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Customer Satisfaction Is Our Number One Priority!
We have one of the LARGEST LIGHTING SHOWROOMS in central Florida! We cordially invite you to visit our elegant lighting showroom, where we can answer all of your questions and provide assistance for all of your residential or commercial lighting needs.
We offer builder lighting programs for the contractors
• Ceiling Fans
• Chandeliers
• Tiffany Lamps
• Scones
• Pendants
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• Lamps
• Floor Lamps
• Mirrors
• Framed Prints
• Desk Lamps
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• Landscape Lights
• Track Lighting
• Specialty Bulbs
• Lamp Shades
• Night Lights |
• Undercounter Lights
• Decorative Accessories |
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We carry only the best lighting fixtures. If you don't see it listed please give us a call and one of our friendly and knowledgeable design consultants will be more than happy to help you!
• Quoizel
• Kichler
• Progress Lighting
• Westinghouse
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• Cristal
• Hunter Fans
• Fanamation
• Schonbek
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• Nutone
• Thomas
• Quorum
• Kalco |
...and much more | |
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The front porch lighting, as well as overall outdoor lighting is the first thing that greets your guests as they approach your home. As such, it creates the first impression of your home, particularly in the evening. It is important to take extra time in selecting the proper light and styles for both attractiveness and security.
Outdoor lighting is available In many styles and finishes just like interior lighting.
Your decorative entrance lighting lets you easily see who's at the door. Consider the height of the fixture or fixtures before the outlet box is installed.
Most homes need spots for dark corners Just be sure to aim them so as not to glare in the eyes of those entering your driveway or in your neighbors' windows. The general rule is to aim spots or floods at a 45-degree angle, directed downward. They should be placed on the underside of the eaves so they are not in line of vision. Use several to overlap lighting, avoiding shadows.
Plan on post lanterns, walls lanterns and hanging lights at or able eye level for the entrance way. Post lanterns with photo cells are real convenience. The photcell automatically turns the lantern on at dark and off at dawn.
Besides steps and walkways, lighting is needed for back and side porches, entries and outbuildings and utility areas such as garbage storage.
Outdoor lighting is another area to seriously consider energy-saving light sources. As these sources consume much less energy for the light produced, they will save you considerable money in electricity costs. In extreme cold weather areas, be sure to select energy-savings lamps that will light in cold temperatures.
Good outdoor lighting is one of the least expensive and on of the most effective security measures you can take. Combined with the aesthetic benefits to your home, it's definitely a worthwhile investment!
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CHANDELIER LIGHTING BASICS
The most frequently asked questionregarding chandeliers for the dining room is how high should it be hung in
relationship to the table. In general, the height of the main source of light should be 30"-36" above the table. There should be a minimum or 150 watts total in the chandelier.
Consider using a dimmer to vary the illumination to match your preferred dining atmosphere For family dinners, you most likely want a bright cheerful light. For formal dinners a soft flattering light is generally more desirable.
 Just as dining tables come in varying sizes, so do chandeliers. Visit your local Thomas distributor to compare the different size chandeliers with your table measurements. Your room dimensions play a big role in your final chandelier selection. Chandelier size recommendation. Chandeliers are being used in many more rooms than just dining rooms. Many bathrooms are large enough to hang a chandelier in the middle of the room This brings a sense of luxury to an intimate space. Adding complimentary sconces increases that sense.
The master bedroom is also an area where a chandelier can add elegance and affect the mood of the room. For a dramatic touch, consider a large chandelier and tray lighting for your master bedroom. This allows for a number of different light levels to create the desired ambiance. Tip
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 FOYER/HALL FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The most frequently asked The lighting that first sets the decorative theme of your home is the foyer. It should provide ample illumination for a welcome greeting. The overhead light can be ceiling mounted, chain hung or even a chandelier, if the foyer is large enough. However it should cast a soft congenial light. The height and location should allow for the swinging of the door.
 The foyer is the first introduction to the interim of your home. It speaks volumes about your sense of style and your pride in your home.
Make sure you create a welcoming environment through your selection of an appropriate foyer piece. This is an area to indulge! Tip
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MULTI-PURPOSE & WALL SCONCE AESTHETICS
 You'll need both general and specific lighting in the living room, family room and bedrooms. Our high-tech lifestyle demands correct light for personal computers and video entertainment rooms; plus bedrooms are now used for reading, studying and video watching as well as sleeping and dressing. All of these room situations require the same general overhead lighting such as ceiling mounted, chandeliers, chain-hung and recessed lighting.
Bedrooms are highly personal. Some people like subdued lighting while others prefer high illumination levels. Children's and aging adults (50+) bedrooms will require more light. For children's study areas, a hanging light or a desk lamp should be used approximately 15"-18" from the front of the desk and off to one side.
 The family room, which is usually multi-faceted, needs various lighting sources in addition to general illumination. Many plasma, flat screen and large screen televisions require low-level illumination so the image will not appear to be washed out. Pay attention to issues related to glare in lighting your home.
Living rooms are quiet, comfortable areas for relaxing conversation and should be illuminated with combination of general ana accent lighting. this mood can be accomplished by utilizing recessed down lighting accented by wall scones and portable lamps. Hallways and closets are excellent locations to use energy-saving light sources. Choose an appropriate fluorescent general purpose light. We recommend purchasing fluorescent lamps in the 2700°k - 3500°k range to provide softer, warmer light. Tip
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BATH LIGHTING BASICS
 Three sources of light are recommended for the bath/dressing area. The dressing area needs eye-level lighting, at least 30" apart with a minimum of 60 watts. Chain-hung (pendant) lighting is a good example. It provides a balance of light on both sides of the face for applying cosmetics and grooming. Do not direct the light on to the surface of the mirror. The lighting source should illuminate the face. Overhead lighting should be a minimum of 75 watts per partitioned area of the bath, including the shower. A night-light is very helpful in this room for added safety.
 Bath areas are becoming increasingly larger, so general lighting, such as recess will help to illuminate these larger areas. And controlled light will assist in establishing the correct lighting mood required. Large bowl pendants  and chandeliers are increasingly being used in bathrooms to provide more dramatic effects while still allowing for an appropriate intimate look. Tip
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ENERGY SAVING BENEFITS
Energy conservation has never been more important than it is right now. State-run energy programs and local utility companies are continually looking for ways to help consumers reduce their energy consumption, which in turn helps lower greenhouse gas emissions from the energy-producing factories. A typical household offers abundant opportunities to save energy, and selecting fluorescent lighting in place of incandescent may be the easiest, and certainly one of the most cost effective. TIP
To adequately illuminate a kitchen with incandescent bulbs, you should allow about three watts per square foot. Take the square area of a room and multiply by three to determine the total wattage of incandescent bulbs needed.
Linear fluorescent lamps are about six times more efficient that incandescent in terms of lumen output. Instead of multiplying the square area by three, divide it by two to determine how much fluorescent wattage is required.
• A two-lamp F32T8 lamp fixture is generally sufficient for areas up to 100 square feet (10'x10'). Larger areas up to 260 square feet (16'x 16') should use a four-lamp fixture.
Compact fluorescent lamps are about four times more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.
• A 13W compact fluorescent lamp will provide about the same illumination as a standard 60W incandescent bulb.
Consider using fluorescent in areas that require the lights to be turned on for extended periods of time. They're ideal for kitchens and other areas where a high level of task lighting is required, such as garages, laundry and utility rooms.
In addition to providing better energy efficiency, fluorescent lamps last 10-20 times longer than incandescent. For improved maintenance, use fluorescent anywhere it may be difficult to change the lamps.
Our fluorescent fixtures feature electronic ballasts, which are capable of operating T8 lamps. Compared to the old T12 fluorescent lamps, T8's offer superior color rendering, and are available in a wide variety of color temperatures (CCT).
Incandescent lamps have a color temperature of 2700" K, which is very warm. This is the color we've grown accustomed to, and it makes our homes feel inviting. A higher number means the lamp will be cooler, or have more blue in it. A cooler color temperature lamp will fool your eye into believing there is more light in the room, which may be desired in some areas.
• For a kitchen, select a linear fluorescent lamp in the 2700" to 3500" K range to make the room feel cozier, or choose a 41 00" K lamp to enhance the perceived light level.
• Compact fluorescent lamps are now available in color temperatures that makes them look and feel like incandescent. Choose a 2700" K compact fluorescent In living rooms, or anywhere you want to retain the feel of traditional lighting while enjoying the energy saving benefits of fluorescent.
• Don't forget the option to use energy-saving recessed products. As homes use more and more recessed products for general illumination, this is an excellent way to save money on your energy bills, not to mention the convenience of changing the bulb much less often!
Energy Star Tip
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FAN BASICS
Track Lighting
Track lighting offers great versatility. Individual lights can be moved and angled to point in any direction.
Dramatic lighting effects can be achieved with track lighting. You can decorate by highlighting architectural features, art objects and furniture groupings.
Accent lighting requires more concentrated light on the area or subject to be highlighted. A good guide to use would be at least 3 times more light output than the general lighting in the subject area.
Your accent lighting can emphasize bookshelves, high tech video equipment
and unique curio furniture. Accent lighting adds an extra dimension to a room area that could otherwise be lost in darkness and proper accent lighting tends to make a room look much larger that it actually is.
 Paddle Fans
In today's energy efficient homes, ceiling fans are becoming common place in the bedrooms as well as in the living room and family room. Add a light kit for a general illumination and control both the fan and light with a dimmer speed control.
Fans also add an optional comfort feature to a room, allowing you to feel a cooling wind flow in the summer. In the winter time, the fan blades should be reversed so that the fan circulates warm air that has risen to the ceiling. Tip
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 How to Choose the correct Recessed Light
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