Barn Light Electric Blog

Pendant Lighting For A Farmhouse Country Kitchen

March 11th, 2010

Inspired by Victorian Farmhouse and Coastal Bungalow decorating styles, many kitchens employ the traditional elements of these building styles with a slight industrial twist when it comes to lighting. This incorporation of styles provide a functional and eclectic take on these turn of the century kitchen designs. Ideally suited for this incorporation of larger RLM warehouse pendants, the high ceilings of these two building styles allow for the perfect framing for your pendant to stand out as the centerpiece above your kitchen island.

With an increased interest in the incorporation of industrial pendant lighting in the Victorian and Coastal kitchen styles, an emphasis placed on the use of classic Benjamin or Crouse Hinds porcelain RLM warehouse pendants. As supply shrinks due to this resurgence of this beloved lighting design, other alternatives for vintage pendant lighting has arose. This increase has caused many home remodelers and interior designers to flex their creative minds and search for more uncommon choices to suit their pendant lighting needs.

As seen in this featured image from the blog of Katy Elliot, this English Country Kitchen maintains its traditional identity with its spacious layout, ample counter space, and simple yet elegant appearance arranged around a center island. Punctuating this impeccable example of country charm is the use of an uncommon Deep Bowl Pendant with vented spacing above the shade and around the socket. This modified version of the Deep Bowl was created for functionality, both allowing ample light with an emphasis high performance through its unique vented design that reduced heat and produced additional atmospheric pendant lighting.

Unfortunately this vintage piece of lighting nostalgia is often harder to locate than other RLM porcelain pendants, but if your desire is to recreate this look with a new customizable American made RLM then the Outlaw Pendant will effectively suit your needs. Borrowing the same traditional shade as the Deep Bowl RLM with a vented space above the shade, the Outlaw Pendant recaptures the performance and unique industrial appearance of this hard to find classic. Unlike its predecessor, the Outlaw Pendant comes with options for size, finish, and mounting to bring that extra finishing touch to your kitchen project.

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Posted in Bar/Restaurant Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Get This Look, Kitchen Lighting, Pendant Lighting, RLM Lighting, Rustic Lighting, Vintage Lighting | No Comments »

Shallow Bowl Pendants Light Up Local Brewery

March 10th, 2010

Asheville, North Carolina: population 70,000. Nestled in between the Pisgah and Nantahala National Parks, and just East of the Great Smokey Mountains is a town that can be best described as edgy, artsy, and inviting. Recently called the Best Southern Town in America, you can only imagine the endless list of things to do in this area. If you’re looking to get your dose of local culture while visiting, we may have just the place for you – The Lexington Avenue Brewery or the LAB if you’re a regular patron.

As a fairly new addition to the city, the LAB hosts room for 365 guests, two live music stages, a restaurant, bar, and brewery! Becoming known for its unique mix of California and Southern foods with fresh, brewed beer, this local hot spot is attracting not only the locals, but tourists as well. Had we been closer, we would have been honored to be some of the first customers at the LAB! Why you ask? As much as we enjoy our after dark activities, we would LOVE to see some of our favorite Barn Light Electric lights being used!

Even after sharing 12,000 feet of space with its neighbor, Sweet Peas Hostel, there was still a lot of space to light. As a focal point, The Lexington Avenue Brewery chose our 12-inch Shallow Bowl Pendants in a Galvanized finish. Mainly placed over the bar and table areas, the pendants quietly drop in from the exposed ceiling using our black cord option. Their sleek appearance is enhanced when the nearby purple and green ambient lights reflect off of the galvanized finish – ultimately setting the mood for an evening full of great food and fresh brewed beverages! The Shallow Bowl Warehouse Pendant is available in numerous shade sizes and can be customized in over 50 finish options! For a truly unique look, add an optional Wire Cage or Guard and Glass attachment.

As Featured In The Lexington Avenue Brewery: 12″ Shallow Bowl Warehouse Shade, Galvanized Finish, and Black Cord Hung – $119.00.

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Tags: Bar/Restaurant Lighting, Galvanized, Glavanized Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Restaurant Lighting, Shallow Bowl, Shallow Bowl Pendant, Stem Mount
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Optimum Lighting With A Modern Opti Pendant

March 9th, 2010

They say it’s sometimes best to start with a blank canvas. But what happens when you decide to leave it all white? Why, your possibilities become endless!

This design photo comes from our friends at Remodelista – The Sourcebook for the Considered Home. Similar, yet slightly different from our other favorite design blogs (Decorology or Apartment Therapy), you can find not only stylish trends from America, but from Europe and other parts of the world as well.

The trendy styles of today often include very minimalist design elements. They, to say the least, start with a blank canvas – and leave it that way. The stark white walls and ceilings make a room seem larger than it really is. It allows for natural light the move freely throughout the space, and only the basic necessities are left to add color back in!

Without wanting to disrupt the flow of the room, the designer of the Whotells in Barcelona, Spain, chose a modern, sleek white pendant to hang over the butcher block table. Similar to our Opti Pendant, this coordinating fixture may not be needed in the daytime, but at night its able to provide subtle, focused lighting for the kitchen area – far more than what the nearby recessed lighting can give off.

Depending on the size of your space, our Opti Pendant is available in a 12″ or 16″ shade. Whether you’re looking to coordinate the color of your lighting, or if you’d like to make your fixture the ultimate focal point in your space; the Opti Pendant is available in almost 40 finish options! This fully customizable fixture can blend into any style of today’s home – Loft, Bungalow, Ranch or Farmhouse and can adapt to several ceiling heights. It can be hung via cord or stem mount and is available in a flush mount option as well.

Pricing As Shown: 12″ Opti Pendant in 93-White Finish, Black Cord Hung – $299.00. Additional sizes and options available.

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Tags: Kitchen Lighting, Lighting Options, Modern Pendant, Modern Pendant Lighting, Opti Pendant, pendant, Pendant Lighting
Posted in Pendant Lighting, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Colorful Kitchens and Pendant Lighting

March 8th, 2010

As with death and taxes, there is no escaping color. Apartment Therapy is a unique design resource that proves using color is a Good Thing (yes, we just quoted Martha Stewart). This vibrant image caught our eye while perusing Apartment Therapy’s vast selection of inspirational and low cost design ideas. This photo, featured in their Adding Color in the Kitchen post, first caught our eye with it’s use of Kelly Green cabinetry. Although far brighter than the standard wood-toned cabinets we are accustomed to, the green backdrop provides a unique, calming feeling when paired with its reclaimed, vintage accessories.

This industrialized kitchen has a somewhat retro, school themed appearance. To the left, you’ll notice the industrial-grade fireproof doors with matching two toned, polished gray tiles. The eclectic collection of wooden desk chairs sit around a table created from a salvaged pine door and steel beam legs.

Although this space has plenty of natural light, higher loft ceilings require drop down, pendant fixtures. Keeping with clean and simple design elements reminiscent of the 1940’s and 50’s , an elegant bare bulb socket drops in from the kitchen’s contrasting floral ceiling.

This fixture, similar to our vintage Indy Industrial Pendant or our Minimalist Raw Brass Pendant is just as sleek, simple and modern in design. The slender composition of these early 1900’s pendants, allow it to be used alone as a single blub, or in a cluster when more lighting is needed. Adorning the side of each socket is an optional fully functional, antique-style turn key. Extending from the 5-inch ceiling mount is our vintage-inspired, adjustable cloth cords in your choice of black, white, or brown – and depending on the fixture, several additional cord lengths are available. Complete the historical look of this fixture by adding any of our Edison style light bulbs to each (sold separately).

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Tags: 1900's, Apartment Therapy, color, cotton twist cord, Edison Bulb, Edison Style Light Bulb, Get This Look, Indy, Indy Industrial Pendant, Minimalist, Minimalist Raw Brass Pendant, Nostalgic Edison Bulb, pendant, Pendant Lighting, Raw Brass, vintage inspired
Posted in Bar/Restaurant Lighting, Get This Look, Kitchen Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Vintage Lighting | No Comments »

Sustainable Green Building Taking Shape

March 6th, 2010

Sustainable green building design is defined as the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction. Building within this framework has been a high priority since the inception of our plans to expand. From the initial purchase of an existing building to the plans to expand using a sustainable and eco-friendly metal building, our focus has been to use recycled materials and those able to be recycled at a later date.

Steel metal buildings are the most sustainable of the major structural materials used and are produced with recycled metal. Metal buildings satisfy the “triple bottom line” of social, environmental and economic benefits – low waste, long lasting appeal, safety, and the ability to be reused and recycled. The fact that the building is located on an open waterway in hurricane-prone Florida, it only made sense to use this type of building structure. Because steel buildings are pre-fabricated, the move from concrete block shell to completed exterior will be weeks instead of months. This fact brings great joy to those of us who work side-by-side, literally!

The progress this week has been rapid and the skeleton of the building is starting to take shape. Both the interior and warehouse floors were finished and the initial placement of the solid I-beams and floor joists was started. The I-beams have a great rust color that will be left natural and exposed. In keeping with the vintage industrial – warehouse look we are striving for, the floor joists will be exposed, the floors will be concrete and the stairway open and galvanized. The “big” details have been easy but the smaller ones always pose more of a challenge. But, as the saying goes, I’ll try not to sweat the small stuff! Check back next week for another week of progress. ~Donna

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Tags: Eco-friendly, eco-friendly metal building, going green, green building, industrial, steel building, steel metal building, sustainable building, Sustainable Materials, warehouse
Posted in Barn Light Electric Construction Project | No Comments »

Pendant Lighting For Rustic Spaces

March 4th, 2010

For most homeowners with high vaulted ceilings and large open spaces above living rooms and entryways, the desire to supply ample lighting through the use of a single ceiling pendant is an ideal option in these open air spaces. Unfortunately most pendants are either unevenly designed or too small for these spaces, creating an awkward focal point in the middle of these rooms. Without the addition of a pendant in these areas, most rooms will seem incomplete or dark due to the lack of adequate lighting and presence that can be filled with the right choice of down lighting.
Another aspect that should be paid attention to when choosing the right pendant light for your project is style, this can positively or adversely affect the dynamic of your renovated or newly built home. Careful attention to design can greatly enhance any open space, by incorporating existing decorative and architectural elements into the pendant chosen. For example, a modern home would take advantage of raw metals and glass, with the incorporation of simple postmodern styling tweaks. In contrast a homeowner whose rustic tastes integrate a mix of reclaimed woods and industrial elements such as naturally aged iron or brass.
With such a variety of building styles available, the industrial farm house is becoming a dominant building style due to its nostalgic façade composed of high reaching rooflines and eclectic charm. Naturally this building plan benefits from high sloping ceilings and large open floor plans, making it the perfect candidate to receive a touch of character with the addition of proper pendant lighting. Capturing this rustic industrial look is the Toggenburg Pendant, a ceiling light that uses its unique blend of vintage RLM design with a robust upper mount. The result is a pendant that is both visually appealing and proportionate, making the Toggenburg Pendant the perfect fit for any industrial farm house or loft. Adding to its already outstanding profile, the addition of a cast guard and glass unit allows this light to further round out its evenly balanced personality due to the incorporation of this piece of Atomic Era flair. Available in numerous finishes and mounting options, the Toggenburg Pendant remains as an ideal fit for any open space that requires a unique presence and ample rustic charm.

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Tags: Atomic Era, Atomic Lighting, barn light electric, Barn Lighting, Cast Guard, Ceiling Lighting, Classic Pendant Lighting, Classic RLM Lighting, Ecclectic Lighing, Entry Lighting, Farm House Kitchen, Farm House Lighting, Idustrial Pendant, industrial, Industrial Lighting, Living Room Lighting, Machine Age, modern, Modern Lighting, Modern Pendant, Modern Pendant Lighting, pendant, Pendant Lighting, Postmodern, Rustic, Rustic Light, Rustic Lighting, Rustic Pendant, Rustic Pendant Lighting, Toggenburg Pendant Lighting, Toggenburg RLM, Victorian Lighting, Vintage Lighting, Vintage Pendant Lighting, Vintage RLM, warehouse, Warehouse Lighting, Warehouse Pendant
Posted in Barn Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Kitchen Lighting, Pendant Lighting, RLM Lighting, Rustic Lighting, Warehouse Lighting | No Comments »

Pendant Lighting For Your Vintage Farmhouse Kitchen

March 3rd, 2010

Originally suited for lighting machine shops, power plants, and shipping departments, the classic industrial shape and function of the Deep Bowl Pendant serves as a hallmark to mid-20th century RLM lighting innovation. This particular fixture was created to collect and focus an evenly distributed spread of light over workers and benches positioned below its deep dome reflector. As the Deep Bowl and other RLM models’ reputation spread throughout factories, various lighting manufacturers began to produce versions of these popular industrial lights. Companies such as Westinghouse, Appleton, and Benjamin began to produce pendant lighting following this deep reflector light design with subtle variations to this beloved performance driven light.
With the strict guidelines of the EPA in place, many porcelain lighting manufactures were forced to close their doors. Further sealing the fate of these beloved industrial lights, the invention of high bay florescent lights replaced the unique hand spun vintage warehouse shades that decades before had been used in every hospital, gym, and factory. These circumstances almost led to the near extinction of these timeless lights, but due to the endearing design and impeccable craftsmanship of these classic RLM warehouse shades able to endure years of wear that ultimately lead to the latest resurgence of interest in this style of pendant lighting.
As seen in the featured image above from This Old House, the versatility of this traditional pendant design can be used in the most refined Victorian kitchen or dining room settings. The use of these vintage pendant lighting designs, such as the Deep Bowl Pendant can breathe a breath of fresh air into your classic or industrial farm house inspired décor. With the supply limited to what is leftover from various converted factories and warehouses, our Barn Light Deep Bowl Pendant recaptures the spirit of the Second Industrial Revolution though its time-tested design. With the aid of modern manufacturing processes and an array of stylistic influences to draw from, the Deep Bowl Pendant benefits through a wide range of customizable features. Setting this light apart from the pack is the long list of finishes, mounting choices (even the chain hung version), and wattage options; making this American made light much more than the typical warehouse pendant light.

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Tags: Appleton RLM Lighting, barn light electric, Barn Lighting, Benjamin RLM Lighting, Ceiling Lighting, Classic Pendant Lighting, Classic RLM Lighting, Deep Bowl Lighting, Deep Bowl RLM, Farm House Kitchen, Farm House Lighting, Idustrial Pendant, Industrial Lighting, Pendant Lighting, Victorian Kitchen, Victorian Lighting, Vintage Lighting, Vintage Pendant Lighting, Vintage RLM, Warehouse Lighting, Warehouse Pendant
Posted in Barn Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Get This Look, Pendant Lighting, RLM Lighting, Rustic Lighting, Vintage Lighting, Warehouse Lighting | No Comments »

Apartment Therapy Provides Inspirational Pendant Lighting

March 1st, 2010

Apartment Therapy is one of the top ranked design blogs on the web today. These days it’s easy to be inspired by everything around you, and with design resources like Apartment Therapy, Remodelista or Decorology giving you easy how-to and do-it-yourself projects, you can create the room of your dreams in no time – and on little to no budget! Last week we came across an amazing photo centered around a simplistic, industrial-inspired ceiling pendant. Again, this photo comes courtesy of our friends at Apartment Therapy.

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

A small corner can be hard to decorate, but with a few inexpensive and unique finds, a drab space can turn chic in no time. The stark white walls, trim, and flooring provide a blank canvas when it comes to accessorizing. We suggest starting by finding your larger pieces – such as the dark rug or rich walnut 3-tiered coffee table. Unique vintage furniture can be picked up at local thrift stores or online sites such as Craigslist. After a few small accessories like plants and a collage of aged photographs, this corner went from drab to fab! This room scored big by finding their two key focal pieces – the burnt orange Victorian chair, and our favorite – the one-of-a-kind lighting element in the center.
This drop cord fixture follows the same simple, industrial style lighting that was once used in turn of the century homes and factories. How can a light blend in, yet still stick out – all at the same time? The simplistic, stream lined pendant lighting drops in from above almost unannounced. The larger than life bulb appears to be expanded to its max – like a whimsical bubble. You too can easily get this look in your home. Our Industrial Indy Pendant can be paired with one of our standard incandescent G-40 light bulbs (sold separately). Either hung alone, or hung in a group setting, this turn of the century replica is sure to spark conversation.

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Tags: Apartment Therapy, barn light electric, Barn Lighting, bulbs, cb, Craigslist, Decorology, design resource, Drop Light Pendant, Get This Look, incandescent light bulb, Industrial Pendant, Indy Industrial Pendant, Inspired, light bulb, Light Bulbs, Pendant Lighting, Remodelista, Standard Incandescent, thomas edison, vintage, Vintage Lighting
Posted in Get This Look, Pendant Lighting, Vintage Lighting | No Comments »

Extreme Makeover of A Classic Rectangle

February 26th, 2010

Barn Light Electric Extreme Makeover

ABC’s Extreme Makeover has never been more appealing. Sitting in the comfort of my own family room, I love to watch the transformation of both a home and a family. The fact that this can be accomplished within the span of an hour is even more impressive. We are into week two and even though it’s flying by, the clock is ticking.

Taking a concrete block rectangle and trying to grow but not expand on it’s footprint is a little like pushing a square peg through a round hole. It’s possible, but not without stretching in some direction. Engineers, hurricane wind loads, footers as deep as the ocean…makes a girl think “Are we there yet?” In our case, we’re moving up (and down). This week, the roof and non-functional elements were removed and the footers were excavated.

Building green and having a passion for all things vintage should go hand and hand. A true investment is one that preserves the past and preserves our future. Instead of depositing the 50 year old 2 x 8 Merritt Island hard pine trusses from the roof into the dumpster, they were removed by hand and left wholly intact. An expensive process but completely worth the investment of preservation. These warm and rustic boards will be re-purposed as wood flooring in a future project. All the conduit, aluminum window frames, copper plumbing, gutter and downspouts, door hardware and air conditioning units were taken to the recycling center for their own renovation of sorts.

The flurry of activity around the site has been exciting. Like most small towns, we have our fair share of abandoned and neglected buildings. Breathing new life into this old building is much like the start of Barn Light Electric; a passion and desire to not only maintain history but to use American craftsmen to carry on the tradition. ~Donna

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Tags: classic, construction, Eco-friendly, extreme makeover, green building, Merritt Island, preservation, rectangle, Recycled Wood, renovation, repurpose, roof, vintage
Posted in Barn Light Electric Construction Project | No Comments »

RLM Gooseneck Lighting For Residential and Commercial Projects

February 25th, 2010

Echoing influences that stem from the mid 20^th century, our popular RLM Gooseneck Lighting recreate instances of nostalgic lighting; where factories, warehouses, and barns utilized the optimized shape and function of these uniquely crafted lights. Using the already proven lighting design that was popularized by the vintage porcelain warehouse shades of the 30’s and 40’s, these American made lights reproduce the same effects with more options. Not hampered by size or finish, our fully customizable line of RLM fixtures appeal to the most staunch lighting aficionado that wishes to provide an authentic look to their latest commercial or residential project.

With appeal growing for this time-honored style, the need for additional sizes became apparent due to the increasing demand for larger RLM shades in industrial and commercial applications. To remedy this situation, an overhaul was needed to provide a slimming effect to the neck of the shade. Borrowing inspiration from the Art Deco Movement, a series of stacked rings provide an added stylistic boost to the functional Brahma Warehouse Shade. While taking on a revamped design, the Brahma Warehouse Shade reflects the original agricultural and industrial lighting roots that made this shade a rugged favorite. Other unique features that are offered for this shade is a variety of gooseneck arms that perfectly compliment the shades large diameter, and the ability to outfit this light with a cast guard with a jelly jar glass.

Whether your main goal is to create an abundance of adequate storefront lighting, barn lighting, or agricultural lighting; the Brahma provides a broad coverage of light due to its robust 24″ or 27″ reflector. Regardless if it’s placed outside of an apartment or used to light a garage, the Brahma’s unique appearance is sure to leave a memorable impression through its mix of vintage functional design and modern elegance.