By Sue Grisham
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| L: David Bergman and Caroline Rinker C: Michael Barr R: Veronica Whitlock and Terry Stewart |
Furniture, cabinet, closet, and architectural hardware manufacturer Hafele America hosted a sold-out gathering February 27, sponsored by the New York chapters of International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) and Designers Lighting Forum (DLF) as designers eagerly listened to a panel of experts reveal the latest applications for LEDs in residential projects.
The panelists were: lighting designer Francesca Bestanini of Lumen Architecture; Linda Holtzschue, author of Understanding Color: An Introduction for Designers; Charles Pavarini, III, of Charles Pavarini Design Associates; Jeff Dean of Lutron Electronics; Paul Connell of Eco Lighting Products and Eco Electrical Services; and Todd Manegold, director of LED lamps marketing for Philips Lighting.
Audience questions included the use of dimmers, color temperature consistency, and LEDs in enclosed fixtures.
Architect and lighting designer David Bergman, of Bergworks GBM, said he was pleased to see so many non-lighting people at the Hafele showroom. “Interior designers specify what they’re used to,” he explained. Added Caroline Rinker of rep sales agency O’Blaney-Rinker Associates “This is LED Lighting 101, to show what is possible with LEDs.”
“Lighting is a big issue today,” noted Veronica Whitlock of the New York School of Interior Design, who attended the event. “The technology is changing so rapidly and everyone has to keep up with what’s next.”
Terry Stewart, of Terry Stewart Interior Design Associates, revealed that has used LEDs in many restaurant and bar projects, “but I am eager to see how they can be used in residences.”
Michael Barr, account supervisor with Lutron, was pleased with the “broad spectrum of people” who came to the event.
