
Lighting Design ArticlesDedicated to provide its viewers with updated Lighting design articles, HomeNPatio.com will keep you well informed with new product developments and trends in the lighting business. In these and in future articles, you will find an array of information that will assist you in making the right decisions in designing your home or business.Alabaster ChandeliersAlabaster chandeliers are often used in transitional design settings to a degree of warmth and natural beauty to decorative surroundings. Alabaster chandeliers use natural mined alabaster as a shade material. Most alabaster is mined near the banks of the Ebro River south of Zaragoza Spain. While there are several forms of alabaster including ones with color variations, it is the translucent type that is utilized in lighting products. Like many materials that we assume are recent discoveries, alabaster has been around for a very long time. In fact ancient Egyptian alabaster carvings are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. We also know that the ancient Chinese and Greeks also carved alabaster, modern Greeks use it for floor tiles.... Read More >>California Title 24California Adopts Tougher Residential Energy Efficiency Standards: Prompted by the fuel shortages of the past and continual concerns about energy costs, the California legislature produced and the governor recently signed California Title 24 which among other things requires the integration of more energy efficient lighting fixtures for residences. As of October 1, 2001 all new building permits in California will need to meet these new standards. According to these new regulations, all recessed lighting fixtures shall be air tight, sealed and IC rated ( rated for direct insulation) . IC rated housing are designed to run cooler and are more energy efficient. In addition to this change, California Title 24 requires specific usage of energy efficient lighting measures to be taken in all rooms of new homes.... Read More >> Commercial LightingDoes your project require consultation on lighting requirements for a commercial application? Does it involve an evaluation of functional lighting requirements for an office, production facility or outdoor illumination? Read More >>Contemporary LightingWhile many individual utilize the words contemporary lighting to designate modern lighting, a more correct interpretation of contemporary lighting would be one referring to lighting fixtures applicable to today’s designs Read More >>General Landscape Lighting DesignA key factor in general landscape design is when you consider the purchase of a low voltage transformer for your project, be aware that transformer housings come in varying materials. If your transformer is going to be placed in the open environment or buried in the ground, for a bit more money, a stainless steel housing is well worth the money. In sizing your transformer, we recommend that it be oversized by about 20 %. This allows your transformer to run cooler extending its life, and enables the homeowner to install a few additional fixture without additional upgrades.... Read More >>Home LightingHome lighting in combinations of chandeliers, sconces, pendant lighting, and exterior lighting, when done well can be the ultimate decorative element in a home. Blended in balance, good home lighting can highlight certain areas and take away from others. By manipulating the type and intensity of lighting in a room, one can bring out or change colors in a home setting. Good lighting, whether in the kitchen or in a home office allows for adequate functional illumination making the tasks of reading, cooking possible to perform.... Read More >>HomeNPatio HospitalityAre you an interior designer involved in a hospitality project, or project manager for a construction company requiring lighting design consultation on a hotel or restaurant? Read More >>Kitchen Lighting DesignProviding adequate functional lighting is a key element in making a kitchen one of the focal points in a home. Beyond providing adequate lighting a proper balance of functional lighting and decorative lighting can bring fun, colorful elements to a lackluster kitchen, and enrich the depth and colors of existing fixtures.... Read More >>Landscape Lighting Design 101Low voltage landscape lighting design plays a significant role in providing both functional and decorative lighting in residential settings. By illuminating walkways, path lights provide adequate lighting for people entering your property and other forms of exterior lighting meet both decorative and security needs. Although most individuals make use of landscape contractors and integrate their landscape lighting along with their overall landscape design, we do see a good amount of individuals that desire to change, add, or upgrade on their current landscape lighting. Many of these are do it your-self individuals who want a better understanding of the types and application of various landscape lighting fixtures or want a better understanding of these products. This article covers the main types of landscape lighting fixtures, their application and various accessories utilized.... Read More >>Lighting in Interior DesignIn interior design, lighting is everything. This view is shared by many of the nationally respected designers. Because of its multifaceted affect lighting is generally regarded as the most influential component affecting environmental surroundings. Lighting in its most basic functional form, can highlight certain objects or portions of a room, and make other elements less relevant. The warmth or coolness of emitted light influence how the human eye interprets the colors of various objects it sees, and its ability to cast varying shadows can add depth and richness that would otherwise be missing.... Read More >> |