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Archive for: March, 2013

Simple Elegance – Classic Hand Forged Lighting From Hubbardton Forge

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Hand forged lighting fixtures blend art and function

The oval Mackintosh pendant from Hubbardton Forge

Hand forged lighting fixtures are truly pieces of functional art and can make a statement and create a focal point in any setting or décor. One of our favorite lighting lines at Legend Lighting is Hubbardton Forge. Not only do they have wonderfully unique designs, the Hubbardton Forge story is a true American success story merging creativity and business. Founded in 1974 in Vermont, two college students set out on an artistic and entrepreneurial adventure in the business of hand-crafting metal. For nearly four decades Hubbardton Forge has been manufacturing top quality hand forged lighting fixtures. They are the oldest and the largest commercial forge in the USA. Their innovative designs and renown quality has made them one of the most respected brands in the lighting industry. The Hubbardton Forge showroom at the Dallas Lighting Market is always a treat. We love selecting our favorite new designs and bringing them back to the Legend Lighting showroom.

Beautiful and unique finishes

The Link pendant in the new 2013 vintage platinum finish

Hubbardton Forge is well known for the depth and beauty of their finishes. Their translucent finishes show the distressing of the metal by the heat as the piece was made by the craftsman. The opaque finishes provide a full covering of the metal and are the more traditional way to finish and protect metal to keep it from rusting and marring. They introduced four new finishes in 2013. We love the new Vintage Platinum, an aged chrome that has been burnished and polished to a vintage sheen. The new Link pendant is shown here in Vintage Platinum. Hand-rubbed Smoke, Hand-rubbed Mahogany and Hand-rubbed Pewter are the other new finishes.

Quality made to last

A new Limited Lifetime Warranty was also unveiled in January, 2013. The warranty is in effect for the lifetime of the original purchaser and is for residential use only. If a fixture should fail, it will be repaired or replaced with the same or a similar product at no charge to the customer. This warranty is very rare in the lighting industry and speaks to the quality and commitment of the company. Click here to read more about the warranty.

Staying true to the durability, quality and innovation that defines Hubbardton Forge, they have thoughtfully incorporated LED into their lighting designs. They partnered with a local Vermont  LED company to give them the control over the quality of LED’s that go into their fixtures. One example of a new fixture with an LED light source is the Ethos sconce shown below (right).

The Ethos LED sconce from Hubbardton Forge

Make Your Lighting Unique

Customization is also available on most of the Hubbardton Forge lighting products, allowing for custom metal finishes and glass and shade colors. For those customers in a hurry, a quick ship program has also been developed featuring the best selling products in the most popular finish and glass options. These products ship within two days of the receipt of the order.

The only way to fully appreciate these beautiful hand forged lighting fixtures is to see and touch them in person. We have an extensive display of Hubbardton Forge products in the Legend Lighting showroom.  We always welcome the opportunity to show and tell what we love about the line. Let our lighting designers help you choose the perfect piece of Hubbardton Forge art for your space!

Illuminate the possibilities with Legend Lighting!

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Learn More About Dark Sky Outdoor Lighting

Monday, March 4th, 2013

 

If you live in or near a major metropolitan area, have you ever stopped to consider what the sky looks like at night? In the 24-7 world we live in, our cities and towns are so brightly lit, when we look up into the night sky, all we often see is a blank haze.  This artificial illumination has created light pollution, which hides the beauty of the stars, interrupts the natural rhythms of animals and insects, impacts human health, and wastes millions of dollars.

Light pollution is classified into three categories. Sky glow is the light that shines into the night sky and creates a glow over urban and suburban areas. Glare is the light that shines into people’s eyes as they drive or walk. Light trespass is unwanted light that shines into a neighbor’s property or home.

The movement to preserve the night sky started many years ago with ecologists’ concerns about wildlife on the east and west coasts, specifically the sea turtles that breed on the coastlines.  Over time, and as consumers have become more energy conscious, dark-sky issues have gained momentum.  Many cities and towns across the country are adopting various ordinances to limit light pollution and some have implemented dark-sky codes and regulations. The International Dark Sky Association evaluates and awards lighting fixtures that meet their requirements with a seal of approval. About 75 lighting manufacturers have outdoor lighting fixtures that have earned the designation and the number is expected to grow. To earn the seal of approval outdoor fixtures must comply with the following:

1. Designed and installed to be fully shielded (full cutoff)

2. Have a maximum lamp wattage of 25 watts HID (or lumen equivalent) for commercial lighting, 100 watts incandescent, and 26 watts fluorescent for residential lighting (or approximately 1,600 lumens).

3. In residential areas, light should be shielded such that the lamp itself or the lamp image is not directly visible outside the property perimeter.

Here are a few of our favorite dark sky fixtures:

Hinkley Lighting’s Atlantis collection, shown above, is available in seven sizes with finish options in bronze, titanium and satin white. Atlantis is a chic solution for the eco-conscious homeowner.
Hand forged in Vermont, the Airis collection from Hubbardton Forge is available in three sizes, five finishes and with either seeded clear glass or a stainless steel mesh tube.

Airis collection by Hubbardton Forge

 

Franceasi is a beautiful traditional dark-sky collection from Kichler, available in four sizes in an Olde Bronze finish.

Franceasi collection by Kichler Lighting

 

Regulations and ordinances regarding dark-sky compliance vary among municipalities. For more information about dark-sky requirements and to see dark-sky outdoor lighting fixtures on display, visit our showroom and speak with one of our knowledgeable lighting specialists.

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Traditional & Contemporary Lighting & Ceiling Fans | Custom Lighting Designs | Energy Efficient Solutions | Landscape Lighting
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