About Lamps

Brian Harbinson asked:


Table Lamps - Select Your Personal Style and Get Decorating!

Getting yourself a couple of table lamps is a fast and easy way to give any room in your home a new look. Table lamps can not only produce the fundamentalroom lighting, they are easy to move, easily operated, and you can get them in almost any price range, color, and style imaginable, like those you can find athttp://www.barnesandwagner.com/table-lamps.html. So if you’ve been searching for a quick and simple answer to dramatically change your room, let’s choose your style and start decorating.

Crystal lamps provide a lot more than simple lighting.Decorative lamps completely change an ordinary area in your house intoone that is fanciful and extraordinary. For any room in your house that is in need of a bit of regal ambiance and simple beauty, a well placed crystal table lamp is the surest way to make over the space into a delightful and comfortable haven. Be sure that the accent and base complement the surrounding home decor and other light fixtures for a more complete and exciting design scheme.

Every so often, everyone needs to hop on a plane or boat and run away to a tropical paradise if only for a couple of minutes throughout the day. Sadly, unless you already happen to live on atropical island, most of us have to content ourselves with our own home decor when it comes to finding a spot for rest and relaxation. But, with decorative tropical lamps and other light fixturescomplemented by accentuating home decor, you can turn any space in your homeinto your personal tropical island.

Although positively made for mission or Rustic style interior design, micafixtures and table lamps also provide captivating complements to the more modern and contemporary design schemes as well. Rustic table lamps are excellent for creating a peaceful surrounding in a study or library and also make fantastic conversation pieces in higher traffic areas like the front room or entrance.

Is a horse lamp the solution to a dull and characterless room in your home? For a person that loves Nature and loves riding horses, then that answer would likely be yes. Horses have been adored by people since the beginning of our existence, and their spirit, beauty, and lasting loyalty have always moved all of us.To accent or construct a horse design concept using lamps, accent lighting fixtures, and other sources for lighting that feature these majestic creatures,you’re saturating the room with a delicate beauty and grace that will permeate throughout the entire decor.

Using table lamps in order tolight your dining room and other relevant places in your house islike taking a step back through time and visiting a much simpler,very refined time. When the time comes to design an ambiance of elegance and refinement, buffet lamps are a perfect solution.Traditionally, you’d think you would find buffet fixtures used to help lighta or some other serving area for food in the dining room. These tall and slender lamps aren’t going to give off as much task lighting as the commontable lamp but they more than make up for it with their elegance and loveliness.

Contemporary style lamps and lighting fixtures featuredesigns with geometric shapes or patterns, simple lines, and metallic decoration made out of nickel, stainless steel, and brass. Theseseemingly very simple designs should with the space’s overall flow. However,there are contemporary fixtures that have artistic flarefeaturing abstract concepts and shapes.Wheretraditional fixtures are sometimes considered ornamented, contemporary lighting fixtures and table lamps are more likely to be seen as stylish, sophisticated, and simple.

Author’s Bio

Pamela Tice owns many online distinct lighting stores that have popular home lighting such as Tiffany style lamps and alabaster chandeliers.Check out floor lampsto learn more on lighting your home room by room.



Phillip

Tlahui Calva asked:


If chosen carefully, a lamp can make a place look really special. It can significantly enhance the beauty and overall appeal of an area. These are the points that you must keep in mind while choosing a lamp:

-Choose a lamp of appropriate size. On a narrow table or console, a small-sized lamp would look the best. On the other hand, a large-sized lamp would be more suitable for a bulky table.

- Take into account the lamp’s style. A high-tech lamp will look out of place on a carved Victorian table, while a traditional brass table lamp will not look good on a nightstand of modern design.

- Take measurements to ensure that the lamp is tall enough to cast its light over your shoulder, especially from a chair-side table. The bottom of the shade should be about even with your cheekbone when you’re sitting on the chair, and the light should fall on the page if you’re reading.

- Find out what a lamp’s maximum wattage is. A reading lamp should offer 150 or more watts.

Ensure that the bottom edge of the shade hides the lamp’s bulb socket when the lamp is viewed from a few feet away. This will make the lamp more attractive as well as reduce the potential for glare.

- Examine the shade to see whether it suits your needs. A white or off-white fabric shade usually provides a translucent quality and high light output. A darker or opaque shade will limit the light output, which is suitable in entryways.

Ambience table lamps are making a comeback as the ultra-cool design accessory in the shabby chic decorating trend. So, consider getting into that attic or digging out that crawl space to unearth those antique table lamps that your grandma left to you.

To learn how you can use antique or new table lamps to create ambience and a cozy home feeling, keep reading for five great decorating ideas.

Living Room Reading

Two ambience table lamps on either end of your living room sofa will not only provide a soft and inviting glow, but also serve as functional lighting. If one member of your family wants to knit or read while another wants to watch TV, a table lamp can provide subtle task lighting without interfering with the television.

Get matching lights and lamp shades that blend in well with your existing home décor. You want your table lamps to blend in with the room, not stand out in contrast.

A Light for the Baby’s Room

Table lamps are great for kid’s rooms as bedside lamps. A small, shaded lamp is perfect for times when you need a little bit of light but don’t want to switch on the harsh and bright ceiling light. For example, when it’s time to wind down for bed and someone wants a story, a soft table light can be the best solution.

Children who are afraid of the dark will also appreciate the subtle light that’s provided by a bedside table lamp that can also be switched off from the bed rather than the wall outlet.

Directed Work Lighting

Table lamps are great for task lighting. Anywhere you need directed and focused lighting that’s close to your work surface, a table lamp can do the job and reduce strain on your eyes. If you’re using a table lamp for task lighting, look for one that has a flexible head and neck, thus allowing you to direct the light on to your work surface.

Decorative Lamps

A light doesn’t always have to totally utilitarian - it can be decorative too. Fancy or antique table lamps are beautiful accent pieces for a formal dining room, living room or bedroom. They’re also practical, offering a soft and romantic glow.

Office Lighting

Ambience table lamps are a much better office lighting solution than harsh overhead lights. The directed task lighting not only allows you to focus on your paperwork, but it can also reduce glare reflected from your monitor, thus preventing eye strain. Try two desk lamps instead of an overhead light and see the improvement for yourself.



Vernon

Earl Garber asked:


Louis Comfort Tiffany with Tiffany and Company began producing beautiful stained glass lamps in the early 20th century. Over that time many styles of lamp bases and colorful shades were produced these have become highly valued pieces for collectors. When purchasing an antique lamp you should consider more than just the name on the lamp to decide if the piece is fairly priced and worthy of investment. Below are a few considerations for beginning collectors to keep in mind.

* The quality of the painting on reverse painted tiffany lamp shades has a big impact on the value of the lamp itself. Two shades may be of the same pattern, but can vary greatly in price based on quality. No two stained glass lamps are exactly the same!

* Artist signed lamps do generally have more worth to collectors, but these are not always the best investment lamps for a collector. An unsigned stained glass lamp can have better overall quality and overall appearance, raising value substantially for the piece even without the signature from the artist. While on the flip side a signed piece may not be constructed as well, and have less vibrant color bringing the quality down as well as the value. Also a signed stained glass lamp may not be authentic, forged signatures can and do occur in the antiques market so buyer beware. Consider any purchase carefully and inspect each lamp objectively.

* When collecting try to stick with shades and bases from the same company. Though you can mix and match shades and bases from several potential makers, collectors tend to prefer only one company per lamp.

* On metal lamp bases with the surface finish in the patina style ensure this is in top condition. The patina process is used on metal bases to create a aged bronze look on the material using a special treatment process. If over polished, the value of the lamp decreases and a new patina is expensive to get for the lamp base. This new patina will also not fully restore the value of the base so ensure the original is in top shape in the first place.

* If purchasing a Tiffany lamp for investment purposes, buy the best lamp you can afford. Lower end more available lamps do not appreciate as quickly as a higher quality more unique lamp will.

* Be wary of buying stained glass lamps at auctions, especially when you do not get an opportunity to thoroughly examine the piece beforehand. These are prime opportunities to sell forgeries as well as lower quality lamps at higher prices to buyers who are in the mood to buy.

* Avoid damaged lamps or lamps which have undergone repairs. These lamps are not good investments as they tend to always remain well below the value of undamaged lamps.

Collecting Tiffany lamps can be a very fun and rewarding hobby as well as a potential investment for your family. Take your time before purchasing a lamp to inspect the piece and if at all possible purchase from a reputable dealer.



Jose

TheSource86 asked:


I’m thinkin about changing all the lights in my living room to blacklights for a party.. do I have to buy other equipment or can I just buy the black light bulbs and then switch the regular bulbs with them?

Dana

Craig Chambers asked:


Rustic lamps with rawhide lamp shades are often found in log homes and in western interior design to enhance rustic furnishings and add true country design to any room. When visiting the southwestern states, you will no doubt come across the warm glow of rawhide lamp shades used as part of the interior design of many public places. Their rustic charm makes them a wonderful choice in western style design.

Lamp shades made of rawhide are easy to decorate with, and work well with almost any decorating style. These lamp shades are also available in multi-colors that make it possible for interior designers to match any color or theme. Add rawhide lamp shades to your interior design and you will no doubt be pleased with how well they compliment western design and rustic home furnishings.

The first thing you will need to decide when decorating with leather lamp shades is what their function and purpose will be in the room. Are they to be placed on tall floor lamps to light a large room, or on small desk lamps to illuminate a small corner? The idea is to purchase the correct shade size based on where and how you will be using it.

Rawhide also makes an excellent choice for western style antler lamps and chandeliers. From little chandelier lamp shades with built in bulb adaptors for candelabra bulbs or sconces to big table lamps or desk lamps, rawhide shades work wonderfully for southwestern style home lighting.

When illuminated, the leather shade not only adds great character to a room but also creates a warm and inviting living space. The natural hues of the leather when illuminated is what generate the inviting light. No matter where you decide to use a rustic lamp with a leather lamp shade, you will love the unique charm it creates in the room. If you are including a lamp in your interior design, choose a type and size that will be big enough to accommodate a bigger size shade and one that gives off enough light.

Rawhide Sconce lampshades also allow for good reading light and are made in just the right size for any type of lamp. Leather shades are great for decreasing the harsh glare of a light, and allow you to filter it to where you choose. Light colored rawhide, also called southwestern lamp shades, will let the maximum light shine through while dark rawhide shades, referred to as western lamp shades, are more subtle, producing a charcoal color when your lamp is on.

The greatest part about incorporating leather lamp shades in your interior design is that they are an easy way to introduce western charm and character into your home. Authentic antler lamps are a wonderful choice in home lighting fixtures because of the welcoming ambiance they generate when paired with a leather lamp shade. Heavy wrought iron lamps are also great southwestern style lamps to combine with rawhide shades. It is your rawhide shade that makes the rustic look and feel which is why professional decorators love using them.

Leather lamp shades come in a variety of sizes and colors, making it easy to buy the best size shade and color to complement your decorating style. Just as appropriate in the living room, family room or den as well as bedroom or study, rawhide shades can be placed in just one room or used to create a southwestern theme throughout your whole house.

The greatest thing about these shades is that you can buy many rawhide shades at reduced prices by shopping online. Decorating with rawhide in your home is an investment in tranquility and peace that you will welcome forever. If you like the rustic decorating style of the old west, or want to build your own year round Arizona room, you will love enhancing southwest decor with rawhide lamp shades.



Teresa

Seomul Evans asked:


When you see Moroccan lamps, you will notice that they are different from other lamps in that they have a different color and style. When you want to add Moroccan style to your home, you can add some lamps, lanterns or chandeliers to pull your look together in your home.

Many people do not realize the importance of home lighting. It is crucial for any decor in your home and should never be underestimated. One of the best aspects of Moroccan lamps is that they come in many different styles that make them useful in every lighting scheme in your house. You can get a Moroccan lamp design for just about any part of your house where you need lighting. Take a look at the variety when it comes to these lamps and choose Moroccan lamps that will compliment your home.

Color and texture as well as lamp design are all very important aspects about Moroccan decorating. You will note that Moroccan furniture, as well as rugs and accessories have very bright colors and are all intricately designed. The same goes for lighting. Moroccan lamps are very individual in their design and color as well as their style.

The Texture of Moroccan Lamp Design

Moroccan lamps are made with different metals, colored glass as well as skins of animals such as sheep and goat. You can also find these lamps with beaded lampshades and made of brass and wrought iron. The textures are all different when it comes to Moroccan lamps. Each lamp adds a new dimension when it comes to texture in your lamp design.

The Color of Moroccan Lamp Design

You will see complimentary primary colors such as red, blue, yellow and green in your Moroccan lamps as well as in the shades. Henna lamps are those that are painted with henna to give them each a unique design on the shades created by artisans. While some are shades that are painted or may be one color, you may find other lamps that have a variety of different colors as well as made from different textures including stained glass. Colors contrast and often add to the design.

The Design of Moroccan Lamp Design

When you think about lamps, you may automatically think of them as the lamps that are made of the same type of shape. Moroccan lamps are not like this. You can find all sorts of unique shapes when it comes to these lamps. Some of them are curved while others are a few feet tall. They can be used in various areas of the home including the outdoors.

Some of the designs in the Moroccan lamp are very intricate while others are more simple. Henna lamps are very popular with those who like Moroccan lamps as they are hand painted by artists using henna. Lanterns that are made for both indoor and outdoor use are also well favored.

Many of the shades are made from actual animal skin such as sheep skin and goat skin. Beaded lamps are not unusual, either. Each of the lamps that you find will be unique and should be suited to the type of design that you favor.

A Moroccan lamp is not just a light but also a focal point for the room. Think of buying one of these home made lamps as buying a piece of art instead of just buying a lamp. As each lamp is made by a different artist, you will be actually collecting a work of art when you buy Moroccan lamps.

Moroccan designs can really add drama and flair to your home - not to mention light. Take a look at the lamps that are on the market and choose the right Moroccan lamps for you.



Lucille

Moe Tamani asked:


Numerous references from olden ages have illuminated the fact that lamps have been used to spread light, even before electricity was invented, and lighting was given a new meaning. The use of lamps can be broadly classified into two eras: The pre-electrical era and the post electrical era.

The Pre-electrical Era

The invention and first usage of lamp can be dated back to 70,000 BC. At that time, there was no metal or bronze to make lamps instead the then civilization used hollow rocks and shells. These hollow rocks were filled with moss and other natural substances and then soaked in animal fat. Animal fat acted as oil and this is how the first lamps were ignited.

With the advent of pottery, and the bronze and copper age, humans started to make lamps that imitated other natural shapes. Wicks came into existence much later and were used for controlling the flame or the rate of burning. In the 7th century BC, Greeks started using terra cotta lamps, which replaced the handheld torches. The word “lamp” has been derived from the Greek word “lampas”, which means “torch”.

Design Change

There was a major change in the design of lamps in the 18th century, when the central burner was invented. With the invention of the burner, a separate fuel source was made from metal. Another small change made was the addition of a metal tube that could be adjusted to control the intensity of the flame or light.

This was an important discovery in terms of lighting because with adjustment, humans were able to diminish the lighting or make it bright as required. Another aspect was added to the new lamp, which was in the form of small glass chimneys. The role of the glass chimney was to protect the flame as well as control the air flow.

Swiss chemist Ami Argand used the hollow circular wick in an oil lamp for the very first time in 1783.

Fuels for Lighting

Different kinds of fuels have been used for lighting a lamp between 70,000 BC and now. Most of the early forms of fuel were beeswax, olive oil, animal fat, fish oil, sesame oil, whale oil, nut oil etc. These were also among the most commonly used forms of fuel for lighting a lamp till the late 18th century.

Around 1859, the first drilling process was initiated to find petroleum and with the advent of kerosene, which is a derivative of petroleum, lamp became more popular and usage increased. Kerosene enabled lighting was first introduced in Germany in 1853.

During the same time two other products were used for lamp lighting purposes and they were natural gas and coal. The first use of coal gas lamps was in 1784.

Electrical Lighting Lamps

Lamps have actually come a long way from usage of coal gas to electricity. In 1801, Sir Humphrey Davy of England invented the electric carbon arc lamp, which was the first of its kind. The working principle for this lamp was simple and included hooking of two carbon rods to an electrical source.

The carbon rods were kept at a distance from each other so that electrical current could flow through the arc and thus vaporize carbon to create white lighting. Around 1857, A.E. Becquerel of France came out with the theory of fluorescent lighting in lamps. In the 1870’s, the unthinkable happened with Thomas Edison inventing the first electric incandescent lamp. Since then incandescent lamps were used for lighting purposes in homes till about the early 20th century.

In 1901, Peter Cooper Hewitt patented his new invention, the mercury vapor lamp. This was another type of arc lamp that enhanced lighting using mercury vapors, which were enclosed in a glass bulb. The Mercury vapor lamps set the prototype for fluorescent lighting lamps.

The Neon lamp was invented by Georges Claude of France in 1911 followed by Irving Langmuir, an American who invented the electric gas-filled incandescent lamp in 1915. In 1927, Hans Spanner, Friedrich Meyer, and Edmund Germer patented the first fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamps provided better lighting as compared to the mercury vapor lamps because they were coated from inside with beryllium.

Since then we have been using different form of lighting in lamps, which includes Mercury vapors, incandescent lamps and even today, in some corners of the earth people still use the old wick and oil lamp for lighting their homes.



Charles

Tina Borrello asked:


am interested in buying a bedside lamp from US but will need to change electrical plugs - trying to determine how easy this will and if worth buying lamp from the US.

Ryan

Mike Powers asked:


A lamp out of rocks?…Am I crazy? Actually, I have been doing this for a few years now and when done correctly, the final product is beautiful and extremely unique. If you decide to take this venture on, be prepared for your family and friends to be in awe of your new wonderful creation. A stone lamp fits wonderfully in that cabin of yours in the woods or can be placed in that special rustic corner in your traditional home.

Let’s get started with the tools and parts you will need. These tools are essential for getting this project done correctly and may require a little bit of a financial investment to get started.

A drill press. The press does not have to be a large, floor model…it can be a bench top type for now. It does have to have a setting on it that will enable the drill to go fairly slowly through the rock. A setting of around 200-300 rounds per minute is best.

A 3/8″ mortise bit. The mortise bit for this purpose only has to be around 5″ long. DO NOT buy a carbide-coated bit, as these seem to not work as well. Home Depot or Lowe’s both carry a standard 3/8″ mortise bit for around $5.00.

A lamp kit with a harp included. These lamp kits are easy to use and will come with everything you need to put your lamp together. You will want to make sure the kit comes with a harp also if you are planning on using a shade that requires a harp. These sell for around $8.00 at most hardware stores.

A 3/8″ thread rod around 10 inches long. This rod can be bought along with your lamp kit in the hardware’s lighting section. Usually, the lengths come in 24″ to 36″ and cost around $4.00. After you put the lamp together, you will want to cut the rod to length and I will explain how to do that.

A hack saw for cutting the 3/8″ rod to length.

A good strong epoxy glue that sets within 30 minutes.

An angle grinder with a wheel suitable to grind rock.

Your Rock

The best place to get your rock for your lamp is to find a dried up riverbed. Rocks from dried riverbeds tend to be easier to drill and lend themselves more easily to making a lamp. Please note: We don’t want to disturb riverbeds that are in use by our natural rivers and streams but picking up rock from dried up sources poses no harm to the environment. You will need a base to start with. Look around for a fairly flat base that when set down on a table, it won’t rock back and forth but will sit stable. For this project, your base should be about 8 inches square and about 1 inch to 2 inches thick or thereabouts (any variation is ok as long it is fairly flat). After you have found your base, look for smaller rocks of different shapes and sizes and choose ones that are fairly flat on both sides too. This will make it easier to drill and fit together on your lamp. These should be around ½ ” thick or so. You will need about 6 of these smaller rocks.

Drilling The Rock

Now that you have gathered your choice rock for your lamp, it is time to drill. Place the base of the rock on your drill press and roughly find the center of the rock. (You do not have to be exactly perfect in finding the center as this is a rustic lamp and if you are a little off, it only makes it more rustic and interesting). You should make sure that where you are going to drill is relatively flat so the drill bit does not dance around on you. (Before you drill, make sure you have a little water on hand to either spray the drill bit or splash some on to it as the drill bit can get very hot and could break if not kept cool). Begin drilling slowly, around 200 to 300 rounds per minute, and continue until you are completely through. Yeah….you did it! Now, repeat these steps with your remaining smaller rock until all are drilled and ready to put together.

Pre-Assembly

Take your length of 3/8″ rod and cut it down to about 10″ or so. Place the rod into the larger base and start stacking the smaller rock on top. Since none of these rocks are exactly flat, you may have to move them around a little to make sure they fit together snuggly so that the inner rod does not show. After you have completed this process you will most likely have extra rod on top that needs to be cut off. Taking your lamp parts into consideration, you will have to leave enough rod to hold your coupler, your piece that holds your harp, and your actual lamp fixture base. Usually, this means leaving about 1 inch or so above the last stacked rock. You can test this by getting all your lamp parts out, putting them one by one on the top of the extra rod, and then making a mark just under the first piece (coupler) to see how extra rod you need to leave protruding out. Mark your rod where you need to cut it, pull off the rock one by one keeping them in order and cut your rod to length.

Final Assembly

Put your pre-cut rod back into the base and put some of your epoxy glue around the hole where the rod fits into and around a small area where your first small rock is going to sit. Take your first small rock and slide it down over the rod and put it on top of the glued area on your base. (It is important to keep your glue area small so it is not seen after the rocks are placed together). Continue this process until all the rocks are places tightly together on the rod. Make sure the inside of your rod is clear all the way through the center without any obstructions so you can slide your lamp cord through it in the next step. You have now completed the most difficult part of making this lamp. Let your lamp sit for a couple of hours or so to let the glue set up.

Using the directions on your lamp kit box, assemble the rest of the lamp parts as shown. You will have to push your cord all the way through from the bottom of the base. (Sometimes, depending on the rock base, your cord will not sit correctly under the base and may cause the base to rock a little. This is where you will need your angle grinder with a wheel suitable to grind rock. Turn your lamp upside down and take your angle grinder and dig a small indentation from the middle of the rock where the rod is towards the back of the lamp. Just make sure the groove is deep enough to hold the lamp cord).

Finally, spray the lamp with a satin or semi-gloss clear lacquer to seal the rock and to bring out the natural colors of the stone. Apply two or three coats of the lacquer. After the lacquer is dry, you may want to put a piece of felt on the bottom of your lamp so it will not scratch the table it sits on.

Congratulations, you have now made a beautiful rustic stone lamp!



Chris

Tatiana d asked:


Well see i am re decorating my room and i was wondering where i can find mirrors like so: http://www.odonnell.no/images/private%20sales%20images/59.jpg
if you can find any thanks!

Jay