February 2009 - Posts

• Energy Efficiency Data for Ceiling Fans

  Want to know just how energy efficient your new ceiling fan will be? That information will be easier to find thanks to new government guidelines for retailers. You'll notice an "Energy Information" box listed for all our ceiling fans. Airflow divided by electricity use gives us the airflow efficiency, an excellent benchmark for each fan design. Using the airflow efficiency benchmark, you can compare based on efficient operation -- a great tool to help you plan your energy bill. Keep in mind the chart does not take into account a fan's light kit.         The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers a great document explaining these charts and some other recent changes in how ceiling fans are sold. You can download the document as a PDF file from the ALA website. Have questions about a particular ceiling fan model? Give us a call; one of our ALA trained and certified ceiling fan experts will be happy to offer product recommendations. Published: 02-26-2009 By Adam no comments

• Changing Bulbs - LED vs. CFL Light Bulbs

  National Geographic magazine's cover story this month is a timely look at energy efficiency, Energy Conservation: It Starts At Home. One side-bar to the article talks about the LED bulbs vs. CFL bulbs issue - while LEDs are the bulbs of the future, they're expensive now in relation to CFL bulbs. "With no filament, just a microchip, it (an LED bulb) uses significantly less energy than an incandescent. But the price is high and reviews are mixed." The upshot is that CFL bulbs probably make more sense now for the average consumer, but look for that to quickly change in the near future. Read more: Changing bulbs mini-article. Also worth checking out is the online Energy Conservation Quiz that links from the main article. Looking for a way to improve your home's energy efficiency today? Take a look at the new, energy efficient National Geographic hybrid outdoor lighting collection on our site that combines solar-powered LED lights with an electric-powered CFL bulb. Published: 02-25-2009 By John 2 comment(s)

• LAMPS PLUS is a Find!

  We knew that already, but TheFind100 has made it official, choosing LAMPS PLUS as a favorite retailer for 2009 in the home furnishing category. Says TheFind, "Out of the more than 500,000 online stores and retailers with products findable on TheFind.com, these ... merchants were clear favorites of users searching in their specific category." Thanks to TheFind and all our great customers who make honors like this possible! Read all about it: Discover the unique stars of online shopping in TheFind100. Published: 02-24-2009 By John 2 comment(s)

• Lighting by the Stars -- Astrology for Pisces

  Time to give a nod to our fishy friends, Pisces! These are emotional, empathetic, and sometimes melancholy individuals, so don't forget to wish them a happy birthday. Dear Pisces: This month, be aware of .... Ahem, Pisces. Yoohoo! ... Over here, space cadet! Ok, now that I've got your attention. This month, you should keep an eye on ...... Hey, um, are you listening? This month, watch out for ...... Hello!? Oh, never mind. Just a couple of suggestions for our absent-minded Pisces: Ceiling medallions are a great way to really set off a ceiling light fixture, chandelier or ceiling fan. They come in lots of different sizes and styles. While dreamy Pisces is staring at the ceiling, let's give him something pretty to look at.         Pisces is a spiritual, meditative fellow. This Buddha head fountain is perfect for creating a calm, restive scene indoors or out. Next month, courageous and bold Aries! Published: 02-19-2009 By Adam no comments

• New! Rustic Wall Sconces and Bathroom Lights

  Now available, some excellent new wall sconces, bathroom sconces and bathroom light fixtures. If you're a fan of the rustic, lodge style and the look of crafted metal, we have you covered! These fixtures feature forest and mountain scenes with majestic creatures like bears, elk, and salmon. Many offer hand-applied finishes and beautiful panes of naturally occurring mica plate. See these new rustic bathroom lights and wall sconces here! Published: 02-13-2009 By Adam 3 comment(s)

• Myths About LED Lighting

  Interesting Residential Lighting article by Dave Simon, President of Michigan LED manufacturer ilumisys, de-bunking some myths about LED lighting. "LEDs Last Forever: With proper thermal design, LEDs can achieve 60,000+ hours of life while maintaining 70 percent of original light output. The number one reason that properly manufactured LEDs fail prematurely is overheating." Read the entire article online: 5 Myths About LED Lighting. Browse the LAMPS PLUS LED lighting collection. Published: 02-12-2009 By John no comments

• Rockin' Modern-day Chinoiserie

  When merchants and missionaries traveled to China in the 1600s, they returned with books and journals filled with accounts of their visual impressions. The European intrepretation of these accounts form the basis of the "Chinoiserie" style. It means "Chinese-esque" in French. Amazingly this imaginative, highly decorative style has continued to thrive for four centuries and is now enjoying a revisit from interior designers everywhere. A recent Apartment Therapy post spotlighted the trend and you can see touches of it in the Hollywood Regency style which is also in the midst of a resurgence. If you want further inspiration, check out this pictorial from the LA Times.   Here are a few items which add the exotic touch of Chinoiserie to a room: Published: 02-09-2009 By Susanna 1 comment(s)

• Future Alert: Light Bulb Speakers

  I was browsing Engadget this morning, keeping up on all things gadgety and new, and I came across the SoundBulb. A light bulb with a little speaker inside ... what will they think of next! It's designed to wirelessly stream music, so you can rock out anywhere just by changing a bulb. It's still just a concept, so you'll have to wait to get your own. Here's a more detailed article about the SoundBulb at YankoDesign.com. Published: 02-02-2009 By Adam no comments