FINIAL FRIPPERY

I have a real thing for finials (because I have a real thing for lamps - accessorizing accessories is so addictive!). Finding an unusual one is an imperative to buy. The right lamp will show up eventually for a match made in lighting heaven. Or, you can stack the decks a bit with one of these fantastic finials from Hillary Thomas at Chic Shop. They would make the most average Target ceramic go glam!

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Made Me Laugh: Humor in Home Decor

No, this wasn't what I had in mind.

This was... Peekaboo Giraffes?

Or Jonathan Adler's "cruelty free" zebra rug?

What about a phonograph on your ipod cover?

Or a rotary phone on your iphone? The fact that they're needlepoint instead of neoprene just drives the joke home.

All designs, Jonathan Adler.

Lamp Love

Bright, and frequently colorful and sparkly, lamps are jewelry for rooms.  Here are a few favorites (my own and others').

I love the Asian influence in both those pieces. This blue and white ginger jar style base decorated my desk at a previous job - sadly, it didn't belong to me.  Not visible here are a beautiful carved wood base and antique brass finial. The green lamp is a vase a friend turned into a lamp - it's gorgeous.  Turning small sculptures, vases, or decorative jars into lamps is a wonderful way to bring unique lighting into your home. 

Neutral Naturals: I was quite taken with this lamp from Clayton Gray Home - it's meant to evoke the sea, but it also seems a bit floral (tulip vine blooms come to mind). The next lamp with a "bone" base would be great paired with silver.  Ralph Lauren Home's gold and discus lamp evokes Greece or Africa. 

Blue: This turquoise lamp is a bit a la Draper, or I could see Kelly Wearstler using it in one of her larger than life, pattern intense designs. The peacock pattern lamp reminds me of a pair of beautiful Indian earrings, and I think it would look fantastic with a black silk shade.

Preppy:  I love the navy and white lamp here especially - it has a nautical flair, or could get quite dressed up with the right accessories.  The ribbon trim theme carries over into a variety of colors at PB Teen.  Last picture:  a sophisticated chocolate and cream version. 

Animals:  Birds are a common choice for lamps - this macaw is great for a formal living room, and the acrylic would be precious in a child's room.  My favorite is the horse, and don't overlook the wonderful shade. 

Neutrals:  1, carsongrayhome.com. 2, jaysonhomeandgarden.com. 3, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Blue:  1, carsongrayhome.com. 2, beelinehome.com.
Preppy:  1 and 2, pbteen.com. 3, tonichome.com
Animals:  1, wisteria.com. 2, revivalgardenandhome.com. 3, tonichome.com.

Shop Feature: Duh for Garden and Home

While cold fronts and tornadoes were ravaging the mid-South and Eastern Seaboard this week, I was kicking back at the Gulf (sorry everyone!) and enjoying some great shopping. I'll feature a few stores here this week, including fabulous finds, so stay tuned if a summer trip to Florida is in your future!

The first thing I noticed about Duh was the name - not a typical home decor nomer, but after a few minutes inside I realized why. Why would you shop anywhere else - duh! Their selection was GORGEOUS, and it went on forever through buildings, bungalows, an outdoor terrace, and pebbled courtyards pretty enough for a party (turns out, they occasionally do throw benefits and events in-store). Duh carries lighting, accessories, furniture (indoor and patio), outdoor accessories, plants, and dish ware. Duh for Garden and Home is located at 501 North Ninth Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32501, (850) 439-0640.

A lovely selection of lapis colored pots.

A seating arrangement and dining room in the modern French style with a touch of beach thrown in - all creams, silvers, and blacks.

Cute and practical outdoor seating. Green and white is always right.

The outdoor courtyard was framed by massive shelves layered in pots and plants - any shape or size.

The largest free-standing wall cabinet I've ever seen. The cabinet is new and custom stained to match the antique European doors affixed to the front.  You would have to take it apart to get it inside most houses! 

A great lighting fixture - it somehow manages to be structured and natural at the same time.

Selections of dishes and table accessories (the wall was so large I couldn't fit it all into one picture).

Tonic Home

Thanks to lovely blog, katiedid (of Katie Denham Interiors), for bringing our attention to the shop Tonic Home! They have everything from boxwood to lamps, and the website is a charmer. I decided to take a wishful shopping trip through the site, pretending I was decorating a black and white and gold sitting room with a touch of madness, à la Tony Duquette. Whip out the credit card! Here's the shopping list.

I think we need a horse on the wall (great conversation starter) and the three panel look keeps it from being stuffy: $3095.











Hmmmm... I'll bet Tony would like this fantastic coral lamp: $310, and faux snakeskin benches: $475.

Let's throw in this vintage Dorothy Draper chest - it's pretty fabulous: $1850.

A zebra rug is just the ticket: $585.

Guests would enjoy a drink out of these lion's head medallion glasses: $220 set of four.






We'll need some nice chippendale style chairs - with a few throw pillows too ($850 and $185). You can't have enough coral - Tony loves that coral (and so do I).

Don't believe me? Here's Hutton Wilkinson, one of Duquette's collaborators, wedging coral into every nook and cranny of the ballroom, Palazzo Brandolini, Grand Canal, Venice, Italy.






   

Shopping images: Tonic Home. Palazzo Brandolini ballroom, tonyduquette.com.

A Bright Idea

Do you have a chandelier in your home that needs a little pizazz (maybe one of those kinds with the electric "candles" with faux wax drips on the sides... )?  Well, don't pitch it.  Fix it!  I love this selection of candle covers from Kaarskoker.  With little effort you can bring new life to old lights.  Or, personalize the lighting to fit changing decor.  And if you're a renter lucky enough to have formal lighting, it's easy and fixable-when-you-move-out. 









Try it out! The website includes simple instructions for installation.





















Images: kaarskoker