Under-Cabinet Lighting: Your Kitchen Task Masters

January 28th, 2016 Categories: Random Thoughts

Without under-cabinet lighting, you are likely working in your own shadow at any perimeter countertop. Eliminate dark spots and frustration with under-cabinet fixtures spaced approximately 25 to 30 inches apart. Read the rest of this entry »

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Did You Know Dirty Light Bulbs Waste Energy?

November 5th, 2015 Categories: Random Thoughts

Granted, cleaning light fixtures is a hassle that requires a stepladder and a steady hand. But it’s a necessary spring-cleaning chore that freshens your home and gives you the light you’re paying for. Read the rest of this entry »

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8 Tips for Cleaning Up a Broken CFL Bulb

October 27th, 2015 Categories: Random Thoughts

A broken compact fluorescent bulb isn’t cause for panic, but it is cause for concern. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs typically contain a small amount of mercury, which can turn into dangerous mercury vapor if the bulb breaks. Read the rest of this entry »

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Turning Mason Jars Into a Creative Light Fixture

July 20th, 2015 Categories: Random Thoughts

I just love mason jars, those wide-mouth glass canning jars that hold everything from strawberry jam to fireflies. That’s one reason I’ve fallen for the DIY mason jar light fixture made by Taylor of the MaryJanes & Galoshes blog. Read the rest of this entry »

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Light Bulbs for Energy Efficiency and Beautiful Light

June 30th, 2015 Categories: Random Thoughts

Although the old-fashioned incandescent bulb is on its way out, you have more lighting choices than ever before. And that means making decisions about price and energy efficiency. But don’t forget aesthetics.

If you wind up with lighting that’s harsh, flat, or unpleasant — like when you’re trying on bathing suits in a retail dressing room — it won’t matter that you got that LED on sale or that it lasts forever. You’ll wish it didn’t. Read the rest of this entry »

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Solar Tubes Beat Traditional Skylights for Low-Cost Daylighting

February 18th, 2015 Categories: Random Thoughts

If you’ve been thinking of adding more daylight to a kitchen or dark hallway, a solar tube may be the way to go. At a fraction of the cost of a skylight, a solar tube provides plenty of warm, indirect light.

How It Works

Known variously as a sun tube, sun tunnel, light tube, or tubular skylight, a solar tube is a 10- or 14-inch-diameter sheet-metal tube with a polished interior. The interior acts like a continuous mirror, channeling light along its entire length while preserving the light’s intensity. It captures daylight at the roof and delivers it inside your home. Read the rest of this entry »

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