Make your bathroom into a sanctuary of relaxation! You can achieve this with the right vanity bathroom lighting.
Bathrooms are no longer just functional rooms with harsh light and cold tile, but warm, stylish, inviting retreats.
The introduction of warmer materials and colors to your bathroom asks for a softer, more sophisticated lighting plan for this very important room in your home.
Keep in mind, that only the right lighting will be able to fully show the colors and textures of the beautiful stone, glass and wood that make your bathroom special.In a small powder room you can get away with asking the mirror lights to illuminate the room as well as provide sufficient light for a quick glance in the mirror and a make-up check.
Don’t rely on ceiling lights or recessed lights over the mirror as your only light source, even in the smallest powder room. These cast ugly shadows over your face (an upside-down version of the flashlight-under-the-chin effect – not a pretty effect!)
In larger bathrooms the same rules apply that we recommend for every area of the home: Use multiple layers of light and install dimmers where it is possible.
A combination of several light sources helps create a graceful balance between the different areas of the room.
Good, functional bathroom lighting is needed for the area around the vanity mirror and sink. These light fixtures need to be gently flattering, yet bright enough so you can see to shave or apply makeup.
The addition of indirect accent light sources can help soften the more direct task lighting. A few ideas for light layers in your bathroom:  Indirect light above and below cabinets, a sparkling downlight over the tub, good task lighting at the mirror, a recessed infrared heat lamp for chilly mornings, a narrow spotlight accenting a beautiful architectural feature (why did you pay so much for that Italian sink?), maybe even a chandelier to add charm and character. Together these light sources add a pleasant, luxurious feel to your bathroom. Tip: Put the indirect above-cabinet and toe-kick lights on a circuit by themselves and on a dimmer. At a low setting they provide just the amount of light you want on a sleep-walking trip to the bathroom. Decorative wall sconces on each side of a small mirror will illuminate both sides of your face evenly. With a more generous mirror you’ll want additional light across the top of the mirror.
Since we are all so used to the warm tones of incandescent lamps (and believe me, all skin tones truly do look best in a pink, golden hue opposed to blue or green) opt for lamps with warmer tones .
So, if your choice is the energy-guzzling, but familiar incandescent lamps, opt for the frosted version and choose fixtures with glass or plastic diffusers to further soften the light.
If you want to use fluorescents, choose warm white or even better, high quality tubes or CFLs that have actual numbers on the box as in about 3000K (or lower) and the highest possible CRI (above 85). They come closest to the color of incandescents.
Low voltage halogen fixtures can be dimmed with the right kind of dimmer.
This actually gives you several advantages at once: for one, the light gets dimmed, but you also get the following: the color changes from a cooler to a warmer side of the spectrum (more of an ember-like glow when dimmed down) and the lamp life increases dramatically.Many low voltage fixtures have beautiful colored glass shades. These of course enhance the look of the fixture and can add to the decorative aspect of your bathroom design. But do keep in mind what the colors contribute to the light quality and work with this issue: A peach or amber colored shade will warm and soften the white halogen light, whereas a green shade, as great as it looks with your tile might not be quite flattering for your face and therefore needs to be supplemented with additional discreet light sources to make you look healthy in the mirror.

With everyone gathering for the Holidays the dining table is taking center stage.Festive table linens, sparkling crystal and silverware, carefully prepared meals, friends and family - add to this wonderful combination the one thing that will round it all off and make everything perfect: the right lighting.
The power of lighting is amazing!
Just compare the bright, harsh lights of a fast food place with the intimate twinkle of a chandelier over a beautiful dining table.
No wonder the brightly lit places are called fast food places! Everybody looks hurried, tired, and the food looks - well, at best just bland.
Good lighting sets the mood for relaxed enjoyment. It makes us look great and feel good.
A dedicated light source like a sparkling chandelier or cluster of pendant lights over the dining table is ideal to illuminate the beautiful table setting as well as to create the atmosphere that invites lingering, visiting, and enjoying all the pleasures of the Holidays.The right lighting will not only set the perfect mood for your dining experience but also provide ample task lighting. The trick to accommodating both is using a dimmer as well as hanging the chandelier or pendant light at the correct height over the table.In my experience most people hang their chandeliers too high, probably because they are trying to squeeze too many functions out of that one light source: mood lighting, task lighting as well as general illumination for the entire room.Big mistake! The result is a bland wishy-washy light that doesn’t really accomplish any of its many tasks.
So what is the correct height and size of a light fixture over a dining table?
As a rule of thumb the fixture should be at least 12″ narrower than the table and hang about 30″ above the table.Instead of trying to illuminate an entire dining room with a single light source the best balance of illumination is actually achieved by using a variety of light sources. We call that “Layers of Light”.
Layers of light will create the ideal illumination that is pleasing without creating glare whereas a single chandelier that is capable of illuminating an entire room will most likely be too bright for comfort.Try a few wall sconces, a couple of buffet lamps, a torchiere in a corner and you will immediately feel a tremendous difference in the overall atmosphere of the room.
To highlight the crystal in your china cabinet, use a halogen bulb - the bright, white light will bring out its sparkle.The dining room of today is rarely used just for entertaining and formal dining.
Most often the dining table doubles as a work zone for homework or projects, meetings and crafts, and last, but not least as a gathering place for family and friends.
A place where everyone can unwind over a good meal and enjoy each other’s company.
With open floor plans many formal dining rooms have been replaced by dining areas that are the central hub of the home, close to the kitchen and other living areas.
The simple rules of interior lighting mentioned above will help create the right light for all activities in the heart of our home.

Welcome guests to your home with the warm glow of outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting has a dual purpose: You want to create a welcoming entrance to your home as well as be able to walk safely up the steps and from the inside clearly identify who’s coming to visit.
Your front door is usually what most guests approach (Or so they say. For some reason all our guests find the kitchen door first – and then never leave the kitchen!)
So, (theoretically at least) the front entrance door is THE place to choose to make a statement! It’s your chance for that great first impression and creating a mood. Lighting is one very important way to do it.
A pair of wall sconces or lanterns flanking the entryway can complete the look you want, whether it’s grandiose, contemporary, rustic or artistic.

Lighting the secondary entrances to your home, like patio and kitchen doors, follow the same requirements as the front door, but there the focus might be primarily on safety paired with a comfortable patio light for outdoor entertaining.
I’m not saying that you can ignore aesthetics and go ahead and install some of those glary security lights that will illuminate your neighbor’s back yard as well as yours. That is Light Pollution! (More about that later)
Choose lights that meet your needs for illumination as well as atmosphere and fit the style of your home.
You’ll find styles from sleek, minimal architectural fixtures to traditional lanterns or Craftsman style lights in all price ranges. The choice is yours!

Motion Sensors are great! -If you aim the sensor right, so the lights turn on from a sufficient distance.
(I am embarrassed to confess that I am speaking from painful experience: for way too long I have dealt with a hard-to-reach garage light that doesn’t turns on until I am directly under it after having stumbled my way through the dark. I’ll fix it next weekend. I think.)
Again, please don’t even think about blinding your innocent guests with a spotlight with a motion detector! It is cruel!
Motion detectors can be used in combination with regular wall lights, not only as part of a security light system.

Wall lights, lanterns, ceiling lights or pendants?
Depending on the architecture of your home it might be possible to use wall sconces or lanterns flanking the doorway or lights mounted to or recessed into the ceiling – or a combination of both.
With some minimal, clean, contemporary designs it might be tempting to choose only recessed overhead lights, but keep the “flashlight-under-the-chin” effect in mind: Illumination directly from above is almost as ghastly as from below – and it can be almost impossible to see the facial features of a visitor with this choice of lighting.
If this is still the lighting of choice, consider combining it with indirect illumination of landscape features or architectural details nearby.
The same principle goes for the must-have decorative fixture that looks wonderful at the front door, but does not shed sufficient light. It just needs a little help and can work well if you augment it with other less visible light sources.One of the most important considerations when choosing wall sconces to flank a doorway is size and proportions.

Size matters!
In our experience most home owners tend to choose entry lights that are too small for the scale of the door and the wall they are attached to. With larger homes and taller ceilings, be bold!
As a rule of thumb, outdoor sconces or lanterns should be mounted about 65” above standing level and 8’ – 10’ apart.
As for size: look at the proportions of your front entryway. Those Jelly-jar wall lights we all know all too well might look out of place next to the door in your new home, even if your parents also had them “and they worked just fine.”
By the same token, no matter how much you admire those wrought iron lanterns that would be suited for a grand entrance they might very well seem overwhelming flanking your cottage door.

Patio Lighting creates a mood for relaxing and entertaining.
Our decks and patios have become important extensions of our living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms. As we add state-of-the-art barbecues, outdoor kitchens, comfortable dining areas we want to add the comforts and feel of home we have become used to indoors.
Whether enjoying a romantic al fresco meal for two or entertaining a crowd, we want to see the food on our plate, look good, maybe feel romantic and also be able to move around without danger of tripping.

Create a safe environment with atmosphere.
One tip is to avoid glare and use as much indirect light as possible.
Inconspicuous step lights and small light fixtures positioned under a railing or a banister can help you put the light exactly where it is needed to safely negotiate stairs and dark areas on the patio.
Try to avoid the “runway-effect” of light sources lined up in a straight row unless. The trick is to illuminate an area without the light sources being the center of attention.

Patio lights don’t have to be fancy or expensive to be effective. Try a combination of wall sconces next to the entryway, some lights for areas that need special attention like changes in terrain and compliment these with twinkling strands of lights in nearby trees or indirect light sources that add atmosphere by accenting architectural features or parts of the surrounding landscape.

A little light goes a long way outdoors. 25W or 40W are sufficient in most exterior fixtures. In order to avoid glare and create atmosphere it is always preferable to use several light sources with a low wattage instead of a single one that will keep your neighbors awake. C

ompact Fluorescent bulbs Outdoors? YES!
Outdoor lights tend to be on for longer periods of time and are sometimes hard to reach. Both good reasons for switching to compact fluorescent lamps.
Since not all compact fluorescents are suitable for cold temperatures check the description on the package to make sure that you choose CFLs rated for outdoors.

Take Control!
It might be practical for a variety of reasons to have the flexibility to choose the levels of light, so plan on installing dimmers to control the light levels of your outdoor lights! This way you can go from security lights to mood lighting at the touch of a switch.
Just keep in might that dimming incandescent lights cause them to shift to a warmer, more yellow tone. I love this effect around my deck because it adds warmth and the feel of flickering candles. Plants, however, take on a sickly look in yellow light, so dimming is not for landscape lighting!
Some manufacturers like Kichler Lighting have come out with chandeliers as well as floor and table lamps rated for exterior use. This makes it possible to bring a feeling of “home” outdoors and extend the hours you can enjoy your patio or deck.Form + Function represents the outdoor lights by a large number of manufacturers. We offer choices from cutting-edge Contemporary to Craftsman style or Traditional. Our criteria for choosing the fixtures is quality, integrity and form as well as function.