Welcome Lightbulbplanet.com

If I’m a retailer and a number of my MR 16s are out when I open in the morning, I want to change the bulbs right away.  If I’m out of bulbs, I want a reliable and low priced source and I want service. I want the bulbs I order to be here the next day and I want to be able to return defective bulbs. I want to be able to track my purchases and I want an account representative to answer my questions. Our friends at lightbulbplanet.comare one of the leading distributors and suppliers of light bulbs of all kinds and some of the major brands including GE, Philips, Sylvania, Osram, and many others.

One other thing that a good distributor and supplier of light bulbs does is to educate. Glancing down at the array of MR 16s, I read that bulbs come in degrees.  Lightbulbplanet.com has a page on “beam spread”

Beam spread is the width of light that emanates from a light source. It is measured in angles. A small angle is a focused beam or spot and a large angle is more diffused light or flood light.  I got to thinking about our use of MR 16s in our store and realized that we were using the same angle for all lighting when we could have tried other angles for better light on our furniture and fabric.

In addition to the education on beam spread, there’s an article on color rendering. Color rendering is important because some lighting changes the colors that we perceive.  Another article allows you to compare the cost of converting from incandescent lighting to energy efficient lighting and the ROI.

Lightbulbplanet.comis a new advertiser on "Landfair on Furniture" and your place for Light Bulbs, Ballasts, Fixtures, Grow Lighting, LED light bulbs and Exit Signs.

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Time For Green Training

We read so much every day about new developments that are LEED certified.  Many designers and architects have taken many hours of training to achieve their certification to design the new buildings.
But what about the 130 million homes that were built before modern energy and building codes were established. Where does the consumer go for qualified advice to bring their home up to the new standards? Where does the interior designer, architect or contractor get the knowledge to add this element to their repertoire?

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) offers bpi certificationto those taking bpi training in Residential & Commercial Energy Analysis, Building Performance Contracting, Solar Design a& Installation, Commercial Lighting and Assessment, Facility Energy Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Green Building Design.

In June 2012 the BPI will extend its certifications to energy auditor, retrofit installer, crew leader and quality control inspector. If you want to be involved in the energy upgrade industry, you might consider getting trained. The best part is the classes are offered by BPI and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

By becoming a bpi building analyst, you will be able help homeowners in those 130 million homes improve their comfort and safety and reduce their energy bills. I don’t need to tell you how the rising prices of energy have impacted the consumer’s wallet. Your knowledge will help homeowners qualify for utility incentive programs that range from tax credit, grants, loans and rebate programs.  Here’s a link to the many programs just in the State of Oregon. 

This is the time to grow a new business or add to your existing one

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Dreaming Of Home Libraries

Hello! I'm Jessica, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful online resource for affordable light fixtures. Every day I get to search for beautiful interior design inspirations and then share them on lovely blogs. Thank you for letting me stop by today Bev and Mike! If you're anything like me, you'll agree that one of the most beautiful pieces of furniture in a room is a well stocked bookshelf. And a home library would definitely be a dream come true. So, I've collected a few swoon-worthy home libraries. I hope you love them as much as I do!

 

 The traditional style of this home library is perfectly dark and cozy. I love the deep red carpet and pops of yellow and pink throughout the rest of the room.

 

The vibrant orangy red accents in this home library is invigorating, especially when paired with bright brass fixtures. The wall lamps are a neat way to keep the shelves illuminated in the evening.

 

I love that this single wall library has it's own library ladder. The glossy black bookshelf and black and white chandelier are chic touches, as well.

 

Even this tight corner turned home office makes an interesting space for a mini library. The simple, all-white built-in bookshelves help make the space appear larger.

 

The spacious shelves in this reading nook accommodate all types of reading material, from magazines to heavy tomes. The plush seating show that this is a place for some serious reading.

 

I love the bright colors in this cozy dining room, and the surrounding walls of bookshelves makes the room all the more dynamic. The glistening pendant light is a fitting touch.

 

Sacrificing a headboard for an entire wall of books is a small price to pay for such a beautiful and accessible bookshelf within arm's reach.

 

Even kitchen shelves provide an interesting place to stock your book collection. I love that these books are grouped together by color. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Which of these home libraries would you have in your dream home? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to stop by Arcadian Lighting for a few wall sconces or lamps to help you read late into the night!

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Be Different, "Don’t Chase Money"

I came across a wonderful site, (Robert) Sonneman A Way Of Light. "Robert Sonneman pioneered modern lighting making it an art form. World renowned and acclaimed for clean lines and alliance to form and function, his world famous award winning designs have been at the forefront of the design world for over four decades. Robert introduced sleek, new functionalist lighting designs in the 60s and 70s that have become classics of the modern era."

He recently wrote the following message, "Don’t chase money. Create something of value and let money chase you." I liked it so much that I'm reprinting it here:

In a society that values money above ability and respects wealth above talent it is no wonder that making things well became less revered and less aspirational to succeeding generations.

Acquisition is the idol that we worship at the alter of capitalism. But often those who have attained most are left empty by the process because the value created is only the sum of their positions.

Respect and self esteem are powerful motivators which we derive from the gratification of the process and the product of our work. I believe that it is more satisfying for wealth to be attained through the effort of creating something of intrinsic value that we feel good about and take pride in, as opposed to simply manipulating a system to our numerical advantage.

Generations have worked with pride at various trades and crafts passing down acquired skills as their legacy to those who followed. It was the natural order of survival and the university for the young who followed the old. With the knowledge of a craft well learned came the pride of a job well done and the gratification that comes with creating value from ones personal effort.

What I would say to the young is: Don’t chase money. Create something of value and let money chase you.

Find something that love to do and do it well. Allow your passion to drive your ambition. It will become your life’s work and your identity. Money comes and goes. It is good to have but in the ups and downs of life, for most of us, the passion for doing what we love and believe in survives the ebb and flow of financial fortune.

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Creative Use of Lighting

BRIAN PAQUETTE INTERIORS is showing some unusual ways to bring lighting into a room:

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Architectural Record has some gift-giving thoughts for 2011. I like the new umbrella design that has been tested in high winds and this Molo Hobo Lantern inspired by the nightlife in Milan during Design Week.

Although I do have one worry. I'm reading the new book "Micro" by Crichton and Preston. In the book our protagonists are trapped in a world where they have been shrunk to a 3/4 inch size. They are fearful of lighting a fire at night or turning on their head-lamps. They may attract predators.

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Lawn Care Services

Some times we're just humbled by the industriousness of writers.  Lawn Care Services has recently posted an helpful article listing 40 Essential Books on Home Lighting.  Did you know there were so many books on the subject?  There are such titles as:

• The art of outdoor lighting: landscapes with the beauty of lighting by Randall Whitehead

This book also serves as directory for lighting and landscape designers as well as a basic guide for several exterior lighting design concepts. 

• Interior lighting for designers by Gary Gordon

Learn to amplify the artistic impact of your house through this book. The reader will be introduced to lighting jargon, perception and general design strategies.

• Lighting Style by Kevin McCloud

In this book, lighting and furniture businessman Kevin McCloud has provided readers with an outstanding and complete guide to implementing various home lighting solutions.

 Lawn Care Services has other articles that caught our eye:

• 40 Cool Blogs for Composting Fanatics 
• 60 Online Gardening Blogs for Beginners
• 10 Homemade Pesticides for Your Yard and Garden

We love it!  They are giving away information that would take us hours to research.


Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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AF Lighting And Phillips Finalists

The American Society of Furniture Designers has announced finalists for the 2010 Pinnacle Awards for outstanding home furnishings.

In the Lighting division two of our vendors are finalists:

Antasia, David Kitts ASFD, David Martin ASFD and George Chandler ASFD for Hubbardton Forge.
Arieal lamp, Catherine Smoak ASFD for AF Lighting.
Up lamps, Nakarin Kamseela for The Phillips Collection.

Here we have the Ariel Lamp:
The aerial view of America's farmlands as seen from an airplane window provides a unique interpretation in the aerial lamp, whose base of mixed metallic finishes celebrates the textures, colors & symmetry that is the beauty of this lamp, Gray Poly-Silk Fabric Hard-Back Shade.


(Click image to enlarge)

The lamp is 31 inches high and uses a 3-way bulb.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook

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Ain't Technology Grand?

It's amazing what happens when energy prices go up. People go to work and invent new products that use less energy. We've seen it in the automobile industry with the advent of hybrids that get 40 to 50 miles per gallon; and electric cars soon to appear at home driveways. We've seen the trend to sustainable and recycled in furniture which save resources. Then came the CFL, which was eight times longer lasting than an incandescent light bulb.

We've read about LED lights, but they have not been either cheap enough or emitting the right light, but that's about to change. GE just presented a LED light bulb that emit as much light as a will 40-watt incandescent, but will only consume 9 watts. It will last 25,000 hours three times as long as a CFL and 25 times an incandescent. Philips, not to be outdone, will offer later this year a LED that will emit as much light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb, but consume just 12 watts of power and is dimmable.

Lighting consumes 22% of the electricity in the U.S., much of which gets wasted.

If the LED trend becomes a way of life, waste from light could be greatly eliminated

My main concerns are the color of the light and the cost. It can't be too white. It must be like the color of candle light and it must be affordable.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
Become Our Fan on Facebook.

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Contemporary Lighting for the Modern Style Apartment

When it comes to modern style apartments, the furniture pieces are the all-important focal points of your retreat. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to feature your modern décor in the best way, even at night.

When nighttime approaches, the lighting of your home should not only highlight the beauty of your modern furniture, but it should also encompass the overall modern theme of your room’s décor. Whether you are in the office working or in the living room relaxing, modern lighting can create the ambiance that enhances optimal enjoyment of your residence. The versatility of modern lighting lies in the unparalleled ability to work in all different kinds of settings for many different purposes.

Here are some tips on how to spruce up your décor with contemporary lighting solutions.

What can Pendant lighting do for you?

Watch your head, pendant lights are now all the rage in the modern design world (but don’t worry, you can always adjust the height to accommodate tall people). Overhanging pendant lights are becoming increasingly practical and ornate, with an ever-widening selection of various finishes and styles to choose from.

Additionally, Pendant lights work just about everywhere; whether you want to use them in the kitchen, in the living room, or even outside, they are a great way to impress your guests. In the living room, your modern couch should not be left in the dark because of weak attempts at using recess lighting or track lighting. Rather, modern pendant lights running the length of your couch will make it glow to the point where everyone in the room will gravitate towards that spot. Truly, modern lighting really brings out some of your fanciest modern pieces in a subtle, yet effectively beautiful way.

Ceiling Fixtures for your Space

Ceiling lights, from classically shaped light settings to wonderfully intricate chandeliers, are an integral part of the quintessential modern interior. These lights are best placed in areas that are smaller but used frequently. For example, kitchens and foyers are best for large ceiling fixtures that radiate light to a given space. For those intrepid modern décor fans out there with a little money to spend, investing in a chic designer chandelier will certainly add value to your home, especially if it has large ceilings and an abundance of space.

Depending on the style of the dinner table and chairs, a modern designed overhead fixture is the perfect way to bring people together. Stainless steel, chrome or brushed nickel fixtures that are clean and futuristic looking are the perfect accessories to your dining experience.

Your Child’s Space born Modern

Modern lighting is not just designated to sophisticated, adult spaces. Rather, there are various contemporary lighting options that are fun, colorful and kid-friendly. Some modern lighting décor features are purposely made to work in both children and adult rooms. Offi lamps seem to epitomize this children’s theme perfectly. With lighting styles like “Daschund Dog” and “Teddy Bear Jr,” Offi continues to be a leader in children’s décor. The fun and colorful designs of Offi lamps are sure to embody the imaginative décor of your child’s space.

All in all, your lighting should complement the furniture that you worked so hard to acquire and maintain. Putting half as much effort into lighting the décor of your room will pay off when your house fast becomes a place that brings everyone together. By adding contemporary lighting to your room, not only will your room be illuminated, but it will also be infinitely more stylish.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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