Choosing new lighting for your home should be a pleasure, not a chore! Let me help you select the right fixture for your space!
Here are some common questions that come up when choosing a light fixture!



What size chandelier do I need for my dining room?
A couple of rules of thumb are:
1. You can use your table dimension or room size to determine the diameter.
Measure your tables width-deduct 12" from that
ex: table is 42"- 12"=30"  That is the maximum width of a chandelier you should consider.

The second part of the equation is finding the minimum width-which should be 1/2 the width of the table
ex: 42" divided by 2=21" that is the minimum width the chandelier should be.
So, anywhere in between could work for you 24" to 26" is about the average size.

2.The second most asked question is "how high should it be over the table"....30" to 36" is a good measurement
here. If your ceiling is higher, you can go a bit higher. If you use a bowl type pendant, I tend to go to about 36"
over the table with those as well.

Another consideration with a dining room chandelier is the body height of the piece as well.  Take your total
ceiling height, and deduct your table height pus how high you are hanging it        from the table.

Ex: room is 8' high, or 96", so the formula is 96"- table height 30" -  height off table top 30" = 36" remaining.
That number is important when choosing the chandelier, because the body height might be too tall for your
space! You have the canopy or the chandelier plus at least one link of chain to hang the chandelier, and most
chandeliers look a bit more graceful with a few inches of chain at least.
Also, contemporary chandeliers may use rod, so you will need to know that available height number to be sure
you get sufficient rod or the right measurement!

How do I size a chandelier for a foyer?
Add the length and width of the foyer, this gives a guideline for the minimum width of the fixture. For instance, if
the space is 12'x16'  a 28" fixture would work. Another formula is to divide the width of the foyer by 4, so if the
width is 12', you could use a maximum 3' wide or 36" wide chandelier. These numbers work best for a higher
ceiling. If it is a open or 2 story foyer, you need at least a 2 or 3 tier fixture. If the chandelier is visible through a
window, size it so it is framed nicely within the window.  If you use a bowl type fixture, choose one with a diffuser
over the bulbs so you are not looking into socket area when you are on the second floor. Another method is to
figure 1.5 to 2.0 watts per square foot to be sure you are getting enough light for the area.

What size ceiling fan do I need?
For rooms 12'x12' and under, choose a 42" or 44" fan
For rooms over 12'x12' but less than 15'x20' choose a 52" fan
For large spaces, 15'x20' and up, choose a 56" or 60" fan, and if the space is long and rectangular, 
consider 2  fans (44" or 52") evenly spaced..........

Smaller spaces, such as halls, laundry or mud rooms, small fans are available 29" to 34"

As for ceiling heights, a ceiling of 7.5' to 8' would require a "hugger" fan or a "dual mount" style (a fan in which
the down rod can be eliminated so it can fit snug up to the ceiling)
Fan blades should always be at least 7' off the

For higher ceilings, the following down rod guidelines work well:

                 Ceiling Height           Down Rod Length
                      9' ceiling                       6"or 12"
                    10' ceiling                    12" or 18"
                    11' ceiling                    18" or 24"
                    12' ceiling                    24" or 30"
                    13' ceiling                    30" or 36"
                    14' ceiling                    36" or 48"
                    15' ceiling                    48" or 60"



Always keep in mind the aesthetics of the space, finishes of other nearby fixtures, wood finishes, when choosing
the fan.

Many fans have integrated light kits, or you can add a light kit as an option........remote controls are generally
available, sometimes included with the fan, or sometimes as an option!

With a high ceiling, a remote that has the capability to reverse the direction of the fan is a great feature at the
change of season-so you can pull some of that warm air collecting at the ceiling down to your living space-without
having to get up to the fan motor to flip the reverse switch!

What size bath vanity light fixture should I choose?
In a small bathroom, the vanity light can provide the general lighting for the entire space, but in a large
bathroom, you will need additional general lighting, either recessed, flush mount or a bath vent/light combo.

For a small bath, and a small mirror, side sconces will do the trick or a fixture above the mirror with 2 or 3
lights-just stay in proportion to the mirror.
If you really like additional light you could do both, or add a ceiling fixture.

For larger mirrors, you can use a 3 or 4 light fixture, or for a double vanity, a 2 or 3 light fixture over each sink.

If you have a medicine cabinet that is surface mounted, you will want the fixture to extend out a bit more than if it
was just a mirror or recessed cabinet.

Bath lights can generally face up or down (some styles only can be used one way or the other) Up lights give a
nice cascade of light in the room, and can make a smaller space seem larger and lighter.

What size outdoor light do I need for my front door?
I find that many people under size their front door lights, and their garage lights. Generally, a 20" to 24" fixture is
good for newer homes. Older homes sometimes need to go a bit smaller......measure what you have, and if you
like the look, go from there, but you may find you can go a bit larger.
Keep in mind that the light is seen from the sidewalk or roadway first, so keep that perspective in mind! Don't
forget safety and security when reviewing your outdoor lighting. Would a set of floodlights on a sensor be a good
addition? Are your walkways well-lit with path lighting or post lights?
A little extra lighting can make a big difference!

Why should I use a dimmer?
Dimmers not only set a mood, but they can help save energy!

Dimming about              Saves electricity                   Bulbs last about
     10%                                 10%                             2 times longer  
     25%                                 20%                             4 times longer
     50%                                 40%                           20 times longer
     75%                                 60%                           20 times longer+




What's the best task lighting for my kitchen work area?
Pendants and under cabinet lighting top the list of task lighting for your kitchen space. Consider 2 or 3 low
voltage pendants over your work island or peninsula, and under cabinet lights, such as those by Kichler under
your cabinets over counter areas where you do a lot of prep work.
Puck or disc lights or low voltage systems are also used under cabinets,  and can give a dramatic effect as well as
provide task These fixtures can be used inside glass front cabinets as accent lighting as well.
From there, some general lighting such as ceiling mounted light fixture, recessed or track lights fill in the rest of
your lighting needs. This is really the technique of using layers of lighting to create multiple scenes in a living
space.

Why use a low voltage fixture?
Low voltage fixtures are used for several reasons-first, you get more bang for the energy buck-a low voltage
lamp (bulb) provides more lumens (usable light) per watt than standard incandescent bulbs. Plus you get that
light in a smaller, more compact fixture, such as the great
colorful, interesting mini-pendants that look great over your island! Low voltage fixtures give us lots of style
options. For the outdoors, low voltage landscape lighting is easier to install, safer, and easier to adjust and add
to as your landscape grows and changes.

I don't like fluorescent lights, but I know they save energy-what's the latest on this technology?
CFLs have come a long way in color rendering. The latest are very close to incandescent in color, but you may
have to experiment with a few brands to see what is most pleasing to you, and what size fits in which fixture.
The self-ballast makes the bulb bulkier, although they are getting more streamlined.

Start off small, using them in areas such as back halls, laundry areas, mudrooms, etc., to see what works for you. 
Kids' play areas are good spots for these-since they LOVE to leave the lights on!They are not dimmable, so keep
this in mind.

CFLs use about 75% less energy than incandescent, and although they cost more initially, they
save in the long run. Many utilities companies offer rebates as well, so this can help you get started.

If you are going to use outside or in cooler areas, read the label to see what temperatures the CFL is rated for.

Also, new CFLs are coming in enclosed globe shapes, regular A lamp shapes, Flood style and even candelabra!
The twist is enclosed in a glass covering, so it is more pleasing than seeing the "twist" shape in an open fixture.
And, more lighting manufacturers are designing energy saving fixtures that obscure the bulb, so you wouldn't
even guess they are fluorescent!

These are some common questions, please feel free to email me via my store site with any specific questions you might have!

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