Monday, December 26, 2011

Lighting Ideas - Using a Chandelier

!±8± Lighting Ideas - Using a Chandelier

Chandeliers are a tricky source of light to use appropriately. Located in the center of the room, the provide light that can be either shone directly downward or diffused throughout the room, usually broken up using reflection. In this article, I will discuss how to use the unique lighting of chandeliers correctly in lighting design.

Purely as a source of lighting (that is, without considering what they look like in themselves), chandeliers come in two types: downward-shining chandeliers and spherically-shining chandeliers. Downward-shining chandeliers are chandeliers where lamps shades or other obstructions are used to have all the light from the light shine downwards. These chandeliers are most typically used in dining rooms, and are used as task lighting for the purpose of eating. The difficulty with these chandeliers is that they can actually be too good as task lighting. The light they shine downwards can reflect off of the surface of the table, causing glare in people's eyes when eating. As a result, they should always be used in tandem with a table cloth or with a table surface that is not especially reflective. It is also important when using a downward-shining chandelier to ensure that the naked bulb cannot be seen by those who are eating. Having it be so makes it uncomfortable for people to look upwards while eating.

Spherically-shining chandeliers, on the other hand, are used both in foyers and in dining rooms. These chandeliers will often have lights that look like candles (from the French "chandelle" for "candle"), and this light shines upward, downward and in all directions. The quality of light from these chandeliers has two features. First, because it is omni-directional, it does not serve as well as task lighting for eating. In the dining room, you will likely need to augment the chandelier with additional light sources. Second, the light is usually refracted using beads, crystals, glass and reflective metal. As a result, the light that comes from a chandelier seems to "flicker" slightly, creating sparkling spots of lights on walls and other surfaces. This provides an attractive light source that can beautify your entire room.

Lighting Ideas - Using a Chandelier

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

How to Install a Three-Way Lamp Switch

!±8± How to Install a Three-Way Lamp Switch

Hone improvement expert Ron Hazelton demonstrates how to easily replace a standard lamp socket with a three-way switch, allowing you to adjust the brightness of light in your rooms. For more videos on lighting and electrical projects, visit www.ronhazelton.com.

How to Install a Three-Way Lamp Switch

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Torchere Glass Lamp Shade Replacement Types

!±8± Torchere Glass Lamp Shade Replacement Types

There is hardly any more confusion in the lighting industry than how to select a replacement glass shade for a torchiere lamp.

First let us define a torchiere lamp. A torchiere lamp is any table or floor lamp whose light is directed upward by means of a glass, metal, stone, plastic or other type of reflector. These lamps take many forms and are made of many materials but most commonly made as floor lamps.

The word "Torchiere" is derived from the French word "Torche" torch.

These popular lamps provide excellent area lighting because they bounce light off the ceiling and diffuse it throughout a large area of the room.

There are four (4) basic types of torchiere glass.

1) Dish type torchiere glass (most common) is a dish or bowl shape glass shade with a 1 5/8" wide center hole that simply slips down over the electrical socket and rests upon a metal or plastic holder. There is a threaded ring which screws down over the electrical socket to hold the glass in place. This type torchiere glass is usually frosted white, beige or plain white.

2) Reflector waffle pattern opal white torchiere glass is a cone shape glass shade available in two (2) common sizes: 2.75" fitter that is 10" wide and the other is a 2.25" fitter that is 8" wide. This torchiere glass usually has a waffle type pattern pressed into the surface of the glass although there are some with no pattern in the glass. These torchiere glass shades were very popular in the 1920's and 1930's and were found on many 6 way floor lamps that had 3 arm lights plus a center light. They are also available on some modern lamps as well as some floor lamps without arms. Many of these lamps are designed for a fabric lamp shade to rest upon the reflector glass. This arrangement not only provides excellent area lighting but also excellent reading light.

3) Long neck torchiere glass is a larger glass, usually around 13-16" wide with a long neck that fits down inside a 2.75 - 3"" wide holder. This glass shade has the appearance of a very wide funnel with neck. These are the most expensive type of torchiere glass shades.

4) Stiffel replacement torchiere glass is made specifically to fit lamps from this lamp maker.

If you need further help selecting the correct torchiere glass for your lamp, be sure to contact a professional full service lamp company with lots of experience with torchiere lamps.

Good luck on all your lighting projects.

Best Regards - Jim Hoyle