Beat The Heat in Luxury Style by Paige Farrey

It's summer in Miami which means time by the pool and evenings outside.

Now is the time to gear up for outside living. Over the past few months, the landscape has changed and it's time to beauty the outdoors. Along with making it beautiful, you'll also add security to your home and guests.

The proper outdoor lighting adds value to the architecture, design, security and functionality of your property. It is important to illuminate paths, walkways, driveways, around decks, patios and stairs to create and easy-to-navigate landscape while protecting against unwanted guests.

From the moment you pull into the driveway, illuminate the path for guests to arrive safely. Adding lights to columns or on posts at the entrance offers easy navigation to your home. Correctly placed path lights will lead your guests to the front door with wall mounted lanterns or contemporary lights. All of these pieces tie together to create the initial impression in design and also offer safety for you and your guests.

If there are stairs leading to the pool or patio area, be sure to include step lights. In a covered patio area don't forget ceiling fans work just as well outside as they do inside. They circulate the air and provide light. For a large area you may need more than one. Outdoor fans are now available in an array of designs, finishes and features. A new feature available from Casablanca is the Concert Breeze- a light fixture and sound system all in one. The technology utilizes a wireless system that's easily adapted to your television, stereo, MP3 player, or any other audio source for 360 degrees o hi-definition sound. Decorative lighting around the patio will also enhance the look and ambiance of the area. There are many new choices for decorative outdoor lighting.

You spend time and money creating the landscape design special to you and your home, accent lights will accentuate the trees, shrubs, statues, and other architectural elements in your design. The pool itself should be well lit and there are now many options with LED's to add colors to the rim of the pool. The colors can change based on the time, event or impulse for something different.

The addition of a shower by the pool is a luxurious detail. There are many styles that will work with the design of your home. They are available with or without a hand shower or foot wash functions.

Enjoy your summer!

Creative Ideas to Light Up Your Workroom

Make life’s mundane tasks effortless with light-filled spaces.

Today more and more people are turning spare bedrooms into home offices. As the economy becomes more questionable every day, entrepreneurs are opting to bring their work home instead of leasing rental space. Other homeowners just wish to have a space where they can pay bills, organize their personal files, and work independently and quietly. Whatever the reason behind creating a home office, lighting is an integral part of the design to achieve a productive and comfortable place to work.

So...Want to make your work spaces work even harder- and smarter? Try these easy ideas to freshen your room’s lighting:

Place your desk by a Window so that you can take advantage of the light during daytime hours. This is the first ambient light that you should consider.

Replace a chandelier with a series of mini pendants. You’ll cast light across more of the work surface and eliminate dark shadows. Two streamlined pendants light evenly across a long desk surface, balancing the illumination in a workroom. The result? Reduced shadows and glare, and a more energizing office space. And pendants are a great replacement not only for overhead fixtures, but for outdated light sources such as torchiere lamps. Just because this is an office, don’t be afraid to add a personal touch with a decorative fixture or even a fan with a pretty light kit.

Install downlights in place of overhead fixtures as well as a dimmer for their control. Often used as overhead fixtures, downlights can be key in the task lighting layer. Direct one at a computer or at a counter space. This works well in both small and large rooms, and adding accent lighting can be very easily accomplished from this point.

Place one or more floor lamps around the room. This type of lamp is an indispensable tool, especially if you will have clients visit your office. A floor lamp behind a chair is ideal for those times when you have clients in to review work or if you just want to escape for a while to read a book. Make sure that the height of the lamp you choose is approximately 20” above the top of the chair for optimum comfort.

Accent lights can be chosen with your particular style in mind. They can be added to create drama or to add dimension and character to the home office. Miniature desktop lamps are always in style and look great. If your office is more formal, a classic bankers lamp is a nice statement on your desk. If you want to get a bit cheeky, add a novelty accent lamp.

Accent lighting is not just for the desk. If you have bookshelves, you can highlight them with accent lights installed into the shelving. The key word is accent!

The right lighting can truly boost your home office, providing you with an environment that is welcoming and task-oriented. Adequate lighting can help ease eye strain and help with your productivity. No matter if your home office is just a place to escape and wind down with a good book, to pay and organize bills, or it is your livelihood, the proper lighting will go a long way toward your productivity and happiness.

PERFECT SPACE: Make Your Living Room Most Livable

Photo courtesy of Crystorama

A beautifully lit space makes living and entertaining much more enjoyable. To create a well-lit space, light must be layered. This technique allows you to illuminate each feature separately to control the aesthetic focus.

Layering does more than just provide optimal lighting for reading and conversing. Lighting can draw the eye to the detail in trim work, emphasize cabinet grains, or even draw attention to the texture of flooring.

Photo courtesy of Tech Lighting

To make your living room a place for truly living, follow a few simple steps:

• Replace a large chandelier with two smaller ones, each on its own dimmer. Especially in larger spaces, multiple small chandeliers can help break up large ceiling expanses.

• Rotate shade colors on sconces and chandeliers by the season. It's a great way to freshen up a space without spending a lot.

• Add low-voltage lights as accents and spotlights. Re-positionable fixtures offer flexibility and control in directing light individually toward chairs and artwork.

For more lighting design ideas, visit Farrey's Lighting & Bath

You Want to Put a Fixture... Where?

Photo courtesy of Hinkley

The first place that you will normally find light fixtures is the ceiling. There are a lot of different types of lights that go in the ceiling but for the most part you will see chandeliers, fluorescent lights, fan lights and pendant lights.

But let’s be original; sometimes rules are made to be broken! Not only are designers and homeowners experimenting with placing chandeliers in less traditional spaces in their homes, they are also getting creative about the placement within that room. Making the decision to hang a fixture lower or higher than recommended can add a creative twist to the presentation of your decor.

Of course you can always try and put other lights up there as well such as track lights and recessed can lights that might better suit your needs.

Photo courtesy of Hinkley

The next most common place to put light fixtures is on the floor. There are many different types of lamps but they all pretty much fall under the category of floor lamp. This is not to say that all of these lamps look the same though, as they can be short, tall, skinny or have 10 light fixtures on them. These types of lamps work great for accent lighting or just lighting up one area and not a whole room.

Another eye-catching design trend is to group small chandeliers or pendants together over a kitchen island, dining room table or coffee table. These smaller hanging fixtures can add a unique look and have just as much impact as one larger chandelier.

Photo courtesy of Hinkley

The last place that we are going to be talking about today is the wall. Sconces are the number one light fixture to be placed on walls. The reason for this is because all of the wiring for the sconce is in the wall. Another reason that they are so popular is because they can be indoor or outdoor light fixtures. An example of this would be the copper outdoor sconce which usually would be placed in path ways, walk ways, or entry ways.

Don't be afraid to place outdoor lanterns in your home's interior. Current outdoor lighting designs span the extent from traditional lanterns to sleek pocket style sconces, which ‘opens the door’ for getting creative with your decor. Choosing outdoor lanterns for an interior setting can add a distinct element of style if it works with the overall aesthetic of the home.

Now, with so many cool ideas…Do you know where do you want to put your light fixture?

Latest Lighting Fixtures at Farrey's & Where to Use Them

Think of lighting as the ultimate accessory: statement pieces of jewelry in a space, adding that extra layer of excitement and sophistication. The illumination can create a dramatic stage for entertaining, or add a whimsical light touch to a formal setting, making it the perfect focal point for design inspiration.

Farrey’s latest lighting fixtures go beyond illumination; they are unique and attractive providing functionality and a touch of personality to any residential or commercial space…the possibilities are endless.

 

 LIGHT FIXTURES FROM IVALO COLLECTION-LUTRON

From Ivalo Lighting comes “Aliante”, a pendant light designed from nautical inspiration. Aliante’s shape is much like a seafaring vessel whether a ship or submarine. The pendant light comes in 4′ or 5′, and because of its length can cover a wide surface area of lighting with a slim design. It has a simple overall visual appeal with a touch of style built in as this will not overpower a room where you want to showcase other decor items





Conference Room

Residence

Restaurant

Daedalus: The fixture is organized around two delicate curving lines described by the ribs of the central helix. The feathery quality of the glass blades inspired the name: Daedalus. 5' long pendant with a 17" wide glass and aluminum helical structure, suspended by aircraft cable from 22" wide disk.



Dining Room

Inflection: is a compelling form of spaces of encounter- lobbies, foyers, restaurants, reception areas- which can be used alone or in sculptural combinations, depending on the scale and intensity of the room.

If you are a looking to make a statement with an outdoor wall sconce then Silvus from Ivalo Lighting is a must see. First off, most exterior sconces are very small in nature and fail to make much of a design statement. Ivalo provides a compelling design where light is judiciously applied through the glass fixture. Multiple sconces can be placed together to create a larger surface area of lighting. Silvus also comes in other colors to include: blue, purple, and amber. This product is very chic for the right home.

ARTEMIDE- MERCURY SUSPENSION

"A ceiling fixture that places a floating assembly of large pebbles below a simple modern aluminum disc. These in turn reflect each other, bouncing light between their taught bio-morphic surfaces and reflecting the environment around them. During the day, the piece acts as a sculptural object reflecting the dynamics of natural light and movement of people around them." -Ross Lovegrove

W.A.C. Lighting Introduces InvisiLED Tape Lights

Ideal for both new construction and retrofit projects, InvisiLED Tape Lights perform effectively for a broad range of applications including cove lighting, under counters and bars, toe kick spaces, display windows, refrigerated cases, trade show booths and architectural accents. The energy efficient LED tape delivers a crisp, quality light while only using two watts per-foot. It has a life expectancy up to 50,000 hours and operates on a 12-volt AC Class II power supply center.

HARCO LOOR

The magical creations by this Incredible Artist from Holland is coupled with the sparkle of Crystal.

Come to visit any of Farrey's showrooms to see these unique lighting fixtures and make your room something to talk about.


Best Selling Lighting for Bathroom Renovations

Bathrooms are certainly one of the hardest rooms in the house to light properly. Because task lighting is crucial as well as ambient lighting, baths and showers are more relaxing so it can be tricky to know how to get it right. There is nothing worse than a bathroom that is too dark to see properly. This is the room where makeup gets applied and books are read in the bath. That means bright lights are essential. There is also nothing worse than having a bathroom with bright lights that make you feel like you are on a football playing field!

There are a lot of different options when it comes to bathroom lighting and you need to make sure you get it just right. Bathroom lighting fixtures by Farrey’s are a great way to add style and comfort to your bath area. We carry hundreds of looks, from contemporary bath light fixtures to designer bath lighting to turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa-like retreat.

CONTEMPORARY STYLE: THROW OUT THE DULL

Farrey’s contemporary bathroom light selection adds a strike of lighting style to your bathroom vanity. Look for sleek metal finishes or bright colored glass to make your style statement. Bold architectural shapes and accents of steel and chrome make an exciting artistic statement, allowing you to give clean simplicity to your favorite bath or vanity space. Contemporary bathroom lighting.

TRADITIONAL BATHROOM LIGHTING

If you're in a more traditional mood, Farrey’s offers gorgeous models in very old looks and bronze finishes. Bronze and antique finishes remain as popular as ever, as do soft and romantic Mediterranean looks. From the usual look of frosted glass to hand painted antique finishes and washes, Farrey’s bathroom lighting pieces lend a touch of exceptional personality to your home.

From contemporary to classic, Farrey’s Lighting & Bath pieces provide style and elegance to your bath and vanity spaces. Traditional bathroom lighting.

4th of July Fun Fact

Happy 4th of July! 235 years ago the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence declaring America's sovereignty. Today it's customary to celebrate the national holiday with red, white, and blue, fireworks and parades, stars and stripes, flags and BBQs.

But before you go enjoy America to its fullest, take a quick look through these 4th of July fun facts! Chock-full of useless information — unless you're attending a trivia night sometime soon — fun facts are great when there is a lull in party conversation. Memorize a few facts such as: Do you know what animal Benjamin Franklin preferred over the bald eagle as the official national animal? Do you know how many hot dogs are consumed at BBQs on today's date? For the answers to these questions and lots more tidbits of knowledge, all you have to do is dance like a chicken! No, We are kidding, all you have to do is read more.

• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.

• Over an estimated 155 million hot dogs will be consumed today. That's roughly one dog for every two people in the US.


• 68.3 million cases of beer are sold on Independence Day.
. Over $211 million has been spent on the importation of fireworks from China.

• Oddly, the majority of the nation's flags and patriotic paraphernalia in relation to the Fourth of July is produced in China. Nearly $349 million are used each year to import the flags, banners, decorations, and emblems.

• The first Fourth of July party held at the White House was in 1801.

• The words Under God were not added to the Pledge of Allegiance until the year 1954.

• More than 74 million Americans will BBQ today.

• The Fourth of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.

• The national anthem is actually set to the tune of an old English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven

• The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

Hope everyone has a fabulous day! Remember that fireworks are a fire hazard and scare animals, so be careful! Also, please don't drink and drive!