Tag: <span>lighting</span>

gold lightingIf you don’t already know about Barbara Cosgrove’s lamp designs—let me tell you—they are gorgeous! I’ve been eyeing her work for a few years, but now I have an apartment pretty enough to warrant such chicness.

By description, an all white lamp doesn’t sound all that exciting but a high-gloss porcelain base and gold leaf-lined shade—that thrills me to no end. Modern but feminine, this lamp spoke to me; especially when I imagined it cuddled up with my 1940s French chair of the same palette and sass.

bedroom lightingAt the time, I didn’t realize my love for extra tall table lamps. But Mike did. He saw this 26″ piece towering above the crowd and, without much struggle, convinced me to get it. I was a little nervous about the height but seeing it in our bedroom, I feel like it brings a sense of importance to the light and the whole space (note: wall art, coming soon).

Barbara Cosgrove mostly sells to boutiques but a ton of her lamps, and the ones I purchased, are available at DecorInteriorsUS.com.

Finds

DesignIdeas-DesignStockholm.jpgLast March, when I suggested construction site light bulb safety cages as a great idea for a modern pendant lamp–I thought I was going out on a limb. But after a weekend at the New York International Gift Fair, it looks like this seemingly-crazy lighting concept may actually be emerging as a legit trend. Some of the presenting designers gave an antiqued look to the industrial design, while others took traditional shade styles and stripped them down to their wire framework. Regardless of the approach, encaged light bulbs were glowing all around the show.

(Above) My favorite light of the group and the closest to my original dream pendant is by Design House Stockholm. Available in gold or chrome plate, the industrial motif is chicer than I ever imagined.

Design-Ideas-lightsRoost’s collection gives a sense of history to the work lamp.

Design-Ideas-Vagabond-Light.jpgThe wide wire shade by Vagabond Vintage gives the bare-bones pendant a more substantial feel as a pendant.

Design-Ideas-LightsPeddlars.jpgIt feels as though Peddlers Design has ripped the fabric off the classic shade design and exposed it for a new urban edge.

Etc Finds

Decorating-Ideas-Island_lightWhen we moved into our apartment last year, we worked as quickly as possible to make it our own–painting, wallpapering, changing hardware, excavating fireplaces, and refinishing floors until there was virtually no trace of the former tenants Jersey/Tuscan villa touches. Though for some reason the easiest thing to change has been one of the last on the list: the kitchen chandelier. This scrolling wrought-iron eyesore has been bringing down our cute, airy apartment for too long, but I’m thrilled to say that its hitting Craig’s List this weekend and the Firefly Pendant Lamp is taking its place!

This light is exactly what I’ve been dreaming up for our kitchen island-cum-dining table–something chic enough for a dinner party but functional enough for cooking. I adore the movement of the five glass globes, while the wide canopy and clear shades will make for great task lighting.

decorating-ideas_lightAt this price ($199) and with this photo, we actually almost bought multiple lamps. Lined up in a row, I cant think of more drama for your dollar. Mike and I measured it out and realized it would a bit much for the space, but if you’ve got a contemporary rectangular dining table in need of a lighting soul mate, two or three of these will be the match made in heaven.

Finds

Electrolux_WineglassLightin.jpgI was completely dazzled by this lighting display at the Kitchen and Bath Show. Giant light bulbs and upside-down wine glasses shimmering and dangling together made a fantastically whimsical display against the stark Chicago convention center. The show is over; it’s long since been torn-down, but I keep thinking about recreating it in my dining room. On a smaller scale with four cordial glasses and three regular bulbs (or CFL for a green statement and spiral design), I know it would be so charming over a dining table! But how to do it? I am not going to lie; I am not fully sure, so I call my go-to guys at Grand Brass Lamp Parts and they have faith I can do it with the following parts and an electrician.

First, I’ll need to buy a flat base plate to put over my ceilings electrical box and drill seven holes into it so I can run my pendant wires and the twine (holding my cordial glass bases) through it.

Within this base plate they suggested attaching a plastic strain relief to grip the wires; that way I can adjust the heights and create a more dynamic look with multiple levels of light and glasses.

Then ultimately I’ll have my electrician (this is not worth DIY electrocution) connect my different wires within the plate so it can have a central source of electricity. The end result (I am hoping) will be a wonderfully quirky pendant that shimmers, sparks conversation, and sets the mood for conversation over a glass of wine with friends. I may be over my head, but sometimes you have to experiment to create the things you love.

Projects