swag lamp | hang lamp

Swag Lamps Are Back in Style!

2012-01-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

By Rudy Goodman

It is quite easy to include swag lamps in various rooms of your home. Frequently, people envision the use of swag lighting over the dining room table. The vintage Tiffany style design is still a popular choice for dining room lighting. Online auction site, antique stores, and estate sales are good source for vintage lighting. You can find very attractive reproductions at affordable prices that will look great in your home.

Swag lamps are a good choice of lighting when you are designing a cozy nook in a family room. A comfortable chair or chaise combined with a accent table and accentuated with a swag lamp becomes a favorite place of retreat in a room. You can create this oasis of tranquility in a bedroom or in the corner of a living room. The type of lampshade you select can influence the mood of that area. In a living room, a neutral colored drum shade would keep the area sophisticated and relaxing. When creating your place of relaxation in a bedroom, you might want to select a drum shade in a pastel color and possibly one that is embellished with beads to make it dainty and attractive.

If you have a sun room or an indoor patio that you have made an extension of your living space, a swag lamp would be a great addition to that room. You can create a coastal vacation atmosphere in that area with a wicker swag lamp added to the decor. You can find wicker shades in many colors or simply paint one to specifically correlate with your color scheme.

Teenagers love the opportunity to express themselves. This type of lamp could be placed over their desk area or in any area of their room that needs a little brightening up. Choosing a Tiffany style lampshade that depicts the logo of their favorite sports team would please almost any teenager. This type of lighting could also be incorporated into a game room.

Rudy Goodman writes articles about Home Decor and Lamp Shades Design. You can learn more about home lighting and Swag Lamps at his website.

2010-05-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

Swag Lamps Are Back in Style!

By Rudy Goodman

Rudy Goodman writes articles about Home Decor and Lamp Shades Design. You can learn more about home lighting and Swag Lamps at his website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rudy_Goodman

A Swag Lamp For Every Style

2010-02-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

By Rudy Goodman

Swag lamps are a space saving tribute to the 70's and 80's when their popularity was at an all time high. Hanging from a chain, these lamps were a great direct lighting source for kitchen counters, pool tables, even dining areas. Today these lamps are still popular, and can be found for any location in the home or business.

There are many unique styles of swag lamps and lamp shades today, including contemporary, retro-modern, painted glass, and silk.

Some of the more common are plastic retro-modern lamps. These lamps are often vibrant, glossy colors, or may be embroidered or painted, and can be purchased in specialty lighting stores everywhere.

The term swag is frequently applied to chandeliers that are in fact just chandeliers, with multiple light arms hanging from a chain. A swag chandelier may hang closer to its lighting target however, as a chandelier is designed to cast light over a broad area. The other advantage over a typical chandelier is that a swag lamp is usually a direct plug-in, and does not need to be hardwired into the ceiling.

Some of the most beautiful swag lamps are fitted with silk shades or other elegant fabric. These shades combine with the poetic looping of the swag lamp chain to create a cozy spot in a room. The light will cast a glow influenced by the color of the shade used.

This type of lamp is a common fixture in diners or restaurant decor. The glass may be stained or carved, and the close proximity of the lamp provides for an intimate table light. Some even introduce a unique lamp shade or swag lamp for every table in the restaurant.

While swag lamps add en eclectic touch to an old diner, club, or entertainment room, there are also variations that will add a rich elegance to a more traditional decor. These higher-end swag lamps often have velvet wrapped chains, and hand-painted glass; or their silk lamp shades are adorned with beaded trim, and even crystals.

A growing trend in these lamps is the variety of colored lamp shades available. Often in the shape of an umbrella or ball, the endless variety of colors can create amazing lighting effects for any occasion. For as little as $20 and as much as $100 or more, lamp shades are available for these types of lamps in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

Convert an Old Chandelier into a Swag Lamp in 6 Steps

2010-01-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

If you want to install a Chandelier in your home, and don't want to run wire up in to the ceiling or install a new breaker, you'll need to convert your new chandelier into a swag lamp so that it can use a standard plug-in cord and be plugged into an electrical outlet. Converting a standard chandelier into a swag lamp involves no complicated wiring or tools. Kits to convert chandeliers to swag lamps are sold at most home improvement stores, and include everything that you'll need to make the conversion. Here is a guide to show you how to do it.

What You Will Need:

A chandelier
Swag lamp kit
Wire stripper
Electrical cable wire caps
Cord cover or decorative chain
2 ceiling hooks

Step 1 - Install the Electrical Cord

Using your wire strippers, strip about 1 inch of the wire cover coating from each of the two wires that lead out of the chandelier.
Take notice of any special markings on the wires or the coloring of the wires to make sure that you connect the correct wires to the new electrical cord.
Connect the wires for the chandelier to the electrical cord that came with your swag lamp kit.
Use wire caps or electrical tape to secure the connections and insulate them properly.

Step 2 - Install the Cord Cover

Place the cord cover over the electrical wires, and make sure that none of the electrical wire is visible. You will need to thread the cord through the chain or covering that came with your swag lamp kit.

Step 3 - Install the Ceiling Hooks

Locate a stud or ceiling joist and screw the hook into a stud or joist so the weight of the chandelier will not cause the hook to simply pull out of the ceiling.
Install a second ceiling hook in the ceiling closest to the wall where the electrical outlet to be used is located.

Step 4 - Hang the Chandelier

Hang the chandelier from the first ceiling hook that you installed, and make sure that the hook adequately supports the weight of the chandelier.

Step 5 - Drape the Electrical Wire

Before plugging the chandelier in, drape the excess cord, chain or cover over the second ceiling hook. When draping the cord over the hook, make sure that the chain or cover does not hang too low.

Step 6 - Plug in the Electrical Cord

Plug in the electrical cord to the outlet, and test the chandelier by turning it on. If the chandelier light does not turn on, you'll need to check the connections that you made from the chandelier to the new swag lamp kit electrical cord. Make sure that you connected the wires correctly matching colors or matching positive to positive and negative to negative.

How to Make A Swag Lamp

2010-01-20T21:16:00.000-08:00

Whenever we talk about the any topic that include a discussion of swag lamp, a thing comes to our mind that this was one of the old methods of using electricity in order to lighten up the entire space available for any individual. But the time of the swag lamps has come all over again. The stylish as well as truly very attractive swag lamps are set again to rock the world of interior decoration of the houses of millions of people who are having an intention of decorating their houses in a way that it is able to attract a great lot of people towards itself. The idea of using a swag lamp is a matter of wisdom as it is one of the easiest as well as one of the most cost effective ways for decorating the houses of the people all over the world.

Talking about the way of making of these swag lamps, we can say that it is a really very easy process and it can be made perfectly in home too! All a person has to do is to take a vessel of the shape of a bowl. The bowl should be metallic in nature. The bowl must me made to have a hole in the middle of approximately 1 inch in diameter and in that hole, a rope or any other kind of connecting material is fixed which is necessary for the fixation of the lamp to the ceiling of the room. The electric socket is also inserted along with the rope that connects the lamp with the ceiling so as to fix a bulb in the socket. After all this is done, you are ready with an exciting swag lamp which is ready for use for home purposes. Now for the matter of decoration for the lamp, the upper bowl can be very easily decorated by hand painting and other kinds of crafts.

How to Hang a Swag Lamp

2010-01-10T13:25:00.000-08:00

By Sarah Bradburn
eHow Contributing Writer
Swag lamps are a quick way to add light to any space. It requires no wiring or other electrical work and it plugs into any wall outlet. Another added benefit is that the lamp can be placed virtually anywhere additional lighting is needed, regardless of whether or not the ceiling is pre-wired for a fixture.

Instructions

Step1
Determine placement of lamp. Use a stud finder to locate a stud in the ceiling as close to the desired spot as possible.
Step2
Drill starter hole into stud with electric drill.
Step3
Screw the swag hook into the starter hole until completely inserted.
Step4
Hang lamp onto hook by the decorative chain. If hanging above a table, the lamp should be installed 30-36 inches above table top.
Step5
Install a second hook near corner of ceiling above the wall outlet where the lamp will be plugged in.
Step6
Run the chain along the ceiling and hang on second hook. Plug lamp into wall outlet. Decide whether you want the chain tight against the ceiling or draping.

The Final Word: A room filled to the rafters with memories

2009-12-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

By Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

Like many childhood bedrooms, mine was redone as soon as I went off to college.

When I was growing up the walls were yellow, the floors were hardwood, and I had the obligatory college pennant (Syracuse) hanging over a chest of drawers.

Across the room was my twin bed and a bed stand that held a rudimentary lamp that I made in wood shop. It's true. I got a C.

There was a desk, complete with one of those gooseneck lamps, where I was supposed to do my homework but never did. I did that downstairs on the living room coffee table, sitting on the floor, leaning up against the sofa. I don't have a clue why.

But the minute I went off to college, my mother "decorated" my bedroom. I remember coming home for Thanksgiving, going upstairs, and finding a room wrapped in what appeared to be, well, miles of flowered wallpaper.

To make matters worse, there were matching bedspreads on what were now two twin beds, and the floor was covered with wall-to-wall shag carpeting that picked up one of the colors in the wallpaper. Orange.

(My mother should be given some slack here. It was the late '60s. Good taste was as rare as good sense in those days.)

While I appreciated her nod to my Syracuse Orangemen, I hated what she had done to my room. I have lived with it this way now for 42 years, and I don't sense a change coming anytime soon.

But it is still my room and always will be.

It's small. Not much bigger than a box, really. Maybe 12 feet by 12 feet, at most. It has one window that faces north, and it sits under the eaves, so the ceiling slopes down above both twin beds. I learned early on never to rise and shine quickly.

Despite its size, it has always been a popular gathering place during the holidays. When my niece and nephews were growing up, it's where they wanted to be. And sleep.

So, between the twin beds that held me and my partner, Jack, they slept on the floor. There were five of us — plus our dog — snug as bugs in a very orange rug. There are photos to prove this.

Now the nieces and nephews are married and sleep in other parts of the house, their spouses evidently not taken with the old sleeping arrangement, which is fine. Jack and I and the dog now luxuriate in our floral wonderland alone.

We will be there again this week, listening to Santa, who wanders but a few feet above our heads. Just as he always has.

Merry Christmas.

E-mail cwilson@usatoday.com

Presented by Michael's Auction Service

2009-12-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

Takes place on 11/22/2009

At Michael's Auction Service, Holiday Inn Express just off Interstate 88, Exit 23, , Schoharie, NY

Quality Country, Victorian and Contemporary Furnishings along with Art, Jewelry, Clocks, Musical Instruments, Glassware Located at the Holiday Inn Express just off Interstate 88, Exit 23, Schoharie, N.Y. (take Route 30 South mile, turn right at Dunkin Donuts) where everything has been moved for sale convenience. We will be selling furnishings from the "Fitch", "Ten Eyck" and "Brennan" Estates along with additions from several other area homes consisting of over 500 exceptional quality lots, all selling w/no reserves. You'll like this one!

Order of Sale: 10:00 AM - Tools, Household, Misc. 11:00 AM - Exceptional furnishings, Antiques, and Accessories Partial Listing and Highlights: Very ornately carved walnut renaissance marble top table w/white inset marble and burl inlay (one of the finest we've ever seen), super walnut vict. 5 drawer side lock chest w/mirror (exc.), wal. vict. raised panel 2 door armoire w/hat box compartment (exc.), beautiful period pine hutch table (mint), mah. 8 legged long drop-drop leaf table w/ reeded legs, set 4 matching mah. lyre back chairs w/needlepoint seats, early 18th century mah. tilt top candle stand, mah. empire secretary w/beehive trim, mah. empire 6 drawer chest w/splashback and beehive trim, early tall pine 2 door jelly cupboard (v.nice), 2 door pine wall cupboard, early 50" wide pine corner cupboard base, oak 4 section Lundstrom bookcase, tall golden oak open book case, 2 pc. elaborately carved mah. claw foot parlor set, ornately carved wal. square glass china cabinet w/1 drawer below, rustic trestle base table w/6 matching chairs w/leather seats (must see), pedestal base round oak table, 7 pc. Mah. dining room set consisting of ext. table w/leaves, glass top breakfront, server and 4 matching chairs (v.gd.), wal. double door linen press w/ornate heavy brass hinges (nice), early pine 2 drawer stand, early stenciled Boston Rocker, set 4 curly maple vict. cane seat side chairs (v.gd), contemporary solid cherry open hutch, "Sleephaven" sofa bed (exc.), Lazy Boy recliner, 5 pc. Maple dinette set w/enameled top table (1930's - v.gd), unusual mah. boat table, carved mah. kneehole desk, cedar chest (exc.), 7 pc. Chrome dinette set w/6 leather chairs (v.gd), several square trunks, contemporary oak 8-drawer floor standing jewelry cabinet, hunting and coaching prints, engravings, 28" x 51" x 34" hand made model horse barn w/box stalls and sliding doors, ornate vict. wicker baby carriage w/wooden wheels, pr. early Eagle andirons, beautiful 1870's stenciled well pump cover, 1893 Columbian Expo photo album and music box w/ photos. Jewelry: 14k gold and amethyst brooch and drop, 14k white gold filigree brooch and chain w/diamond and emeralds, 10k gold cameo w/fancy gold filled chain, 14k amethyst brooch, pearl necklace w/10k gold clasp, ornate sterling ring w/amethyst stone, Tiffany sterling necklace, earrings and several other pcs. gold, sterling and signed costume jewelry. Outstanding Accessories: Signed KPM Painting on Porcelain in velvet gesso frame, Infant Jesus pt. on porcelain in ornate gold gilt shadow box frame, Madonna w/Child pt. on porcelain, 4 pc. Sterling silver tea set, tall sterling pitcher, ornate sterling tray, sterling overlay decantor w/stopper, very elaborate 3 pc. "Cheltenham-Sheffield" tea set (exceptional), beautiful "Kroeber" floral dec. china clock, ornate Ansonia cast iron case mantle clock, ornate Seth Thomas mantle clock w/porcelain dial, Edison cylinder record player, early miniature decorated toleware document box, early green and red patch work quilt (Civil War Era), floral GWTW Lamp marked "Royal" (still oil), B and H Rayo Lamp w/green cased shade, 58 cal. Armsport black powder rifle engraved w/brass trim, 54 cal. Armsport black powder rifle, 1930 C. F. Martin Tenor Guitar 809 915 891 926#41746, "Blueridge" 12-string guitar w/rosewood back in case (exc.), early "Fender" acoustic guitar in (exc), early bisque head girl doll, "Heuback" bisque head doll w/kid body, 12 small bisque dolls, 3 Schoen hut children's pianos, bisque figures of Snow White and 7 Dwarfs, "Armand Marseilles" Germany baby doll head, 10 exceptional early oil paintings on canvas (Stations of the Cross - very well done) must see unusual "Gypsy" money pot still bank, "Middy" cast iron still bank, old Statue of Liberty still bank, Armstrong flute, several beautiful braided room size rugs, 1950's vintage Hawthorne boy's bike (v.gd. cond), framed shadow box flower wreath, gold wash statue shoeshine boy called "Good Morning", Hummel's " Market", "Apple Tree Girl", full B mark and others, early brass double inkwell w/lion head motif, Canajoharie tin box, Beech-Nut lifesaver display rack, early Blue and White Homespun coverlet, early Historical Books Life Magazines, old car manuals, several earthen crocks, collection 1st Edition presidential glass flasks quantity old advertising. Exceptional Glass, China and Pottery: Cranberry enameled vict. pickle castor (a beauty), tall amethyst pitcher w/enameled flowers and matching tumblers, signed Baccarat crystal ice bucket, early Flo-blue cov ered tureen, beautiful serving center pc. consisting of oblong mah. tray w/ brass handles, 5 decorated porcelain inserts ,white w/green and gold laurel wreath swag design marked T. Good and Co. London, (out standing), exceptional artist signed "E. Ten Eyck" hand pt. china (Blackberry pattern - 7 pc. Berry set, butter dish w/insert and others, circa 1915-16 - the finest), hnd ptd. cracker jar w/silver plated handle and cover hnd. ptd. cocoa pot, "Royal Tara" pattern Irish china dessert set for 6, Limoge pill box, service for 12 "Castle ton China", total 83 pcs., pr. Roseville Apple Blossom Vases, Weller Jardineer, 6 pc. German canister set collection of English cups and saucers, service for 8 "Patrician Pattern" Wedgewood china, cut glass, pattern water goblets, approx. 300 pc. Dinnerware set - Royal Doulton (old Leeds Spray pattern), "Old Vien na" Ironstone Tea Set, Blue Ridge Pitcher, very decorative French Limoge Tea Set w/gold trim.

Other Items of Interest: McCulloch FRZ Chain Saw (like new), 3 Aluminum ladders (2 extensions), cement lawn urns, plus all the usual household accessories. Terms: Cash or personal check w/proper ID. Sorry, we do not accept credit cards. 10% Buyers Premium. Refreshments Available.

The sale features some of the very best furnishings we have sold this year. For Information and Reserved Seating: Michael's Auction Service 518-295-8076 or 518-231-3430 Auctionzip.com#10100

Plastic lamp design folds like origami

2009-11-18T20:19:00.000-08:00

By David Eldridge
Posted 17 November 2009 12:17 pm GMT

Using the inspiration of the playful forming of origami and Lego, a German design student has created a lamp which can be adapted into different sculptural shapes.
Alice Gruhle won a competition at Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach with her Polymorph concept, which is formed from diamond-shaped modules that link together and allow “folds” at the join.

Advice for adapting the concept for manufacturing was provided by Jörg Müller of Protomold, the rapid prototyping and manufacturing group with operations in the US, Japan, Germany and other European countries.

For her end of term show, Gruhle made the lamp from modules cut and milled from polypropylene sheets.

To take the product further, she used Protmold’s ProtoQuote and ProtoFlow analysis software to optimize the design for rapid injection moulding production.

She has since received her first delivery of injection moulded modules and is very pleased with the outcome.

“It’s really like Lego,” she says, “every part must be right so that they all fit together perfectly.”

The injection moulded modules are stronger than the earlier ones as the process allowed them to be 0.6mm thicker. The notches on the tips of the diamonds are square, rather than round, and the folding hinges could be bent in both directions – not just in one, as was the case with the prototype.

Since the first lamp was created Gruhle has used some 150 injection moulded modules to create a cocoon-like hanging lamp. Her design has subsequently been featured in German design magazines and will be on display at the Euromold exhibition in Franfurt in December.

A Swingy, Striking Pendant Can Light The Way To A Whole New Look

2009-11-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

Woven lamps of all types have been hot for a season or two, but we love the strapping heft of this rustic wire-and-wood Birds Nest Hanging Lamp from Serena & Lily. Partner it with sleeker furnishings, and it takes on an earthy modern air. Feather your own nest by hanging one by your favorite chair or maybe two over a console.

Cost: $220

serenaandlily.com

One of our favorite finds from the design-forward folks at IKEA, the Maskros light looks like an outsize (32 inches in diameter) version of those puffballs you liked to blow on when you were a kid. Now you can create a cool, grown-up version of that childhood memory. Just hang a Maskros, and enjoy its whimsical modern shape, then flick off the other lights and check out the cool shadow play it creates on your ceiling. Bonus. And you're not scattering dandelion seeds all over the lawn.

Cost: $89.99

ikea.com

From retro-modern superstar Thomas O'Brien comes the patinaed Hicks pendant. From the rectangular chain links to the carefully tarnished brass, this one gets the details done just right. We've had visions of it hanging in our foyer, but imagine a less expected venue: two or three hung in a line in a kitchen.

Cost: $336 to $630

circalighting.com

— Cindy Dampier, Tribune Newspapers

Chandeliers

2009-08-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Chandeliers conjure up up visions of royalty, loftiness as well as opulence. Though sleeker as well as slimmer versions have evolved, there’s still an aura of ancient times which surrounds a chandelier. So when a singular is essay for an really aged demeanour for his home, starting in for turn-of-the-century furniture, a decadent seeking grate as well as a candelabrum have been a initial things upon his mind.

If we have been a singular of a propitious ones who retain an aged candelabrum handed down to we by generations, afterwards we wouldn’t need to lift a finger. For a not so propitious ones, we would need to track for a square which would demeanour convincingly old. Shops offered really aged pieces would unequivocally be your initial stop. For zero can unequivocally replicate which aged demeanour improved than a square essentially finished years back. But if they cannot prove you, we have no alternative preference though to get a processed accumulation as well as try to give it an aged look.

First, drive transparent of a slim-trim polished-steel chandeliers. These have been generally written for complicated homes with athletic seat as well as can never be upheld off as old. Antique chandeliers have been exuberant pieces with really perplexing carvings.

Candle chandeliers have an fundamental primitive feel to them. An really aged candelabrum can be finished of crystal, wrought iron, or coronet or antlers, as well as they have been never glossy in appearance. That is because we usually cannot buy a wrought-iron or a coronet sort of candelabrum as well as implement it, anticipating which it would explain an really aged demeanour to a environs. The candelabrum contingency be worked upon so which there is an accurate really aged feel to it. To replicate an aged look, we need to request an antiquing glitter upon it. While a glitter is still wet, we need to massage off a gleam from it with a soothing cloth. The latter is finished to grasp a worn-out look.

Lighting Photography

2009-01-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

Night Time Lighting Photography

* Set your camera on a tripod.
* Connect a cable shutter release or set the remote for taking the shots.
* Lock focus at infinity.
* Set the shutter speed to bulb 'B' (the shutter will stay open for as long as you hold it open). If you don't have this option, set the exposure time to the longest possible - realistically you need 10 to 30 seconds
* Set the aperture (F-stop) to between F2.8 and F5.6. Experiment a little with different settings but I recommend nothing higher than F8 unless you want many bolts of lightning to occur in the one photo.
* Frame the picture where the most lightning is occurring, or where the most spectacular clouds are.
* Observe the lightning for a short while before taking a picture. You will notice that some cloud to ground (CG) lightning strikes very fast (in a fraction of a second it has flashed and gone). Other CG bolts strobe or pulse for anything up to 2 seconds. Sheet lightning (anvil crawlers) sometimes lasts up to a second or more as it spreads across the sky. If the storm is close to you and/or you can see it growing or moving, then exposure times should be at most 15 seconds, or else the cloud will blur (especially if more than one lightning bolt occurs during the exposure). If the storm is a fair way away, you are only framing the storm base, or you cannot see it developing or moving, then exposures can be anything you like! I recommend between 20 seconds and 2 minutes. You can have longer exposure times for higher F stops.

Lampion

2008-12-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

Dalmatian coast, but Dalmatian food seems to pop up on menus everywhere in this country. Most everyone I speak with in Croatia about Dalmatian cooking loves it, regardless of their ethnic or geographical origins. Dalmatian food is primarily simple, straightforward Mediterranean homecooking, the comfort food of the Adriatic coast. As with many things, its beauty is due almost entirely to its simplicity and purity.
Bakalar is the Croatian word for cod (bacalao in Spanish), and also the name of the elegantly simple cod stew seen above. This preparation is traditionally enjoyed around Christmas time, but I didn’t know this when Josip ordered a terra cotta crock filled with enough bakalar for three hungry men. The absence of Christmas decorations, elves and wise men didn’t prevent me from proclaiming the bakalar delectable. And, besides, every day is Christmas to me.
Cod is not at all native to Mediterranean locales like the southern coast of Croatia; I’m told it was introduced there by Dalmatian sailors returning from tours of the North Atlantic. As with just about everywhere else in the world, cod’s mildness and versatility (in addition to the durability of the dried product) caused it to become immensely popular in the republic of a thousand islands.
Manifesting a crock of bakalar requires little more than rehydrating dried salt cod and stewing it with potatoes, onions, garlic, parsley and olive oil until tender and brothy. If you want the recipe, read the preceding sentence again. Lampion’s partnership of fish and potato melts in the mouth, and the moat of broth is ideal for sopping up with bread. I shouldn’t need to mention that I added about three deciliters of Dalmatian olive oil to my portion. My appreciation was best expressed by the bowl I emptied, refilled and emptied again.
We nursed what remained of the two liters of gemišt (white wine and sparkling water) as we sopped up the juices from the bakalar with bread and chatted lightly. Then Josip insisted that I sample the baklava and ordered a portion for me. Lampion’s baklava was a first for me, and (obviously) so was photographing it in the softly lit dining chamber.
This was more like the Greek baklava to which I am accustomed in that it was layered and full of ground nuts, but it was DENSE (another nod to the calorie-bomb cuisine of the north). This excellent pastry almost had the eggy texture of a bread pudding, and ecstasy was mine when my espresso finally arrived to ferry it down the hatch.

2008-07-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

If you are lucky enough to have a hard wire lighting fixture above your shower take advantage of it. If your current fixture isn't bright enough perhaps you could start with a higher wattage light bulb. Most fixtures have a label next to or under where the light bulb screws in, which tells you the maximum wattage this light fixture can handle safely. If your current bulb is less then this (it says in very little letters and numbers along the base of the bulb, which is the silver screw in part) then just buy a higher wattage bulb. If your light fixture still isn't bright enough for you, perhaps you need to change it out for a new one. Sometimes the type of lighting enclosure is filtering the light badly, perhaps the light fixture is old and not performing well, or maybe you need something that takes more then one bulb. Remember when buying a light fixture that goes directly above your shower it needs to be enclosed to protect the electrical parts from the water. A glass globe, a plastic dome, or a florescent light fixture with a ceiling flush plastic covering are great options. You can replace the fixture yourself by carefully following the directions, you can get a friend with some experience to help you with it, or you can hire someone to do it.

If you aren't lucky enough to have any hard wired ceiling light fixtures in your bathroom, you can still have a ceiling light without being a master electrician. This type of lamp is known as a swag lamp. These are the kind that look like a pendant light fixture, but are on a long cord which is surrounded by a long chain. All you need to install a swag lamp are two ceiling screws (they look like little hooks) and an electrical outlet. It's best to locate a ceiling beam to attach the screws into, but if this can't be done buy the type of ceiling screws that work on just drywall (sometimes known as butterfly screws). Screw one ceiling screw near the shower. You want this light fixture outside of the actual shower as a safety precaution, so place the screw near the outside of your shower curtain. If you have a shower door place it near the outside of it but clear of the door swinging out (test it to make sure the door doesn't hit it). Then you screw in the second anchor 2 to 3 feet away from the second. Hang the light from the first screw, then swag the chain over to the second screw for added support. Plug the cord into the outlet and turn it on. See, anyone can install a swag lamp. The only downside of this type of lighting feature is they are getting harder and harder to find in the stores. If you can't find one you like or can't find one at all, most home improvement stores sell swag lamp kits so you can make most any conventional light fixture into a swag lamp. This will require a little more skill but these kits are fairly self explanatory and definitely don't require expert electrician knowledge.