If you’re like me, you have a favorable reaction to yachts, perhaps without ever having stepped foot on one. I have absolutely no idea how I will one day acquire a yacht. All I know is that yachts and I are destined to be together some way, somehow. This amorous examination of yacht lighting exists, yes, because there are interesting things to note about yacht lighting design, but, if I’m totally honest, we’re in the dog days of summer; I’m landlocked; and I want to stare at yachts. Do you want to stare at yachts, too? Let’s stare at yachts in all their luminous glory.

1. In A Word, Yes. 

I am sucker for underwater lights. In pools, in little water features and ponds, they just make me smile. But beaming into a foreign sea from the hull of a yacht? I am slain (in a good way). Of course, that’s not the only amazing thing about the yacht lighting situation above. While the lights are illuminating the sea on either side of our vessel, whaddaya say we project the sea life around us onto this huge sail? OK, great!

I mean, seriously?! Are you seriously watching the sea life around your yacht as it’s projected onto a giant screen in the middle of the beautiful sea with starlight and moonlight above you and light beams shooting out of either side of your vessel? Yes? Well OK, then. I guess I would, too, if I were you.

2. Outdoor Recessed Lights

What an amazing night time mood these recessed lights lend this yacht. I love the way the fixtures form scallops of light along the side of the cabin, especially because the reflective surface of the yacht amplifies the light levels. Very nice via Charter World

And it also says, Come hither thou and hangeth out on me. Basically, these lighting designers have gotten it right. What looks better against the soft night sky than lights with a via Charter World

Those recessed light fixtures with single and multiple lamps are a great choice for this yacht living room/control center/spaceship dashboard. The top level is evenly lit, and the lower level, with its crisp light, invites the eye and the whole body, actually. Take me to Greenland, Captain! If you need me, I will be luxuriating.

7. Cove Lighting!

Now is the time to consult with the lighting professionals at Capitol to prepare for the holiday season. With free shipping and the guaranteed lowest prices, this holiday season may be more brilliant than ever.

1.  Fulfill all your FANtasies! Indulge in comfort and superb air circulation with super savings on the latest indoor and outdoor ceiling fans.

“Dyno” Energy Smart fan from Minka-Aire with LED light kit

2.  Enjoy the sweet light with Swarovski and Schonbek.

“Jazz” recessed fixtures from Swarovski deliver a magnificent color array;  Be the first to showcase the future trend in illumination.

3.  Go Uptown with a New York designer and Quoizel Lighting.

Designer Sergio Orozco’s “Uptown” collection includes the “Sutton Place” chandelier, a timeless classic contemporary design.

4.  Personalize with handmade treasures and heirloom-worthy illumination from Lladró.

“Naturofantastic” candleholder features traditional golden highlights in signature handcrafted porcelain from Lladró.

“Lithophane” from Lladró offers LED Energy Smart illumination in a fashion-forward porcelain chandelier.

5.  Welcome the wall flowers with Currey and Company.

“Fairytale” wall sconces from Currey and Company offer a whimsical delicacy in Italian Gold Leaf-Pink finish with crystal drops.

6.  Be chic and dashing with pendant lighting from LBL and Tech Lighting.

“Rock Candy” from LBL Lighting features textured glass candle covers in a myriad of fashionable colors, including Blue Steel (pictured above).

“Modele” from Tech Lighting brings world-renowned EGIZIA lighting design from Italy.  Famous silkscreening on hand-blown Italian glass are available in a fantastic array of artistic combinations for an unforgettable illuminating presentation.

7.  Make a great first impression with new outdoor and landscape lighting from Kichler and Hinkley.

“Silver Coral” outdoor wall lights from Kichler Lighting will not go unnoticed.

“Sutcliffe” from Hinkley Lighting presents a perfect blend of old and new in this updated early American colonial lantern.

8.  Sing “Troy” to the World with new ceiling light fixtures.

“Canary Wharf” pendant light from Troy Lighting brings your illumination to new heights in more ways than one!

9.  Go swinging in Garden City with Hudson Valley.

“Garden City” wall swingers from Hudson Valley are fashionable and functional–a must-have in the well-decorated home or office environment.

 10.  Support your hometown heroes with Hubbardton Forge.

“Almost Infinity” table lamp bases from premier brand, Hubbardton Forge, are available in a choice of custom-designed finishes. Exclusively made-in-America from the finest craftsmen at the original iron forge in Vermont.

To view the latest in home lighting and accessories and for more designing ways to illuminate your Thanksgiving feast, visit with the lighting professionals at Capitol Lighting or 1800lighting.com.

Capitol Lighting Gives Thanks to Priceless Patrons with Promotional Savings All Season Long!

Add to your Thanksgiving holiday with the latest lighting designs from Quoizel, Lladró, Swarovski and Currey and Company.  Capitol Lighting invites you to take advantage of promotional pricing on masterful works of art, including grand chandeliers, elegant bath lighting, fans for all seasons, as well as mirrors and home accessories. Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop on-line at 1800lighting.com to custom design your holiday illumination.

The kitchen island is one of the most functional and versatile areas in your home. Centrally located and serving as a morning breakfast stop, dinner prep and work station, as well as a gathering spot for entertaining and showcasing decorative kitchen accessories.

From classic and traditional to rustic and futuristic, an island light is a major design feature vital to the look and usefulness of your kitchen.  Choose wisely and install with precision to create balance and deliver the perfect blend of ambient, task and accent illumination.

5 Steps to Finding the Perfect Island Light(s) for your Kitchen

1.  Provide for plentiful, energy-efficient task light with  LED (light emitting diode) light fixtures.  New LED lamps are dimmable and available with improved color-rendering and color temperature.  Look for bulbs with a CRI (color rendering index) of at least 80 and CCT (correlated color temperature) between 2700K and 3500K.

2. For ambient or general illumination, recessed lighting may be added to blend with a decorative island fixture.  New OLED (organic light emitting diode) island lights are ideal for general illumination.  OLED light fixtures are outstanding and the illumination is glare-free, crisp and clean.  You may choose to use a variety of pendant lamps, track or rail light fixtures, or a single ceiling fixture for general illumination, but be sure that all fixtures are shielded and installed at the right height.

3.  Browse lighting stores and designer lighting websites to get an idea of what type of kitchen island light fixtures would work best in your space.  Keep the lighting traditional, if you have a country kitchen; go with a more high-tech modern design, in a contemporary kitchen.  The trend toward urban, rustic and organic minimalism offers the ideal venue for many of the new kitchen island fixtures for 2014.

4.  If you have a large kitchen island, accessorizing with a mini table lamp provides a subtle elegance. Mini table lamps also serve to bring the scale of a large kitchen in balance.   Chosen wisely, the right mini table lamp makes a true fashion statement and provides a prized finish.  NOTE:   Be sure portable lamps are sturdy and located in a secure spot, safely away from the kitchen sink or stove top.

5.  Top quality lighting controls and switches are crucial to the lighting design and usefulness of your kitchen island fixtures.  Don’t skimp when it comes to finding and installing control panels and switches.  The right system will greatly enhance the enjoyment and energy saving benefits you receive from your kitchen, the true heart of your home.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION:

•Pendant island lights should hang about 66 inches above the floor.  If the shades are not very deep and there is seating at the island, pendants may hang lower at about 60 inches above the floor.  In rooms with 8-foot ceilings, aim for a 30-inch span between the top of the island to the bottom of the island light; In rooms with higher ceilings, raise the light fixture about 3 inches for each additional foot of ceiling height.  NOTE: Make adjustments according to your personal preference, overall lighting effects, and the size and shape of island light fixtures.  Some island lights look and function best when suspended lower and closer to the island; others look best when installed closer to the ceiling.

•Usually, an odd number of mini pendant lights centered over the island creates better balance. Install one pendant lamp per every two feet of island space.  For example, a six-foot island requires three pendants – one in the center and the others 20 inches away on either side. Take into consideration unusual sizes and shapes of chosen island light fixtures to adjust the spacing and amount of light fixtures required. Thin, tapered mini pendant lamps may look better with an additional fixture; oversized pendant lamps may look better installed as a pair centered over the kitchen island.

• Whether attached to a track system or installed singly into the ceiling, the overall ensemble—which may be composed of a few mini-pendant ceiling fixtures, one large island light or two oversized pendant lamps—should measure from one-half to two-thirds the total length of the island and be at least 12 inches narrower than the width of the island to allow for freedom of movement around this versatile space.

Visit an American Lighting Association (ALA)-affiliated showroom for more advice on how to get the best kitchen island illumination.  Certified lighting professionals at Capitol Lighting will help you find the right island lighting, and they will be able to provide the answers to your specific installation questions.

Check out these excellent and affordable island lights from Access Lighting….

“Adele”  23733 ceiling pendants in Brushed Steel with blown glass available in a variety of colorful glass options.

“Iron”  20738 ceiling pendants, contemporary with a fresh new look in brushed steel with opal glass.

“Tungsten” , LED, energy-efficient, cool, beautifying light.

“Kalista” in classic black and white with crystal adds a sophisticated and tailored elegance.

“Phoebe” offers 3 halogen lamps that are adjustable and provide luxurious light over the kitchen island.

Designer kitchen island lighting should not only be beautifying; it should be  durable, energy-efficient and eco-friendly, too.  Check out the latest kitchen island light fixtures at 1800lighitng.com.  Enjoy the guaranteed best prices on all new designs, including pendants, mini-pendants and large island light fixtures from Access Lighting.