Want to use those empties to make a beautiful lamp rather than just throw them away? There are some really decorative bottles around these days particularly Gin bottles that are ideal. So no matter what your tipple, you can be creative, just take a look at what you can do with your empties… Our expandable bungs can fit various size bottles, with a choice of 8 sizes and three finishes. Our lamp bungs have a screw slot so, as you turn the screw, it expands a couple of millimetres to get a nice snug fit for your bottle neck. Choose your lamp holder, some earthed lamp flex, and an inline sw ..read more

Lamps and Lights customer Bruce Stanley, a light fitting maker from Scotland sent us a great short article about his experience and design in converting bespoke light fittings. Here’s Bruce’s message: Bespoke light fitting with antique lamp holder and shade rings with antique flex “Over the years, I have made numerous light fittings for friends and family members. My ‘appointment’ as ‘light fitting maker’ comes from the fact that I am very much against drilling holes in vases and other such pieces to be converted into a lamp and the simple fact I have quite a comprehensive workshop…and yes ..read more

Want to use those empties to make a beautiful lamp rather than just throw them away? There are some really decorative bottles around these days particularly Gin bottles that are ideal. So no matter what your tipple, you can be creative, just take a look at what you can do with your empties…  Our expandable bungs can fit any size bottle neck, with a choice of 8 sizes and three finishes. Our lamp bungs have a screw slot so, as you turn the screw, it expands a couple of millimetres to be the perfect snug fit for your bottle neck. Choose your lampholder, some earthed light flex and ..read more

Lamps and Lights customer Bruce Stanley, a light fitting maker from Scotland sent us a great short article about his experience and design in converting bespoke light fittings. Here’s Bruce’s message: Bespoke light fitting with antique lamp holder and shade rings with antique flex “Over the years, I have made numerous light fittings for friends and family members. My ‘appointment’ as ‘light fitting maker’ comes from the fact that I am very much against drilling holes in vases and other such pieces to be converted into a lamp and the simple fact I have quite a comprehensive workshop…and yes ..read more

Incandescent (left) versus LED filament (right) Following the tightened legislation for incandescent lamps there was a definite need to create the antique look of the squirrel filament, whilst still conserving energy within lighting. Incandescent bulbs however were deeply missed, because of the warm glow they emitted and the intricately twisted filaments that were intentionally visible, they were a truly beautiful decorative feature.             But no longer ….. The latest LED Filament bulbs look just like the traditional incandescent bulb (the above photograph shows an Incandescent fila ..read more

Most Edison Screw Lampholders now have a safety feature that means once put together they cannot be easily undone. This is to ensure you don’t unscrew the lamp holder when changing the bulb and give yourself a nasty electric shock! But not ideal if you need to unscrew the lampholder & put it back together again. The answer is YES, with the help of a screwdriver, a little persistence (and a lot of patience) these ‘locked’ Edison Screw bulb holders CAN be ‘unlocked’, though explaining ‘how’ to do this over the telephone is not so easy so we have created a quick little video showing exactly ..read more

Here’s a top tip for you: Want to use those empties to make a beautiful lamp rather than just throw them away? There are some really decorative bottles around these days particularly Gin bottles that are ideal. So no matter what your tipple, you can be creative, just take a look at what you can do with your empties… So: Our expandable bungs can fit any size bottle neck, with a choice of 8 sizes and three finishes. Our lamp bungs have a screw slot so, as you turn the screw, it expands a couple of millimetres to be the perfect snug fit for your bottle neck. Choose your lampholder, some ..read more

“Field of Light Uluru” Australia’s famous red sandstone monolith – Uluru rock is located in the desert of the Northern Territory and for about 2 years now, the sacred landscape of Uluru has been lit up with a multi-coloured display of solar powered lights. The installation by the artist Bruce Munro consists of more than 50,000 bulb-shaped flowers that are connected by a network of fibre optics. The artist and his team were careful not to disturb the land and worked with the natural landscape to create an organic outcome without a specific or organised pattern, so once the installation is tak ..read more

Current debates about lighting controls reminds me of the Beta-max VHS debacle back in the late 70’s, now that’s a hint to the age of this writer! Although the following technologies have generally been used in larger smart buildings, often with an eye on energy saving; the options are beginning to be offered more generally for use in smaller Commercial and Residential developments. So do you understand what is on offer to you now and in the near future? If not; here’s a brief introduction: Bluetooth Mesh Your devices – a variety of luminaires, thermostats, movement sensors, locks and voic ..read more

It’s that time of the year again! Days are getting shorter and Christmas is upon us again! With spending more time inside, than any other season, what better time to finally set some quality time aside for yourself and give that DIY project a try! If you have been struggling to think of what kind of presents to get your family members or friends, why not surprise them with a home made gift this year? Or maybe you were looking for ideas on how to boost your mood at home this winter. On dreary and dark evenings, when the sun sets sooner, entering a house lit with warm and dimmed lights, makes ..read more