Category Archives: Blog
Staff Spotlight: Meet Susan Arnold
Th
is month we are shining the spotlight on lighting designer Susan Arnold. Susan has been part of the Wolfers family for over 20 years and since our merger with System 7 she has been an integral part of our projects team! Read on to learn more about Susan.
When did your interest in the world of lighting design begin?
Ha I knew nothing of lighting but always had a passion for design as a child. My Mom and Grammie were like Martha Stewart – They were always entertaining and redecorating every room in the house one room at a time. My dad was a great wallpaper hanger, painter, handyman. Lighting came into my life when I was looking to expand my Interior Design background. There was an ad in the newspaper for a lighting showroom called ‘Wolfers.’ I applied and quickly realized how big the world of lighting is and how much it affects our lives and well-being. 27 years later, I am still here designing lighting for all types of projects!
Lighting Trends to Watch from Lightovation 2019
One of our favorite things about the new year is taking in all the gorgeous fixtures and designs at Lightovation, the international lighting show held every January at the Dallas Market Center.
Here are some highlights from this year’s extravaganza, including three lighting trends to watch in 2019.
Disappearing Act: Séura’s TV Mirrors Amaze
As we continue to work more closely with our technology division, System 7, we enjoy introducing our customers to exciting new technologies.
One of the most innovative products and one of our favorites to talk about is the Séura TV mirror.
What is a TV mirror? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a TV that disappears when switched off, melting away into a beautiful framed mirror. No more black box on the wall.
Witness the magic for yourself. Now you see it…
Staff Spotlight: Meet Nick Romano from The Boston Shade Company
We have some fabulous team members across our three brands, and we love to shine the spotlight on them!
Today we’re going behind the scenes at The Boston Shade Company to introduce you to Nick Romano, lead shade installer on the install team.
How and when did you get into the field of window treatment installations?
I got into installing window treatments when I was about 15 years old. My mother is the one who actually got me into it, she had a successful drapery workroom when I was growing up.
I used to go on jobs with her and install draperies and roman shades as well as cellular blinds, so technically it was my first job. I think being exposed to the industry at such a young age really helps with my job now here at System 7.
3 Common Bathroom Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
Ah, the bathroom. Whether yours is an oasis or a heavily trafficked room thanks to the kids, one thing is consistent regardless: you need good lighting.
That said, effectively lighting a bathroom can be tricky. Small rooms and tight spaces can make it challenging when it comes to placing sconces, ceiling lights, and even light switches. Not to mention the bathroom needs to accommodate a variety of tasks that require different types of lighting.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry we can help! Here are three bathroom lighting mistakes to avoid.
Lighting & Technology Design: 2018 Project Highlights
It’s hard to believe December is more than halfway over and 2019 is lurking in the wings. As we wrap up the year, we thought we’d share highlights from a couple of projects we recently completed.
Both projects were in private residences and featured lighting design by our very own Susan Arnold. They also included technology design and motorized shading that Susan coordinated with her colleagues at System 7 and The Boston Shade Company.
We love projects like these that draw upon the strengths of all three of our brands, involving lighting and shading plus a sleek and sophisticated control system to operate it all!
Staff Spotlight: Meet Dan Vassallo from System 7
We often say we have the best team members. And that’s true across our three brands: Wolfers Lighting, System 7, and The Boston Shade Company.
Today, we shine the spotlight on Dan Vassallo, who works as a field manager on the project finish team for System 7.
How did you first learn about System 7? What drew you to the company?
Dan: Todd Gaito, our director of sales, used to work with my wife at a previous company. I had only met him a few times, but he remembered that I was in the A/V industry and reached out when System 7 was growing and looking for field technicians.
At the time, I was on the commercial side of the region’s A/V industry. For five years, I’d been working on big commercial build-outs as a field technician. Then, I spent about a year as an outside salesperson for a smaller commercial A/V integrator.
So Todd called, and we talked at length about System 7, the culture, and the caliber of work. That led to a call with the president of the company, Gerry Lynch. This conversation completely shattered my preconceived assumptions about the “dreaded” residential A/V industry.
Tips for Choosing Kitchen Island Pendants (Plus Showroom Favorites)
Every day in the showroom, we get tons of questions regarding kitchen lighting, specifically kitchen island pendants.
Questions abound for good reason: there are literally thousands of pendants to choose from all in various sizes, shapes, colors, and styles.
Because narrowing down the search can prove incredibly challenging, we’ve compiled some tips straight from our showroom experts along with their current favorite pendants.
As always, if you have questions about your kitchen lighting, please contact us! Schedule a free one-hour consultation with one of our lighting experts in Waltham to review your kitchen lighting plan.
Pro Tip #1: Keep various lighting needs top of mind.
Are you relying on the pendants for task lighting at the kitchen island? And do you envision using the island as a primary food prep or work space?
If so, a pendant with a downward-pointing shade tends to give the best task lighting by directing light onto the work surface.
Further, a pendant whose shade diffuses or blocks the light source from view ensures a brighter bulb can be used to give you more light without causing glare.
Staff Spotlight: Meet Jessica Abramson from The Boston Shade Company
The best team on the planet deserves the spotlight! Today, we shine it on Jessica Abramson, who is the director of shading operations at The Boston Shade Company.
When and how did you come to work for The Boston Shade Company?
Jessica: The Northeast had always been intriguing to me. Good people, good sports teams. I ended up meeting a fella from Massachusetts. We both had lived in California for some time and decided to give Boston a go.
As for my business background, I’d grown up in the shade industry working in retail and as a vendor. When I moved to Boston, my timing was perfect: The Boston Shade Company was looking for some help. I’ve been with the company since 2010.
What is the most unusual (and interesting) shade job you’ve come across in your career?
Holiday Lighting Tips for the Foyer, Guest Bath, and More
With Thanksgiving next week and December just around the corner, we’re in full holiday preparation mode here at Wolfers. We imagine you are too!
As you get ready to welcome family and friends, check out our top lighting tips and favorite fixtures to help make your guests feel at home from the moment they arrive.
