Home & Garden Blog » Lamps & Lighting

The NYTimes multimedia slideshow this week gets in touch with Paul Taylor, the founder of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, to discuss home decor and style tips at his house in Long Island. For Paul Taylor, design is all about the idea of the home space, heritage and family heirlooms. Nothing is less “homey” than all store-bought materials, but of course you can’t live solely with inherited furniture. Therefore, modernization is all about striking a balance between the rustic, traditional decor and design and modern necessities.

Let’s take a look at the Paul Taylor shingle-style home decor:

The Staircase: (what we can take from this: Dark wood, dark green accents, picture frames and bright airy windows without a lot of grid)

The Homemaker Image: (what we can take from this: Paul Taylor is an eccentric guy that fits the bill for this house. He likes worn wood and stone fireplaces, benches to sit on and beaded antique lamps. Green, again, is a very important accent color)

How you can recreate your own look:

Rustic Adirondack Log Pole Bench: $59.99

Walnut Bench with Storage: $121.05 (marked down from $225.00!)

Jubilee Green Lamp: $404.80 (you save 12%)

Green living focuses on two things:  sustainability of the planet and healthy, sustainable living of its inhabitants.  Unfortunately, harmful and unhealthy products are usually more inexpensive.  That’s why it’s important and savvy to think of ways you can help save the planet and leave healthy without breaking the bank. 

Here’s a great little side tip before we get to the main product, which I came across while searching for a good green product to share today: buying individually wrapped and packaged items may be convenient for your on-the-go family, but buying in bulk helps eliminate waste and is cheaper, too!  Buy reusable plastic containers for your kids to pack their sandwiches and snacks for school, instead of the already individually packaged Graham Crackers or PB&J.  It’s a great way to save the planet and your pocket, and really doesn’t require any sacrifice.  Which brings me to the main product of today’s blog, something that’s received a lot of hype for the past year: Green light bulbs!

First, some facts you didn’t know about light bulbs, and how Green lighting can help you eliminate waste and save money:

1. Green lightbulbs save electricity and save the environment by using Compact Fluorescent Light, otherwise known as “CFL”.
2. A fact provided by CBS News : “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.”
3. On average, each CFL light bulb saves you about $30 in it’s lifetime

Still need convincing? CFL light bulbs may cost a little more than the average light bulb when first purchased, but thrifty, stylish department store IKEA offers CFL lightbulbs for sale in bulk.  Check out the 2-pack SPARSAM energy-efficient light bulb: 2 for $8.99.  IKEA boasts that this light bulb has a 10x’s longer lifespan than the standard incandescent light bulb.

One downfall: Standard energy-efficient CFL light bulbs do not work with dimmers.  GE, invented a special dimming CFL that works with dimmer setups, however the company warns you that the practice of using dimmers shortens light bulbs lifespans and therefore, your savings.  This light bulb is called GE Longlife Plus Soft White Energy Saving Bulb and sells for the special discounted price at LampsPlus.com of $2.69/2-pack.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more CFL light bulbs.

At the Palm Beach County Home & Interior Design Show, the company NiteLites took the spotlight.  Nitelites, “The Landscape Lighting Professionals”, specializes in low-voltage lighting which the company personalizes for every home or garden.  The lighting installations are elegant, smart and practical.  They illuminate the home you are proud of, and brighten pathways to keep your family and visitors safe.  All of the fixtures are made with solid brass or copper and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Special Inside Tip: NiteLites will provide free demonstrations at your home before you have to commit to an installation!

One downfall: The company is still expanding its locations. While NiteLites has the East Coat from Massachusetts to Florida covered well, service becomes a little sparse once you get past Tennessee and non-existent once past Texas.

When considering installing architectural or landscape lighting around your house, remember to consider:

1. Entrance ways, door ways, and exit points:  These are the portals to your home, so every doorway should be welcoming and well-lit so it is easy to spot.  Well-lit doorways help during that late-night search for keys in the purse, for example.  But, take lighting at the doorway with caution.  While you certainly want the light to be bright on the outside (even to make sure that you recognize who is knocking at the door) but you do not want the light illuminating the inside of your house for the whole world to see.  Keep this in mind if your doorway has glass and consider having it frosted if you have not already.

2. Privacy:  You have taken good care of your home and you deserve to beautify it even more with special, tailored lighting.  Nitelites can help you pick out the perfect set up to illuminate and show off the assets of your home.  However, don’t forget to consider your family’s privacy.  You do not want your home to be visible from space.  Make sure that the lights will not be shining into your windows and keep the direct light on the house to a minimum.  Instead, if you are just starting to consider installations, start small with pathway lighting, or maybe a little around the outdoor pool or garage.  Remember, this lighting is meant to benefit your family first.

Nitelites.com has a very interactive and image-heavy site that can give you plenty of ideas about how to improve your home with lighting installation.  Check it out, and even if you are on the fence about the idea, contact NiteLites for a free consult.  You never know what will spark your imagination!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop through a variety of affordable outdoor lighting.

These green ideas are truly bright!  I didn’t realize being green can be so chic and even quirky.  Check out these ingenious lamps I found at Inhabitat.com :

These beach ball lamps are so much fun to look at!

Perfect for an eco-friendly, urban space, the eggcrate lamp.

I’ve always wondered what I can do with old, non-functioning light bulbs.

I’ve thrown one too many Tupperware pieces, but the makers of these lamps found a fascinating way to reuse them.

I hope this lamp is for outdoor use.

This looks vintage & I love it!

These lamps definitely fascinates me. It takes being green to the next level!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for energy saving light bulbs.

Today I’m going to give you some spring lighting ideas.  Have you ever thought about solar lanterns?  How great is to have light at night, using the energy from an amazing source like the sun?  In fact, I think it is a very smart choice, not only for the way it helps save energy, but also for its practicality (needing no electric installation at all!).   Let me show you the coolest outdoor solar lanterns I found on Smarter.com:

These are my first choice, which would be totally great for any outdoor party.  Actually, I would use the party as an excuse to get this cute lanterns, because I think they would be a lovely decoration for my garden, since they definitely create an amazing atmosphere.

These elegant accordion lanterns open up and can be easily hung anywhere from its support wires.  They automatically turn on at dusk and glow, for several hours.  The globes are made of heavy duty nylon, and can be kept outdoors with no problem since they are weather resistant.  These colorful lanterns work with two LED lights, and each of them has one AAA rechargeable battery with photo light sensor and an on/off switch, which is located on the bottom of the solar panel.

Pictured: Soji Pod Solar Lantern: $22.95

Now, lighting a garden can get really complicated and annoying when you need to find an electrical outlet or run extension chords.  That is exactly why I chose this elegant set of four solar garden accent lights, that would light any garden on.

These beautiful lights are supported by the LED technology, assuring extra-long run times.  Its design is very chic and modern, so you would not only be lighting your garden, you would be doing it in a very stylish way, and in good taste.  As no wiring is required, the only thing you should do is placing them in your garden the way you prefer, and just see how the solar panel converts the sunlight into fine electricity, charging the rechargeable battery during the day, and providing light for the night when they turn on automatically.

In case you need help to place these lanterns, let me give you two options I always recommend.  The first one is setting the lanterns in the corners of your garden, so that you can get to distribute the light evenly in the whole area.  The second option would be selecting the “special spots” and lighting them to emphasize their beauty, for example next to a tree or some plant that feel needs to be distinguished.

Pictured: Moderna Solar Light, Set of Four: $123.40

Not only are lights cool to use to decorate our garden, there are many different accessories that could help, such as yard stakes, that I think, would add a nice homey touch.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more solar lanterns.
Discounts on outdoor lighting.

I thought this ceiling fan was cute in a circus sort of way, but adorable nonetheless. Lately the weather has been bonkers, warms up in the afternoon and chilly at night. When such weather occurs it does you no good to turn on the air or heat because once you achieve the temperature you require the weather outside changes so quickly that you usually over shoot the mark. Gets too cold or gets too hot.

Times like these requre good old fashioned remedies. Extra blankets at night for the chill and turning on the ceiling fan in the afternoon to promote a breeze.

These remedies save money and are pleasantly efficient. Check out the Monte Carlo Balloon White Ceiling Fan.

Add lots of color and a cooling breeze with this 44″ balloon ceiling fan from Monte Carlo. It comes in a white finish with four red/orange/blue/yellow finish blades.

Originally priced at $254.99 Now on Sale for $169.99

To shop for the Monte Carlo Balloon Ceiling Fan - Click here!

To shop for additional Discount Ceiling Fans - Click here!

I like the color purple, I feel that it is a shade that is not widely used and it should be. Purple and plum shades denoter rich earthly feelings in me and I can see why it is historically the color of royalty.

Check out the funky purplish-blue glass pairs with a brushed nickel finish to give this lamp panache. The Plum Crazy Table Lamp is featured on Bellacor and made in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Regular Price: $1,042.00

Sale Price: $801.00

You Save: $241.00 (23%)

If you are interested in the Plum Crazy Tiffany Table Lamp, click here.

Not your flavor? Shop here for more discount Table Lamps, click here!

Okay guys I don’t know what is going on at BestBuyerDiscounts.com but they are having super awesome deals right now! I am not kidding some of their stuff is 97% OFF!

That is unheard of and you gotta check out this SALE! 

Small White Lantern - was $6.95 NOW $0.25 (you save 96% Off)

Mini Cutwork Garden Lantern - was $7.95 NOW $0.25 (you save 97% Off)

Ladybug Mesh Lantern -  was $9.95 NOW $0.25 (you save 97% Off)

Honestly these are amazing savings and it appears that the whole site has been discounted, so this is just an example of the savings! 

To shop for deep discounts at BestBuyerDirect.com - click here!

I think a touch of “Old World” in this cold modern “New World” adds personality and panache to an otherwise drab interior.

The new Gyro Traditional is a spin-off of the original MinkaAir Gyro, but in a classic traditional style. The Gyro fans are a truly unique design offering an unsurpassed level of comfort, Gyros ability to precisely control the direction and intensity of the cooling breeze, efficiently circulates air in any size or shape room. Includes a full function integrated wall control and a 100w integrated halogen light with a replacement cap for applications where the light is not used. You can adjust the angle of both cages by up to 90 degrees.

Personally I have never seen ceiling fans like this before, especially in someone’s home. I think the Gyro ceiling fan is one of those “stand out” pieces that is bound to leave a lasting impression on any guest or visitor. I happen to love original pieces like these.

Ranges in price based on store from: $519.93 - $702.00 - $849.95

If you are interested in bargain shopping for the Gyro Traditional Ceiling Fan, click here.

For more conventional discount Lamps & Lighting options, click here.