LIGHTING

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Product Recalls You Need to Know as of March 1, 2024
Keeping up-to-date with the latest product recalls is essential in keeping our homes safe. The U. S. Consumer Product...
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Move Over Tuscan: 10 Kitchen Trends for 2024
Kitchens are no longer just functional spaces for preparing food—they’re the heart of the home, where style meets uti...
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My Dog Chewed Up the Controller—Now What?
We all love our dogs. However, they often do things that baffle our minds and leave pet parents feeling frustrated, s...
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Do Christmas Lights Use a Lot of Electricity?
Q: Our neighborhood is doing a holiday light decorating contest this year. My husband thinks we can win by adding eve...
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Soft White vs. Daylight Bulbs: What’s the Difference?
Lighting is maybe the most significant tool you can use to set the scene in each room of your home. While cool, brigh...
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DuroMax XP12000EH Generator Review: Power at an Affordable Price
I’ve been in the emergency power world for the past few years, somewhat obsessing over it. While most of my journeys ...
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Light Fixture?
Highlights The typical cost range to replace a light fixture is from $112 to $287, with a national average cost of $...
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String Lights Aren't Just for Christmas: 13 Ideas to Decorate With Them Year-Round
Don’t pack those string lights away after the holidays. Instead, use them to bring light and a bit of character throu...
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12 Pro Tips for Hanging Holiday Lights Outdoors
Whether you’re battling with the neighbors for the best holiday lighting display or want to hang outdoor lights for t...
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Dual-Fuel Dynamo: A Westinghouse WGen9500DF Generator Review
It’s unwise to leave power needs up to chance—especially during an emergency situation or while enjoying off-grid adv...
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Do LED Lights Attract Bugs? What All Homeowners Should Know
Q: The incandescent bulb in my porch light burned out and I want to replace it with a more efficient LED, but I’m con...
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Adaptability: The Best Thing About the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max Solar Generator
When the power goes out, we have options. Prior generations weren't just inconvenienced; they also had to deal with t...
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Jackery’s Largest Solar Generator May Be Your Next Emergency Essential
As the maker of the world’s first outdoor portable power station, Jackery recently introduced its most flexible and h...
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13 Home Improvements You Might Make That Your Neighbors Will Probably Hate
Improving your home is exciting: Whether they’re minor or substantial, indoors or out, property upgrades can change t...
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The Best LED Shop Lights of 2023
LED shop lights are widely regarded as the best option for several reasons. There is tremendous variety, so there’s s...
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20 Garden Lighting Ideas to Add Interest to Your Landscape
The plants, flowers, and produce in your garden beds and boxes look glorious in daylight, but once the sun sets, they...
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These String Lights Claim to Prevent Bug Bites: See What Happened When I Tested Them
Nothing disrupts a relaxing evening outside like mosquitoes. Just like clockwork, when the sun goes down, the bugs co...
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Lots of Light for a Low Price? Find Out How the Slonik Headlamp Hard Hat Light Fared in Our Tough Tests
Great hard hat lights are quite difficult to come by. They’re either too dim, slip off, or simply can’t hold up to th...
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How to Plan a Whole House Light Fixture Update to Reflect Your Design Style
Does your lighting design date the appearance of your home? Here’s a bright idea: Change out the fixtures (or even ju...
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Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights Lit Up My Life
Outdoor lighting is one of the best enhancements for any home exterior, whether for patios and decks or walkways and ...
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The Best Smart Outdoor Lights of 2023
Smart outdoor lights can be useful throughout the backyard or garden, with choices to light up pathways, improve secu...
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14 Things You Should Never Clean With a Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are invaluable tools for removing graffiti, dirt, and other stuck-on debris from surfaces, but there...
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9 Uplighting Techniques to Illuminate Your House and Landscape
Maintain curb appeal after dusk with a thoughtful outdoor lighting plan for your home and garden. Using upward-facing...
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No Sunlight, No Problem: This Grow Light Keeps My Plants Alive in Any Room of the House
Insufficient light is one of the worst stressors for indoor plants. Poor plant lighting can cause stems to stretch or...
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How Much Does a GFCI Outlet Cost to Install?
Highlights The typical cost range for a GFCI outlet installation is $130 to $300, with customers paying a national a...
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Getting a Tax Refund? These Are the Best Home Improvements to Make With $100 to $10,000
If you're a tax procrastinator and you're just now finding out that you're getting a refund, it might be tempting to ...
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How to Install LED Light Strips
Many lighting projects might challenge the average DIYer, but learning how to install LED strip lights while avoiding...
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How Much Does a Whole-House Surge Protector Cost to Install?
Highlights The typical cost to install a whole-house surge protector ranges from $70 to $700, with the national aver...
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The 12 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make With Your Smart Home Devices
Many of the everyday tasks of life—locking the door, adjusting the thermostat, dimming the lights, and capturing porc...
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7 Awesome Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Backyard
Darkness needn’t put a damper on backyard activities like swimming and barbecuing. By installing backyard lighting, y...
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Solved! What Does a Candle in the Window Mean?
Q: Every winter I see a candle displayed in my neighbor’s window. It’s beautiful, but I’m not sure if there’s more to...
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The Best Wayfair Black Friday Deals So Far on Sofas, Appliances, and More
We may still be a couple weeks away from the day after Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until Bla...
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12 Pool Lighting Ideas to Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space
Swimming pools may conjure images of fun in the sun, but they aren’t exclusively used during the daytime. Many pool o...
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26 Types of Christmas Lights for All of Your Holiday Displays
As the winter holiday season approaches each year, homeowners once again begin planning their Christmas light display...
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The Best Solar Charge Controllers
When installing off-grid solar power, a solar charge controller (or solar regulator) will function as the brain of yo...
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The Best Outdoor Solar Lights for a Backyard Paradise
Outdoor solar lights simplify exterior illumination, giving you beautiful, functional lighting without the need for w...
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How to Clean a Lampshade
Keeping your home dust-free is sometimes easier said than done. Unfortunately, dust collects everywhere, not just on ...
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The Best Solar Lanterns
 Solar-powered lanterns are similar to traditional lanterns, but instead of relying on batteries or electricity to wo...
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How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting?
Typical Range: $100 to $500 National Average: $330Recessed lighting is a great way to illuminate a room and make i...
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The Best Tactical Flashlights
Designed to be rugged and used in demanding situations, tactical flashlights should be bright, durable, and dependabl...
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The Best Places to Install Motion-Sensing Lights Outside Your Home
Outdoor motion-sensing lights illuminate your property when needed without wasting power. Much in the same way a moti...
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The Best Outdoor Wireless Security Camera Systems With DVR
While there are security systems that offer outdoor cameras, they also come with hefty up-front costs and typically h...
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The Best Basement Lighting
Shining some light on below-grade spaces can do a lot for your home. Proper lighting increases the usability of your ...
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The Best Flush Mount Lights of 2023
In most homes, flush mount lights illuminate the rooms. While nothing is wrong with standard dome lighting, trading o...
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The Best Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
Using energy-efficient light bulbs is a simple way to help reduce your bills. Having energy-efficient bulbs on hand m...
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Bob Vila Editors Reveal Our Favorite Home Purchases of 2021
It’s probably no surprise to reveal that Bob Vila’s editors are all about home gear and care: Our product reviews sta...
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The Best Chandeliers of 2023
Chandeliers have come a long way from elaborate lighting exclusively reserved for mansions, castles, and palaces of t...
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The Best Track Lighting
Track lighting kits are a great option for lighting medium- to large-size rooms in which other forms of lights are ei...
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What Does a Green Porch Light Mean?
Q: My neighbors’ front porch light is green, rather than white or yellow. I know that a blue porch light signifies su...
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11 Cable Types Every Homeowner Should Know
Cables are used to connect one device to another, whether the device is a television, router, or computer. However, n...
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10 Bathroom Lighting Ideas for an Instant Update
Bathroom lighting can help style the space and add the functionality you desire. Whether you want an automated experi...
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The Best Online Lighting Stores of 2023
The right lighting can make a house feel like a home. Besides providing utilitarian illumination, good lighting helps...
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Feit Electric String Lights Review: Do They Work?
String lights are a traditional part of outdoor holiday decorating, but their appeal extends beyond a holiday season....
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The Best Table Lamps
Today’s lamps are manufactured in different types of designs with a range of functions. Some are dimmable, and many o...
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The Best Outdoor Light Bulbs
Outdoor light bulbs provide extra security and crucial visibility for those coming and going after dark while enhanci...
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12 Home Office Lighting Ideas for a More Productive Workspace
Lighting quality is important in any room, but is especially crucial in your work space. Poor lighting isn’t just a m...
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The Best Solar Deck Lights Tested in 2023
High-quality solar deck lights can add a lovely glow to your deck space without adding a penny to your electric bill....
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Don't Throw Your Old Christmas Lights in the Trash—Do This Instead
If you’ve been throwing your dead Christmas lights in the trash, we get it. After spending what seems like all 25 day...
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The 11 Best Indoor Christmas Lights of 2023
What would the holidays be without Christmas lights? These twinkling decorations can illuminate even the darkest of w...
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The Best Outdoor Christmas Lights of 2023
What would the holidays be without outdoor Christmas lights to illuminate the winter darkness? Whether they’re tiny t...
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Headed Back to the Office? Here’s How to Make Your Cubicle Feel More Like Home
Back to WorkMany employers are in the process of instituting back-to-work plans that require either full-time or part...
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The OLIGHT Tactical Flashlight Is Worth Every Penny—Find Out Why
Tactical flashlights—intended to offer the same powerful light intensity as flashlights used by the military—are typi...
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Are These Highly-Rated LED Lights Worth the Money?
Philips is a major player in the lighting industry worldwide. Offering everything from conventional lamps and tubes t...
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Is the NITECORE Flashlight Worth the Money? See What I Found Out When I Put It Through Its Paces
Consumers can choose from a wide variety of tactical-style flashlights that are designed to offer the same benefits a...
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The 12 Best Flashlight Brands
The world is full of lights, so it may seem unnecessary to have a flashlight until the power goes out, or you leave c...
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Solved! How Long Do LED Lights Last?
Q: Lighting experts tout the longevity and potential money savings of LEDs, but is all that true? Are there ways to e...
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Lux vs. Lumens: Learn the Lingo to Choose Your Next Lighting
Watts have been used to indicate the strength of light bulbs for more than 150 years, but they are actually a measure...
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The Best Cordless Lamps of 2023
Cordless lamps are an attractive and affordable way to illuminate a space without the need for an outlet. These batte...
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The Best Places to Install Solar Lights in Your Outdoor Space
Improve the visibility and nocturnal appeal of your home with lighting that doesn't require complicated wiring.
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How to Hang Outdoor String Lights
Outdoor string lights are both stylish and functional, illuminating your outdoor living space while providing an invi...
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The Best Low Voltage Landscape Lighting
Low-voltage landscape lighting can add drama and interest to a home’s features while providing visibility for outdoor...
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The Best Motion Sensor Light Switches
For those who forget to turn lights off, a motion sensor light switch offers an excellent solution for empty rooms th...
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The Best Floodlight Cameras Tested in 2023
If you frequently hear car alarms sounding off at night in your neighborhood, it might be time for a floodlight camer...
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The Best Handheld Spotlights for Extra Light on the Go
Handheld spotlights are a type of powerful flashlight that are great tools to have with you in a roadside emergency k...
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The Best LED Lanterns Tested in 2023
Being left in the dark during a power outage, after a severe weather event, or while on an outdoor adventure can lead...
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11 Deck Lighting Ideas for Illuminating Your Outdoor Space
String lights, pendants and other kinds of lighting can make your deck safer—and more stylish—when the sun goes down.
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3-Way Switch Wiring: A Step-by-Step Guide
In a standard, single-pole switch, one light switch controls one light fixture—on/off. Things get a bit trickier with...
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The Best Hydroponic Systems for Growing Veggies Indoors Year-Round
Hydroponics—the practice of growing plants in water rather than soil—is popular because it offers a way to produce a ...
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The Best Whole-House Surge Protectors of 2023
Extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and thunderstorms pose obvious power-outage threats...
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The Best Solar Post Cap Lights
Even a small deck or yard can make warm weather much more enjoyable because you can move meals outside, sit under the...
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The Best Flame Light Bulbs
Be it a dining room, the front porch, or the back patio, lighting has a significant impact on the look of a space. Th...
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The Best Hand-Crank Flashlights for Light in Emergency Situations
Whether you are safe at home or out on a camping trip, it can be daunting when the lights go out and you are left in ...
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The Best Outdoor Wall Lights
Outdoor wall lights make the spaces outside your home warm, beautiful, and secure. Whether lighting a deck, brighteni...
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The Best LED Desk Lamps
A desk lamp provides supplemental lighting to make it easier to read or review documents, work on a computer, or pay ...
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The Best Propane Lantern for Light Anywhere
For brightening a campsite or outdoor gathering when standard electric lighting isn’t an option, a propane lantern is...
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The Best Solar Gutter Lights to Illuminate Your Outdoor Space
If you’ve ever wanted to add a bit of accent lighting around your home, but would prefer to avoid the cost and inconv...
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The Best Moon Lamp for Relaxing
From acting as a simple night-light to creating a spectacular atmosphere, a moon lamp can provide both useful light a...
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The Best Smart Switches for Your Smart Home
Smart light switches are a way of configuring a home's lighting to respond to verbal commands, program light timers, ...
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The Best Bedside Lamps for Reading Before Bed
A bedside lamp isn’t just a source of light, it’s a gateway to relaxation. There are several factors to think about w...
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The Best Book Lights
For voracious bookworms and avid bedtime readers, a reliable book light is a handy tool. These gadgets make reading i...
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The Best Light Bulbs for Bathrooms
When shopping for bathroom lighting, striking the perfect balance between bright and flattering is tricky. Not to men...
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The Best Vanity Lighting for Every Bathroom Style
Vanity lighting makes our bathrooms sanctuaries, as the bathroom is where we prepare ourselves for the day and then r...
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The Best Penlights for Precise Illumination
If your health care provider has ever pulled a tiny flashlight from the pocket of a lab coat to examine the pupils of...
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The Best Voltage Testers for Your Tool Kit, According to Experts
Those undertaking electrical projects around the home need certain tool box essentials at the ready, including a volt...
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13 Hallway Lighting Ideas That Work Even in Windowless Spaces
Whether you want glamour for a large hallway or function for a narrow one, there’s something for all different styles and needs in this roundup.
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The Best Hard Hat Lights Tested in 2023
Working with limited lighting isn’t safe, and sometimes holding a flashlight isn’t a viable option. A high-quality ha...
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The Best Solar String Lights Tested in 2023
Solar string lights illuminate your outdoor space while adding sparkle and whimsy, creating a pleasant atmosphere for...
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The Best Indoor Gardens for Flowers and Herbs, Tested
Indoor gardens are fun additions to virtually any space, and they’re especially well suited to those who love cooking...
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The Best Lava Lamps
Lava lamps—also known as motion lamps—appeal to both kids and adults because they’re a fun combination of light and m...
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The Best Solar Generators of 2023
Harnessing the sun to create backup power is an alternative to fuel-guzzling gas generators or dual fuel generators. ...
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The Best Wire Cutters
Whether you’re an electrician, mechanic, or DIYer, a quality pair of wire cutters can make an indispensable addition ...
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The 9 Best Solar Flood Lights of 2023, According to Testing
It’s well known that a bright light deters would-be thieves and ne’er-do-wells, but home dwellers either had to have ...
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The Best Night Lights for Kids
A night light helps a child feel safe and secure at bedtime, allowing them to sleep more soundly. Night lights aren’t...
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Why It Matters Whether Your Home Faces North, South, East, or West
“Location, location, location!” may be a well-known real estate rallying cry, but the orientation of a house is impor...
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The Best Smart Dimmer Switches
Smart dimmer switches can help set the mood with appropriate lighting for a variety of occasions, from entertaining f...
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The Best LED Ceiling Lights
Light-emitting diode (LED) technology offers bright illumination while using a fraction of the electricity used by in...
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The Best LED Grow Lights Tested in 2023
For those who are attempting to cultivate houseplants, start plants from seed, or grow vegetables indoors, natural li...
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The Best Wall Sconces
Modern wall sconces can enhance your current lighting decor while adding task, accent, or general illumination to the...
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The Best Recessed Lighting for Coverage and Ambience
Chandeliers, under-cabinet lighting, and ceiling fans all have their place in lighting a home. But to add additional ...
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The Best Color-Changing Light Bulbs
For decades, home interiors reflected the slightly yellowish glow of incandescent lights until LED light bulbs arrive...
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The Best Dimmer Switches
The simple act of replacing a standard light switch with a dimmer switch can change the ambiance of your home. By adj...
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The Best LED Work Lights for Your Projects
When working on important tasks, you need sufficient lighting in your work area, whether it is a professional work lo...
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The Best Tiki Torches for Your Outdoor Space
For those summer barbecues that linger long after the sun goes down, nothing adds ambiance and flair to the outdoor l...
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The Best Pendant Lights of 2023
Pendant lights come in many shapes and styles and add either ambient or task lighting in any room of a home. A lighti...
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The Best Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are a great place to begin making your home, well, smarter. You can turn them on and off, set timer...
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The Best Reading Lights
Your mom was right: Insufficient reading light can cause problems, from fatigue to headaches, and, over time, even ey...
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The Best Floor Lamps, Tested and Reviewed
When you have a limited number of windows and overhead lights, floor lamps can reduce eyestrain and control a room’s ...
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The Best Headlamps for Hands-Free Lighting
There are plenty of good reasons to own a quality headlamp—for taking an early morning jog, pitching a tent under the...
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The Best Garage Lighting Tested in 2023
Whatever the project may be, working in the garage demands sufficient lighting. Dismal, poorly lit garages are not on...
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The Best Small Flashlights To Keep in Your Pocket
If you’ve ever struggled to find your keys or fumbled with them in a lock, then you likely understand the importance ...
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The Best Night Lights of 2023
A night light is no longer just a simple plug-in used in a child’s room to soothe fear of the dark. The best night li...
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The Best Work Lights for the Workshop or Jobsite
A surefire way to hinder progress is by trying to work in the dark. It fatigues your eyes and your mind. Plus, when y...
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We Tested The Best Under-Cabinet Lighting to Illuminate a Kitchen
Talk about a bright idea! Bright light fixtures installed directly underneath the kitchen cabinets illuminate the cou...
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13 Breathtaking Ideas for Backyard String Lights
String lights aren’t just for festive holidays. These bright, affordable mini-bulbs can add sparkle and enjoyment to your outdoor spaces, whatever the season.
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The Best Keychain Flashlights to Carry With You
If you’ve ever fumbled with your keys in a lock because the porch light went out or stumbled around in the dark due t...
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Our Hands-On Review of the 8 Best LED Light Strips
LED light strips are long circuit boards with surface-mount device light-emitting diodes (SMD LEDs) that bring illumi...
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The Best Outdoor String Lights Tested in 2023
Outdoor string lights can brighten a backyard or a patio space and make warm nights more relaxing and festive. These ...
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The Best Grow Lights Tested in 2023
When it comes to plants, all light is not equal. Unless you have a greenhouse or an unlimited number of south-facing ...
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The Best Portable Generators of 2023
Portable generators supply power to a home, appliances, small electronics, and even an RV in the event of a power out...
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The Best Solar Path Lights Tested in 2023
Path lights help extend outdoor enjoyment well past sunset, and when solar powered, they don’t even add to your elect...
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The Best Flashlights: Tested for Camping, Power Outages, and More
Flashlights have come a long way since they were first introduced in 1898. Battery-operated and portable, these handh...
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7 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights Tested in 2023
Outdoor illumination keeps the home visible at night and helps deter crime, but leaving lights on all night is a cost...
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The Best LED Light Bulbs of 2023
Nowadays, many renters and homeowners choose light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) over the classic incandescent, fluores...
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The Best Christmas Lights to Brighten the Holiday Season, Tested
Decorating with colorful lights is a fun, festive part of the holiday season, both indoors and outside the home. For ...
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3 Tips to Choosing Track Lighting
In the evolution of illumination—from torches to torchiers—track lighting is a relative newcomer. While originally us...
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7 Bright Ideas for Dining Room Lighting
Mix and match from this menu of alluring options to achieve the perfect lighting for your dining room.
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6 Reasons for Installing Recessed Lighting Throughout the Home
Since the technology arrived in the 1930s, installing recessed lighting has become de rigueur in new construction and...
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10 Reasons to Consider Switching to Smart Light Bulbs
You’ve heard of LEDs. You’re aware of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). So what’s the next big idea in home illumination? They’re called smart bulbs, and they co...
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Which Window Treatment Works Best for Your House? Blinds vs. Curtains
Window treatments let you control light, privacy, and indoor temperature while complementing your décor. While you’ve...
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Solved! How to Create a Beautiful and Effective Kitchen Lighting Design 
Q: My kitchen doesn’t get much natural light, and our current light fixtures don’t provide adequate illumination for ...
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25 Illuminating Lighting Ideas for a Beautiful Kitchen
There are so many decisions to make when you're remodeling a kitchen—cabinetry, appliances, countertop material, faucets, backsplash—that it’s easy to shortchange...
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10 Ways to Improve Your Garage Lighting
Whether you use it for parking your car, as a workshop, a storage hub, or all of the above, you need good lighting in...
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Solved! The Best Bathroom Lighting
Q: I’m redoing my master bath and am overwhelmed by illumination options. How do I decide on the best bathroom lighti...
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8 Things to Know Before Installing Recessed Lighting in Your Home
Unobtrusive illumination installed flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting can be found in virtually all types of h...
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The One Tool Your Workshop Is Probably Missing
This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse. com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Even if y...
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9 DIY Lanterns to Illuminate Your Porch, Patio, or Garden
When the weather gets warm, outdoor living heats up, and porches and patios become the place to be. As your sunny days shift to balmy nights, add some atmosphere ...
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How To: Remove a Broken Light Bulb
Incandescent light bulbs are known to occasionally shatter in their fixtures—and when they do, it’s both difficult an...
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10 Ways You're Killing Your Curb Appeal
Never underestimate the importance of curb appeal. Not only does your home exterior give a first impression to guests, it can also influence real estate transacti...
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How To: Dispose of Light Bulbs
If you recently set out to upgrade your home with more energy-efficient light bulbs, you've likely seen there's a big...
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10 Big Ideas for Your Small Dining Room
A dearth of space in your dining area need not put a damper on your next get-together. Yes, even if your eating area ...
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Solved! How High to Install a Light Switch
Q: Our screened-in porch is undergoing some updates, including the installation of overhead lights and addition of a ...
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DIY Lite: A Beginner-Friendly Build for a Rustic Wooden Lantern
Wooden lanterns placed throughout the home—on the window sill, fireplace hearth, dining table, or the steps up to the...
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16 Brilliant Lighting Ideas You Can DIY on a Dime
Stylish lighting is key to a truly finished room. The right lighting fixture adds drama, creates a focal point, establishes a cohesive style for your space—and gi...
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All You Need to Know About Transom Windows
Few architectural structures and details survive centuries of passing trends and technological advances in the way th...
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Types of Light Bulbs and Light Bulb Shapes Every Homeowner Should Know
It’s not your imagination: The light bulb section at the hardware store has expanded. With so many types, colors, and...
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8 Common Lighting Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
A light is a light, right? Well, not quite. The truth is that when it comes to residential lighting, many homeowners mistakenly believe that any light will do the...
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DIY Lite: Easy Tiki Torches for a Bug-Free Backyard
Nothing spoils an outdoor gathering like unwanted guests, namely the buzzy ones. Enjoy summer nights free from the mo...
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How To: Make an LED Marquee Letter
Hunting for a statement piece that really speaks to you requires a certain amount of time and patience. Fortunately f...
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15 "Under $100" Lighting Solutions for Every Room
Shopping for a new lamp, pendant light, or wall sconce comes with a healthy dose of sticker shock. Who knew that lighting a home could set you back a small fortun...
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DIY Lite: A Modern Floor Lamp with a Most Unusual Shade
Any interior designer will recommend layering multiple light sources, from wall sconces to floor lamps, for both illu...
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10 Shortcuts to a Not-So-Scary Basement
If you have an unfinished basement, you probably don’t want to spend a ton of time down there. The air is musty, the floors are damp, and it feels just a tiny bit...
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Solved! How to Fix Flickering Lights in Your Home
Q: Help! We have multiple lights flickering in our house. As far as I know my house isn’t haunted, but I can’t help w...
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DIY Lite: Upgrade Simple String Lights on a Shoestring Budget
Thoughtful lighting is key to evoking a desired ambience in nearly any space. (They don't call it "mood lighting" for...
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8 New Ideas for DIY Outdoor Lighting
Sure, days are longer in summer, but still not quite long enough to squeeze in all the seasonal fun. Stay out after dusk when you light the night with these 8 DIY...
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8 Bright Ideas to Boost Natural Light
Bringing natural light into your home is both economical and enjoyable. Here are seven ways to let the sun shine in throughout your house.
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Quick Tip: Make Your Candles Last Longer
To coax a candle into burning more slowly so that you can enjoy it for a longer period of time, try out one or all of...
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So, You Want to... Install Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting has been around since the 1930s, and even though its popularity seems to have waned in recent years...
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The 9 Best Lighting Picks for Your Bedroom
Though bedrooms are primarily for sleeping, they aren’t meant to be dark all the time. A bedroom should have a combination of both portable and installed lighting...
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10 Classic Ways to Brighten a Dark Room
Bringing light to a dark room will immediately make it more appealing. If making structural changes like adding windows, doors or skylights just isn’t in the card...
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DIY Concrete Lamp
Concrete is one of the most versatile materials. And unlike many raw materials, concrete can be molded into any shape...
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Hanging by a Thread: 9 Inventive Ways to Hang Pendant Lights
Whether you've bought a new pendant light or sacrificed your weekend to DIY one of your own, deciding how to hang the light is just as important as the light itse...
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Choosing the Right Bulb (and Dimmer)
Up until recently, buying a light bulb was probably as routine for most people as buying a carton of milk. But new li...
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Weekend Projects: 5 Ways to Make a DIY Floor Lamp
When it comes to lighting, form and function are equally important. You want your fixtures to let you see what you're...
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How to Fix Christmas Lights: Troubleshooting, Repair, and Maintenance
 If avoiding frustration and preserving your holiday spirit are at the top of the wish list this holiday season, lear...
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Which Lighting Where? 9 Pro Tips for Improved Illumination
There's much more to lighting your home than just picking out a few attractive decorative fixtures. With these helpful tips from the experts at Bellacor.com, you ...
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11 Eye-Popping Chandeliers Made from the Everyday
From soda bottles and bicycle chains to cutlery and toothpicks, these dazzling chandeliers illuminate the value—and fun—of putting unremarkable old stuff to brill...
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5 Questions to Ask Before Installing Pendant Lighting
Jean Nayar is the author of Detailing Light (The Whitney Library of Design), a book on lighting designed by the count...
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Landscape Lighting 101
Landscape lighting can turn a visitor from feeling wary to welcome. It can change the rest of the yard from Nightmare...
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Top Tips for Eco-Friendly Lighting at Home
Today’s residential lighting considerations go beyond decorative fixtures. Lighting influences our general well-being...
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How To: Devise a Lighting Plan
The spaces that people use for social purposes are defined in part by light. Too often, however, lighting design miss...
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9 Lampshades You Can Make Before Lights Out
If you have a tired table lamp, a lackluster lantern, or a pooped-out pendant, take inspiration (and instruction) from these fresh and easy DIY ideas—and let ther...
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How To: Replace a Ceiling Light Fixture
Let’s face it: Many homes today feature inadequate, poorly positioned, and sometimes plain-old ugly light fixtures. B...
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Be Dark Sky-Compliant When Lighting Up the Night
Warmer weather encourages us to spend more time on the deck, porch, or patio. Of course, lighting can extend outdoor ...
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How To: Rewire a Lamp
You bought a beautiful antique lamp but upon closer inspection, you notice there is damage to the sheathing, the plas...
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Top Tips for Adding Under-Cabinet Lighting in Your Kitchen
Under-cabinet lighting can vastly improve the workability and appearance of your kitchen. For starters, under-cabinet...
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9 Easy-to-Make Garden Luminaries
Even if you are not an avid DIYer, you can easily make one of these garden luminaries to lighten your landscape.
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How To: Replace an Outdoor Wall Sconce
Updating the entrance to your home is a relatively easy thing to do. Add a pop of color by painting the front door in...
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How To: Install a Dimmer Switch
I like mood lighting as much as anyone, particularly first thing in the morning when the full blast of light from a 1...
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How to Install a Light Fixture
While any projects having to do with electricity are not to be taken lightly, installing a light fixture is a task ma...
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Revising the Landscaping Plan
Bob talks with landscape architect Rick Lamb about revisions to the plan. Bob points out the redesigned parking area and the plan for magically melting the snow.
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Retrofitting a Gas Light
Bob meets electrician Barry Driscoll, who is retrofitting an old gas light fixture to make a modern electrical one. Then Bob meets with lighting consultant Penny ...
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Restoring Old Double-Hung Windows using Spring-Loaded Balances
Bob meets with architect Gregory Rochlin and expert carpenter Danny Ruffini to restore old double-hung windows and replace lead sash weights with new spring-loade...
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Placing Windows on a Home's Facade
A double window is installed in the kitchen, which will let in a lot of sunlight and give a view of the back yard.
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Installing a Porch Floor and Light and Constructing a Porch Trellis
The front of the Melrose house gets finishing touches, including a new, insect-resistant porch deck, new trellises, and a porch light.
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Planning Exterior and Interior Lighting, Storage Solutions, and Interior Decorating
A high-tech lighting control system is reviewed, as well as furniture, storage, and decorating choices in various rooms.
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Installing Exterior Lighting
Landscape lighting is installed in the front and back yards.
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Reviewing the Penthouse Living Area & Kitchen
Bob surveys the interior decorating of the penthouse apartment, as well as the top-quality materials and appliances in the kitchen. Also, Bob learns about the dif...
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Installing Recessed Lighting Fixtures
Barry Driscoll (from Driscoll Electric) is installing some new Lightolier recessed fixtures specially designed for use in remodels.
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Tour of the Home's Exterior, Lighting Design, and Completed Kitchen
Bob tours the exterior of the completed Victorian restoration project house, remarking on the color scheme, breezeway, and artist's studio. Inside the house, Bob ...
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Lamp Making and Landscaping
Bob explores the practice of custom lamp making and learns more about the outdoor fireplace.
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Technology Systems in the Governor's Mansion
Bob inspects the remote device, controlling the PA system, HVAC, lighting, and entertainment systems. In the basement, Bob Ryley is exploring the wires and cables...
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Reviewing the Kitchen Appliances
Bob peeks into the "first kitchen", the kitchen in the first family's private living quarters. Todd Graves (from GE) shows Bob the Halogen oven.
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Lighting Design Discussed
Bob exhibits a complete proper lighting plan of the loft project and looks on as a suspended track lighting system is suspended in the bedroom. Also, lighting des...
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Discussing Different Types of Light
Bob meets with lighting designer Markus Earley, who explains the differences between various types of lights. Then, Bob also meets with Tony Zwain, who explains h...
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Reviewing the Lighting Plan
Bob goes over the lighting plan with designer Markus Earley, then meets with electrician Tony Zwain to learn how electricity is distributed throughout the building.
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Tour of the Completed Loft Conversion, Part 2
Collaborating architect Lisa Shire accompanies Bob, as he continues his tour of the completed loft conversion.
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Installing Recessed Lighting
Ed House (from Cliff Electrical Contractors) is installing recessed lighting.
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Tour of the Lightolier Manufacturing Plant
Bob visits the Lightolier manufacturing plant, which covers 6 acres, and receives a tour from the director of design, Bob Wetikin.
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Mahogany Deck and Kitchen Appliances
Carpenter Bob Ryley works on the mahogany deck, while new kitchen appliances are installed and the lighting and cabinets undergo examination.
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A Retrospective of Restoration Projects in the Elmwood Neighborhood
Bob recaps the entire Elmwood project. It was a community effort involving an array of houses, though great pains were made to adhere to the historic look of the ...
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Tour of the Completed Workout Area
Bob takes a final tour of the home workout area, discussing the tub surround and the new exercise equipment.
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Installing Rope Lights
Rope lights are installed in the ceiling of the living room. The ropes are cut to length, capped, and clipped into place. They are then covered with a stained gla...
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Installing Light Panels
Bob and carpenter Cortney Lofton demonstrate how to install light panels on the ceiling in the attic.
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Discussing the Zen Garden Design
Bob meets with Donald Young for a tour of the home's Zen garden. Donald discusses the plant choices and lighting requirements in a garden of this size. Slate tile...
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Plans for the Greenhouse
Bob, the architect, and the homeowner discuss plans for the new greenhouse. The exact position of the greenhouse in relation to the existing house is chosen so as...
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Stone Patio, Landscaping, and Outdoor Lighting
Bob joins landscape designer Ruth Foster to discuss her plan for a stone patio and hot tub. Low-voltage outdoor lighting will also be installed.
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Installing Track Lighting
Track lighting is installed in the automotive portion of the garage, and Bob reviews the bulbs, hardware, and mounting techniques used.
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Tour of the Completed 'Boat Barn'
Bob takes a close look at the boat storage part of the building (the 'boat barn'), highlighting interior features like the lighting and mechanical systems. Contra...
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Touring the Home Addition
The designer shows Bob around the addition, pointing out certain highlights, such as the breezeway with exposed studs and the Victorian-influenced lighting design...
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Shirley-Eustis Colonial Governor's Mansion Tour
Bob meets with Lynn from the Shirley-Eustis Colonial Governor's Mansion Association. Together they tour the Federal-style home, noting an Irish crystal chandelier...
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Recessed Lighting Installation
Bob lays out the lighting design for the kitchen. Electrician Steven Bradley shows Bob how to install a high-hat light fixture, from the mounting to the wiring to...
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Reviewing the Landscape
Bob meets with a landscaper to discuss the existing plantings, some of which will be removed or cut back to maximize the amount of interior light. Trees, shrubs, ...
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Installing a Box Bay Window
Bob helps carpenter Bob Ryley and crew install a new box bay window, which will enlarge the dining space and enhance the interior atmosphere.
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Wiring the Colonial Lantern Fixture
After taking stock of progress that's been made, Bob begins wiring a hanging light fixture for a special colonial lantern in the front hall.
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Hooking Up the Refrigerator Ice Maker
Bob has finished wiring the Colonial-style light fixture in the entryway and, back in the kitchen, the refrigerator ice maker is hooked up.
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Reviewing the Home Exterior
Bob and carpenter-contractor Bob Ryley review the exterior of the home, pointing out the new trellis and the new entryway. Next, they move inside to have a look ...
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Finishing the Basement Family Room
The circle-head window, and its accompanying window seat, are now finished in the family room basement.
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DIY Light Fixture
General contractor Ron Gan builds an inexpensive do-it-yourself lighting fixture in the bathroom.
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Selecting Light Fixtures
AJ Paron-Wildes (from Bellacor.com) joins Bob to talk about selecting lighting fixtures. Depending on the room or activity, different fixtures are recommended.
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Regulating the Refrigerator Temperature More clips
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