This George III mahogany breakfront features some very unique attributes that require a specialized cabinet lighting service provider. The cabinet was built prior to the advent of linear strip lighting. As such, the shelves lack reveals on the forward edges. This prohibits the use of horizontally mounted linear strip lighting. Either the fixtures themselves will be visible, and thus diminish the presentation; or the cabinet shelves will have to be modified with add-on reveals, thus diminishing the value of the piece.
Instead, ILD cabinet lighting consultants look for opportunities in what is there rather than what we wish was there. When we examine the piece closely, we immediately realize that the vertical styles and cabinet door interiors present us with voluminous opportunities for vertically mounted cabinet lighting strips. Such strips, mind you, must be custom made to match the unique dimensions of this period piece. They must also be thinner than standard retail strips in order to be completely concealed from all viewing angles.
Through our manufacturing connections to high-end, unique antique cabinet lighting strip manufacturers, we can procure fixtures that will hide behind the interior vertical surfaces and remain invisible from all viewing angles. That way, when the doors are shut, all you will see coming from within the glass covered interior display is a warm glow of light. You will not see the fixtures themselves.
These xenon low voltage cabinet lights must be further modified before they can be mounted. Because the cabinet shelves extend too close to the styles and the door trim, it is necessary to segment the strips and wire them in series. This is a source of cabinet lighting that you simply will not find out on the open market. Strip light fixtures in this configuration must first be pre-fabricated, custom cut, and then wired in series to operate effectively.
Due to the age and value of the piece, minimum wood penetration is a mandate in order to avoid doing damage to the breakfront. Installers may find this challenging, but it is not an insurmountable barrier. Our team has a wealth of resources specifically devoted to hidden wiring techniques. Once configured, the cabinet will glow with a magical light that emanates from what appears to be a mysterious, unknown source.
To protect the value of the piece, and to preserve the color and integrity of any rare collectibles displayed within, a superior cabinet lighting source is needed to avoid heat damage. Glass windows in breakfronts, secretaries, and display cases look beautiful, but they are notorious for trapping heat. Until now, people could only use their lights for a limited period of time before they had to shut them off to cool of the cabinet interior.
Now, a new generation of LED cabinet lighting upgrades has emerged on the market that produces a brilliant light with no unwanted heat. ILD designers can find you sources that emulate the golden effects of incandescent, the warm white of xenon. This will allow you to showcase this superb piece of furniture in the best possible light, all day, and all night.
Our manufacturing sources are able to configure strip lights in this manner, and our lighting design team has voluminous technical information on hidden wiring techniques that installers can use to run power to these lights with a minimum of wood penetration.
This preserves both the value and the appearance of the breakfront for future generations.
When you want it done right, the professionals contact Illuminations Lighting and Design. With over 30 years of custom antique cabinet lighting, we have seen it all. From corner cabinets to breakfronts, ILD cabinet lighting installations are second to none!
We invite you to contact us online or call 800-863-1133 to request a design consultation. ILD specializes in all forms of fine art lighting, lighting for paintings, and lighting sculptures. We are located in Houston Texas but provide lighting design services in Austin TX, El Paso Texas, San Antonio TX, College Station Texas, Beaumont TX, Dallas Texas, Midland Tx and points beyond.
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