Let there be....

Supernova

Crystal Ball

Tiffany and Co.

What is it about light fixtures which makes my heart beat faster?  The jewelry of the house, I find swapping out a standard (and somewhat boring) fixture a great way to transform a room. It can be tricky though-- one must consider the scale of the fixture, the amount of light it casts, even the direction of that light. I've made my missteps, like putting an upward cast light in a stairwell and nearly blinding myself, but with the help of the electrician, it's a mistake easily rectified. If only wallpaper were so easy to swap out.

Sputnik Lands

Part asteroid, part spaceship, James made yet another great Craigslist discovery: this Italian light fixture circa 1960. Just add candelabra flame bulbs and the look is outta this world.

Light Fixtures: New Find

I found this awesome light fixture at Ad Lib Antiques in Hudson, NY. Supernova, a chandelier designed by Lou Blassingame, caught my eye months ago and I've been smitten ever since. Both modern and dynamic, Blassigame custom makes each fixture to match the client's needs. Is it unreasonable to ask Santa to bring a 19" version of this on his sled?

Lighting: Commercial Applications

Anyone who has ever dimmed the lights to set the mood knows how essential lighting is to residential spaces, but it becomes even more important in a commercial setting. I asked cousin-in-law and Fairfield Display and Lighting specialist Michael Mikita to share some images of his company's projects, seen above. In looking at them, it seems to me that the universal rule of thumb with lighting in both residential and commercial settings is variety. No one fixture is going to serve all purposes. A mix of overhead, spotlights and pendants are needed to make a space and its contents come to life.

Lighting Ideas

Always a fan of light fixtures in general, I become especially keen on reassessing lighting placement and wattage as autumn nights grow longer. Candles, strings of lights, colored bulbs, dimmer switches, all make me wax poetic.

Although I've tried to curtail the flow of unwanted junk mail into my life, I am really enjoying my Restoration Hardware lighting catalogue right now. The lines of their Industrial Age light fixtures would work well in so many decor contexts, the expressiveness of the stainless construction providing just enough detail to remain interesting. The Clemson pendant reminds me of the Halophane fixtures we used in James' office, and the Sutton sconce offer a few variations depending upon the room's lighting needs. Is it too grand to assert that the right lighting fixture can transform a space? Perhaps. But surely we can all agree that the right one readily sets an aesthetic tone and ambience with the flick of a switch.

CB2 Lighting

I can't help but love this pendant lamp from CB2. I love Crate and Barrel in general; their products being well-designed and within my price range. I bought my everyday modern flatware from there and I am as happy today with it as I was when I got it seven years ago. I especially love its weight in my hand. Lately, however, I've been drawn to their CB2 line. Perhaps it is the groovy colors or the sleek design, but either way, I'm always marking pages in my catalogue of items I like. If only I had a place to put everything, especially this Scandinavian-inspired piece. Right now I have another of their pendant lamps over the table at Potic, a perfect size and texture for the room, and better yet, it has a cord so no need for the electrician. But I can still admire from afar...

On the Wire

What I've always loved about Alexander Calder's wire sculptures is that they appear to be a gesture drawing suspended in mid air. Their sense of immediacy and whimsy-- especially the wire circus at the Whitney-- give Calder's work an appeal that few artists can match and that many admirers would love to have in their homes. Now combine that aesthetic with a lighting fixture, and you've got Johnny Sparks' handcrafted wire chandeliers. Imagine one suspended over a sleek modern table, offering a touch of the artist's hand to juxtapose the slickness.

Lighting Strikes Twice

One of the easiest ways to make a decor eclectic is to mismatch the light fixtures. A modern piece looks great amidst the antiques, as does a crystal chandelier juxtaposed against modern furniture. In terms of modern fixtures, I found these versatile pendant lights from American Glass Light. I love that they seem to be the masculine and feminine counterparts to each other-- while both maintaining a streamline quality. No matter the style, I am a big fan of installing a dimmer switch, which offers different lighting options based on your needs.

Illumination

One cannot overstate the importance of a light fixture. Ok that's a bit strong, but truly, the choice between one light fixture over another can make the difference between a modern tone or a traditional one. To be true to the bones of the Islip house, as well as to provide different degrees of light, these three fixtures provide three different levels of lighting. The George Nelson Bubble lamp from Modernica added a much needed 1947 space age feature to our otherwise traditional living room. In the next picture, set in the heart of the home, the art glass, geometric Tiffany fixture over the dining room table is more architectural than the usual multicolored floral pieces. I almost bought a flying monkey chandelier for the space, which would have been a mistake in the long run. Finally, the light fixture over the kitchen island had to be both a functional work space light but also walk the right design line. This Kohler fixture seemed to tap into the 1925 origin of the house without being too obvious. As for fantasy lighting, sometime in my life I would love to hang a great, decadent chandelier dripping with crystals over an enormous claw foot tub. Now that would a be a luxurious soak indeed.