 Designers shop at various designer market locations where they have the ability to access thousands of products under one roof. Florida Designers shop for designer lighting and ceiling fans at the Design Center of the Americas fully enclosed four story mall that consists of more than 150 showrooms which represent more than 5,000 designer products.
Designers choose to shop these markets for the various benefits that are afforded through such shopping. The often shop the markets largely in part due to the designer discount they are offered. A designer discount is given strictly to designers or industry professionals and is not something that the average civilian can receive. At many markets the price of an item is stated in two terms—list and net. The net price is the price given strictly to designers while the list price is for the average consumer. The significance of the net price given to the designer versus the list price given to the average consumer is such that it is definitely beneficial to receive the designer discount.
When a designer can’t make it to a market to find a deal, they often shop via the internet. Designers can purchase designer lighting, designer ceiling fans, and other related products online and still receive a designer discount such as the one that they would receive if they were to make the purchase via the market. The internet has afforded many designers a one stop shopping experience at the click of a mouse.
DCOTA the Design Center Of The Americas
Located in Dania Beach, Florida, the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA)is the premier design center and shopping destination in the United States for designers, architects, builders, decorators and their clients looking to find exclusive products to complete interior design projects of any kind.
The center which opened its doors in 1985, is the largest of its kind showcasing over 775,000 square feet of extraordinary interior design need for any home, office, yacht. The Design Center of the Americas offers many amenities such as luxury hotel, various restaurant options, on-site parking, valet services, as well as an education staff that is there to serve.
Unlike most design centers that are similar to DCOTA, this to the trade facility is not a “trade only” facility, which means it is open not only to design professionals but also directly to the public. They do offer a design referral program which allows the public the opportunity to experience the benefits that a design center and an experienced designer can afford. Through the design referral program, individuals are assisted in locating independent design specialists that suit their needs based on project scope, budget, and most importantly—Taste.
There are also many benefits to having a designer to assist you with purchases. Besides the obvious—the fact that a designer is usually familiar with the DCOTA, other advantages include the huge designer lighting discounts on purchases, as well as the increased buying power of shopping with a professional.
Whether you are building a new home, renovating an older home, decorating a single room or an entire estate, the Design Center of the Americas Design Service Center is there to help you every step of the way. Homeowners can connect with the ideal designer for their project through the design referral program. Design professionals that participate in the Design Services Referral Program represent a very broad range of styles and have been recognized by national trade associations and publications such as Architectural Digest.
Brands that you will find at DCOTA
At the Design Center of the Americas one can find fine furniture, fabrics, flooring, lighting, kitchen and bath accessories, art, antiques, appliances, window treatments, decorative hardware, paint, surfacing and so much more can be found throughout the 150 showrooms.
The center has thousands of brands from various designer lighting manufacturers, designer ceiling fan manufacturers, as well as many other designer manufacturers for products such as art and furniture. If it is found in a home, there is likely a designer showroom at the DCOTA that showcases the product in some form.
Looking for designer lighting? At the DCOTA designer lighting manufacturers such as
- Ambience
- Fine Art Lamps
- Tech Lighting
- Minka Lavery
showcase their products in various showrooms throughout the facility. These lighting manufacturers offer a way to turn an ordinary room into an extraordinary space.
 Need a designer Ceiling fan? The DCOTA features designer ceiling fans from
as well as various other designer ceiling fan manufacturers.
Of course the Design Center of the Americas also showcases many other designer brands such as Versace, Ralph Lauren, Paloma Picasso, Valentino, Fortuny, Bergamo, Trisha Guild and other fashion icons that have been prolific in their fabric and furniture designs. Many of the worlds leading brands in fine luxury furnishings are available at the DCOTA.
Where Online can Industry Professionals Shop at a Discount
Industry Professionals can shop for Designer Lighting Discounts from the privacy of their own home or office online. In a few select places online, designer discounts of up to twenty percent off the already low prices that are guaranteed on brand name lighting and ceiling fans.
 Once you register with as an industry professional you will have access to the benefits of American Lighting Association trained customer services specialists and sales associates that are available to offer you some of the best technical advice in the industry. The ALA offers lighting and ceiling fan training for anyone in the lighting and ceiling fan industry. Some online dealers make it mandatory for there sales staff to be ALA trained.
Some of the most unique designer products in the lighting and ceiling fan industry are available Online.
What Lighting Brands will you find at Discount Prices?
At online lighting websites you will find thousands of designer lighting products and designer ceiling fans. The best brands we have reviewed that carry designer lighting are:
- Lithonia Lighting
Whether you are looking for designer lighting for a home, an office, a commercial building or just one room there is no job that can not be solved online. Online dealers offer various designer lighting fixtures from manufacturers that specialize in styles from traditional to contemporary.
Tech Lighting is just one of the many manufacturers whose products are available Online. From monorail lighting to elegant Tech lighting pendants, there is something for every style. Every glass Tech Lighting pendant is made with real hand blown Murano glass which is exceptional in both quality and beauty.
Whether you desire a chandelier for your dining area, pendant lighting for the bar, or vanity lighting for the bathroom, online lighting dealers have designer lighting that is sure to fit your life and style. The following designer lighting fixture types that are available:
In addition to lighting fixtures, lighting accessories are also available online. There are a variety of chain breaks, light bulbs, and medallions that coordinate with the many lighting fixtures.
Not only do online dealers offer various designer lighting products, they also offer a full line of designer ceiling fans that are sure to fit your style. Designer ceiling fans are available online from the following manufacturers:
- Minka Aire
These fans come in styles ranging from contemporary to modern, traditional to tropical and everything in between. A designer ceiling fan can add both comfort and class to virtually any room or space both inside and outside of the home.
Read More about Lighting: Lighting Fixture Styles and Trends
|
 Article created on Jul 01 by marylmphr
 Comments: [0]
 Link
|
|
 Tech Lighting has been one of the creative leaders in low voltage bendable track systems and high end contemporary lighting for more than 20 years. Tech Lighting began by manufacturing Kable Lite a low voltage cable lighting system. Kable Lite was the beginning of low voltage lighting.
Since then, Tech lighting has added six new types of lighting systems. They are known most for the Monorail, a low voltage bendable track system. The Monorail lighting system allows you to shape your idea to any custom space matching and complimenting existing architecture. Once the Monorail lighting system is in place hand blown Murano pendants or architectural lighting heads can be added. This system is known across the world for it's flexibility in design and handsome beauty.
Here are Some of the New Lighting Collections from Tech Lighting
"In this industry it’s all about being innovative and breaking new ground with bold, exciting new designs and products,” said Steve Harriott, Vice President Sales and Marketing for Tech Lighting. "This company has a reputation as a trendsetter in the lighting industry, and these new products feature all the hallmarks that have made Tech Lighting products popular with designers and homeowners alike such as ingenious design and quality craftsmanship.”
New Lighting Pendant Designs Include
 Cabo Pendant - Onyx cylinder which provides a warm textured look
 Mini Larkspur Pendant - Cone-shaped slumped glass shade, rich with color and pattern
New Wall Lighting Collection Designs Include
 Cabo Wall Sconce - Onyx cylinder with die cast base
 Aviza Wall Sconce - Richly layered glass mounts flush to the wall with minimal hardware.
New Flush Mount Ceiling Lighting Fixtures Include
 Boxie Ceiling Light - Elegant square glass shade with polished surfaces, mounts to a die-cast base
 Polly Ceiling Light - Minimalist flush mount design featuring a frost white shade supported by plated clips
|
Article created on Oct 29 by colby
Comments: [0]
Link
|
This is phase three of a contemporary lighting design and install in a beach front condo in Palm Coast, Florida. This condo is being soon to be lit by the finest contemporary lighting available. We have used three Tech Lighting low voltage monorail track systems, three Eurofase contemporary fixtures, two Italamp vanity fixtures, three Terzani light fixtures, twenty-two 3" clear diffuser trims, lutron controls, a Minka-Aire fan and a Modern Fan Company fan. We have experienced a number of problems on this job but as it is being finished it is looking spectacular.
Tech Lighting Monorail Track System Turned out Great!
 The three Tech Lighting track systems turned out awesome after we worked through a standoff size problem. On one of the track systems we were not able to mount the transformer flush to the ceiling because we were not able to chip out a space for the mounting T-Bar in the concrete slab. Our solution was to cut longer stems for the standoff anchors. This problem was solved fairly quickly and the low voltage track system ended up turning out awesome.
The Eurofase Lighting Fixtures had some small Issues
 The Eurofase Ether fixture is a beautiful lighting fixture truly one of the most creative contemporary lighting fixtures I have seen. The Ether fixture did not come with an instruction manual or bulbs so the installation process was a real treat. I purchased the bulbs from a local distributor but have had problems securing them into the fixture. I believe it to be the bulb manufacture because some times different manufacture make the same product slightly different. Even though the bulbs are not right the fixture still looks great.
The Foyer Lighting Fixture Exchange
 The Eurofase Folie fixture turned out great with no issues except for the missing instruction manual. Originally the Folie fixture was hung in the foyer but it seemed to be taking away from the fixture due to the recessed tray ceiling. So, we put it in the office where the ceiling was naked allowing the full appreciation of this highly structural light fixture.
 The foyer replacement fixture was the Tech Lighting Aria ceiling. This worked out perfect because the Aria has bendable arms that allowed us to make up for the off centered junction box with in the deep tray ceiling.
Lighting that was Heating up the Kitchen
 The Eurofase Metafisica lighting Fixture complimented the kitchen space perfectly. They had a recessed tray ceiling in the shape of a off centered pentagon. This made the fixture selection tough but it worked out in the end. We also changed out the recessed trims that had incandescent R20 bulbs and a boring white baffle to a Halogen PAR bulb and brushed aluminum trim. This made a bright difference.
The Terzani Dining Room Fixtures
 The Terzani Adele suspension fixture for over the dining table is gorgeous but we could not hang it this $ 1,800.00 fixture was poorly packaged and one of the bulb sockets was crushed. The light fixture has gone back for repair. We did hang the Adele wall sconces and their shape, quality and design fit the space perfectly.
 There will be a final phase 4 of this lighting fixture installation and I will share the final images as soon as I get them.
|
Article created on Apr 12 by colby
Comments: [1]
Link
|
It is happy to meet people who enjoy the simplicity in love and life that is what I think of these two special customers. Recently we installed a Tech Lighting Two-Circuit Monorail Track System for a couple living in a beachside condo on the ocean. Les and Marcia came into our showroom about 18 months ago inquiring about a monorail system. They were excited to know all of their options and how they might add a little more color and creativity to their eclectic ocean front space. We began the search to find the perfect pendants and layout design for them.
Some Customers Give Us More Than We Give Them
We were the first people to have track lighting (the old type) in Orlando in 1980 affixed to huge cypress beams in our condo there. Hughes Supply ordered them from NY for us; then no one knew how to install them. (We were also the first people to have louver drapes in 1971, also ordered from NY) says Marcia.
Les and Marcia
Les and Marcia first went to Stacey Lipton Interiors and she referred them to Del Mar Designs for there low voltage track system design. This was soon after purchasing their new ocean view in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was a delight to begin working with the charismatic Marcia and the crumpled and smiling Les, the duo brought a smile to me at every meeting. The pendant they were first drawn to was the Tech Lighting Gem this pendant has a number of different colored glass pieces embedded in its design. This matched there eclectic collections of orange juicers and vintage Tonka Trucks.
The Tech Lighting Design Takes Place
Les and Marcia began trying to figure out how they could layout their track system to compliment their space with out obstructing their view. For these Low Voltage track systems Del Mar Designs always sends a lighting designer out to review the space.
What a fun space we had to work with, it was so colorful and full of life, you could tell this couple had been collecting items all over for this place for decades. Says Colby Harris Del Mar Designs Lighting Designer.
They originally started out with a "U" shaped design, then they revised it to an "H" shaped design, finally they all agreed that a wavy shape through out the living space would be the best. This wavy shape complimented the ocean and cabinet handles, contrasted the square shaped room and was able to add functional lighting were they needed it. With the design confirmed Del Mar Designs began the order process. Everyone seemed happy and excited to get the job started.
The Tech Lighting Install Begins
 Del Mar's Lighting Designer and installer went out to the site one calm Saturday Morning with a drawing, tools and all of the parts and pieces for the job. The installation began smoothly with no problems at all. This was a little out of the ordinary because this wavy shape took place over different floor surface heights. Usually when laying out a track it is done by laying the track out on the floor and laser plumb bobbing where the anchors will go in the ceiling. We could not do it this way because the system traveled over a fixed sitting bench. So, we had to take educated guesses on where the anchors would go. This usually leads to mistakes but, the job went very smooth you could tell we were in a place of good karma.
Lighting the Memories of a Great Man
 Before leaving that Saturday afternoon Les and Marcia were trying to decide which other pendants would fit the space other than the Blue Gem and the Crystal Bedazzled that were hanging. The last thing that Les and Marcia talked about that night was getting the White Gem Pendant to add to their lighting system.
The following day Marcia experienced great heartache when realizing that Les had passed in his sleep. It is so sad to see the most important people in our lives pass on to their new place in the world of life and I am sure that Les was needed in a place that we do not yet understand. He smiled, laughed and always had something nice to say. These two friends touched me as only a few people have. I will never forget how we were given the chance to meet Les and experience his humble happy idea of life before his passing.
This was written in his memory
the given power of our freedom
all about every moments choice
opening her door we are a gift
light the day to bring us were we are
choose our decisions for consequence
consume what makes us see for ourselves
drive right on the road to success
listen who guides us right on that road
feel answers of truth in every moment
every touched hand allows us to breathe
create destiny for one who knows none
let God guide the path of our naked mind
pain is chosen by the one who does not choose
nothing is made without honest life
my life creates yours in the same soil
let our earth be our guiding light
Les and the Kid
All the memories of Les have been joyous and free.
I am sure his seed of life was as happy as it could be.
This post is in the loving memory of a man and a woman that became a friend.
|
Article created on Apr 09 by colby
Comments: [0]
Link
|
|
We have a new lighting design and install to share with you. This install was the whole 11th floor of a condo right on the beach in Ormond Beach, Florida. It was very hard to focus while looking at the surf for many afternoons. Our customers renovated this floor and we were the last sub contractor to arrive at the job.
 We came in as the second lighting designer, they were not happy with the first one. This is how it began.
Lighting the Living Area Using a far away Electrical Box
This has proven to be one of our remodel specialties. We have a lot of customers that purchase an older condo that has very limited electrical boxes in the ceiling. Tech Lighting low voltage Monorail track systems tend to be the best solution for this problem.
This is the only electric box in the living area  Yes this existing fixture was hot.
We removed this fixture and deposited it directly into the trash shoot, I dont think they will miss it. Then we mounted a 300watt transformer on the electric box and ran 22 feet of low voltage monorail track in a question mark design. (this was the first design) This design helped us bring light to all areas of the living area. On either side of the couch we used the upside down table lamp design, this is done by suspending a mini pendant where there would normally be a table with a lamp. This frees up a lot of space and looks hot. We also sprinkled accent spot lights along the track.
Displaying Art with Limited Lighting Resources
Our next task was to flood a number of walls with light when the closest power source was in a closet near by. 
This was a challenge but we made it work. We used two six foot Tech Lighting wall rails with 150watt remote transformers located in the near by closets. The wall rails turned out great as you can see.
We had to light a similar wall situation in their southern hall way using Tech Lighting Power Jack canopies, Om heads and halogen PAR20 lamps.  This phase of the job was quite trying because of the existing air conditioning duct that ran the length of the hall way. That left us with only a couple inches of plenum in certain spots. We used half inch pancake junction boxes to mount the fixtures in. The duct also made it difficult to create an even light spacing through out the hall. In the end we accomplished this phase and it turned out with adjustable accent lighting with a clean balance.
Our customers wanted three Tech Lighting Murano Firebird Owl pendants for over there dining room table. Their electrical box was two feet off from the center of the table. This little obsticle made us come up with a swirl design so we could still balance pendants through the center of the table. The Firebird Owl pendants turned out great  We hand bent the design by using template that was shaped into a circle and cut out of a 3/4 inch piece of plywood.
Our customers fell in love with the Casablanca Stealth fan in brushed nickel, teak blades and the inteli-touch wall control. We installed two of these fans one in the television area and one in their office. 
This condo turned out to be another successful lighting design and install.
|
Article created on Mar 29 by colby
Comments: [0]
Link
|
The Tech Lighting Monorail System is a system of unlimited imagination. With a little creativity, patience and some advanced handyman / electrical skills you can build the Monorail to be functional and a beautiful system of architectural light. The following will show you the how to steps and tips we have learned through designing, installing and many many mistakes of over thirty Tech Lighting Monorail track systems.
Tools and hardware you will need for the installation
- Plumb Bob (laser prefered)
- Battery Drill with phillips bit
- Hand level
- Hacksaw (if cutting sections)
- Vise
- Ladder (height to be determined by ceiling height)
- Masking tape
- Bending plywood block (if curved sections)
- Voltage tester
- Pencil
- Graph paper
- Measuring Tape
Begin With: Designing your MonoRail System Check List
- In the design phase of your project, start with understanding what you want to light. Sometimes sunlight gets in the way so be sure to do this at night and in the day. This will give you an understanding of the functionality of your lighting system and a general direction of where the track will need to be. This is probably the most important step.
- At this point you want to use the measuring tape to measure out the room from side to side to side. That maybe too many sides. Begin sketching out your track system layout. This will help you find the shape of the track you are about to install by sketching until the desired shape is found. Remember that the Monorail System can be curved by hand to fit your architectural space.
- Remember that the MonoRail Run must be placed so it goes directly over the powered junction box.
- This leads you to the decision of what style and what colors compliment your space.
- You will need to decide which spot light heads and/or Tech Lighting pendants you will want to use if lighting specific items and where they will be located on the monorail system.
- With the proper measurements and a final drawing you will be able to determine how many pieces of rail you will need. Remember to add a pair of end caps to each end of the run.
Determine How much Lighting and what hardware will be needed
Add the number of spot light heads and Tech Lighting pendants together then multiply them by the bulb wattage in each to determine the wattage of the transformer. Surface mount transformers can be used on almost all ceiling surfaces and simply mount directly to the junction box beneath the run. The surface mounts look like neat little spaceships attached to the ceiling. A remote transformer with a power feed canopy will provide a cleaner look but, the remote transformer must be located in a semi-near location accounting for voltage drop to the power feed canopy.
Based on the ceiling height and the location of the items wanted to light determine how far from the ceiling you want the system to drop. Standard power feed canopies drop the MonoRail System two inches from the ceiling. The surface mount systems are determined by what size transformer is needed from two to five inches.
If you desire the rail to be lower than what is standard than you will need to add a power extender to the power feed canopy or the surface mount transformer. The maximum drop for the MonoRail Track System is eight feet.
The size of the rigid standoff rail anchors can be determined by matching the drop of the power feed to the Monorail System. If an extender is used add the distance of the power extender and the surface transformer or power feed canopy distance to determine the size of the standoff. Adjustable cable standoffs can be used as well but, are not recommended for curved tracks. You’ll need a standoff for every three feet of run and the power feed from the transformer counts as one standoff. Note that power extenders and standoff’s are field cut-able so you can customize your MonoRail height.
Installation of your Tech Lighting MonoRail Track System
- Receive and check in all of the specified parts that you will need for your shiny new track system.
- Begin by taping off where the furniture that will be beneath the MonoRail System is before moving it out of the way. This will give you a feel as to where the furniture will be while you lay the system out on the floor.
- Assemble the MonoRail on the floor by mirroring its exact location as it would be on the ceiling. Make all necessary cuts and curves that relate to the sketch made.
- Connect and mount the surface transformer or the power feed canopy on the existing junction box.
- Measure out the placement of all the standoffs on the ground marking the track at each location.
- Use the Laser Plumb Bob to determine the location of the ceiling anchors that will secure the standoffs to the ceiling. I like to stand on a ladder and mark the ceiling with a sharpie where every the laser falls. Be sure not to look into the laser as it damages our eyes, just another problem we don’t need.
- Each standoff comes with a drywall anchor that will be used at each mark done by the sharpie marker. If you have a concrete slab as in many condos a small 3/8” anchor can be used and set with a 3/8” masonry drill bit.
- Mount all of the standoffs in the ceiling. Be sure not to over tighten or the anchor might loose its anchor. Remove all of the lower mounting harnesses on each standoff.
- With a little help raise the assembled MonoRail track system fitting it into each standoff and the power feed. Tighten each harness by loosening the Alan key that allows the base to rotate screwing in the lower mounting harness.
- Level out the system by using the hand level and adjusting each standoff. By this time you may want to do it by eye but the level always proves to be right.
- Insert the end caps for that cleaned up end look.
- Assemble and place the spot light heads in there desired place on the Monorail run.
- The pendants take a little more effort. The splice on the pendant is the hardest part of this step so take your time and follow the instructions closely when modifying pendant cord length.
- Run the system for 20 minutes.
- Turn off the system and check for any connections that are hot to the touch. Warm is acceptable. Note that halogen lamps generate heat. Those connections that are hot must be retightened.
- Your Tech Lighting MonoRail System is ready to rock and roll.
- If you need any further assistance during your installation call your Tech Lighting Monorail Experts.
Read about How to Install a Chandelier
|
Article created on Feb 27 by colby
Comments: [0]
Link
|
|
About Us
BlogLighting.com is an information resource to help people solve and troubleshoot there lighting and ceiling fan problems and current information on the best lighting and ceiling fan manufacturers.
|
|
Matthews Fan Company