• True to form

• Tailored and elegant

• Clean lines and natural hues

• NEW and Exciting!

A burst of crystal, metallic ribbons, streamers and champagne glasses, if this contemporary winner from Corbett Lighting does not set the scene for a good time, you need to find a new playgroup!  Finished in Modern Silver, “Party All Night” from Corbett Lighting is cutting-edge contemporary with the fun and flair of whimsical style.

“Aleeka” from Kichler Lighting is a swirling mix of concentric circles and shaded orbs.  A fascination of motion with a Classic Pewter finish simply and elegantly defines modern-contemporary style.

“Starfire” from Maxim Lighting takes xenon illumination to the next level. Polished Chrome and Beveled Crystal deliver a sparkling exuberance that is exciting and unique.

“Barclay” from Savoy House exudes strength and an edgy, trend-setting style.  The Gilded Bronze finish, mesh drum shade and cascades of  handcrafted chain brilliantly integrate Mediterranean and industrial characteristics.

“Jennings” from Crystorama showcases classic contemporary in an intricately designed metallic shade.  The Polished Nickel geometric cutout is attractively illuminated around the crisp linen drum shade.

“Pearla” from Eurofase combines LED light sources, a polycarbonate diffuser and a hand-polished chrome finish.  Like a strand of fine pearls,  this contemporary whirl of illumination is substantial and opulent.

“Travis” from Hudson Valley presents an ultra glamorous sophistication reminiscent of the “Golden Age” of cinema and Hollywood Regency style.  Sleek and elegant, prisms of cut glass encase candle holders for a fascinating play of illumination.

“Quill” from Hubbardton Forge is a marvel of rectilinear and planar geometry with branching structures and feather-like plumes in a Vintage Platinum finish.  LEDs and infinitely adjustable horizontal or vertical cable offer a fantastic array of hanging options and lighting effects.

“Corfo” from Eurofase offers a playful visual symposium like a crystalline rainfall embedded in Chrome coils.  Decorative light sources emanate a dazzling illumination within this powerful lighting design.

“Flagship” from Access Lighting makes a show-stopping presentation.  Metal panels, robust peripheral light sources and a powerful downlight offer ideal illumination, handsomely designed with timeless, contemporary grandeur.

The Dallas Market

Professional lighting consultants from Capitol Lighting have meticulously reviewed hundreds of showrooms filled with the latest LED innovations, as well as contemporary dining room fixtures, portable lamps, outdoor lights, ceiling fans and chandeliers from elite lighting manufacturers around the world, including top vendors in the US, Europe and Asia.

It’s important for your daily convenience and safety that your home’s wiring remain in excellent condition. At the first signs of trouble in the wires, you need to call for trained electricians to come to your home, track down the source of the problem, and safely repair it. Do not attempt to troubleshoot the electrical issues yourself, since you will risk a high voltage shock. (In some areas, it’s illegal for anyone who doesn’t have proper certification to work on high-voltage wiring.)

We need to emphasize once again that you should leave the electrical repairs to electricians. You not only risk injuring yourself with amateur repair work, you could start a fire in your house. Play it safe and cautious, and call for experts to handle the task.

When problems like this occur in an older home, you should consider upgrading your wiring or upgrading your circuit panel. This will make your house safer and make it easier to add more powerful modern appliances without causing shorts.

Image via DollarStoreCrafts.com

2. Ghosts in the yard.

If you have handy lights lining a path or driveway at your house, this idea will take no time at all. You just need to collect a bunch of old plastic milk jugs with the tops cut off or white paper bags (I suggest making the decision after you get the weather report for All Hallows’ Eve). Simply draw eyes on the jugs/bags with a black marker, and slip them one by one over each Image via MarthaStewart.com

Here’s an ultra affordable Halloween lighting project, if your preferred poison is the frightening beyond of unexplained extraterrestrial phenomena. Just fill your house (or yard) full of anchored helium balloons containing green glow sticks. Add faces with traditional alien eyes or something even more creative! If you really want to play it up, you and your family could dress up like extraterrestrials and pretend the real you has been abducted.

4. Mini mummies.

If you prefer cute décor over the more macabre, a quick project to make mini mummy candles holders only requires a jar or glass cup, some white gauze, and some googly eyes. Simply scrunch up the gauze around the jar to look like the mummy’s linen wrappings. Add the eyes, and ta-da, you’ve got a precious little mummy come back to life with candlelight. They’re a crowd pleaser, trust me.

Soaring Efficiency

The energy efficiency of several major appliances has increased dramatically over the past three decades. The AHAM report found that between 1981 and 2013,  average efficiency shot up by 46 percent for room air conditioners, 63 percent for freezers, 102 percent for washing machines, 123 percent for dryers and a whopping 217 percent for refrigerators.

Advances in technology have fueled the savings — for example, modern dishwashers use sensors to adjust how much water they use, and cut back when appropriate. Refrigerators have been almost entirely overhauled since their early days, with big improvements in insulation, compressors, heat exchange and fan motors.

Federal Intervention

The federal government has helped nudge appliances toward higher efficiency. Since 1987 the government has incrementally increased the efficiency requirements for most household equipment, with 25 new standards since 2009 alone. All told, the Department of Energy projects that its rules will save the nation more than $1.7 trillion by 2030, in addition to lowering our greenhouse gas emissions and impact on the environment.

Slashing Prices

Not only do modern appliances save you money on your utility bills, most of them are cheaper to purchase initially as well. The American Enterprise Institute noted that a common dishwasher in 1981 cost $359.88. By contrast, a similar model today goes for $349.99. Accounting for inflation and average wage, that’s a big discount. It would take the average worker 48.5 hours to purchase the 1981 model, while today’s dishwasher would take 17 hours of work at current average wages, according to the AEI analysis.

A separate study by the Appliance Standards Awareness Project found that the price of refrigerators dropped by 35 percent between 1987 and 2010. The bottom line: Households in the modern era save on appliances up front and over time.

Discover How to Save

If you are in the market for a new appliance, you might be shocked at how much you save on your electricity bill — replacing an older refrigerator, for example, can save you hundreds of dollars per year. Check out the federal Energy Star products listing to find equipment certified to meet the strictest efficiency standards.