Dominion Electric Lighting Blog

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Lighting tips and ideas

I wanted to share some of the tips from the Better Homes and Gardens Lighting magazine ~ they have some great links to their web site:


Find slideshows, videos, sweepstakes and more at http://www.remodelingcenter.com/


Lighting Searches:

1) Living Room Ideas ~ Getting the light right can be tricky. You want good overall lighting, but you also want task lighting beside a reading chair and accent lighting on paintings. Learn how at www.remodelingcenter.com/lighting01.

2) Bedroom Ideas ~ It's all about setting the mood. Learn about proper lamp heights, positioning chandeliers, and more at www.remodelingcenter.com/lighting02.

3) Bathroom Ideas ~ Great makeup requires the right type of shadow-free lighting. Bring bathrooms up to date at www.remodelingcenter.com/lighting03.

4) Outdoor Ideas ~ Help guests feel welcome by greeting them with entry lanterns, path lighting, and more. Go to www.remodelingcenter.com/lighting04.

5) Landscape Products ~ Find a great selection of lighting products that will enhance the style and safety of any home at www.remodelingcenter.com/lighting05.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Better Homes and Gardens Lighting Magazine



We just got a case of this beautiful magazine: Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications ~ Lighting. They are going fast, so hurry in for a free copy! These are on newsstands for $6.99, but we have a limited quantity to give to our customers since we are members of the American Lighting Association. There are all sorts of handy tips in here, like:
~ How to match your fixtures and bulbs
~ How to pick your light bulbs
~ Light 101 (terms you need to know to understand light in your home)
~ Perfect Hues ~ light color can be explained in two words: Kelvin and CRI

Here's a shot of the Table of Contents so you can get a better feel for what's inside:



I think this magazine would come in really handy if you're thinking of updating the lighting in your home, or if you're planning a remodeling project or building a new home. So please let me know if you'd like me to set aside a copy for you (cschla@dominionelectric.com).

Monday, January 18, 2010

new wall lights on display

Ahh, another Monday! But this is an exciting week for us, because all three showrooms are hosting Cooper-sponsored lighting design seminars this week. Designers and architects can earn ASID/IFDA CEU or AIA Learning Unit credits. I think we may still have a slot or two open, so let me know if you'd like to join us in any of our locations (cschla@dominionelectric.com or 703-814-7460).

Until then, my warehouse staff is busy hanging as many new products as possible so we are full of ideas on Wednesday for our seminar. Today I thought I'd show you some of the wall sconces and bath lights we've been hanging.

We display this Hudson Valley swing-arm lamp in their Polished Nickel finish. Very handsome styling on this piece.


Hubbarton Forge's designs are so streamlined and gorgeous!


This swing-arm lamp is made by Murray Feiss and the finish is a painted Antique Pewter.

And I love the simplicity of this bath bracket by World Imports.
Our buyers return from Dallas this afternoon. I can't wait to hear about all their new finds!




Thursday, January 14, 2010

Washington Post's Rental Rehab

I loved today's Washington Post Home section's feature called "Rental Rehab". Designer Margaret Carter gives 6 tips for "easy, frugal ways to turn a rental into a home of your own", and two of them address lighting! She says "Dated light fixtures and ugly oak ceiling fans can really bring you down." Of course we couldn't agree more!

# 4 ~ Remove dated lighting fixtures and put them in storage so you can hang them back up when you move out.
#5 ~ Install brighter-wattage bulbs in the light fixtures to make the place look cheerier, especially in the winter months.

Here is the link to the article if you'd like to read it online: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/homeandgarden/rental-redecorating/

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

New chandeliers on display

Our buyers are just about to leave on our annual buying trip to the Dallas market, so we are on the brink of having ALL sorts of new things in stock! But we never actually stop getting new products in ~ our guys hang new things every day in all 3 showrooms. So today I thought I'd show you a few of the things they've hung lately here in Chantilly.


This is an oval chandelier by Designers Fountain. The finish is really rich.



This is a really cute, small contemporary chandelier from Maxim.




We got this World Imports lantern in 2 sizes.
This one is 16" x 29" with one tier of candles inside.


This is the big daddy, at 32" x 59" and has 2 tiers inside.





And this is our newest drum shade pendant from Kichler.



And then I have two little reminders for everyone:
1) Next week we're having our Cooper seminars where you can earn continuing education credits. You can RSVP to me (cschla@dominionelectric.com) or Greg Tiedemann in Arlington (Gtiede@dominionelectric.com). Arlington's is on Tue. 1/19, Chantilly's is Wed. 1/20, and Laurel's is Thu. 1/21.
2) Become a Facebook fan of Dominion Electric Supply, and you'll be entered to win a $100 gift certificate!


Monday, January 11, 2010

We Have A Winner!

Dominion Electric Supply had a winner in Hinkley Lighting's Home Makeover contest! Our customer, June Shea, won a second prize $250 gift certificate! What fun it will be to help her spend it on beautiful Hinkley Lighting products.



Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Lighting Design Seminar

You are invited to a seminar on Lighting Design. This seminar identifies the lighting tools required to illuminate prestigious residential spaces. Lighting techniques such as accent lighting, wall-washing, wall-grazing, cove lighting and general ambient lighting will be discussed along with information regarding today’s most popular light sources (lamps) and their color, intensity and energy consumption attributes. Project photos demonstrating the various lighting tools will bring these techniques to life. Relevant energy and construction code issues will be considered as well.
Please review our invitation for times and locations and RSVP information: Residential Lighting Seminar Invitation


I'd also like to thank Cooper Lighting for sponsoring this seminar and putting it all together for us. It should be a great event!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Go Green!

Today's post is courtesy of Diana Kemon, Toni Bonvicini and Valerie Ramos from our Arlington showroom:

Go green and upgrade with energy friendly fixtures in your kitchen this year.

Add a light to a small kitchen table or an island. Even a little change goes a long way in decorating. These fixtures below are from Minka Lavery and are Energy Star rated. The Noble Bronze finish adds a warm comforting touch along with is gently curving lines. The beautiful etched marble glass diffuses light to lessen glare and adds character to this wonderful fixture. (Visit the Arlington and Laurel showrooms ~ they are on display for you to see.)






Put a little more light in your life by adding some under cabinet lights from American Lighting. Their new Priori T2 fixture is a sleek, low profile design that will add the perfect task light under your cabinet. This fixture includes the fluorescent T2 bulb,a high-low switch, and easy access to the bulb. Come ask the lighting consultants in our showrooms to help you pick just the right size Priori T2 for your cabinets.


Take another step into being green by adding LED recessed lights to your space. With Cree lights you can create the lighting effect you desire with the energy savings you want. Cree's lights are dimmable and give off the equivalent light of a 65 watt R lamp. This is a great way to add general lighting to you kitchen or any space. Our displays do a wonderful job of showing light output and quality. We will also help with finding everything you need for this light and help you lay out the lights for your space.



Visit us in our showrooms and bring your lighting questions. We are more than happy to help.