Ali Bath

In 1938, L. D. Kichler started a small lighting business in Cleveland, Ohio, making the kind of simple fixtures every post-war house needed. Sam Minoff bought the company in 1954, and under his family Kichler grew into one of the best-known names in American residential lighting.

The catalogue today is enormous. Inside, it covers chandeliers, pendants, flush mounts, wall sconces, bathroom vanity lights, under-cabinet lighting and ceiling fans. Outside, it includes wall lanterns, post lights and a deep range of landscape lighting, from path lights to accent lights, that has become one of Kichler's real strengths. Styles stretch from traditional and rustic to coastal and modern, in finishes such as textured black, olde bronze, brushed nickel and chrome, and LED options appear throughout. Because most collections include several fixture types in matching designs, Kichler makes it straightforward to coordinate an entire house, from the front walk to the back deck.