Are you looking forward to backyard barbecues and evenings outside on the patio this spring? Although southern California doesn’t have to worry about some of the issues that winter normally causes the rest of the country, this winter did bring a pounding of rain that likely affected your outdoor equipment. Your landscape lighting may not have fared so well and before you can really enjoy those warm spring and ultimately summer evenings in the backyard, you need to have your lighting fixed. This is something you can have a Los Angeles electrician do for you. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help you get your yard and the landscaping back in shape for another beautiful spring season.

Overtime, the wiring in the electric lights erodes and you may notice some lights are not working or they flicker. This is something you will want to have taken care of before the entire string of lights shorts out. Depending on the problem, it may be able to be repaired by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can opt to have newer, more energy-efficient lights installed in their landscaping or stick with the older ones and just have them repaired. Updating the outside lights is like giving your landscaping a facelift. You can add more dramatic lights to showcase a blooming flower garden or highlight a new water feature.

If you have been considering getting new landscape lights or want to expand the scope of your existing lights by adding new ones or possibly brighter ones, now is the time to do it. Spring will be here before you know it and the hustle and bustle of the summer will quickly follow. Get your outdoor lighting taken care of today so you are ready for that first barbecue. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your lighting appointment.

Twice a year (Spring and Fall), the High Point Market promises an array of new home furnishings, wall decor, lamps and lighting that define future trends and excite the imagination.  This year’s fall showing (October 18-23) did not disappoint!  Take a look at bright new styles, just in time for the holiday season.

More than 200 showrooms, filled with outstanding decor and illumination, offered a truly spectacular preview into the latest trends for the upcoming season.  Must-see items include modern table lamps from Van Teal, designer chandeliers from Crystorama and exclusive ceiling fixtures and outdoor lanterns “Made-in-America” from Framburg Lighting.

Van Teal’s “Burst” Collection

The “Burst” Collection from Van Teal features a must-see Gold Leaf and Artisteel finish.  See the entire collection from table lamps to island lights at 1800lighting.com.

Framburg Lighting’s “Brocatto” Collection

“Brocatto” from Framburg features lace and Italian glass for an exquisite presentation and dazzling illuminating effects.

Dynamic Collections from Libby Langdon Lighting for Crystorama

• The “Jennings” Collection

The “Jennings” collection features an artistic geometric in a Polished Nickel finish over White linen shades.

• The “Sylvan” Collection

The “Sylvan” collection features elegant chandeliers with a free-flowing design in Polished Nickel with linen shades.

Coming soon to 1800lighting.com…

“Timeless” table lamp from Currey and Company

Stay-tuned for more highlights from High Point coming soon to 1800lighting.com. Classic and modern table lamps, designer chandeliers and lighting fixtures made exclusively in America are this year’s big winners!

Cleaning a crystal chandelier isn’t as daunting as it may appear. These precious fixtures require a little more love and care than a desk lamp, but you can restore and maintain your crystal’s shine with common household products and a little know-how.

Everyday Care

If your chandelier is still sparkling clean, simply dust the fixture with a lambswool or feather duster every few weeks. Keep your strokes light, since leaded crystal is softer than glass—even dust can scratch it. Be sure to walk around the fixture as you dust, rather than spinning it towards you. Twisting the fixture can strain the wiring or loosen its support.

Spring Cleaning

Eventually, the fixture will need a more thorough cleaning, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area or kitchen. Mid-size chandeliers are still manageable at this stage, provided you have some clean, lint-free rags, isopropyl alcohol, and a little elbow grease.

Before touching the chandelier, follow rule number one: turn off the power to the room when dealing with a ceiling fixture. At least flip the light switch off and tape it so no one will accidentally turn the light on while you’re working. Set up an alternative light source to aid the cleaning. Once the chandelier bulbs have cooled, cover them with plastic snack bags and secure with a rubber band.

Fill a spray bottle with one part isopropyl alcohol and three parts distilled water. Spray on one section of the chandelier at a time, then wipe off with a white cotton glove or lint-free cloth, making sure you dry the frame as well as the crystal. This solution will clarify the crystal and help remove the haze, but is gentler than ammonia on crystal with a design or edge finish. Even so, gently wipe away after spraying and don’t allow the fixture to drip dry. This will help preserve the frame.

Try cleaning your chandelier every two to six months with the alcohol solution, depending on whether the fixture is in a high-traffic area or not.

Heavy Restoration

If your fixture hasn’t been cleaned in a long time (or just needs extra attention), you can go an extra step before calling a professional. This is where a digital camera comes in handy, as you’ll need to remove individual pendants for a more thorough washing. Take pictures of the connections for reference later, then carefully remove the pendants. You may need a pair of needle-nose pliers to help disengage the pendants from the fixture.

Fill a sink with warm water and some gentle dish soap. Carefully wash each crystal piece and rinse in warm water to avoid any drastic temperature shifts. Set the pendants on a clean cloth to dry. Then simply rehang the pendants and enjoy your sparkling fixture!