Set Staging in Latest Elle Decor: Lumens Light and Living

I have had the pleasure of  working with Lumens Light and Living, a fantastic lighting and home decor resource, for the past several months. I have been designing and staging the sets to display featured light fixtures, and in this case, ceiling fans in ads for Elle Decor and Dwell magazines. This latest ad is in the July, August 2011 issue of Elle Decor!

  The process for designing the ads is similar to designing a room, but there are some very important differences. I do come up with a design concept based on "imaginary" clients. The client is based on a demographic that is interested in great contemporary design and wants it for their own home. They aren't afraid to "mix it up" and get creative.

I do use items that are available from the online furniture, area rugs, and decor that are offered on the Lumens website. The vendors and brands being offered by Lumens is expanding every day and include favorites like Tom Dixon, Dwell Studio, Kartell, Blu Dot, Artek, Moooi, Missoni and Thomas Paul. This is a sampling of brands in the Furnishings Home Decor section of the website and does not even scratch the surface!  Lighting is a whole other category and includes pieces by designers like Mary McDonald, Ralph Lauren, Tom Dixon, and Jonathan Adler. Truly, the list is just too long to attempt to capture here. I suggest taking a look over on the Lumens website. Click on "brands" to check it out.

So....I do have a lot to work with! After I come up with the concept, I meet with the amazing group at Lumens to make sure we can procure all of the items we would like to use within our time frame. We are working on a project schedule that includes building the set, or "room" if you will. It may include floors, walls and ceilings, but not always. In this set, it did include all three. Next we need to schedule the photo shoot and dress the set with furniture and accessories, and of course the light fixtures! Next, the Art Director does his magic composing the finished ad in time to meet the magazine issues' deadline.

I am lucky to be working with the amazing crew at Lumens, and look forward every month to hunting for the ads in Elle Decor and Dwell!

Right now, I am right in the middle of the process for some new ads that will be coming out in October! Stay tuned....

Lovely Lighting: Aldo Bernardi

New from Aldo Bernardi.

Many say lighting is the most important design element in a space. It provides a mood...it can make or break a social event ( I mean, can you imagine a romantic dinner with super market lights blazing?)....it can make one look sickly green or beautifully rosy.....it can be a bother if done wrong, and a blessing if done well.

Civetta Chandelier 11.600

So you can imagine my delight whenever I run across a lighting line that not only provides an opportunity for great light quality, but also puts the cherry on top of the visual design of a project. I recently became familiar with just such a line designed by Aldo Bernardi.

Lagazuoi 10. 320

Mr. Bernardi is not new to lighting design. He began his business in the 70's north of Venice Italy. He has been working with local craftsmen to take materials such as copper, brass, porcelain and glass making them into beautifully simple, yet sophisticated fixtures. 

Cimosa 8507

This is but a smattering of what his company has to offer......some of my favorites. Some are from his well established line, and a few are new to the line. I hope you enjoy!

Schiara 12. 010

Vicolo 2850

New! Polare Rame Lar 91/02

Aldo Bernardi Italian Lighting is represented by Ollier Distributors. For information on where to find these beautiful fixtures click on over HERE.

My Kitchen Pendant Lights

Pendant lights. They are like the icing on the cake, the last piece of jewelry to make the outfit perfect. When I was designing my kitchen, I wanted something simple, classic, and a bit on the casual side. I was going for a vintage farmhouse with a little commercial kitchen and Napa Bistro thrown in. We love to cook and spend a lot of time in our kitchen, so I wanted really good light. With the EPA standards in California, 50% of the wattage in a kitchen must be Fluorescent or comparable. This made it a bit difficult to put in any incandescent fixtures, but one must have something with some character! 

I found just the thing when I was picking out lighting at Lumens Light and Living here in Sacramento. These Pendants from Roost had just what I was looking for. They look a little industrial with their beaker shaped hand-blown glass, and I love the long filament bulbs. I also like the way the glass is held in place with the hand tightened screws.

I have received many emails requesting information about these pendants and if they are still available.I decided I should check and see! And YES! Lumens can still get them for you. They are not shown on their online catalog, so give them a call at their Sacramento showroom HERE and ask for Sean. Tell him you are looking for the glass cylinder pendant from Roost....he will know all of the information.

Thank you for all of your emails!

Cool: Matthew Studios

Robert Table Lamp by Matthew Studios in Amethyst. Annie Floor Lamp in Natural Python.

We have been avidly watching the Olympics this week, as I am sure many of you have. there is something about the Winter Olympics that I find mesmerizing. It has to do with the snow and the mountains. The scenery is just as seductive as the adrenalin rush of the events themselves.

We were inspired enough to make a couple of trips to the Tahoe basin to ski over the long weekend. The weather was perfect: lots of fresh snow and clear azure skies.

This time of year, the low sun casts it's light across the snow making it glimmer and sparkle. And there are icicles hanging from roof lines refracting rays of light like diamonds.

Frank Albert Table Lamp

When I received a notice this morning with these beautifully icy images of light fixtures from Matthew Studios, they immediately reminded me of the same icicles and crusty snow drifts lit by the afternoon sun we had seen just yesterday.

Frank Albert Table Lamp

Matthew Studios is the brain child of Katherine Wildt O'Brien, product designer and lighting specialist, world traveler, artist, and jewelry aficionado. Her experience spans work with places like Knoll, LucePlan NY, and Baldinger (where she launched collection by such notables as Michael Graves, Alvar Alto and Andre Putman) before she was instrumental in the establishment of Oxygen Lighting.

Curious? To learn more about Katherine and her brilliant background, click on over HERE.

Veronica Table Lamp

Katherine started Matthew Studios in 2008 to provide an outlet for her creative talents, love of nature and extensive experience with lighting. So glad she did!Her beautiful pieces are available to the trade through A. Rudin in NYC, San Francisco and LA, or through retail sources, Vivre and Rare Culture.

Alvey Sconce, and Estelle Sconce

Gavin Table

Katherine Wildt O'Brien with her house bunny, Matthew (the Matthew Studios mascot!) Notice Katherine's very cool malachite dress!

Spring is at the door here in Sacramento, but I just cannot let go of the cold winter beauty just yet. So it is back to the Winter Olympics for me tonight. And I can always catch that icy glimmer over at Matthew Studios.

Dream a Little Dream: Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and ABYU

I wanted to be there. I even had a dream about it....flying off to New York to be at the Opus Lumen installation party featuring lighting by ABYU ( And Bob's Your Uncle). And why wouldn't I dream about it? It is very dreamy after all.

Over 20 light designs were exhibited in the new ABYU studio space and I heard the party was a huge success. For a little look see at the festivities...click on over HERE.

ABYU was started by Steven Wine and Michael Landon in 1994 to showcase their creative talents by bringing light to us all. Sadly, Michael passed away in 2008 leaving the company to "continue his vision of quality lighting products that infuses fantasy and fashion, a couture collection. "

Designer Benjamin Noriega Ortiz has long had a close relationship with ABYU contributing his own dreamy confections of lighting design. His design company, BNO Design, became the parent company in 2007.

I have long been a fan of Mr. Noriega-Ortiz and his unique sense of style. Clean and refreshing with a touch of fantasy, his style keeps you guessing. Mr. Noriega-Ortiz put a new spin on the ABYU studio which you can see and read about HERE.

And here are a few more fantasy fixtures for you all to dream about:

Twister Sconce

Nimbus - Nordstrom Stores Nationwide

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Steven Wine Private Residence

Lenny Kravitz Private Residence

Glass Maille

Lawrence Isaacson Private Residence

Lenny Kravitz Private Residence

Battery Gardens Restaurant

To see more of these frothy fixtures click on over HERE.

And Dream a Little Dream.

All Photos courtesy of ABYU and BNO Design

House Beautiful and the Tonic Home Deal

House Beautiful

Some of you may remember this image from House Beautiful and were thinking how cool the chandelier was. How it sort of made the room complete. I got another reminder when looking at emails this morning.

Tonic Home has been sending out their "Deal of the Week" newsletter lately with some pretty great stuff. And you know I am all about good stuff. This chandelier is from Curry and Company and normally retails for $1750. Tonic's deal price is $875. Not bad. So for those of you who just happen to be needing that Oyster Chandelier, high-tail it on over.

I am sure there will be more great new deals in coming weeks...so you might want to sign up for that Tonic Home Newsletter.

Cool: Gardenhouse

Vintage yellow aluminum Love Seat with White Patent Leather Seat Cushion.

I was recently introduced to Gardenhouse, a wonderful shop located in West Palm Beach Florida. Owned by a very creative couple, Cheryl Maeder Antonio and her husband Gary. As with any creative person, Cheryl is multi talented. She studied photography in Switzerland and traveled Europe before moving to San Francisco to start a photography studio there. In San Francisco, she met her sculptor husband Gary. They began antique hunting for fun and the fun soon turned into a passion....which ultimately resulted in their very colorful and happy shop, Gardenhouse.

I am smitten....and knew you would be too. So I am so excited to share some of the objects of my affection.

Red High Gloss Wood Bench for Outdoor Canopy or Indoors

Each piece is lovingly transformed by Cheryl's unique point of view which she describes as "vintage, with a modern twist". Happy paint colors and modern fabrics certainly give each piece new life and vitality.

Vintage Metal Table Lamp with Green Metal Shade.

Cheryl has many more brilliantly reborn vintage finds, so I hope you have minute to click on over and check out Gardenhouse.

Chalkboard Dresser. Unfortunately already sold....but had to show you!

Black and White Slipper Chair with Decorative Nailheads.

OHHH!! And be sure to check out Cheryl's dreamlike seaside photos on the Gardenhouse site as well. Here is just a little sampling:

Beach Series VI

Sea and Sky V

I am headed off to dream of new furniture for my naked back patio, and sunny summers at the beach .......while the rain beats steadily outside my window.

BLOGGER SALE: PIECES

I got an email from Lee Kleinhelter, owner of Pieces this morning announcing a

BLOGGER SALE!

You know Pieces, that fabulously stylish shop in Atlanta known for it's brilliant collection of furniture, lighting, art and accessories? If you haven't, for goodness sake, click here and catch up!

And who doesn't love a sale in these economic times, right?! What is so cool about this sale is that it is only open to you blogger readers out there starting TODAY, January 12th. You can get 30% off all items

if you mention where you saw this little "piece" of information. So tell Lynn katiedid sent you.

The blogger sale is on til January 15th when Lynn will open it up to the general public. So if you hurry, you can be the first to get the unique and one-of-a-kind finds special to Pieces.

kaarsKoker: Dutch for "Candle Sleeve"

A recent email led me to kaarsKoker, a new company that produces a wide variety of candle sleeves for $12-$25 a pair. What a great way to transform a wall sconce or chandelier. I went to check out the site and found these:

Blue Fretwork Sleeve

Blue Green Marble Sleeve

Gold Silver Cone Sleeve

Solid Yellow Sleeve

Red Gold Clover Sleeve

A clever idea to add a little more detail to a room, and we all know God is in the details. Head on over here to check out all of the options! There are many more, including skulls, polka dots, stripes, and some very "David Hicks" patterns.

The Light in the Hall

This sconce was not up when I showed you my hallway way back last November (see the post here).

I bought a pair for either side of the Butler's Pantry cabinetry. What I love is the mirrored back plate reflecting the sconce and doubling the effect. Great for a hallway.

I just want to say a big "THANK YOU" to Blogger and all of my wonderful readers. Without you all, I would not have realized I really had to clean up all of the junk mail, catalogs, magazines, notepads, used batteries, old receipts, school papers, yellow pages, rubber bands, ( how do they get everywhere?!?) off the counter before I could take this picture:

The sconces are from Hudson Valley Lighting. Hudson Valley is known for their reproduction light fixtures and their very reasonable pricing. To find out more about the details for this sconce, click here. Oh....and thank you to Hudson Valley for the very cool sconces!