Any number of cordless picture lighting fixtures may be employed to highlight the quality of photography, prints, and oil paintings. The actual type of cordless picture light you select really depends on the nature and price point of the art. It is also a matter of budget, as some fixtures for picture lighting require an electrical contractor for installation, and other devices represent museum-quality lighting effects reserved for rare and exquisite masterpieces.
Before making an investment, it is necessary to obtain a sound understanding of how the different types of picture lights operate and what specific advantages they offer the home and commercial decorator. This simplifies shopping for the end user, who is simply looking to find the best equipment for his or her dollar. This also adds value to the professional installer or artwork lighting expert, who can take a consultative approach to sales and offer clients multiple options and choices rather than hard absolutes and fixed price points.
Cordless picture lights of any variety offer more placement options. Because they are either battery operated or install in the ceiling, there is no wiring to conceal. There are also literally thousands of different cordless picture lights to choose from, a good number of which are very affordable and ideal for smaller households on a budget. These fixture types include battery powered over the picture lights, recessed lights, projectors, and even certain types of strip lights.
These fixtures work well for illuminating prints and photographs when high performance is not an issue. Battery powered lights are very popular for people living in small town homes and apartments. They are relatively inexpensive and do not require a technician to install. Almost every major manufacturer such as RiteLite and House of Troy distributes a full array of battery-powered lights in innumerable sizes and finishes to match interior design, genre, and home color schemes.
Battery powered cordless units are ideal for lighting any type of print or photograph housed in non glare glass panel frame. They are also ideal for smaller pictures and fit conveniently over the top of the frame, becoming almost a part of the picture themselves.
The only drawback to these lights is infrared light and ultraviolet light can damage certain forms of art. As a general rule, avoid using them over watercolors, acrylics, and oils that are sensitive to heat.
Another avenue you might want to consider taking is lighting your pictures with recessed ceiling lights. Recessed picture lights are categorized as cordless picture lights because they wire directly into the home or office electrical system as opposed to operating from a power outlet or a battery.
These fixtures require installation by a professional electrician, and they also involve cutting into ceilings.
If this is affordable and acceptable to you, then recessed picture lights are an ideal source of illumination for larger works of art that require a special spotlight. Multiple recessed lights or track lighting fixtures can be used to light entire collections of prints, photographs, or paintings along an entire wall.
Recessed picture lights can either be low voltage or high voltage, depending on your budget for power costs and the need for lighting intensity. They can also be controlled with dimmer switches that allow for precision adjustment of lighting levels.
Low voltage recessed lights tend to feature pinhole apertures that produce minimal glare. They work very well for any collection where glass panes cover the artwork.
Incandescent bulbs produce a white light that is ideal for illuminating black and white photography. For color photographs, halogen low voltage lighting produces a low wattage, high intensity light with superior color rendering capabilities.
Normally, a art lighting company licensed to install recessed lighting also consults with either a lighting design company or certifies its electricians in lighting design. If you have questions about which lights will work best with your collection, your installers should be able to give you sound, professional recommendations on the best fixtures to use.
Comparative online searches on the term, “cordless picture lighting” will immediately return a plethora of results focused on achieving optimal effects in fine art lighting.
When it comes to lighting anything on canvas, it becomes necessary to consider higher price points and more sophisticated technology than battery powered and recessed cordless picture lighting fixtures normally feature.
The primary challenge to fine art lighting lies in the absolute necessity to eradicate all ultraviolet light and infrared radiation. UV rays will degrade both paint and canvas and literally ruin a masterpiece.
To ensure the integrity of your art, and to give an original piece the proper spotlight it deserves, consider the benefits of recessed projector lighting with a ceiling-mounted, art projector like the Phantom Contour Projector.
Contour projectors utilize a complex system of lenses and filters to strip the light beam of harmful wavelengths. Like recessed lights, they install above the line of sight into the ceiling of a room. Phantom has both invasive and non-invasive models available, so if your art is housed in a location where cutting the ceiling is not an option, we have surface mounted projectors that can be installed with no damage to the interior whatsoever.
Perhaps the most innovative way for lighting small pictures with cordless fixtures, and a method some may have not considered, is to house them in standing frames within display cases and use linear strip lights to illuminate them alongside of curios, sentimental objects, and antiques.
Linear lighting strips fit directly onto display cabinet shelves and use existing metal shelf standards instead of traditional wiring to conduct electricity. Their low profile position makes them almost impossible for the casual viewer to see, and they can be fitted with incandescent, xenon, and LED bulbs to accommodate any level of lighting and special effects your artwork requires.
These cordless picture lighting strips are also dimmable, so you can accrue additional savings on power costs by turning the lighting levels down when visitors are either absent or asleep.
An extensive network of Phantom Lighting Agents works throughout North, Central, and South America to answer questions, customize orders, and offer technical support to professional designers and individual lighting enthusiasts.
Phantom Lighting manufactures proprietary art lighting projectors and linear display and under cabinet lighting fixtures. For more information visit http://www.phantomlighting.com/cordless_picture_lights.htm and http://www.phantomlighting.com
Filed under Wall Mounted Curios by on May 22nd, 2010. Comment. 
Billed as one of the seasonâs hottest home fashion trends, Global Gathering is a vibrant mix of colours, patterns and textiles with all your favourite things taking centre stage. Rich, extravagant and a tad over the top, it is about breaking all the design rules of matching colours and styles and going with your gut feeling instead. Combine vintage and modern eras. Mix moss green, gold, red and black with metal, velvet, wood, glass and leather for an eye-catching eclectic effect. Think soft and rounded with lots of motifs and layering to create a cosy, feminine setting that is mature and distinctly individual â âhandmadeâ by you.
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Get the Global Gathering look in your living room by pairing THE Oneâs glamorous gold velvet CHESTINO sofa with a neutral woolly rug and studded chrome HARLEY coffee table and matching side table. While the fiery red MAO cabinet is a re-invented classic that will give your room a Zen feel with a modern twist, Matt Carrâs vintage coffee table-inspired bookcase (see inset picture) is a piece of novel design that is perfect for showcasing all your riveting reads. With the main furniture sorted, all thatâs left to do is have fun accessorizing with a selection of table and floor lamps, curios, textured cushion covers, bright throws, fabulous frames and of course, a funky footstool in grandmaâs favourite floral print. As a final finishing touch, fill the room with candlelight using THE Oneâs striking silver plated U+ MIXALABRA â a constellation of nine single candleholders mounted on a platter. It is pure enlightenment on a plate.
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Invite the Global Gathering trend into your dining room with the luxurious leather-looking KROKO dining table, tasselled TANSI ceiling lamps and sexy stainless steel-framed RUBY dining chairs in comfy leather upholstery. Jazz up the table setting with animal print crockery, beaded napkin rings and glittering gold goblets.
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As for the boudoir, the CARLI bed with its studded red leather headboard is bound to push your buttons, especially when layered in organic cotton, a velvety bedspread and colourful cushions for added comfort. Here, the brown KROKO chest of drawers, bedside table and curvaceous chrome-based CATHRYN table lamp make a dreamy match. Opt for the elegant EIBO floor lamp if you like to do some bedtime reading.
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The Modern Rustique spring trend marks the return of symmetry and straight, clean lines. If youâre a sophisticated city slicker with a passion for the great outdoors, youâll love this one! Think form and function; simple yet stylishly snug. Start with a base of black, white and one accent colour (for example amber) then add leather, cotton, linen, light woods, glass, metal and shiny textures for a harmonious masculine blend that is perfectly complemented by contemporary furniture.
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Create a fresh, earthy space with THE Oneâs sleek REY sofa in beige, âcontempo-retroâ SIXTIES coffee table and chic cowhide carpet. Liven up the look with a trio of trendy ball pendant lamps and balance this with natural elements such as raw wood sculptures, tan leather cushion covers and a grey-green throw. Add a classically worn leather armchair in the corner and an array of candles to soften the setting nicely and make subtle fashion statements with designer items such as the SENNO wall clock and U+ CHECKLE checkerboard â putting the fun into functional.
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Continue the Modern Rustique trend in the bedroom by contrasting a white leather RENZO bed and fluffy bamboo rug with tan cushions and a striking textured stool. Here, white linen is the number one choice â creating a soothing sanctuary where you can recharge both mind and body. While a few animal prints and bark wall sculptures will enhance the rustic theme, a glossy white PICO cabinet and pair of JIN table lamps are key boudoir pieces that are both pleasing to the eye and the pocket.
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Although the most important thing this spring is achieving a comfortable, relaxing vibe at home, the question is: Will you be THE One making and breaking home fashion rules or will you follow the flat-pack flock?
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THE END
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On THE One:
Invented by Thomas Lundgren, THE One Total Home Experience opened its first store in Abu Dhabi in 1996. Today the brand is present in five countries across the Middle East. But THE One doesn’t believe the world needs another retailer; they believe we need a better world. Thatâs why, intent on being THE [responsible] One, the company aims to be both magical and meaningful: inspiring their fans with seasonal Home Fashion Collections that are âAlways Different, Always Limited and Never Expensiveâ while Changing the World Together. To this end, THE One supports a number of local and international charities and takes every opportunity to employ physically and mentally challenged individuals. You can find THE One Theatres in Bahrain (Manama), Jordan (Amman), Kuwait (Kuwait City), Qatar (Doha) and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah). Visit www.theoneplanet.com
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For media queries please contact:
Cynthia Villanueva
THE One Total Home Experience
Tel: + 9714 395 5889
Fax: + 9714 395 5778
Mob: + 971 50 656 4693
Email: cynthia.villanueva@theoneplanet.com
Filed under Wall Mounted Curios by on May 19th, 2010. Comment.
A fireplace beautifully creates an instant ambiance thatâs warm and inviting. But what if you donât have one or live in an apartment? Todayâs market offers a range of alternatives that allows you to enjoy the benefits of a classic wood burning fire without time-consuming and costly maintenance. To create a welcoming atmosphere in your home, one convenient and easy-to-use option is the electric fireplace.
Electric fireplaces are generally easy to install, and depending on the type selected, can be as simple as plugging it in. Unlike other types of fireplaces, they donât need venting, attachments or hook-ups. Designed to imitate a wood-burning fire, electric fires have flames that flicker and appear to vary in color. And since they use electricity, they donât emit sparks, smoke or have to have soot and creosote buildup removed.
Electric fireplaces fall into two basic categories: the kind that fits into an existing hearth, usually referred to as an insert, and ones that are stand-alone and include a mantle and screen. If you no longer use an existing fireplace, inserts are an ideal solution. They come in variety of styles and are designed to transform an unused hearth into a place to enjoy a cozy fire. Most models of inserts are easy to install.
Stand-alone electric fireplaces are also designed to resemble wood burning ones, and depending on the style, will usually include a mantle and screen. Esthetically pleasing, they create a focal point in the room, as well as a suitable place to display treasured mementos, artwork and other items that make a room homey.
Since you can virtually set them up anywhere there is a power source, electric fireplaces are portable. This characteristic makes them ideal for apartments and condominiums. Should you decide that you no longer want it in the room you originally put it, you can easily relocate it. Typically, they generate heat and can be a practical secondary heat source in your home. They usually operate much like a space heater and are safer to use. They can feature options and controls that allow you to regulate the flame, brightness and amount of heat emitted.
Electric fireplace are available in many styles, from contemporary to transitional to traditional. They can be detailed to resemble a built-in fireplace, with classic design features like corbels, faux brick surrounds and granite mantel tops. Construction materials are typically wood and metal or a combination of both.
Many models include architectural elements such as bookcases, curio cabinets and even home theaters. When decorating an apartment or condo with an electric fireplace, you can make the most of your space by adding storage and display functions to the unit. An electric fireplace that incorporates a home theater typically features shelves, a place for the television and cabinets for multi-media components.
What kind of effect would you like to achieve? Wall mounted electric fireplaces have the look and feel of a fire, but with the dramatic impact of a work of art. They have the added benefit of appearing to float above the ground.
Want a fireplace but think you wonât have enough space? Consider a corner fireplace. It will add warmth to your room, while utilizing corner floor space that might otherwise be unused. Perfect for creating a cozy nook to sit and relax after a long day.
Just because you live in an apartment or a house that doesnât have a chimney, it doesnât mean you canât enjoy the comfort of a fireplace in your home. With all the different kinds to choose from, youâre sure to find an electric fireplace the will perfectly suit your lifestyle.
For more information on electric fireplaces, please visit http://www.MoreFireplaces.com
Heather E. Brown is a contract writer, currently working as a Marketing Associate for online furniture distributor CymaxStores Inc.
Filed under Wall Mounted Curios by on May 16th, 2010. Comment.
One way to give your home a warm, comfortable look and feel is with western home decorating. As you might expect, there are some items that depict cowboys and rodeos, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Come along while we explore the wide variety of furnishings and accessories that fit right in with the western style of home decorating.
Whether you just want to add a few decorative pieces here and there, or decorate your entire house, western style décor can add charm and down-home coziness. If you don’t already have a few ideas about the look and feel you want, try browsing through a few home decorating or interior design magazines. Also, print and/or online catalogs from western furnishings stores have lots of ideas and suggestions. No matter where your creative ideas come from, the best advice I can offer is to pick at least a few items that reflect your personal interests and maybe even a side of your personality that others might not be aware of. That makes your room(s) unique while allowing you a perfect opportunity for some self-expression.
One of the great things about western home decorating is that it can be done fairly quickly and in a way to fit almost any budget. Since the flavor and feel of a room usually comes from the accessories and accents, you can often decorate a room without buying new furniture and other high-dollar items. You can create the feel you want with items such as an accent rug or two, a few table decorations, a decorative lamp, sofa or floor pillows, some wall art, and whatever else you want that will match or complement the overall desired ambiance.
Often, a fresh coat of paint on the walls will do wonders for a room. Many people like the living room and other common areas to be somewhat of a neutral color. An off-white, light tan or sand color works well for western style decorating, since those are subdued earth tones. A good paint color for bathroom trim might match something in the natural landscape such as a sky blue, forest green or dusty rose color.
Floors are often overlooked when it comes to decorating, which is a shame because area rugs and accent rugs not only serve a useful purpose, but they might also be considered as art for your floor. Rugs that go great in a western styled room include animal skins (real or faux), rugs with a southwest design, sheepskin rugs, and rugs that depict wildlife or horses. There is also a leather shag rug that is made with strips of suede sewn into a rag rug that would look great in many western rooms.
Lamps and lighting fixtures are an essential part of almost any room, but we sometimes neglect to make them fit in with the overall room décor. There are plenty of lamps and lighting fixtures to choose from, including ones made from antlers or small logs or ones with depictions of western scenes that add interest and visual appeal to the western style of home decorating.
Decorative pillows with a bold design and/or a splash of color might be just right for adding a bit of panache to the room. Bright colors or a bold design on a sofa could overpower the room, but pillows and a few other accessories and accents can give you lots of flexibility to get the overall look and feel you want. You can set the mood of the room to be as wild or as mild as you want.
Some items, such as sofa pillows, floor pillows, or table centerpieces, are usually affordable enough that it might be fun to have one set for everyday use and another set that can be put in place in a matter of minutes when certain guests are expected. That way, you can enhance the “wow” factor to fit the occasion.
Small bronze sculptures or horse figurines are a good example of decorations that you can display on a table, in a curio cabinet, or on a knick-knack shelf. One of my favorite things to display is a baseball-sized geode, which is a certain type of rock that has been cut in half to reveal the crystal formations inside.
Wall art includes paintings, drawings, photographs, and more. No matter how a room is decorated, too much bare wall space can often make a room seem unfinished. Plus, items on the wall can reflect your hobbies or personal interests as well as being decorative. Some of the rugs that have a southwestern design or a depiction of a scenic vista or animals are great for hanging on a wall, like a tapestry. It may sound a little unusual, but even things like samples of barbed wire or different kinds of horseshoes can be mounted and framed to make something that really goes well in a western style room.
Whether you prefer the traditional ranch style of western furnishings or the western style with a contemporary influence for your western home decorating, you can be assured that you’ll have plenty of accessories and accents to select from that offer down-home appeal and casual charm.
AnnaRae Mills loves informal home decor; especially the western, rustic, southwestern, country, and lodge styles. She has dozens of great decorating tips to share with you. Plus, see more than 375 pictures that show why casual home decor is more popular than ever. Go to http://www.Western-Home-Decor.net
Filed under Wall Mounted Curios by on May 15th, 2010. Comment.
Today’s homes tend to be smaller and more compact, and your furniture has to live up to the challenge. The right furniture can turn your small dining area into a cozy dining nook or an elegant, sleek area. Consider the following tips to make the most of your space with the right dining room furniture:
Choose compact dining sets to save space
A dining room table does not have to be a hulking behemoth that steals away from your floor space, especially when you are not using it. There are many attractive compact styles that tuck into themselves and leave your dining room looking sleek and sophisticated. One of the more popular new styles is the round table with wedge seating. The Capria 5-piece counter height pub set features pub styling with four stools that slide completely under the table to hide away and save space. The 40-inch round table is the perfect size for a small apartment or condo as it is elegant, sophisticated and very stylish.
Breakfast bars are another compact dining choice that you might consider. The Nova 3-piece counter-height table and chairs comes in several different finishes including black, white, gray and cherry. The styling is very contemporary replete with saddleback stools and clean lines. Like the Capria, the Nova style dinette set features stools that tuck discreetly under the table when not in use, freeing up floor space and making your dining room look more spacious.
Make good use of corners
When your wall space is at a premium, it is important to make use of all the wall and floor space that you have. Look for dining room furniture that fits into corners, leaving space for other things. A mahogany lighted corner curio cabinet is a space-saving alternative to a china cabinet, the perfect size to display a dinner setting for four and a few prize pieces of china. If you are looking for something even more sophisticated, choose a honey corner bar with mirrored back. While this item is meant to hold bottles and wine glasses, it can work just as well to hold your fine china and other dining room essentials.
Choose multi-purpose dining room furniture to make the best use of your space
Traditional dining rooms normally include sideboards, buffets and china cabinets. However, this is can be a lot of furniture to pack into a smaller dining room. You can make the most of your dining room space by choosing furnishings that have more than one purpose. A piece of furniture like the Elizabeth modern buffet adds a touch of modern elegance to your dining room while providing plenty of space for storing your glassware, china, linens and vases. The top provides more display space, or serving space for dinners. A buffet also allows you to get away with a smaller dining room table, since you do not have to put all the food and serving dishes on the table.
Choose clean, uncluttered lines to make the room look bigger
One important design principle to keep in mind is that clean, straight lines and simple shapes contribute to an uncluttered look, and can make rooms look bigger. Fussier details tend to make things appear more cramped and small. Skip massive, solid sideboards and hutches as they tend to look heavier and break up space. Instead, choose furniture with open shelves, or those with wire rack shelves. When you can see through a piece of furniture, it feels lighter, and makes the room both feel and appear larger than it actually is.
Choosing dining room pieces with glass tops and mirrored backs will also help make your space look bigger. A glass-topped dining room table like the Alison round glass-topped table with barrel chairs makes the most out of your space in a number of ways. The low-backed chairs fit snugly against the table, and do not interfere with the line of sight. The glass-top is transparent, so that it does not “block off” space to the eye, and the compact 50” round size is the ideal size for a small dining area.
Do not forget the walls for storage space
You do not have to put everything on the floor, either. Do not forget that you have wall space that can be used for storage. A wall-mounted wine rack can hold bottles and wine glasses, displaying them to their best advantage. This can be especially effective if you lean toward colored stemware, adding a touch of brightness to your room décor.
There is no reason to despair about your dining room just because the room is small. If you choose your dining room furniture wisely, you can have an elegant, sleek and spacious dining area even in the smallest of condominiums or apartments.
Sandy Darson is a freelance writer who writes about home decorating, often focusing on a specific type of fur such as dining room furniture .
Filed under Wall Mounted Curios by on May 11th, 2010. Comment.