Interiors: Chinoiserie

..... so I sort of can't stop thinking about these light fixtures spotted earlier this week on One Kings Lane.  It's been a while since I've been 'wowed' in that department.  Lucky for my bank account; I'm not exactly in the position to be buying household items like this (given that we are living in a rental in Switzerland and all).  But, I've been seriously tempted.... I'd love to style the chandelier one of these two ways in my home in the States.

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And, while I don't usually think of myself as a lover of chinoiserie I do like a small dose here and there in an unexpected color or against a crisp white backdrop like in these spaces....

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For now, I'll have to rely on my beloved blue & white urns and planters for a touch of chinoiserie chic.

Red Light.....

As I mentioned in this post; visiting London last month was a treat...... such a vibrant city and such a feast for the eyes!  I literally felt as if I were walking in a Kate Spade ad amongst all of the perfectly manicured boxwoods, brightly colored doors and storefronts, the red phone booths and double-decker buses; and dapper taxis..... perfection.  However, the visual that keeps coming back to me is that of the choir space in Westminster Abbey.  Specifically, the stunning red lampshades lined up majestically and casting the warmest of glows.

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I've always had an affinity for a touch of red in decors and this has "sealed the deal".  I'm officially on the hunt for the perfect red lampshade to add to my home in the States..... an element of surprise or whimsy in a room or a statement maker (I'm not sure yet)..... Here's some inspiration.....

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.... for a little "London calling" each day! :)

Interiors: Lighting

I never would have guessed that a clip-on light could be so chic......

Land of Nod

...... until I spotted this one compliments of Land of Nod......

now I have visions of them used in a bunk room, on bookshelves, clipped to an oversized mirror.....

Lighting: The Boston Functional Library Wall Lamp

whew!...... what a name, huh?  In my opinion, the easiest way to make a room go from "meh" to fantastic is the lighting choice.  Case in point..... this fixture by designer Sandy Chapman.   Granted it has a rather straightforward design overall but incorporate its slightly exaggerated arm length and various finishes and sizes and it becomes a real focal point in a room.

Now go back and imagine each of these rooms without this fixture

..... a completely different feeling altogether, no?  

What's your opinion on "statement" lighting?

Love it or hate it?

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Lighting: The Thomas O'Brien Goodman Hanging Light

....... thought I'd share with you my latest lighting inspiration; compliments of none other than my favorite Thomas O'Brien ofcourse.

Goodman Hanging Lamp

Visual Comfort

It comes in a variety of finishes but the brass is definitely my favorite..... the combination of these fixtures with that floor, the beautiful tile backsplash, cross-hatched cabinetry...... amazing.  (switch out the bar stools for some with a brass nailhead trim and in my mind.... perfect!)

Visual Comfort

lovely on its own too

Visual Comfort

the image that had me swooning..... I can't get enough of black trim windows and doors.... combined with brass ofcourse!

Houzz

I prefer a pair to 3 or four; but a nice effect nonetheless; I know some folks who would love that TV! :)

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I could definitely be sold on the white with the brass interior; such a warm yet modern look

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or for a more contemporary country (is that even possible?, but that's what it reminds me of); the antique nickel finish

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Lighting bliss!

Lighting: The Star Pendant

The star is one of my favorite symbols of Christmas.  It can be found perched atop Christmas trees, adorning manger scenes, appearing in outdoor lighting displays on churches and homes,  on ornaments and wrapping paper, as cookies, and heralded in Christmas songs....  It is a beautiful reminder of the magnificent light that appeared to guide the Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem.  

When we were renovating our home; I was certain that I wanted this sweet symbol in Marlowe's nursery and her room instantly became my favorite when this fixture was installed.   It is hung in front of a window so that it can be seen from our backyard at night.      

While I especially love it in a nursery, this is just one of those fixtures that makes any space feel special as evidenced by the images below.

........ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.   Matthew 2: 9-11

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Hinkley Lighting

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about my previous disdain for overhead lighting and how it was transformed by the discovery of some great fixtures during the renovation process.  In fact, now I tend to think of light fixtures as being the MAIN statement in a room (how easily I become inspired :))  Circa Lighting was by far my favorite when it came chic, timeless fixtures by amazing designers; but Hinkley Lighting won my heart in the styling category.  I literally spent hours pouring over manufacturer catalogs filled page after page with boring images of fixtures and without finding a SINGLE one until I stumbled upon the Hinkley catalog.  It happened like this........ page turning, page turning as usual....

nothing special really, more page turning.....

and then WOW!!! actual rooms with the fixture hung in them......

..... different view entirely, no?  My perspective changed immediately as my eyes were opened to all the lovely possibilities!  I feel like companies are slowly but surely coming to understand why design blogging and Pinterest are so popular...we like to be inspired by beautiful images.  (... and that's why, before I make any big purchase now, I always Google for images of the item).  

I did, in fact, end up ordering this fixture for my home and while I could use a little stylist's help myself, I love it.

If you'd like to check out some more beautiful images from Hinkley, you can find them posted on my Pinterest lighting board here.

Interiors: The Hicks Pendant

This is what garners the most attention when someone comes to my house for the first time:

the Thomas O'Brien Hicks pendant from Circa Lighting.  

Until we embarked on a whole house renovation, I honestly didn't give much thought to overhead lighting because, frankly, I didn't like it.  I prefer the softer  ambience and more flattering light that lamps provide (provided they have an incandescent bulb) and I don't remember seeing a lot of fixtures that really "wowed" me.  However, my builder insisted I pick out at least SOME fixtures and promised to put dimmer switches EVERYWHERE.  So I poured through catalogs, design books, blogs until I happened upon this image and as they say:

...."the rest is history".  I fell in love with these fixtures because they fit what I was looking for perfectly.... an "acquired" look: something that looks like it could have been inherited; purchased from an antique shop; or better yet, original to the house..... this is how they turned out in my home... 

..... as well as a few others

I really like the versatility of this light too and can imagine moving them to my powder room and foyer in a few years.  In the meantime, I enjoy the fact that they are conversation starters and a welcome accent in my kitchen.  They've really changed my image of overhead lighting.  
More on that to come.

Happy Friday!

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