Tuesday, May 11, 2010
My Lighting Obsession Continues...
I've got a small confession to make: I can't stop obsessing over lighting. You would not believe the time I've spent in the past few months e-browsing online lighting meccas like Circa Lighting,Shades of Light and Urban Electric and large home decor retailers with extensive lighting departments like Horchow and Clayton Gray Home. I simply can't get enough. And the biggest problem? With the exception of replacing the ho-hum bedside lamps in the master bedroom (which I have no business buying until I've got a clear vision for the room), I really don't need any more lamps.
So I continue to browse. And obsess. Last week I shared with you some of my favorite turquoise lamps (and interiors featuring said lamps). Today, I thought I'd relieve some of my pent-up lamp tension by sharing my favorite blue and white lamps. A more classic alternative to turquoise, blue and white lamps are right on trend with the resurgence in Chinoiserie. They can bring a bit of sophistication and a dose of traditionalism to a cottage interior, as they do in the bedroom designed by Kim Coleman shown above. Think of these as functional blue and white porcelain. These can go absolutely anywhere.
I'll readily admit that this lamp is not traditional blue and white porcelain, but it is blue and white and I love it and it's my roundup.... Anyway, I do think this monogrammed lamp would be a fairly easy DIY. You could mod-podge (or simply glue) a swatch of monogrammed fabric to a basic column lamp or just stencil a monogram directly to a lamp. Another great detail in this shot is the amazing light blue ribbon trim with the nail head detailing. Such a wonderful way to incorporate the lighter blue into the bed itself.
If you were naming a handful of designers who were instrumental in bringing back wallpaper, Meg Braff would no doubt be top of the list. I love how she's used Bob Collins & Sons' Chinese Lattice wallpaper in this den. She kept patterns on fabric to a minimum here, relying on the large scale pattern of the paper to carry the room. Smaller scale pattern is introduced only in the accessories, like in that gorgeous lamp on the desk. Despite her willingness to go with such a big pattern on the walls, I'd argue that the bravest thing Meg did in this room is hanging the art in front of the windows. That definitely takes a lot of guts -- and I think the risk paid off here as I think it gives context to the desk (floating desks in front of windows often looks a bit awkward to me). What do you think?
If an all-blue and white room isn't your thing, never fear. A blue and white porcelain lamp is an absolute "wow" against chocolate brown walls. The cool tones are the perfect antidote to the warmth of dark woods and rich browns.
The lone spot of blue in a sea of pinks, this blue and white lamp adds a big, mature dose of style to this sweet little girl's room decorated by Ruthie Sommers. I never knew blue could look so good with pink!
And since I love to share, here are some of my favorite blue and white lamps currently available:
Source list (from top left): 1. Isha Table Lamp (Clayton Gray Home; $425). My current obsession. I love the pattern, the height, the lucite base...love it all! 2. Arteriors Alessa Lamp (Candelabra; $399). A navy lampshade is a softer, but equally chic, alternative to a classic black shade. 3. Small Blue Striped Lamp (Emilia Ceramics; $128). If you're house is more hacienda than traditional, but these hand painted stripes would be a great, contemporary (but with that lovely handmade quality) touch to any house. 4. Mandarin Floral Table Lamp (Horchow; $375). Another classic choice; I'd switch the shade out with something a bit more modern to shake it up a bit. 5. Carnaby Hazard Lamp (Jonathan Adler; $225). So I cheated and included this in the turquoise lamp round-up, too...but I love it!! 6. Blue & White Chippendale Table Lamp (Shades of Light; $235). A more Hollywood Glam turn on classic blue and white. Reminds me of China Seas' Java Java fabric. 7. Arteriors Batik Table Lamp (Avid-Home; $262). Not sure how I feel about the pleated blue shade, but the lamp base's shape and pattern are both fantastic. 8. Blue & White Happiness Mini Oriental Table Lamp (Shades of Light; $74.50). A little bit of double happiness at a great price. 9. Dragon Lamp (Modern Dose; $398). The lucite base and neck, together with the navy lining on the lampshade, give this traditional dragon lamp a very modern dose of glam.
What about you? Do you own any blue and white lamps? If so, I'd love to see how you've incorporated them into your decor.
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25 comments:
So gorgeous. And the line "relieve some of my pent-up lamp tension" made me giggle! hehe! I'll take two of the top right please -- my house IS more hacienda than traditional, so they'd fit right in!!
That interior by Meg Braff now has me wanting to hang art in front of the window in my office! Hmmm...
Averill, I love the images you chose. I too would love to replace some lighting, the choices are amazing!
Karena
Art by Karena
what beatuful lamps you have collected! I love lamps too, specially chrystall ones!
I have no white and blue lamps, though they would certainly work in the master bedroom update I am starting to think about! As always, beautiful and inspiring images! Janell
Those blue and white lamps or GORGEOUS! So lovley. I have totally been into blue and white lately so this is really inspiring!
Lovely lamps, darling!
Your obsession is making me so happy!
xoxox,
CC
the monogrammed lamp in the plum interiors space looks like a diy project in the making! i love the striped lamp too — what a bargain!
Wow, I am going to dream about those first lamps....I have to find the source!
So pretty! Love your selection. I think the bottom left one is my fave, but I'd pair it with a white shade.
Such gorgeous options! And I love the blue and white lamp in the pink room.
OH Averill, I am so with you on this obsession. I have a real problem with lighting of any kind. I have lamps inside my closets that I bring in and out according to seasonal changes. In fact I have a two blue and white lamps on my mantle post today. Look at my Summer mantle where I bring in all my blue and white. I have a mini lamp and a medium size lamp at both ends of my 17ft mantle!! I love allll of your choices. Just think of it this way. Kathysue needs a lamp fix once in a while so you have to do post like this!! Happy Tuesday,sweetie, Kathysue
oh my goodness you know i love it all!!!!!!!! the white and blue are my favorite lamps right now too.
Great roundup of rooms and lamps. I especially like the Ruthie Sommers. Yes, of course I have blue and white lamps.
I don't own any blue and white lamps, but now I am totally inclined to buy the Dragon lamp with the ultra chic shade.
I seriously love every lamp you picked out!
Around 10 years ago, I was talking with a design obsessed friend and realized I had never bought a nice lamp - all of my lamps were hand me downs from my MIL. Through the years, I have bought a few lamps that I really love. Two of my favorites were purchased at Mrs. Howard - and they are blue! Mrs. Howard has the best lamps in Atlanta, in my humble opinion. Here they are in situ: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hUw_VQ5l9r0/S26nnGqfYSI/AAAAAAAAGYE/4rae7-uJvC0/3770210925_a450541386_b1_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800
What is it about lamps...I always want more too! Like the shoes of home decor! That Jonathan Adler one is calling my name.
I don't have any blue and white lamps, but I love #3 with the stripes, and #5 cause I'm always naturally drawn to Jonathan Adler.
i love the blue and white rooms! feel so fresh and calming at the same time!
My mom had some big blue and white lamps (and garden stools too) when we were growing up and for awhile they felt old-fashioned, but now they are back and so pretty and classic. You always find pretty, never-before-seen footage (images)!
I found something for you over at Tuesday Morning and posted them at my blog.
Two of the areas I hit in the stores are pillows and lamps! Not that I need anymore of either, but they are inexpensive change outs if you are just looking to update or do something different. I hate to add to your list but don't forget Lamps Plus and Bellacor. They have some neat things and I've purchased from both.
We almost got blue and white Chinese-style porcelain lamps off Overstock for our living room...at the last we decided to go with some solid crystal base ones instead (more modern/masculine?) -- alas!!!!!
i love lamps too, but i REALLY love refinishing them! i don't care if they're blue & white, purple & green or black and gold--give me a vintage, preferably ceramic lamp, and i'll turn it into a stunner!
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