Arteriors Lamps in the Entry

While I was picking up some shades for a client, I spotted a killer pair of lamps at Arteriors Too, the Arteriors outlet that's located here in Dallas. Here's the thing about this pair of lamps...I've been wanting them for years now and just haven't wanted to spend the money on them. They were a steal at the outlet and I figured it was a now or never moment, so they're mine now!

Called the Vance Candlestick Table Lamp, the style is really classic. With a polished nickel finish and a height of nearly three feet, the effect is dramatic but not trendy. They are really versatile so I considered putting them in a few different places around the house, but ultimately the tired old hand-me-down lamps on the commode in the entry needed to be replaced so that's where the Vance duo will reside. The former lamps were spray painted brass with a (visible) horrible Gorilla glue repair job and cheap shades that would never sit straight and - a pretty pathetic scene. So in the spirit of the upcoming new year...out with the old, in with the new!

Dallas peeps should definitely check out Arteriors Too...it's on Lovers Lane just past Inwood. They have all kinds of lighting, furniture, and accessories and the inventory is always changing. It's also a great source for lamp shades, finials, and harps.

For those who don't have access to the outlet, you can shop Arteriors product line at tons of different online retailers. And for the next two days, you can shop One Kings Lane's Arteriors Home sale and get prices like you would at the Dallas outlet! These cool green ceramic lamps are one of my favorite styles and they're included in the sale...

Zinc Door

The talented gals behind Layla Grayce have launched a new home decor site called Zinc Door. I like the vibe. Although some of the brands overlap, it's decidedly sleeker and more modern than LG. The product lineup is also more focused - ZD is all decor, yay!

As far as brands go, you'll find the usual suspects like Jonathan Adler, DwellStudio, Bungalow 5, Oly Studio, Global Views, Regina Andrew, Worlds Away, and Arteriors. Zinc Door also has some less ubiquitous lines like Stray Dog Designs, Ro Sham Beaux, Belle Meade, Malibu Loft Collection from Somerset Bay, and Jamie Young. I absolutely adore both the Belle Meade and the Malibu Loft collections...just wish they were a bit less expensive. Here is a sampling of the items I liked best:

ro sham beaux thomas lamp

regina andrew bone veneer tripod side table 

ro sham beaux lattice drum pendant

belle meade veronica sofa

trina turk shanghai links blue embroidered linen pillow

malibu loft horizontal bookcase

regina andrew pierced metal sphere pendant
newport square mirrorfrisco sisal marble nail head rugjamie young mughal bone side table
dwellstudio draper stripe olive throw blanket
trina turk tiger leaf blue embroidered linen pillow

Have you shopped Zinc Door yet? If not, put it on your list because they have a good selection, nice big product photos, and I'm sure that their customer service is just as stellar as Layla Grayce's.

If you like what you see, be sure to enter the giveaway for a $10,000 bedroom makeover that Zinc Door is hosting with Lonny magazine!

A Bedroom Built Around a Benedict

I've recently been fixated on the paintings of accomplished contemporary artist, Sally King Benedict. Her work is perfect for a few of my clients and my friend Bradley (of the fab fashion blog Luella & June) is also hankering for one of Sally's pieces, so I've been keeping my eye on her online inventory over the past few weeks. By merely viewing her art online, it's easy to tell that Sally is an outstanding colorist. While digitally soaking in the beauty of her creations is a fabulous experience, I'm sure that it's a million times better in person! Hopefully I'll be able to get up close and personal with a piece in the near future and can report back :)

It would be nearly impossible for me to pick a "favorite," however, one piece that I just can't get out of my head is called Cool Water. I love the movement and the fresh color palette...

Cool Water - 2011 - 36" x 48" (framed) - oil, acrylic, and guache on canvas by Sally King Benedict

As an homage to the piece (and a way of visually representing my daydream of owning the piece), I've created a bedroom mood board around the painting...

Serena & Lily Perfect White on walls and Pool on ceiling

Arteriors Duke Iron Glass Chandelier

Horchow Ocean Glass Side Table

Pottery Barn Antonia Canopy Bed

Clayton Gray Sconce de Mer Light

Crystal Base Dome Task Light 

West Elm Mirror-Framed Mirror

Anthropologie Windsor Love Seat

Quadrille Terrace Watermelon on Tint

Williams-Sonoma Home White Hotel Bedding

Wisteria Navy Greek Key Dhurrie

Layla Grayce Regina Andrew Aqua Glass Ripple Lamp

Crate & Barrel Cubix 8-Drawer Dresser

What do you think of the painting? What about the board?

I also wanted to share a few snapshots from one of Sally's recent shows...it's nice to be able to see the pieces on actual walls. There's also a glimpse of a few of her works on paper, which are also gorgeous.

There's Cool Water on the right!

Lamps to Love

I have a hard-core obsession with lighting, especially lamps. Table lamps are an essential element to almost every room in the house since they provide forgiving, low-level light and can be a game-changer in terms of aesthetics. Basically, lamps can make a huge difference in how a space looks and feels so it's important to choose wisely. Or you can become a lamp hoarder like me and change the ones in your home constantly (I don't recommend falling down that rabbit hole though).

With thousands of colors and styles out there, it can be hard to narrow down the possibilities. So, I've compiled a list of some of my recent favorites...

1) Prout's Medium Ball Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

2) Poston Cool Grey Faux Shagreen Lamp - Made Goods

3) Turquoise Foo Dog Lamp - Shades of Light

4) Maura Daniel Aladin Milk Glass Base - Layla Grayce

5) Arteriors Naomi Aqua Fluted Glass/Acrylic Lamp - Layla Grayce

6) Carnaby Talitha Lamp - Jonathan Adler

7) Gabrielle Table Lamp - Z Gallerie

8) Hayley Table Lamp - Crate & Barrel

9) Newport Teardrop Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

10) Jill's Key Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

11) Arteriors Vance Polished Nickel Candlestick Table Lamp - Layla Grayce

12) Marrakech Round Lamp - Horchow

13) Tomorrow Table Lamp - Currey & Company

14) Chocolate Cane Table Lamp - Horchow

15) Timeless Table Lamp in Blue - Currey & Company

16) Hampton Links Lamp - Jill Rosenwald

17) Hutton Table Lamp - Crate & Barrel

18) Kikar Balestro Lamp - Williams-Sonoma Home

19) Agate Table Lamp with Nightlight - Shades of Light

20) Lydia Gold - Made Goods

21) Glass Jug Lamp - West Elm

22) Modern Spindle Lamp Base - Shades of Light

23) Rock Crystal Lamp - Shades of Light

24) Square Vase Blue and White Lamp - Shades of Light

25) Turquoise Lamp - Dunes & Duchess

26) Miles Lamp - Jan Showers Collection

27) Contemporary Murano Robin's Egg Blue Lamp - Swank

Unfortunately most couldn't be categorized as bargains. I'm pretty good at finding deals, but it's really tough to get well-made, beautiful lamps at good prices. I've had great luck at HomeGoods where many are under $50. I've also seen some good deals at World Market and sometimes at Target. If you have any sources for more affordable lamps, please share!

The State of Things

Been moving some things around and a slight bit of progress has occurred, however, I'm a bit frustrated with the unfinished state of the front rooms of the house. The dining room is shaping up pretty well, but the new dining chairs are MIA and I will need to buy a skinnier, longer console.

As far as the living room goes, I just can't get the area in front of the fireplace right...at least without spending a bunch of money. If I had more spare change and time, then I would:

1) change the rug...problem is, it's an odd-sized area so this will be a tough find

2) reupholster and refinish the little bench move it to another room...then have a wide, tufted bench like this made in a smoke colored velvet to use in that place

3) replace the glass insert with mirror on the gold campaign coffee table

4) reupholster the scroll arm chair and the settee

Voila - welcome to my conundrum. The goal is to get a more cohesive look going here. That striped silk chair is pretty, but throws a wrench in my cool-toned color palette. It didn't look so gold on the web.

 

 

 

Check out my new lamp...shade was $10 at the Arteriors warehouse sale!!

View from the entry...

 

Dining room changes: hung mirror and chandelier, got new custom 72" round table (thanks to my in-laws), and put down new rug.

 

China cabinet that was a floor sample steal at Macy's. They sell a VERY similar one for much more $$ at Horchow.

 

Lamps from HomeGoods...$40 a piece including the shades! 

Temple of Flora framed prints flank the mirror.

  

 The "rug" is from FLOR in a pattern called Side by Side. I decided to try this instead of a normal rug because I could get the size just right for the table and it wasn't expensive. It comes in 19"x19" squares, so installing it tested my patience as it required lots of carpet knife usage (but that's because I chose to line up the stripes instead of doing it parquet-style like they recommend on the website). No pain no gain, right?

  

We substituted the white chandelier for this one from Z Gallerie...the white one is now in the breakfast area. I love how the inside of the shade is gold!

 

Now if Restoration Hardware would get their shit together and deliver my chairs, then I'll be pleased as punch. I ordered the chairs last September and they've been backordered TWICE. As you can imagine, RH is #1 on my list of disappointing retailers right now.