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New Trends In Residential Lighting

One of the most significant components of any home is the lighting system. Often times lighting, both interior and exterior, is overlooked or not given much thought and that is such a shame because the lighting system in and on your home can have as much to do with how you view it as your décor and colour scheme does.

It wasn't very long ago that most homes were outfitted with only simple ceiling mounted light fixtures that didn't do much other then fill a room with a flat, even amounts of light emitted from a couple of 60w light bulbs. This might be considered effective if all you want to do is put some light in a room but it certainly doesn't add much to the look of your place. Today things have changed. Homeowners are now able to create any number of looks in and outside of their homes by installing a variety of lighting components that are planned for in a systems based approach.

By planning ahead of starting a major renovation or building project, you will be able to successfully incorporate a variety of new lighting techniques and components into your home. In doing so, you will be rewarded with the ability to change the look and feel of any given room, simply by changing the light levels and sources. The possibilities are almost endless.

The most predominant trend in interior lighting is the use of multiple point source fixtures. By using many, small aperture recessed pot lights you are able to highlight any special architectural details on one zone while providing ample ambient light on another. The important thing to remember here is to make use of the smallest diameter recessed fixtures you can find. The last thing you want is a bunch of 6-inch diameter holes cut into your ceilings! There are a few manufactures that are now offering some excellent products with a large array of premium finishes on their trim rings. Being limited to White, Black or Shiny Brass is, thankfully, a thing of the past.

Outdoor lighting has taken a huge leap forward in the last few years. The emphasis here is on installing fixtures that do not cause light pollution, that do compliment the landscape, and that blend in to the plant materials and terrain so as to almost disappear from sight. With a host of new professional grade fixtures that are now available through better outdoor lighting contractors you are able to enjoy your whole property well into the night while having the peace of mind that your outdoor lighting system is built to last. Base metals like copper are very popular for outdoor fixtures as they weather to a nice patina finish over time and are very rugged. Other fixtures make use of raw brass and hand applied finishes like burnished bronze in order to seemingly disappear into your
landscape. As far as technology goes, many of the best outdoor fixtures are now making use of xenon lamps, which offer amazing colour rendition while burning significantly cooler than halogen lamps. Xenon bulbs also offer up to 10,000 hours of lamp life making their added cost easily justifiable. Just keep in mind that for the most part, when it comes to outdoor lighting, bigger and brighter is not better. The true art of outdoor lighting is delivered by a well planned and thought out design process rather than the simple installation of some fixtures.

Before you begin any renovation or building project, take the time to think about how you would like it to look at night and then head down to a better lighting store to see what is available. If you have a particular image in mind but don't know how to achieve it, give a lighting designer a call. You will be amazed at how the addition of some "new tech" lighting will change the entire look and feel of your home.

James Solecki is a lighting designer who owns and operates INTEGRA Works ~ Custom Lighting Solutions, specializing in custom outdoor lighting systems & interior lighting design. If you have questions about anything to do with lighting, contact him through INTEGRA's website at www.integralighting.com or at 705-385-3000.

Contractor of the Week James Solecki

INTEGRA Works is owned and operated by James Solecki of Port Sydney Ontario, Canada.

INTEGRA's primary and founding business is the design, installation and maintenance of custom landscape and outdoor architectural lighting systems. INTEGRA Works also provides residential and commercial interior lighting design and contracting services, focusing on providing the client with the most up to date, aesthetically pleasing and functional lighting systems available.

Since inception, INTEGRA Works has focused on the design and installation of Dark Sky Friendly and Non
Polluting outdoor lighting systems. All of INTEGRA's outdoor systems feature the use of low voltage fixtures, power grids and power sources that enhance the system's ability to light the outdoors in an attractive, efficient, non-polluting and cost effective manner. INTEGRA's lighting systems are dynamic and designed in a modular fashion allowing for relatively easy changes to be made as seasons change, foliage grows, or at the owner's request. Unlike traditional line voltage lighting, INTEGRA's systems do not pose an electrical shock hazard and do not require the significant infrastructure associated with installing 120 volt wiring outside. Just recently, INTEGRA has adopted the use of LED lamp modules that provide even more efficiencies to the client and are a promising new direction for outdoor lighting systems.

By working closely with each client during the consultation and design phase, INTEGRA is able to provide unique effects that capture both the mood and aesthetic that most pleases the client. Every effort is made to enhance the nighttime viewing experience without over saturating the property with light. Through the use of directional, fully and partially shielded fixtures INTEGRA is able to effectively light a property without the glare, spill and light trespass that is customary with traditional lighting techniques. This method of lighting not only increases the beauty of a property but also effectively increases its security as well as providing for the safe passage of pedestrians over what can sometimes be challenging terrain. By putting the right amount of light exactly where it is most needed, waste and pollution are reduced drastically. Most systems operate for about 2/3 of the electrical cost associated with a similar number of 120 volt fixtures, taking advantage of the higher light output per watt that is inherent with low voltage lamps. This lower electrical consumption not only reduces the operating cost of the system to the property owner but also helps to conserve electricity consumption that in turn reduces the amount of pollution released to the environment.

INTEGRA Works offers a rather remarkable interior lighting design service to its clients. Besides producing full scale specified lighting designs, James takes it upon himself to work closely with the builders and electrical contractors and then goes the extra distance by procuring and delivering to site all of the
components required to bring the lighting system to life. Then, working in close conjunction with the other trades, will do a full layout on site followed by the project management of the installation, ensuring that everything is installed to specification. Finally, after the client has moved in, INTEGRA Works staff will return to the site and do a final re-lamping and aiming, even going so far as to work with automation technicians to build 'scenes' for the client's ease of use and enjoyment.

Company Owner's Background
James Solecki's experience with lighting techniques and equipment dates back to 1982. Beginning in
theatrical, stage and technical lighting, James quickly worked his way to the position of Lighting Crew Chief for a medium sized community theatre involved in a wide array of performing arts. It was here that James gained a strong understanding of the nature of light, techniques and technology.

Moving forward to the mid to late 1990's, James learned the residential landscape lighting business while working for the award winning Alan Marysiuk formerly of ADAM Irrigation and Lighting located in
Burlington Ontario. It was through this association with Alan that James' real passion for lighting was discovered. Upon moving to Muskoka with his wife Kate in 1998, James decided to open INTEGRA Works and realize one of his goals of becoming successfully self employed. By combining his technical aptitude with his love of the natural environment and his skill as a "lighting artist" he began his foray into the realm of environmentally sensitive outdoor lighting systems.

In 2003 the Muskoka Heritage Foundation presented James with their annual Muskoka Stewardship Award in recognition of an ongoing commitment to the stewardship of Muskoka and for his work with Dark Skies initiatives. James has been named as a Director to the Nightscaping Advisory Council and is a member of Landscape Ontario. In 2004 James won "Company of the Year", awarded by the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Excellence Awards. Recently, James was involved in the formation of Landscape Ontario's Lighting Commodity Group and now sits as the Vice-Chair of that organization. James is active within his community working as the Vice President of the local Lions Club and has held the positions of Vice President of the local Chamber of Commerce, Director of the annual Port Sydney Winter Carnival, and member of his local elementary school's parent council. James is an amateur astronomer and a member of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)

You can often find James standing at the end of a dock, or upon a deck overlooking a lake, planning his next installation, always with a wide grin on his face. Ask anyone who knows him... James is passionate about his work.

If you require any further information about INTEGRA Works, or if you would like to schedule a
consultation at your property, feel free to contact James directly at 705-385-3000 or through email at
james@integralighting.com

INTEGRA Works ~ Custom Lighting Solutions

582 Stephenson Road 2 East, Port Sydney, Ontario, P0B 1L0 P: 705.385.3000 F: 705-385-9115
website: www.integralighting.com email: james@integralighting.com

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