Creating Ambience Using Lanterns

Outdoor spaces, such as gardens, decks, and patios, can evoke a particular feeling or atmosphere which is primarily determined by how they are decorated and lit. Outdoor lighting creates a lot ambience in addition to serving a functional purpose. The style of lighting you use will lend itself to the atmosphere it creates. For example, strong spot lights wash the space with an industrial feel, useful for outdoor workspaces of utility. Candle lanterns provide a serene low-level glow creating a more intimate space and the feeling of relaxation and calm.

There are many styles of lanterns available which will lend to the feel of the space. From Asian paper lanterns, etched glass hanging lanterns, nautical metal lanterns, to free-standing camping lantens. The choices are practically endless.

First, determine the kind of feeling you want to generate in the space and choose lanterns that lend themselves to that feeling. Whether placed randomly, strategically, one by one or in a lighted string, these options help determine the desired atmosphere.

Regardless of the product you choose and how you place them in the space, lanterns will provide great ambience that no other lighting option can quite mimick.

Shedding Some Light on Lantern History

By John Francis

Early lanterns were not decorative at all, but rather utilitarian only. They were primarily square shaped and their designs very plain. The only reason for their existence was to shield the flame of the candle from extinguishing due to wind or breeze. Most early lanterns were rudimentarily designed, and made from sheet iron or tinplate. These were cheap metals and it was rare to find any lanterns made from anything more costly. During the American Revolution, fore example, the more expensive pewter and brass needed to be kept for the forging of guns and molded into ammunition. To use these high-end metals for lanterns was considered a waste.

Early colonists simply retired to bed when the sun went down or lighted a fire for visibility as well as warmth. The first lantern was actually referred to as a lanthorne. Unlike those early years, today's lanterns are not only used for added visibility but for décor as well.

Lanterns hanging in doorways were the only lighting on city streets in the United States a couple of centuries ago. Few towns had any other sort of lighting on its streets. Boston started public lighting during the first years of the eighteenth century. These weren't lanterns initially but iron baskets or cressets that would hang from poles. Fuel came from pine knots. These were found only at busy cross roads and night watch men tended these, keeping them lit. Shortly after towns and cities began to pass legislation that required every sixth home to post a lantern or torch outside for street and sidewalk illumination.

Post lanterns became a prominent part of 1770's Boston. These were generally lit with whale oil. Benjamin Franklin was responsible for the initiation of public lighting in Philadelphia. This took place with the 1751 lantern introduction. The resourceful Franklin realized that two tubes of wick that burned next to each other produced more light than two separate lanterns. He also studied the effect of camphene as a lantern fuel. This turpentine and alcohol combination, though it gave off a considerably brighter light, was very flammable and dangerous.

Gas lanterns came about around 1800, although Europe and most specifically London made the switch to gas lanterns before the United States did so. Paris was lit by gas lanterns as of 1818.

Gas lantern lights were greatly enhanced several times thanks to important discoveries such as the invention of fan shaped gas lantern tubes, a gas an air mixture before lighting the lantern, and a metallic oxide mantle made of cloth to surround the lantern flame.

Buying lanterns, all you need to know from garden lanterns to antique lanterns.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Francis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Shedding-Some-Light-on-Lantern-History&id=209692

Lanterns For Sale

Browse Thru A Large Assortment Best Selling Lanterns

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Great Resources

Shop for Affordable Lanterns: A variety of candle lanterns and holders for use indoors or out.
Smith & Hawken: A premier retailer of outdoor accessories.
Asian Paper Lanterns: Unique Chinese paper lanterns, Japanese paper lanterns, table lamps, silk lanterns, star lamps and more.