| Today's lighting trends lead consumers to designs with | | | | just in lighting. This material is good for adding sparkle |
| clean, simple lines that incorporate the use of metallic, | | | | and shine to a dull room. The brushed metals are good |
| organic, or environmentally-friendly materials. Here is an | | | | at blending with a multi-toned interior. Softer metals, |
| overview of the trends currently underway. | | | | such as brushed nickel, brushed copper, stainless steel, |
| Flexible or Cable Tract Lighting: Rigid Tract lighting and | | | | and pewter have become some of the favorite metal |
| recessed lighting is "out" - and low voltage Flexible or | | | | finish choices and are competing with brass as the top |
| Cable Track lighting is "in". Whereas the Rigid Track | | | | finish choice. Expect to see this material in fabrics and |
| system uses one transformer per fixture, the Flexible | | | | furniture for years to come. |
| Track systems uses one transformer for the entire | | | | Glass and Mirror Lamps: While the ornate and |
| fixture and distributes low-voltage electricity through | | | | embellished are "out" in both fashion and home |
| the track. A straight, rigid tract is not required. This | | | | decorating, simple, yet elegant, interiors with a bit of |
| makes for a sleeker-looking system, because the | | | | sparkle or sheen are certainly "in". Whether colored, |
| track can be curved and the fixtures do not need a | | | | translucent, or transparent - glass lamp fixtures and |
| built-in transformer. The Cable Track is another type of | | | | other household items such as jars and bowls are hot |
| system which has been very popular over the years - | | | | these days. Likewise, mirrored lamps and table tops |
| and still continues. There are two cables that run | | | | also are in fashion. These materials radiate light and |
| parallel to one another. The fixtures are located | | | | sunshine. |
| between the two cables which also provide the | | | | Organic Materials: Corresponding with greater interest |
| power. Typically, the track extends wall-to-wall and is | | | | in more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly |
| no more than 20ft long. | | | | lighting, look to see more organic materials such as |
| Environmentally-friendly Fixtures: | | | | bamboo and wood veneer table lamp bases. |
| Environmentally-friendly fixtures are "in" - along with | | | | Serpentine Curves: Also hot is the simple elegance of |
| energy-saving dimmer switches and automated lighting | | | | the serpentine curved line - in furnishings as well as |
| control. Two of the most popular lighting bulbs are the | | | | lighting. The use of the serpentine line has been around |
| Compact Florescent Light (CFL) and the Light Emitting | | | | for thousand of years. This resurgence may be |
| Diodes (LED). The most versatile and affordable bulb | | | | inspired by the growing interest in organic materials and |
| at this time is CFL. The LED is a tiny yet powerful light | | | | shapes. |
| source. It is more energy efficient that the CFL. A 60 | | | | Today's trends in lamps, lighting, and decor reflect a |
| watt bulb is expensive and one bulb can cost as much | | | | style that is more Contemporary or Modern that what |
| as $75. However, on the positive side, some LED | | | | we have seen over the last 30 years. These trends |
| models can last up to 30-35 years, energy | | | | also express the desire to be more environmentally |
| consumption is reduced by about 87%, and the light | | | | conscious and perhaps less materialistic through the |
| quality is very good. | | | | use of less ornate and embellished furnishings, organic |
| Metallic Lamp Bases: Metallics are everywhere - not | | | | materials, and serpentine shapes. |