A Heavy Accent

Some accessories can be overbearing...such as your aunt's overly ornate picture frames strewn throughout her small apartment. Adding accessories and wonderful art to your home is a great way to bring your own character and self into your home's design, but keep things in scale. Nothing is worse than entering a 500 square foot apartment only to find the furniture of a grandiose home lurking all over it. Small and subtle accessories that easily fit onto side tables are an easy way to incorporate your style without having your guests trip all over them.

Such accessories include picture frames that make less of a statement than the actual art in them and sleek candle holders that do not look like a prop from the game Clue. Shop for pieces that easily fit with your furniture and do not overpower them with their size. Happy shopping!

The Pampered Guest

Before you have people over there is a tradition that every family must follow prior to your guest's arrival....hide the junk, clean off the counter tops, and make sure the bathroom looks tidy. Hiding the junk is easy, simply find a large box and sweep everything into it...then hide the box in the closet for tomorrow. Having a tidy looking bathroom is completely different though. You want your guests to feel that they are using clean facilities and at the same time enjoying the stylish decor you have used to make this room an inviting one.

Give your bathroom some wonderful decor with matching fixtures and accessories. Whether you prefer a gold finish or a bronze finish, making your bathroom's accessories match is key to a well designed small place. Start choosing the right accessories for you bathroom and make your guests feel pampered!

Time to Decorate!

Clocks are instruments that keep us on schedule and help us coordinate our daily events. The word clock is derived from a Celtic word that means 'bell.' This is because people used to know what time it was in the day by their local church bells. There have been many different types of clocks. From sundials to clocks run by water, there are a variety of devices or methods for you stay on track.

A clock for your home can be a great functional accessory to add to any room. Whether you prefer a large and ornate timepiece to hang over your fireplace or a sleek and modern one to sit on a counter top there are a variety to choose from. So start thinking about what is missing from your room and add a functional piece that will keep your home looking nicely put together as well as keep you always on time. 

Lighting Up Your Life

Seasons greetings to all those wonderful people who devote so much time to decorating their homes and offices for the holidays! With twinkling lights and inflatable reindeers accessorizing our lawns, it is obvious that we are waist deep into the holiday season. This year has seen many trends in lighting, but as is true with most fads the classics are always the best. When planning where to place lights around your home it can be fun to add one or two artistic lighting elements to give your room some personality.

The main lighting in a home though should maintain a classic look. A look that is sharp and provides you with what you really need....functional lighting. Lighting that provides you with task appropriate illumination and lighting that provides an overall glow is a necessity. So this coming year after all of our Santa decorations are put away, consider changing up your design to give you the best and most functional design for you.

The Last Party of the Year

With New Year's Eve around the corner, everyone is beginning to feel the stress. Do you stay in for a romantic evening with a loved one, if you are single do you stay in and watch the ball drop while gorging on take-out, or do you brave the traffic and spend exorbitant amounts of money just for parking alone to?  My bet this year is a reflection of my new year's resolutions...keep it simple. a house party keeps things inexpensive and safe.

Dress up your house with some festive colored lights  by placing string lights and decorative candle holders around windows, counters, etc. Add little sparkly touches around your home , add some chilled bubbly and whatever food you would like to feed those friends of your yours. So whether you decide on ringing in the new year in four inch heels or in fuzzy socks, be safe and start out the new year in the place you spend so much time decorating....home.

Shimmery Glittery Goodness

Every girl dreams of living in a castle with a glimmering chandelier that simply leaves you breathless when you take in its majestic sparkly greatness. Chandeliers are not just for princesses, which is great because the vast majority of us are not and have very little hop of settling down with a prince. A chandelier in your home may sound unattainable due to their cost and size, but with the variety of lighting fixtures available in this day and age, you are bound to find the one you have always dreamed of owning....on a smaller scale.

In a smaller home, chandeliers work best (to scale) in a dining room where it can be a glittery accessory for your holiday meals or in a tall foyer where you can enjoy the fixture every time you set foot into your castle.

Groovy Lighting

Art is most definitely in the eye of the beholder. To some a particular painting is world class, one of a kind, and would fetch millions at auction. To others that same painting looks like a toddler had a great time with some finger paints. Whatever you choose to decorate your walls with, lighting is key to ensure that your art is presented at its best.

Easy to install, art lighting not only provides your art piece with the appropriate fetching glow, but it also provides ambient lighting to your room. So whether your idea of art is a painting of a landscape or a black light enhanced Pink Floyd poster, show it some love with the right lighting.

Night Light, Bright Light

Kids (and sometimes adults) can be scared of the dark. No matter that the kids are nodding off while brushing their teeth, as soon as you switch off the lights instant pandemonium breaks loose in their minds. Monsters hiding in the close and toe-grabbing animals hiding under the bed are all waiting to get them as soon as the room goes pitch black.

What people need to fight this battle of imaginary monsters vs. the sleepy children is not a samurai sword as the kids have suggested, instead a more effective and safer weapon is needed...a nightlight. Convenient and easy to to stick in an electrical plug or install as a sconce, a nightlight provides a low glow that is easy to sleep with and that keeps impending monsters at bay. If you have an infiltration of monsters in your home, pick these up and enjoy sleeping again.

Ergonomically Correct

Sitting at a desk for hours upon hours is where a lot of the human race spends their days. Hunched over and typing away, our bodies frozen in the same unnatural position, it would make our ancestors wonder if we were mad. Now that we all are becoming slightly more aware of the need to have proper chairs to help us control our posture and the need to have desks at an appropriate height for our individual needs, it has come to light that perhaps we should take note of the lighting that we use. 

We do not all have perfect vision and even if we did our eyes get tired from staring at the computer box all day. We need appropriate lighting to minimize eye strain and headaches. Lamps allow you to brighten up the area you are specifically working in. This lessens your need to move closer to what you are looking at and therefore eases possible back pain created by bad posture. Treat yourself well with products made to make your life healthier!

Slight Light

We all have those friends who just have everything so perfectly put together. They have a doting partner, amazingly clean looking kids, new shiny cars and a house the glows...Glows! In the next couple of weeks as you get barraged by holiday parties and cheese balls, notice the differences in lighting used during festive occasions. Having all lights on makes everything look too stark and makes your guest's evening make-up look clownish. Having a home that is too dark rewards you with safety hazards and the inability for anyone to see your facial expressions while they are talking to you...which may be a good thing depending on who did the cooking.

To achieve the glow or to get started on working toward that glow you must play with your lighting. Try turning off your main ceiling light and illuminating simply with lamps and low lights. Make sure that your home is bright enough  that everyone can make out exits and walkways clearly. After that level of light has been established, let your creativity loose. Add a cluster of candles to brighten up a sitting area or turn on a Tiffany lamp to throw colorful hues around the room. Have fun!

Country Charm

You may live in the big city, surrounded by metal structures and gleaming glass, but we all know that some of you have hearts that are pure country. So whether you live in a tiny condo on the 30th floor in the heart of downtown or somewhere deep in cattle country, who says you can't decorate in the style that best reflects your true self.

Warm and charming, country kitchens are known to be functional places that can feed an army while looking sweeter than molasses. One way to turn any humble kitchen into one fit for a country cottage is by changing your fixtures. Fixtures that look semi-industrial can dramatically change the overall feel of this favorite room. add some cozy paint and come colorful curtains for good measure and you are ready to live the country dream. Now all we need is a cowboy...

Bare Bones Lighting

We have all come across them recently, those monstrous clear bulbs with the lightning rod of fiery light inside of them. From the Home Depot to the latest design magazines these bulbs are the "new" vintage look to hit the streets. With their bare bones look, usually without any sort of fixture to balance it out, they are lighting design's take on edginess. Great as an accent piece and as something that adds a whole lot of character to any space, they are not meant to be the main light source for any room. 

Unique and fun, they offer an artistic element in a small design. Look beyond the dazzling light and make sure that when you add this element to your room, that you already have layered lighting working in your favor. Make sure that the lighting used in your room is functional for all tasks and then you can add some of these dazzling light fixtures to make the room's character really pop. 

Dining Room Lights

Now as the holiday season is in full swing you may be noticing that holiday events generally revolve around some sort of treat or platter in the dining room or kitchen. Some sort of fatty goodness that is guaranteed to turn your favorite pair of jeans into a death grip around your waist is sure to be showcased. Cookies and grandma's spiked punch are some of the many common holiday treats that deserve to have their own special spot on the dining room table. Dining rooms and kitchens alike are family gathering places that need to have a lighting fixture that not only shows off the wonderful spread in all of its yummy glory, but is a decorative touch that will give your a finishing touch.

Lighting fixtures hung over the dining room table can be of any design. This formal room can handle a fixture with a little pizzazz so choose one that you love and that you will enjoy seeing in the many pictures of holiday gatherings!

Design On a Dime or Maybe Just a Nickel

If you ever feel that surge of need to redo your home's style or if you decide to finally give it some style, this do-it-yourself is for you. With the upcoming new year just weeks away, we are all primed for a better, brighter new year that hopefully has some great big changes in store for us. Since those changes have yet to take place and we are still on our normal penny-pinching path, here are some ways to shake things up and finally lose that 1980's decor that has been haunting your home for much too long.

The first and most impressive bang for your buck comes through the use of paint. Cover up that boring color with something fresh and new. It will bring you instant gratification. Another easy way to transform your home's look is by revamping the fixtures that you already have. Some lights may look vintage, others just old and on their last leg. Change their style with new lamp shades in modern designs or get new and improved pendants light covers that show off your fashion sense. Good design does not have to cost a fortune, so start experimenting with new looks. It will be worth it!

Finish First

When choosing a design for a bathroom or kitchen, there is much debate as to what gets chosen first. Some people prefer to choose their cabinets first, while others believe that you must first start with the finish of your fixtures. The finish is an important element that sometimes gets overlooked. Many people may not directly notice the finish when they walk into your kitchen, but the overall effect of it is an imminent part of the whole look. There are many different finishes to choose from that have colors that range from cool to warm.

Brass, copper, chrome, nickel-plated, gold-plated, matte or shiny, satin sheen, and on and on. The finish of your fixtures is a very personal choice that should add to the overall look that you are going for. If you would like a Tuscan feel, choose an oil-rubbed finish. If you are going for a Scandinavian or modern look, choose a chrome finish. Go to your local design or hardware store to explore the many finishes available, they will make a huge impact on the final design you end with.

Wall Mounted Candle Light

A wonderful contemporary design that mounts on your wall is not only as pretty as a picture, but it also holds your attention in rapt fascination as your new found art piece sparkles with fiery light within its frame. As an easy way to add design and style to your home, even it you do not have much room to spare, a wall candle holder brings warmth into any room. Available in a variety of patterns, these candle holders offer an elegant and contemporary way to lighten up any room of the house. Regardless if you are trying to decorate a hallway or grand living room, a wall candle holder easily transforms any room into a well-designed space.

Hanging these candle holders are a cinch and requires the same effort as it would take to mount a framed art piece. Choose the right one for your space and enjoy the many compliments it is sure to bring you!

Picture This

If you find yourself looking at photos of yourself and shuddering at your frightfully pale face or dark features, it may be time to learn how to use lighting to your advantage while taking pictures. Many people have strikingly beautiful friends who just do not have good pictures. Lighting can help you capture that one awesome picture they have been yearning for.

One tip for the best lighting is to remember that natural lighting makes for the best photos. If you live in a rainy area that is always gloomy and dark, mimic the bright sun with a low-level bulb that provides brightness without a harsh glare. In low light conditions it is best to turn off your camera's flash. The flash washes out all of the rich colors and leaves you with the pale zombie look. Practice at home with your camera's settings and using different lamps or bulbs to make the perfect setting for photos. Have fun at your photo shoot!

Bright Lights, Bright Minds

Did you know that there is a direct correlation between learning and lighting? Apparently, according to a 1999 University of Georgia study on achievement in children, lighting has shown to have a significant effect on children's ability to focus. It was seen that students who attended class in a room that was brightly lit earned higher scores than students who learned in dim classrooms. The study reported that low lighting was not damaging, but it reduced the amount a child's brain could collect information. It was seen that if a child had a pattern of learning in a low-lit environment, their brains would steadily become slower at absorbing new information.

So do yourself and your children a favor when planning out rooms that will be used to study or do homework and focus on having bright lighting. Bright lamps on desks and overhead can greatly increase a brain's activity and ability to absorb, so choose your lighting accordingly.

Cozy and Warm

Cozy and warm is how everyone wants to stay now that the weather has turned cooler. Armed with fuzzy socks and a throw blanket, we all expect a chill this time of year. One easy way to maintain your warm and comfortable feeling year round without having to lug around all sorts of warming gear is simply by firing up the old chimney. The perfect place to lounge in front of and bask in its heat, a chimney brings on the holiday season like nothing else. More than just a place to hang stockings, it is the ultimate winter home accessory.

Maintain your level of comfort and keep safe with a fireplace screen. Perfect for guarding your carpet from sparks and a wonderful accessory for any room, a fireplace screen comes in vintage styles that evoke images of the traditional homes of the last century. Find one that suits your home!

Holiday Decor 101

It is that jolly time of the year again! Fun times and hopefully family filled events are in every one's plans for the month of December. Now is the time to kick the decorating into high gear, so brush off that Thanksgiving stress, and get ready to spread some joy. Whether you decorate a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush, December brings a great deal of fun. Make your home festive with twinkling lights and holiday decor! With so few times a year to spread some cheer, your home can be the house on the block that will have everyone in awe. 

Decorating the exterior of the home is a cinch with some festive string lights and some colored bulbs. Easy to hang, these lights make a huge impact when they follow your roof line and any other structures. Wrap some around trees and over shrubbery to create a vision of twinkling lights. Exchange your typical white bulbs for colorful bulbs that will bathe your home in festive lights. Enjoy getting into a cheerful, holiday mood with fun decorations that can involve the whole family!

All Work and No Play

All work and no play can zap you of every ounce of energy you may have. Let's face it, being a serious and responsible working adult is exhausting. Stuck inside for most of the day and living off too much coffee can make you feel like you need to nap through next week. How to wake up up and give yourself a kick without the Red Bull? Brighten up the lighting around you. Turn on those lamps and scare those dark shadows from your cubicles and from under your eyes.

Bright lighting has been known to give people that extra oomph to get them through the day. Regardless if your light source is artificial or coming directly from the happy sun, we need lighting to give us energy. So brighten up your office space with an easy lamp that you brought from home or have someone finally change out the bulbs over your desk. Either way get your energy levels up with brighter light that is sure to get you moving again.

Goodnight Lights

Nightlights are the comforting force that drives many children to bed. Packed with a safety blanket and the knowledge that they can be prepared to attack any monsters that may be lurking under the bed, nightlights help make the nighttime less of a time for battles and more of a time for dreams. Plug-in nightlights are easy to use, but can be a bit of an eyesore. Lamps can be used with a low wattage bulb to create the same effect as a nightlight and be used in conjunction with a light switch to be easily shut off when the parents feel the monsters have retired for the night as well.

Some lamps are available in designs that children will go bonkers for such as airplanes, princesses, etc. Choose one that is sure to bring fond memories and perhaps be taken with them to college to remember the love of their parents.

So Shady

Lamp shades do more than just add pizzazz to your room, they also change the look of the light itself. Shades come in just about every color, shape, and texture you can think of. So plan out the effect you would like this fixture to give off in your soon to be fabulous room. Thinner textured shades, some made from natural plant fibers, give off a warm light that not only shines from underneath the shade, but also through it. Other shades, such as those in dark hues, create a more funneled lighting effect that is more severe and contemporary.

With so many styles to choose from, it will be hard to not change the look of your room every week. Burlap lamp shades create a look that is both natural, yet chic. Be creative and discover the many lamp shades available. With such a plethora of products available, it is important to have a strong sense of what room design you have in mind.

Bulb Safety

Fluorescent light bulbs can be very dangerous to handle. Most of these bulbs contain around 5 mg of mercury vapor within them. Mercury in any form is toxic and if you are exposed to it, you may be subject to some severe side effects. Neuromuscular changes, nerve response changes, and even death have been seen to happen due to exposure. Stay safe by applying some easy household rules in case of a mercury accident.

If you find that a bulb is no longer needed or is no longer usable, recycle. Take it to a recycling facility that knows how to properly dispose of these bulbs and reduce the risk of mercury exposure. Another important tip to remember is that they should be kept away from children, let your children know that these bulbs are only to be used/changed by adults. If a bulb does break or begin to leak, immediately open a window and quickly vacate outdoors for at least fifteen minutes. Then use a wet rag to clean up the broken bulb. Stay safe with easy tips that will keep you and your family safe.    

These days it seems that everyone has a high definition, wired for everything, giant flat screen t.v. With so many new ways to use your entertainment box, such as Netflix and Xbox, it is hard not to make your media center the focal center of the room. So why not do it? Turn a room into a dedicated movie room with a few stylish touches and a great lighting design. This room will become your most popular one in the house with some easy changes that are sure to bring happiness to the whole clan.

Keep the room dark, making your eyes adjust to different levels of lighting can be harsh on your eyes and create glares. Choose lighting that minimizes these glares, such as with recessed lighting that shines away from sitting areas. Perimeter lighting also creates a wonderful glow that is easy to adapt to and allows for enhanced safety as family is piling out of the room. Wall sconces also add a wonderful design element to the room and if placed behind the main seating area it can create a warm glow that is easy for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy your movie night.

Stop Squinting

Reading can wreak havoc on your poor eyes. We know that your favorite novel just does not want you to put it down, but at least get the right lighting before embarking on such a long adventure with your favorite book characters. Snuggling into bed with your favorite book is what a lot of people dream of as they tirelessly glare at their computer screens, reading things for a minimum of 8 hours about (let's face it) very boring things. Treat yourself right and get rid of that flashlight, once and for all, with a proper reading lamp.

With so many to choose from, there should be no excuse as to why you need glasses after reading Ulysses. Ranging from lamps that shield light to not awaken your dozing partner to lamps that have movable parts so that you can read while in any position, there is no reason why you can't find the perfect one for you. So get shopping for one and while you are out, pick up some more novels for your favorite relaxation time.

That Color is Hot!

Color temperature is the "warmth" or "coolness" that a light source emits. The color appearance of a light bulb can make a huge difference in the overall look of a space, which is why it is such a vital part of the design when choosing your lighting scheme. Color temperature can be measured in Kelvin degrees. The lower the color temperature the warmer the hue. These hues are your reds, oranges, etc. The higher the color temperature the cooler the color, blue is one of these shades. So how do you choose what color temperature you need in a room?

All residential rooms generally look best in 4,100 Kelvin. This is a cool white color that is noticeably warmer than pure white. Commercial buildings or warehouses, are generally much brighter. They require a cooler lighting scheme due to their need for less of a relaxing environment and one more attuned to safety. Discover the many schemes that you can develop with the many bulbs and fixtures available!

Tiffany Glass

Tiffany glass has a long and distinguished history. Produced from 1878 to 1933, Tiffany glass was created at the Tiffany Studios by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Known for their rich tones and for their use of quality materials, these lamps were the lighting fixtures that got you into trouble as a kid for stepping foot into a sitting room. Louis Tiffany had a deep affection for stained glass, having studied many museum pieces he was moved to begin to create his own masterpieces.

Wanting to put his own twist on this type of art, he developed a type of glass called Favrile. This type of glass possesses an iridescence that causes the surface of the glass to shimmer. It is made by mixing in different colors of glass together while still hot. If you are so fortunate as to come across a masterpiece made by Louis Tiffany, take special care to preserve it for many years to come. Many companies offer similar looking lamps with a price tag that is much easier to swallow than an original Tiffany. So if you are looking to add a classical piece to your room, look for one of these richly toned masterpieces that are sure to bring warmth and elegance into any room.

Hunting for Perfection

Furniture is a wonderful way to bring character and charm into any room. Unique as you, choosing a piece to fit into a particular space takes some of your personal style mixed in with a great eye to find what makes you giddy. Furniture is an element in your home that when intermingled with a fabulous lighting design, completes your living space. Choose pieces that are versatile, yet do not necessarily match. Buying matching pieces from a furniture store is an ends to mean, but choosing individual chairs, tables, etc. is so much more meaningful. Each selection should make you realize its importance in your home.

Choose quality pieces that will last for years and be worthy of being a family heirloom. Whether you choose something classic or as quirky as you, finding the right piece takes time and patience. Enjoy the hunt!

Direct Lighting vs. Indirect Lighting

When designing a space, you can easily be overcome with all the information available telling you to do this or that. Simplify with easy design steps that are easy to follow and that can make a huge impact on the overall effect of the lighting in the room. The most important step in designing the lighting in a room is choosing where you need direct or indirect lighting. Direct lighting provides a strong illumination in a particular area. This type of lighting is great for kitchens and other areas where you are performing tasks, but beware of the sharp shadows and highlights they can create. So be mindful of the placement of lighting to prevent a chiaroscuro style from developing. 

Indirect lighting has always been more forgiving. This type of lighting is used to illuminate surrounding areas and give a soft glow. Mixing this type of lighting with direct lighting helps prevent excessive brightness and contrast. Find the middle ground for you with a blend of both those types of lighting to provide you with the effect that you are looking for. 

Simply Brilliant

Be brilliant with some easy, cost-effective tips that will help reduce both your lighting costs and lighting usage. Go beyond energy efficient bulbs. Yes these bulbs are wonderful and have truly revolutionized lighting, but there are also additional ways for you to keep your home energy efficient. The first tip is to reduce the wattage in specific rooms. Choose bulbs that have lower wattage for rooms that do not have to be sunshine bright and discover the fun in creating mood lighting. The second tip is to use a lamp. This not only creates focused lighting for whatever tasks you may have at hand, but it can create great ambiance. Another tip to save some of that hard earned money and get your lion's share of vitamin D is to open up those curtains and get some natural lighting. Make use of every window, even if it is not the best view. Be brilliant with some money saving tips that aim at saving money and electrical usage. Check out the video below for some more great ideas!

The Slow Spin

Like any other appliance in your home, ceiling fans wear out and eventually have to be replaced. What does it mean that it is broken? It means that it is beyond repair. Some ceiling fans can be fixed with a few minor internal replacements or some service. How can you tell if it is time to hit the stores for that fixture you have been keeping your eye on?

First check for electrical problems if the fan does not turn on or if the fan doesn't make any noise at all. Another sign that your fan's fate may aligned with bulk trash pickup is if it's emitting a burning smell. This is most likely is a sign that the motor and/or ball bearings have been damaged beyond repair. If your fan is wobbly or is making an odd noise as it spins, it might simply have to be balanced. Like any other appliance, ceiling fans need to be maintained. Call a technician or read your original manuals (if you have them) to service and lengthen the life of your much needed fixture.

Harmonize Your Property

Landscape lighting is all about beautifying your exterior environment. Some lighting can be too harsh or look a little too forced. Adding lighting to your outdoors takes a lot of planning and designing. Give your home a beautiful 3-dimensional look that highlights the features that you think makes it special. The first tip on planning your design is to sketch the property and make note of plants, paths, flowers, etc. After you have constructed in a likeness of your property consider the different fixtures available and draw them into the areas you would like to install them.

Some types of outdoor lights include area lights, which are indirect light sources that distribute light on the ground and is commonly used for isolated planters or perimeter lighting. Path lights are very common and look great as a uniform row bordering driveways or footpaths. Directional lights aim a beam directly where you want it to and are usually placed under shrubs. Find the lighting that works best for you and design an outdoor lighting scheme that will make all your neighbors jealous.

Fall Back

2012 is quickly passing us by! November is here and with this month comes a change to our normal daylight. This weekend on November the 4th, we will all hopefully remember to "fall back" at 2 a.m. on Sunday. "Falling back" is a simple way to remember what to do with our clocks. We set our clocks back one hour and return to standard time. Let the celebration begin as we get an extra hour of sleep! So as our days gets shorter, everyone will notice that their nights will be getting darker earlier as well. Remember to set your lighting timers appropriately so you don't have to stumble around in the dark. 

Daylight savings time was initially started in World War 1 as a way to save energy for war production by taking advantage of the of the later hours of daylight between April and October. This has continued due to the belief that we are still able to save some energy. It is estimated that 10,000 barrels of oil are saved each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours.So we not only save energy, we get an extra hour of sleep. Sounds like a win-win situation. Happy November!

Bright Ideas

Bright lighting is a necessity in traditional work areas or areas that might find themselves used for work. Take your kitchen table for example, your home office is comfortable and filled to the brim with supplies, but we all know that your children will never complete their homework unless under your watchful eye. Keep your tabletops well lit with fixtures that make it easy for everyone to be able to read and write without strain. 

Overhead fixtures such as ceiling pendants and chandeliers make it possible to see directly on the table they are covering. Whether you need low lighting for a romantic dinner or an awakening light for a quick crash course in statistics, it is advisable to have your high use tabletops illuminated with a fixture on a dimmer switch. Be prepared for what life throws at you with tools that make it easy for you make your rooms more comfortable for you with a flick of a switch. 

Brilliantly Budget Friendly

Great lighting on a budget is a cinch with some smart shopping strategies and an eye for quality. If you are looking for a great lighting fixture that will go well in your home, but you do not have the budget you think you should to make it happen, take solace in sales. Many companies have a wide selection of their quality products on sale either in their stores or online. Keep an eye out for seasonal discounts and discontinued lines.

If you have time to spare and do not need a lighting fixture right away, take your time looking for the perfect light for you. Shop around and spend some time getting to know what you like. Online deals are plentiful, therefore with a watchful eye you are sure to find your favorite fixture on sale and ready for the picking. Great lighting and design should not have to be scaled back due to budget, have fun shopping and scouring your favorite stores for that perfect fixture.

A Well Lit Bath

A bathroom is most people's first stop in the morning and last one at night. In the morning, as we all rush to get ready for work and try to look our best, we need bright light. In the morning, bright white light wakens us up and tries to refresh us. By bedtime we all want the opposite of bright, awakening light. Soft lighting can produce a spa-like mood which is nice and calming. This is perfect for that much needed relaxation at the end our day. A dimmer switch is an important element for the bathroom that is sometimes overlooked for this room. The switch allows you choose the best lighting for the moment.

Create an inviting space that is well illuminated, but that can accommodate your individual needs. If you are lucky enough to have a soaking tub in your restroom, it might be a great place to add an individual lighting element directly above. This not only gives you lighting for when you decide to get some reading done in the tub, but it provides additional safety so that you do not slip on any wet surfaces.