Lamp Oil – Never Out of Style

Lamp oil is made to burn cleanly in glass oil lamps and lanterns.   Lamp oil is a liquid petroleum substance that is in the same group as kerosene.   Unlike kerosene, lamp oil does not produce large amounts of dangerous smoke and other toxins.   Although it does not burn as brightly, lamp oil does not have an unpleasant odor like kerosene.

Antique Oil Lamp

Back in the days before there was electricity, homes were exclusively lit by lamps and candles.  These lamps were usually fueled with kerosene.   Kerosene is known to generate a lot of black soot and it made keeping the home clean impossible.   Due to a  large number of  complaints from the consumers, companies decided to refine kerosene further so the fuel could be burned  indoors without all of the harsh chemicals and messy soot.

Oil for lamps can be found at most supermarkets and outdoor stores.   Many individuals keep a stash of lamp oil along with their other emergency supplies.   In the case of a black out, lamps are safer than candles and more dependable than flashlights.   For these reasons, it would be a good idea to keep some lamp oil put away with your emergency home kit.

The oil put in lamps is a combustible liquid so it  releases heat and energy as it burns.   Like all hydrocarbon products, this oil must be treated with caution.   If the oil is misused, there could be safety issues.   Always read and follow the instructions that come with your oil lamp.  It is always smart to clean and trim the wick before each use.   You should never roll down the wick while it is lit as this could cause you to start a fire or burn yourself.  Oil for lamps should always be stored at room temperature also.   Never store the oil where it could freeze because once lamp oil freezes it can become unstable and act more like gasoline.

Most oil put in lamps is clear.   However, you can purchase colored oil to appeal to your sense of style.   Choose a colored oil that will fit your mood and atmosphere and accentuate the beauty of the lamp.   For example, red oil may help create a romantic environment for you and your spouse.

You can also purchase oil with a fragrance.   As it burns, you can enjoy a soothing aroma in the air.   This aroma is much like an air freshener, but more pleasant.   Enjoy the smell of lavender or vanilla in your kitchen or bathroom.   The citronella scent is ideal for keeping the mosquitoes away while you are trying to enjoy a wonderful evening outside.

Lamp oil is the ideal choice for burning lamps and lanterns in your home.   It burns cleaner and produces a pleasant smell.   It may cost a little bit more than kerosene, but it is well worth it.

March 17, 2010 | admin | Tags: , , , , | Comments Closed

A Black Chandelier – An Elegant Accent to Your Home

Chandeliers have always been an elegant way to decorate a home, and a black chandelier is no exception. Whether it is featured in the dining room, foyer or some other room of the house, this type of light fixture can add style and charm to your decor as well as giving you the light you need.

Your light fixture can be wrought iron with crystal teardrops, a swag-style pendant design, a shaded chandelier, or even black glass. Depending on the decor of the room and whether you are looking for fancy or basic, there is a black chandelier that will suit your personality and that of your home. For an elegant look, you may want to consider lighting that is dripping with clear or colored crystals. And for a contemporary style, a fixture featuring black glass would definitely be in order. You can even find theme-based chandeliers, copied from fixtures featured on popular television programs. There is a design that will fit any room of the house and any taste.

If the room where you intend to hang your black chandelier needs a good bit of light, you can choose a fixture featuring 12 or more bulbs. But if you do not need as much light and just want a soft ambiance, there are fixtures on the market featuring fewer bulbs that will give you the light you require without overdoing it. You can also have a dimmer switch put on your light fixture, enabling you to change the intensity of your lighting as the mood dictates.
The High Lights
If you have limited funds to work with, there is a black chandelier that will fit your budget. Depending on how much money you want to spend as well as the design of your home, you can go as basic or as extravagant as you want.

Be certain to check out a variety of lighting fixtures. You will find the one that will not only fit the decor of your home and your taste, but also your budget. With the right lighting in your home, you can be proud of your decorating style.

March 15, 2010 | admin | Tags: , , , , | Comments Closed

How to Care For and Clean Light Shades

Light shades is just another word for lamp shades, and come in many shapes and sizes and add to the decor of a room. Silk and stained glass shades can be very expensive with  fabric and plastic much less costly.  One of the easiest ways to change and update a room's appearance is to do a replacement of the lighting or just the lamp shades.  The first thing to consider is the lamp fitter if you are looking for a replacement lamp shade.  The fitter will determine what type and size of shade will work for you.   While replacing lamps or shades may be the best option, often times cleaning the existing shades will be the easiest way to make big difference in the lighting.  It will always be cheaper to clean  than buy replacement shades.  Cleaning some types of light shades present challenges and are more labor intensive than others.    Here are a few helpful hints when you want to try cleaning your light  shades.DSCF0300

Hard Shades
The first line of defense is to perform routine lamp shade maintenance each time the room is dusted. For hard shades made of glass, plastic or fiberglass, a thorough dusting with a soft cloth on both the inside and outside is sufficient. Follow up with glass cleaner when necessary. If very dirty use a mild detergent to wash them first.  Be sure when you do any cleaning that the lamp has been off for a few minutes and has cooled .  Hot bulbs could burn you or melt your duster.

Fabric Shades
There are several ways to keep fabric shades dust-free. They can be vacuumed with the soft brush attachment or rolled with a lint roller. Pleated shades can be successfully dusted with a soft paint brush. Some shades, if they are very dirty, can be washed.  If you do decide to wash them there is some prep work that must done first. The fitter must not be made of the type of metal that will rust. It can rust as a result of the contact with water and the rust may stain the shade. Remove all washable trim. It the fabric is glued to the frame, sew it in place so it doesn’t fall apart.
Fill a bathtub or clean garbage can with water and mild detergent. Put some of the soapy water on a small part of the material to be sure it is colorfast. Submerge the lamp shade and swish it around in the water. When the water is dirty, let it out and fill with clean water. If the shade is still dirty repeat the entire process until it is clean and the rinse water is clear. Hang it up to dry.
These instructions do not apply to silk shades. They are very expensive you may wish to have them professionally cleaned.  If you want to try to wash them, a great video can be found here describing a way to clean silk shades at home.

March 12, 2010 | admin | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

How to Use Pendant Lights in Home Decor

Pendant lights are a versatile and functional form of decorative lighting for any room of your home. Large light fixtures work well in expansive living areas or large kitchens. You can create a very decorative effect in a large room using several matching or complimentary pendant lights.
pendant light
If you have a relaxation or reading area in your living room or bedroom, a fixture that will direct the light to that specific area would be a good choice of lighting. The style of lamp shade affects the brightness and the direction of the illumination.

A light such as the energy efficient Olympia Olde Bronze Mini Pendant would be a beautiful addition to a bathroom. It would also work well in a small area of a bedroom or as a subtle form of lighting in a nursery.
For greater light in a bathroom area, you might want to select a style of light that extends across the sink and vanity area. There are pendant light sets that allow you to create a functional, decorative bathroom lighting design.

Pendant lights are perfect in a home with modern decor. A metal light with a cone shaped globe is just one example of a modern design. A red, white, and black glass pendant light would be a perfect accessory to a modern decor. An awesome spiral glass pendant would certainly enhance a modern style room.

Lights with contemporary and tradition styling features are easy to locate. You have a choice of colored shades, metal shades, decorative shades, or simple designs of glass shades. For kitchen areas there are lights that extend across a decorative bar to provide sufficient lighting for an island or bar area.

There are variations in the type of bulbs the lamps require. Some lights actually have a "pull up or down" feature. Your selection basically depends on your decorating style and on the amount of light you need for a specific area.

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Swag Lamps Are Back in Style!

If you’re into staying in style as far as home decor goes, then the first thing you should look into are swag lamps. Yes, the same lamps that boomed in popularity in the 1970s and then faded. Well, guess what? They’re back. And, at risk of sounding cliche, they’re better than before. But it’s obvious they would be better than before considering technology has greatly improved in the past thirty to forty years. There are many good locations to place a swag lamp in the home, but the two most popular locations are on the ceiling or wall. If you’re considering the latter, just make sure the lamp you purchase is specifically designed for the wall. If you happen to take the desktop lamp route, based on the brightness produced by these lamps, you should strongly consider using lampshades.ikea docksta + retro chairs

You probably would like to know more about these lamps prior to purchasing one of them. The first thing you should know is that they’re usually made of Lucite or plastic. These days, the material selection is very wide.  The materials now include stained glass, leather, Japanese wood, crystal, glass, wicker, and the one seeing the biggest boom in recent years is rattan. There’s good reason for this. Rattan will give the lamps more durability than any other type of material. In addition to that, you will have an opportunity to be more creative. For instance, you will be able to paint on it, which can certainly add a bit of your personality or style. You can also put any type of finish on it you want without having to worry about consequences.

The popularity of swag lamps has increased so much that some of the biggest names in the furniture world have begun selling them more aggressively – and with terrific results. These companies include Oriental Furniture, Universal Lighting and Decor, Westinghouse, and Royce Lighting. It’s not often these types of companies will go out of their way to sell more of a product that costs under $100.  Take a look below at just one such lamp being sold at Amazon.  This is a great looking lamp that is guaranteed to spice up a room.

Purple Bijoux Swag Plug-In Style Pendant Purple Bijoux Swag Plug-In Style Pendant
List Price: $194.99
Sale Price: $129.99
You save: $65.00 (33%)
  Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
Average Rating:

Description

This fabulous swag plug-in style pendant light features green, purple and clear acrylic accents and a vibrant purple fabric shade. An opal white acrylic diffuser casts warm light on your surroundings. Hardware and chain comes in a lustrous satin nickel finish. Adds a fun touch to living rooms, dining rooms or anywhere you need a burst of style and color. Satin nickel finish. Acrylic jewel accents. Takes three 75 watt bulbs (not included). 17" wide. 20 1/2" high. Shade is 17" across and 8" high. Includes 15 feet of chain and wire. 5" diameter canopy. Includes hardwire kit. Hang weight is 14 pounds.

Features

  • Satin nickel finish.
  • Acrylic jewel accents.
  • Purple fabric shade.
  • Opal acrylic diffuser.
  • Takes three 75 watt bulbs (not included).

Reviews

Funky-Fun-Functional

by Happyhiker from on 2010-08-10
Great lamp-everyone who sees it, wants one. They should make more colors. Not the highest quality, but still very cool. I love mine. Packaged well, arrived in great shape. It looks just like the picture, note how you can see the bulbs through the thin shade. I am happy with this purchase.

swag lamp

by Diana M. Huntoon from CICERO, IN, US on 2010-03-06
product arrived on time and in good shape. lamp itself was confusing to put together, and not perfectly lined up when assembled. Still like the lamp, but the quality could have been better.

March 6, 2010 | admin | Tags: , , , | Comments Closed

How to Select a Quoizel Chandelier

When choosing a quoizel chandelier you should consider all of the options available. There are many different styles to consider.

Quoizel chandeliers look best in any area but particularly in the dining room and living room. They add a sense of sophistication to the area. They add class and style.

When choosing a chandelier you will want to make sure the your ceiling will be able to support the fixture. You more than likely do not want to get one that is too bulky. You may find it to get in the way.

Chandeliers give off a delicate look and feel. They add grace to the room, as well as great lighting. It adds a contemporary look or a look of formality, without being to formal.

If the fancy look is what you want, try a crystal chandelier. These add a delicate and soft look to the room, as well as sophistication and sharpness.

Many quoizel chandeliers have lampshades to choose from as well. The lampshades come in all styles, from the basic lampshade to a fancier lampshade. Adding a chandelier with lampshades adds casualty and comfort to any room.

When considering a chandelier, take in consideration of where you want to have it hang. Decide if you want lampshades or not. Choose from crystal chandeliers, or lamp style. Deciding if you want artwork added to the chandelier to give it that unique and personal touch.

The best way to clean a chandelier is to use a feather duster. The feather duster will provide a gentle touch. Using a items that are not soft can scratch the chandelier. Do not spray the cleaner directly on the chandelier. This could cause damage to the frame.

It is recommended to clean the chandelier every six months. If it gets dusty in between times then clean it again. There are many factors that could cause a more frequent cleaning, such as being close to a kitchen, or close to. You will want to make sure that the chandelier is always clean, it will enhance the look that you wanted when the chandelier was purchased.

March 4, 2010 | admin | Tags: , , , , , | Comments Closed