With light fixtures, trends tend to last significantly longer than with other elements of interior design or home decor. In 2012, not only will you see a surge in popularity for crystal light fixtures, you’ll also see a surge in popularity for specific fixtures, particularly with table lamps. Here’s the low down on crystal and crystal table lamps for your home.

What is Crystal?

Crystal is actually a type of glass, with the main difference between standard glass and crystal being that crystal contains lead. This is why crystal is also referred to as “leaded glass.” The exact percentage of lead that must be in the glass to qualify it as crystal will vary from country to country, so keep this in mind. For example, in the United States, it takes only 1% of lead to be present in order for the item to be classified as crystals. In the European Union, any item that contains a minimum of 4% lead is crystal, anything less and the item is still considered a glass.

Trendy Crystal Table Lamp Looks

One of the big trends for crystal table lamps is the use of stacked spheres for the lamp base. This can be done with three, four or five large spheres or several, upwards of 10 or more, smaller spheres, to create a more slender and elegant look. The crystal is typically complimented by a silver or brushed nickel finish that gives the light fixture a clean look and a drum shade adds to the contemporary flair.

Another trend to look out for is a table lamp design which comes with a modernistic simplicity.  This lamp, for example, is made from a single piece of handblown glass that allows views into its inside and shows the bulb as well as the socket with its cable! Very simple, but stylish and genius.

How to Care for Crystal Table Lamps

Just as with any light fixture you own, there are a few things you should do to take care and properly maintain your crystal table lamps. To start, always use a lint free cloth to wipe off the dust and debris from your crystal. Do not use a standard wash cloth or even paper towel, as these can cause small scratches that over time, will become more visible to the eye. These scratches will also diminish the “crystal clear” appearance of your table lamps.

Once you’ve removed any dust and debris, you can use a clean lint free cloth that has been dampened with warm water to wash and thoroughly clean the rest of your light fixture. If you have allowed dust to build up for a significant period of time, you may need to invest in a crystal cleaner that is safe to use on your crystal table lamps.
Crystal table lamps do feature an elegant and sculptural look. They come in a plethora of types including lamps, ceiling fixtures such as chandeliers, wall sconces and many more. This makes this particular trend an easy addition to a variety of spaces. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

For more wonderful lighting fixture options, check out our versatile inventory today!

Trends come and go and lighting is no exception. Light fixtures that are hot today will be completely out in a few weeks, or years, depending on the trend. That being said, wall sconces have come and gone quite a few times in the last few decades. Fortunately, they’re back again and they may be here to stay, or so it seems. Here’s the low down on trendy wall sconces for 2012 and how you can incorporate them into your home.

What to Look For in a Wall Sconce and Where to Find Them

The key thing to remember when it comes to wall sconces is simply this: the wall sconce itself is the trend. That means that you can choose a style that suits your home while still being trendy because the wall sconces as a light fixture are a trend, not any specific style. That being said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any trends regarding wall sconces! If you’re looking for a double-whammy in terms of trends, you may want to consider using a crystal wall sconce or wall sconces with an industrial or rustic feel. Other trends for this light fixture include clean, contemporary looks, geometric lines, Moroccan inspired wall sconces, and unique Victorian-inspired candelabra style wall sconces painted in a single unique hue such as turquoise or poppy red.

Where to Use Wall Sconces in the Home

Of course, just because you know which wall sconces you want for your space, doesn’t mean you’re completely sure as to where to place them. That being said, you may be surprised to find that wall sconces can go just about anywhere in the home.

In the bathroom, you can use these light fixtures to flank the mirror. This is great for adding some much-needed task lighting to the space and also helping reduce shadowing on the face, which is ideal for putting on makeup. In the bathroom, they can also be used for additional general lighting if needed.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, wall lamps can be used to replace table lamps. This is especially true if you’ve got a tight bedroom space currently and need to free up some table space for other, more important items, such as books or a jewelry box. This same concept can be applied to a living room, family room or den space. If your home has limited space, wall sconce can help free up valuable floor space or table space to create a more livable space.

Of course, the options don’t just stop there. You can use wall sconces as accent lighting to flank a fireplace or a large mirror. You can also use wall sconces to line a hallway to add much needed general lighting, just as you can use them for lining a dining room or a foyer.

The key with wall sconces is to get creative. The fixtures themselves are the trend, but how you use them in your space is entirely up to you. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Are you ready to experiment with the newest and most trendiest wall sconces in 2012? Browse through a large collection of wall sconces today and find the right lighting fixture for you!

At it’s peak, mid-century modern decor had an almost futuristic look to it. That appearance still holds true today thanks to the fluid curves and clean line designs that remain modern still to this day. These same design concepts can be applied to the light fixtures of the time, many of which are still being reproduced today. Here are a few tips and tricks for selecting different mid-century modern light fixtures for your home.

What is Defined as Mid-Century Modern?

The time frame for mid-century modern design occurred beginning in the late 1930s and through to the mid 1960s. Though the time period was several decades ago, the names associated with many of the more famous designs are still well-known, with many still being considered household names today.

What Should I Be Looking For?

If you’ve got some knowledge on the style, you’re likely looking for a specific light fixture by a specific designer. Keep in mind that originals in good condition tend to cost more than newly manufactured reproductions of those same light fixtures today.

Of course, not all of the mid-century modern designs out there feature ‘name brand’ designer names. In these instances, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a few key shapes and specific lines. Mid-century modern light fixtures typically feature clean lines. They can feature curves, but they are strictly no-frills with detailing.

Shapes of mid-century modern light fixtures are typically organic. This translates into soft, flowing curves. Ovular or circular shapes are ideal, especially for ceiling lights. Other shapes that are indicative of the style include hourglass, triangular cones, pillars, tubes, saucer shapes, teardrops and so forth. These are more common in wall sconces (hourglass, tubes or pillars) and pendant lights (triangular cones, saucers, tubes) so keep this in mind when seeking out this style.

The colors of these light fixtures tend to be few and far between. In other words, any fixture that has more than two or three colors is not likely to be deemed ‘mid-century modern.’ Stick to simple color palettes with three or fewer colors. In terms of finishes, brushed metals are common, as are brilliant white shades, pleating and under the right circumstances, high polished finishes.

Of course, this does not mean that mid-century modern light fixtures are lacking in color entirely. It is not uncommon for these fixtures to feature brilliant hues: cobalt blue, lime green, orange, mustard yellow, poppy red, vibrant white and so forth. These are often combined with various metal hues including brass or silver finishes such as nickel or chrome.

Mid-century modern light fixtures can add a great deal of ‘fun’ to any room. In a dining room, an unexpected large-scale saucer-shaped pendant light can be a great conversation starter. In a bedroom, hourglass wall sconces can add a romantic ambience, while pillar wall sconces in the living room can add some much needed extra lighting. Though the style is distinct, it is also very clean in terms of visual appearance, making it an easy style to incorporate into different interior design schemes. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

I hope you enjoyed our post on Mid-century modern light fixtures! For more futuristic looks, check out our selection at Arcadian Lighting!

It’s not unusual for a homeowner to want light fixtures that set their home apart from their friends and neighbors. Blown glass light fixtures are a great option, as no two pieces are alike. Of course, before setting out to purchase a blown glass fixture, there are a few things you should know.

How are Blown Glass Light Fixtures Made?

The process of making blown glass is actually relatively simple to explain. The glass is heated up in a furnace until it is in a molten, semi-liquid state. Then the glass is shaped using air that is blown inside of the molten glass, thus giving it the name “blown glass.” Once shaped, the glass piece is allowed to cool and then is sent out for assembly (or assembled at the glass blower’s, depending on the situation) before being sent to a retailer or elsewhere.

Though the overall process sounds simple, the actual tasks at hand require great skill and concentration. Glass blowers have intense training, as what they do can actually be very dangerous if not properly trained.

Why Should I Buy a Blown Glass Light Fixture?

One of the biggest advantages to blown glass is that no matter what, every single piece is unique and one-of-a-kind. It is absolutely impossible to replicate a piece, even if the same techniques and colors are used. This makes it extremely attractive to homeowners, as they know that their chosen blown glass light fixtures will never appear in their neighbor’s home.

Glass blowers also offer the option to order custom made pieces. By ordering a custom piece, you can ensure that your chosen light fixture meets a number of criteria including shape, size and most importantly, color and styling.

Plus, even if you order a custom piece, most glass blowers can work with your budget to create a piece that matches your expectations. Though blown glass sounds expensive, it’s often not any more expensive than many other light fixtures out there. In fact, don’t be surprised if you come across blown glass light fixtures around $40 or so.

What Type of Blown Glass Light Fixtures Are Available?

There are an endless number of different blown glass light fixtures out there. The most popular of which are pendant lights, though there are also track heads for track lights, table lamps, chandeliers, various ceiling fixtures, bathroom light fixtures, hanging lanterns and even wall sconces.

How to Find a Glass Blower

Despite the affordability and guaranteed custom made piece, it can be a bit difficult to find a glass blower. Depending on your location, there may be several glass blowers in the area or there may be done. In the event that there are no nearby glass blowers, it’s perfectly acceptable to find one online, get in contact with the glass blower and order the piece via the internet.

Though glass blown light fixtures sound like they’re easy to make, they do require a trained professional. These pieces have a number of benefits, including being one-of-a-kind pieces to suit every budget or the option to create custom pieces that match your home decor. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Check out more glass blown light fixtures at Arcadian Lighting!

The foyer is perhaps one of the most important spaces in the home simply because it is the first space of your home that guests see when they enter your home. Therefore, it’s important to have proper lighting that includes the right light fixtures and the right amount of lighting to ensure a warm, inviting atmosphere is present. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to properly light your foyer.

For Stairways

If your foyer has a stairway of any kind, you’ll want to highlight this feature but also provide adequate lighting to prevent accidents from occurring. You can easily use track lights or recessed lights to highlight wall decor along the stairway, including family photographs or a treasured painting.

However, these light fixtures alone should not be considered adequate for lighting the stairway itself. Be sure to have some type of general overhead lighting fixture to ensure safe traveling both up and down the stairs.

General Overhead Lighting

The type of ceiling light you choose for your foyer should depend on your foyer size. If you have a large foyer with tall ceilings, you may want to opt for a dramatic light fixture such as a large chandelier.

Chandeliers are a perfect choice for the foyer, as they can provide plenty of light for the space. These overhead light fixtures also come in a number of sizes, shapes and colors with different tiers, number of arms, various finishes and so forth.

If you choose to go the chandelier route, you’ll need to find the right size and shape. Fortunately, to do so is incredibly easy. For chandeliers, you add the length and width of the room together to get a diameter number. For example, if your foyer is 10 feet by 14 feet, your diameter is 24 feet. Once you have this number, you can choose a chandelier. Your chandelier should be equal to your diameter, but in inches. So for this particular room, you would need a chandelier with a 24 inch diameter.

As for height, be sure to keep your chandelier light fixture a minimum of 7 feet from the ground. This prevents people from accidentally bumping their head on the chandelier when entering or leaving your home. If you have a tall ceiling, you may need to experiment with different heights to find the right height for your tastes.

Additional Foyer Lighting Tips

Wall sconces are also ideal for foyers. You can place them as flanking the entry door to the space. You can place them down long hallways if your foyer goes into a hallway. You can also use them to aid in lighting stairways.

For smaller spaces, pendant lights can also be elegant, especially if there is not enough space for a larger scale chandelier. Like any light fixture, pendant lights come in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes.

Remember, the foyer is another room in your home and thus needs to be adequately lighted just as you would any other room in your home. Proper lighting is key to creating a warm, inviting environment.

What do you think of the foyer lighting tips and tricks? Comments are welcome! Head on over to our pendant lights or wall sconces section for more foyer lighting ideas!

Images: | 1 | 2 | 3 |