Light at the End of the Tube

Daylighting is one of the most important aspects to any room's design.  Natural light is beneficial to our physical and mental health, and also a powerful mood booster.  Sometimes, however, utilizing natural light was just not feasible.  Skylights can be rather cumbersome when it comes to interior roof lines, shading, leaking, and glare.   The answer to all of these issues is the light tube.  This tube of reflectant material connects the daylight hitting the dome mounted on the roof, via refraction and mirrors inside the tube, to the ceiling.  Perfect for introducing daylight into bathrooms and closets (never will you step outside and realize you don't match again!)  Just another little tip from DCR Interiors to make your home or office more functional, energy efficient, and enjoyable!

Now for those real solar enthusiasts, there is an even more intrical advancement to solar, Hybrid Solar Lighting. (HSL) Check out the video!

Classic Close-up: Arc Floor Lamp

An arc floor lamp, so named because of its arc-shaped arm, is an ingeniously designed light fixture.  In addition to being chic and sophisticated, they provide a great source of space-saving light.  Unlike other lamps, where the entire lamp has to be placed nearest the area to be lighted, arc floor lamps can be placed in a corner with the long curve of the arm extending to the area that needs to be lit. The curved arm allows the light to be directed to different areas in a room-- some are even suitable for ambient lighting, while others are best suited to accent lighting.  Add brightness and beauty to your home with any of these lovely arc floor lamps.

Design Fabulous (via)

The Arc Floor Lamp by George Kovacs is a sophisticated solution to your floor lamp needs.  It has a small arc and is finished in a polished chrome and would provide just the right amount of accent light for reading or working.  It looks absolutely lovely in this contemporary living room accented with polished silver finishes.

CB2 (via)

The Lantern Arc Floor Lamp, available at CB2, is chic and affordable.   Painted in glossy red lacquer finish, it adds a nice pop of color to this black and white bedroom.

CB2 (via)

The Big Apple Dipper Lamp, also from CB2, is a great find for those who want a smaller arc with a simpler base.  This lamp would be perfect for accent lighting in a living room for reading a book.

Houzz (via)

Love the retro feel of this living room.  It's accented by a polished silver arc floor lamp that extends into the space, providing ambient light.

Material Girls Blog (via)

A white Arco Floor lamp adds to the retro feel of this pretty living room.  The Arco Floor Lamp is one of the most popular mid-century modern floor lamps available. With a gorgeous marble base, the lamp's beautifully curved arm extends 8 feet into a space, providing a beautiful area and ambient light. The beauty of an arc floor lamp is that, depending on your lighting and space needs, you can find one that fits your space perfectly.  If you're short on space, look for a lamp that has a shorter slighter arc.  Likewise, if you have plenty of space and want more ambient light, find one that's taller and has a greater arc.  Either way, you will be sure to find a chic way to brighten your home! Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality light fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory: Lessons from Tragedy

On a fateful day on March 25th, 1911, hundreds of lives were lost and a new age of building regulation was born.  On the eighth floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City fire took hold and quickly spread to the top three floors of the 10-story building.  The workers, mostly women under the age of eighteen, were trapped, as the exits were too inadequate to provide a safe exit from the building.  Some escaped one by one through the only narrow exit provided, others jumped to their death. 

 

Without alarms, and unable to use a fire escape that had fallen from the side of the building, 143 people perished in the worst workplace disaster in Ney York City's history until 9-11.  We owe the huge sacrifice of these hard working women and this infamous tragedy to the development of the Fire Code Laws that are in place across the United States to this very day. 

 

Interior Designers, by definition, follow this same fire code, provided by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) to provide all building occupants a safe exit in case of fire or other disaster.  It is Interior Designers who plan for the worst case scenarios enabling clear paths of egress, smoke and fire alarms, exit signage, and ensuring exits are provided no matter where building occupants may be within a building.  Interior designers do not just pick pretty finishes for chairs and window treatments, but also make sure these products and assemblies have been appropriately rated for their flammability.  Interior Designers also specify the type of walls and enclosures needed to keep exit areas safe, whether that be through fire-rated walls, corridors, and self-closing doors. 

 

Today, all buildings must adhere to strict federal, state, and local building codes ensuring safety to those inside.  The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory is a sad example of what can happen when these requirements are overlooked.  Contact an Interior Designer for assistance in designing your building properly and safely, and do not forget the sacrifice other Americans have made to enable our way of life today.