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Showing posts with label lighting. Show all posts

Free form lighting - Macassar collection Andrew Muggleton

The Macassar collection with its tables and chairs has a final touch with this contemporary lighting.

The mix of Ebony which is the signature of the the Macassar collection with the brushed stainless steel and frosted lights glass offer a true contemporary for modern feel.

Available with 4,5 and 6 lights with the options of any length up 10ft on request.

My Kitchen Pendant Lights

Pendant lights. They are like the icing on the cake, the last piece of jewelry to make the outfit perfect. When I was designing my kitchen, I wanted something simple, classic, and a bit on the casual side. I was going for a vintage farmhouse with a little commercial kitchen and Napa Bistro thrown in. We love to cook and spend a lot of time in our kitchen, so I wanted really good light. With the EPA standards in California, 50% of the wattage in a kitchen must be Fluorescent or comparable. This made it a bit difficult to put in any incandescent fixtures, but one must have something with some character!

I found just the thing when I was picking out lighting at Lumens Light and Living here in Sacramento. These Pendants from Roost had just what I was looking for. They look a little industrial with their beaker shaped hand-blown glass, and I love the long filament bulbs. I also like the way the glass is held in place with the hand tightened screws.

I have received many emails requesting information about these pendants and if they are still available.I decided I should check and see! And YES! Lumens can still get them for you. They are not shown on their online catalog, so give them a call at their Sacramento showroom HERE and ask for Sean. Tell him you are looking for the glass cylinder pendant from Roost....he will know all of the information.

Thank you for all of your emails!

Funky lamps / Light bulbs.

Pieke Bergmans create some amazing glass and make some really funky light bulbs..

The love the example in the picture of the bulb that looks as if you organic and alive..

I think I'd have one issuse with it which would be watching it and waiting for it to drop...

Loads more examples over at apertment therapy.

Cool: Matthew Studios

Robert Table Lamp by Matthew Studios in Amethyst. Annie Floor Lamp in Natural Python.

We have been avidly watching the Olympics this week, as I am sure many of you have. there is something about the Winter Olympics that I find mesmerizing. It has to do with the snow and the mountains. The scenery is just as seductive as the adrenalin rush of the events themselves.

We were inspired enough to make a couple of trips to the Tahoe basin to ski over the long weekend. The weather was perfect: lots of fresh snow and clear azure skies.

This time of year, the low sun casts it's light across the snow making it glimmer and sparkle. And there are icicles hanging from roof lines refracting rays of light like diamonds.

Frank Albert Table Lamp

When I received a notice this morning with these beautifully icy images of light fixtures from Matthew Studios, they immediately reminded me of the same icicles and crusty snow drifts lit by the afternoon sun we had seen just yesterday.

Frank Albert Table Lamp

Matthew Studios is the brain child of Katherine Wildt O'Brien, product designer and lighting specialist, world traveler, artist, and jewelry aficionado. Her experience spans work with places like Knoll, LucePlan NY, and Baldinger (where she launched collection by such notables as Michael Graves, Alvar Alto and Andre Putman) before she was instrumental in the establishment of Oxygen Lighting.

Curious? To learn more about Katherine and her brilliant background, click on over HERE.

Veronica Table Lamp

Katherine started Matthew Studios in 2008 to provide an outlet for her creative talents, love of nature and extensive experience with lighting. So glad she did!Her beautiful pieces are available to the trade through A. Rudin in NYC, San Francisco and LA, or through retail sources, Vivre and Rare Culture.

Alvey Sconce, and Estelle Sconce

Gavin Table

Katherine Wildt O'Brien with her house bunny, Matthew (the Matthew Studios mascot!) Notice Katherine's very cool malachite dress!

Spring is at the door here in Sacramento, but I just cannot let go of the cold winter beauty just yet. So it is back to the Winter Olympics for me tonight. And I can always catch that icy glimmer over at Matthew Studios.

Kwanbgho Lee Feather Lighting

This lampshade offers a natural but contemporary and modern feel to a living space.

Called the feather it looks a little like bird wings or in my opinion like bits of wood.

I think this would work so well will a contemporary white room e.g. a living room that is very clean and minimalist with the likes of flexform or B&B sofa and arco lamp with this feather lampshade..

Dream a Little Dream: Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and ABYU

I wanted to be there. I even had a dream about it....flying off to New York to be at the Opus Lumen installation party featuring lighting by ABYU ( And Bob's Your Uncle). And why wouldn't I dream about it? It is very dreamy after all.

Over 20 light designs were exhibited in the new ABYU studio space and I heard the party was a huge success. For a little look see at the festivities...click on over HERE.

ABYU was started by Steven Wine and Michael Landon in 1994 to showcase their creative talents by bringing light to us all. Sadly, Michael passed away in 2008 leaving the company to "continue his vision of quality lighting products that infuses fantasy and fashion, a couture collection. "

Designer Benjamin Noriega Ortiz has long had a close relationship with ABYU contributing his own dreamy confections of lighting design. His design company, BNO Design, became the parent company in 2007.

I have long been a fan of Mr. Noriega-Ortiz and his unique sense of style. Clean and refreshing with a touch of fantasy, his style keeps you guessing. Mr. Noriega-Ortiz put a new spin on the ABYU studio which you can see and read about HERE.

And here are a few more fantasy fixtures for you all to dream about:

Twister Sconce

Nimbus - Nordstrom Stores Nationwide

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and Steven Wine Private Residence

Lenny Kravitz Private Residence

Glass Maille

Lawrence Isaacson Private Residence

Lenny Kravitz Private Residence

Battery Gardens Restaurant

To see more of these frothy fixtures click on over HERE.

And Dream a Little Dream.

All Photos courtesy of ABYU and BNO Design

SENSIBLE STYLE: 10 Most Common Kitchen Problems... And How to Avoid Them

Sensible Style is about kitchens that work as hard as you do. It's about materials that are durable and easy maintenance, and a work flow that fits your hectic schedule. Sensible Style is about creating a kitchen that reflects your priorities, your budget and your lifestyle.

Problem #1: Poor Work Flow

Too many homes have been built with badly-planned kitchens. One I encountered recently had an over-sized island, (probably 18 feet in length), that awkwardly cut off the sink from the refrigerator and ovens. Preparing a meal in that household involves unnecessary steps that could have been avoided had the architect planned for two reasonably-sized islands with a work aisle between them. Another home had the refrigerator at one end of the room and pantry in the opposite corner, doubling the steps involved with grocery unloading. A proper food storage zone would have put the two together.

Although large, this kitchen works efficiently,
with distinct work zones and an aisle between
the dual islands for easy access between them

Problem #2: Inadequate Ventilation

The average American family generates a gallon of kitchen grease a year. This grease ends up on walls, furniture, pets and clothing, unless it goes where it's supposed to go: Outside of the home via effective cooking ventilation. Many systems are under-powered, recirculated or poorly ducted, resulting in lingering food odors and grease dispersal. Be sure that your designer factors in a functioning ventilation system for your kitchen remodel.

This kitchen blends style and function with appliances --
including a cooking ventilation system -- by Electrolux

Problem #3: Poorly-planned Storage

Most clients tell me that they lack sufficient storage in their kitchen. This typically results from two problems. One: The builder failed to take full advantage of the storage space built into the kitchen. Replacing base cabinet half-shelves with roll-out trays, adding drawer organizers, backsplash systems and pot racks can alleviate that problem to a great extent. Two: The homeowners want to store items in the kitchen that don't factor into daily meal preparation. I recommend that these be stored elsewhere.

Even very affordable cabinets, like these by American Woodmark at Home Depot,
offer the added storage opportunity of roll-out trays

Problem #4: Overly-narrow Work Aisles

A couple was unhappy that their architect hadn't included a kitchen island in their new, custom home and insisted there had to be one. The architect was right, in my opinion; even a small island allowed only three feet between its sides and the refrigerator and cooktop. Code in many regions allows this. The National Kitchen & Bath Association planning guidelines I follow recommend a 42" minimum work aisle for one cook and 48" minimum for two. These work much better, and should be followed whenever possible.

The work aisle in this kitchen exceeds NKBA planning guidelines
and allows ample room for cooking and entertaining

Problem #5: Insufficient Light

This is a problem I see frequently, that's easy and helpful to address in a remodel. Older homes often have one light above the sink, a light for the vent hood and a central light box in the middle of the ceiling for overall illumination. Overall illumination is called for, and can be achieved with well-spaced recessed lights. Task lighting can be improved by adding lights under all the wall cabinets for better-lit countertop work space. Additional task lighting - often stylish pendants -- should be factored in for islands, bars and peninsulas where prep, serving, eating and homework can be illuminated.

A coordinated lighting plan,
featuring task and ambient lights by Kichler,
makes this kitchen look bigger and work better

Problem #6: Outlet Shortage

Older homes suffer the most from this problem. There aren't enough backsplash outlets for all the countertop appliances you want to use. Newer building codes have largely solved that issue. A related problem in older homes is that those outlets probably aren't protected against water shock. Newer codes also call for outlets near sinks to be connected to a GFCI circuit that can keep you from a painful or deadly accident.

Problem #7: Utility Wasters

Older homes also are likelier to have older appliances. Many of these are energy hogs or water sloths that are costing you more to run than their newer replacements. Look for EnergyStar ratings when you go shopping, and ask about water-saving features that may be available on washing machines and dishwashers.

Save water and electric with a new dishwasher --
This one is the new, ultra-quiet 800-plus by Bosch

Problem #8: Hard Wear

Tile and stone floors are tremendously popular today. Considered more luxurious and resale-friendly than vinyl, they can be found in updated kitchens everywhere. I love their look; so do my clients. The gripe I have with these floors are the toll they take on your feet, legs, hips and back when you have to stand on them for extended periods. The solution to this problem for tile and stone lovers is a cushioned mat underfoot where you'll spend the most time.

Cushioned mats make kitchen work easier on your feet, legs, hips and back
Shown here is the Designer Size Basketweave Truffle by GelPro

Problem #9: Fire Hazards

Kitchens are a prime space for fire hazards. One I see most often is lack of a fire extinguisher in the area. That one small purchase can save your entire home, and can be tucked out of sight in a pantry. as long as everyone who uses the kitchen knows where it is and how to use it. Another fire hazard are window treatments that come too close to a range or cooktop.

Problem #10: Style Disconnect

This problem is a pretty common one in remodeled kitchens. The homeowners want a Tuscan kitchen, which has no visual connection to the home's modern Florida architecture. Or they replace their traditional kitchen's leaky builder faucet with one of the new oversized commercial-style faucets. Neither instance will hinder the kitchen's functionality, but both will strike dischordant notes.

This Hansgrohe faucet is very much at home in
this contemporary kitchen

Visit the Sensible Style box on the right column for links to all the posts in this ongoing series.

Style List #1 - The $150 Max Bathroom Edition

Is your master bath in dire need of a style or storage update this season? Here's the short list for getting it gussied up, like this client's luxe master bath, without the luxe price tag! None of the items included here costs more than $150. Most are less than $100.

A great master bath incorporates all six of these Style List components:

1. Brilliant Lighting
2. Smarter Storage
3. Fab New Accessories
4. Heavenly Hardware
5. Yummy Textiles
6. Divine Decorations

Here are some of my favorite retail sources for affordable versions of these items:

1. Brilliant Lighting

2. Smarter Storage

3. Fab New Accessories

4. Heavenly Hardware

5. Yummy Textiles

6. Divine Decorations

* I've found that accessories from Target look great for a while, but don't hold up well after a few years. However, if you want some short-term bathroom bling, they've got great prices on great looks -- mostly knock-offs from more expensive stores.

*** Please share your favorite retail sources in the comments section below!

And enjoy this $150 Max Bath Update image gallery in the meantime...

Brilliant Lighting