Capitol Lighting created a friendly competition challenging local designers to create one-of-a-kind bathroom spaces and put a call out to all Northern New Jersey-area interior designers to participate. Two top designers were chosen out of numerous applicants to compete in the unique challenge of remodeling the men’s and women’s bathrooms at the company’s Paramus showroom — one of which will be crowned the “Thronedown” champion. The finalists were chosen based on previous work and have been given a $2,000 project budget with lighting supplied by Quoizel and Feiss.

Anna Maria Mannarino- Mannarino Designs, Inc.

High school graduation has come and gone, and now graduates are left with the tough decision of where they want to go and what they want to do with their lives. Enrolling in college, beginning a career or attending trade school are the usual options students choose from. With so many potential directions to go, Mr. Electric wants to power students’ tomorrow by giving graduates reasons to become an electrician. Take a look and see for yourself – you just might be convinced that becoming an electrician is meant for you.

Students who pursue a career as an electrician earn money while receiving on-the-job training. Most trades require you to complete an apprenticeship program before you are allowed to be licensed and work on your own. This allows you to work, learn, and get paid.

In an ever-competitive job market, it is nice to know you can always find work. Skilled electricians are always in demand.

Because it is not your regular suit and tie job, most people don’t consider the monetary benefits of becoming an electrician.  The pay is good and there are opportunities for pay increases the longer you are in the trade. Master electricians can make $100,000 a year.

Everyday as an electrician is different. It is a job suited for someone who wants to learn a trade, work in different locations on a daily basis, and learn how to use many types of equipment. If you're convinced your next career is as an electrician, contact Mr. Electric to ask about positions available in your area!  

The temperature outside is starting to rise, and it appears this summer with have some great weather. That means if you have a pool, you will be using it quite often. Consider having your pool inspected if this is the first season it will be used, or you own a pool with an electrical system. This is a recommend inspection to ensure that your family and guests are safe when they are swimming.

To regulate the temperature of your pool, you likely have a heating/cooling system connected. This could be connected to your home’s electrical system or a solar powered generator with wires above or below ground. Over the last couple of seasons your pool and its wires could have taken damage from the elements or animals, this could result in exposed wires. All wires that are connected to the pool should be inspected. If there is any contact between the water and electrical wires it could result in a serious electrical shock to swimmers. So before you begin filling up your pool and turning on your temperature regulation system, make sure there is no risk for electrical contact.

For those of you with below ground pools you may have had an automatic cover installed on your pool. The cover allows you to retract and expand your pool cover with the touch of a button without the hassle or doing it manually. While this is a very handy feature, it’s electrical features sit very close to the water. As with your heating system wires, make sure that your retractable cover is inspected carefully to check for cracked, broken, or exposed electrical wires. Contact with water could cause shock and also short out the automatic cover system.

If you are looking to have an inground pool installed, or have purchased an above ground pool and are looking to place it, take note of any electrical wires in the area. This can include any outside meters attached to your home, electrical outlets, and power lines running from or around your home. When the splashing begins and water is spread, it can create an opportunity for the electricity to travel through the water and toward the pool. Review the area you have available and create safe distances between the pool and electrical wires.

It is important that you consider each of these items before you start enjoying your pool. Save yourself from damaged electrical wire systems, and possible harm and injury to swimmers; have an Expert Electrician review your pool setup. For a proper inspection by a professional, licensed electrician, contact your local Expert Electric.

Electrical wiring is one of those things you don’t really think about. It is tucked away nicely behind your walls and is not really one of those things that comes up in normal conversation. You flip a switch you have light, you plug in your phone charger and it works. What more is there to think about? An electrician in Glendale will tell you there is a lot more to think about and be concerned about if your home was built before the 1950s. The team at The Electric Connection has seen it before and has helped other customers bring their homes up to date by upgrading their old wiring.

Old wiring may not seem like an issue until you get behind those walls. When you see how frail it is and the risk is poses to your home, you will see why other owners of older homes have taken the plunge and upgraded their electrical systems. Old wiring that was insulated with cloth was safe then, but by today’s standards, it is a fire waiting to happen. The cloth becomes brittle and falls apart, leaving the wires exposed. One touch of those wires is all it takes to create a spark that will ignite the insulation in the walls explains a Glendale electrician.

Old wiring typically means outdated electric panels as well. You have probably noticed your home doesn’t seem to accommodate as much as the neighbor’s newer home when it comes to plugging things in. You probably cannot run the microwave and the toaster at the same time or run the vacuum if you are making coffee. This can be explained by your electrician. Glendale homes built 60 years ago were not built to accommodate the many electrical appliances that we use in today’s world. If you are concerned about your home’s wiring, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule an inspection.

Spirited lighting designs are trending toward the dark side, and that’s not just because it is Halloween.  Style spotters and top designers are embracing bold fashions and dramatic hues.  Take a look at the top three themes in the world of illumination…

1.  Deep, Dark Hues:  It is said to be a sign of the times that we are embracing rich, dark colors.  From politics to cultural rebirths, a positive vibe is in the air and we are changing it up with dramatic designs and darker hues.

“Momento De Mori” from Shannon Koszyk’s dramatic collection for Currey and Company features an Antique Nickel skull, black base and Inky Black parchment shade.

2.  A Cleaner Contemporary:   The ease of clean contemporary goes hand-in-hand with energy-efficiency and LED illumination.  From intricate geometric cutouts to textured Mercury glass compositions, the call for contemporary design has never been greater.

“Sovereign” table lamps from Dimond Lighting showcase Antique Mercury glass combined with energy-efficient LED illumination.

3.  Fearless Fashions and Surprise Twists:  Engaging new mediums run the gamut from natural palm leaf panels to a fusion of slate and metal.  Experimenting with hundreds of different textures, organic and synthetic materials, designers are coming up with new lamp shades, lamp bases and chandeliers that offer a magnificent blend of elements.  Novel lamp styles are making the A-list from designers who are not afraid to take a risk!

“Free Fall” from Kenroy Home introduces natural slate within a rugged iron lamp base for a statuesque presentation.

Lighting showrooms are abuzz with new lamps and chandeliers for the holiday season.  From High Point to Hong Kong, top lighting vendors are giving us plenty to celebrate.  Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or 1800lighting.com to see the latest fixture fashions.