LANTERNS…..Lighting the Way

All for the love of lanterns, I am going to start in the “foyer”,  the first space one enters into the home welcomed by these lovely lanterns.  This is appropriate for it is the beginning, where it all started for me, when early on I did a blog on using exterior lights inside the home.  Upon researching this and in perusing fabulous images, I quickly realized I had a love, a passion so to speak for……. lanterns.  It has been a love that has sat quietly by, not really given much thought to, but once I realized this the passion was aroused & quickly went into full bloom.   Here you will find a few more divine images of how wonderful these light fixtures can light up & add splendor to the inside of the home.

Welcoming you in the entry way.  Over at the marvelous blog, Things That Inspire,  we are reminded of the fabulous talents of of Suzanne Kasler with the graceful lantern full of character in this beautiful entry, from House Beautiful.

The super talented Liz Williams uses a very simple open single light lantern in this elegant foyer with it’s soothing palette.  Doesn’t she just look so cute?  We love Liz.  
  Thom Filicia  has a knack of creating handsome sophisticated spaces and his choice of lighting fixture in this rustic upstairs hallway is superb.   

Small stylish mudroom  Loi Thai Tone on Tone photography Gordon Beall for The Washington Post


Relaxing & Looking Good in the Living Room.  The living room’s carefully edited furnishings and subtle patterns give the formal space a casual appeal by Mark J. Williams Interior Design, image via Traditional Home.

 

 

 

 

Again the fabulous Liz Williams chooses the perfect light fixture in this inviting family room with it’s rich chocolate ceiling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lantern sets this room off beautifully, in a home designed by Atlanta architect Bill Baker who has created an inviting area with the choice of cozy furnishings.  photo via: Things That Inspire

Let’s see what’s cooking in the kitchen:Rustic & Refined, just how I like it.  This stunning kitchen in white with its iron table with marble top paired with Belgian 19th-c. chairs and custom cabinetry is pure perfection.  French charcuterie table, lantern and over door carving, all 19thc.  Not electrified, but the mood of romantic candlelight and pop this enchanting lantern adds to this space more than makes up for the lack of light it might provide.  Veranda 

Time to eat.      Palmer Weiss.  L.O.V.E this lantern along with the eclectic choices used in this dining room with the linen covered chairs and pop of color in the drapery treatments one might find themselves lingering here for quite some time.

 
I know, I know!  We have all seen this house/room a million times in the blog world, but it is fabulous for so many reasons.  Today we will call attention to Loi’s choice of the striking verdigris lantern in his dining room. 
Loi Thai Tone on Tone photography Gordon Beall for The Washington Post

 
Bathed in lots of light and a soft palette this dining room is soothing & sophisticated.  Notice how Liz Williams also treated the ceiling with color, I talk about the benefits of paying attention to ceilings here.

In the Bath:
 
Classic style infused with vintage touches make a fabulous retreat. Photographer Edward Addeo 

  The Chinese styled lantern adds a bit of whimsy to this simple timeless bath. Divine floor tile, soothing colors and a fabulous tub.  Brooks & Falotico

Kitchen & Bath Ideas  The formality of this traditional bath is balanced by the coziness of the bathing nook. Surrounded by paneled walls, the built-in tub offers a secluded spot to soak. A marble tub deck adds to the bath's elegance. Getting dressed in this luxurious dressing room would be such a treat. Barry Dixon (love him) uses a round rug and an over scale round tufted ottoman to create a sense of unending space. Traditional Home 

Leading the way to the outdoors. 
Liz Williams on the porch the lantern with the beautiful architectural detailing is a perfect match. I am beginning to think Liz Williams loves lanterns as much as I do.  :)

  Atelier AM     Andrew Law's creativity shines on this terrace at the fabulous DC Design House (the house in Chevy Chase, MD is a must see, benefiting Children’s National Medical Center, through May 9, 2010).  Refined and sophisticated space with it’s classic architecture  is an outdoor living room worthy of this historic home.   Do not to forget to look up at the fabulous glazed ceiling by Billet Collins Studio.  For the details/funny story on how it was transformed head over to the blog to read the story. Photo via My Notting Hill 

I just had to include this fun happy lantern from Urban Electric Co..  Available in all Benjamin Moore paint colors, but in this turquoise it sings and contrast perfectly with the red shutters.

Time to get to work:
  No blog is complete without a little inspiration from the very talented Brooke Giannetti from Velvet & Linen.  When Brooke was in the process of moving her home office she was looking for an attractive lantern that would suite the space well but not break the bank…..I think she found the perfect one from Wisteria .   

 
The same lantern shown in other applications from Wisteria's website.

A few fabulous lanterns: 
        
     1st: David Iatesta      Middle:Tara Shaw Maison Italian Mirrored Lantern      Right: Kate Lantern Circa Lighting

Lanterns can brighten up any space.  What do you think?

Delightful Dining Rooms

Delightful, opulent, casual, formal, light & airy, bold & beautiful, refined & relaxed…..dining spaces at their best.  By exploring some of the elements in these rooms you may find yourself wanting to linger just a little longer, savoring the meal, the company and enjoying the atmosphere.   
  Erin at House of Turquoise introduced us to this stunning home of one of her readers, Desiree Ashworth who has an inspiring blog, Decor de Provence. This lovely home is in Provo, Utah and the amazing photography from Ashlee Raubach.  The room has a natural ease that soothes the spirit, with a stunning sparkling chandelier, cream upholstered nail head accented chairs against the rich herringbone wood floors create a vibe that is elegant yet rustic.

Dining areas seem to lean towards more casual today, mixed with a touch of elegance creating a relaxed setting can be achieved by mixing styles and finishes, along with adding pieces that have a warm patina.The super talented Brooke Giannetti on her blog, Velvet & Linen shows us how she spruced up her dining area with a new lantern, a zinc industrial table, and a mix of fabulous eclectic chairs (custom, new & family heirlooms) which all sit on top of a jute rug create a calming, yet fresh and inviting atmosphere. 

LAYERING: with linens
  
This dining space evokes the spirit of a French farmhouse that is rustic in nature, but with a sophistication all it's own.  Draping the table with it’s relaxed layers and the slips and cushions on the chairs and lovely crystal chandelier will find their guests waiting around for seconds. 

 

 

 

 

 

John Saladino layers the table in luxurious linens which imbues a classic look that is both refined and glamorous in both of these stunning rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eric Prokesh uses an opulent layered skirted table surrounded by gorgeous French Louis XVI chairs is a recipe for a classic elegant dining room.

SLIPS (and not the ones for under your skirt) for the chairs: Amelia Handegan created this formal dining room with it’s crystal chandelier, gilded ornate mirror, and stunning statue,  is made to feel a little less dressy by slip covering the chairs with a short pleated skirt and button details. 

  Solis Betancourt used restful colors in this dining room along with wonderful detailed slip covers, rich wallpaper and an elegant chandelier creating for a very soothing comfortable feeling.

 LIGHTNG: A dining room provides a welcoming ambience for guests. Like pieces of good jewelry, a chandelier complements the room and helps set the tone.
 David Iatesta ‘s amazing products show off beautifully with it’s elegant lighting in this stylish space.  This is a fresh take on a classic clean look blending modern and traditional nicely.

  Stephen Shubler Design, dining in San Francisco style with it’s bold fresh pattern accented with black, along with an eclectic mix of furnishings make this room feel classic with a contemporary edge. 
  Christina Rottman  creates an old-world Mediterranean sensibility, with a rococo chandelier from Formations and an 18th-century Italian baroque wall hanging. House Beautiful 

DINING TABLES: If you are in the market for a dining table, whether it be classic, French, Swedish, vintage, Italian, casual, refined or distressed, below are a few favorites. 

Hickory Chair Collier Table Suzanne Kasler's

Gustav Round Table from Hickory Chair, available in custom finishes and designs you can personalize it to create: 
  or…

 

BAKER   French Provincial table with a deeply recessed apron, a volute hexagonal base with scrolled feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lillian August for Hickory White  reproduction trestle table of reclaimed lumber.

 Century Furniture 

What elements wet your appetite in a dining room?

Exterior Lighting for Interiors

After much thought/debate on non rated UL fixtures in a bathroom from a previous post Chandeliers Brightening up the Bathroom the thought ran through my mind…….”just what exactly are some attractive options of exterior fixtures that can be used on the inside?”  With that question looming, it felt like it was time to source and share some products that are rated for wet locations that would compliment many interior settings.  Along with these products are several (OK many) inspiration rooms with fixtures that have the look (or maybe are) of exterior fixtures.  Since this concept seems to be quite popular, there is an abundance of wonderful items and images shown and it was hard to limit the choices.

Welcome, let’s see how an outdoor styled fixture can invite guests into your home.   
An iron lantern takes center stage with the dark wood doors (Image left). Phoebe Howard designs a house in the Hamptons which has guests greeted by a beautiful staircase and antique styled lantern. (image right)

If you love good design, amazing quality and attention to detail, than you are going to want to become familiar with  FINE ART, a premier U.S. manufacturer of designer lighting. All their designs are developed in-house with a team of over thirty design and development specialists.  Be ready these are some pretty scrumptious outdoor hanging fixtures.  Any of these beauties would look lovely hanging in a foyer or staircase landing.

LET’S TAKE A PEAK UPSTAIRS:

 
Jessica Lagrange Interiors (Image left).            Kay Douglas (image right)

 Phoebe Howard  with that fabulous railing she pairs it with a white lantern in the upstairs landing.  In the background a lantern that draws you and your eye into the bedroom.

Nate Berkus uses a lantern sconce in a hall, then take a peek at that fabulous round flush mount light in the bedroom at the foot of the bed.

Let’s see what is cooking up in the kitchen, shall we?

  
Multiple interesting shaped pendants hang over the island and in front of the windows giving the feel of a  rustic yet sophisticated space with it’s leather bar stools and dark wood cabinets. 
        
Some rustic and refined pendants that could be comfortable lighting up any interior. 

                              

The iron pendant lights over the granite island adds warmth and character to this elegant kitchen.

This generously sized cathedral-shaped fixture from Restoration Hardware would look very much at home indoors, in fact…..

This striking kitchen displays a large lantern over the wood top island that resembles the one from RH.

   
Corbett Lighting offers an attractive scroll detail on their outdoor Vineyard Hill Collection.  A pair of like lanterns hang beautifully in this charming kitchen. 

 TIME TO EAT:
RIVER DUNES IDEAS HOUSE: The interior designer uses large-scale accents for instant impact. Here, the bold oversize hanging lantern will illuminate the space with its size and proportion create a simple yet graphic look.

                     Elle Decor
The men behind Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters give 'eclectic' a new attitude in their Manhattan Apartment dining room with an antique French lantern over an English table with a billiard bench.   

                           
An array of lantern styled UL rated options: (click on photo for source) 

Loi Thai, owner of the ultra chic antiques shop Tone on Tone in Bethesda, illuminates his light and airy dining room with an oversized dramatic lantern. Grounding the space balances out the gorgeous table.

         
An assortment of iron and glass fixtures that would work nicely in a range of interior settings. A classic vintage looking lantern paired with gorgeous old French door cabinet creates a nice ambiance in which to enjoy a meal. Cottage Living.

 TIME TO RELAX:  Don’t forget to bring your glass of wine……….

  Eric Cohler 

 The very affordable Pottery Barn Armonk Chandelier  would work in various places throughout the home. 

  Kay Douglas
True to the Belgian style, this family room is comfortable and inviting but without a lot of furniture. Ancient French doors open into a custom media cabinet and provide the room's dramatic focal point.  With the hefty antique iron chandelier competing for it’s presence to be noticed. 

And……the living room that needs no introduction, Joni’s from Cote De Texas, who wishes she had made the switch from ceiling fan to lantern sooner.  Joni recently did a blog on her Top 10 Design Elements #5 Lighting and as always offers a wealth of information and displays an abundance of gorgeous images. 

Let’s go find a good book: Barry Dixon creates a cozy retreat in a expansive upstairs landing by grounding it with a massive lantern.

TIME TO WASH UP:

  Barry Dixon (again, what can I say, I love that man!) the luxurious rustic & refined lantern adds yet another romantic element to this already dreamy divine bath.

     
I  love these exterior fixtures by Troy from their Portola Collection.  With their hand forged iron, they have a vintage somewhat Parisian flair to them that would work well in a bath, sunroom, or porch.  But, would also look just at home over a great dining table or kitchen nook, or even a bedroom.

 
UL rated lights can be found in many shapes, sizes, and styles, including oodles of wall scones that work well in many interior applications. 

Phoebe Howard from Cote De Texas   I am just crazy in love with the pattern on the floor.

TME TO RETIRE: Where shall we lay our head to rest?  
Phoebe Howard (yes, again, I love her too :)) Imbues a nice balance of elegance and casualness by introducing lanterns into the bedroom.

         

                              
Jessica Lagrange adds a touch more femininity by introducing an attractive scrolled lantern over the bed.

  
In a city apartment Phoebe Howard uses a beautiful glass lantern in this relaxing bedroom.

There are also wonderful opportunities to find an old fixture and have it wired, updating it to code. Not rated for wet locations, but these are just too pretty that it would be a shame not to share them.
     
South of Market has some amazing antique lanterns and other light fixtures sourced from France and Belgium. Since the stores conception, the hunt is ongoing for the rare, the beautiful and the can’t live without items for the home.

 
Also, not intended for outdoors are these lovely lanterns that are reinterpreted for indoor use are Restoration Hardware’s replica of a 19th-century Italian gas streetlight is true  to its Amalfi Coast roots and would make a substantial statement. in any space.