An Introduction to Pendant Lighting

 

What are pendant lights? Pendant lighting, also known as drop down or suspended lighting, typically consists of a single light that hangs from a higher place, such as a ceiling or porch. It is often held by a chain or cord, giving it the resemblance of a pendant necklace. These fixtures are often used in groupings as well as in single formations, depending on the environment. A single pendant light is usually hangs from a high porch above the door or over a table. However, they tend to be positioned in groups along kitchen bars or in hallways in a straight, line formation. Pendant lights can be found in a huge variety of materials, sizes, and shapes, making them extremely popular for home lighting. The right pendant fixture can really create a unique quality to any space.

Pendant lights can be found in many different quality levels. Some pendant lights are actual works of art, worth thousands of dollars, while others, found in the local hardware stores etc, are purely functional and have little esthetic appeal. Because of this there is also a large range in quality and type of light emitted from pendant fixtures. The most basic types of pendant fixtures are dome shaped and cone shaped. Those that are dome shaped may be shallow to spread a large amount of light, or they may be narrow in order to produce a more direct beam. Dome pendants can be crafted from metal, painted glass, blown glass, and many more materials capable of holding a dome shape. Pendant lighting that is cone shaped is usually a more directional lighting source, allowing very little light to escape the area outside of the cone opening. The most common cone fixtures are manufactured out of pewter, stainless finishes, and colored glass. Though these fixtures cannot be expected to light up a room with a single unit, they can make wonderful ambience by placing several in a room together.

There are many other shapes of pendant fixtures, such as triangular, rectangular, round, and square, and though these are lesser used, they allow for so much artistic freedom in the creation of pendant lights. Top lighting designers experiment with a large spectrum of shapes to create unique and interesting light fixtures. Some pendant lights are even designed from completely abstract shapes and designs. Pendant lighting design is an art form that combines the use of light with an artist's concept of shape and color, and the results can be masterful. This kind of work is no less credible than an original oil painting over the mantle, and it will definitely alter the atmosphere of a room.

Think about all of these possibilities and the functions of the different types of pendant home lighting before making a purchase decision. The style of a pendant fixture should match the home while also serving bringing the right amount and type of light into the space

John Billington is the president and CEO of Five Rivers Inc., a leading online provider of home lighting and bathroom lighting. For more information, please visit http://www.fiverivers.com

Recessed Lighting and Pendant Lighting are Novel Ways to Get Attention

 

When it comes to wiring a new home before lighting, or if you are just remodeling your existing home, here are a few tips to help with your interior lighting plans. There are three types of lighting that you should keep in mind. Remember that you'll want to plan your lighting to make your home safer and easier to see and to create a pleasant atmosphere as well as help you perform specific tasks within the home easily. Regardless of what room you are lighting, whether it is bathroom lighting, kitchen lighting or track lighting, there are three needs that need to be filled. The first one is lighting for better sight. Remember to use as much natural daylight as possible, as it is the most healthiest light available. If you would like the room to absorb more light, use light-colored furnishings, ceiling surfaces and reflective louvers on your blinds, if you have any.

The second one is lighting for specific tasks. You can use pendant lighting, recessed lighting, or track lighting to focus light where you need it. Remember to keep energy savings in mind by perhaps focusing a light by a night table or near your armchair or on the kitchen counter top, instead of lighting each room very brightly.

And finally, there is lighting for pleasure. Use accent lighting to draw your eyes towards a special item or area of your home. This can be achieved by focusing three times as much light on the focal point instead of using general lighting in that room. Recessed lighting or pendant lighting is a good way to make those special items in your home more visible, without over-lighting the entire room or living area. Remember to keep your home lighting system effective. Do not purchase light bulbs based on the wattage, but think rather about how much you need, where you will need it, and what fixture will deliver the light most effectively. Keeping these items in mind, you are going to save money and have a more aesthetically-pleasing home to enjoy!

By Terry Price- Remember to visit: http://www.ceiling-fans-interiors.com/articles_1.html for some great prices on home lighting packages. Welcome to the fascinating world of interior ceiling lights! http://www.ceiling-fans-interiors.com/122-interior-ceiling-lights.html

The Meaning of a Pendant

 

What is the significance of a pendant? A pendant is a decoration and symbolization of the things that a person treasures. A favorite past time, a special person, a milestone affair, or something that describes you are just a few ideas of pendants to display on a necklace.

Pendants are great gift ideas, acknowledging a friend or family member’s interests. To consider what kind of pendants you can give a loved one, here are some ideas of how you can celebrate some of the things that they treasure most.

Sports pendant-Basketball and jewelry might not mix, but with a sports pendant, you can display a friend’s passion for a sport in elegant fashion. Whether it’s a professional sports team fan, or a friend’s identity with a sport, you can find a favorite team pendant or a sports pendant to recognize their interests.

Friendship pendant-A display honoring your best friend can be captured in a friendship pendant. A broken heart split in the middle, this pendant is not to be mistaken by what is described. In elementary or junior high, you might have recalled two friends displaying half of a broken heart, implying their relationship as best friends.

Gemstone pendant-On a loved one’s birthday celebrate their birth with a gemstone pendant. As every month has its own gemstone, you will personalize your loved one’s birthday with their month’s birthstone. A ruby, a sapphire, a diamond or amethyst pendant, a gemstone pendant will be a frequent reminder of the significance of their birth.

Pendant lockets-Such a keepsake as a baby picture will be a treasure for a pendant locket. Giving your mother such a necklace will be her reminder of you as a baby, a phase of nurturing and raising you from the time you were little until now. Thank her with a memorable pendant locket for her to wear so she can always think of you.

If you choose to give your loved one a pendant, just remember that it is not just a gift you’re giving them. You will be capturing one of their symbolic treasures in a beautiful necklace, an adornment they will enjoy forever.

Whether you're looking for a gift for a friend or loved one or if you just want something for yourself, a pendant is an excellent gift idea.

For some various gift ideas, visit Harris Michael Jewelry.

Pendant Lighting Layout - How To

 

Pendant lighting has gained a great deal of popularity for use in kitchens over the last few years. A common place to install them is over an island or peninsula. One of the most frequent questions I see is how high do I hang them and how do I space them out? Both questions can be answered in several ways and as with any home design aspect there is no absolute or right answer. There is however some guidelines to use that can help you make the right decision.

One consideration on the height is with the fixture you choose. If a fixture has an open bottom and it is installed to high, it can become very annoying looking up into the light bulb all the time. By the same token, a fixture that is designed so that the top is not made to be viewed, if installed too low, can be very unappealing. There is an average height you can use as a guide, about 68" - 72" off the floor to the very bottom of the fixture. This puts the fixture at about eye level for the average person. The reason there is no correct answer is in a house where everyone is 6' 4" and taller this height would most likely be too low.

Over a dining room table this same rule can be applied. A little tip or word to the wise. If your fixture is going to be installed before there is actually a table under it put something there in its place. It could be a large box, bench, folding table or a chair. It will save someone a trip to the hospital for stitches after walking into the fixture or a broken fixture.

Spacing the pendants when there is more than one is a matter of a little mathematics. The most common mistake is to just split the space into even sections but that is not entirely correct and I'll explain why. Let's say your island is 60" long and you have two pendants. A common thought would be to split the space into three sections that are even. This would give you each fixture 20" off the ends and 20" between them. A better choice would be 15" off each end and 30" between them. Why is that you ask? Well for one thing you'll see it is more visually appealing. The other reason is the light spread on most pendants is in the shape of a circle. If you can imagine the actual light that falls on the counter area picture two circles of light. To best illuminate the counter we want the edge of the circle to hit the edge of the counter. The other two edges should meet or overlap in the middle.

If you are not sure what it is I am describing take a look at the link below and view the diagrams along with the explanation.

For more info on How to layout Pendant Lighting visit: http://www.forteelectric.com/PendantLayout.html Paul Forte is a licensed electrical contractor with over 25 years of experience in residential lighting. If you would like some lighting ideas for your project contact Paul or visit his website http://forteelectric.com

Jeweled Shamrock Pendant

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition if you are not wearing at least a little something green you just might get pinched and why put yourself through that? Let's face it most of us do not look very good in green attire but, there are ways around this.

A pretty green pendant to wear on your lapel for the occasion would be fun and festive especially if you make it yourself.

I chose the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover because, According to Irish tradition it represents blessings and who doesn't like getting blessed?

This St. Patrick's Day craft project is geared for adults, it is not easy enough for children to do unless an adult is right there helping the child through each step.

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Supplies:

1- 18 X 22 piece of green felt. (any shade of green)

1- Acrylic Craft Jewel (any color)

1- Pin Back- 1 1/4"

A small tube of green (any shade of green) glitter fabric paint

Scissors

Craft Tacky Glue

1- Black Sharpie marker

Heart shaped template (provided)

Circle shaped template (provided)

Clover Stem template (provided)

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Please go to- http://www.craftsxcetra.com/jeweled_shamrock_templates.html to print out the templates for this project.

Directions:

1. Print out the templates provided. Use medium to heavy white card stock to print on.

2. Cut along out lines of the circle template and the clover stem template. (See fig. 1) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig1.jpg

3. Fold heart shaped template in half. (See Fig. 2) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig2.jpg

4. Cut along out line of the folded heart shaped template. (See Fig. 3 & 4) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig3.jpg and http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig4.jpg

*Unfold the heart shaped template.

5. Lay the heart shaped template onto the piece of green felt. Take the black Sharpie marker and carefully trace inside the line of the template.

Do this 4X (4-times). Let Ink Dry. (See Fig. 5 & 6) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig5.jpg and http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig6.jpg

6. Trace the Clover stem template and the Circle template onto the green felt. Let Ink dry. Cut along outer edges. (See Fig. 7) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/pendant_fig7.jpg

7. Glue each heart piece to the circle piece. Be sure to glue the pointed part of the heart piece to the inner part of the circle piece forming a Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover.

Let glue dry (5 - 15 mins) (See Fig. 8 & 9) at http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig8.jpg and http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig9.jpg

8. Turn Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover over, and glue the Clover Stem unto the back. Make sure that the stem extends out and shows from the front before actually applying the glue.

Let dry (5 - 15 mins)

9. Glue the acrylic craft jewel in the middle of the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover. Let dry for (5 - 15 mins)

10. Take your tube of green glitter fabric paint and carefully trace along all edges of the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover.

Let glue dry for approx. 24-Hours. Be sure to sit your project somewhere out of reach from the kiddos! lol

11. After the glitter fabric paint has dried (24-hrs) You might want to go back over it with the paint, It's up to you because, if you do choose to go back over it you will need to let it dry again for another 24-hrs.

12. Simply glue the pin back to the back of the Shamrock or Four Leaf Clover. Glue to center of the Circle part. Let dry for at least 1-hour or more before attempting to wear.

And, That's It!

You can view the finished Jeweled Shamrock Pendant here at: http://www.craftsxcetra.com/images/pendant_fig10.jpg

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Your Jeweled Shamrock Pendant is ready to wear for St. Patrick's Day!

You may even want to make more than one, and share them with family, friends, and co-workers.

"Many Irish Blessings to You & Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Lynda K. Smith, is the owner and webmaster of http://www.craftsxcetra.com She lives in Texas with her Husband and Two Children. Her hobbies are sewing, crafts, and web design.