Bedford Lighting & Home, Bedford Hills
There’s a dizzying array of choices available at Bedford Lighting & Home, but don’t let that put you off if you’re searching for anything that is lighting related.
The store, owned by Chris and Drew Nichols, carries an array of elegant options that are primarily made in the U.S. and are superior to the imported lighting products that many other stores may sell, according to the couple.
PHOTO: Colette Connolly
Before opening in 1992, Drew Nichols had already worked in the lighting business for many years. Chris Nichols, a former IBM employee, dived into their enterprise alongside her husband, but not before taking an interior design course at Parsons The New School for Design.
The knowledge she gained has made her an invaluable asset to the business, which is more boutique designer showroom than lighting store.
Chris Nichols said customers often walk into the showroom looking to buy a specific light fixture without taking into account the size of a room, the height of its ceiling and other factors.
“It’s very easy to come in here, pick something and say I like it,” she said.
To prevent customers from getting carried away by aesthetics alone and to ensure they achieve the desired look, she said it’s important they know what styles best suit their lifestyle and living space.
The store, which draws customers from throughout Westchester as well as parts of Connecticut and New York City, carries an array of products that fall into the traditional, modern and transitional styles of lighting. That includes floor and table lamps, including a variety of Tiffany lamps, ceiling fixtures, outdoor lighting décor such as craftsman lanterns, mirrors, ceiling fans, lampshades and more.
The couple relies on a reliable group of U.S. manufacturers to supply them with their inventory. Some examples include American Brass & Crystal, which is known for its customization of chandeliers, sconces and semi-flush lighting; Brass Traditions, the makers of early American lantern designs handmade in solid brass and copper; Dale Tiffany; and Hubbardton Forge, the country’s oldest contemporary commercial forge that creates distinctive, high-quality wrought-iron lighting.
To remain ahead of the home lighting trends, the couple visits the Dallas Market Center twice a year. The center is known as the international home for lighting, among other products, where thousands of retail businesses have the opportunity to discover the latest in fixed, portable and trend lighting for commercial and residential spaces.
Nichols said there’s been a big shift in lighting design in recent years, with metals, different types of glass and generally a more retro look becoming more popular with manufacturers.
“It’s not your grandmother’s chandelier anymore,” she said, referring to the transition in styles from the formal to the more casual.
While her husband remains busy with lamp and fixture repairs and other aspects of the business, Chris Nichols said that in addition to offering customers in-store advice, she’s often called in to help the remodeling of a home or to enhance individual rooms.
“It’s important that I see the décor and the style so that I can help marry both and create something that will complement the home,” explained Nichols, who frequently works with architects on new home builds and other construction projects.
“It’s not just about the sale,” she added. “It’s also about creating beautiful spaces with lighting.”
Bedford Lighting & Home is located at 748 N. Bedford Rd. in Bedford Hills. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment during the evening and on Sundays. For more information, call 914-666-0680 or visit www.bedfordlighting.com.
Colette Connolly is a copywriter and p.r. expert. She owns Connolly Communications, which is based in Bronxville, New York. Colette specializes in providing content-rich, SEO-optimized press releases, articles, newsletters, brochures, and customer success stories.
