Modern Vanity Lighting is the New Trend

Did you know that modern vanity lighting is the new trend? Look around and notice how lights on the walls are filling contemporary spaces.

Modern Vanity Lighting is the New Trend for Decoration of Modern Spaces in your Home or Office

Just take a look at your office and other public areas. If you are observant of the elements around, you will notice how Modern Vanity Lighting is filling all spaces rapidly. They are mostly used on the wall and just for decoration porpoises.

Do not stay in the past and jump to the rising wave of Modern Vanity Lighting for your home. On the following sections, we are going to give you a piece of advice on what you can do and how to use them. You will learn how to take the most of your Modern Vanity Lighting. They can be of much use, and not just a mere decoration. We have gathered some of the beautiful vanity lighting from a Miami based lighting stores https://lightingparadise.com

Your Bathroom’s mirror can benefit from Modern Vanity Lighting

A bathroom is a perfect place to add Modern Vanity Lighting. This beautiful sample from Z-Lite is the perfect choice for a small mirror. There is a model with 4 lights if you have a wider space.

The best of this sort of lighting for your bathroom’s mirror is that you can combine the same style upside down to give some accents to certain parts of the place. For example, I like to highlight the corners or the sides of the mirror.

How to pick the perfect lighting for your dining room

Pendant For Dining Room - 30% Off

Your dining room is a special place in the home. Where people not only eat, but socialize, celebrate, and learn. So of course you want to make the dining room as perfect as it deserves to be. That includes picking lighting that will create the right mood and be practical at the same time.

One of the first steps to picking the perfect lighting for your dining room is to examine how you will 

be using the space. 

Do you like to host lots of parties with your friends or do you mainly use your dining room for your family? Will your children be doing their homework at the table or will you be doing work there? If you need a lot of light, you may want to consider multiple lighting fixtures and recessed lighting. If you want to be able to control the ambience of the room, then you will want to get fixtures that are dimmable.

Via LightingParadise

Next you need to assess the space you’re working with. If it is a large dining room then you will want a large main fixture that is to scale with the space. If you have a more compact dining room, then you will want something that isn’t so large that it overwhelms the space. Are there any architectural details, like built-ins or nooks, that would look nice highlighted by spotlighting?

After looking at the practical side of choosing your dining room lighting you can move on to the fun part. Style! There are so many amazing light fixtures available today; in designs that cater everyone’s own unique taste. When choosing the perfect lighting for your dining room take into account the style of your home and your own design preferences. Looking for something glamorous? Then gold and crystals are a must for your lighting. Looking for something industrial chic? Then sculptural metal would be a good start for you. The list of lighting finishes and designs is endless, so there really is something for everyone.

Now that you have the basics covered, you may be wondering what lighting options are out there. Which one or ones do I choose? There are many variations, but in general there are 4 main categories. Those categories are chandeliers, ceiling lights, wall lights, and lamps.

Chandeliers are a traditional multiple light fixture that are great for placing above the dining room table. They traditionally came draped in crystals, but they now come in contemporary styles as well, for the more modern home.  

Crystorama.com

(I like the photo with the black dining chairs and plates on wall)

Ceiling lights have several variations. Pendant ceiling lights are usually on a long cord. Large pendant lights are beautiful hung above the dining room table as an alternative to a chandelier. Mini pendants are smaller and are great above an eat-at-bar or as a unique buffet lighting option. 

If you have a lower ceiling in your dining room a flush mount ceiling light or semi-flush would be ideal for your main light source. Since they are closer to the ceiling, they won’t interfere with the line of sight around the room. Another popular ceiling light option is recessed lights. These small lights are recessed into the ceiling and are great for casting a soft spotlight on points of interest. They also give dimension and character to any room they are installed in.

SeaGullLighting

Wall lighting options that might be of use in your dining room are sconces or cabinet lighting. Sconces can be used to frame a window, to be put on each side of a hutch, or to add some glow to a dark spot in the room – just for example. If you have built in cabinets, bookcases, or any type of display case in your dining room, then cabinet lighting could really play up their best qualities and add some drama to an otherwise dark area.

Since lamps are movable lighting, they are the perfect solution to any dim areas that you may want to brighten up. Table lamps look very nice as part of a buffet server tablescape. While floor lamps can enhance that corner that you just don’t know what to do with.

Whatever lighting options you choose for your dining room, they are sure to bring a design element to your space that you can’t get with any other piece of décor. Great lighting design can create a romantic mood or can brighten a dark day. If you follow the steps set out here, then you are sure to pick the perfect lighting for your dining room.

Expert tips to selecting a perfect table lamps

The main key is to find the ideal combination of looks (form) and light (function). When it comes to selecting lamps, it’s easy to get lost without a little guide. How big is too big? And which shade goes best with which base?

There are endless possibilities but for now, let’s simply narrow it down to table lamp, hanging lantern or floor lamp.

Via http://LightingMiami.com

Based on where your lamp will sit, you need to calculate three things:

1. Size
2. Style
3. Brightness

Size – 

Before buying a lamp, it is essential to measure the area where the lamp is going to be placed. 

If you plan to have a table lamp, then the height and circumference of the table should be measured. The lamp should not be one and half times of the table  and the shade of the lamp should never overlap the table. Be sure to check the total weight of the lamp... If you have small children at home and if the area where you want to place the table high is high, then consider keep heavier lamps, else lighter lamps are ok.

Hanging lanterns (4), which are actually the most romantic kind of lamps, should be sized appropriately for the space they’ll occupy. No suspended lantern should hang lower than 1 foot above your extended arm’s reach when standing.

Styles of Lamps

Style – Contemporary, Traditional, Modern and Global are just a few of the myriad choices—and just for you info, lightingmiami.com has them all. Consider the decor of your space, but don’t obsess about being all ‘matchy.’ As a rule of thumb, clear bases (5) add less visual weight, while wood (6) or iron bases (7) provide texture and richness. Crystal lends a touch of glamour, and painted porcelain creates a luxurious or Old World feel. As long as a lamp works well with the object it sits on, you should be fine.

Brightness

Think about the primary function of your lamp: Mood lighting, reading, decoration or safety. For purely decorative lighting, you can choose an opaque fabric shade (8). It will illuminate the space from ceiling to floor rather than outward. For reading and brightening a room, select a translucent lampshade (9) that diffuses light.

See for yourself

Naturally, we think these sites (offer the best table lamp selection and encourage you to browse—from traditional porcelain table lamps to sleek, modern floor designs to fun and colorful hanging lanterns.

Go ahead and explore. We think you’ll see the light.

Happy lighting!

Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner Outdoors

Hosting outdoors can seem like a lot of work, and perhaps a little informal. But the temptations to soak in the fall/winter evenings are temptations enough to at least give it a shot. Not many are keen on taking the risk of hosting a formal dinner with over a dozen guests outside, but if you have dared to make your thanksgiving dinner extra special, then these outdoor tips will surely help you plan a successful dinner.

 Plan Ahead: Planning a thanksgiving dinner requires a lot of preparation as it is, but if you are planning to host outdoors, then you need to start preparations beforehand, particularly if you do not use your yard for formal events. Do you have the right furniture to host the dinner?

You can use kitchen tables and chairs or purchase a few folding chairs to make a formal setting. This bench from decorausa would look great with kitchen or dinner table chairs alike.

It is better to design your table-scape in advance to avoid any last minute hassles. Ideally, you should have the table settings decided on and ready a week in advance. This is a good idea of how to use benches and tables available in the house to plan a formal dinner outdoors.

Lighting:

The right lighting is very important to make sure that you are well prepared to entertain your guests at the dinner table once the sun sets. You can use Christmas lights or candles to create right ambiance, but you will need your backyard to be well lit, especially if you plan to have small kids present. Check out this huge range of outdoor lighting from decorusa.com to find the right ones for your backyard.

Add the Festive Touch No thanksgiving is complete without the right decorations. Make sure you decorate your backyard with lanterns, pumpkins, fall leaves and the rustic hues to make sure it is ready to welcome your guests. You can use the table, trees or bushes or even the walls to add the festive touches.

Use Rentals This might seem like spending extra money, but in the long run it will save you a lot of money. Hauling all those plates and cutlery inside and out can be a daunting task, and purchasing extra for the sake of two to three special occasions a year hardly sounds like it’s worth the investment. There are plenty of items you need to make your thanksgiving dinner a smooth sail, including dinner and dessert plates, coffee mugs, dinner and dessert spoons and forks. And the best part about renting all these is, once the dinner is over, you don’t have a huge pile of dirty dishes for washing.

Have a Backup Plan Any event, no matter how thoroughly planned, is largely dependent on the weather to make it a success, so make sure you have a backup plan in case things don’t go as planned. You should know exactly where the guests will be sitting and dining in case you have to take things indoors. And check the weather report every few hours to be on the safe side. If you are lucky enough to have a backyard, a deck, a terrace or even a small balcony, make sure you make the most of it by hosting this thanksgiving in the crisp, November air. These outdoor tips will help you create the right ambiance the year round.

Simple Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas 2013

Thanksgiving is a festive time of the year. The time when emotions are high and food cravings higher, the turkey, the cranberries and the pies are cooked to perfection. The fact is you want everything to embody the joy, love and festivity of the occasion. And decorations are a major contributing factor to get in the festive mood. Following Thanksgiving decoration ideas will surely spoil you with choice this season:

Pumpkins:

Pumpkins and thanksgiving just go hand in hand. No thanksgiving decorations are complete without these visually and appetizingly wonderful additions. However, you don't just have to resort to placing a few pumpkins at the center of the dinner table or in the hallway. Try to be as creative and unique as possible. You can add small sized pumpkins in a cylindrical glass vase or place them in rustic lanterns along with some scented candles or you can also use a tureen to make a center piece using pumpkins, acorns etc.

Autumn Leaves: The rustic autumn theme never gets old when it comes to decorating for thanksgiving. You can place a washed, cleaned and dried maple leaf on every serving plate or use a huge bunch to make a centerpiece. You can also make garlands using orange, gold or bronze themes. Garlands can be used making acorns, leaves, twigs, pumpkins, ferns and ribbons.

Candles:

No dinner decorations are complete without candles. There are plenty of ways you can add candles for the perfect cozy ambiance. A good idea is to make a centerpiece using all the different candle stands available around the house. The combination of crystal, wood and iron would give great character to a dinner table. You can also add twigs to a fluted vase, fill it with water and float candles atop. Burlap and candles go very well together too. You can use it to wrap the candles or as a runner for a small table and place candles atop. Choose from a wide variety of candle stands from here.

Door Baskets or Wreath: Door baskets or wreaths are a great way of welcoming your guests and giving them an idea of exactly what is in store for them for the rest of the evening. They are not only great for thanksgiving but will look good the entire fall season. You can make wreaths or baskets by mixing up the fall elements using a lot of browns, oranges and rustic yellows. Use dried out leaves and/or barley if you would like a more subtle wreath.

Fireplace Mantle: No thanksgiving decoration is complete without decorating the fireplace mantle. But it is the place which is usually decorated using similar themes. Try not to stick to simple Give Thanks banners and pumpkin placements in front of the fireplace. It is best to follow a theme rather than add a few items to your regular mantle decorations. You can use photo frames to add messages, or place the decorated lanterns or candles on the mantle. Rustic vases and leaves hanging using invisible hanging wire will look beautiful combined with the crackling firewood. This wall art piece or this metallic finials from decorusa would look wonderful on a fireplace mantle along with a few candles.

The trick to acing thanksgiving decorations is to follow a specific theme and to make the most of each space. You can add twigs to the legs of a table or add leaves to the chandelier. Don’t just stick to the obvious decoration spaces but hunt for places that can add character to the festivity. And don’t forget to have fun!

Want more tips for this Thanksgiving... Watch this 99 Thanksgiving Decoration Ideas

Make your Bathroom and Kitchen stand out with a Mini Chandelier

Spaces like the kitchen and bathroom are one of the most important rooms for most homeowners like yourself. The bathroom for one is where you soak out all the stress of the day in a warm bubble bath. It is where you take you morning shower to get that hangover out of your system before you start the day. The kitchen is where your mom used to make your favorite cookies and where you rush to for a cold beer after a hard day of work how about making such spaces all the more special by hanging a mini chandelier over them?

Transglobe 3 Light Chandelier with Antique White Finish

The lighting in your bathroom will set the ambience for many a long bubble bath and endless soaks. In addition, not only does the right lighting illuminate a small space it makes it appear larger.

Bathrooms

For Modern Bathroom Décor: Mini chandeliers are particularly designed for modern bathroom décor since they give the space a luxurious feel without taking up too much of it. See how the mini chandelier above the bathtub draws the eyes. It is whimsical and dramatic. Hanging a mini chandelier over the tub will really make a mid-day soak more relaxing.

Antique Decor: Of course, not every type of chandelier is designed to suit every type of décor. For instance, a Victorian chandelier might not suit modern décor.

Take a look at how a homeowner incorporates an antique chandelier in this vintage style bathe. You should have noticed how the small space seems larger with the mini chandelier above it. The old look of the lighting fixture also suits the theme of the décor.

A Focal Point in the Kitchen: A mini chandelier can serve as a stylistic focal point in an otherwise drab kitchen. In other words, it will draw in the attention of anyone who steps into the space and away from the peeling paint above the kitchen cabinets.

See how this charming mini chandelier perks up the kitchen. Placing it above the island gives just enough light to prep dinner and lay out the pie to cool. It also adds to the theme and personality of the space.

For instance, a kitchen that is designed according to a black or white color scheme would stand out with a chandelier that has white or opalescent components like this one. A black chandelier would just have blended in and would have done nothing to draw the eyes.

Do not hang an ornate mini chandelier too close to the kitchen table. Fixtures that look heavy take up a lot of visual space. Placing it a few inches higher will de-clutter your vision and make the space shine. Also make sure that your chandelier comes with dimmer switches. They might come in handy for dimming the harshness of the light and setting the ambience.

Chandeliers were once a sign of opulence and wealth. In other words, only the wealthy could afford them. That changed after mini chandeliers were introduced. The décor above should give you a fairly good idea about the type of chandelier that would suit your space the best.

Image Source:
www.bhg.com
uniformdesign.us
homedit.com
darlingdesigndiva
SpecialtyLightingandBulbs.com, North Miami

Task Lighting - Mini Pendants for Kitchen Islands

Kitchens offer storage for everything from utensils to electrical appliances. However the need for storage space means that there is less work space for anyone who uses the kitchen. This is why interior designers came up with the idea of kitchen islands. These are in the form of counter tops that are centrally located for cooking needs such as food preparation. This is also why kitchen islands usually double as kitchen tables in most homes across the country.

Let’s see how you can use mini pendants to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen -

Contemporary Styled Kitchens: Always pick pendant lighting that complements the design of your kitchen. For instance choose a contemporary style if the décor is contemporary as well. The lighting in this décor draws the eyes upward. Notice how the weathered wood ceiling complements the dark metal finish on the hanging fixtures.

Tuscan Style: Traditional kitchen island lighting might be made from frosted glass or any other older styles. Decorative metallic details add to the traditional pendant lights on top of a kitchen island.

Look how the tapered glass pendants in this modern kitchen design suit the streamlined surfaces of the décor without seeming too old or out of place on top of this rustic kitchen island.

Eclectic Style: Of course, you might have decided to play around with the décor of your kitchen and decided to go for a mix of both modern and traditional styles. Notice how these pendants fit perfectly into this eclectically designed kitchen. You can see how the fixtures also mirror the rustic feel of the floor tiles.

Mini pendant lights offer a number of unique and wonderful choices for homeowners looking to make their kitchen islands stand out. They define the space and add some personality to it without being too overbearing. Their small size accounts for that. Just make sure that you keep the finishes and hardware of your kitchen and kitchen islands in mind before you purchase mini pendants that complement them.

Image Source:
Houzz.com
Decorausa.com

Creating Ambiance in a Stark Bathroom: 4 Easy Ways to Warm Up your Space

These days, bathroom trends have focused on creating a clean, streamlined space with the most luxurious fixtures possible. Many are looking to spend a bit more time in what was once considered only a functional area of the home. But the notion of a relaxing refuge can easily conflict with minimalist appeal- how do you create a space that is both austere and inviting?

Take note of the following tips to warming up your space. With a few clever touches your bathroom can be both welcoming and luxuriously modern.

Natural Finishes
Most bathroom fixtures worth their purchase price are made in sparkling white. But, they can become almost hospital-like if not balanced by other hues and textures. Choose natural stone or hardwood finishes to complement the space. A white bath, for example, can look beautiful atop a dark oak platform. You can then add warm brown marble tiles on the floor.

The Advantages of Lighting
Black and white bathroom colour themes have remained popular for decades. Modern updates on the style include things like black bath panels and bold patterned tiles. This can create a strongly contrasting, and even overwhelming space, but it’s a perfect example of where lighting can be used to your advantage.

Harsh overhead lighting or even (gasp!) fluorescents will only serve to make the space more industrial-looking and less inviting. Balance a strong design with soft lighting to accent certain features- try an LED shower light or track lighting that focuses on a beautiful countertop basin. A dainty overhead light will draw the eye upwards in a small bathroom, creating the illusion of a larger space.

Also, remember that you’ll need different lighting for different times of the day- plenty of flattering light for applying makeup or shaving in the morning and a soft glow for relaxing in the bath in the evenings.

Bathroom Accessories
When you have an edgy modern bathroom sometimes creating a bit of contrast with your accessories can make all the difference. You don’t have to follow the same scheme, and use only stainless steel waste bins or bright white towels. Try adding a bit of Mediterranean appeal with turquoise towels and clear blue vases, or feature a framed print of a lush rainforest scene.
Make it romantic with soft pink candles and a bouquet of peonies, or go for an even warmer appeal with amber curtains and Asian-spiced soaps.

Turn up the Heat
One of the easiest ways to warm up a stark space is the most direct: turn up the physical temperature. Nothing will make your space seem chillier than the feeling of a cold floor beneath your feet or a blast of cold air when you exit the bath. Make sure your design includes proper heating elements for your local climate.
Additional heat can be added through under-floor heating mats, heated towel rails and clever wall-hung radiators; some even look like art pieces!

The overall idea of natural finishes, lighting, the right accessories and creating a temperature-controlled bathroom is to make it a sensory space. Focus on the senses of sight, touch and scent to make your space warm and inviting.

Know your Murano from your Tiffany: A primer on chandeliers

Be it a work of understated elegance or a piece of spectacular brilliance, a chandelier reflects inimitable class, refinement, extravagance, and even heritage. Murano and Tiffany chandeliers are popular choices when it comes to chandelier selection for the home. However, there can be no comparison between the two types of chandeliers, given that they are so completely different in appearance, design, production technique and their place in history.

How do you tell a Murano from a Tiffany? First off, Murano chandeliers are glass crystal chandeliers whereas a Tiffany is a stained glass chandelier. Murano chandeliers are based on a style of glassmaking that goes all the way back to the early 13^th century, and trace their origins to the ancient Venetian glass industry. Tiffany chandeliers are of a more recent origin, going back to the late 19^th century in New York.

What makes Murano chandeliers different?

Murano chandeliers combine ancient glassblowing techniques with traditional craftsmanship to create artistic glassworks that are unique masterpieces in their own right. 

Some of the most delicate chandeliers in the world would no doubt, have a Murano connection. Murano chandeliers are made from soda crystal, unlike lead crystal used in conventional chandelier designs. The extraordinarily light soda crystal can be worked on for a longer time, allowing the glassmaker to twist and shape the glass into graceful forms so unique to the Murano style of glassmaking.

Traditional Murano chandeliers would feature intricate arabesques of leaves and flowers with colored glass incorporated into the design to lend a distinctive touch. The elaborate designs require the glassmaker to invest carefully honed skills and long hours for perfect execution of each piece. In fact, small imperfections in a finished piece can help the buyer tell a fake one from a genuine Murano chandelier.

The techniques used in crafting the magnificent Murano glass chandeliers have evolved over the centuries driven by influences and trends of the time. For instance, the 17^th century saw innovations in Murano glass from the strong Baroque trends sweeping European art and architecture. Bright colors, intricate designs, and floral and animal motifs became popular during this period.

Murano chandeliers designed in the late 1900s reflected avant-garde and art nouveau styles, a trend that continued well into the 20^th century as more Murano artisans embraced these techniques. Art deco featuring simpler, cleaner and more functional styles took over in the 1920s.

The colorful history of Tiffany chandeliers

Louis Comfort Tiffany, from the famous New York-based Tiffany Jewelers family chose a different career path by setting up Tiffany Studios. He is credited with introducing a signature collection of lamps that till today go by the name of ‘Tiffany lamps’. First introduced in the market in 1895, Tiffany lamps refer to a style of lamp that features lamp shades made using handcrafted, lead and blown stained glass. The handcrafted design results in imperfections, which actually point to their authenticity.

Beginning with lamps, this colorful style of glassmaking was extended to a complete range of lighting fixtures including chandeliers, wall sconces, pendant lights, desk lamps and floor lamps.

Tiffany lamp designs are influenced heavily by nature, with the floral motif coming across as a common pattern, complete with intricate leaves, petals and branches. Antique Tiffany lamp shades typically come in two designs: The first has the floral motif all over the shade while the second has the floral design along the belt of the shade with the rest of the area covered with geometric and organic shapes.

Some of the iconic designs to come out of Tiffany Studios include the dragonfly, wisteria, the Tyler scroll, nautilus and lily.

Louis Tiffany was also inspired by the use of color, adding as many as seven colors to molten glass to get the colored glass effect without having to paint it. The stained glass pieces were then fused together with copper foil to create complex but stunning designs that came to be associated with luxury and class.

The term ‘Tiffany’ is today used generically for a style of lighting fixture featuring stained glass lamp shades. A décor tip when using a Tiffany stained glass chandelier is to match the colors of the upholstery and walls with the colors of the stained glass. Available with uplights as well as downlights, Tiffany chandeliers look best with low wattage lamps and are ideal for ambient lighting, infusing both color and light into the living space.

Though Tiffany-style lamps are widely available today, Tiffany originals are rare since the studio shut down production in the 1930s. Once made for the wealthy, original Tiffany lamps and chandeliers can only be found in private collections and heritage buildings.

GoldenAgeUSA.com showcases an exclusive range of chandeliers including a huge collection of Murano and Tiffany chandeliers in a wide choice of sizes, styles and finishes.