Today's Tent Event at 580 Grand Ave. in New Haven, CT went great and we're excited for one more day. If you live in Connecticut, swing by and you can save up to 80% on tent items which may include discontinued items, dent n' scratch, chandeliers, sconces, bathroom lighting, landscape lighting, and more. Come into our showroom and you'll save 15% on all in-stock items*. We'll be serving free food and refreshments, and there will be a raffle for a free ceiling fan.

Here's a preview of some of what's left, and it includes chandeliers, sconces, outdoor lighting, table lamps, and other items from quality brands like Livex, H.A. Framburg and more.

Our annual tent event is coming for two days only, Friday June 26th & Saturday June 27th, from 11am to 2pm at 580 Grand Ave. in New Haven, CT. You can save up to 80% on tent items which may include discontinued items, dent n' scratch, chandeliers, sconces, bathroom lighting, landscape lighting, and more.  Come into our showroom and you'll save 15% on all in-stock items*.  We'll be serving free food and refreshments, and there will be a raffle for a free ceiling fan.  If you can't make it down this weekend, just print out this post and bring it to our showroom before 6/26 you can still save 15% on in-stock items*.  Have a question? Just call Kristin at 203-777-5781 ext. 305.

For themed rooms and rooms for children, you'll want to choose very unique lighting designs that add to the fun. Pendant Lighting is a great option, because pendant lights come in a variety of colors and novelty designs.

Crystal Pendant Lights are often placed in very traditional, formal rooms.  However, they also come in a variety of bright colors, including purple, red, orange, and green.  Colored crystal looks great in rooms with fun designs, and can even be placed in playrooms or bedrooms for children. 

Tiffany Pendant Lights are available in beautiful star designs. The unique shape can give a room a creative, artsy look. The combination of the beauty of Tiffany glass and the creative design make these fixtures perfect statement pieces.

Novelty Pendant Lights can match rooms with specific themes, such as space, trains, or racing. They are perfect for children's bedrooms, and are great conversation pieces. 

Although some lighting fixtures are created to complement or blend in with other design elements in a room, there are many styles that can stand out as focal points and conversation pieces. Contemporary Ceiling Lighting fixtures are available in a wide array of styles that are eye-catching and unique.

These statement pieces look great in contemporary rooms. If you keep the overall style of the room simple and streamlined, the lighting design will be the center of attention.  Many chic, modern homes have interesting lighting designs that include unique fixtures.

If you want to create a modern look, a creative Contemporary Ceiling Lighting fixture may be the perfect addition to a simple interior design. The fixtures to the left, right, and above are examples of unique Ceiling Lighting designs that make a creative and stylish statement.

Wall Sconces add a sense of style to any room, while adding light where you need it. Whether you're looking for a classic, traditional look or a chic, modern design, there is a Wall Sconce to match your interior design.

Swing Arm Wall Sconces

Swing Arm Wall Sconces also add an extra element of functionality for your changing needs. The movable arms on these fixtures allow you access to directional light for specific tasks such as reading, and can easily be readjusted to give you more space and the correct amount of general light when you are done.

Traditional Wall Sconces

Traditional Wall Sconces are made with refined styles that can enhance the look of a classic room. Many of these styles mimic the timeless look of candlelight, with one, two, or more candle-shaped bulbs. A combination of fine metals and classic styling makes these fixtures a great addition to traditional rooms.

Crystal Wall Sconces

Crystal Wall Sconces are intricately designed. They are available in styles ranging from traditional, chandelier-inspired pieces to modern designs that incorporate details such as colored crystals.

Antique Wall Sconces

Antique Wall Sconces are made with simple styles that do not detract from the look of candlelight that has been used for centuries. The historical appeal of these fixtures makes them ideal for interior designs that incorporate antique furniture and accessories.

Transitional Wall Sconces

Transitional Wall Sconces are gorgeous fixtures with elegant designs. They complement the muted color scheme and comfortable atmosphere of transitional rooms.

Contemporary Wall Sconces

Contemporary Wall Sconces come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. You can find a fixture from this selection to match any modern interior design. Some incorporate vibrant colors and sleek designs, while others offer creative flair and playful styles.

Brass and Crystal Wall Sconces

Brass and Crystal Wall Sconces are interesting pieces that provide a stunning visual contrast. The look of aged brass contrasts with the delicate look of shimmering crystal. These fixtures enhance the look of traditionally styled rooms as well as those that are designed with antiques in mind.

This past weekend we ran a landscape lighting workshop featuring design and installation insights, and according to feedback provided the many attendees I would like to report it was a great success. The workshop began with an overview of how landscape lighting enhances the beauty of your property and makes your home safer and more secure. Landscape lighting is also an investment that adds value to your home.

For those whom were unable to attend here are a few highlights I would like to share with you....

Low-level path lights, which spread circular patterns of light, will brighten your walkway, while highlighting nearby flower beds, shrubs, and ground cover.

Romance your patio or deck with some low light level step or deck lights. This will also allow some safety while going up and down stairs.

If you have a particular flower bed, small shrub, or possibly a statue you would like to incorporate into your design, add some area lights to enhance that particular area.

Make your home stand out by grazing the surface. This is accomplished by adding some low voltage well lights which are placed in close proximity to the home, allowing the light to graze itself up the exterior of your home. Don't forget to use those larger well lights to accent large trees in the area.

Some low voltage directional lights can be used to enhance small to medium size trees and bushes. There are several ways to accomplish a great look. My favorite is called cross lighting, which means to illuminate a tree, statue, or cluster of bushes, from two or more sides to cross the beam spread.  This creates a rather stunning three dimensional look.

Remember it is important not to overdo your outdoor look. Make it dramatic, not over kill. Incorporate area, path, walkway, directional, and well lights for that fantastic dramatic three dimensional look.

For all of you that were out enjoying the lovely weather and could not partake in the exciting world of landscape lighting, feel free to contact me at 1800-922-1469 ext 301 for some tips or help setting up an exquisite design.

Lighting design professionals from companies such as Holtkotter and engineers from organizations such as the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America are now studying how lighting affects aging eyes, in order to determine the best lighting designs for people over sixty. Recent studies provide a wealth of information on the ways conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma affect the way aging eyes see light. Even without these conditions, studies show that our ability to see light changes as we age.

Facilities dedicated to servicing people over sixty are using this information to adjust their lighting designs, and the same principles can be used in your home. Many homeowners are unaware that their lighting design choices can have a large impact on the level of comfort they or their family members experience in their household.

However, simple changes in lighting design can make life much easier for people over sixty. The following tips from The Eye Digest, which is published by the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary Physicians, illustrate this idea. If you keep these tips in mind, you can create a comfortable and functional lighting design that is suitable for all ages.

• Put more time and attention and money into quality lighting design and equipment.
• Since we spend more time at home as we get older - lighting during the day should be an important consideration
• Ambient lighting must be available at sufficient levels to ensure psychological well being.
• General lighting levels should be much higher (2-3 times) than normal.
• Task lighting should be carefully arranged in order to avoid glare.
• Accent lighting provides information but is not distracting visually.
• Daylighting must be filtered to prevent glare and sharp contrasts from area to area.
• Lighting should be controlled so that it is easy to use.

Lighting manufacturers such as Holtkotter have conducted research that helps them design lamps and other lighting products with people over sixty in mind. After collaborating with researchers at the University of Colorado, Holtkotter determined the optimal light intensity for tasks such as reading, and developed new products as a result. With these innovative designs, people over sixty can enjoy lighting designs that are both comfortable and functional.