learning center
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Outdoor Lighting: Create an Outdoor Resort in Your Back Yard This summer many will be spending more vacation time at home instead of traveling to a distant
location. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), with a few updates to your
outside lighting, you can enjoy a mini vacation at home. Believe it or not, it’s easier – and less
expensive – than you might imagine to transform your existing patio, deck, or pool area into a
retreat that you will love (and that will make the neighbors jealous).
Rather than buying a costly designer patio set or lounge chairs that will lose their luster by next
season, invest in a new lighting scheme that will enhance your existing outdoor furniture and
amenities.
“The best strategy is to clearly define your objectives,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, education
consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of
Interior Design. “It’s not necessary to illuminate everything in your yard, so decide which areas
are the highest priorities,” he advises. “It is generally better to begin closest to the house, since
that is where most activities take place.”
Beauty on a Budget
- “Creating a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Rick Wiedemer of Hinkley
Lighting. “A few well-placed, low-voltage path or accent lights can have a huge impact on a wellmanicured
landscape.” No lawn is too small. “Even modest homes or those with limited yards or
gardens can benefit,” he states. “Low-voltage landscape lighting is inexpensive, safe and
relatively easy to install. A handy homeowner can put in a low-voltage lighting system over a
weekend.”
All that is needed are some basic tools, a transformer (which reduces standard 120-volt
household current to the safe 12-volt level), outdoor low-voltage copper cable, and low-voltage
lighting fixtures – all of which you can find at your local ALA-member lighting showroom.
“It’s an easy project that adds beauty, value and security, and doesn’t take a lot of time,”
Wiedemer says.
Lew Waltz of Hadco agrees. “The best thing about using low-voltage lighting outdoors is you don’t
have to do everything at once,” he explains. “I recommend purchasing a transformer that is larger
than you immediately need. Let’s say you want to illuminate the deck area and provide task
lighting for cooking at the grill. After selecting the fixtures, you add up the wattage and figure it will
use 200 watts of light. However, next year, you might like to add lighting to the patio, highlight
some potted plants, and install a water feature in the backyard,” says Waltz. “Instead of
purchasing a transformer that is just large enough for the deck, buy one that will operate two to
three times that amount of wattage. You only pay for the energy consumed by the fixtures. In
other words, a 600-watt transformer that only has 200 watts of fixtures on it, uses 200 watts of
energy, not 600,” he says.
How do you start? “Select two or three items that are important to you during the daylight hours,
such as an ornamental tree, a water feature, a sculpture, etc.,” Waltz explains. “A fixture or two
trained on each of these features will make your backyard come to life after dark. You can go
back and fill in with some additional lighting later, if the budget is tight this year. By adding three or four fixtures to that larger transformer you purchased for the
deck, you still haven’t used all the available power.”
Another important tip is to buy the best quality and well-constructed fixtures you can afford. “They
will last for decades,” Waltz says, adding, “There are a tremendous number of homeowners who
purchase the least expensive fixtures they can find, only to discover that they need to replace
them within a year or two. That actually ends up costing more over a 10-year period than if they
had purchased better-quality products in the beginning,” he says.
When laying out your project, remember a little light goes a long way outdoors. Consulting with a
lighting professional at your local ALA-member lighting showroom can help you avoid making the
common mistake of too many fixtures in one area.
“I see this happen a lot with path lighting,” Waltz notes. “Folks will place fixtures six to eight feet
apart when lighting a sidewalk, and they end up using 10 fixtures for a 50- to 60-foot path. That
path can easily be illuminated with three to four fixtures if you select a fixture that is designed by a
reputable manufacturer that builds performance into their products,” he advises. “By selecting a
fixture from a performance-oriented manufacturer, you will save considerable amount of money
on the project by not having to purchase and install extra fixtures to accomplish the desired
effect.”
These days there are many more decorative landscape lighting fixtures than the basic black path
lights. Wiedemer suggests taking inspiration from your home’s interior or exterior architectural
elements. “The combination of form plus function is very important,” he says.
“The idea of enhancing your outdoor environment to reflect your personal style is very popular,
especially as we look for more ways to extend the amount of time we spend outside. There are
many attractive designs available and you can add color and interest with different glass choices,
unique castings, nature-inspired shapes, and architectural elements,” Wiedemer says.
A visit to your local ALA-member lighting showroom will reveal a multitude of styles that will
create focal points for your garden or yard while making a decorative statement.
Add Light, Not Energy
- One of the simplest ways to save on electricity costs is to use a photocell, according to Rey-
Barreau. “When it becomes dark or daylight, the photocell automatically turns the lights on and
off,” he says. Photocells can be used either for complete outdoor lighting systems or for single
fixtures, such as by the back door.
“Another common type of control is a timer that turns the lights on and off at specific times,” Rey-
Barreau says. “It’s particularly useful to have both a photocell and a timer. With that combination,
the timer is set to turn the lights on in the late afternoon, but the photocell will override the timer if
there is enough daylight available.” Wiedemer suggests low-voltage halogen lighting as a lessexpensive
alternative to a typical incandescent line-voltage system. “Low-voltage
halogen operates very efficiently, and the amount of light (lumen output per watt) is much greater
than with incandescent bulb equivalents,” he explains.
An even more efficient light source – and what Wiedemer refers to as “a true ‘green’ solution” – is
LED. This developing lighting technology provides equivalent light output to that of halogen or
incandescent, but at considerable energy savings of up to 75 percent less. Wiedemer estimates
the average lifespan of a well-made LED light source to exceed 40,000 hours or more than 12
years of average nightly use. If you install timers with the transformers to turn the system off
during late night hours, you will not only cut down even further on energy costs, but will also
increase the lifespan of the bulbs.
To learn more about lighting your home, inside and out, talk to a lighting professional at
Elume Distinctive Lighting today!
Anne Yates 801-550-0042
Cora Stjernholm 801-557-1640
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Budget-Friendly Tips to Brighten Your Kitchen
and Save Energy Rising gas and food prices may have put a damper on your plans to remodel this year, but there
are some economical ways to update your kitchen. According to the American Lighting
Association, just merely changing out the decorative lighting fixtures over the breakfast nook or
center island can have a big visual impact, creating a fresher, more up-to-date look – and it is
less considerably less expensive than replacing the cabinets or countertops. Perhaps that 1960s
pendant that came with the house or the 1980s island light is clashing with the stainless steel
fridge or dishwasher you bought a few years ago.
If your kitchen’s only source of lighting is from recessed cans, consider adding a few fixtures to
serve as aesthetic and functional focal points in the room over the casual eating area and/or the
island.
First, a must-have update for your kitchen is the installation of dimmers
for all of the lighting. “The greatest benefit of installing dimmers in an existing kitchen is that the
quality of the resulting light will inevitably appear much more comfortable and flexible than what
you had before,” explains Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting
Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior
Design.
“It might not be immediately obvious, but dimming will allow you to adjust the lighting level to the
specific task at hand,” says Rey-Barreau. “For example, during food preparation and cooking, the
lights can be at full output. At other times – after dinner, early in the morning, or late at night –
when task lighting requirements are not as demanding, the lights can be set to a more
comfortable level,” he says.
If you have no idea which type of decorative lighting would suit your décor, visit your local ALAmember
lighting showroom for some expert advice. The experts on staff can help you select the
most appropriate fixture for your space. For example, a few glass blown glass pendants or
perhaps a chandelier designed specifically to suit the configuration of a kitchen island may be the
perfect complement for your appliances, sink or faucet hardware.
Todd Phillips of Quoizel, a leading lighting manufacturer, keeps track of the latest trends in
kitchen design. “What’s popular right now is what I would describe as Cleaned Up Americana.
This is representative of the classic, familiar shapes and elements we all recognize, but with a bit
sleeker appearance and on-trend finishes such as bronze and brushed nickel,” he says.
“Handcrafted, hand-forged designs are also gaining in popularity,” Phillips says. “The key work is
clean. Think of a black or bronze finish paired with opal white glass, or perhaps natural Mica to
create a warmer tone.”
Today’s modern kitchens are in the middle of the style spectrum, not too steeped in traditional
style that could appear dated, but not too outlandishly contemporary either. “Transitional is still
the operative word,” Phillips says. “Finishes are still neutral, simple and clean. Along with beige,
white, bronze and brushed chrome, I’m starting to see more polished chrome. I also find the more
custom designs are a bit bolder in their use of color in the kitchen and in the lighting,” he adds.
Of course, there is no denying technology’s influence on interior design. “While high-tech
consumer products are now a part of all aspects of our lives, the high-tech revolution has only
more recently begun to affect kitchen design – and lighting in particular,” Rey-Barreau says.
This phenomenon is most apparent in recessed lighting. “Both compact fluorescent and LED
bulbs are much more complex than the traditional incandescent we grew up with,” Rey-Barreau
says. “This new level of sophistication is affecting lighting fixture design, and therefore we are
seeing many more products with a high-tech look in other parts of the kitchen.” Stainless steel
appliances, high-tech refrigerators, stoves, microwaves and kitchen faucets have all become
highly stylized and feature-driven. “Since technology is only going to become more advanced and
sophisticated, it’s likely that kitchen design in general will follow this trend,” he says.
According to Rey-Barreau, the kitchen is a logical place to introduce technology. Some of the
LED lighting products that are now readily available – undercabinet and in-cabinet lighting,
pendants, recessed – are perfect for the kitchen. Although LEDs are higher in cost than
comparable incandescent, halogen and fluorescent, they provide much higher energy efficiency
than any of those, and they have an extraordinarily long life.
“Another advantage to LED fixtures is that they generally provide a more modern look, which can
easily update the overall look of the kitchen. LEDs are a recent introduction in the market, so
those fixtures tend to be more sleek and streamlined,” Rey-Barreau says. “If your objective is to
simply update the light source inside existing fixtures, there are LED replacement bulbs available
now for use in most standard types of incandescent, halogen and compact fluorescent fixtures.”
One advantage to LED lighting is that it is easy to dim. However, there is a caveat: some LED
sources can be dimmed via standard incandescent dimmers, while others need to be matched
with specific models. Most manufacturers provide a list of recommended dimmers for their LEDs.
In addition to professionally trained experts, many ALA-member lighting showrooms also offer
lighting labs that demonstrate how the different color temperatures of compact fluorescent and
LED bulbs will look in your kitchen in various applications such as recessed, under-cabinet, soffit
(above cabinet), or inside glass-front cabinets.
To learn more about lighting your home, inside and out, talk to a lighting professional at
Elume Distinctive Lighting today!
Anne Yates 801-550-0042
Cora Stjernholm 801-557-1640
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From Man Cave to Kid Cave: Get the Most Out of
Your Home Theater The term “home theater” used to mean a small room designated for the enjoyment of watching
movies. Then gigantic flat screens and HD technology came along, and the video game industry
upped the ante with Xbox, PlayStation®, and Wii products that appealed to every age group. With
so many different uses, the home theater has morphed into an auxiliary family room. How can
one room be made flexible enough to suit all of the activities performed there? Easy! According to
the American Lighting Association (ALA) all you need to do is make a few tweaks in your lighting
to satisfy the sports fan, the electronic game player, and the movie buff.
“The affordability and popularity of big-screen TVs, high-quality sound and home entertainment
systems has created many opportunities for using specialized lighting to enhance the
experience,” says architect Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate
professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design.
Whether your home theater is part of new construction or a remodeling project, think in layers.
According to Rey-Barreau, a lighting layer is defined as a specific type of fixture that is unique
from others in that same area. For example, a room that has recessed downlights, a decorative
fixture in the center of the room, plus wall sconces on one wall would be defined as having three
layers. Each of the three types of fixtures would be controlled by separate switches and dimmers.
“The objective of using layers is to create lighting options for different tasks and activities in that
space,” Rey-Barreau explains. The ideal lighting for the entire family to watch a full-length movie
in the evening might be with the recessed lighting turned off and the decorative lighting at the
ceiling and the wall sconces dimmed to a low level. If the kids are watching cartoons or playing
video games, Rey-Barreau advises turning on the recessed lighting to the maximum output, and
turning off the decorative lighting.
On weekends when the room is the focal point for dad and his buddies to watch sports, the
recessed lighting could be turned down 50 percent while the sconces and ceiling fixture could be
turned off or dimmed to a low level.
Having an integrated dimming system is key. “These types of systems have become very
affordable,” Rey-Barreau says. “The benefit is that they can control all of the lights from one
location, and the layers can be pre-set to designated ‘scenes.’ Therefore, all of the lighting
settings for various activities can be programmed into the memory of the system,” he explains,
adding that manufacturers can customize the label for each setting with titles such as “cartoons,”
“sports,” “movies,” etc.
“The beauty of these integrated systems is that the ‘scenes’ can be controlled with a remote so
that the lighting can be adjusted with the same ease as the control of our cable and entertainment
systems,” Rey-Barreau says.
These concepts can be applied just as easily to a family room or to any space where multiple
activities require different types of lighting effects. It was not that long ago that these types of
systems required pre-wiring, making them only practical for new construction, according to Rey-
Barreau. “Today there are radio-frequency systems that can be installed in existing spaces with
multiple types of lighting and which can achieve the same amount of lighting control,” he says.
Homeowners spend a lot of money on their TVs and entertainment systems, but without the right
lighting, they won’t get the most out of that investment, according to Libbe Milicia, director of
decorative product development for manufacturer Progress Lighting. “Imagine if you were in a
movie theater and all of the lights were abruptly turned on at the end of the film. It wouldn’t be a
very pleasant way to end your experience. The same concept of gradual light dimming should be
considered in your home entertainment space. A lighting control system allows people to dim the
lighting in order to create a genuine movie theater experience,” she explains.
If your home theater has steps, there are lighting products designed to help your family and
friends to walk safely without turning on overhead lights, tripping over an obstacle or disturbing
other viewers. If you do not already have sconces, consider installing fixtures that hug the walls.
“The soft vertical light provides sophistication while illuminating just enough for people to navigate
the room when the overhead lights are off,” Milicia says.
Whether dimming the lights to begin a show, or raising them to signal the end, recessed
downlights are an excellent choice for general illumination. “There are even specifically designed
home theater trims that have extremely low brightness and eliminate glare,” Milicia says, adding,
“Special colors make the trims virtually disappear into the ceiling.”
Much like when working on a computer, playing video games without eye strain requires
adequate light levels to illuminate the screen. Direct bright, general lighting over the TV area is
ideal.
While the style of lighting in any of these spaces can vary from traditional to transitional to
contemporary, the high technology of the audio and video systems works well with more modern
lighting styles, according to Milicia. Select fixtures that conceal the bulbs and provide maximum
glare control.
To learn more about lighting your home, inside and out, talk to a lighting professional at
Elume Distinctive Lighting today!
Anne Yates 801-550-0042
Cora Stjernholm 801-557-1640
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New, Stylish Lighting Fixtures Make a Splash in the Bath In an era when going away on vacation is not in the budget, many homeowners are finding it makes
fiscal sense to turn the master bath into a spa environment with high-end amenities such as soaking
tubs, saunas, whirlpools, granite countertops, double sinks, marble and tile flooring, and his and her
dressing areas.
According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), the finishing touch to a redecorated bathroom is
complementary lighting that is highly functional and attractive. In response to the increased demand for
luxurious bath amenities, lighting manufacturers now offer more high-end fixtures than ever, making
this the perfect time to create a splashy bath.
“Everything in the bath has been upgraded except the lighting,”
says George Chandler of Vermont-based lighting manufacturer Hubbardton Forge. “The right lighting
will make the room. Without it, everything you purchased won’t look half as good.”
Kellee Hollenback of Savoy House, a lighting manufacturer based in Georgia, agrees. “People are
making an investment and creating a retreat reminiscent of a hotel room at their favorite vacation
spot,” Hollenback says. “Redoing the bathroom is an economical way to do a home makeover. Even
simply installing a UL-listed shower light or a chandelier or spotlight over the tub can enhance both
comfort and ambiance.” (UL listed products have been tested and evaluated for safety by Underwriters
Laboratories.)
There are two must-haves for proper bath lighting: an ambient light source and task lighting. There has
never been a better time to buy a decorative ambient fixture than right now. Lighting manufacturers
have designed some truly elegant and highly functional fixtures that will set a luxurious atmosphere for
the room and make your guests envious.
“When selecting a decorative fixture, make sure you’re getting good light from it,” says Todd Phillips of
South Carolina-based lighting manufacturer Quoizel. “Overall, soft contemporary styles are leading the
pack. We’re seeing the importance of a bronze finish on clean designs. There’s been great growth in
vanity sinks, which often have matching hardware. This has led to a desire for lighting fixtures in a
complementary bronze finish,” say Phillips. “We’re also noticing a trend in faucets with an antique or
brushed nickel finish.” Chrome is also a popular finish choice that will always be in vogue.
“Today’s homeowners are looking for something unique and not the same thing they can find
everywhere else,” adds Ron Henderson of Nevada-based lighting manufacturer Varaluz. “They are
carbon footprint-sensitive, and we use a lot of reclaimed and recycled materials in our bath fixtures.”
The most critical area for proper lighting is at the mirror, where the majority of grooming tasks – from
make-up application to shaving – takes place. Although many builders and interior decorators install
one recessed light over the sink, lighting experts say this is not ideal for putting your best face forward.
“The best scenario at the bathroom mirror is a lighting fixture at the top and two smaller wall-mounted
fixtures located on either side of the mirror, ”explains architect Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant
for the ALA, and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “It is
possible to add a recessed light over the sink as a supplementary light source, but it should never be
the primary light because it will create shadows on the face.
Decorative sconces that either match or complement the over-the-sink light will evenly illuminate both
sides of the face. Rey-Barreau recommends a minimum of 150 watts of incandescent lighting per sink,
or 40 watts of fluorescent.
“An alternative to a compact fluorescent is the halogen IRC by Osram, which is low-voltage and
provides 28 lumens per watt. It gives a lot of light and gives good color so that skin doesn’t look
washed out,” says Paul Eusterbrock of Holtkoetter International, a lighting manufacturer based in
Minnesota. “People need energy-efficient light that helps them look good,” he says.
And don’t forget a dimmer. Dimmers are essential for creating a soothing and comfortable
environment. Installing a dimmer in your master bath is one of the easiest, least expensive and mood
enhancing techniques you can do.
“The reality is that the amount of light provided by typical vanity fixtures gives much more lighting than
we need for the majority of times that we are in the bathroom,” says Rey-Barreau. “Once you have a
dimmer, being able to adjust the light levels for different situations is amazingly practical.”
To learn more about lighting your home, inside and out, talk to a lighting professional at
Elume Distinctive Lighting today!
Anne Yates 801-550-0042
Cora Stjernholm 801-557-1640
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Lighting Can be Your Eyes’ Best Friend as You
Age Everyone experiences changes in their eyesight as they age. For many, it means buying reading
glasses to read a menu, newspaper or other small print. According to the American Lighting
Association (ALA), changing the lighting in your surroundings can go a long way to enhance
reading ability and increase comfort.
“Often, the first thing people notice as they get older is their loss of ability to see distance,” notes
Terry McGowan, director of engineering & technology for ALA and owner of Lighting Ideas in
Cleveland. “That happens around age 45, and is called presbyopia. By 60, most people have a
‘fixed focus’ optical system and need glasses. After age 60, eye and visual system
changes accelerate, so that less light reaches the eye. Therefore,” McGowan says, “people need
more light to see details as they age.”
Basically, the follow changes are occurring:
- • reduced visual acuity (ability to see small details);
- • reduced contrast sensitivity (harder to see differences between light and dark objects and
surfaces);
- • reduced color discrimination;
- • longer time required to adapt to large and sudden differences in brightness; and
- • increased sensitivity to glare.
Paul Eusterbrock, president of Holkötter International, a lighting manufacturer that has
championed lighting developments and products to help aging eyes, agrees. “The main issue is
the quality of light,” he says. “Research shows that a 60-year-old needs twice as much light as a
30-year-old. Most of the commonly found lighting guidelines are written with the 30-year-old user
in mind,” Eusterbrock explains.
Eye fatigue during the day is another side effect. “Because the eye loses the ability to
accommodate, the muscles of the eye have to work harder,” McGowan says. “Eyes get tired
faster, especially when doing difficult seeing tasks such as driving at night or reading fine print.
The solution is to make seeing easier. This means not only reading large-print books, but also
reducing glare, setting up special lighting for task areas, and having regular eye exams (including
retinal) to catch problems promptly.”
According to McGowan, having a few table lamps turned on while watching TV can help reduce
the contrast that occurs between the bright screen and the surrounding darkness of the room. He
recommends a torchiere that provides an uplight as well downward illumination for versatility. This
could be accomplished with a style that has a separate task light attached or by a torchiere with a
glass bowl at the top that will bring some light downward. “It is one of the cheapest and best ways
to light a room for someone with aging eyes,” McGowan adds.
Is there a magic light bulb that will work for everyone? McGowan and Eusterbrock say no. “This
may sound strange, but the perfect bulb is whichever one the user finds works best for them,”
McGowan says. “Individual vision varies so much – especially as people age – that it’s difficult to
develop lighting recipes that are one-size-fits-all,” he says.
It is indeed a matter of preference, agrees Eusterbrock. “There are fluorescents, halogens and
even light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs bright enough for reading tasks,” he says. “What’s most
important is to have light that you can direct, such as a pivoting or adjustable head on a task
lamp. Designs with a reflector (inside the head) are even more effective for focusing the light
where you need it,” Eusterbrock says.
“As a lighting designer, my advice to older homeowners is to provide for light level adjustments
(via dimmers) so they can match the lighting levels to the tasks at hand,” McGowan says. Look
for general lighting fixtures (such as downlights) that are well-shielded to minimize glare.
Dimmers are ideal in the bathroom to add a bit of illumination to navigate during the night, and to
make it easier to get up on dark mornings without blinding glare. “A dimmed incandescent
bulb does not emit blue wavelengths of light that can upset circadian rhythms, which is another
‘healthy lighting’ consideration,” McGowan says.
McGowan and Eusterbrock advise layering the lighting in a room so that functional illumination
and decorative lighting can be mixed to achieve balance. To find a professional who can tailor a
lighting selection to meet your specific needs, visit any ALA-member lighting showroom. You will
not find such expertise at a home center, where you are on your own to determine the right fixture
or lamp for your room.
“I think the most important element is to have a lot of flexibility with your lighting,” McGowan
says. Each room should have lighting choices with controls to vary the light. “The objective is to
give the user – no matter what their age – the optimum amount of lighting when and where they
want it,” McGowan says.
Whether you are old or young, the basic rules of good lighting apply: have sufficient illumination
with little or no glare and use diffused lighting to minimize shadows. If energy savings is a
concern, McGowan recommends selecting compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LED bulbs with
warm tones (look for 2700-3000K on the box) and a high color-rendering index of 90 or more.
To learn more about lighting your home, inside and out, talk to a lighting professional at
Elume Distinctive Lighting today!
Anne Yates 801-550-0042
Cora Stjernholm 801-557-1640
