Style Illuminated

Designer Candice Olson takes on a dated kitchen and gives it a divine makeover. We especially like the pair of antique style chandeliers and ceiling medallions.

Read about it in the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Divine Design: Kitchen now reflects personal style.

Photo thanks to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Post Update 1-3-12: Want more designer goodness? Try our designer interview series.

We've recently added an appealing line of LED fixtures for track lighting and under cabinet installations. The look is sleek and modern with a silver finish on aluminum. Choose from a range of color temperatures, too.

These fixtures will enhance kitchens and bathrooms. Use the track heads to highlight wall art and sculpture. Great for commercial use, as well. Under cabinet lights are superb in the kitchen illuminating counters. Click for more details on these new LED track heads and LED under cabinet lights.

See all contemporary track heads and LED under cabinet lights.

Website COLOURlovers has published a spread on the new hot hues for 2010, from Modern Muted to Hoagies' Heroes and Urban Pink. Nice pictures, and they list the Hex and RGB codes for the trend colors. Home Color Trends.

Photo thanks to COLOURlovers.

For those parts of the country that are still slogging through winter, check out this feature on Death Valley from the Los Angeles Times. It'll warm you right up. 

The reporter actually went on the same weekend I did (check out my amateur vaca photo above).

A trip to the desert is the perfect anecdote for the plugged-in, over-stimulated world of today. It's so serene and peaceful out there that I relax just thinking about being there. How amazing would it be to bring the peace and quiet of the desert into your interior? 

Check out this series of table lamps from Ambiance that recreates the rich textures and tones of a desert landscape. Doesn't the Snake Wave Lamp below, capture that Southwestern allure?

Mother's Day is May 9th. (Hi, Mom!) You can show her how much she's appreciated with one of these classic gift ideas.

Say it with flowers. Our collection of decorative faux floral arrangements look great all year round.

Send a picture. Slip a recent snap into a photo frame or send a couple hundred in a digital photo frame.

Give a decorative keepsake box; place a gift inside to make it even more special.

Send some light. Design your own custom look with our Design Your Own Custom Lighting tool.

And whatever you do, don't forget to call!

Be as comfortable outdoors as you are inside with our new collection of outdoor seating, like the outdoor chaise lounge pictured above. These designs are perfect for the porch or patio, and will help you enjoy those slow summer nights in style.

True "Gleeks" already know, but for everyone else ... the second season of Fox's hit show Glee begins tonight. Tune in at 9:28pm for the premiere.

We've been hooked ever since we spotted one of our products on the show. Will you be watching tonight??

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We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

GE has announced a new LED light bulb with an estimated life of 25,000 hours. At an average of 3 hours per day, that's more than 20 years.

The bulb produces 450 lumens, which is equivalent to a 40 watt incandescent bulb. Plus, the bulb is engineered to spread the light throw more evenly than some previous LED designs. It should comply with EPA ENERGY STAR standards.

The bulb will be available later this year or in early 2011. GE plans to exhibit this new product at upcoming trade shows, including Lightfair International in Las Vegas next month. 

To take advantage of energy savings right now, see our current selection of LED bulbs and CFL bulbs.

Thanks to Greenbiz.com for the heads up.

Just a quick heads up about two big lighting shows. Light+Building 2010 kicks off in Frankfurt, Germany today. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by to check out the latest in architecture and technology. The show runs all this week. Here's the site for more info: Light+Building 2010

Next month, Lightfair International takes place a little closer to home. "The world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference" happens in Las Vegas May 12-14. Here's that website: Lightfair International

These shows are sure to see lots of exciting new products as energy efficient lighting technologies continue to develop.

photo: edgarzuniga via flickr