Down On The Farm

Constellation Series featured in Interior Design Magazine

2010-06-18T12:11:00.003-05:00

Interior Design magazine featured Fire Farm's Constellation Series 2913 in their 2010 Spring Market Tabloid!

Constellation 2913 Project page here.
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How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 10

2010-06-08T09:47:00.003-05:00

[This is a recurring post dedicated to highlighting snippets of "Chapter 7: Lighting" from Fire Farm's copy of the Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book, published in 1956. To see all posts from this series, click here.]

Drama, drama, drama. Better Homes suggests spotlighting your centerpiece to create drama. But—pssst—keep your voices down! Majorly secretive advice about to be devulged here! We suggest making your light fixture the centerpiece. If that isn't dramatic, well then we don't know what is.

Spotlight for drama

"Dramatize your decorating with bright accents of light. This one sets directly into the ceiling, but there are exposed models of a bullet shape which can be painted to match the ceiling.

Consider using pin-up spots, or photographers' clamps with a spotlight bulb. For example, at a dinner party, hide a pin-point spot and focus it on the centerpiece while the rest of the table glows by candlelight. Or use a clamp light shining on an accessory."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

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Sock-delier!

2010-05-25T09:59:00.003-05:00

This chandelier was custom made for a national specialty clothing purveyor, designed to be able to change and display new sock designs regularly at the corporate headquarters. The best part? A small tap brings all the feet to life, kicking merrily away.

Click here to go the Project 3146 page for more info.

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Twinkle Twinkle

2010-05-18T10:45:00.002-05:00

Constellation Series 2913

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Magnolias Bloom

2010-05-06T09:50:00.000-05:00

Introducing the brand-new Magnolia Pendant 2919, just in time for spring!

Each Magnolia light fixture is unique, made up of hand-formed acrylic petals that can be moved and adjusted independently of one another, creating your very own individual bloom.

Dimensions: 25" x 25" x 25"
Weight: 17 lbs
Adjustable on-site suspension height
Incandescent or fluorescent lamping available

Click here to go directly to the Magnolia 2919 Project page.

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Fire Farm Takes the Stage (Again)

2010-04-29T13:00:00.003-05:00

The Elkader Opera House, built in 1903, is one of several Elkader sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and home to the local Opera House Players. After years of a variety of different uses, the Opera House underwent extensive renovation in 2003 to restore it to its 1903 glory. Much of the restoration work was completed through volunteer efforts and donations; one of Fire Farm's contributions was re-painting the decorative stanchions for 450 seats with new powder-coat paint finish. Today the Opera House remains an active community venue, regularly hosting plays, musicals, concerts, recitals and lectures.

When we at Fire Farm started brainstorming ways to showcase the new Constellation pendants, the Opera House space came up as a, well, no-brainer. Not only do we have a special local connection to the Opera House, but back in 1990, Fire Farm itself emerged from founders Ben and Adam's previous work in theater and theatrical lighting. What better debut for our stars than back on the beloved stage?

Last week the Fire Farm team worked on flying the four fixtures above the stage, in preparation for our photoshoot this week (which will yield more goodies than just still images: we have plans for fun video clips, too, just you wait!). Get a more complete behind-the-scenes look of the photoshoot in the Facebook gallery here.

Visit Constellation Project 2913 page here for more information.

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How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 9

2010-04-21T09:56:00.002-05:00

Celebrate spring by drawing the shades and parking yourself in front of your flatscreen! Well, perhaps that's not the best way to usher in the beautiful weather. The next time you do find yourself in front of the tube, however, take note of your home entertainment system's lighting conditions. Because, you know, eyes are helpful when looking at things, so the less you tax them, the better.

Balance lighting for television

"Television comfort requires balanced, all-around lighting as shown here. There is light coming from the tube almost ten times as bright as the reflected light on a movie screen, so your eyes need compensating light from other sources--but without a glare.

Good additions to the light from the screen are cove lighting or torcheres reflecting against a light-colored ceiling, or a lamp with a translucent shade. The latter is better for your eyes if it is not placed directly on the set."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

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Busted! April First Jellyfish Report Turns Out To Be Not Completely True

2010-04-08T14:43:00.034-05:00

Let's get real folks, nobody really believed that these marvelous fixtures were actually jellyfish residing in Elkader (but if you did, that's OK too). However, they were in fact inspired by those beautiful creatures, Chrysaora Colorata. Not exactly a "smack" or "bloom," but an amazingly complex and gorgeous multiple-fixture Fire Farm Lighting project.

Above, the "jellyfish" in question. Upon further investigation, they turned out not to be actual members of any genus or species, but are still pretty cool anyway. Photographs by Jim Walch.

They have left our warehouse, not via our scenic Turkey River, but by motor and then marine freight to their final destination in the Bahamas where they will grace a 50-foot tall atrium.

Pictured: Jerel "Jack" Palas, Acrylic and Refraction Specialist.

These five fixtures are unbelievably light in weight, but pack a very substantial visual impact! All fabricated from an array of proprietary materials and processes, right here in Elkader, Iowa.

These pieces, as with most Fire Farm creations, can be modified to accommodate your wildest vision or dream.

Jim Walch of Fire Farm

Breaking News: New Species of Jellyfish Discovered in Small-Town Iowa

2010-04-01T08:30:00.011-05:00

APRIL 1, 2010. Elkader, Iowa
A smack* of giant jellyfish appeared in Fire Farm's warehouse early Tuesday afternoon, much to the surprise of local residents. Says one witness, "I've never seen a real jellyfish before. They seem to like it here."

The Iowan jellyfish in their "new favorite hang-out" spot.

Local jellyfish experts believe the glowing jellies were migrating up the Mississippi River before taking a scenic detour onto the Turkey River, which flows straight through Elkader. Although the exact species is unknown, they bear a striking resemblance to another aquatic Fire Farm creature, affectionately named Project 2748.

Elkader residents have begun calling the jellyfish "Project 3060," thanks to their close resemblance to the previously discovered Project 2748 (above right). "We think they might be first or second cousins," says someone who knows a bunch about genetics.

It is unclear exactly how long they will stay, but the rural community has welcomed the visitors with its usual warm hospitality. "We have a lot to offer tourists, so I'm not surprised they decided to stick around," says one Elkader resident. "We're really hoping they'll spread the word to all of their friends."

*Yes, that's what a group of jellyfish is called. Also: bloom or swarm.

Constellation: Designer's Notes

2010-03-18T16:35:00.004-05:00

We thought you might be interested in seeing how our upcoming Constellation series all came about.

Says Adam Pollock, the designer:

"This is one of those development ideas that abides its own schedule. Ten years ago I was inspired by the moiré patterns created with alternating panels of perforated stainless steel sheet metal. I fabricated a small 1ft star as a mockup but then set it aside as my attention was drawn elsewhere. This seed lay dormant for years.

For the past two years I have been staring at a tiny paper star-shaped night-lantern that hangs in my children’s bedroom. Every night it would remind me of the long-lost metal star. Finally its own time arrived and that seed was nurtured to maturity with the help of all the staff at Fire Farm."

Below, the original sheet metal star that started it all, and the paper lantern that re-inpsired the idea.

Click here for more blogs about the Constellation Series.

Click here to visit the Project 2913 page.

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How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 8

2010-03-16T14:35:00.001-05:00

Raise your hand if your phonograph is properly lit. Anyone? No? Well that's a shame. How ever else will you listen to music if you can't set the needle correctly? Read on and learn how to fix this very modern-day problem. No? Well, read on anyway.

Built-in light is convenient

"Brighten up your storage shelves with built-in lighting, and add both beauty and convenience. Inside the phonograph you could add a light which turns on when you raise the lid. Or install such a light in the box where you store winter blankets and clothes.

If you're annoyed by a tangle of appliance cords around the night stand, 'build' light into stand so only one cord runs to the wall outlet. Use a 'table tap' like an extension cord with a flattened double outlet."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

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Constellation Sensation

2010-03-10T10:55:00.004-06:00

Last week we gave you a sneak peek of our upcoming Constellation series, but as gorgeous as still images of these pieces are, it's nothing compared to the effect of walking around them.

So, we walked around them for you! Here's a video shot last week (we were shooting stars... heh heh heh) to show the fantastic color changes of the dichroic diffusers as you move around the fixture. Incredible, right?

Constellation Series

Available in:
3ft, 6ft, 9ft, and 12ft approximate diameters
Black, white, or stainless steel perforated metal points
White or color-changing dichroic diffusing petals
Incandescent or fluorescent lamping

Click here to visit the Project 2913 page.

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Star Light, Star Bright...

2010-03-04T12:58:00.007-06:00

Yet another internal project of ours is nearing completion, almost ready for an unveiling. You'll notice from the sneak-peek photo above that the piece resembles a star. A bright, new star. A piece of star light. Oh, the pun-ny possibilities!

And so we ask you, dear readers, what witty wordsmithing should we employ in our upcoming starry, red-carpet rollout? Calling all pretty puns and corny quips, please!

Either leave your ideas in a comment below, or join in on our Facebook page.

Click here to visit the Project 2913 page.

New Pearls

2010-02-18T17:23:00.001-06:00

We in the R&D department are getting very excited about some new internal projects nearing completion. We'll be unveiling them soon; until then, here's a sneak peek at two in particular:

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How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 7

2010-02-05T10:45:00.002-06:00

This week's pearl is dedicated to all of you gamers out there (and we're not talking Xbox-ers), wherever you may be. Yes, even at play, lighting can make or break the experience. Here we're informed that one strong light source is not ideal, "for your eyes glance about." Oh, and I feel obligated to point out: the ladies are winning. How perfectly marvelous!

Light for play and work

"For easier seeing at cards, sewing, and reading, you need at least a 150-watt bulb. But you will need other lights in the room, for your eyes glance about. The stronger one light is, the greater is the danger of too much contrast.

The chandelier pictured is a pulley type that draws down so that beams fall on the cards but never directly on the eyes. Another good lamp for card playing is the swing-arm bridge type, used with a glass reflecting bowl."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

Pendant Patterns

2010-01-27T13:06:00.001-06:00

One of the Fire Farm staff, Bob Griffith, brought in a picture of one of our pendants he made for his granddaughter. Instead of the usual frosted bulb, Bob put a clear bulb in the fixture which threw some spectacular patterns on the ceiling and nearby walls.

Click here to visit the Paper Ceiling Pendant (Body Type P) stock product page.

(Note: This fixture is modified slightly from our stock version in that the interior is painted white, and the exterior painted forest green.)

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How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 6

2010-01-21T09:35:00.002-06:00

Aaand we're back in the New Year with another pair of primo, prodigious, possibly pedantic paragraphs. Plus an illuminating illustration, of course. This week we learn the effects of dark- and light-walled rooms, and how they should inform your lighting decisions.

Adjust light brilliance to color

"Shiny and light-toned surfaces throw back the light, while dark surfaces soak it up. If you choose dark walls, plan to use more lamps and bigger, brighter bulbs. Keep the ceiling color light, so light will reflect. Average-size rooms need at least five lamps distributed around them, assuming there are pale walls and ceilings in the rooms.

Some ways to add light to a dark-walled room are by the use of mirrors, translucent shades or groupings of spot-lights, as shown in drawing here."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

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Sun + Wave = Awe

2010-01-18T11:40:00.004-06:00

An Orion Wave on a shop table, waiting to be shipped out -- lit only by the morning sun coming through the window.

Coming to work in the morning to discover moments like this = Priceless.

Click here for Project 22802-01 (Orion Wave).

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Think Big with Fire Farm

2010-01-12T13:36:00.003-06:00

At 11 feet in diameter and 3 feet tall, these cylindrical shades, which just went out the door, rank as some of the larger lighting sculpture/fixtures we have built to date.

Their scale required fabrication in four sections to fit in the truck and through the door. We estimate it will take about one hour to install each one, and each will weigh less than 450 lbs hanging. Each fixture uses high-efficiency T5 fluorescent bulbs.

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Lois Retires from Fire Farm

2010-01-07T14:00:00.003-06:00

One of the first employees hired after Fire Farm's move from California to Iowa, Lois Ott is now our first retiree. After eight years in the Production Department, Lois will no longer be found fashioning beautiful mesh shades for our fixtures.

Being an expert mesh-folder, Lois came up with a folding design all her own, resulting in what has been named the "Loie" lamp (pictured above), which will become an addition to our stock product line.

Thanks, Lois, for all of your dedication and hard work -- we'll miss you!

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Here at Fire Farm, we really get into our work...

2010-01-05T11:33:00.003-06:00

Fire Farm Introduces Latest Fashion Craze: Wearing the Wave

Happy New Year to all!

Click here for Project 22802-01 (Orion Wave)

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How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 5

2009-11-27T14:00:00.001-06:00

In keeping with the Thanksgiving holiday spirit, today's post features our favorite illustrated friends gathering around their table. Also on exhibition (besides their enviable place settings) are at least three different light sources. Happy Thanksgiving!

Supplement lighting

"Balanced lighting isn't necessarily brilliant lighting. Sometimes, supplementary lights can be placed inside a china cabinet or hidden in its top. Torcheres for indirect or reflected light come in both floor and table styles. But whatever sources you choose, try to have an equal balance of light throughout the room.

If you do use supplementary fluorescent lighting, remember that the tubes come in several shades. It's important to select the lamp color first, then choose your wall covering, drapery, and the rug under the same shade of lighting."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

How to Decorate Like it's 1956, part 4

2009-11-24T15:00:00.003-06:00

Wiring is the subject of the day; specifically, the benefits of a well-planned outlet system. Confession: our lovely model below at first looked to us a bit more bird-like than was probably intended. It's more likely she is simply thrilled at her splendid new floor outlet than she is growing a beak in manner of Kafka... right?

Locate outlets for use

"Acquiring adequate wiring is the first step to decorating with light. Figure out all the appliances you want serviced, and all the light fixtures and lamps you will need. Then call in professional help to do the actual wiring job.

Conveniently placed outlets are next in importance. Temporary remedies are devices approved by Underwriters' Laboratories for carrying a cord along a baseboard. Metal strips with outlets at 1-foot intervals can be placed along baseboards or tops of work counters. Install floor outlets for 'island' groupings."

[Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book. Des Moines, IA: Meredith Publishing Company, 1956. Print.]

Project 2097: Weaving the Past with the Present, part 2

2009-11-18T15:09:00.010-06:00

Weaving the Past with the Present
(This is the second of a two-part blog highlighting Project 2097)

The First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin, commissioned Fire Farm to do the lighting for the new addition to their Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meeting House, and to update the lighting in the original historic structure.

One important element of the job was that the original copper roofing off the Wright structure was to be recycled into the new light fixtures.

Years earlier Mrs. Wright, along with volunteers from the Society, had hand-woven 120 feet of curtain on the looms at Taliesin to be used in the original Meeting House. Symbolically “Weaving the Past with the Present,” bridging the old structure with the new, and with a nod to the historic work of Mrs. Wright and the congregational volunteers, Fire Farm utilized this recycled copper in a functional, yet uniquely sculptural way.

The material was sheared into linear strips of various widths and loosely woven into rectangular panels for wall sconces. The exterior surfaces with green patina were alternated with the raw copper surfaces of the under sides, symbolizing the weaving of the new with the old. Each piece was individually handwoven by Fire Farm's Howard Mayer into a different pattern so no two would be the same.

Light was allowed to filter through the cracks in the face and spill out behind and around the fixtures creating a halo effect. The bright copper picks up ambient light in the room and reflects it warmly back while the natural patina adds a character only possible from 50 years of exposure to nature.

Click here to visit the Product page.

Jim Walch of Fire Farm

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Project 2097: Weaving the Past with the Present, part 1

2009-11-16T11:03:00.007-06:00

Weaving the Past with the Present
(This is the first of a two-part blog highlighting Project 2097)

The First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin, commissioned Fire Farm to do the lighting for the new addition to their Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meeting House, and to update the lighting in the original historic structure. Earlier this year, the Fire Farm crew took a field trip to see the fruition of their labor.

Upon arrival we immediately knew that we had been part of something truly special. Over a half century earlier an icon of American Architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, had designed what is now considered one of the prime examples of Twentieth Century Architecture.

After an extensive tour of the Historic Meeting House, in a physically seamless, but aesthetically distinct transition we were led into the new addition. With only a slight elevation on the landscape of Wright’s structure, one is awestruck as the corridor opens into a cavernous space. Where Wright’s structure soars upward, the new addition hosts an environmentally friendly flat membrane roof with vegetation reaching out and away. Wright’s structure was conceptualized using T-square and drawing board, the new addition with CAD and computer.

Video courtesy of FUS Madison

Kubala Washatko Architects of Cedarburg, WI., with lead architect Vince Micha very cleverly integrated the new structure into the landscape in a way that is both complementary and deferential to the historic structure. The new construction, executed by the craftsmen of J.H. Findorff and Sons, Inc., has received a LEED Gold Rating from the US Green Building Council, as well as the 2009 SE2 Merit Award from the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance, and the 2009 Sensitive Addition to a Historic Structure Award from the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation.

The attention given to every detail by The Society was inspiring. It was a wonderful opportunity to see our work in its final home. Very often we work from afar and are specified in a way that separates us from a comprehensive vision of the project. This project allowed us to work closely with the architects from the very early stages of development, leading to an evolution of design that was uniquely suited to its environment. Luckily the Madison church was within a few hours of our studio which allowed us to all visit our work in its permanent home, providing a satisfying closure to the project.

Custom fixtures designed for the First Unitarian Society of Madison:

Click here to go to Product page

Click here to go to Product page Click here to go to Product page

Jim Walch of Fire Farm

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