DIY Light Fixtures

For a while we were considering making our own light fixture to hang over the eating area in our kitchen.  We did a lot of research online and I was amazed at how many cool DIY ideas are out there.  Here are some of my favorites (click links for instructions and more info): 

from Instructables
(If you haven't seen Instructables before, you should check it out right now.  There are some really smart people out there coming up with crazy ways to do things!)

from ReadyMade

another one from Instructables

from madetocreate

from lindseyadelman.com

(Also see The Brick House's version here)

designed by John Giacomazzi, via remodelista

We just acquired a couple great vintage fixtures so we may no longer need to make our own (depending on whether we can find a replacement for a missing glass globe), but I'm still intrigued by the idea.  Anyone else have any good DIY fixture ideas?  I'd love to hear about it!

Shedding Some Light on Antique Fixtures

"I think of accents, especially chandeliers, as jewelry for the home." -                                                 Solange  Azuzury Partridge

It seems that lighting is often overlooked when rooms are planned and designed, but for me lighting is one of the most important elements to consider when designing a room!  Lighting is not only a utilitarian element in the room, it is also great opportunity to make a statement and create some drama! 

I love vintage lighting and I know first hand how a beautiful old light fixture can transform an entire room! I first became introduced to period light fixtures when I began restoring historic homes about ten years ago.  Yes, in an old bungalow or a turn of the century victorian these antique lighting fixtures are right at home, but they are beautiful (and unexpected) in a newer home as well. Imagine the contrast of a crusty old light fixture in a modern, airy loft space - wow!

Love the idea of using vintage lighting fixtures but not sure where to find them?  Luckily, there are some great local shops that can help!  My picks for vintage lighting are:

1.  High Point Antiques - 3524 Broad St. 756-9566
2.  Estate of Confusion 301 E. Main St. 266-7846
3.  Architectural Exchange - 1300 McCallie Ave. 697-1243
4.  Ebay (Look in Antiques, Architectural & Garden and Collectibles, Lighting)
5.  Chattanooga Auction House 2423 Broad St. 266-6603
6.  Let Us Light Your World,  5110 Hixson Pike  877-8535 (they don't sell antique fixtures, but they can rewire your flea market and ebay finds for you )

Beautiful old pendant lights with milk glass shades illuminate my kitchen island. (Sorry the photo isn't "styled", this photo was taken as construction was nearing completion )

 Old pagoda chandelier adds a touch of chinoiserie style to the guest bedroom!

Beautiful gold leaf candle sconces

Love this empire crystal chandelier in a previous project

Antique brass sconces and chandelier in the master bath

New fixtures in a vintage style from Rejuvenation.  Looks like jadite.

Beautiful Rejuvenation lanterns illuminate a sparse, collected dining room

Rejuvenation

Love these simple vintage fixtures in Kathryn Ireland's kitchen (House Beautiful)

Old Empire style crystal chandelier, antique brass wall sconces and crystal candelabras make a set a formal tone in this dining room

Image from Baker, old French chandelier is a standout in this modern setting

Won't find this fixture at Home Depot!

Yes, you can paint an old chandelier in fresh, modern color.  Love this!

Seeing the light?

Designer Dining Rooms and Decorating Tips

Although similar in function, dining rooms can vary greatly from home to home. Dining rooms may differ in formality, size and style. However, when decorating the dining room there are several basic design elements that remain the same. Here are some tips for decorating your dining area.

The Table - When selecting a dining room table, it's important to determine what shape, size, material and style would work with the space, budget and your families' lifestyle. For example, a round table is wonderful for conversation, but can't accommodate as many guests as a large rectangular table. The table's material (i.e. glass, hardwood, marble, etc.) should also be taken into account and will further communicate the room's mood. An elegant mahogany dining table would be a good choice for a large, formal dining room, while a round glass table would be a nice choice for a smaller dining area because it would promote a sense of space. Each material has its pros and cons as well. Hardwood tables will be durable and long-lasting, glass will attract dust while marble, if not kept sealed, will stain.

 

In the formal dining room above, San Francisco-based designer Kendall Wilkinson anchors the room with an elegant oval dining table. The dark wood beautifully contrasts the room's neutral color palette. The fabulous pearl mosaic wallpaper and glass chandelier again add a sense of formality to the room.

The Chairs - It is best if you choose a table first and then chairs {but, of course there is really no rule when it comes to design}. Ideally chair backs should be higher than the table. A standard table height is 29” or 30” and seat height is 18”. If possible, test a chair out for comfort before buying. A bench (without a back) can look great at a dining room table, but may not be relaxing enough for a long meal.

San Francisco-based, designer Kimberly Ayres selects crisp white Chinese Chippendale arm chairs with citrus cushions in the dining room above. The chair is one of my favorites because of the fretwork back, comfy cushion and ethnic flair. It looks like it is from Jonathan Adler, but I am not 100% sure.

The Lighting - Generally the bottom of a hanging fixture should hang 30” to 34” above the table. A traditional crystal chandelier is always elegant, but you may want to also consider other styles such as pendants, lanterns and modern fixtures in a variety of materials (i.e. wood, metal, plastic). Adding wall sconces and table lamps are a great way to layer the room's lighting and create some drama. Also, consider putting all lights on dimmer switches so that you can adjust the room's mood.

It is also fun to mix up styles as in the dining room above by designer Tami Wassong. The whimsical vintage chandelier is a wonderful juxtaposition to the traditional table and chairs. Wassong layers the room's light by adding sconces flanking a mirror.

The Buffet - A buffet table, sideboard or storage console can be another beautiful design element in a dining room and a very practical one. Many store dishware, linens and table decor. In addition they provide a place to display fresh flowers, ceramic vases and table lamps. 

The stunning dining room above by New York-based Parlor Design (featured in this post), showcases a gorgeous custom credenza with metal inlay from the Parlor Design furniture collection. The silver floral wallpaper and ice blue upholstered chairs are exquisite.

For a classic look, consider hanging a mirror or piece of art above the buffet. In this lovely dining room, designer Billet Collins hangs a large rectangle mirror above a sideboard table. The hand painted landscape mural is a beautiful addition to the room.

 

The Rug - If you have a hard flooring surface and want to help define the dining area, adding an area rug is a good option. When selecting an area rug make sure when the chairs are pulled back to accommodate guests while seated, that the entire chair rests on the area rug. You want to avoid having the back legs on the hard surface and the front legs on the area rug.

In this beautiful dining room by California-based designer Erinn Valencich the black and white rug demands our attention and helps define the space. The rug's pattern also echos the more refined black and white pattern in the drapes. I love the fact that this room is not matchy-matchy and that Valencich selects a chartreuse geometric fabric to cover the dining chairs.

Remember these are simply decorating tips, not rules. There is no right or wrong when it comes to interior design. So, have fun with it!

* images courtesy of Decorati and Marnie Rose Agency

Help a reader with a decorate a condo-to-sell question! Pretty-please!

I have a tough question for you guys!
"I'm decorating our friends condo that he just purchased...for resale purpose. My decorating style is modern but has to be comfortable, uncluttered especially for resale. He has to tear out the old drywall because Florida had a problem with Chinese drywall. He wants to add architectural detail to the living room before hanging the drywall. What can be done to a typical condo living room to add interest but without closing it off? How can he make his condo look different than the other condos in the complex so that when a buyer walks in it screams, buy me."

This one is tough as I have very little (okay - no experience), with this sort of thing. Below are some ideas I have dug up that I think might work.

A. This would be for after the drywall is rehung, but "Another way to play up (or fake) architectural detailing in a room is with light. It's a good idea to incorporate a mix of light sources, so if possible, try to bring in overhead lighting as well as floor and table lamps. If you've got a focal wall, washing that wall with downlight can add a lot of drama to the room, as can picture lights or lighting installed inside cabinetry. If you can switch out flush-mounted ceiling lights for a pendant or chandelier, do. Adding sconces might require some electrical work, but if you're able to add the proper wiring, it can be worth the trouble. " - via ehow (click to read the whole article)

B. "Don't forget to look up. It's common to leave ceilings white and paint or paper the walls, and there's nothing wrong with that. But why not think beyond the walls and brighten up your ceiling with paint or wallpaper? Use the same color as the walls for a seamless look, or try something different; I like a glossy ceiling or a contrasting color or pattern. Depending on the style of your home, metal ceiling tiles can be a great, classic, yet modern look. They come in a range of styles, from simple to more ornate designs." -via ehow (click to read the whole article) With this tip, remember to pick a "buyer friendly" paint color.


C. Since you're style is modern - you may want to avoid moldings, wainscoting, and/or bead boards. One thing that really works for me is shelving - you can get very affordable modern shelving from places like Ikea, West Elm, and Crate & Barrel. Artfully adorn them with beautiful objects - nothing too large and distracting.

This image also shows another treatment - adorning one wall with wallpaper. Just make sure it's a wallpaper design that is not too extreme in anyway - modern - but clean, as you want all potential buyers to like it.
via House to Home

This is a great overall example of modern, but still livable decorating. Also keep in mind window treatments! I don't know what your living room has in the way of windows - but treatments (hard/and or soft) can make a huge impact.
via Domino Book of Decorating

I love the modern but cozy look of this room - the lighting and spine bookcase are very memorable.

via BHG

The two above images show how shelving and built-in nooks with lighting and make a big impact.
via From plus Function


I really hope this helps - please don't hesitate to click on the "comments" link below and leave your ideas. PS: If you get your updates via email click here - http://decorology.blogspot.com/2010/02/help-reader-with-decorate-condo-to-sell.html and scroll down to the very bottom past all the other comments, and you'll see a link to "Post A Comment"

Thanks!

Have a great weekend!

Friday Find: Bocci Lighting and Electrical Wall Accessories

I never thought I'd use the word elegant when referring to an electrical outlet, but that's what I thought of when I saw this design by Bocci, a contemporary design and manufacturing house located in Vancouver, Canada. Bocci offers a complete suite of innovative electrical accessories simply named 22. Power receptacles, on/off switches, data connections and more may be mounted flush into the drywall or millwork with a new CSA approved utility system that eliminates the need for a cover plate. Electrical outlets will blend in and be more visually subtle. Love this!

In addition to fabulous electrical accessories, Bocci designs fantastic lighting. Their latest line of blown glass pendant lighting, named 28, was created by lead designer, Omar Arbel. Each unique sphere is the result of a glass blowing technique where air is periodically blown in and then out of an intermittently heated and then cooled glass matrix. Designed to be clustered in hexagonal shapes, globes can be made in clear, white or frosted glass and housed a low voltage or LED lamp.

The following images are of Bocci's 14, a family of low voltage pendants designed to be clustered like 28. The light from the center of the sphere interacts with the rifts, bubbles and other imperfections to create a soft halo of light. When the pendants are hung in masses it makes quite a dramatic statement reminding me of a winter's snowfall or starry night sky.

*images courtesy of Bocci

Creative lighting designs - 65 Photos

Cool creative lighting designs for inspiration.