Show Off Your BBQ Skills In The Right Light

Get your home ready for your Independence Day celebration! With simple changes that can add pizzazz to your outdoor space, your Independence Day BBQ can easily be transformed from yet just another summer outing to the event of the season. Going to spend a lot of time outdoors by the pool? Change out your outdoor ceiling fan and add the right lighting for a fun, clean look. Get inspired!

HGTV has some fun designs and styles to inspire you to have some fun and plan some changes. Check out the video from the DIY Network below and find out out how you can transform your outdoor space into a summer retreat!

For a Child...Or The Child In You

Perusing the latest collections of lighting fixtures for children can have you designing your own play room (man cave) with unusual fervor. These designs go far beyond the glowing orange rubber ducky of the past, recent styles include pendant lights shaped as a vintage airplane, skateboard, and even (gasp!) a star ship. 

Amp up your favorite room with a personality piece that is not likely to be overlooked or use for the purpose intended and decorate a child's room that only their dreams can rival. With lamps shaped like paratroopers and astronauts, your child will be the talk of the neighborhood and have to fight off sleepover offers in hopes of reciprocation.     

Fresh Relief

Waking up in the dead of night, drenched in sweat can ruin your next day's performance. Forgetting to turn on the fan before finally hitting the sack can ruin your night of sleep, especially when you realize you are just to tired (lazy) to hit the on switch. The idea of getting up and possibly stepping on your revenge-seeking cat can be too much. Stop the insanity with a remote control for your ceiling fan that not only will cool you off but can also save you money on your utility bill. Easy to use and easy to stow on your nightstand, it can make or break your R.E.M. cycle. If you have a habit of losing remotes, you can even set up more than one remote per fan...just as an extra precaution.

Novelty Lights for the Novice

Novelty lights are a fun way to decorate and set the tone for a fun party. Generally used for to decorate homes during the holiday season, break them out of their dusty boxes and place around your patio or Tiki bar for instant al fresco delight. Create a magical atmosphere with twinkle lights of all colors or create an elegant affair using simple white lights. Hang some strings of light under your patio umbrellas and enjoy dinner under a canopy reminiscent of dining under the twinkling stars. Try it and your will find these inexpensive, and easy to install party decorations coming out of the attic more often to don your events.

Cast Some Light

Small rooms such as laundry rooms or offices can be difficult to illuminate. At times these short on space rooms make it difficult to do even simple tasks. Stop casting shadows on the already scary laundry room with easy-to-install track or rail lighting. Track lighting is a system in which lights are mounted onto a track and allows for variable positioning. This lighting solution is perfect to help your spouse finish up those fun tasks in the laundry room.

Track lighting is one of the most versatile lighting solutions. Made in a variety of popular finishes and with different bulbs to showcase your particular space or even art, these lighting solutions are a handy way to brighten up a space. Another form of this kind of lighting is cable lighting, lights strung on a cable system, it is a unique way to incorporate your own design during installation and it instantly gives your space a very modern appeal.

Gentle On The Eyes

Are you tired and want to read your most recent thriller from the comfort of your bed, but the squinting is costing you a fortune in anti-wrinkle eye cream? A proper reading lamp is the answer to all your problems. One that is adjustable in height and can be moved to allow specific focus on your ghoulish novel is necessary. Place in your bedroom and next to your favorite reading nook. Be gentle on your eyes with reading lamps that come in a variety styles and colors. Find one that not only suits your reading needs, but also one that reinstates your personal style. Learn more about available stylish and contemporary reading lamps with the video below!

Stop Stumbling Around In The Dark

We all enjoy our gardens and backyards. Having spent plenty of time toiling around with soil and the perfect flowers, the need to enjoy it should not be limited to the daytime. After a long day of work, enjoying a glass of wine while enjoying the fruits of your labor should be possible. Illuminate your yard and enjoy the coolest time of these long summer days...evening. Path lights are an understated way to give your backyard a subtle glow. Available in styles from traditional to contemporary to quirky, finding the perfect style to place along a path or to bask your favorite stems in a warm glow is a simple, yet high impact addition to your home.

Landscape lighting is also available with green, energy saving options such as solar and low voltage. Create a  stunning landscape that can be enjoyed during the day and night. Watch the video below from HGTV and learn some easy tricks on how and where to install landscape lighting.

Hit the Right Note With Piano Lamps

In lieu of stealing the closest table lamp to illuminate the keys while you pound out your famous rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle..." consider an elegant purchase swathed in antique brass and fine wood. Piano lamps are demure statement pieces that not only are elegantly designed, but provide the correct functional design to beam light in the appropriate direction.  Available in a multitude of finishes and sizes, piano lamps are adjustable to help you summon the correct amount of light.

A Shade Above The Rest

Wondering how to decorate with a small budget and loads of ideas? Accessorize, accessorize, and then accessorize some more! The easiest way to get the look you are aiming for is to add elements of that design into your area. Piecing together a room can be a fun adventure through showrooms, art festivals, and antique shops. Finding that perfect lamp with that amazing vintage feel you have been looking for can change the whole dynamic of your room design. Lamps are a great way to fuse design and function. Find one that matches the tone or style that your are looking for. So plan a weekend for yourself and go accessory hunting!

Don't have a theme in mind for your room? Finding an accessory that you cannot live without it is a great way to spark an idea.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...How Do I Hang Thee?

So you have finally found the perfect mirror for your plush bathroom, large enough to give you a full view of yourself before trying to head out the door with spinach in your teeth and pants tucked into your boots....now what? Hanging a mirror is easy to do and should not take you more than 30 minutes with the proper tools. Using the same tactic as if you were to hang a picture, carefully measure where you would like to hang the mirror and mark where nail hangars should be placed. Then simply nail two hangers that are made to hold a bit more than the weight of the mirror onto the wall. The hangars will provide plenty of strength to hold the mirror in place. Afterwards carefully place the mirror on the hangars and adjust it to be sure that is is hanging evenly. Voila!

Looking to personalize the mirror and give it some pizzazz? Browse your local antique shops or thrift store for a picture frame and place around your mirror for an instant designer look! 

Turning Up The Heat With Color

This week is all about outdoor entertaining! BBQ, friends, and trying to keep cool in the summer heat are all high on our agenda. Make sure your entertaining area is top notch with some simple touch ups to bring in the summer months.

One of the easiest ways to bring in some fun design is to simply change the color of your room of choice. This simple change can turn the drab to fab with some fun colors to bring your home to life. Share some cocktails and appetizers with your friends in a kitchen the color of a turquoise sea or in a sizzling fiery red. Rich color tones turn up the heat in any room and bring that splash of life to keep your home entertainment central.

Art is Better When You Can See It

Art is a representation of yourself and therefore needs to be presented in its full glory. Stop allowing your home to cast shadows on your newest nephew's picture and making it difficult to differentiate baby Johnny from Grandma Jane. Showcase your special collections and memories with their own picture lighting. Discreet and not distracting from the beauty of your art, this illumination allows for the full impact of the wonderful saturation of color that your art and memory deserves. They are available in different designs to blend in with your home decor and have different bulbs which are specific to the type of art being illuminated. Some hints on choosing the correct lighting are below:

• Oil paintings look best with a broad-based light source due to the glare they can create
• Acrylic paintings can be used with most lights as they are not glossy
• When in doubt add a protective panel of non-reflective glass to showcase in the right light

The Lo-Down on Incandescents

Walking into your neighborhood hardware store to find the right bulb for your grandmother's favorite 1920's lamp can be a nerve wracking and confusing experience. The bright lights and desperately long aisles filled with bulbs of every size and shape can spontaneously ignite your fight or flight response. In a quest to guide you through this process here is your light bulb cheat sheet. There are many types of light bulbs, the most common are: fluorescent, compact fluorescent,  incandescent, halogen, and LED.

• Fluorescent bulbs gives off cold, flat lighting and are better suited for garages or basements. 
• Compact fluorescent bulbs use about a quarter of the energy that normal fluorescent use and last about ten times longer. 
• Incandescent bulbs are one of the most commonly used lights. It is inexpensive with a complimentary glow, yet it is not highly energy efficient. 
• Halogen bulbs are akin to incandescent lighting but offer the most similar lighting to daylight. They are expensive to use as they burn at a very high rate. 
• LED or light emitting diode lights offer directional light and are perfect as under-the-counter lighting. Highly energy efficient and long lasting, these lights can be a bit pricey. 

The Perfect Addition To Your Man Cave

A Man Cave is not complete without the correct lighting to show off your A-game. Available in sleek styles and traditional designs (see above), we have the perfect billiard light for you. Easy to install and and perfect it you are looking to showcase your unique style. Capitol Lighting offers a large selection of billiard lights to choose from to create the perfect ambiance to set the mood in any game room. 

Elegant billiard lighting such as the Tiffany stained glass fixture can instantly turn your game room into a refined establishment for your entertainment needs. We offer three and four light billiard lights, in many styles, finishes and sizes. Installing these lights usually takes a friend as it can be a bit difficult to hold up for one person. Discover the profound effect that this light can give to the character of your game room. 

Keeping Cool With Ceiling Fans

Summer is here again! As the heat starts to settle into our daily routine, we want to make sure that we stay comfortably cool all while being stylish. Ceiling fans are an easy way to bring a bit of a breeze into your home. Available in unique designs and colors, they are a far cry from the bland fixtures we all grew up with. The video below features a fixture from the Emerson Fan Company’s La Croix Collection. 

Keeping your home cool during the summer can be pricey, ceiling fans not only bring in an extra breeze but are also keep your home more energy efficient. Installing them can be a bit difficult without a proper ladder, but with the right tools and instructions it makes for a great weekend project that you can enjoy for many years. DIY instructions and tutorial are available through HGTV.com.

Brighten Up Your Bathroom Space

Spruce up that drab looking bathroom with some easy touches from Capitol Lighting. With brand names and affordable prices, you can get the look you want while staying within your budget. A little paint and some new light fixtures can transform your old bathroom into your new oasis. 

Simple, Do-It-Yourself tricks can make your bathroom look larger and brighter. A way to make over your bathroom without compromising any space is to update your vanity lighting. The DIY Network has a step by step guide on how to inexpensively and easily take on this project. With a simple two step guide, you can tackle this weekend project yourself and begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Good lighting is essential in any bathroom and with our selection of Quoizel, Murray Feiss, and Kalco lighting you will never be at a loss for options.  Find your favorite style and let us help you design your vision! Here are some tips from award winning designer Kendra Cichanski as she discusses bath vanity lights with Capitol Lighting's President Eric Lebersfeld.

Making Your House A Home With Pendant Lights

Your kitchen is the heart and soul of your home, a place to congregate and best of all to eat. Show it off properly with the correct lighting for your space. A simple change to add a brighter and more personal touch to your kitchen is with pendant lights. Available in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes they are easy to install and offer a high-impact design to your home.

Already have pendant lights in your kitchen? Change the shade. Most replacement glass shades are universal which mean they are will fit in any fixture measuring 2-1/4”, 3-1/2”, and 4”. With classic designs from Murray Feiss or Hinkley Lighting, sparkling mini pendant lighting selections from Schonbek's vivid and eclectic Geometrix Collections we help you accentuate nearly any decor scheme for your kitchen. Capitol Lighting’s 1800lighting.com offers selections of mini-pendant lights that will bring warmth and polish to any room in your home. Our blown glass mini pendants from Murano, Italy bring class and charm, while providing a unique design for you.

Whether you are looking to scale down, bring some rustic styles into your home, or if you are just looking for that one-of-a-kind conversation piece, we offer the styles you have been looking for.

Contemporary and Stylish Lamps

Contemporary designs can make your home feel spacious and timeless. The clean design of modern interiors gives off a clutter free and therefore stress free look, perfect for that wired couple who does not have the time to put things away. Clean lines from furniture and accessories build this type of minimalist modern design. When shopping for the perfect accessories for a modern room, focus on straight lines and a pop of color to bring the room together. Lamps are a perfect way to blend function and design in a minimalistic room. Check out this collection of modern lamps for inspiration!

In The Heart of The Home

In the heart of the home lies the kitchen. The epicenter of midnight ice cream excursions and ground control for all holiday dinners deserves to have proper lighting. Lighting fixtures offering different levels of brightness are a necessity for both when you are just padding in at the middle of the night or when you are slicing up some intricate dish. If there is any room in the house that needs mood lighting it is this overlooked hub. Be ready with soft lighting for a quick scattering of appetizers from an impromptu get together or brighten up to be able to scour off remnants of the after party.

Kitchen lighting is diverse and all encompassing. Cabinet lighting illuminates the counter tops while pot rack lighting is perfect to illuminate an island. When planning your kitchen lighting design pay attention to areas that you need the most light, by brightening up your task areas not only are maintaining a safe environment but also adding some spice to the places you frequent most.

Go Green This Summer

Decorating and adding a bit of sparkle to your home is a fun way to get your family involved in wonderful and useful projects that everyone will enjoy. Go green this summer during your decorating and shrink your carbon footprint. There are so many ways to cut back while maintaining your design. Adding ceiling fans to your home can cut your cooling costs almost in half! It is a great way to save energy and add some fresh design elements to your home. Not sure of how to install a ceiling fan, click on instructions to learn how.

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