Edith Saatkamp DESIGN OF THE TIMES MUCH 70 the dismay of my cat Felix, I recently replaced my elegant crystal chandelier with low-voltage halogen lighting. { admit that the chandelier was a beauty; on sunny mornings I used to twirl it for Felix. The crystals would sparkle in the sunlight and create a multitude of rainbow-colored flying objects on walls and floor for him to chase. Alas, the elegance of crystal, set in shiny brass and inherited from the previous owner, was lost in my eclectic surroundings like orchids in a field of weeds. My mind began to concentrate on low-voltage halogen lighting — a tiny light scurce that is smoothly recessed in the ceiling and does not attract attention until its pencil-thin beam illuminates a single flower on the table. Low-voltage halogen lighting is available in different versions: track- mounted, ceiling-recessed or in deco- rative light fixtures. The bulbs come in a variety of beam spreads from the narrowest pencil beam to broad flood. The main difference between a stendard light bulb and a quartz halo- gen bulb lies in the lifespan, energy savings and intensity of the light. POTS TREES PLANTS A standard 100-watt bulb creates warm and diffused light which turns slightly yellow as the bulb ages and expires after 750 hours. The equiva- fent 50-watt halogen bulb maintains its intensity and excellent cotor ren- dition for a tifespan of 4.000 hours. Its main drawback is heat build- up. If the fixture is not adequately designed to allow heat to escape. this can become a hazard. Until about eight years ago, low- voltage halogen lighting was mainly used in jewelry and clothing stores because the focused beam creates a spectacular display when it is aimed at even the smallest object. Now it appears in more and more homes, and the cost of the bulb has gone down trom over $20 to around $6. Track-mounted halogen lighting has adjustable spotlights and can be attached to the ceiling or wall. The transformer which reduces the power from 120 volt to six or 12 volt is usu- ally hidden in the fitting. The light does wonders for a wall with a variety of pictures. Each spot- light can be aimed to illuminate just one picture. Pure luxury is the addi- tion of a framing projector which can be adjusted to illuminate a picture exactly to its frame dimensions and leave the surrounding wall in relative darkness. My idea in the search fora replacement for the crystal chande- lier was recessed lighting, with the bulb mounted an inch or so inside the ceiling to avoid glare. My mind must have been on the moon when | made my first pur- chase, a one-cubic-foot housing with a small halogen light attached to it — the standard size for new buildings. I looked at the three-and-a-half inch opening in my ceiling and real- ized there would be problems. The first electrician did not reassure me either; he removed the bulb from the housing, was unable to reconnect it, and promised to return with larger tools to cut the appropriate opening in the ceiling. ft exchanged the initial purchase for a small retrofit housing, made to fit the standard opening of an exist- ing ceiling without enlarging it; was assured that the type of building I GARDEN CENTER OVTH--BEYIND THEMARKET AVINGA vP TO 6) % off selected items DON'T WALK RUN! awal4 med? tho - beet +S anul .ysbh - &f Friday, June 24 1994 - North Shore News - 15 : ? NEWS photo Mike Wakefietd TRACK-MOUNTED HALOGEN lighting has adjustable spotlights that can be aimed to illuminate just one picture or a number of focal items in one room. flattering half darkness and makes a single rose sparkle like a diamond. removed the conduit box inside the opening and announced that there was insulation in the ceiling! The light is installed now, hazard- less and with permit. It iHuminates the centre of the table, leaves faces in — decoration on the North Shore. LAST CHANCE AT THESE PRICES! COMFORT AT A DISCOUNT “ prices increase July 1/94 . lived in — a 17-year-old low-rise condo — would not have insulation and that there would not be a prob- lem with heat build-up. However, after I had found a will- ing, able and licensed electrician, he Edith Saatkamp is an interior designer who teaches design and EXCLUSIVE W Posture Tech® Coil s helps give you correct support. | 2 Plece Set all sizes available " EXCLUSIVE SteelSpan® Foundation with a steel center f beam and cross ibeams for maximu ; durability. 2 Plece Set Sealy'Posturepedic all sizes available INNOVATIVE EdgeGuard™ creates an average of 10 E percent more usable j A sleep space for you. f [Best | e909 Sealy Posturepedic all sizes availatle CHOOSE YOUR FIRMNESS AT A DISCCUNT Free Delivery, Free Set-up, Free Pick-up of old mattress - details in store 986-1361