Displaying your treasures

[cbrunett]

I am working on modifying a china cabinet to display some Chalet glass. Does anybody have any tips for lighting. What types of light showcase the glass best (halogen, incandescent, fluorescent, etc). I have read that light coming from multiple angles (multiple light sources) produce a more dramatic affect. Also has anybody experimented with lighting the bases versus having lighting coming from the top.

Any advice or even pictures of displays would be helpful!

[deborah]

Hi there,

Check out the "Showcasing" pages in the "Your Collection" section of the main site. It is all about lighting and displays with lots of pictures and hints. You may find it helpful. Flourescents not usually the best choice. Hope this helps!

Deborah

[Guest]

AT NIGHT IN DARK THESE SPARKLE You can attach/stick as many in a line as you like and come in pk of 3 sticks and plug for power if needed from IKEA i got STAND from there aswell for $80 or something glass shelves aswell
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[deborah]

Hey Bradley,

Just a caution re glass shelves - make sure glass is tempered and thick enough re the weight.I would advise 1/4 inch - especially when you have shelves over shelves. One night heard a huge crash and knew instantly that my glass in my hall display had had something happen to it (husband walked into it in the dark). Thank God for thick glass - not one piece chipped or broken and the shelves held. What I heard was some pieces falling off their display risers. If you use those, make sure big enough for the base with additional space allowed around the piece. I also find the frosted risers don't look great with the glass - the clear acrylic or mirrored risers look the best. Try some risers - gives you more room and your eye reads each piece individually. Can only get on e-bay. Reasonable and so light - shipping nothing.

Like the rope lighting. I have that on top of one of my kitchen cabinets to light a display of weird antique teapots - collected before Chalet. Your display is getting super nice.

Deborah

[cbrunett]

I had looked over the showcase section but was looking for more specifics about types of lighting ie what type of lighting and how many sources of light do you typically use in a display. Also does illuminating a piece from the bottom work well or is it better to illuminate from the top. Also wanted to see if anybody had some nice images of their displays. Always fun to see how others display their items.

Thanks for the information so far!

[deborah]

Hi again,

The larger the width and depth of the display - the more lighting. And the actual number will depend on the natural light that the display receives. In the "Showcasing" section, you can see that I have only used 4 pot halogen lights in both my living room and lower level displays although they are wide areas as there is a great deal of natural light coming into both rooms. Plus I maximized this by backing the display shelves with mirror and there is glass tile over the fireplace which also reflects light from the pot lights above and from the window.

In the living room window ledge display, there are halogen lights above and AT THE SIDE (if possible try this) that I use only at night - not necessary in the day and even if I wanted to, you will find that an abundance of natural daylight washes out artificial lighting so is moot. Because the surface is dark, I only use mirrored risers here and underneath the bases of some of the pieces.

In the hall displays (orange pieces) I was able to use glass shelves so only one halogen pot light (per display area) was necessary - they are 3 foot and 1 foot spaces respectively (old closets) and the pot lights are positioned directly above the shelves and in the centre. This is quite a dark area so I put 3 pot lights down the legnth of the hall as well outside of the display. Did not use spot mirrors or mirrored risers here at all as not necessary with the light and glass on glass. Used clear acrylic so light can shine through everywhere.

In the display of "Smalls", I know it looks like those pieces are lit artificially but they are not - just good table positionning to take advantage of windows on either side of that corner. Once more, used a large shaped mirror beneath the pieces to help bounce the light around.

Re type of lighting - don't use flourescents, use LED or halogen. And keep in mind, use mirrors whenever possible - behind and beneath as it is about maximizing whatever light you have or can add. I have never used mirrors from above - could be interesting on a solo piece.

Hope this is more helpful!

Deborah

[cbrunett]

Thanks! Very helpful information.

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