December 2008 - Posts
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As 2008 draws to a close, I'm thinking about some simple things I'd like to accomplish in the new year. For starters, I'd like to add some color and spice up the seating area in my living room. Don't scoff! Remember, the key to following through with new year's resolutions is setting realistic goals!
   
These new table lamps are just the thing. The Kito Table Lamp comes in six lively colors and features a sculpted ceramic base. Mission accomplished! Too bad these lamps won't reorganize my garage.
What are your design goals for 2009???
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 Goodbye to 2008 (and none too soon!) Despite all of the ups and downs, there were some design trends that we'd like to remember.
1. Energy Efficient Lighting - being green took on a whole new look this year, thanks to more energy saving styles and designs than ever before.
2. The Dawn of the LED Age - LED lighting is just around the corner. The first big wave hit this year, with innovative desk, ceiling and bulb designs.
3. The Organic Look - designs inspired by nature made a splash with earth-tone colors and natural materials like stone and bamboo.
4. Ceiling Medallions - designers took to ceiling medallions as a way to dress-up chandeliers and other lighting fixtures.
5. Swag It! - swag chandeliers offered new looks and the flexibility to add chandelier-style lighting just about anywhere.
6. Modern Crystal - colored crystals, contemporary shapes and modern looks gave crystal a whole new appeal this year.
7. Contemporary Cresting - more product than ever made the contemporary lighting category the one to watch this year.
What's in store for 2009? We've got some ideas, and we'll post about them over the next week or so. Until then, we wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year!
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With such a fun and familiar theme, decorating for the holidays is a snap. It's so easy to create a festive feel with colorful lighting and charming decorative objects.
Now that the season is winding down, let's not lose that decorating momentum! Here's a tip: As you pack away the holiday decorations, try replacing them with accents that are great all year long.
Replace the Christmas lights with party lights to keep things bright and cheery all year round. Swap out a holiday centerpiece with a sculpture, art object or candle holders. And, don't leave your front door naked just because the holidays are over! Add a wonderful wreath like this winter-themed beauty.
When you finally retire this year's Christmas tree, keep the green theme with a gorgeous floral arrangement. With fresh, decorative accents like these, your home will start 2009 in style!
  
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It's time once again for our monthly astrology feature, and this month we wish a happy birthday to Capricorn! These folks are sensible and organized, and they prefer friends and mates to act accordingly. Capricorn is embarrassed by extravagence and shows of ego. If you want help planning Elton John's birthday party, ask a Sagittarius. If you need your taxes done, Capricorn is your guy.
Dear Capricorn: Cheer up, man! Yes, the holidays can be stressful, but you should be all set now that you've finished your holiday gift spreadsheet. Yes, yes, I know ... the "Gift Matrix" calculates the perfect gift based on birthdate, middle name, and hair color. But, don't forget to have fun! Maybe just one, tiny mug of eggnog this year??
Here are a couple items I found that even level-headed Capricorn can get excited about:
 Capricorn's birthstone is the beautiful and rare ruby. This gorgeous, Victorian style wall sconce features wonderful clear and ruby-colored glass accents. Sure, it's highly decorative, but this look goes back over a century; it's tried and true!
 Our practical buddy Capricorn will love this classic bankers lamp. This model is confident and stylish, and it features OTT-LITE technology engineered to mimic natural light and reduce eye strain.
 Finally, for our little Capricorns ... This puppy dog accent lamp is the perfect companion night light. Our dear Capricorns cherish loyalty, and dogs pretty much have a corner on that market.
Next month ... visionary, idealistic Aquarius!
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We recently got a great tip, that's both smart and stylish, from Nora in Los Angeles.
Fluorescent fixtures are commonly built into kitchens and bathrooms because they're incredibly energy-efficient and emit comfortable, ambient light. However, fluorescents usually don't offer much in terms in of style and expression. Nora removed her fluorescent fixtures and panels, painted the recessed area a contrasting color, and then sank a beautiful semi-flushmount fixture into the space. Voila!
She chose the Flower Sparkle Ceiling Light, and the results are spectacular. Thank you Nora for sending in the photo! Click here to see the pics.
Now it's your turn: Capture a LAMPS PLUS product in your home and share your ideas with us. Review the item and upload your photo so we can see!
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Swing arm wall lamps are a great solution to task lighting in a variety of settings. They're perfect flanking the couch or beside your favorite reading chair. Put one on either side of the bed, and you've got adjustable reading light at your fingertips. Plus, it frees up a cluttered nightstand, or makes for no nightstand at all!
Martha Stewart is offering two fabulous new swing arm designs from her Conservatory Collection. Each features clean, purposeful design, and the look is sophisticated. Choose from a Kraft paper shade or, for a more industrial aesthetic, a spun steel shade. Both designs are also available in a gleaming polished nickel finish.
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These Holiday-friendly home decor items are a thoughtful way to show someone you care while allowing you to stay within your budget. Best of all, these items are currently in stock so you will receive them before Christmas as long as you order by December 15th. Three cheers for shopping online!
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Tables come in many shapes and sizes to fit various decor applications. Since the variety of names can be confusing, I put together a quick guide to the key types.
One major distinguishing characteristic is height.
Coffee tables and cocktail tables are lower, ranging from 16" to 20". Centered in a seating area, this height keeps decorative objects and refreshments below your line of sight.
Sofa tables, console tables, and hall tables generally stand between 28" and 36" high. This higher profile is better suited for area where people will be standing, not seated.
Another distinguishing feature is application.
End tables and side tables look best flanking a couch or loveseat, and nightstands are perfect beside the bed.
Accent tables can do the same, but they'll also work great on their own. Use one to fill up a lonely corner, or decorate a pedestal table with a sculpture or a potted plant.
Sofa and console tables are often rectangular or semi-circular, fitting behind a couch or snug against a wall.
Hopefully this info is helpful, and keep in mind that these are merely guidelines. The real fun in decorating is making your own rules!
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 Small mini-chandeliers are all the rage now, with designers using them for a dash of style everywhere from entry areas to bedrooms.
Now a new collection has taken these small chandelier designs and suspended them from a floor lamp stand. The result is a bit of portable glamour that you can move from room to room as you wish. They'll look great in a room corner or to add glitter to a seating area.
More stands are on the way, but for now we're featuring a distressed white finish base paired with seven different mini-chandeliers. Floor stand chandeliers.
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