I have been to Kentucky twice in my life, back in December 1989  and later May 1990. I went their to meet up with my friend James, whom I  met while travelling throughout Europe back in the summer of 1979. James was a wonderful tour guide, and also a ruthless chess player. He showed me the old Louisville and the newer parts of town as well as Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, plus Fort Knox and the astonishing Mammoth Caverns

I think I will have to go back, to visit Stephen Baldwin’s Kansai Japanese Steak House. Stephen ordered from us in February of this year, and he has installed thirteen of the Cherry Tree Aurora Asian Tall Wall Sconces in his restaurant. I’ll let the photos do the talking here. Needless to say, they blend. Now pass me the sake.

3 Light Pinwheel Contemporary Pendant Lighting and Magneto

COMIC-CON SPECIAL # 2

Blog by Alan Williams

Varaluz is one of my favorite lamp manufacturers and I especially appreciate the Pinwheel contemporary lighting series. These wonderful aerodynamic table lamps, ceiling lights, and wall fixtures are the perfect fusion of recycled aluminum, modern design, and childhood whimsy. Since my childhood was all but stolen from me, working with these contemporary lighting fixtures gives me a chance to enjoy a bit of that special feeling one has assembling a new toy for the very first time.

Magneto and his Pinwheel Pendant Light

Varaluz has made these powerful pendant lights 40% faster and easier to assemble for you Homo sapiens. As a Homo superior, I have no such dilemma of course. There are 3 light, 8 light, 9 light and 27 light fixtures, bright enough for your X-mansion or rumpus room. All of these come with ten feet of cable, with the exception of the table lamps, wall mounts, or ceiling fixtures. Look for the Pinwheel lights on AffordableLamps.com. Just like the mutants, they’ll pop up sooner than you could expect.

(Product Page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/var-124p03.html)

Varaluz Gets into the Comic Con Spirit

COMIC CON SPECIAL

a blog by Alan B. Williams

This week marks the 41st San Diego Comic Con and this will be my 40th year attending! In honor of that I have picked out a few light fixtures that remind me of the grand old days of the Silver Age, starting with Varaluz Urchin pendant light series.

Marvel Comics Porcupine | Comic Con

Inspired by the wonderful prickly costume of the Porcupine, The Varaluz Urchin series is wild, colorful collection of hanging pendant lights, featured in orange, fuchsia, aquamarine, red, yellow and painted chrome and measuring either 9″, 11″, 13″ or 16″ in diameter. These Urchin fixtures will liven up any home, bedroom, or retail establishment, adding vibrant color to otherwise dull surroundings.

Varaluz Red Urchin Pendant Lighting

Height varies with these lively contemporary lighting fixtures, with 10 feet of cable available for high ceilings if needed. These are also great for science centers, aquariums, pet shops, or youth centers. Different finish options are available for a nominal fee and all of these Varaluz pendant lights are made from recycled glass and steel, handcrafted, and inspired by nature, with a nod to Mr. Gentry.

(Product Page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/var-169m01or.html)

Urchin Pendant Lights by Varaluz

Gusto Hugger Fan and Betty Page

GUSTO HUGGER

a blog by Alan B. Williams

Now here is fan that feels like it comes straight out of The Rocketeer. The Gusto Hugger fan from The Modern Fan Company has a classic 1940′s feel as if it had been drawn by Dave Stevens himself. Even the name “Gusto Hugger” sounds like the nickname for a prop engine plane from that era. The Modern Fan Company has a winner with this retro style fan, which comes in either a Gloss White or Bright Nickel finish. The housing for this modern ceiling fan measures 5.75″ at the top, 14″ long, and 8.5″ at the mouth. There is a contemporary lighting option available if needed, plus the corresponding controls for wall or remote control. The blades can be ordered at 46″ or 56″ spans, in white or nickel as well. The Gusto Hugger fan uses 72 watts of juice and moves 6340 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM), making it very energy efficient.

So, this is the perfect fan for the “Betty Page” in your life. Something to cool her down, if you will.

(Comparable Product Page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/mod-alt-hug.html)

The Rocketeer

New Aris Wall Light from Murray Feiss

ARIS

by Alan Williams

The Aris collection from Murray Feiss is a new line that emulates candles in a most effective way. One thing that Murray Feiss does and does very well is serve up an entire line of fixtures for every room in the house. Case in point, the Aris collection features a single pendant, a semi flush, four different chandeliers, a one light, two light, three light and four light vanity fixture array and a kitchen island light.

Aris Chandelier Lighting

All of these have that melted candle wax look, and all of the sockets use a 100 watt medium incandescent bulb or the compact fluorescent equivalent. The Aris series uses a white opal etched inner candle glass surrounded by amber swirl outer glass. If your décor is contemporary construction, Spanish Mediterranean, or even rustic, then this Murray Feiss Aris line is perfect for your needs. This also gets my product line of the month award for July.

Aris Large Chandelier Light

Woodland Sunrise Lights by Elk Lighting

ELK WOODLAND SUNRISE

by A.B. Williams

Silhouette designs are nothing new for lamp shades, but Elk Lighting seems to feature them more prominently in their Woodland Sunrise Collection as well as their Confetti and Skyline family of fixtures. The Woodland Sunrise lights are the quintessential rustic style collection, with an autumn wood cut drawing of a stark New England forest filling the entire canvas, or in this case, the shade. This collection features five fixtures including a pocket sconce, a table lamp, a large pendant and two smaller pendants. These are the sort of contemporary lighting fixtures that would be ideal for cabins, hunting lodges, Elk, Moose and Rotary clubs, and hotels in the Pacific Northwest.

The pocket sconce measures 11″wide x 8″ height x 5″extension and uses two 60 watt candelabra bulbs. The large Woodland Sunrise pendant light utilizes five 60 watt bulbs, and measures 24″ in diameter, 8″ in height and comes with 30″ of extension rods. Personally, I am not a fan of these types of fixtures, but I know that many of you out there are, so let’s hear it for diversity. And what do I know? I’m just a city slicker. If I lived out in the woods long enough, I might start to like these too.

Woodland Sunrise Pendant Lighting