With the huge generation of baby boomers defining “growing old” in new ways, there is great motivation to find solutions to the pesky physical problems associated with aging.

One is the research being done on “Lighting for the Aging Eye”.
What it all boils down to is that we just don’t see so well at 60 as we did at 20.
But then again, this is no reason to limit our activities. We just need to know what to do about it and make some changes in our home, and off we go!

In our new showroom we have made a fun display using this iconic poster of the buff 70+ year old guy  with a few lighting facts about “Lighting for the aging eye.”

At 65 you need:

• up to 10 times the amount of light as the average 20-year-old.
• a light level of more than 100 foot-candles to be able to read comfortably.

Lighting manufacturer Holtkoetter has initiated and supported extensive research at the University of Colorado to study and develop the scientific basis of lighting for the aging eye and to research how good lighting can mitigate the effects of the natural physical changes we are all subjected to as time passes.
The findings were that the decrease in retinal illuminance requires a light level of more than 100 footcandles for optimal reading performance.
Holtkoetter therefore chose a 75-Watt or 100-Watt Halogen light bulb by Osram.
Its shape and the construction of the inside of the reflector, allow for a light level in excess of 100 footcandles.
A matte glass diffuser and a reflector that focuses the light only on the reading material will reduce glare and scattering.
Adjustable dimming controls and the adjustability of the physical reflector location allow the light levels to be set at the optimal position, reducing the need for the eye to adjust to different light levels. 
The study resulted in a series of table, chair-side and floor reading lamps.

Form Plus Function Showroom Santa Fe New Mexico

After four pretty stressful weeks where we had to run across the parking lot between our old location and our beautiful new showroom, we finally have phone service, which allowed us to move in.
It is SO wonderful! The space is beautiful and we are filling it with spectacular light fixtures and some really spectacular small pieces of furniture.
PLEASE come visit as soon as you can!

Campari Pendant by IIngo Maurer Campari Pendant

ngo Maurer

WE are getting ready to hang our Ingo Maurer Campari pendants after our renovation.

I really missed these cheerful lights over our counter!

WAC Lighting Bullet LED Pendant

Sleek and streamlined, the Bullet mini-pendant light from WAC has a shade conical shade made entirely out of spun metal.

It uses an energy-saving 5W LED lamp and puts out an amazing amount of light for that small amount of energy consumption,  directed towards the surface below..

The Bullet pendant compements many decors from industrial to cutting-edge contemporary.

Vintage Edison Bulb

Many have asked us if the exposed-filament bulbs, reproductions of Thomas Alva Edison’s first light bulb will be available in a few years.

So far the answer is yes.
Because they don’t produce enough light they are considered specialty bulbs and are not included in the higher federal efficiency standards that gradually begin taking effect in 2012,

Aware of  the need to conserve energy, it is my recommendation to use these wonderfully warm vintage lights only as accents.
Use the more efficient light sources for the majority of the illumination for your home.

We will be adding more of these bulbs to our site in the next days at prices of around $10 each.

They actually last quite a while, and in my opinion are a low-cost way of adding ambience to a space, just like candles.

Follow our blog for more News from the Lighting Front. And never hesitate to contact us for answers to your lighting questions.

I just love the Heirloom pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting!

Just the other day I saw a large cluster of these hang at staggered heights over a bar in a great contemporary restaurant. They looked fantastic!

Lots of shade, size and finish options makes it possible to custom design the pendants so they fit your space.perfectly.

One of the things that make them special is of course the old-world filament bulbs that add atmosphere and a warm glow.

Madrid pendant by Tech Lighting

Tech Lighting is not just all about colorful glass.
Some of the newest introductions add felt, knits(!), and fabrics.

The Madrid pendant is one of the products that brings this new look to Tech Lighting.
This unique pendant has a glass globe  with a knit  cover that lends it an organic feel.
It and is available in a modern color palette.

Two sizes are available.

Tech Lighting had a unique display at their Dallas showroom: A large cluster of Zenith pendants hung from a multi-port canopy.
They used both sizes and all three colors.  It looked fantastic!

A great way to create a unique replacement for a chandelier.

Tech Lighting Scania Track Head

Isn’t this a beauty?

I was so excited when the Scania track head was introduced by Tech Lighting.
The name alone of course makes me smile (since I am originally from Denmark), but it’s of course the sleek, elegant design that has me captivated.

Most track heads are just so incredibly dull. The Tech Lighting Scania  features an elegant slender head with a plated or matte painted finish. Black, Linen Satin Nickel – and as an added bonus: the  exquisite Burnt Sienna.

Tech Lighting Otto

The Otto pendant by Tech Lighting is a new introduction.
I really enjoyed all the unique colors it comes in – and ordered all of them for our showroom at the recent Dallas Market. It was just too hard to choose!!
The Otto pendant  has a wonderful hand-etched, mouth blown outer transparent glass shade with an inner glass diffuser.
The outer blown glass is hand-etched after it has cooled. Its inner white glass helps diffuse the light and adds depth to the fixture without washing out the color of the transparent outer glass.
A sophisticated, well-balanced addition to a variety of rooms.