Tranquil, the very name conjures up an image of peace and serenity. Take this fixture from Quoizel Lighting, the Tranquil bay two-light vanity fixture (Product Page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/quo-tb8602c.html) with a pronounced nautical design, clean lines, and smart highlights which is a great example of bathroom lighting that is textbook vanity lighting. It Measures 6.5″ tall by 18″ wide and extends 7″ from the wall and uses 100W bulbs: medium base or the CFL equivalent. Perfect for New England homes, or for that matter the California Surf colonies, you get a lot of light in a tidy space at under $130.00. Where else would you want more tranquility then in the one place where peace and quiet is so needed? Now will someone tell that old spice guy already?

Finally, things have slowed down a bit here so I can write a new blog entry. The Bubbles Modern Five Foot Long Chandelier (Product Page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/plc-96966-pc.html)  from PLC has been a surprise sleeper hit due to an appearance on some TV home show like HGTV or some such. Now something you should know before ordering this item; assembly is required. The Bubbles family of contemporary chandeliers from PLC Lighting comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, thirteen to be precise. As we here at www.affordablelamps.com

have had to explain to several customers: there is no possible way PLC could ship these fixtures completely assembled. Each glass ball is attached to a wire assembly, with a male and female receptacle. What is then required by you the customer is to lay out the pattern and attach each glass fixture to the other. This can actually be fun, and could even be a family project. Plus you can vary the length and shape of the fixture as needed. There are eight-foot, twelve-foot, sixteen-foot and twenty-foot configurations available, though lead times vary, so please call prior to ordering. If, on the off chance that some glass pieces break during shipment, PLC has extras on hand, so no worries.

The large versions are custom built and require up to 12 weeks lead time, so you need to be patient if you want some Bubbles.

The PLC fixture above, for example, measures 60” tall, 30” in diameter, and uses ten 50 watt halogen bulbs. The final effect is spectacular, to say the least. I think once a customer gets over the “what have I gotten myself into” mindset and starts the assembly, they eventually find satisfaction after they complete the project.

If you are the sort of person who does not like to do any installation or assembly at all, then I would suggest that you try a different chandelier.

Kichler Lighting has some new products to show off. How do I know this? Because apparently they read this blog, and sent me some brand new product links (click the pic). This new family is called the Bayonne, and Kichler is going for an art deco feeling with these floating fixtures. Using multi-hued stone shades set against an arcing metallic framework. There are wall sconces, pendant lights and floor and table lamps available in this collection, due out this fall, but you can pre-order now from me if you like. I get a more of a Frank Lloyd Wright feel to this collection as oppose to art deco, which Kichler says it is. The satin black finish with cut stone is a bit more advanced than the standard-issue art deco from the 1920s. Let say this is more Howard Roark-influenced, and leave it at that. I can hear Ayn Rand turning in her grave at that comment.

Brand new to our store at www.affordablelamps.com, is Cal Lighting. Finally a company that has low cost, affordable track lighting in both low-voltage and line-voltage varieties. Not to mention their picture lights, sconces, ceiling lights and movable head fixtures for both commercial and home décor purposes. Similar, but far superior to Kovacs type of fixtures, these Cal brand units are priced much better, and the  quality is much better than the aforementioned brand, hands down. Plus I am thrilled to see another company with picture lights that feature clamp-on, goose-necks and arc styles.  This is one area where more competition and variety is needed, and I am pleased to see Cal Lighting is stepping up and delivering. I mean a three light track system for $76.00? What a bargain! Cal lighting has showrooms and warehouses across the USA, in Dallas, North Carolina and Las Vegas plus their main factory in Ontario, California. I expect big results from these fellows. Stay tuned.

I just found this vintage Southwest-style chandelier in the new 2010 Maxim Lighting catalog, and although it is not posted on our website- www.affordablelamps.com, I believe I can rustle one up for you. This Maxim Desert Wind three-light chandelier has vintage amber droplets wrapped in a serpent like coil for an almost demonic look. Looking like it just came from the set of the new Jonah Hex film, this rustic chandelier measures 24″ wide by 24″ high, and uses three 100 watt bulbs, more than bright enough for frontier justice. Hurry up an order, pardner, because these are a limited run, and are vanishing quicker than the prairie.

It was a dark and stormy blog. The winds howled and the air shook with the sound of rumbling dreams and cloudy cravings. It was a time of choices, options, and decisions. It was the time of… ACCESS! Lighting, that is.

The Satellite contemporary LED table lamp (product page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/acc-70010led.html) may look more like a fancy salt shaker than a light fixture, but this Light Emitting Diode table lamp packs a lot of lumen punch with twelve LED’s, and it runs on 3 batteries for up to 38 hours of use. But you’d expect as much from LED lighting.

So I’m thinking, camping trip, people. Get rid of those old lanterns and pack this up this Access Lighting portable instead. Perfect for those trips to the mountains or deserts when you want to watch the shooting stars or Northern Lights. The Satellite measures 4.25” in diameter by 9” high, so it is compact enough to pack easy. Bring a box of AA batteries, and you are good to go.