Jack Dowd; Last Call For Last Call REAL Networking Event
This REAL Magazine event was a last call to come and view the New York bar scene “Last Call” and other artwork of Jack Dowd before they leave for display elsewhere in the United States. The gathering was hosted by Sarasota Season of Sculpture, Pineapple Square and the Downtown Sarasota Alliance. Event sponsorship was graciously provided by Baron D’Orr Designer Jewelry. Read More
Joel Schemmel And Carol Clark’s REAL Networking Event
Drink It In At Malvern Oaks
The private estate, known as Malvern Oaks, sitting gracefully on a double bay front lot adjoining the gardens of historic Spanish Point was the site of a REAL Magazine evening networking event. The get together was hosted by Joel Schemmel and Carol Clark of Signature Sotheby’s International Realty. Read More
In past columns, I’ve written about lighting, color, furniture placement and other elements of successful interior design. In this column, I’d like to write about the how’s and why’s of framing artwork. But first, let me share with you an adventure which brought me to this column’s topic.
It was difficult to leave Sarasota and fly to DC rather than spend some well-deserved time at the beach. But I did, and it was for a good cause. I had been asked to assist The Prince of Wales Foundation in their endeavor to preserve traditional artisan crafts (such as gilding, wood and stone carving, wrought iron and stained glass making) not only in Great Britain and the U.S., but around the world.
One of The Foundation’s specific goals is to teach the ancient craft of gilding to disadvantaged children through a robust international series of workshops and classes. Part of my “entrance exam” to work with The Foundation was to take an intensive two-day course in Water Gilding. The course was taught by one of the world’s foremost gilders and frame historians, William B. Adair of Gold Leaf Studios in Washington, DC. He is also the founder of The International Institute for Frame Study, and is one of the leading forces in providing education and a skill set in the art of gilding to young people around the world through The Foundation’s programs. It is an admirable task.
And what a fun course! I actually started with a rough frame and produced, at the end of two days and much work, a wonderful gold leaf frame! Throughout the course, which was attended by several of Britain’s top framemakers and gilders, I learned much about the art of framing.
I’ll pass on some nuggets of wisdom:
First of all, the frame is an extension of the artwork. It should always be subservient to the art. It should be synchronous with the time and style of the artwork. When a frame is allowed “to sing”, it is when it is used on a mirror.
When framing a portrait, the width of the frame should try to match the width of the head. Otherwise, the head could look too large or small.
The frame should be well-tailored and proportional to the work of art. This is achieved by the size and shape of the moulding, the texture and detail of the moulding and the color (gilt, paint or wood).
The frame should catch and reflect light (called “luminosity”). Gold is used frequently as the color of moulding as it reflects light so readily, and is neutral as a color.
In climates such as Sarasota, with lots of bright light, frames should often be soft and muted and not brightly gilded. Brighter frames work better in darker, Northern climates where there is less light to reflect.
Also in Sarasota, we need to protect our artwork from the sun. For prints on paper, we should use acid-free materials and ultraviolet filtering glass which reflects 97% of the UV light. The back of the artwork should be sealed to prevent moisture infiltration. It is also important not to hang valuable artwork in direct sunlight.
With regard to matting for paper pieces, matts should be weighted slightly on the bottom to counteract the optical illusion of being top-heavy. This means the matt dimension on the bottom should be slightly larger than the dimensions on the top and sides. Traditional matting techniques use weighting in a subtle way. For contemporary pieces, matts can be oversize, even to three times the size of the artwork with massive weighting on the bottom.
For contemporary and modern interiors, the frame should reflect the architecture and should be sleeker and without excessive ornamentation. The frame is still important for these pieces however, and the interest must be found in subtle detail, shape, and color.
Many wonderful contemporary frame designs of today are based on the work of modernist artists such as Willem De Kooning and Franz Kline, from the Bauhaus era in the 20’s and 30’s through the 1960’s.
Picture lights used over valuable artwork should have filters so as not to “burn” or damage the top portion of the painting.
Period paintings should have a frame of an historically accurate period as well. However, there is one very famous artist who did not follow this rule and benefited greatly from it. Picasso! What Picasso did was use antique frames on his, at the time, very contemporary paintings. These antique frames added greatly to the value of his work because collectors could hang his paintings in their Old Masters collections and they looked great! The frames were all old and of an historical period so they all worked together. This gave him instant success. What a smart guy.
So, I guess that means that some rules can be broken, but most of us aren’t Picasso, so I tried to learn a few.
Pamela Hughes, the founder and owner of Hughes Design Associates, is well known nationally and internationally. Hughes Design Associates is one of the premier interior design firms known throughout North America for specializing in prestigious custom interiors. In Sarasota, Pamela has completed many exceptional projects including The Ritz-Carlton, The Members’ Beach Club, The Tower Residences, and Plaza at Five Points. Her portfolio also includes some of the most luxurious and distinctive residences in Sarasota. Pamela’s work has been published in the best interior design magazines such as Architectural Digest and Veranda, as well as numerous other publications. Also, Home and Garden Television (HGTV) featured her in the program, “Public Places, Private Spaces”, showcasing her work on the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, and a luxurious private home in Chicago. In addition to their work in Sarasota, Pamela and her firm design projects throughout the US, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Pamela may be reached at 941.922.4767 or visit www.hughesdes.com.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
Let’s try and define “Old World Craftsmanship”. Obviously, it is a talent that has a very long history. It is international, and it has to do with quality. It is something that we hold dearly and, unfortunately, is getting harder and harder to find.
There is more to Old World Craftsmanship that makes defining it somewhat difficult. It embraces the talent of an artist and the desire to define that art in the built environment. It is prolific in larger metropolitan areas where there were projects that attracted the most talented of workmen and artisans. It can also be found in areas out of the mainstream like Sarasota and North Carolina, where artisans were brought in from all over the world to work on such designs as Ca’D Zan and The Biltmore Estate. The most powerful and influential names of our nation like Vanderbilt, Ringling, and Hearst imported many of these Old World Craftsmen to our nation to create and recreate “Old World Craftsmanship”. The true home of this talent is in the older parts of our world where it was born and has only improved with age.
In our architectural practice, working with these fine artists whenever the opportunity arises is definitely one of my more enjoyable duties. Whether it is a mural, a carved furniture piece, or an ornamental iron design, there is always something distinctive about a craftsman. It is within their nature, and they have the confidence to be able to envision, implement and complete a piece of art without hesitation or doubt. I was once watching a muralist finish their perfect artwork on one of our ceilings and I was given perhaps the most enduring compliment ever. I had commented on how rewarding it was to be able to have such a talented artist complete our ceilings when he returned with “it was he who should be indebted to me, to allow him to complete only a small portion of such a beautiful symphony”.
I have taken three examples from our portfolio of Old World Craftsmanship in the photos on this page. The first is the stair foyer of a Bird Key home that was in response to the Owner’s love of the architecture of Addison Mizner. The massing of the mahogany combined with the elegance of the wrought iron gives way to a craftsmanship of old. The second is a living room of a home on Longboat Key where every detail was tuned to an Italian Villa. The third photo is of a ground floor entranceway/outdoor dining area which led to a pool deck area that is reminiscent of an Italian grotto.
All of these designs were based on a client’s love of Old World Craftsmanship. When I get asked to create the Old World Craftsmanship that a client saw while in Europe, I sometimes reply that it is very possible, but in order to do it correctly, they may need to give it hundreds of years for it to truly look as they had seen it.
As founder of CMSA, Cliff has over 35 years of experience in architecture and construction. His sense of design and clear-cut goals has created a reputation for quality and excellence for his firm. As lead architect, he is responsible for the design of projects consisting of custom residential developments, office structures, commercial renovations, golf clubs and high-rise condominium buildings. He takes a proactive role in every project as the client contact, and directs his team of highly skilled professionals to keep every endeavor in balance. Cliff received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Lawrence Institute of Technology in Southfield, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Cliff is also a Licensed General Contractor in the State of Florida and certified as a LEED AP. Cliff may be reached at 941-923-2400 or via email at cscholz@cmsa1.com.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
Phone TAG has a whole new meaning in today’s world. This next generation in marketing has arrived through the introduction of TAG technology. All brought to you through the device central to our daily lives – our mobile phone.
So what is TAG? Microsoft TAG is a new kind of customized bar code that will bridge the technology gap by integrating offline and online campaigns across web, mobile and print media. Business owners are always looking for new ways to grow. And as people increasingly demand instant, interactive information, TAG will become a pivotal factor in answering that need by seamlessly marketing to virtually anyone – instantly.
TAG makes the consumer’s life easy. You can now connect with any business that is TAG’d without ever waiting for the business to open. You can go behind the scenes and quickly download coupons or get rebates. How about scanning a TAG and receiving an entire menu or the daily specials at a restaurant…or a recipe at a grocery store. Want to see a preview of what’s running at the movie theater without going there…now you can. Are you house-hunting and can’t get out to the model? Now you can simply scan the TAG and have all the information on the home listing or see a virtual tour of the model… all at your fingertips. The possibilities really are endless.
Business owners can use TAG by placing them in advertisements, posters, product packages, any print collateral, vehicle wraps, storefronts and signage, website, billboards, clothing – it’s almost limitless. With TAG, the medium really is the message, making access simple and alleviating the need to type long URLs or send SMS messages.
Clients and prospects can simply download the Microsoft app and save it to their smart phones. When they scan a TAG with the application, it will automatically connect them to information, entertainment and a choice of several interactive experiences, keeping your brand in the forefront 24/7/365. The consumer can:
• Instantly connect to your web site
• Receive a customized text message
• Auto-dial your phone number
• Save your contact info and profile (vCard)
• Link to a :30 or :60 second video
• Connect to a virtual tour
• Download your promotion or coupon
• Access an information form
Concerned it’s complicated or costly? Luckily for business owners this app by Microsoft is currently free and you are not limited to just one. You can download an app for each of the interactive solutions mentioned above and, best of all, they can be created by anyone.
Imagine increasing productivity and reducing costs by utilizing the latest technology available today. That also makes it GREEN. TAG represents a great way to use less paper. So instead of printing, the consumer simply receives the information electronically.
Although TAGS look graphically similar, they can be customized with a logo. You just have to learn how to change it or work with someone who already knows how. If you’re looking for a new smart technology tool for your business toolkit, in my opinion, TAG is the way to go.
Photo: Grapevine Custom TAG
Get started:
1. Downloading the TAG Reader at http://gettag.mobi
(Newer smart phones may already have the app).
2. Scan the TAG for info and create your own.
Angela Massaro-Fain is founder and president of Grapevine Communications Int’l. Inc. Grapevine Communications, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s “2010 Small Business of the Year”, is an award-winning Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations firm based in Sarasota and serving clients nationwide.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
As a real estate professional working to bring overseas investors, retirees and part time residents to Florida I find competition for those investment dollars coming from many other parts of the globe. The world today is indeed very small, as the saying goes.
In recent months, my attention was drawn to find out more about real estate in Dubai, as it came up in conversations with clients from Europe in particular. Some had already invested there, spent vacations there or were anticipating some property bargains becoming available in the future, as more over supply became evident. My business partner just returned from a fact finding trip to Dubai, and it is one of the key areas we plan to monitor in coming months.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located on the Arabian Peninsula, south of the Persian Gulf – an area which most people associate as being rich in oil. While Dubai has the largest population of the Emirates, and the second largest land mass, it does not enjoy the abundant natural petroleum resources that are the mainstay of the neighboring emirates. Historically, the UAE economy was dominated by pearl production, fishing, and agriculture. The region first began exporting oil in 1962 and petroleum has dominated their economy since the rise in oil prices in 1973.
While some of the Emirates can rely on their abundant oil and gas resources for up to 150 years into the future, according to some sources, Dubai realized that their economy would need to evolve in a different direction. It quickly reinforced its position as the trading hub for the UAE. Over 6,000 companies from120 countries now have manufacturing or distribution facilities at the Jebel Ali complex in Dubai, which encompasses a deep-water port and free trade zone. All goods for re-export or transshipment enjoy exemption from all taxes and duties.
Today, Dubai’s economic wealth is derived from revenues from tourism, real estate, and financial services. In recent years, Dubai has attracted world attention through many innovative construction projects and sporting events, and its leadership has successfully combined their objectives for development of tourism and real estate. The Dubai government began the promotion in 1997 but realized that growth in their real estate market would be limited as long as they allowed foreign ownership only on a leasehold basis. In 2002, Dubai’s crown prince General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom issued a decree that allowed foreigners to buy and own freehold property in selected areas of the city, which became known as New Dubai. This decree was followed by the announcement of The Palms – manmade palm-shaped islands that would offer luxury residences of all kinds to overseas owners.
The rest, as they say, is history. Dubai underwent massive real estate development, attracting investment from all corners of the globe. Their high profile developments were magnets to celebrities, offering luxury residences, seen as trophy properties. Themed buildings and neighborhoods, such as Sports City, were successfully target marketed to investors around the globe and Dubai was seen as the place to be, be invested in, and be seen in. The large scale developments have also included some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
Things have changed somewhat in recent years. Big projects have been delayed for technical, construction or financial reasons, and the market has experienced a downturn which many attribute to the global economic crisis. However, Dubai’s real estate market continues to move ahead and many see opportunities to invest for profit in the current climate.
I started this article by saying that Dubai poses competition to the real estate market in Florida. Just as our economy had its roots in citrus and cattle and we made the move to tourism and real estate, so was Dubai’s economy built on pearls and fishing and shifted to tourism and real estate. Both real estate markets have suffered significant downturns, but are now starting to see signs of recovery.
PHOTOS
Top: Luxury condominiums with boat docks, part of The Palm development – palm tree shaped land reclaimed from the Persian Gulf.
Middle: This building is currently under construction in Abu Dhabi and is a prime example of the “high-tech” modern architecture so typical of the region.
Bottom: Burj Khalifa This skyscraper is the tallest man made structure ever built, at 2,717ft. Engineered by the Chicago firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill it stands at the center of Downtown Dubai.
Patricia Tan was born in England, and moved to Sarasota in 1997. Her career afforded her the opportunity to live and work in many countries around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. She spent five years as a Director of an American real estate franchise in England in 1990s. Patricia has served as Chairperson of Sarasota Association of REALTORS®’ International Council, and serves on Florida Association of REALTORS®’ International Operations Committee. She currently works as International Sales Director for Prudential Palms Realty. Patricia may be reached at 941-487-5107 or patriciatan@prudentialpalmsrealty.com.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
It is easy to get blasé to golf on TV each week. But if you make a conscious effort to pay closer attention to the events unfolding, there are some great lessons to learn from what can be seen.
Pre and post shot routine:
All great players have a consistent pre shot routine. It is a bubble that allows them to go into auto-pilot when the pressure comes. It can help you in making your game more routine and automatic. Watch some of the things that they do, like the practice swing behind the ball. The pause and visualization as they stand behind the ball before they hit. Above all, their post shot routine is one of acceptance of the outcome of the shot and to move on to the next one. Try it, it can help at all levels. Create a routine that works for you, make it consistent and it is sure to help.
Course management:
All the great players on TV manage the course well and according to their games. There is no reason why you cannot do the same at whatever level of the game you play at. Watch how they plan the hole, they really make a plan for each hole and a really “present” to that hole and game plan. They work around how they are playing. For example, if they are driving it poorly they will hit the 3 wood more as Tiger does. So work around how you are playing and plan each hole better. It is the easiest way to shave your score!
Short game:
Watch how good they are from 100 yards and in. Why not work on your wedges, chipping and putting rather than your swing? Not many people do, but the pros do. Watch their creativity and imagination, there is no reason why you cannot do the same.
So watch the golf on Sunday afternoon with a couple less beers and more focus on what is going on, it can only help your game. Plus it is free!
Jonathan Yarwood was originally from the United Kingdom, but relocated to the United States in 1996. After a few years as one of David Leadbetter’s senior teachers, Jonathan branched out on his own and has enjoyed an extensive career with a track record that speaks for itself: He has coached, 2 US Amateur Champions including this years champion Ben An, 2 US Girls Champions and 1 US Open Champion in Michael Campbell in 2005. That is 5 USGA champs in 10 years, which is a record in itself. Add to that the four number one juniors, 3 AJGA players of the year, a collegiate number one, a male and female nationally ranked number one as well as a winner on every major professional tour, you have a record to rival the best. Jonathan was voted a Top 20 teacher under 40 years old by Golf Digest in 2006, after 5 straight years of being in the best teacher in state rankings for Florida.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
I have been looking forward to writing about this topic for months now – the time has finally come!
Over the past 2 years or so we have been witnessing the end of a much too liberal lending era. Unfortunately, the change in direction went too far and stayed too long. To quote the top mortgage professional Penny Hill “the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction and is stuck on stupid”. I am pleased to announce that it is finally beginning to swing back to the level of safe but smart. Although there are still many guidelines that still need to relax, like stated income for self-employed borrowers with excellent assets and credit, we are finally seeing the return of some common sense decision making and re-entry into the market by mortgage security investors and MI companies.
Below are some recent changes as well as some that are coming soon:
• Allowing the use of business funds for down payment and closing costs
• Agency relaxation of condo guidelines
• Use of depletion of assets for income qualifying
• Limited review of condominium criteria and documents
• Reduction of minimum credit scores for Mortgage Insurance
The pendulum has definitely started to swing back to a more common sense and less defensive lending posture. While we still have a long way to go it is refreshing to finally see things moving in the right direction!
C. J. Coury is a Vice President with HomeBanc and oversees the Greater Sarasota market. He has been a mortgage finance professional since 1983. C. J. may be reached at (941) 730-2444 or by email at cj.coury@homebanc.com.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
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With direct views of Coconut Bayou off Sarasota Bay this spectacular waterfront retreat located at 725 Mangrove Point Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida is like no other. This luxurious Key West or West Indies style home, based on your interpretation, holds over 7,225 sq ft of exquisite, master designed space. Expertly reconstructed in 2008 using the highest quality materials and workmanship the home boasts 6 bedroom suites, state of the art home theater, music/media room, workout area and much, much more. Own a magnificent piece of Sarasota’s paradise, Siesta Key. Read More
Andy 20 Times By Jack DowdJack Dowd’s “Andy 20 Times” seeks to capture Andy Warhol’s elusive character as an artist who carefully cultivated his public persona as a super star while exploring America’s obsession with celebrity. Read More
REAL Networking Event Featuring Coldwell Banker’s Budge Huskey
Kathy Hoonhout of Coldwell Banker hosted the REAL event at a new home constructed by Marilyn Schroeter of Platinum Coast Construction. The event featured keynote speaker Budge Huskey, the President and COO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Read More
REAL Magazine Event Kicks Off Todd Johnston’s New Turnberry Model
The REAL Magazine event was hosted by The Founders Club and Signature Sotheby’s International Realty at Todd Johnston’s new Turnberry model in The Founders Club.
Whether we like it or not, televisions are here to stay. They are in our lives, for some of us, from the moment we wake up to the last thing we hear or see at night. And all through the day, it seems there is hardly a place where there isn’t a screen flickering with some urgent image.
Whether it’s your lifeline to the world and staying in touch, or following your favorite program, they are everywhere.
We, of course, as designers try to find ways to make televisions accessible, when and where our clients want them, and also to make them discrete or disappear when they don’t.
Fortunately, we are now at the stage of the media evolution that seemed like dreamy science fiction when we were younger. Namely, flat panels that hang on the wall. It all seems especially appealing when it was only a decade or so ago that we were dealing with building large armoires to hold large-screen TV’s that were practically as deep as they were wide – and they weighed a ton.
We still use these pieces of furniture on occasion as a focal point and to have something beautiful in which to conceal a large screen TV. In some of those cases, we have a false back built so that the TV has a surface from which to hang. This also allows a space for cables and wires to occur without being seen.
Often, these days, we hang a TV on a wall surface (adequately supported, of course). Prior to installing the TV, the wall must be prepared with adequate plywood or other structural support provided behind the finished surface, and the power supply and cable and other signal wires need to be in their proper place too. So coordination time with the contractor is required. But it can be a relatively simple and effective solution.
That method works particularly well with contemporary interiors. No muss, no fuss, just the image floating on the wall. But, like art, we usually like to ground the image on the wall with an object below. When we are dealing with a television, the furniture below provides a place for the often required machinery. DVD’s and cable boxes are still a part of most of our worlds.
Some of our clients are now having whole-house electronic systems which can provide various channels in different rooms, whole house audio in public spaces (indoors and out) and a host of other functions. This generally means that there is a centralized room which contains the racks of equipment and which is appropriately air conditioned to help remove all the heat generated. These systems are remarkable and can be designed so they are easy to use. You can be in the room with a remote control, point it at the TV, and a menu is displayed giving you options for what is available to view and movies you can call up or download.
In some cases, when we have a more traditional interior, we like to make the TV less prominent, so we have a recess built into the wall or above a fireplace mantel. Of course, the same requirements apply of providing adequate support and the wiring connections. In this case, however, the 6” – 8” recess allows the TV and its supporting bracket to create a condition where the surface of the screen is essentially on the same plane as the wall. We can then leave it in a simple rectangular opening or install a beautifully finished picture frame to hug the TV. This can sometimes actually cover up most of the integral TV frame. But you have to be careful when doing this as sometimes the speakers and the infrared signal receiver for the screen is built into its frame. Accommodation to the picture frame must be made to allow those to still work.
Large screens seem to be getting larger too. Some of them are so big they do not easily fit into the proportions of the room. So we create rooms especially for them. They are called home theaters and we’ll do another article on them soon.
The reverse is true too. TV’s are also getting smaller. They are able to be hung below cabinets tucked in the corner of a kitchen so that the news and shows can join the activity of kitchens and families. We put them behind special mirrors so the news is available while you are in your bathroom getting ready for the day. They are also, of course, now portable, and with your iPad you can stay current on your shows, the news and whatever else is on the air almost anytime, anywhere.
Science fiction, indeed!
Pamela Hughes, the founder and owner of Hughes Design Associates, is well known nationally and internationally. Hughes Design Associates is one of the premier interior design firms known throughout North America for specializing in prestigious custom interiors. In Sarasota, Pamela has completed many exceptional projects including The Ritz-Carlton, The Members’ Beach Club, The Tower Residences, and Plaza at Five Points. Her portfolio also includes some of the most luxurious and distinctive residences in Sarasota. Pamela’s work has been published in the best interior design magazines such as Architectural Digest and Veranda, as well as numerous other publications. Also, Home and Garden Television (HGTV) featured her in the program, “Public Places, Private Spaces”, showcasing her work on the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, and a luxurious private home in Chicago. In addition to their work in Sarasota, Pamela and her firm design projects throughout the US, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Pamela may be reached at 941.922.4767 or visit www.hughesdes.com.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Any reproduction in part or whole is expressly prohibited and will be in direct violation of Federal Copyright Law.
Links to this article are encouraged
Lighting adds drama and dimension in any room of the home- inside and out. The play of light and shadow, both natural and artificial, is a part of the core curriculum in every architectural education. Light instinctively effects a person’s emotional state through differing levels of brightness, color and texture. There are essentially three main categories of artificial illumination-ambient, task and accent lighting. Each illumination type should be carefully analyzed and support architectural design decisions.
For example, placement of artwork and collectibles is always a topic of conversation in the conceptual design stages of a new home or renovation. These collections usually reveal a story and mirror the personality of the homeowner. It is our goal to visually accent these unique pieces in a unique way. The placement of artwork can be deliberate through use of direct axes or spontaneous by incorporating the piece(s) into case furniture. Hallways become galleries. Vestibules and carved out niches become placeholders of your memories. The emphasis of these special spaces can be achieved with the proper illumination.
There are three lamp types that we consistently use in our home designs: incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED.
The 60W light bulb has been the standard in lighting the home for over 100 years. It has a warm, soft and steady attractive glow. Incandescent light bulbs work by heating a tungsten filament until it glows. Unfortunately, it only uses 10% of the electricity to produce light, and the remaining 90% is burned off as heat. A typical 60W incandescent bulb lasts approximately 1,000 hours. This type of lamp is commonly available and used through the majority of the home.
CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) create a considerably harsher but brighter light. Even the latest bulbs, have a slightly bluer tint. Energy Star qualified CFLs produce 75% less heat and require 75% less energy in comparison to an equal light transmitting incandescent. It will also last 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. However, the chamber contains harmful mercury vapor and should be disposed by the consumer according to EPA guidelines. The flickering from the fluorescent can be bothersome and cause fatigue after prolonged eye exposure. Typically, we specify these lamps only for utilitarian areas where brighter light and better color rendition is needed such as laundry rooms, craft rooms, garages, equipment rooms and clothing closets.
LEDs (light emitting diode) now have the ability to match the warm, soft white light found in a standard incandescent. These lights burn cooler than incandescent and compact fluorescents and they do not produce ultraviolet radiation that can damage artwork and upholstery. The light produced is direct and has an even spread making it excellent for exterior applications as well. The high upfront cost is due to its electrical components. As technology progresses and the manufacturing/availability gains momentum, the costs will begin to decline. Even so, LED lights, in general, currently have a lower life cycle cost than CFLs and incandescent bulbs.
Philips has recently introduced a 12-watt EnduraLED that is capable of lasting 25 times longer (25,000 hours) than a standard 60W incandescent and saves 80% of the energy over its predecessor. These new bulbs will be available in the U.S. market in the fall 2010.
According to the Environmental News Network, lighting accounts for 19% of our electrical consumption in the world. U.S. legislation will begin regulating a more prominent use of CFLs and LEDs and phasing out low efficiency incandescent bulbs in 2012. Each time we purchase one of these products we have the ability to make an impact on our own ecological footprint.
Through many years of experience, CMSA develops our own lighting design plans in-house, but we also employ professional lighting designers depending on the home’s lighting requirements. Artificial illumination requires a trained eye and the impact is integral to great design.
As founder of CMSA, Cliff has over 35 years of experience in architecture and construction. His sense of design and clear-cut goals has created a reputation for quality and excellence for his firm. As lead architect, he is responsible for the design of projects consisting of custom residential developments, office structures, commercial renovations, golf clubs and high-rise condominium buildings. He takes a proactive role in every project as the client contact, and directs his team of highly skilled professionals to keep every endeavor in balance. Cliff received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Lawrence Institute of Technology in Southfield, Michigan, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Cliff is also a Licensed General Contractor in the State of Florida and certified as a LEED AP. Cliff may be reached at 941-923-2400 or via email at cscholz@cmsa1.com.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
Any reproduction in part or whole is expressly prohibited and will be in direct violation of Federal Copyright Law.
Links to this article are encouraged
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