Decor and Design

Our understanding of interior lighting has evolved by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years. What began with a rudimentary sense that more was better has today evolved into a nuanced and deep body of knowledge about color spectrums and energy efficiency.

Advanced lighting will play a key role in the U.S. Department of Energy's announced plans to increase energy savings by 30% nationwide in its own DOE complex--the second largest federal energy consumer of all civilian federal agencies. Upfront investment will be required to meet the goals for lighting and other improvements.

Homeowners have spent thousands of dollars remodeling or redesigning their interior. The carpeting, furniture and wall art are perfect. Then lamps and light fixtures are brought in. Some may work, some may be close, overall the vision seems to function and the homeowner is satisfied.

A competent lighting designer will be able to determine your lighting needs based on your tastes, décor, personal habits, use of space, and your budget. And they will be able to provide you with a custom, personalized lighting plan to meet those needs.

Lighting design is the planning of a lighting system to achieve an optimal lighting effect in a given space. The process may include landscape lighting, exterior architectural lighting, improving the lighting in a specific room or area, or designing the lighting for an entire home remodel or a new home build.

Simulated full spectrum light is color-corrected light that operates in the range of 400 to 800 nanometers. This light will simulate the optical brilliance of outdoor light at noontime. The secret to true color light and optically balanced light is how close you can get to the optics of natural light.

There are two basics types of light bulb, fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are the most commonly used because they are the least expensive bulb by bulb, and also include a variety called halogen light bulbs. They are not the least expensive over time, even the halogen variation.

Of course there is no single modern lighting scheme so popular nowadays as recessed halogens. These brilliant bulbs, renowned for their full-spectrum warmth and high luminosity, offer something no incandescent light can: focus. Because they light with point sources instead of filaments, halogens can be trained on one spot or set free with a diffusion lens.

The newest generation of lamps can reduce long-term operating costs of fluorescent lighting systems in institutional and commercial facilities. Making investments in these new lamps can improve the lighting and reduce both energy and maintenance cost.

Track lighting is back again. This throwback from the 70s is making a big splash on businesses, galleries, restaurants, and homes across the globe.