Many of us have already switched to using compact fluorescent light bulbs, both for their money-saving and energy-saving qualities.  But if you have a light fixture that reveals the bulb... well, it didn't exactly become the high point of your interior designs.  Hide it under a bushel?  No!  Now you can let your eco-friendly bulbs shine proudly, with a fabulous new design called the Plumen 001!

This designer bulb uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.  It has an estimated life of 8 full years - wow!  Realized by the product design firm Hulger, with assistance from British designer Samuel Wilkinson, the Plumen 001's name is derived from the word “plume,” which describes a bird’s large and showy feather.  We think you'll definitely want to show this one off.  The bulb is artistic in nature, appearing in a variety of organic shapes and sculptural outlines when viewed from different angles.

Ever been bothered by a lampshade that just won't stay on straight no matter what you do?  How about chandeliers with multiple lampshades at crazy angles?  I found this great little item from our friends over at Daily Grommet to straighten that problem right out!  The best feature?  It allows clip-on shades to fit energy-efficient spiral CFL bulbs!  It also works with incandescent bulbs up to 150 watts and can be reused in different fixtures.

It's called Magic Toob, a silicone tube invented by a former chemist that has a rubberized surface able to grip the sides of uneven shapes like CFLs.  And lots of us are still not using those energy-efficient spiral bulbs because they don't fit our traditional lampshades!  Sure, you could buy a bulb-shaped CFL, but they cost four times as much as a spiral-shaped one.  And with the US government poised to mandate a phasing-out of incandescents as early as 2012, we should be making the switch, already.

While I was browsing the Net for a ceiling fixture, I found this company called Eleek out of Oregon.  They  seem to have a strong committment to the environment as evidenced by their awards and mission statement.

"Eleek is committed to creating a better world by combining visionary ideals with practical actions: We are committed to understanding and reducing Eleek's impact on the natural environment, and to creating a workplace that fosters community, creativity and personal growth. Toward that end, we will continually seek out cleaner and greener materials, processes, and paradigms. We will incorporate changes as quickly and thoroughly as we can feasibly do so, with the ultimate goal of a positive environmental and social impact. We will work with our employees, our customers, our vendors and our peers to raise the consciousness and standards of our industry."

"Eleek products are durable and timelessly beautiful, designed for non-obsolescence from the start."

"Eleek castings are made of recycled metals whenever possible, with the highest possible post-consumer content. Our cast aluminum, for instance, is 100% recycled with a post-consumer content between 70-100%, depending on the product line. Pewter, bronze, cast iron and aluminum remnants are utilized in casting. We recycle all other scrap metal."

It is time for Friday Finds again and today I'm bringing you a light fixture from Ohmega Salvage in Berkeley, CA.  The description is scant but says the fixture is Craftsman and has a mica shade.  $350.  If you aren't in the Bay Area, don't fret as Ohmega Salvage works with national and international shippers.  Open seven days a week, 9:30AM-6PM, closed Saturday July 4th. 

2407 San Pablo Ave.

My UC Berkeley Extension Sustainable Interiors class went to the Pacific Energy Center Monday night.  Ryan Stroupe gave us an informative overview of Lighting and Energy Efficiency.  What the heck is the Pacific Energy Center (PEC)?  "The Pacific Energy Center offers educational programs, design tools, advice, and support to create energy efficient buildings and comfortable indoor environments. Most of [their] efforts are focused around commercial buildings, however, other departments offer advice and information for residential buildings."  The PEC has classes around the Bay Area; find more information here.