5. Use uplighting to highlight landscaping to transform your home's exterior. There's almost nothing more welcoming than a well-lit exterior in the evening. You just want to walk up to the front door and meet these people. Light is used around this Mediterranean-home to highlight the architecture of the home and show off the beautiful landscape design.
by AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc.

Glass Jar Pendants - $99.00 [ Link ]
http://www.westelm.com/products/glass-jar-pendants-w649/?pkey=cnew-lighting-arrivals

I love that these pendants were inspired by antique glass jars for their softly glowing, industrial-chic feel. The green and gray colors are also reminiscent of antique glass jars. I think they work best as a trio, but one hung in a small alcove could look good too.

The dining room's elegant look is due in great part to the stunning stenciled wallpaper on the far wall. While it looks high-end, Heather created this wallpaper herself for less than $15. She had fallen in love with all of the wallpaper that's become so popular in homes over the past few years, but was shocked at how much some of it cost. Inspired by the posts she'd seen in blogs about how to stencil walls, she decided to do the same thing in her home. For a full DIY, check out her post here.

Table: Antique Thomasville
Chairs: Vintage
Chandelier: Overstock.com

Butterfly Crystal Chandelier - $134.00 »
This is so sweet for a girly garden room. I don't know a little girl who wouldn't love to drift off to sleep looking at it

Crystal Light Charms - $14.99 » by Light Charms
If all else fails, you can take any standard metal chandelier and add Light Charms to create a beautiful and glamorous chandelier. The charms come in all different color crystals and attach to the fixture with a small magnet, making them as temporary as you'd like them to be. It'

A chandelier crafted with a mass of hanging glass bulbs is a statement piece and conversation starter.

Hang a chandelier in an unexpected place. Every room needs lighting. Why not introduce it in a surprising way? Hang a chandelier over your coffee table or use one as a bedside light. Your cozy space will instantly go glam.

by Overstock.com
Copper/Crystal Pendant Chandelier - $146.69 »
A contrasting mix of copper and crystal makes this fixture "industrial glam." I'd love to see it placed above a tub, and I think two of them flanking either side of a bed would be dreamy

By Lamps Plus
Granada Polished Brass Pendant Swag Light - $100.91 »
Simple, easy swag — that's what this Spanish style pendant is all about. It plugs into an electrical outlet and hangs from the ceiling. I think this would be a great option for a temporary living space. Just don't forget to take it with you when you move!

2. Swap out your light fixtures. A chandelier, for example, will add a bit of glam to your traditional kitchen, providing a relevant edge

How to hang them. Generally, pendants are installed 28 to 36 inches above the surface they'll light, 60 to 72 inches from the floor to the base of the shade, and 24 to 30 inches apart (in the case of multiple fixtures grouped together). In bathrooms, hang the lights at eye level. Over a kitchen island or other work zone, pendants should be mounted in a position and at a height where they'll stay out of the way. In a hallway or foyer, be sure people won't bang their heads on them.

What you'll pay. You can find pendants in an enormous range of price points, from inexpensive models at home centers to custom pieces that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The good news? While price and quality go hand in hand, even the most affordable pendant lights come in stylish shapes and finishes. Buy the best your budget can handle, but your options won't be limited if there's no wiggle room in your wallet.

Name: Oh Mei Ma Kabir
Designer: Ingo Maurer and team
Year designed: 1997
Material of note: Sheets of aluminum
Where to use it: You'll want to be sure it's in a place where you can experience it in different ways. Looking at it from an angle and a higher elevation gives a totally different perspective than looking up at it from directly below.

For instance, a person walking along the second floor would experience the light in a totally different way than someone sitting in the living room.

6. Transform your room with an amazing pendant light. Simply swapping out the standard-issue ceiling light with a stylish pendant takes a perfectly nice but rather plain white or neutral room and makes it feel intentionally designed. Don't be afraid to invest in lighting, even if you rent — you can always take it with you when you move.

The oversize pendant adds drama, and the transparent Kartell La Marie dining chairs by Philippe Starck reduce visual space.

by EnvironmentalLights.com LED Under Cabinet Lighting - $18.00 »
Opt for Xenon or LED lights for bright and warm yet accurate color rendering. Always make sure there is a diffuser or lens on the fixture itself to help evenly distribute the light and reduce any hot spots on the counter. As we age, we will require two to five times more light to perform the same tasks we did at a younger age.

by Lamps Plus


Wrapped Wire 5 1/8" High 1-Light Wall Sconce - $59.99 »

This wrapped wire sconce has a punchy, modern edge.