Archive for November, 2011

Smart Lighting Systems

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Intelligent lighting control systems allows the atmosphere associated with a room to be altered at the touch of a button. The lighting could be arranged so that the architectural features of a room can be shown off to best effect. Recent developments in advanced lighting control systems allow control of your entire house lighting from a single remote, wall panel or even voice control.

Light the area to Suit the atmosphere

Many rooms have multiple uses and also the sense of finding yourself in a dedicated room could be enhanced by configuring multiple lighting scenes. As you’re watching a movie you could have only peripheral lighting activated, and can have main lights on when the room can be used for entertaining or reading.

Safer, Intelligent Lighting

Intelligent lighting systems may also greatly increase safety. Route lighting allows a series of lights to be turned on to light the route from one room to another in the press of the mouse, or perhaps in reaction to movement.

For example you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. At the press of a button the route can be lit at low level to show the way safely and allow you to go back to sleep effortlessly afterwards.

When entering a darkened house, or going downstairs in the middle of the night time, corridors, stairwells and the destination rooms themselves could be lit before you enter. This is often triggered either by pressing a button or by using a motion sensor that is only activated throughout the hours of darkness.

Not waste time, Saving Energy

One of the other benefits of having centralised charge of all the lighting in the home are saving energy. Utilizing a standard button on a wall switch will allow you to switch off all the lights in the property at the press of a single button. Sensors can detect whenever a room is no longer being used and dim or switch off the lights, and timed control can help to eliminate power use by only having lights on at set times.

Designed to Meet your requirements

The latest home automation technologies let your lighting to become smarter than before. It can learn your normal pattern and react to outside events. The lighting control system can be connected to systems for example movement sensors, intruder alarms, even interior and exterior temperature and light sensors.

Think Before You purchase a Chandelier

Monday, November 28th, 2011

In the days of yore, nothing spelt grandeur and royalty much better than a crystal chandelier that hung lower in a living room. As times changed, so have chandeliers. Individuals have found this is as a perfect accessory not only to to brighten up their viewing spaces, but everywhere including roof decks, boudoirs and dining rooms. In fact don’t be surprised should you be ushered into an ultra luxurious bathroom with a chandelier hanging above you.

Not to mention, there will always be the usual places like grand entryways, ball rooms, and formal dining rooms where chandeliers have added a touch of class since ages. The appearance of course varies based on the place that you simply decide to hang them. For instance, chandeliers engineered for roof decks are chic and lend themselves well towards the modern environment. For a more traditional setting you select from an elaborate design where crystal cascades down like sparking stars. And when quality is of utmost important what about Swarovski crystals! So if you feel seeking to style your boudoir with a personal touch, how about replacing the traditional bedside and reading light having a chandelier that contributes lumiere to the room.

You will find different types of chandeliers that you can choose from. You may either choose from a traditional blown glass chandelier, wrought iron chandelier, bronze, brass or crystal ones. There are variations that you can select from; bohemian, contemporary modern, historical empire style, and even alabasters. With crystal too, you have ample of preference. You can select from Moroccon, rock crystal, Italian, Chinese and the Strass (produced by Swarovski AG) variety.

But when you believed that you are able to fit one without paying focus on the dcor, you couldn’t have been more mistaken. For instance, wrought iron chandeliers look great for a classic and antique look. If you’re searching to brighten your country home and arranging a rustic look, wooden chandeliers are perfect. Chandeliers produced from antlers of a deer are also a popular choice.

It’s also important to select from the best size of chandelier. Needless to say, the big ones are perfect for large areas, but when you’re looking to install ones that weigh more than 50 pounds, ensure that you use a ceiling box that may bear its weight.

If you’re chandeliers are manufactured from crystal and employ halogen bulbs, be sure you purchase from ones that are energy rated.

Because of their heat, chandeliers often attract dust very quickly. Hence, before you fit them, make certain you’ve thought well about cleaning and looking after them. A mechanism to lower the chandelier should help a lot.