interior MISMATCH: history comes FIRST

Showing posts with label history comes FIRST. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

shabby chic LIGHTING

Feeling dainty tonight? Well, pour yourself a cup of tea, and let's take a look at a more feminine style, commonly known as Shabby Chic.

When I think of Shabby Chic light fixtures I think of tin, iron, and sparkling crystal tear drops. The types of lighting range from ornate crystal chandeliers with swags to iron and glass pendants, and flower covered fabric shades to delicate sconces. Sometimes the base is a detail looking like an urn or tea kettle with leaf ornamentation.

This style doesn't seem as valid as other styles throughout history. Shabby Chic was a happy accident, not in response to a social or economic climate. I know that Shabby Chic was popular during the 1990s, but that's about it... So, I decided to do a little research. Rachel Ashwell developed this style out of necessity. She was a single mom with two young children, and needed a practical solution for her sofa. Ashwell had white slipcovers made that she could throw into the washer as needed. Suddenly her friends, and even celebrities, were seeking her out. (Oh yes, this was in Los Angeles). She opened her first Shabby Chic boutique in Santa Monica in 1989. In an article from Inc.com, Ashwell says:

"A publisher asked me to do a book. I thought, What book can I do about a sofa? But it was the best decision I ever made. The book was about homes that relied on the Shabby Chic formula: cozy, comfortable, vintage, and pretty." ("How I Did It: Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic", Inc magazine, November 2011)

Ashwell's success rode the highs and lows of the economic waves around 2008, but she continues to have success with three boutiques in Los Angeles, New York and London under a partnership with Brand Sense Partners. She also purchased a B&B she frequented when she was sourcing products in Texas, which is another great way to showcase her style.

Well, my post today isn't about the infamous slipcover sofa, but let's take a look at the VINTAGE and PRETTY light fixtures in these Shabby Chic designs:

Bedroom with a simple perforated lamp shade

Crystal pendent with leaf detailing over a tea table, perhaps

A bit more shabby with chipping paint on this lantern over the dining table.

Fabric roses and lace adorn these white lamp shades- it's just pretty

Such romantic lighting in this foyer with crystal sconces and a tiered table lamp.

This iron lantern with detailing around the top edges complements this office

This elaborate crystal chandelier steals the show in this dining room

This style isn't for everyone, but I think we can all agree that Shabby Chic really gets to showcase a lot of sparkle in all of those crystal fixtures!

To learn more about Rachel Ashwell, be sure to visit her Blog and her online shop Shabby Chic Couture

PS...If you missed my post last week, sign-up & GIVEAWAY, be sure to subscribe by email in the right column by Saturday, December 13th, at the strike of midnight!! You will be automatically entered into the giveaway taking place next week. Also, leave me a comment for which collection you would like in case you are a winner~

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SOURCES

General information: Inc.com

Sunday, December 7, 2014

mid-century modern LIGHTING

Mid-century lighting was out of this world!

The United States was looking past the sky, and into outer space. It was the Cold War and the Space Race was in full gear. President Kennedy shared that NASA will get a man on the moon. The skies were no longer the limit, and the world was fascinated.

"The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space." President John F. Kennedy, Moon Speech, Rice Stadium, September 12, 1962.

In a post-war society materials were also limited. Scarcity triggered creativity and resourceful design. Mid-century light fixtures have clean, geometric lines and forms. Excess frills were left by the wayside. Forms transferred into sculpture. Lighting was a beautiful thing to look at, and still is! Shapes were inspired by flying saucers, speed of space ships, hour glass, spheres, and rings like planets in space.

George Nelson and his Bubble Lamps, Interior Design Magazine 1952

1950's advertisement with a Bubble-lamp

Bubble-Lamp

Although this imaged looks a bit staged, it's still appealing over fifty years later. The Bubble-lamp can mix with transitional styles as well because of it's simple form.

Atomic light

The Atomic light is a great focal point in this eclectic living room! The fixture has a sphere at the center, and metal tubing radiates out in all directions. Small bulbs burn bright at the end of each piece. This should remind you of chemistry class when you learned about protons and neutrons. Isn't it stellar?

Astron pendant: Rejuvenation

This mini pendent was just too cute, I had to share it with you. It looks like something that you would see at the Jetsons house, doesn't it?

(This was designed by Louis Poulsen in collaboration with the Navy Buildings Department in the 1950s. The design provided directional light, as well as a softer ambient light. The Navy Pedant was discontinued in the 1980s, but has returned in updated colors for the 21st century, now called the Doo-Wop)

Task light

This task light just exudes speed...ZOOM! It reminds me of a shuttle bursting into outer space.

PH pendant

Poul Henningsen (PH) worked with Louis Poulsen through the 1960s. Henningsen designed the three shade system in 1925-26, but it fits perfectly into the mid-century modern style. This system focused light to where it was needed- a task lamp. Its directional light was ideal for rooms with high ceilings, or shown here for a dining room. The fixtures were made of metal, and painted white on the underside (shown above.) Today, there are 19 options to choose from, including glass.

I hope you learned something new about a style that is favored by so many people today. Most of you are probably familiar with this style from your childhood, thinking about your grandparents' house, or even watching the popular show "Mad Men."

So, which Mid-century modern light fixture sparks your interest?

PS...If you missed the last post, sign-up & GIVEAWAY, be sure to subscribe by email in the right column. You will be automatically entered into the giveaway taking place next week. Then leave me a comment for which collection you would like if you are a winner~

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SOURCES

Mid-century design motifs: Collectors Weekly

Sunday, July 20, 2014

i love the FRENCH NEOCLASSICAL

The French Neoclassical design period was during the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, in the eighteenth century. I have been romanced by the beautiful details and color palette of this period. (Yes, unfortunately the political situation wasn't great...). The Palace of Versailles and Le Petit Trianon are wonderful examples of this style. I don't even think examples are the right word- they are the style!

Portraits- Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Le Petit Trianon, France

I love the pastel palette, like Marie Antoinette blue. This is when the royal court powdered their hair, wore beautiful gowns, rouged cheeks, and ribbons and feathers in their hair. If you can't make it to France, or haven't yet like myself, I highly recommend watching "Marie Antoinette" to see the beyond beautiful design and fashion of the period. The filming of the movie, direct by Sofia Coppola, was actually filmed onsite at Versailles!

Feathers in her hair, "Marie Antoinette"

The French Neoclassical period is known for several elements. The Louis XVI chair has fluted legs, blocked rosettes under the seat, and a square or oval back. It is stunning in a gold finish with a damask patterned fabric. Sometimes you will see a bow detail at the top of the chair, a nod to Marie Antoinette's style. Classical elements, garland motifs, balustrade details, flowers, columns, inset paneling, and settees are also popular. Straight lines and geometric shapes are a primary way to distinguish this period.

Settee with damask fabric

Oval Back Chair with garlands and classical motifs

White room in Palace of Versailles, "Marie Antoinette"

The white room above is so elegant with beautiful moldings with gold gilding, swags of drapery, florals prints and crystal chandeliers, but is this a room you can realistically live in every day? Sadly, no it's not. Even Marie Antoinette had her private chamber to socialize with her friends, as well as her "country life" she escaped to. Besides, if you created a room like this in your house it would look like you were trying to create something of the past, which you are! The best way to honor this French Neoclassical is to mix it into your space. Let it shine against furniture from another period.

The most distinguished element from this period is the Louis XVI chair. This is a piece of furniture that has lived on for several hundred years. Whether it is more casual with a vertical stripe or a check pattern in a summer house, or it's painted black with a bold fabric. Take a second glance at my logo, and you'll see the same chair with a modern zig zag (I love this chair, can you tell?) . Philippe Starck has even used it as inspiration for his Louis Ghost Chair, which I'm sure you've all seen. It's a modern interpretation of a classical piece of furniture. I've seen it used for weddings and home interiors alike.