May 9 2008 8:02AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

The California Energy Commission has recently proposed regulation that would mandate all portable table lamps, desk lamps and floor lamps in California be sold with a 35 watt limiting switch.

This regulation would also prevent the sale of any portable lamp from using a bulb that consumes over 35 watts of electricity.

You can read more about the legislation in the California Energy Commission's Portable Lighting Fixtures Proposal document (PDF link, requires Ad...Read More

May 1 2008 3:14PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

I know summer is almost here and the weather will be warming up soon, but I have to tell you about a new heating product I found at the KBIS show.

The Hunter Fan Company, well known in the market for its ceiling fan products, has developed a line of semi-flushmounted ceiling fixtures called Illumi-Heat. At first glance, the fixture looks just like a typical semi-flush ceiling mount but when I wa...Read More

Apr 24 2008 3:27PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

In this market, home sellers need every edge they can find. Helping your clients stage their homes gives them one extra way to appeal to a buyer’s emotional side. Typically, you can get quite a bit of value by focusing on the accessories.

Here are five things to keep in mind:

1. Less is more. Remove any clutter and keep the rooms simple.
2. Be objective. Are the pillows, drapes, or throws looking worn? What about the lighting? Is it dating the look of the home?
3. Decide on a theme and style. Then reinforce that style with different objects throughout the room. T...Read More

Apr 21 2008 8:32AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

Our Lighting for Life scholarship winner was announced on Thursday, April 10th. Briana Bjerke from Alexandria Technical College was this year’s winner. Her ideas for lighting an outdoor kitchen are practical and innovative.

Outdoor kitchens are typically underlit because of the lack of surrounding structure. This can make it difficult to prepare food there. Briana had a great idea for using regular outdoor lighting in a new way.

We were especially charmed by Briana’s idea of placing ...Read More

Apr 8 2008 10:31AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

Come see us at the LAMPS PLUS booth (N8858) at KBIS in Chicago this week.

Wondering about ways to make your budget stretch further or how those new LED products are performing? Bring us your questions about specific products, hard-to-fix areas, or new technologies. Then sign up for your discount with our LAMPS PLUS Professionals program and see what our service is all about.

We will be runn...Read More

Mar 26 2008 12:38PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

LAMPS PLUS Professionals has announced the finalists in its Lighting for Life Design Challenge. Congratulations to the Finalists! I was able to participate in the judging and I have to say that it was great to see all the thought and creativity that went into all of the students’ entries.

Sponsored through the NKBA, the Lighting for Lif...Read More

Mar 20 2008 8:10AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

Now is the time of year that clients start thinking about their summer plans and how they can optimize the use of their outdoor spaces. Patios and porches are becoming more than just an al fresco dining spot. Kitchen and lounging areas are being planned which have more complex decorating needs, as described in this New York Times article. Most want to extend their indoor style further and the range of outdoo...Read More

Mar 13 2008 8:09AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

Finally, LED is making some sense as a true option for energy efficient “Green” lighting in residential use. Close by our booth at the IBS in Orlando last month was one of our newest vendors LLF Inc., a manufacturer of LED recessed lighting housings and trims. Now we have a fair amount of LED on our web site, undercabinet, ...Read More

Mar 7 2008 9:14AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

The LAMPS PLUS Professionals team has picked the winner of our International Builder Show Vegas Sweepstakes. This year it’s Eddy Mitzel of Mitzel Builders Inc. The prize is a $2000.00 travel package to Las Vegas. Let’s hope Eddy makes the most of it. And to all of our other custom builders out there, we’ll see you next year!

Mar 3 2008 12:00AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

Light pollution is an environmental concern that has received increased attention as we become more aware of our surroundings. The lighting industry generally focuses on providing more light, but in some cases, especially with outdoor lighting, we need to focus on providing just enough light.

Environmentalists and astronomers have been teaming up to communicate their shared concerns about light pollution. Frogs, birds, sea turtles, and fireflies are just some of the animals whose biological systems are triggered by changes in nighttime brightness. The excess light interferes wi...Read More

Feb 20 2008 9:49AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (3) |

We were in Orlando, Florida this past weekend at the 2008 International Builder’s Show, along with 92,000 others from the building industry. You might expect a lingering overall concern but I was pleasantly surprised by the encouraging mood.

...Read More

Feb 7 2008 7:08AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

With the impending change-over to High-Definition, many of us are becoming more conscious of our entertainment venues. Flat screen televisions allow the living room to double as a family lounge and home theater. To optimize the lighting, this hybrid living room needs to have a few different options.

The key feature of home theater lighting is centralized control. Wireless controls are a great option. You can easily set them up with your existing light...Read More

Jan 31 2008 11:35AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |

We were curious to see if the builder community is upgrading their homes with upscale lighting fixture, appliances, and automated controls in order to be more competitive in today’s housing market. So we posted a survey back in December.

Of those of you who responded, all said yes.

So what kind of products can I show you that look high-end and will register as a definite enhancement in the eyes of a homebuyer? I tried to pull together a few ideas.

Outdoor Lighting – Corbett’s outdoor lighting collection has a very intricate, detailed look that will definitely be noticed.

...Read More

Jan 14 2008 10:57AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (4) |

On December 19th, President Bush signed into Federal law a new energy bill that greatly impacts the lighting industry. The legislation dictates that, over a three-year period beginning in 2012, all new li...Read More

Jan 2 2008 7:10AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (3) |

1. The focus is back on brilliant chandeliers in the entry and dining areas. A cozy formality and decorum is once again welcomed into the social spaces of the home. Chandeliers take center stage, carrying the mood of the room.

2. Many are choosing to downsize their homes and then maximize their use of space. Patios, balconies, and decks are serving as additional living/dining areas. Lighting and furniture design elements are being used to create continuity between the indoors and outdoors.

3. Solar powered landscape lighting is seeing more widespread use. As the brightness produced by energy-eff...Read More