How to Choose the Right Sized Chandelier for Your Home

Chandeliers are designed to float in a room as an important part of the decor. Too large and this fixture will overpower the space. Too small and it will look out of place as an afterthought.

“Placing a chandelier that is too small in a space is likely the biggest mistake because it’s very noticeable,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and assistant professor of interior design at the University of Kentucky. “Great designers, therefore, tend to make their decisions on fixtures that may appear slightly larger than might be appropriate. It’s generally always best to make the mistake on a fixture being too big than too small.”

Capitol Lighting offers a wide range of modern chandeliers to crystal and Italian chandelier styles to choose from.  Whether you are purchasing an Italian chandelier or a modern chandelier, size matters! To make sure your chandelier is the right size for the room in which it will hang, consider the following questions:

1. How high is your ceiling? Taller ceilings demand larger chandeliers. 4. What is the form and design of the chandelier? Light, airy fixtures tend to look larger.

To have all of your chandelier questions answered, visit one of our seven Capitol Lighting showrooms today!  

This year, Pegasus Lighting is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and to commemorate we will be posting articles every month about what was going on – you know, in terms of pop culture – in 1999. Just so we don’t forget where we came from.

Here are 15 things you might remember from 15 years ago.

1) Impeachment Trial of President Bill Clinton Begins in the Senate

A tense moment in U.S. history, Bill Clinton’s Senate impeachment trial began in January 1999. Clinton had been impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. It was only the second time in history that the House had impeached The President of the United States. The Senate trial, however, would end in acquittal.

2) Superbowl Commercials

Sure, there were a lot of interesting things about the game itself, but the commercials are what really bring us back to the 1990s. The Broncos won for the second time in a row. Depending on your football affiliations, this could be an omen or a prophecy for the game coming up soon. Also noteworthy is that in 1999 John Elway was the oldest NFL player to be named Super Bowl MVP.

3) Britney Spears Releases Debut Album

Can you imagine a world in which the name Britney Spears was met only with a “Who’s that?” That was the world of 1998. The world of 1999, in contrast, started off with a teeny bopping BANG, as Britney’s debut album was released, and her infamous single, “…Baby One More Time,” blasted to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Pop music was forever changed in January 1999.

4) Michael Jordan Announces His Retirement…Again

When the world considers you the best in the game, both physically and mentally, retiring is probably more difficult than playing ever was. So it’s understandable that Jordan, late in his career, struggled to call it quits in basketball and sports in general. In January 1999, we had to get used to the idea that watching NBA basketball would no longer entail watching Air Jordan in action.

5) Family Guy Debuts on Fox

Immediately after the Super Bowl in January 1999, Fox aired the first episode of FAMILY GUY to 22 million viewers, immediately generating controversy over its risque subject matter. Since that fateful evening, Seth MacFarlane’s animated sitcom has won 3 Emmy Awards, and FAMILY GUY has become a household name.

7) The Euro Is Introduced

Before January 1999, the word “euro” was mainly used to describe dance clubs or outlandish fashion trends. Now the euro is the second-most traded currency and the second-largest reserve currency in the world. In November 2013, the euro surpassed the U.S. dollar as having the highest combined value of banknotes and coins in circulation.

9) N’Sync Wins American Music Award for Favorite New Artist

It was the era of the boy band, and N’Sync had just displaced The Backstreet Boys as the newest teen idols. The American Music Award, based on a public poll, made it decidedly so. They stopped recording in 2002, but they have sold over 50 million albums so far, so I think they are all doing pretty well.

10) Jon Stewart Hosts His First Episode of THE DAILY SHOW

Up and coming comedian Jon Stewart starts his new job as host of Comedy Central’s THE DAILY SHOW in January 1999. One of his first guests, Michael J. Fox, claims that he has been on THE DAILY SHOW more times than Stewart. One of the central topics of the night? You got it, the Senate impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.

12) A Ridiculously Large Cocaine Bust

The amount of cocaine captured by U.S. Customs agents in January 1999 would make Tony Montaña of SCARFACE wag his finger in disapproval. 9,500 pounds of the illegal drug were being shipped to Houston on board a cargo ship carrying iron ore when they were stopped and searched near Jamaica. Texas had never had a larger drug bust.

14) He’s Backkkk: Mike Tyson Returns to Boxing (With a Vengeance) 

Remember when Mike Tyson was a boxer? You know, before he became the comedic actor and performance artist with the face tattoo? If so, you’ll recall that Tyson had his boxing license revoked for biting a chunk out Evander Holyfield’s ear. After a two-year hiatus, Tyson returned to boxing in January 1999 in a bout with Francois Botha. Tyson started off the match a little sluggish, according to the commentators, but – oof! – check out that KO punch! Botha needed both a drink and a vacation after that one.

15) World Premiere of Music Video for Eminem’s “My Name Is”

In January 1999, the music video for Eminem’s “My Name Is” premiered, and Eminem became a superstar. The video really got people’s attention. You know how I know? BECAUSE HE IS THE BEST-SELLING ARTIST OF THE 21ST CENTURY!

So there you have it: 15 moments from 15 years ago. Stay tuned for my monthly pop culture updates as we celebrate Pegasus Lighting’s 15th anniversary. In the meantime, what are some moments YOU remember from 1999? What was your favorite music artist? Favorite movie? Tell me in the comments!

There are few things more chilling than a home burglary. Imagine a stranger rifling through and stealing your possessions – to say nothing of the danger if you or your family members are home at the time of the break-in. Fortunately, you can take steps to deter potential thieves by using outdoor lighting to increase the visibility around your home. Today's inexpensive LED and smart technologies mean that you can create a system that is attractive, efficient and responsive without breaking the bank. Protect your home and your family with some of these outdoor lighting ideas.

A Light in the Darkness

Your outdoor lighting system should include lights near any doors and windows where a person could enter the house. "The biggest thing for any person who can burglarize a home is the ability to secrete movements," a Chicago Police Department spokesperson told the Chicago tribune. "This means darkness.”

Many outdoor lighting systems are easy to install on your own, although a few may require the help of an electrician for new wiring. LED bulbs are an attractive option because they use only about a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times as long. Some outdoor lights come equipped with a built-in security camera that will not only light up to scare off any would-be burglars, but also capture their image so you can notify police of the suspicious activity.

Stand-alone solar panel lights are a good option for walkways, although they shouldn't be relied on as a home security measure since variations in weather mean they might not always provide enough light to deter a prowler.

Getting Smart About Your Lighting

Smart lighting systems let you control your entire home’s lighting setup from your smartphone, even when you're away from the house. You can adjust timers, motion sensors, dimming functions or manually instruct the lights to come on or off. Certain smart lighting and security systems will automatically alert you when someone is at the door and allow you to talk to them through your phone no matter where you are in the world.

With smart technology, you can also add an extra layer of deterrence by having indoor lights come on for a period of time when you are away, giving the appearance that somebody is home. If you already have a lighting system in place, you can upgrade it to a smart system by swapping in some wireless smart switches and installing a control hub.

A Safer and More Attractive Residence

Lighting up your outdoor space is more than just a way to deter burglars. It can also make your yard look more attractive at night and help visitors safely navigate their way to your door.

If you need help planning or installing an outdoor security lighting scheme, contact your local electrician right away.