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Accent lamps
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Used for mood lighting, a decorative accent, or to draw attention to a particular area.
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Ambient
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Ambient light, also known as "general light", is an overall level of lighting in your room. Ambient light should provide a comfortable amount of light to suit how the room is used.
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Banker's lamp
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A type of desk lamp, traditionally with a green glass "pharmacy" shade. Newer styles come in blue, white, or yellow or even Tiffany glass.
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Baffle reflector
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A device which reflects light downward and diffuses light upward to reduce glare. Generally used on shades with large top diameters.
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Base
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The decorative body of the lamp, a base can be constructed from an array of materials: metal, brass, porcelain, crystal, hydrocal, or wood to name a few. Bases should be solidly constructed to resist tipping during normal use.
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Base switch
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Found on the base of a lamp, base switches add convenience when turning the lamp on/off.
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Boudoir lamp
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A lamp suited for the bedroom.
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Buffet candlestick
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A tall, slender accent lamp used primarily on sofa-back tables, consoles, mantels, or buffets. Buffet candlesticks are also great on bedside tables.
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Candelabrum lamp
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A lamp base comprised of a decorative candlestick with several arms or branches.
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Desk lamps
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Used on desks for work or study. Light source should be about 15" above work area.
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Dimmer switch
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Gradually increases/decreases light intensity. Most torchieres are equipped with dimmers or high/low switches.
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Drum-style shade
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Like a cylinder, the diameter of a drum shade is the same at top and bottom.
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Eclectic
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The borrowing of ideas from many sources. In design, the term describes different periods that can be blended together.
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Empire-style shade
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Narrow on top and slightly wider at the bottom, creating a triangular shape.
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Faux
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Not genuine or real. Refers to finishes and materials, such as faux marble.
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Finial
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Decorative ornament which fastens the shade to the harp.
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Fitter
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Within the top diameter of a shade, three prongs meet in a center ring where the shade fits to the harp. Also known as "Spider".
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Floor lamp
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Standing lamp, sometimes referred to as "Stick", used for general lighting.
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Fluorescent
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Energy efficient bulbs, using 2040% less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs.
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Fluting
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Deliberate vertical lines as a conscious part of design. Fluting was first found in Greek and Roman columns.
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Foot candles
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The amount of light reaching the subject.
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Halogen
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Small, hot-burning bulbs, often used for task or accent lighting. Halogen bulbs have a longer life and provide more light per watt.
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Hard-back shade
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A shade made with a paper or vinyl lining.
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Hardwire lighting
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Fixtures wired directly to the buildings electrical system rather than plugged into the wall socket. These include overhead, bathroom, wall sconces and track and recessed lighting.
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Harp
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Brass finished hardware used to secure a lampshade to the base. Harps vary in size depending on the shade depth, usually 8", 10", or 12".
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Hurricane lamp
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Decorative lamp with a cylindrical glass shade. Original hurricane lamps were used with candles or kerosene and the glass cylinder prevented the candle from being blown out by "hurricane" winds. Hurricane lamps are now equipped with electric light bulbs.
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Lumens
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The amount of light a bulb produces.
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Mica
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Thin layers of mineral which when fused together; create a translucent shade material which emits a warm glow. Mica is used in its natural color or is often dyed amber.
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Mini lamp
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An accent lamp under 15" in height.
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Pharmacy lamp
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Generally used for reading, the pharmacy can be adjusted to a comfortable height according to reading level. The metal or glass shade, usually in a tent or shell shape, swivels for direct lighting.
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Pleat
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A straight, flat vertical fold of cloth, common on lampshades. Soft pleats are gentle and "wavy". Hard or "knife" pleats have sharp, defined edges like a serrated knife blade.
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Portable lighting
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Light fixtures that can be plugged in to a wall socket, and that are easily moved. (i.e. Lamps)
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Relief
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A form of decoration created by carving into or stamping a surface.
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Socket
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Electrical connector into which the bulb is screwed, usually having a switch located at its base. Most lamps are equipped with 3-way standard sockets. Never exceed the maximum wattage, generally shown on the socket.
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SixWay floor lamp
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A 3-way "mogul" bulb surrounded by three additional bulbs allows six different lighting levels. Reaching a maximum of up to 600 watts, this variation of the club floor lamp can light large areas.
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Soft shade
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A shade made with a fabric inner lining and outer material. Soft shades create an elegant look.
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Spider
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See Fitter.
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Swing-arm floor lamp
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A functional floor lamp with a horizontal double arm. Light source can be moved from side to side for reading or project lighting.
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Task Lamp
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Used to illuminate the area where a visual activity like reading, sewing or preparing food occurs.
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Tiffany
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Loosely refers to glass-shaded lamps made from a mosaic of glass panels. Louis Comfort Tiffany applied the Art Nouveau style in his lamp designs in the early 20th century.
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Torchette
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An accent table lamp that directs light upward.
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Torchiere
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A standing floor lamp which directs light upward. Depending on the setting, can emit ambient (general) lighting or accent lighting.
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Tray-table floor lamp
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A club floor with the addition of a glass or wood tray, which serves as an occasional table.
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Twin-Pull desk lamp
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Convenient and decorative pulls allow for easy on/off of one or both bulbs. Well suited for bedside lighting.
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Wattage
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The amount of electricity utilized by a bulb.
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