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Lighting Design Featuring Low-Voltage Halogen and Traditional Fixtures

Inside the house Bob meets lighting designer Markus Earley. Markus highlights the blue low-voltage halogen fixtures hanging over the dining table. The fixtures are mounted in the center of custom bent monorail track system, which holds other halogen spotlights as well. Continuing, Markus points out the Lightolier Evolution fixtures that are used in the bay window and elsewhere in the house.

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Tour of the Master Bedroom

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Review of the Home's Media Center

Lighting Design Featuring Low-Voltage Halogen and Traditional Fixtures Now Playing

Lighting Design Featuring Low-Voltage Halogen and Traditional Fixtures

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Clip Transcript For:

Lighting Design Featuring Low-Voltage Halogen and Traditional Fixtures

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Let's say hello to Markus -- airline on designer -- market -- Tell me a little bit about what you chose for this space well here over the dining table we have these tech lighting and its which when you look at the fixture it's beautiful halogen inside blue glass these are low voltage fixtures and they're hanging off of the tracks up here right that's right this is a mono rail system. Which -- Bent. On site to any kind of angle or curve that you want it's completely malleable so here we have. Two arcs really kind of like the letter C and it kind of coming into one another and on this when you you've in the center you've hung. These -- over the table but then all the other ones have these little spotlights that's right these are all and mark sixteen. -- And these are little fifty watt halogen all -- Osram -- so all of the lights are powered by a transformer that's up in the ceiling that's correct and what about the -- the ones over here in the charge through ceiling what -- today. Throughout the house we've got lightolier evolution series which are terrific residential grade fixture for high end installations. Available in every modular and also for new construction yes I remember we put some of those upstairs to when you look great it's very wonderful job thanks markets."

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Energy-Wise Lighting Fixtures

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. We all know that switching to fluorescent lighting saves energy and money. But if it s such a good deal, why aren t we all doing it? One reason is the bad rap that fluorescent lighting has gotten from those old-style fixtures we all remember from schools and commercial buildings of decades past. T-12 type standard fixtures are infamous for humming, buzzing, flickering and giving an unflattering cast to everything they illuminate. Those older fixtures can be upgraded with an electronic ballast. They can also be replaced with the new t-8 type fluorescent fixtures that eliminate humming and flickering. T-8 type fixtures last just as long or longer because they weigh less and run cooler, and they save 40 percent on electricity. Installing them on timers or occupancy sensors saves even more energy, and that s very good for business. At home, a lighting upgrade is much simpler. Now you can find a compact fluorescent bulb to fit almost any fixture in your home. While they may take a few seconds to warm up, they produce more accurate color and less glare than standard bulbs, which reduces eye strain and headaches. A new generation compact fluorescent bulb will cost more than a regular incandescent bulb anywhere from $5 to $25. But each one can save you $100 in electricity and last up to 13 times longer. As if that weren t motivation enough, some utilities offer free light bulbs or rebates for homeowners who are willing to make the switch. Best of all, upgrading your lighting saves greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing just one 75-watt light bulb with an 18-watt compact fluorescent can keep one ton of carbon dioxide emissions and 20 pounds of sulfur oxide out of the atmosphere. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Kitchen Lighting

Lighting design is an important part of any kitchen. A single overhead fixture can make a room seem flat. You want to try and highlight those areas you use the most. One way is to install task lighting under the cabinets or use it to uplight objects. For ambient light, use track lighting to open up the room. You can adjust the levels by using a dimmer switch. This allows you to accent certain areas to complement any occasion.

Mood Lighting

If you're looking for ways to add some character to your house, try designing some mood lighting. A single overhead fixture can make a room seem flat. To really brighten up a room, try using wall washers and uplighting for ambient light. Hiding lights inside casework or with sconces is great for accenting certain areas. For a more romantic scheme. bring down the ambient levels and try uplighting plants or other objects.

Track Lighting

Track lighting is a great option if you want versatility in a lighting scheme. Tracks can be hung at different levels and are held in place with set screws to support the weight of several fixtures. The track heads themselves can be redirected at different angles to achieve the desired effect, and because the track itself is electrified, you can swap fixtures in and out with just a twist.