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January 5, 2009

A Funny Story about Our Kitchen Lighting….

Green ambitions can lead to some quirky experiences. A case in point is the hanging lights that we chose for above the bar in the kitchen. These lights, which I love by the way, held a secret mystery unto themselves—one that had our electrician convinced--at least at first--that they didn’t work.

I'm guessing this picture was taken around 3PM. We wouldn't really need the lights at this time, but the switch was apparently on and one light is actually shadowed just enough so that the light will come on. If we wanted, we could cover up all the sensors and they would come on any time we want. As it is, I sort of like the reminder not to use light unnecessarily.

Picking out the perfect (fluorescent) pendant light for the kitchen was a challenge for the Bella Design. Traditional styles of Energy Star fluorescent lighting is still quite limited. Lithonia (an Acuity Brand) has the most comprehensive line of fluorescents, but even then we had difficulty finding pendant lighting that would compliment the craftsman style of our home. Thinking outside of the box, Bella Design suggested some exterior hanging lights from Lithonia. These beautiful lantern lamps fit perfectly with the craftsman style of the home. We all loved them as soon as we saw them hanging by their bronze colored chain. These lanterns MADE the kitchen.

A minor blip occurred after installation when no one could figure out why the lights weren’t working. I guess the electricians were working after 5PM that day when suddenly the lights came on. Until this point it had occurred to no one that because these were exterior fluorescent lamps, they were equipped with light sensors so they would not turn on when the room is already well lit.

If someone wants, they can simply cover the sensor up with a tiny piece of tape. However, we found the lights come on long before they are actually needed. And we can turn them off if we don't.

This proved not to be an issue because the lights come on long before they are actually needed. In fact, I sort of like the fact that this saves me from absentmindedly using lighting when it isn’t necessary—something my family habitually does. If someone really wants the light during they daytime, they can simply cover up the sensor with a tiny piece of tape; no big deal.

It makes for a funny story—better still because I so love the way these lights look They provide a perfect warm glow in the evening, making the kitchen a cozy place for the family to relax. Kinda gives the kitchen a “pub-like” atmosphere. All that’s needed now is an Energy Star bartender. Don’t know where you find those.

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