighten your kitchen and add an element of design, and they’ll have any guest asking what you have changed. The effect is transformative.

Suspend them over a counter, island, table, or bar to produce task lighting with a touch of glamour. Use them in groupings in a dining room or foyer: you’ll find that they’re less expensive than chandeliers and that they create a much more stunning effect.

You can choose between incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, and xenon mini pendants. If you’re looking for a dimmable option, avoid the fluorescent mini pendants – they don’t have that capability.

Make sure you share your finished project with us on our Customer Lighting Projects page! We love hearing your success stories.

Just think: it’ll be the least expensive “remodel” you’ve ever done.

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