Lighting – When Fab Meets Function

“I just I need a pair of lamps” . . . said the client to the designer.  At first thought, and rightly so, addressing the functional need is the client’s request and the designer’s charge, but when you lay your eyes on this bejeweled, rock crystal duet . . . it less about need and all about desire. 

Oh, they had me at “hello!”

1950’s Carol Stupell Rock Crystal Lamps (From:  Galere as shown on 1st Dibs $9,900 – pair) 

Come a little closer for the love of crystal.

The original shades are still intact.  Just look at the pleating.  So feminine.

Getting back to reality . . .

Not everyone might decide to delve into as deep of a lighting investment in order to add some luminosity to end tables.  In fact, there might have been a simultaneous gasp at the beauty of these pieces, as well as the price tag! 

The point I’m making is that lamps can be beautifully structured additions to your interior space, while offering great functionality.  The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive of one another.  I’m always amazed when an investment has been made in a gorgeous rug or a stupendous sofa and then some languid lamps are expected to live up to the expectations set by the afore mentioned.  Just think of some times where extra accessories had to be brought in order to jazz up the room.  Great lamps can eliminate some of the excess clutter.

Did I mention these were from the 1950’s?  It just goes to show, good taste remains!

Have a brilliant day! ~ Wanda

All of the Trimmings

While many of you are in full-blown holiday decorating mode – and more of the mantle and tree type – I wanted to jump back into the world of interior design, for a moment, to share some trimmings of another kind.

As an interior designer, I do love the little details.  Trimmings come in all different degrees of texture, color, materials and complexity.  They add that certain something special to any room.They can elevate a simple chair, window or pillow, to a level of interest not always reached by being left unadorned. 

As we get closer to the holidays, my posts will be short and sweet – just like me!  We all have things to do, places to be and people to see, so I’ll give you some fun and fast tips for amping up the volume in your décor!

A velvet, pleated ruffle, from Brimar, pops the fuchsia in this pillow cover.

Nailhead trim, inserted into a fabric banding, is the perfect foil for this Hickory Chair’s simple design.

A covered button and some braided trim add a certain je ne sais quoi to alternating panels of fabric.  (Courtesy of Brimar)

Layered brush fringe, on this skirted ottoman, makes for a fun, flirty, flapper style. (Courtesy of Brimar)

A simple shade simply shows better with a decorative tape applied.  (Now say this really fast!)

This holiday break was cheerfully brought to you by – Wanda!

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like . . .

I had really promised myself I would slow down and let each holiday be given its own due.  Halloween? That was pretty easy.  The pumpkins, gourds, and harvest accents were properly placed and enjoyed, as the month of September rolled into October.  November?  Well, that’s a different story.  Christmas Carols are already playing on several radio stations - and non-stop, I might add.  It goes without saying the stores have been decked out. In Charlotte, we are also in the midst of the Southern Christmas Show. 

I looked at the calendar and calculated the days before my Wyoming in-laws will be in town, for Thanksgiving week, and then the number of weeks, in between, when my folks will be arriving for Christmas.  Okay, I give up!  I guess it’s just time to crank up the music and warm up the wassail.  It IS beginning to look at lot like Christmas and I’ll share with you some sights to help you get in the spirit, too!  

Give your guests a sneak preview as to what to expect, inside.  This is the entry to a client’s home and we honored her mountain-inspired retreat with cones and long-leaf pine – a tree indigenous to North Carolina. 

I love white ironstone for its versatility.  (And, I can’t help it, I still love clocks!  See my previous post on the subject.)

I’m a fan of Carolyne Roehm and her Christmas Canine wreath is so “bow-wow-tiful”!  (A good sense of humor goes a long way towards maintaining the holiday spirit, don’t you think?)

This Colonial Candle display certainly gets the message across regarding what they are all about.  What happy color combinations and you’ll always be prepared for a power outage! 

There’s something about a farmhouse table, laden with goodies, graced with topiaries and crowned with a chandelier.  Red is definitely one of my favorite colors . . . Like a moth to a flame, is a pretty accurate description, for me!

The decorations, on this mantel, are a lovely extension of the wintery scene.  Couldn’t you just get lost for hours, here?

A contrast of textures, to the previous mantel photo.  The asymmetrical groupings of potted conifers and obelisks compliment the rustic fireplace.  A comfy, casual spot!

A gathering of pinecones, accented by either a pile of apples and magnolia leaves, or placed around a planted amaryllis, are a quick and easy way to add an earthy touch to your seasonal greens and flowers.

What?  Never heard of the Christmas Bunny?  If your storage space is limited or you can’t bear to put your favorite everyday decorations away – go ahead, break the rules.  I “triple dog dare you”! 

I always say, the holidays are like the Bermuda Triangle of sweets.  Who could resist saying no to this? 

Speaking of treats, I do enjoy spreading the seasonal joy to the kitchen.  This is not a case for “less is more”.

For those of you who prefer an option to the traditional reds and greens, Carolyne Roehme offers up her version of a blue and white Christmas.  So wintery and magical! 

How about a “green” Christmas?  I can see this room being an homage to an eco-friendly holiday.  Recycled floors and stone from an old farmstead.  The antique coffee table, had a previous life as a kitchen table.  Organic linen slipcovers placed on the sofa and chairs made of soy foam and renewable frame materials.  Even the tree is sustainable as it is a live version, to be planted later!

 Finishing touches can be created from a bit of this and a bit of that!

 

While this post may be longer than the Twelve Days of Christmas, I hope you’ll enjoy my gift to you and will take away something to inspire you for a season, merry and bright!

“It is not our things which make us happy, but rather the people with whom we share them.”  Wanda Horton

(Thanks to:  House Beautiful, Home and Garden, Traditional Homes, Colonial Candles, Veranda and Interior Concepts by Wanda for the photo sources.)

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A Matter of Time

As much as I love being able to have a longer amount of daylight, I have to admit I do enjoy the one day, each year, an extra hour is gained!  I know it’s a manipulation of the hands on the clock, (or a digital update), but it still feels like a wonderful luxury, to me.

I’ll also share, I have a weakness for clocks – and not so much for the digital kind.  I think it’s a combination of the form and function as I enjoy the craftsmanship of each case and dial set.  For me, the tick-tock rhythm is like enjoying the presence of a comforting guest. 

I do love Swedish antiques and this clock and cabinet combination is no exception. A clever craftsman must have decided their customer needed to conserve space. What a great bedroom piece!  (You can find this at A.Tyner Antiques in Atlanta.)

Mora clocks from Sweden.  No, this isn’t a typo . . . it’s the name of just one of the styles of tall case clocks, which can be found in the town of Mora, near the border of Norway.  Production on the clocks began in the late 18th century.  What a smörgåsbord! 

These French Louis XV clocks have similarities in the use of ormolu, or a method of heating and pounding metal to various shapes and forms, and it is often gilded, as well.  The clock, on the left, is referred to as a boulle design, as it contains inlay or marquetry to its wood case.  The clock, on the right, has been hand-painted with figures, often considered very fashionable, for the time. (King Louis XV of France, 1710-1774)

 This English Folk Art Dove Cote with Clock conjures up visions of fairy tales and cottages.  Just look at the detailed carvings.  Don’t let the term “Folk Art” fool you.  This piece stands at 74” high and commands a price tag of $28,000.00!  Should this be your heart’s desire, it can be found at Antiques on Old Plank Road.  Circa, early 20th century.

These Art Deco Clocks, (circa 1825 – 1940), showcase the use of Vinylite, (Plaskon) and celluloid materials.  This period occurred during a height of an international art and design movement.  Designs were considered to be modern, elegant and functional.  The clock, in the upper left corner, is commonly referred to as a “skyscraper” clock, as it exhibited a popular architectural design, such at that found in the Chrysler Building in NYC. 

A few years ago, I spied this beauty being advertised at a South Carolina auction.  It’s an English Tall Case Clock, (circa mid 1800’s), with a hand-painted face and simple inlaid details. I loved that the base was shallow so that it wouldn’t take up too much space in my foyer.  Well, a few flips of my auction number and you can see where it landed!  Does it keep the best of time?  Probably not.  Does the chime make me a little crazy at times?  That’s why I sometimes stop it.  Does it make me feel like I’m home, when I walk through the door?  Absolutely!

One extra hour of time? . . . What a gift and a treasure!

Wishing you cheerful moments!  Wanda

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Pillow Talk

There is almost nothing more to love than the detailing of a beautiful pillow, and yet, it can be one of the most neglected accents in a room.  In some instances, after the larger pieces have been placed in a space, there is a tendency to take a - “Wait and see if it’s really necessary” - approach.  (Translated . . . maybe the room can “get by” without this added investment.)  In other cases, they may be seen as unneeded “fluff” because of being way overdone in the bygone days of over-the-top, unedited design. 

In the simplest of ensembles, this striped pillow, with trim, commands your attention.

A really well-executed pillow is like a work of art.  This dressmaker detailed accent can take a basic sofa or bedding ensemble to a level, several notches above.  Pillows are one of the easiest ways to update and compliment a new color palette.  The ranges of investment often depends on the amount of the detail, the fabric, trims and the insert materials.  There are some ready-to-go designs with a good look for a good price.  Truly custom pillows can be in the range of a small, accent piece of furniture or a nice lamp.  Because a pillow can be held and examined closely, I tend to prefer the best quality one can afford.  Hand-sewn closures and plump filler materials always are the best, in my book.  Natural fibers give the nicest tactile experience.  Visually, if you consider some of your favorite bedroom photos, most of the bed dressings would seem pretty blasé without the extra pillow layer.

Can we talk pillows?  I’d rather show you!

From Barclay Butera’s Hearst Castle Collection*  Hand-painted designs = custom art for a custom pillow.

A hand appliquéd design on a solid linen. Bella Studios*

Open flanged corners with knots!  Bella Studios*

The hand-tucked details remind me of Mary McFadden’s Marii or Fortuny pleated dress.  Some pillows are meant to be couture rather than to be “tossed”.  Bella Studios*

Vintage Mary McFadden Gown

The origami design is a feat of ingenuity for this lumbar pillow!  (An elongated pillow is often referred to as a lumbar pillow as it helps to support the lower back region.)  Feature a thing like that!  Beauty and comfortable function!  Bella Studios*

Hand beaded and hand embroidered pillows, from Ankasa*, were designed after the husband and wife team couldn’t find pillows for their new home.  What pain-staking detail to place each and every thread and bead!

  A lovely room featuring more Ankasa* pillows.

A fab linen pillow studded in Swarovski crystals is sure to add sparkle to your day!  The Infinity Pillow from Shine Home.

The mini flanged-edge with split corners separates the mundane from the must-have!  (And I like those fat fillers, too!)  Barclay Butera* linen pillow.

The flat trim, Greek key border finishes off a solid velvet with a sophisticated touch.  Barclay Butera*

This lovely monogram design from Mary Beth Zeitz is the perfect ending to this post . . .

*These sources are “To-The-Trade” and may be purchased through interior designers and specialty shops.

Cheers to you!  Wanda