CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Light Bulb Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:14 -0700

The New York Times article "Thinking Like a Student" takes a look at the thrifty, creative home-design moves college students, particularly architecture students, are making during these difficult economic times to make their homes a better place, aesthetically and functionally.

Along with the article is a wonderful slideshow showcasing many of these "on the cheap" tricks. One of my favorites was a set of candle holders fashioned from recycled light bulbs by Lauren Chapman, a student at Yale School of Architecture. By now we've hopefully all made the switch to CFLs, but that doesn't mean we should just toss those standard old bulbs in the trash.

To find out more about this project, read more.
Why not turn them into candle sticks? I've actually shown you lamps made from light bulbs before, but those were much too pricey. My only concern is how Chapman got the bulbs to stand up. I'm thinking that by using a glue gun on the candle holders' bottom, you could create a flat base. Or, you could set a magnet inside the bulb, and then one underneath your table cloth, like those DIY magnetic vases. What do you think? Do you like it, or is it too thrifty-looking for you?
Photo by Phil Mansfield for The New York Times

Cool Idea: Fluorescent Fixer

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:00:59 -0700

I've urged you to switch over to CFLs enough, so I'm not gonna go there. But I will admit that I agree the soft-serve-like shape of CFL bulbs is less than desirable — unless you have an ice cream cone pendant light to go with. But, what if CFLs looked like the standard bulbs you've come to know and love? Would that make you switch? I hope so. The Fluorescent Fixer does just that, attaching to CFLs to conceal their unsightly shape, and diffusing the light, which reduces glare at the same time. The light cover sells in sets of three for $9.99 at Ace Hardware, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walgreens, among others, or directly from the manufacturer, Adaptive Lighting Solutions.

Crave Worthy: Sergio Silva Oyule Lamp Set

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:00:37 -0700

Using reclaimed light bulbs to build the Oyule Lamp Set ($650), Sergio Silva transformed "a modern object into the very thing it was meant to replace." Beyond its symbolic shrewdness, it's just plain beautiful. Thanks to the strong spherical magnet Silva put inside the bulb, which attracts to a steel component in Oyule's acrylic base, the bulbs balance uncannily at an angle. The limited-edition (only 66 sets) design is available exclusively through 66degrees, and is made handmade by Silva in his Brooklyn studio. Can't pony up for your own? Consider making recycled light-bulb vases.

Do You Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs?

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:20:10 -0700

I've told you how much energy and money you can save by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, but I'm curious about how many of you actually use them.

European Union Phases Out Energy-Wasting Bulbs

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:30:58 -0700

As of today, it's going to be a whole lot harder to get your hands on a standard incandescent bulb in Europe. In an effort to improve energy efficiency by 20 percent by the year 2020, the European Union has mandated that factories must cease the production of frosted incandescents and 100-watt clear bulbs. The new, more energy-efficient bulbs consume up to 80 percent less energy.

These traditional bulbs will be restocked with halogen and CFL bulbs over the next few years. As of 2012, energy-efficient bulbs will be the only lighting available in Europe.

To hear about the controversy surrounding the switch, read more.

However, if you're a fan of the energy-sucking bulbs, you can still buy them in stores where the bulbs are already in stock. Apparently some Europeans have been busy hording the 100-watt bulbs, preferring the traditional bulbs for their color and light quality, or even for health reasons. Migraine sufferers have said that the lighting exacerbates their headaches. In addition, epileptics have also said that the energy-efficient bulbs exacerbate their seizures, and object to the change.

While CFLs have improved greatly in light quality throughout the years, many people still believe that the light quality is very poor, even though a Popular Mechanics study actually showed that CFLs performed incandescents in overall light quality.

If you're a European reader, have you been affected by this change? Are you hording traditional bulbs, or are you a CFL convert? And if this same ban occurred in the United States, how do you think Americans would react?

Casa Verde: Switch to Compact Fluorescent Lights

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:18:42 -0700

Swapping out your incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lights is one of the easiest eco-friendly changes you can make at home. Though CFLs have a higher price tag than regular light bulbs, they offer extraordinary savings in the long run, both for your pocketbook and the environment. (Find out exactly how much with this Get Green Savings Calculator.)

So what are you waiting for? For five reasons to switch to CFLs right now, read more

CFLs use about 70 to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. According to Energy Star, if everyone replaced just one regular bulb with a CFL, the country could save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year.
They last up to 10 times longer than old-fashioned bulbs, which means getting out the ladder to replace them that much less often.
The bulbs give off a nice, warm light - not the harsh, cold glare you're used to with fluorescent tubes.
CFLs come in many varieties and can be used with dimmer switches and three-way lighting.
They also give off less heat than regular bulbs, so you overall home-cooling costs are likely to go down as well.

Casa Verde: More Reasons to Use CFLs

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:26:44 -0700

Compact flourescent lightbulbs (CFLs) have gotten a bad rap for years, and granted, they had really poor light quality in the past. But the new generation of CFLs have consistently proven themselves to be great for indoor home lighting-in fact, a recent study showed that study participants preferred the light quality from the CFL fixtures, and that they registered better across color spectrums as well!

The n:vision soft white CFL scored particularly high with an overall "A" score on the test.

Want to try CFLs, but worried about their mercury content? Then read more

Yes, it's true. CFLs contain mercury. But not much. Unless you broke a CFL bulb, wiped the mercury up with your bare hands, and then licked your hand, you're probably going to be just fine. And that's my advice to you: Always clean up broken CFLs with gloves. But the other burning question is what's better for the environment, CFLs or incandescents. In a word: CFLs. You can get the full breakdown here, but to sum up, CFLs require a lot less energy to produce light. That means incandescents require more power. Most of this power comes from coal plants, and coal plants release a lot more mercury than CFLs do.

Bottom line: Replace your incandescent bulbs with CFLs. And check with your local utility before you do, since a lot of utilities are now offering rebates and coupons for their customers to make the switch.

Source

Cool Idea: Lamp Kit Hanging Light

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:29 -0800

I spotted this photo in the portfolio of interior stylist and designer Sibella Court, and was wowed by the hanging light fixture. To me it looks like a lampshade was simply attached to a basic Lamp Cord Kit ($12), and then dangled from the molding. The shade would probably need to have a bulb clip top fitter, too. I love the juxtaposition of the lowbrow lamp cord with that debonair black bell-shaped shade.

I'd love to try this at home. I'm thinking of making my own with a shapely lampshade frame and a reproduction Edison bulb. What do you think?

Deck the Haus: Recycled Light Bulb Ornament

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:00:30 -0800

This 3R Living Recycled Light Bulb Ornament ($26) turns me on. But, but, but, I would never buy it. The beauty of this ornament is that everyone has the supplies to make it. A burnt-out light bulb, some leftover paint (nail polish would work well), and a paper clip or spare wire (for the hook) and you're good to glow. Well, not really. Is anyone up for this DIY? Send me photos if you get motivated to make one. Otherwise, check out the ten stupidest things to do with a burnt-out light bulb.

Ask Casa: A Color Palette Query

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:47 -0800

Hi Casa,

I am moving into an apartment soon with roommates and want some help decorating. I get my own room and can style it any way I want but can't decide on the color palette.

I love dark moody lounge type colors (dark grays, reds, purples, etc.) and bright bold colors for furniture, but the room is not that big. I'm scared the dark colors would shrink it even more. Not a big fan of light pastel colors since most of my rooms in the past has been light blues and such but I love different shades of white. I'm aiming for a space where I can dim the lights and put on some music and chill but at the same time can transition into a workspace. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tiffany

To see my suggestions for Tiffany, read more.

Hi Tiffany,

What a great question for Color Theory month! If you remember my post on cool colors, the hues that range from blue-green to blue-violet, including gray, you know that cool colors tend to recede, which has a calm and relaxing effect. Warm colors, the hues from red through yellow, browns and tans included, on the other hand, advance, with a more stimulating effect. So to achieve the effect you're looking for, you should paint your walls in cool colors.

Take note, cool vs. warm is not the same as light vs. dark - it's about the actual hue. That's not to say you can't use dark colors. But if you do, just pick one that's more blue, green, or gray, or a purple that's more violet, instead of a dark red or brown.

Then, you can use lighting to turn your dark and moody bedroom into a stimulating workspace. Obviously your workspace should be bright, whether your set your desk near a window or just have proper overhead lighting. But you can actually purchase tinted bulbs, for instance soft pink, to bring warm colored (stimulating) tones to your workspace.

I like your concept of using bright bold colors on furniture. Whatever dark moody wall color you choose, just choose complementary colors (on the opposite side of the color wheel) for your bold furniture pieces.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Casa

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