A Bit About Torchieres

Torchiere lights can also be referred to as “torch lamps.” (The word itself is actually derived from the French word for “torch.”) We’ve got a great selection here at Lighting Concepts, we’ve got torchieres from many of your favorite brands. Take the time to browse through our selection and find the torchiere that’s perfect for your décor!

Torchieres originally consisted of multiple decorative candles. When they were introduced to the French in the late 17th century, however, they only had one mounted candle. (Of course, our torchieres use light bulbs!)

Torchiere lights can be used to illuminate just about any space. Whether you’re looking to light a home, restaurant, spa, or other relaxing space, a torchiere can do the trick. These lights are a great addition to central overhead lighting. You’ll notice a wonderful play of lights and shades when the two lighting fixtures are used in tandem.

Living rooms, bedrooms, and family rooms are common areas where you need a fair amount of lighting. Torchieres are ideal for these spaces since they concentrate light upwards—and they’re quite tall. Light is deflected and spread across a large amount of the ceiling.

We’ve got a wide range of styles—from modern to classic.

Brand Spotlight: ELK Lighting

ELK Lighting, Inc has to be one of our favorite manufacturers. These gorgeous lighting fixtures are the ideal addition to just about any décor or style. ELK Lighting was founded in 1983 in Eastern Pennsylvania by three leading industry experts—Adolf Ebenstein, Jonathan Lesko, and Russell King. (Hence the name ELK!) Since the company began, their commitment to deliver quality, innovative, and beautiful light fixtures is really second to none.

Are you looking to add a little bit of class and style to your home? Look no further than ELK lighting from Lighting Concepts. We have a great selection of ceiling lighting, wall lighting, and chandeliers to help you make a real design statement. ELK Lighting’s design department is constantly coming up with new and innovative twists on classic designs—and we’re sure that you’ll love what you see.

Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about making changes in your home. Spring means new life and regeneration, and you can bring that to light in your home with great fixtures from ELK Lighting. Trusted for over 25 years, ELK Lighting is truly inspirational.

Look through the selection of ELK products here at Lighting Concepts and make some design changes in your home.

Meet Us at the Home and Garden Show for Lighting Advice

Home and Garden, and Lighting Concepts!

We're very excited to be hosting an exhibit at the 2011Maine Home, Remodeling & Garden Show at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. There will be over 180 exhibitors on hand to give advice on remodeling and updating and Lighting Concepts will be one of them!

If you come to the show, bring along your home plans and questions for lighting advice. Find us at the show and we'll be more than glad to answer simple lighting questions then and there! We will also be offering free lighting design consultations which will be scheduled for March 7th though the 18th. So stop by our exhibit during the show and set up a time for a lighting consultation on us!

The show is open from 10pm to 6pm on Saturday, February 18 and 10pm to 4pm on Sunday, February 20. There will be a book signing, raffle benefiting Habitat for Humanity, and of course drawings and prizes. There's also going to be instructive cooking demonstrations all weekend from award winning chefs. This is the 21^st year the show has been held and the theme is “Updating and Remodeling in Today's New Eco-Friendly World”. For more information on the the schedule, exhibits, and directions to the show check out the show website. Just a friendly reminder, if you do plan on coming, there is a $2.00 off coupon off adult admission available on the site!

We're looking forward to the  show and hope to see you there for all the excitement and education!

Learn a Bit About Sconces

Here at Lighting Concepts, we have the sconces you need to make your home look absolutely beautiful.  A sconce is a nice light fixture that attaches right to the wall.  We have many different shapes and sizes of sconces in our store.  Take the time to browse through and find the one that’s right for you.  Interestingly, sconces existed prior to electrical lighting—they just held candles instead.

What does it do?

Sconces provide lighting in your home.  (That was pretty obvious, though.)  They often coordinate with chandeliers or other light fixtures in the room.  Sconces are ideal for ambient lighting or illuminating artwork on the wall.

How does the ALA define it?

The American Lighting Association says that if it provides light and hangs on a wall, it’s considered a sconce.  Many of the sconces here are available in gorgeous designs that can be considered artwork in and of themselves.

Some features of a sconce

A sconce is right for you if you’re looking for some ambient lighting, as we said before.  If you’re looking to get enough direct light to use for reading or writing, you’re out of luck.  (Unless, of course, the sconce has a swing arm.)  Sconces are ideal for illuminating hallways and the walls of dining rooms and living rooms.

Design tip

When you’re using a series of sconces in a row, be sure to wire them so that they all operate with the same switch.  This will just make your life easier.