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The earliest chandeliers took on a relatively simple form, using wood and metal frames to support rows of candles. By the mid-19th century, chandeliers moved beyond the role of simple light fixture to become an important decorative element in fine homes, churches and government buildings. The 1860s not only brought chandelier designs inspired by previous centuries, but also coincided with the spread of gas lighting technology that revolutionized the lighting industry.
Planning the lighting for the entire bedroom can help you choose the style and size for the main fixture. Your bedroom needs general lighting and task lighting. An overhead light fixture can supply general illumination and complement your overall lighting design and decor. The lighting fixture's ideal size depends on its style, the room's size and how the style of fixture works with the proportions of other decorative elements in the room.
Light fixture bases are generically known as the base of light bulbs. These bases are designed to fit in specialized sockets, and depending upon what type of light bulb you have, the bases will be different. Although each base for a specific bulb may be different, in some cases, you can get an adapter to allow one particular light base to fit and work into another. Modern LED light bulb equivalents are generally available for each type.
Adjustable height lights are useful in many different situations. Perhaps you have higher than average ceilings, or you are trying to accent a peninsula or island and want to splash the light in just the right way. While the styles vary tremendously, all adjustable height lights have a cord, either hidden or exposed, that can be shortened as the light is hung.
Caulking around an exterior light fixture requires you to be very careful so that you don't disrupt the electrical wires inside. Caulk around an exterior light fixture with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
It's easier to install light fixture and switch boxes before the walls have been covered over. Having all the framing members visible and accessible takes the mystery out of pulling cables and setting boxes. Once you have the boxes in, and all the necessary cables are in place, you usually wait until the drywall is in and the ceiling painted before installing the fixtures themselves. Hooking up power is the last thing you do.
Over time, the electrical contacts in light sockets on table and floor lamps can wear thin, and the light bulb may flicker or not illuminate at all. If the electrical cord and plug are in good shape, you can save the cost of a new lamp by assembling and installing a new light socket yourself. A quick trip down the lighting aisle at your local hardware store or home center and you'll have your lamp working like new.
Rooms with short ceilings commonly feature low-profile lighting; however, such lights can be welcome additions in spaces with even the grandest of ceiling heights, whether on their own or in conjunction with taller fixtures. Ideally, keep at least 7 feet clear between the bottom of the fixture and the floor below it, and always use a mix of different lighting types in a room, especially when it comes to low-profile fixtures. For example, a single flush-mounted dome lamp in the center of the room, without any additional floor or table lamps, recessed lighting or other fixtures, will look dated and…
If you have a ceiling- or wall-mounted light fixture that's in a convenient place to double as an electrical receptacle, you can find a number of light fixture adapters for this purpose. The term "adapter" also refers to a screw-in attachment that adapts the socket for a different-size bulb. A third meaning for the word is the plate or bar that allows allows you to attach a light fixture to an electrical box.
Some materials that you'll need to decorate a lamp with silk flowers include a lamp, silk roses and a glue gun. Decorate a lamp with silk roses with help from a florist, interior decorator and party planner in this free video clip.
Not all ceiling electrical boxes are going to have what it takes to hook light fixtures up to them. Find out if a ceiling electrical box is suited for a light fixture with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
A lamp can be arranged behind a sectional couch in a few different ways depending on your preferences. Arrange a lamp behind a sectional couch with help from a designer and interior decorator in this free video clip.
Making a magic lamp craft is a process that goes surprisingly quick and can be completed right a home. Learn about a magic lamp craft with help from a graphic designer and illustrator in this free video clip.
Making a redstone lamp in Minecraft allows you to use it to give off the same light level as a regular glow stone. Learn how to make a redstone lamp in Minecraft with help from a devoted tech power user, gamer and gaming fan in this free video clip.
Ultraviolet lamps are an invaluable tool to have in your garage, especially for leak detection. Use ultraviolet lamps for leak detection with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.
Switching a light fixture from a two-prong outlet to a three-prong outlet doesn't involve any surgery on the fixture itself, but on the outlet in question. But converting a two-prong outlet to a ground fault current interrupter (GFCI) outlet requires careful attention to detail. Breezing through the process can easily ruin household wiring and require the services of a licensed electrician to repair.
A crystal chandelier, with its numerous and intricate pieces, can be a breathtaking source of interior lighting. Over time, the crystal pieces accumulate dust and dirt, dampening the light's effects. Clean a chandelier’s fragile and beautiful rosette pieces to ensure they continue to reflect light. Although the cleaning process takes time and effort, the finished result makes the work worthwhile.
Cold cathode fluorescent lamp bulbs, commonly referred to as CCFL, are bulbs that last longer than standard incandescent light bulbs -- and even similar-looking compact fluorescent bulbs -- and do not require as much voltage to operate, thus also reducing energy bills. You can use CCFL bulbs to replace standard incandescent light bulbs in light fixtures including stand-alone lamps, chandeliers, recessed lights, outdoor lights and vanity lights. The installation process takes only a minute and you do not need to replace the bulbs as frequently you would a standard incandescent light bulb. CCFL bulbs last between 18,000 and 25,000 hours…
Older homes are chock-full of style and charm, but also often feature outdated technology. One such instance can be the lighting. Before the widespread use of electricity, some homes used gas to power their light fixtures. Converting a gas light fixture to an electric fixture can help modernize your home and improve the lighting. Before you convert the fixture, contract with a professional to disconnect the gas line from the outlet pipe, and cap the pipe to prevent a gas leak.
If you drive with a broken turn signal lens, police can stop you and issue a “fix-it” ticket that requires you to replace the broken lens with a good one matching original-equipment specifications or pay a hefty fine. A do-it-yourselfer can replace a broken turn signal lens assembly on most makes of cars. The details will vary from one car make to another, but the basic process is the same for all cars.
If your Samsung digital light processing (DLP) television is making a whining or buzzing sound, the most likely cause is either the cooling fan or the color wheel. When either component begins to fail, an audible noise can result. To stop the noise, you'll need to get the parts replaced. This should only ever be done by a trained Samsung technician.
Rewiring a lamp with tight corners can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. A few preliminary steps can help to straighten out those difficult spots. Lamps may be smooth and finished on the outside while on the inside you may find a course surface and tight corners. By adding a few household items to the rewiring job the project can be simplified.
Cape Cod style houses, and homes with cathedral or vaulted ceilings share at least one trait: sloping ceilings that follow the roof line. What provides style and visual interest also poses a challenge. Sometimes the ceilings are not properly insulated before they are finished. Because these ceilings are formed by and follow the slant of the roof rafters, it's generally impossible to insulate from above the ceiling. Instead, carefully remove the current finish, saving it if possible, and insulate. Top with a vapor barrier and replace the ceiling finish, or you can experiment with a new one.
If you have the Heritage Deluxe Natural Spectrum floor lamp made by Verilux, you may have decided to purchase it because of the lamp's rotation feature that makes it easy to direct the light in a room. If you have a lamp that is old or is damaged, you may have trouble rotating the lamp head.
Lithonia Lighting specializes in fluorescent fixtures, light-emitting diode fixtures and high-intensity discharge lighting for both commercial and residential applications. Its flush mount and semi-flush mount fixtures, designed for residential use, give you the decorative lighting you want for your home combined with energy-saving fluorescent bulbs. Replace your existing lighting fixtures by installing a Lithonia Lighting fluorescent semi-flush mount ceiling fixture anywhere in your home. The fixture will not only brighten the area, but save you money.
Creating your own lighting may seem like a daunting project, but it can actually be quite simple once you break the project down into smaller tasks. Overhead lamps in particular can present a challenge because they must be wired directly into the existing building wiring rather than plugged into a wall socket. But don’t let a little extra work deter you and get creative by adding a lampshade that fits the room's decor.
Halogen lamps are a versatile tool to have in your home workshop or garage. These lamps provide bright lighting that can serve as a work light for tasks ranging from mechanical repairs to woodworking tool task lighting. Over time, the stand on these lamps can become damaged. You can change the stand instead of replacing the entire lamp. Halogen lamps are bolted to the stand in the center of each side of the lamp. In some cases the lamps might be bolted to the stand in the center of the bottom of the lamp.
A recessed lighting fixture consists of a metal housing suspended between ceiling joists by an extension bar, or mounting frame. If the light housing is sliding from the ceiling, there are two possible causes. First, the extension bar might have come loose. For example, if a screw pulls out of the wood joist, the extension bar will no longer be rigid, and the light housing will dip. In this case, you must remove the ceiling to reattach the extension bar. This scenario is rare, however. Most likely, the screws attaching the housing to the extension bar are loose, which is…
Installing a chandelier goes far beyond providing light for a room in your home. Chandeliers accent decor and can add an elegant, classic or modern touch to the space while also serving as a functional fixture. If you have a heavy, 400-pound chandelier to hang, the weight may limit your options or force you to take special steps to ensure that it is mounted properly.
The long fluorescent light in your office or classroom may be lit with a bulb referred to as a T12 lamp. But this type of lighting is becoming an endangered species as more efficient fluorescent bulbs replace T12s, which are being phased out.
A rainbow is a spectrum of light that appears as arced bands of color in the sky to the human eye. The optical phenomenon is a result of light refraction and reflection off water vapor in the air. You can replicate the colorful phenomenon on a smaller scale, with just a few common items from around the home, for an interesting introduction to the fascinating world of physics.
A touch dimmer lamp allows you to turn it on or off by simply touching the metal. An alternative to mechanical switches commonly found on lamps, a touch lamp allows you to increase or decrease the intensity of light it throws. Continual or improper use can cause the touch sensor or control box inside the lamp to stop functioning properly. Replacement sensors are easily available at your local home improvement stores, allowing you to make the necessary repairs yourself.
Tightening your chandelier can be accomplished by several methods, depending upon the current setup of your lighting fixture and the specifications of your electrical junction box recessed into your ceiling. By adjusting the chain or adding a decorative accessory, you can tighten your chandelier without spending a lot of money. Tightening your chandelier base will improve the overall look of your fixture or prepare your house for staging prior to selling it.
If a chandelier's nipple is not the same size as that of the fixture box, use a a hickey instead. A hickey is a fastener that has male adapter ends on both sides. There is a gap between the top and the bottom of the hickey so that you can slip wiring through. Nipples are double-sided female adapters featuring threaded halves that run in opposite directions. The hickey will allow the fixture box's nipple to meet with the nipple of a chandelier hook or collar.
If you're remodeling your bathroom, you may be ready to ditch the old-style Hollywood bar light above your vanity and replace it with two separate light fixtures. From a decor standpoint this may be advisable, but it will require a bit of work, since the original fixture only requires one in-wall fixture box, and the two new fixtures will each require their own.
If you're remodeling a room in your home, streamline and update the look of the ceiling by removing existing surface light fixtures and replacing them with recessed lights. One advantage in these situations is that the wiring is already in place for the new light. You will need to do some other retrofitting for the physical placement of the recessed light.
Choosing a light fixture for the front of your house can be a fun home design project. The choice can seem big, though, when you consider all the options available in exterior lighting. When you choose a light fixture, you will have to consider not just style, but also size. Choosing the right-sized light can help give the facade of your house balance and style.
Installing lights on a vanity mirror helps reduce the chances of shadows being cast on the mirror. When it comes to installing a vanity light fixture, you need to know exactly how far from the floor to place the fixture. How far a vanity light fixture sits from the floor depends on factors such as the height of your mirror and the placement of the fixture.
Make your own night light with a small plug-in light fixture and a homemade shade. Use translucent seed beads or glass beads to make a small shade that twinkles and diffuses the light. Large Christmas lights will fit into most small plug-in light fixtures and the colors can add extra charm to the night light. The light can be plugged into a socket in a bedroom, hallway, bathroom, kitchen or another location where a night light is required.
Light fixtures and receptacles in your home are arranged on circuits, with electrical cables connecting each of the pieces in a line. This makes wiring easier, because a single cable run can accommodate numerous devices or outlets. This makes it relatively easy to tap into a receptacle to power a light fixture. You'll only need some simple tools and basic electrical wiring knowledge to pull it off.
T12 and T8 lamps are two types of fluorescent light bulbs. The “T” in the light designation indicates that the bulb type is a tube, which is common with fluorescents. The number specifies the size of the light in eighths of an inch, so a T12 tube is 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and a T8 tube is 1 inch. When replacing T12 with T8 bulbs, a new ballast must be installed at each end of the fixture to accommodate the difference in size and type.
An outdoor pole lamp with a glass lantern brings back memories of the past. An attractive pole lamp is easy to install anywhere in your yard and requires no electricity. You do not need to be a master carpenter to construct the pole lamp economically. Make several outdoor pole lamps for the edges of your patio or outdoor room for a warm evening glow.
Exterior lighting illuminates the home's architectural features and adds beauty, curb appeal and safety to a home. Properly installed exterior lighting can reduce accidents, create a warm welcome to guests and deter unwanted guests. Poorly placed exterior lights can create unsafe glares and unhappy neighbors. Appropriate height, style and size should all be considered before installation.
The 1930s were a convergence of many design schools that played out in American homes with a variety of distinctive decor styles. The modernist movement was in full swing, but there were many different philosophies within that style, many of which had overlapping elements. Interestingly, each design philosophy can be identified in a simple light fixture -- the lines, forms and materials that identify each movement are present in lamps and ceiling fixtures, which clearly represent the philosophies from which they were conceived. If doing your entire home in authentic, vintage pieces is out of your price range, splurging on…
Adding a brick lamp post to your yard is a way of adding outdoor lighting while also accenting brick features in your home, sidewalk or landscaping. Some brick lamp posts feature brick bases and metal posts, while others are brick columns with lights installed on top of them. Whichever type of post you choose to build, you can reinforce the bricks for added strength.
Unlike plasma TVs, which use irreplaceable gas-filled lamps to create light and color, both LCD and projection -- also known as DLP -- TVs use replaceable lamps to help extend the life of your television. Just like the lamps that you use to light your house, the lamp in your TV will burn out over time. Since it's a common issue, most manufacturers offer warnings when the lamp is close to burning out, so you can quickly replace it without interrupting your TV-watching schedule.
Light fixtures are a must for the exterior of your home. When you arrive home after dark, they illuminate driveways and walking paths. They also deter burglars and vandals, helping to keep both your home and family safe. Installing fixtures on vinyl siding can be a challenge -- use a mounting block to make it easier.
Light fixtures do more than just brighten up your home; they can also be effective safety and security measures. In some areas of your home, you could need the aid of a mounting block to install the light fixture safely and attractively.
Lamp posts have a long history of illuminating the streets in towns and cities. While they still are used for that purpose today, homeowners can also install lamp posts around their private residence for both safety and decorative effect. They're often used to guide guests from the street to the front door. With the advent of solar lighting, outdoor illumination has become easier to install.
Energy-efficient, with a longer life than incandescent bulbs, standard fluorescent lights have many commercial and residential uses. Fluorescent light bulbs are long, hollow tubes with a terminal cap at each end. The tubes are straight, circular or U-shaped and attach to a power supply. They fit inside a fluorescent light fixture. The common diameter of fluorescent light bulbs ranges from 1 inch to 2.5 inches. The diameter of specialty bulbs is as small as a quarter-inch. Fluorescent light fixtures provide lighting for shops, businesses, garages, classrooms, store displays, aquariums and residences.
