Lamps Plus Blog - Home Decor and Lighting Tips

Warm and Wonderful Wood Counters

Rob — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

After watching years of home shows one might think that the only acceptable kitchen countertop in the world is granite. There are the endless potential homeowners cooing over the granite or being disappointed when a kitchen doesn’t have the hearty stone. I think it’s time to let everyone in on a little secret...wood. Wood counters can be warm and wonderful, durable and full of character. Surprisingly, wood counters can also morph into a variety of design styles. They can be either humble and exhibit country-style or they can be sophisticated and very highend. Maple, oak and cedar are the most durable and can be stained and sealed with an enamel for further protection. Keep in mind that while wood counters can look smashing, but they require more maintenance than the average stone counter.

If you don’t have a time-weathered and worn counter like the image at the top of the post, you can still create a warm tone with deep, rich stain. This traditional kitchen is enhanced by the school house ceiling lights and marble surround at the sink.

Here is another detail of a deep stained wood counter. If you are unsure about using wood for counters, you may wish to try it out in a utility room or mudroom.

This seemingly untreated wood counter is found in a truly minimalist kitchen. Note that if the wood is left without a stain, finish, and protection, you may want to have a larger porcelain sink to avoid too much water contact with the wood.

I’m crazy about this kitchen. It’s like a fabulous Nineteenth Century butler’s pantry with nooks and crannies. The worn patina on the wood leaves it filled with character and history. The dark tones are lightened with the large window and clear glass lighting.

This antique-style kitchen island has some of the same features of the kitchen above. The warm tones and turned legs give it a sense of history and beauty, while the closed storage and shelves make it functional.

Country kitchens are the perfect space where wood makes a real statement. The counters seem totally intentional and are balanced across the room with honed wood table and stools. Additionally, warm lighting and a heavy use of fabric keeps this space homey.

This deeply stained stool can recreate the country look in even the most contemporary kitchen.

Don’t get me started with this kitchen...clean, orderly, thoroughly traditional but so crisp it seems modern. It’s like a kitchen as a still life. I love that they have introduced the marble cutting board. Clearly, practicality is truly important in this kitchen.

Here is another way wood countertops can look sophisticated. This Belgian interior is masterful with its use of neutral tones. Again, we see the sink area covered in stone to avoid undue damage to the wooden counters. So whether you want your kitchen to have the patina of a hundreds of years of use or fresh like the kitchen was simply brand new, wood counters could be the next trend you embrace.

Photos courtesy of Belgian Pearls, Pinterest, Cocokelly

Design Trend - Ostentatious Lighting

Lesley Myrick — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Luxe, opulent, over the top, and commanding attention. This year, lighting is moving from a supporting role to a star player in the design world! One distinct design trend spotted at Toronto's Interior Design Show is ostentatious lighting, and I love this shift towards lighting becoming the design centerpiece and spotlight in a room. Here's how dictionary.com defines ostentatious:

os·ten·ta·tious[os-ten-tey-shuhs] adjective
1.characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others: an ostentatious dresser.
2.(of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice: Lady Bountiful's ostentatious charity.

Here's a round-up of some of my favorite large chandeliers and pendant lights that definitely intend to attract notice:

Bold geometric lines in glossy polished nickel and sleek fluted crystal accents are a modern take on a traditional chandelier. At 39" wide. this graphic modern stunner is not for the faint of heart.

This faceted beauty has the look of leaded Tiffany glass, re-interpreted in a modern and on-trend way. Imagine it suspended above a traditional wood dining table - the juxtaposition of styles will definitely bring the wow factor.

Reminiscent of an armillary sphere, this globe fixture's 36" wide chrome finish frame encloses twelve frosted glass cubes. This fixture would look amazing suspended in a grand foyer or above a sweeping staircase.

Organic spots of color are artistically applied to over forty clear glass globes, evoking the style of Murano Millefiori glass. This unusual pop of color elevates this contemporary chrome and glass fixture to a theatrical new level.

Graceful overlapping layers with the look of sheets of ice create an extravagant pendant chandelier. Although delicate in design, its impressive 34" wide size is bold and conspicuous.

The glittering disco-era is re-imagined in this breathtaking crystal pendant light. If this 24" wide version isn't enough drama for you, don't worry - it's also available as a grandiose 36" wide crystal pendant light.

Which is your favorite of these bold and beautiful chandeliers? Will you be rocking an attention-getting light fixture in your own home this year?

Nine Great Nightstands

Rob — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

If you think about how much time you spend in bed and how much you can really do from your bedroom, it makes sense to take great care when designing your bedside table. From reading and working on your computer to lazy Sunday mornings with the paper and coffee, your nightstand needs to be great. I’m sure some people think all that’s required boils down to a tabletop for a lamp and alarm clock. I weep for you if this is the case. Of course I could live in my bed and thus require a giant nightstand with surface space for books, laptops, magazines, pictures, watches and a candle. Oh, I’m not finished... I also have a drawer for glasses, crossword puzzle books, and who knows what else. The bottom line? I essentially have a u-haul next to my bed. Enough about me. Feast your eyes on nine great nightstands.

The crisp and uncluttered nightstand remains mostly white except for the graphic ceramic table lamp. It’s very important to have proper lighting by your bed for reading and tasks. Even if you prefer a clean modern bedroom, don’t forget little luxuries like flowers and a wee tray to contain smaller objects.

The exotic bedside allows your imagination to run wild. Make sure everything tells a story and is fascinating on its own. This night stand was formally an Oriental box on a stand, but is the perfect surface for the over-the-top pineapple lamp.

The Hollywood Hipster nightstand has real energy. I love the infusion of mid-century elements. The nightstand has enough surface space and much interior storage, which is so important in bedrooms. Playful patterns compliment the pure geometry of the nightstand, glass globe lamp, chair and giant ruler.

I love this glass globe table lamp. Try to infuse your own version of Hollywood Hipster into your own bedroom.

The glamour bedside table oozes with Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford style. The antiqued mirrored night stand reflects the warm glow of the true boudoir. Again, great surface space and interior storage. The clear lamp has a feminine shape that offsets the lines of the table but works beautifully with the curves found in the tufted chair.

The small space needs to think vertically. This tight bedside maximizes surface space by using a tiered table to ensure enough storage. Wisely, they installed swing-arm lamps to free-up space and create interest. Remember, lighting may be a basic need for a nightstand but it can also be used to create a design focal point.

The romantic nightstand is super feminine. The mirrored nightstand is hand painted in a delicate Chinoiserie pattern. The elegant design is reinforced with the romantic roses in a silver vase and curved lines of the ceramic table lamp and ever-so-delicate concave shade.

This masculine nightstand has a rough hewn sensibility. A subtle mix of texture and shape with an almost Neo Hemingway attention to travel and adventure. The table sports a textured finish and very contemporary chrome table top tilt light. The sleek finish of the light is a great contrast to the warm woods of the headboard.

Have a favorite macho man at home? This chrome finished pharmacy light is perfect for the ultimate man’s man. It would also look great on an office or even a dorm room.

The breezy island look of this nightstand comes from the draped fabric that adorns the bedside table. This look can be achieved simply and for little money. You could essentially use any table and simply drape it to match your decor. They have used a tray to create a stable surface for their table lamp, candle, Kleenex and flowers. A simple and stylish solution.

Short on money? The flea market style bedside table can be as cute and funky as you wish. The retro nightstand is quirky and seems to be all that the homeowner needs. Due to the small scale of the table the accessories have been pared-down to fit. A smaller lamp with replacement shade, a small clock and small books round out the vignette.

Photos courtesy of Rue, Chinoiserie Chic, Zhush, Katiedid

Interior Designer Kristin Collins Mixes Contemporary Furniture with Historic Architecture

Marcia — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Live in a historic building or home and always wondered how to mix contemporary furniture with historic architecture? Interior designer Kristin Collins lives in the famous Il Borghese courtyard building in Los Angeles and has done a great job balancing the old with the new. Read below for her tips on how to mix the two styles successfully...

LAMPS PLUS: How would you describe your home's architectural style?

KRISTIN COLLINS: I live in the historical Il Borghese in Hancock Park. It has a very large elegant courtyard that is relatively simple compared to other Italianate buildings. Courtyard living is the best because it forces everyone to be apart of the community as a whole. We are all open and friendly with one another because the architectural style lends to that sort of behavior.

LAMPS PLUS: What do you love most about living in a historical home?

KRISTIN COLLINS: I love the generous proportions balanced with the sensibility of a design that really makes you feel comfortable at home. It is so wonderful to live here because of simplicity of the design, ample picturesque vantage points, and the uncompromising grandness.

LAMPS PLUS: What are some of the challenges that arise from living in an older home?

KRISTIN COLLINS: The only compromises of living in this incredible apartment are the difficulty of maintaining a consistent temperature because the heat rises in the winter making the second floor quite hot and the cooler air sinks in the summer making the ground floor extremely cold. Other than that, a few leaks and cracks here and there are nothing anyone should ever worry about. It adds character.

LAMPS PLUS: How did you decide on the direction of the interior design?

KRISTIN COLLINS: The interior design, as with any of my personal interiors, all go with my mood. I always design with the intention of having guests over often and all the feminine colors came about because I finally decided one day that I wanted to have the most girly apartment that I could handle after living with baby blue and creme for a number of years before the now dominating pink and purple.

LAMPS PLUS: What are a few tips for mixing contemporary furnishings with historic architecture?

KRISTIN COLLINS: Keep it clean and simple. If you want to add a piece of lucite furniture, it always works beautifully when mixed with classical architecture. I like to keep a sense of perspective in my classical home by remembering that I am not trying to recreate a scene from the 1930s, so I stay true to using furniture pieces that simply make sense to me. Mixing is the greatest freedom in the world. Don't worry about following any rules - break them!

LAMPS PLUS: How are lighting needs different in a historic home versus newer more contemporary homes?

KRISTIN COLLINS: Historical homes like this one built in 1929 are horribly dark! I think it is important to have lots of lighting sources including lamps, sconces, and chandeliers, all with dimmers so you can set the mood or read the newspaper, depending on what is important at any given moment.

LAMPS PLUS: What are your favorite Lamps Plus ceiling lights?

Illuminations Collection Century Brass Mini Pendant Light

Arteriors Home Macayle Glass Pendant Light

4-Light Chrome and White Pendant Light

Images: Evan Koester

Valentines's Day: Decorating with Pink

Tina — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Apart from roses, nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like decorating with the color pink. At the same time there’s nothing quite like that hue’s ubiquity and kitschy misuse to set your teeth on edge. Is there a way to rescue pink and reclaim its romantic femininity? The answer is a definite yes.

Northern European designers and decorators have an under-appreciated facility with all pastels and are unafraid of the pink shades many of us would dismiss as clichéd. While their interiors usually share a crisp white backdrop, it’s the introduction of subtle pastels that make them a calming refuge from the unremittingly bleak weather that blankets the region through the long winters.

Who wouldn’t want to spend hours—and perhaps a romantic dinner—at this gathering table surrounded by what amounts to a concerto in pink from the pale tint of the walls to the stunning contemporary graphic over the crisp fire surround. Even the flowers and accessories echo the tonal theme, which pairs beautifully with the stark whites and earthy browns of the other pieces. The heart-shaped cut-out in the mantel is a lovely Valentine’s Day reminder, but it actually was a common decorative touch during the English and Belgian arts and crafts movements at the turn of the last century. No clichés in this beautiful room (above).

Paired with a modern graphic, as it is in this heart-lifting table cloth, pink actually can be a soothing touch of gentle beauty. At the same time, a slightly hotter pink tone—as in the votive candle on the condiment tray can add just the right note of cheerful punch. Who knew that girlhood’s favorite color could play such a versatile role in a grown-up woman’s space?

Pink turns out to be a color of many moods, as you can see here. The wallpaper strikes a delicate, almost ethereal mood with its sketchy repeat of conventionalized natural leaves and acorns, while the pink fabric-covered pillows—a great way to bring a feminine touch to any home decor all year long—easily pair with the rustic stool. What’s really amazing is how both pinks help set off the vintage tiles on the hearth.

Pink is a hue for many moods and, in these examples, it shows off its capacity to bring a touch of whimsy that will produce smiles even in gray February. Pink roses are an elegant counterpoint to the happy ceramic boot with its vintage glaze, but an array of printed fabrics in a variety of tones gives the whole vignette a youthful richness. The lesson here is not to fear mixing and matching, whether on a table or console or against a kitchen wall.

Photos by Yvonne Eijkenduijn of the blog Yvestown. Dutch-born designer is the mistress of the light-hearted pastel gesture.

Design Trend: The Neo Naturalist Interior

Rob — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

No doubt you have seen the design trend, the neo naturalist interior, creeping into design magazines and shop catalogues and couldn’t quite figure out what it all meant or how the items could be incorporated into your own home. At first glance it’s part laboratory with a light dusting of Victorian details tossed in for good measure. There is pure nostalgia associated with the neo naturalist interior and here is how it rolls. Slowly there is the introduction of antique ceiling lights in industrial metals like brass and bronze, which were usually found during the industrial revolution. Then, those elements are paired with warm glowing filament bulbs that offer an antique glow to everything. Shortly thereafter, in creep more romantic touches like butterflies in cloche (those blown glass bell-shaped domes), and before you know it your home can have the look of a Nineteenth Century botanist. It’s a fascinating look, combining rough and tumble masculine metal and scientific elements with more domesticated touches for comfort. This style is perfect for offices, libraries and even kitchens.

This home office is a perfect example of this look. A nod to the past is achieved by incorporating antique-styled lighting with cloche and feminine seating and a romantic desk.

Here is another cozy office that displays the neo naturalist aesthetic. I love the metal and wood counter stool. It swivels to just the right height and the worn leather wing back chair compliments the worn metal of the lamps and abundant wood.

Can’t you just feel the onset of the industrial age in this room? Like a cabinet of curiosities, the office mixes warm woods and metal. This look could be an amazing scrapbooking space or wrapping room. Much of what you see here could be found at flea markets or local antique marts. Old office cabinets could be repurposed as storage for trims, paper, yarn and buttons. The sky is the limit with this design.

This grand living space has just enough quirky elements to characterize it in this hi-lo design scheme. The bare light bulbs glow in an industrial way though draped and experienced by way of an elaborate pulley system. The factory-grade metal railings are softened by the warm wood floors and the leather furniture below.

You can easily recreate this look in your own home by simply swapping out existing light fixtures with something like this bronze, wire-guard ceiling light. I love this look in a mud room, pantry or kitchen.

If you’re not ready to spark a full-blown industrial revolution of your own, you can dip your toe in the water, so to speak, with a more romantic Victorian display in your bath. This bathroom is set in a more industrial room, but is totally feminine. The chandelier and Venetian mirror soften the cold walls and lines of the room, while the metal-plated tub is a direct nod to the Nineteenth Century without being literal. Trends, are just that, trendy. If you choose wisely you can, however, incorporate design touches that remain chic. Industrial items and lighting will always look good in work spaces. Interesting stools and benches will always have a home at a desk or island and then ultimately in a cute gardening shed when it’s time to redecorate!

Photos courtesy of Pinterest

Postcards From Paris with Little Brown Pen's Nichole Robertson

Lesley Myrick — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Today Style Illuminated welcomes photographer Nichole Robertson of Little Brown Pen as our guest blogger. After moving to Paris in 2009, what began as photography for Nichole's daily blog posts blossomed into a three-year project photographing the city of light. This spring, Chronicle Books is publishing a collection of her photography entitled Paris in Color. Welcome, Nichole!

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I moved to Paris in the winter of 2009. January was cold and gray, but neither the temperature nor the relentless clouds kept me from exploring my new neighborhood. One of the first things I noticed was how color - any color - popped against the neutral gray palette created by the wintry sky and white Haussmann buildings. I believe red was the first color I shot. I noticed an awning, a chair and a bike in a similar shade of red within a block of each other and retraced my steps to take photos. It didn't take long for me to become obsessed and the Paris Color Project was born. I spent three years photographing Paris this way and what I've learned is that focusing on a color or type of object allows you to discover things you may have otherwise overlooked. It's easy to zone out when you're walking from point a to point b or to put your camera away as you walk between monuments and tourist destinations. But I think the good stuff is what catches your eye and makes you happy on the side streets and narrow alleys, whether that's peeling paint, an old door or a stack of fruit crates.

Here area few of my favorite yellow objects:

And here a few of my favorite yellow table lamps:

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Thanks Nichole! You can find Nichole and her photography on Twitter, at Little Brown Pen's Etsy shop, or Little Brown Pen's blog

Designer Debbie Talianko's Dramatic Before and After With Lamps Plus Lighting

Lesley Myrick — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

We rarely have the opportunity to see Lamps Plus products used in real interior spaces, so we were thrilled when interior designer Debbie Talianko, principal of Talianko Design Group, shared these before and after photos of one of her recent designs. Debbie's work is clean, modern, and tasteful, and the lighting she selected is a fabulous complement to her work. Welcome Debbie!

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Inspiration: This home is a Spanish style with tiled roof, a Saltillo tile pathway and arched doorways. My clients, however, have a contemporary style sensibility. Some of the artwork they already had and the existing flooring, which is a dark, wide plank mahogany, already hinted of a contemporary room. In addition to contemporary artwork, was a gorgeous dining table and buffet with a geometric pattern as well as a highly polished black grand piano. I needed to employ other current and geometric elements to complement these pieces.

About the project: In these photos, you will see a living room and dining room designed in a monochromatic scheme using a light mossy green. Dark woods and contemporary artwork in primary colors accent the room and help to bring it to life. This project had one important objective, which was that it be “kid friendly." The homeowners have lots of family visiting often and the grandchildren are all very young. For the upholstery, we used outdoor fabrics from Kravet and JF Fabrics. To demonstrate to my clients that they had nothing to worry about, I literally poured ketchup, mustard, and red wine on the swatches and they cleaned up beautifully. The carpet is from Fabrica and has been treated with a stain repellent. The sheer draperies are polyester and can be easily dry cleaned when needed.

We rebuilt the existing fireplace by changing the surround dimensions, adding a Zebrawood mantle, a black slate-looking porcelain hearth extension and sleek new bronze and glass fireplace screen doors. The outcome is a more contemporary look.

Why we source furniture and light fixtures first: There is a very detailed and systematic process that we follow in order to achieve an end result that is both on time and on budget. After the research is done and the measurements taken, we then create a two dimensional floor plan that begins with the walls, doors and windows. After this, the furniture and area rugs are drawn in according to the requirements of the client’s needs and the allowances in the space. From there, we place lighting into the drawing to accommodate the varied functions within the room. (For example, next to a chair, we may have an end table. If this chair will be used for reading, a table lamp is drawn in.)

There are three categories of lighting; ambient for general lighting, task for specific uses such as on a desk top and accent which adds the mood. When assessing a room's lighting needs, a designer will consider the function of the space, as well as the required amount of wattage. There are formulas that help in calculating wattage per square foot, but other considerations are the use of the room and the ages of the people occupying them. An elderly person needs a more brightly lit room than a younger person, for instance.

In the case of this home, there were many windows to let in natural light during the day. My focus was on creating the proper mood(s) for entertaining guests in the evenings. The rooms in this project use ceiling lights, table lamps and accent lamps. Every fixture uses a dimmer switch or 3-way lamps to allow for even more flexibility.

It is also a good idea to make sure you use a mixture of types of fixtures for the room to keep it interesting. If you use only table lamps, or only accent lamps, the eye does not want to travel around the room to see what’s next. Try to incorporate different fixture types into each room. Floor lamps, for instance, are a good way to save space and yet light a dark corner. Mix a floor lamp with a table lamp and also a smaller accent lamp. When it is time to actually source the pieces to be used in a project, we tend to choose all of the materials and elements together. That way, we can see them on a computer document or laid out on a workspace to ensure there is a harmony between them.

Why we source lighting from Lamps Plus: I like to source light fixtures from Lamps Plus for a couple of reasons. The selection is tremendous and I have a wonderful sales rep who is very polite and efficient and helps me find what I am looking for quickly. The paperwork is easy with Lamps Plus and I like having one person I am familiar with and that I can trust.

Because lighting offers such a vast array of choices, it is not always possible to find what I am looking for in a showroom. Lamps Plus offers my company and my clients a very easy return policy in case we receive something different than what we expected. This is the Rolls Royce of customer service, in my opinion, and a very big part of my decision to purchase through them.

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Love the lighting that Debbie Talianko used in her design? These light fixtures are the same as the ones shown above (or similar, if the original selection isn't currently available): Wells Glass Table Lamp, Bubblini Collection 3-Light Chandelier, and Raschella Solid Marble Base Table Lamp.

Images courtesy of Talianko Design Group

Room Dividers that Rule

Kari Whitman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Using room dividers that rule is one of my favorite ways to create designer vignettes in homes big and small. A room divider can help carve out distinct areas in a tiny apartment, but it’s also a smart solution for making a big space feel cozier and more user-friendly.

The "window walls" I designed in this Mulholland mansion's chic Dining Room were crafted from over 3,000 small pieces of recycled wood. The result is a room that feels private but lets in natural light, stunning views and the “essence” of the rest of the home.

To recreate the look in your own space, skip the custom carpentry and check out this Double Happiness Wood Room Divider. Arrange the four panels in a configuration that works for you, or display it flat against a wall as an eye-catching art piece.

I'm in love with this color! And this vibrant, turquoise-hued spider web screen will create the feeling of a separate space while still allowing light to stream through.

This black and white room divider is modern, graphic, and brings a bit of the outdoors in - my favorite design element! The four panels offer extra width and the solid construction would allow for total privacy for a bedroom nook.

Room dividers that rule don't have to stretch towards the ceiling. This hip zebra wood bar cabinet could be pushed against a wall to display classic shakers and bottles, but you could also set it perpendicular to a wall to create a sense of two separate spaces. During parties, play bartender and stand behind it to serve your guests their speciality cocktails.

Think outside the box. Room dividers that rule can also come from above! Group four of these wonderful crystal pendant lights in a row to cordon off a section of a room and lend a magic glow. These would be perfect to transition from the living room into an office, or to separate a kitchen from the dining area. Remember, you want the lights to hang low enough to create a natural divide, but not so low that someone might hit their head!

You can even achieve the look of a room divider without a single new piece of furniture by using paint. Create the sense of a separate space by painting adjacent walls (or even the same wall) contrasting colors or a light and dark version of a favorite shade.

My eco-friendly, do-it-yourself paint kit Wall Makeup can help you mix up ideal custom colors and save money without wasting tester cans of paint. So grab a few friends, pick up some brushes or rollers and get creative to make a statement that sets off your space!

Images: Kari Whitman

Creating Amazing Entryways

Rob — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. No doubt you have heard that before when it comes to personal interactions, but it is also relevant when it comes to your home. Just like you want to dazzle folks at a cocktail party or on a job interview, you should want your foyer to dazzle as well. Creating amazing entryways starts with being practical and then making sure those basics are chic. Interior design rules apply to your halls as well so here are the four key things you need to know.

Mirrors

Every well-appointed entry should have a mirror. While I would never accuse you of vanity, mirrors can come in handy for guests needing to primp or to make sure one’s hat is on straight. From an aesthetic perspective, mirrors can be a perfect design choice for small spaces as they reflect light and expand narrow spaces.

Lighting

Any way you slice it, lighting plays a key role in the success of any front hall. Most front halls have some form of ceiling light, but if you have room for a table or chest, adding a decorative table lamp will add warmth. This eclectic entry is large enough to offer guests ample seating, surface space for display, as well as high-styled wall sconces in an Art Deco design. Together, a winning combination.

Seating

Whether you need a spot to put on shoes, drop a handbag, or throw down your coat, seating or a bench is another key element needed for a well appointed entry. This minimalist entry knocks it out of the park. Simple overhead lighting, a large mirror, seating and baskets for storage. By creating a cohesive design style you set the stage for what your guests are likely to see. Here, there is an emphasis on earthy, simple and natural design.

Storage

This entry combines the best of traditional architecture with Mid-Century decoration. If you have room in your foyer, try to incorporate a chest. Not only will it provide a surface for everyday items such as keys, phones, and glasses, it will also provide extra storage for items you don’t want guests to see. In a small house or apartment you can use drawers for clothing, bedding, or linens. Don’t forget a chest of drawers can always be repurposed and used for store clothing in a bedroom later on.

This traditional entry hall bench is a true multi-purpose piece of furniture. In one fell swoop, you can turn your foyer into a truly functional space. Offering storage, seating hooks and a mirror, the bench is the epitome of the amazing entry.

Photos courtesy of Pinterest

Interior Designer Kimberley Seldon Talks Style, Design, and Business

Lesley Myrick — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Interior designer Kimberley Seldon is a seasoned design pro who wears many hats. From full-service residential interior designer, to TV personality, to furniture designer, to magazine editor, to author, to business guru, Kimberley really does it all! We chatted with Kimberley to get her insider take on decorating, style, and the business side of design.

LAMPS PLUS: What or who has most influenced your own design aesthetic?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Travel is my muse. I love the idea of great design as a universal language and I look for it wherever I travel - from Morocco to Arkansas. I'm never disappointed.

LAMPS PLUS: What is your favorite style?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I couldn't possibly choose just one. I believe "style" must relate to location and architecture. So, a home that is appropriately designed and decorated is my favourite.

LAMPS PLUS: What designers do you most admire?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I'm spoiled for choice in this category because I have worked with so many fine designers throughout my career. I love John Saladino's masterful quiet. I think Vincente Wolf is a genius with floor plans. No one is having more fun than Kelly Wearstler who works with abandon. Too many great examples to choose from.

LAMPS PLUS: What do you see as the next design trend?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Please god, let it be hiring a professional designer to complete your project!

LAMPS PLUS: What is one “trick of the trade” that you implement in your designs?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I love to line lamps with color to introduce more warmth into a room.

LAMPS PLUS: What is the best design advice you ever received?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Professionals keep professional hours. Dentists don't come in on Sunday evening because that's convenient for the client and neither should professional interior designers.

LAMPS PLUS: When decorating, what items should you invest or splurge on?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Invest in the most well-built comfortable sofa and bed you can afford. Splurge on artwork because it tells the world who you are and is a great way to personalize a space.

LAMPS PLUS: What is your favorite guilty pleasure that might surprise people?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I'm a huge Christina Aguilera fan. I watch Big Brother in the summer with my brother and kids. I occasionally buy something kitschy just because it makes me laugh and I love to see the reaction of others when they see something like that in my own home.

LAMPS PLUS: What is your favorite object at home that you didn't design?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: My Jura coffee machine.

LAMPS PLUS: What would be your dream project?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I would love to design a Vegas casino.

LAMPS PLUS: Who are your style icons?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I love the thrown together ease of Katherine Hepburn and the precision of Audrey Hepburn. Must be that last name.

LAMPS PLUS: What do you consider your must-have classic design books?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I have a first edition of Elsie de Wolf's The House in Good Taste and I really treasure it. She came on the scene and said, "I don't care if it's popular, it's ugly. Out with it."

LAMPS PLUS: In addition to running a full-service interior design firm, you’re also the Editor in Chief of Dabble Magazine and Design Editor of Chatelaine magazine, you've created a successful furniture line, you've published two books, you teach Business of Design workshops and seminars all over the world, and you’re launching a new website this month catered to design professionals. What is your favorite part of owning and operating a business with so many facets?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I feel very fortunate to have found a hub I can successfully orbit around. Interior design is a vast category and even with all I do, I barely scratch the surface. I do feel very proud of my new site, Business of Design, because I can use it as a way to teach other professionals how to run their businesses. These are lessons I've learned in twenty years of working with clients and nearly a decade of working one-on-one with a business coach.

LAMPS PLUS: What is the most challenging part about these varied aspects of your business?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: By far, the most challenging part of interior design is educating the customer and the designer about the value of what we provide. TV makes it look easy. It's actually a complex, responsibility-laden career. I can't think of anything I'd rather do.

LAMPS PLUS: Can you tell us about your goals or any projects in the works that you are excited about?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: With the launch of Business of Design I hope to take my teaching to a new level. To really educate designers about what it takes to be successful in business. To work smarter and to be able to satisfy more clients.

LAMPS PLUS: How important is lighting to your design?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Without great lighting…what design? Poor lighting single-handedly destroys a space. Function and form are improved with a flexible lighting plan.

LAMPS PLUS: What is your favorite furniture piece and why?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Chairs. They are as complex as architecture and equally thrilling to look at.

LAMPS PLUS: What are you obsessed with right now?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: Lamp shades and how to customize them to improve the living environment.

LAMPS PLUS: What are your favorite pieces from Lamps Plus?

KIMBERLEY SELDON: I love the Currey and Company Dante Blue Table Lamp, the Vertigo Small Pendant Light, and the Robert Abbey Odelia Night Light White Glass Table Lamp.

*******

Thanks, Kimberley! To learn more about Kimberley and her work please visit her websites: Kimberley Seldon Design Group and Business of Design

Images courtesy of Kimberley Seldon Design Group.

Good Reads Link Roundup - January 2012

John — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 GMT

It's a new year, full of new possibilities. So to give you some inspiration and get you started on the right foot, here are some of our favorite links and posts from this past month. Enjoy!

The SFGate liked our Big Sky Antler Chandelier (above) as part of their faux-antler chandelier trend article.

Did you see our friend Stacy Garcia's pillow in the recent episode of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey? We think it would go great with her Avocado Stripe Giclee Ceiling Light. What do you think?

Design blogger Holly Becker shares her design resolutions for 2012 and her list is full of great ideas to get your creative interior design juices flowing. We love her idea of making more mood boards, whether the old-fastioned way or digitally on Pinterest.

One of our favorite bloggers, Victoria Smith from SF Girl By Bay, included our Robert Abbey Delta Schiaparelli Pink Table Lamp in her Fab Friday picks.

We found one of our giclee pendant lights, Bold Pink Stripe 3-Light Pendant Chandelier, while browsing HGTV's Colorsplash page. Thanks David Bromstad for including one of our products in one of your fab designs!

Images: As credited above

5 Practical Tips to Help You Out of the Decorating Doldrums

Tina — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:00:00 GMT

The great English designer William Morris, who founded the world’s first home decorating firm, once wrote that we should have nothing around us that “is not useful and beautiful.”

Morris and his friends thought life simply was better lived according to those principles—and he was right, though sometimes all of us fall into a bit of a rut. Time is short, budgets are tight, our vision narrows, grows a bit stale and inspiration just seems to dry up. That’s precisely when you need to jump start your imagination. It will make you feel better and—in short order—have you back making your home a place of useful beauty.

Here are five practical tips to help you out of the decorating doldrums and keep you inspired:

1. Start a notebook of ideas. Jot down plans, places you can turn for ideas, ideas you’d like to try. If you already have a notebook, reread your old entries to see if inspiration still isn’t lurking there. Add new ideas and aspirations to the old and look for ideas in the remix.

2. Makeover your own workspace. There’s nothing like rearranging the place where you work to give yourself a fresh perspective and get yourself going again. It’s easy, inexpensive and has an immediate payoff. Just put your supplies in interesting new containers, buy a new lamp or re-imagine the way your shelves or storage is set up.

3. You should have an idea board. If you don’t, start one. Pinterest is a great way to start. If you do, take down all but your very favorites and give your visual inspiration a fresh look with new clippings, vintage or contemporary postcards—always stimulating—and diagrams to keep your creative goals front and center before your eyes.

4. Comb the magazines and Internet for a new role model. She or he can be an historical figure, someone from the worlds of film or fashion whose style strikes you in a special way or a designer. Collect material and think about what it is that appeals to you about them. Look for ways to bring a touch of what inspires you into your own space.

5. Get out of your house or office and look around. Go to your local museums and spend some time with their design collections. Window shop the home décor and antiques shops in your town. Take a tour of a nearby historic home, no matter what the era. Even going to Sunday open houses is a great way to get inspired (or to get house envy.)

How do you stay inspired?

(The desk, above, belongs to artist and illustrator Lizzy Stewart.)

3 Simple Tips for Kitchen Organziation

Rob — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Keeping your kitchen organized does not mean a gut renovation. In fact, clever kitchen storage can be achieved inexpensively if you follow the three simple tips: reuse, repurpose and recycle. Normally, I am merrily talking about glorious interiors and how to achieve them, when you may be wanting some practical advice about home matters that don’t cost a thin dime. You’re in luck today because I love finding ways to feed my obsessive need for organization for next to pennies.

1. REUSE

One easy way to stay organized for less is to use clear canisters. Not only are they easily washed and used for just about anything, they stack beautifully and allow you to see how much is left of a particular item. No more pulling out the old box of cereal to see that your teenager has left a meager amount of corn flakes. On a design note, I love the wallpaper on the back of the pantry. Why not keep things bright and breezy as well as organized. Make sure pantries are well lit. With kitchen lighting, it is critical to making sure you see what you have and need, not to mention to see when things get a tad dirty and need a good cleaning.

Did you ever think of the many uses for a tension rod? Forget about hanging a limp shower curtain from one of these beauties. I am in love with this idea...use them for vertical storage for trays, platters and cutting boards. Genius.

2. REPURPOSE

When was the last time you saw a pegboard outside of a garage or basement? Of course Julia Child used it in her own kitchen so it must be top drawer to use in ours. Funny enough, I’m not even discussing the pegboard, it’s the fisherman’s basket, a creel, that caught my eye. I love how they have used baskets on vertical space to add storage in this kitchen. Country, charming and totally functional.

Another great idea for maximizing kitchen storage is as basic as a nail and hook. If you are challenged with drawer and cabinet space, there is no shame in hanging pans. I also happen to think these wire baskets are so chic. To me, making merchandising your kitchen to look like a store brings me joy.

Country wire baskets are perfect to hold everything from fruits and veggies as well as napkins, silverware and dishtowels. The handle makes them perfect for transporting items from kitchen to dining room or outside.

3. RECYCLE

We all have drawers that are filled with a jumbled assortment of random things including saran wrap and foil holders that can clean take off a digit if you’re not careful. One interesting idea is to take an old cereal box, cover it in decorative paper and use it to hold those kitchen essentials that usually take up valuable horizontal drawer space.

Another chic storage idea is to recycle old filing cabinets used in old print shops and general stores. As you can see, they make one-of-a-kind extra storage for those with limited space and budgets. Go forth and organize!

Photos courtesy of Pinterest, Martha Stewart.

Company Talk - Bathroom Lighting Trends with Sherri Peach

Lesley Myrick — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

With more than twenty years of experience as a buyer (in departments ranging from housewares to pool supplies to luggage), Sherri Peach is thrilled to be buying and designing products at Lamps Plus that are her passion - lights! Sherri specializes in bathroom lighting, close to ceiling lights, and outdoor lighting, and not only does she have an expert eye in sourcing lighting that's ahead of the trend, but she's also skilled in designing and customizing light fixtures to create the perfect fixtures that are both stylish and affordable.

LAMPS PLUS: What is the most interesting part of your job?

SHERRI PEACH: To be able to create wonderful and interesting products at great value.

LAMPS PLUS: What’s your favorite Lamps Plus product that you've had a hand in designing?

SHERRI PEACH: Currently, it would be the Possini Euro Lilypad Bath Light Fixture. A fun and unique contemporary light which adds flair to any bathroom.

LAMPS PLUS: How important is lighting in a bathroom?

SHERRI PEACH: Extremely! The right lighting can make a huge difference. Especially, when applying make up for women.

LAMPS PLUS: What’s the bathroom lighting like at your own home?

SHERRI PEACH:I have two side side sconces on both sides of the mirror, a bath bar above the mirror and a ceiling flush for general lighting. All of which are on a dimmer.

LAMPS PLUS: How would you create an “ideal” lighting scenario in a bathroom?

SHERRI PEACH: Definitely, side sconces to prevent shadows and a wall dimmer, which allows you to make the lighting as bright as you would like, or to just make the lighting low for a night light.

LAMPS PLUS: What trends do you see coming in bathroom lighting?

SHERRI PEACH: Chrome or Brushed Steel are the main finishes now. Contemporary, as well as, clean lines are the main trend now and will be for a few years.

LAMPS PLUS: What are your favorite contemporary bathroom lights from Lamps Plus?

SHERRI PEACH: Currently they are (clockwise from left): the Lighting on the Square Bronze Wall Sconce; the Lighting on the Square Bronze Bath Wall Light; and the Possini Euro Design Glass Bands Bath Light,

LAMPS PLUS: Thank you for shining some light on bathroom lighting trends.