Lighting Trends

In a recent post, Jennifer spotlighted this beautiful home, pictures of which were posted on the homeowners' Flickr account. I loved everything about this home but the one thing that stood out in a big way was this beautiful, colorful chandelier. She bought the chandelier on Ebay in the UK but after doing a little digging, it looks like you can purchase it online from a bunch of different retailers. Made by PT Home, this chandelier retails for about $150 and is made of metal, glass and resin with colorful resin beads. The Gypsy Chandelier is not wired for the USA, according to retailer Dutch By Design, but I'm not 100% sure that means. I know that electrical outlets are different in the UK but I think you can just buy an adapter that allows you to use those products, unless this wiring issue is something different altogether. The total length of the chandelier, from the hanging chain to the bottom of the beads is 125 cm (49.2 inches), but it needs a minimum clearance of at least 75 cm (29.5 inches). The chandelier is also available in other sizes, colors and styles. Check out all of these lights by PT Home! Lights out until next time. - Via MadeByGirl

Gypsy Chandelier - $150

Mini Gypsy Chandelier - $69.50

Black Gypsy Chandelier - $165

Floral Pendant - $150

Bird Chandelier - $95

Belle Epoque Chandelier - $310

Garland Light - $95

Midsummer Light - $95

Icarus Light - $84

Shadow Light - $359

Come Rain Come Shine - $4,950

Knockout Oval Lamp - $430

Cameo Lamp - $220 (in grey or green)

Camisole Lamp - $630Exclamati Lamp - $320Orb Lamp - $340

• At the breaker box, shut off the power to any circuit you will be using.
  
• Determine where you want to install your light, and drill pilot holes into the ceiling joists. Attach the track to the ceiling with wood screws. Use toggle bolts if you can't screw into the joists.
  
• For installations where no previous light existed, feed the wire through the ceiling.
  

Note: You may want to hire a licensed electrician to wire your light.

• Use the stud sensor to identify an area between studs in which you can place the light switch. The switch should be at least 2" away from any stud. Use a measuring tape to mark the placement of the switch so that it will be the same height as the other switches in the room.

• Use the drywall-mounted electrical box as a template for marking the cutout for the switch.

• Drill a pilot hole in the corner of the cutout, and use a long screwdriver to check for obstructions. Finish the cutout with a drywall saw.

• From the attic, locate the area above the wall where you intend to mount the light switch. Use a 1 1/2" spade bit to drill into the void behind the wall. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves and a dust mask to avoid irritation from fiberglass insulation.

• Feed two pieces of electrical cable into the hole from the attic and out through the hole in the wall.

• Strip the sheathing off the ends of both pieces of electrical cable, and strip 1" of insulation from the black and white wires.

• Connect one electrical cable to an existing power supply such as an attic light fixture or other nearby power source. Use the circuit tester to make sure the power is off before you handle bare wires. Connect the bare copper wires with a barrel crimp, and use wire nuts to secure the remaining connections, keeping white wires with white wires and black wires with black wires.
  

Caution: Some switched fixtures may have confusing wiring arrangements. If you're unsure which wires supply constant power, test the circuit, or call a licensed electrician.

• Locate the cable for the light fixture, and attach a junction box to a nearby joist. Thread the light-fixture cable and the remaining electrical cable into the junction box, and splice them together with wire nuts and a barrel crimp. Attach a cover to the junction box.

• Downstairs, push the other ends of electrical cable through the back of a drywall- mounted electrical box, and secure the box to the wall by tightening the wall-clamp screws.

• Strip the sheathing and insulation from the wires. Twist the ground wires together with a 5" piece of ground wire, and secure the connection with a barrel crimp. Connect the white wires together, and secure them with a wire nut.

• Attach the black wires to the terminals on a single-pole light switch, and attach the remaining ground wire to the green ground screw on the switch.

• Attach the switch to the electrical box, and attach a cover plate. For multiple track lights, consider using a stack switch.

• Insert the fixtures into the track so that the three prongs line up properly with the electrical wiring inside the track. Most fixtures simply snap into place.

Note: If you're installing track lighting over an existing fixture, remove the fixture and disconnect the wires. Then mount the track light, connect the wiring, and insert the light fixtures.

Check out HGTV for more helpful do-it-yourself lighting tips! Lights out until next time!

In this past Wednesday's episode (episode 8), called "Light It Up" the remaining 5 contestants had to design a room around an upscale chandelier from Swarovski! As the beautiful India Hicks introduced the challenge, I immediately recognized the stunning, $20,000 Swarovski Blossom Chandelier hanging there in the showroom, just glittering away. Anyway, the "Pop Design" challenge winner from that day, Eddie Ross, Senior Style Editor of Martha Stewart Living Magazine (and publisher of his own blog, EddieRoss.com) got to pick the order the designers chose their chandeliers. The order was as follows:

(Below) Eddie: Glitterbox by Georg Baldele (Photography: Top - Georg Baldele; Bottom - Bravo TV)

(Below) Andrea: Glitterbox Verticle by Georg Baldele (Photography: Top - Dezeen; Bottom - Bravo TV)

(Below) Nathan: Ice Branch by Tord Boontje (Photography: Top - Design Boom; Bottom - Bravo TV)


(Below) Ondine: Light Sock by Diller Scofidio + Renfro (Photography: Top - Dezeen; Bottom - Bravo TV)

(Below) Preston: Sparkle Shady by Jamie Hayón (Photography: Top - Hayon Studio; Bottom - Bravo TV)

The end results were a mixed bag. For those of you who haven't seen the show, I won't spoil it, but needless to say some drama went down with contestant Andrea Schroeder, wife of actor Ricky Schroeder. Back to the stars of this episode...the beautiful lights. I knew Swarovski made lovely things, but I had no idea about some of these other light fixtures they designed. As part of the Swarovski Crystal Palace Collection, some of these chandeliers are destined to be timeless classics. Still others are just bizarre. Pricing is not available online but you can visit the Swarovski website for more information. Most of the collection will be available starting in January of 2009. Top Design Season 2 airs every Wednesday at 10:00 PM eastern, 9:00 PM central on Bravo. You can purchase past episodes on iTunes.

Lights out until next time!