1.  Size and install smartly:  Whether you are installing a crystal chandelier over your dining room table or as a central design feature in your master bedroom, the diameter and height of your fixture must be in proportion to other items in the room.  The diameter of a dining table fixture should be 12 inches less than the diameter of the dining table.  The height of the chandelier should allow for a clearance of 30 inches from table top to the bottom of the fixture.

Quoizel’s “Tricia” chandelier adds elegance to this contemporary dining room.  * Interior design by Sandra D’Amata International, Inc.

If your crystal chandelier will be a central focal point in your foyer, living room or master bedroom, take into account your ceiling height and choose a chandelier that may be installed to leave at least a 7-foot clearance from the floor to the bottom of the chandelier.

2.  Reflect Resplendence:  The true beauty in a crystal chandelier extends far past the light source, decorative finishing and crystal configuration.  Crystal facets reflect and refract a brilliant array of colors and illuminating effects, especially when combined with sunlight and/or electric light sources.  Matte finishes on furniture and surrounding walls work well with crystal illumination.  Avoid creating glare and unflattering shadows off metallic or shiny surfaces.

3.  Choose the Right Bulb: Most chandelier bulbs will be candelabra-based, yet what type of candelabra bulb you choose will make a tremendous difference in both the total presentation of your chandelier and the overall illumination in your room.

Crystorama’s “Mercer” chandelier–installed with dimmable LED candelabra bulbs–provides magnificent illumination in this master bathroom.*

Frosted bulbs provide a more subdued illumination. They are recommended for most traditional dining room chandeliers.  Clear bulbs work well with chrome finished retro-modern chandeliers and may add to the radiant sparkle of modern crystal chandeliers.

For a more traditional look, flame tip bulbs are the right choice.  Flame tip bulbs also look best in chandeliers with faux drip-candle holders.  Torpedo bulbs are less tapered and present a contemporary look.  Round bulbs add an eclectic vibe to a traditional chandelier.  Uniquely-shaped and/or textured candelabra bulbs may add a custom-designed artistry to your chandelier.

Saffron’s Drift Light is here to help. The Drift Light is like a normalAmanda Kooser reviewed the Drift Light earlier in the month. Kooser reports that during the first night, she was highly aware of the way the light was dimming, but during the next few nights, she never caught the light turning off because she was already asleep. As somone who claims to have “notorious” sleeping troubles, this would imply that the Drift Light works pretty well.

Kooser says that since you know the LED light bulb will dim over the course of 37 minutes, it’s easy to plan for the light to turn off around the time you want to fall asleep. The most compelling statement Kooser makes about the Drift Light: “There is something soothing about the world dimming around you. It’s like being a kid with an early bedtime, sensing the sun set outside your window.”

I’m interested to see if this product will become popular. Have you ever tried anything like this to improve your sleeping habits? Leave a comment, and let us know!

The United States is the world’s second largest producer of electricity. Our country alone consumes about 20% of the world’s total electricity supply. A great deal of this consumption is done by commercial and industrial customers, who often have larger spaces to power than homeowners do.

Do you get a headache each month when the electric bills comes in the office mail? Paying utilities for your workplace can be an additional financial strain for businesses. Learn how to conserve electricity, maximize energy efficiency, and save on costs for your company.

On a related note, have employees utilize the sleep setting on their computers if they use them for work. If you are planning to step away from your computer for several minutes but will return to it later that day, sleep mode will save power while it’s still on. It’s much quicker than shutting the machine down completely and restarting it when you need it again. However, it’s a good idea to completely turn off computers at night. Not only does it give your computer a break, but your electric bills will decrease as well.

Saving electricity doesn’t have to be difficult! For any other commercial electrical services in Austin, such as security lighting, surge protectors, and track and area lighting, call Bryant Electric Service today.

Having enough electrical outlets in any given room of your home is often a concern for Des Moines residents. Whether you are attempting to find the proper amount of outlets for your television and entertainment setup or trying to find room for your alarm clock, bedside lamp, and a place to charge your phone at night, almost every room in your Iowa home could benefit from electrical improvements such as upgrading the outlets in your home to include USB connections. While upgrading your outlets seems like a DIY project, your best bet for electrical installation is to call a residential electrician.

Almost every single modern gadget released on the market today uses a USB connection to charge its battery. One of the reasons for this is that while your smartphone or other device may have a special connection for charging the device, such as the 8-pin connection used by Apple for their newest iPhones referred to as the “lightning connector,” the part that plugs into the wall is universal. Having a residential electrician upgrade your outlets would allow you to plug the USB cable directly into the wall without taking up outlet space. This improves your ability to charge your devices without requiring electrical installation of additional outlets or rewiring your entire house.

Before you start pulling the covers off the outlets in your home, call a professional residential electrician. Installing USB outlets requires expert knowledge, and messing with your electrical services only increases your chances of damaging your electrical systems, your property, or even injuring yourself. Contact Electrical Gurus in Des Moines today, and let us handle the electrical installation of USB outlets for your home.