Spun-Glass Spheres Chandelier

Jonathan Adler Ceiling Light

We are delighted our lighting products could be a part of such a great show!

Silver Gray & Gold French Medallion Oushak Rug

Surely our modern machine made rugs are better, right?  Well, not really. Aesthetics aside (and yes, I know that I am dismissing perhaps the greatest strength of these beautiful hand-knotted rugs) and truth be told, today’s modern technology has not enabled us to make a better-quality rug. The tightness of the weave on hand-knotted rugs gives them a “weight” and feeling of plushness that simply isn’t duplicated with machine rugs. Hand-knotted rugs simply lay better on the floor.  Inherently flame retardant, hand knotted rugs are naturally both difficult to ignite as well as self-extinguishing. Wool absorbs dyes more deeply, uniformly and directly without the use of chemicals.

Coral and Golden Sand Traditional Oushak Rug

Wool is more crush resistant than synthetic fibers, giving them superior durability. Hand-knotted rugs simply do not show the wear and tear of everyday use as quickly as their machine-made counterparts.  In fact, rather than deteriorating, hand-knotted rugs actually appreciate in value.  As time passes, the dyed natural fibers of a handmade oriental rug will age gracefully to a wonderful patina. This sheen, caused by use over time, is highly prized by collectors, and actually increases the value of these rugs.

Katrina Oushak Rug in Aqua, Sand & Butter Cream

Want a real treat?  Visit our antique rug category to view great examples of fine hand-knotted rugs. Interested in learning about a hot new trend? Take a look at our Reclaimed Vintage Patchwork Over-Dyed Rugs. These vintage Turkish Oushak hand-knot wool rugs are salvaged and then restyled into exciting new organic and charismatic floor fashion. These reclaimed patchwork rugs are over-dyed in current fashion colors for a fresh contemporary flair.

Reclaimed Vintage Patchwork Over-Dyed Rug

They are part of a fantastic kitchen makeover in an upcoming episode of The Worst Kitchen in America!

Dhurrie Diamond Soho Trellis Rug

Bohemian Market Dhurrie Rug

However, that has not always been the case. With the reputation of being affordable and rough, dhurrie rugs were relegated in the past solely to high traffic areas, kitchens, student apartments and the like. Certainly, not the stuff designers were likely to tackle! So obviously, the fabulous dhurries you are seeing today are not your mother’s old rugs.

Ironwork Trellis Dhurrie Rug

Coral Design Dhurri Rug

Quatrefoil Dhurrie Rug

What happened? Largely hand-loomed in India, dhurries or “dhury” rugs have as rich a history as any of their hand-knotted Turkish brethren. Dhurries have been long respected as the “workhorse” of area rugs with origins that can be traced all the way back to ancient Ajanta cave paintings. However, only relative recently have dhurrie rugs come to fully mature largely under the direction of the western design world. Highly regarded as a leading expert on rugs, David Black was at the forefront of this transformation with his London exhibition “The Underappreciated Dhurrie.” This Exhibition, held in 1982, went a long way toward helping the world recognize the exceptional beauty and practicality that dhurrie rugs could achieve. Having rediscovered the virtues of these rugs, the design world has done more than merely give dhurrie rugs its stamp of approval. The dhurrie weave was adopted and then practically reinvented. Today the tight, fine weave of the dhurrie allows for clean geometric patterns so coveted by style mavens. With these new updated designs and significantly higher quality materials, such as fine quality cottons and wools, the ancient craft now expresses a contemporary design sensibility that fits in perfectly with today’s decors.

Damask Vine Dhurrie Rug

Soho Dhurri Rug

Dhurrie rugs, long admired for their durability and cost effectiveness, have grown in stature and are now the perfect combination of fashion and practicality to match up quite nicely with our modern eclectic lifestyles. Today, dhurries are fashion “must haves” and can be found in a large variety of designs, from classic stripe patterns, now in updated colors…to more intricate graphic designs.

Dhurrie Ticking Stripe Rug

Regatta Dhurri Rug

Coastal Stripe Dhurri Rug

Modern Geometric Dhurri Rug

Grecian Maze Dhurrie Rug

As always, dhurries are reversible and easy to clean, making them so very practical for busy households and especially those with children and pets. True to their heritage, dhurries continue to be more budget friendly than most rugs. Combining their historic practically with this new design sense; all in all, dhurries seem to have come of age quite gracefully. For more information read: Nada Chaldecott in her book Dhurries: History, Technique, Pattern, Identification

Check out our  Hand Tufted Modern Leopard Print Rug in rich Chocolate and Latte and our Out of Africa Cowhide Rug in Black Zebra in the January/February Issue of Midwest Living!

Well I don’t know about you, but it is at this moment I always feel most inspired to start reinventing my decor. I might rearrange the furniture, pick a new paint color, or add some new pops of color to enliven my space. It is with this positive attitude about the New Year and fresh perspective, that I designed our latest catalog cover. I named it “Red Hot Style” because here at Shades of Light we have dubbed 2012 the year of color! This look is about adding edgy details and fresh color to classics that embrace a sophisticated essence.

I began with classic pieces with an edgy update for the space like our ever-popular Springfield Linen Shade Chandelier

Springfield Linen Shade Chandelier

The shiny polished nickel and modern drum shade update on an otherwise traditionally shaped chandelier. Our entire Springfield collection makes this look an easy transition from room to room as well.

Springfield Sconce

Springfield Linen Shade Bath Light

Springfield Linen Shade Ceiling Light

Then I layered in more classic lookls like our crackle Procelain Triple Sphere Table Lamp which sits on our Quatrefoil Marple top side table. The neutral hues of creamy whites and the soft curves strike a contrast with the shiny metal to perfectly transition from classic to modern without even blinking.

Crackle Porcelain Triple Sphere Table Lamp

Quatrefoil Marble Top Side Table

Our beyond classic Louis Regency Arm Chair updates the look with its creamy white wooden frame and solid charcoal gray upholstery.

Louis Regency Arm Chair

To finish the look I wanted to really make a statement of modern edge. I chose to create a graphic chevron rug but with the unexpected twist of shag. This city chic look instantly grounds the space and says no fear for the New Year!

Chevron Stripe Shag Rug

Not to go unmentioned, my choice of wall color really brings this look to completion. The hot red is the perfect hue, not too orange and not too harsh! It is rich and deep yet still fun and fresh. It is the kind of color that draws you in, enlivens you and raises your spirit!

Red Hot Style 2012

I hope our latest cover inspires you to embrace a new edgy style for 2012, with hot colors, updated classics, and a no fear attitude for the New Year!

Big. Bold. Graphic

Prints are back! Geometric prints and bold florals continue to dominate rugs and pillows (and thus lampshades)! They are trending towards more abstract. Silhouette prints and white on one color background for a fresh perspective. Grecian motifs (Greek key, Corinthian columns, arches) grow in demand.

Ironwork Trellis Dhurrie Rug

Retro Honeycomb Drum Shade Pendant

Amy Butler Vibrant Damask Rug

Ethnic Eclecticism

Ethnic prints such as ikat, susani, shibori (tie-dye effects), and paisley lend a worldly quality to home furnishings. Done in blues and in a larger scale to update the look.

And southwest patterns are making more appearances in rugs and upholstery.

18" Ikat Drum Shade

Suzani Side Arm Chair

Color

Once again, color was everywhere…and I mean vibrant reds, purples, yellows, and fuchsia.

Sizzling Colors Geometric Ceramic Table Lamp

Convertible Ceiling to Wall Color Pop Sconce

Outdoor or Indoor Summer Trellis Hooked Rug

Modern Spindle Table Lamp Base

Neutrals have not gone away:

Not to forget the hot updated neutrals: latte, bronze, and warmer grays.

Silver Gray and Gold French Medallion Oushak Rug

Mary McDonald Metropolitan Leopold Sconce

Pale Slate Blue & Beige Antique Oushak Rug

Wavy Stripe Dhurrie Rug

Vine Tibetan Hand Knotted Rug

Modern Art Dots Hand Knot Rug

Gray Mottled Urn Table Lamp

French Gray Wire Basket Chandelier

16" Trellis Linen Drum Shade

Vintage French Gray Console Table

Eco natural ingredients

Natural wood, stone and burlap are taking on modern shapes. Leather is embossed with bamboo, tree trunks and reclaimed wood are used for table and lamp bases, and semi-precious stones are put on display. Eco fashion goes back to natural elements with feathers, shells, twig, and bark.

Hemp Netting Drum Pendant

Reclaimed Wood Buffet

Eco-Friendly Concentric Stripe Braided Rug

Teak Wood Urn Table Lamp

Vintage vibe meets modern

Mirrored finishes have gone from antiqued to clean and contemporary.

Parisian vintage has become a timeless classic.

“Made in America” is being featured everywhere.

Retro-inspired furniture and lighting seem to be on the rise.

Industrial lightens up:

Wood finishes moved from the dark side into the light, and painted surfaces took a neutral stance in pale grays and white. Industrial fixtures are reinvented in shiny metals for a more sophisticated stance.

Industrial Luxe Cone Pendant

Industrial Wooden Folding End Table

Industrial Saucer Sconce

Industrial Galvanized Bucket and Pipe Pendant

Industrial Work Light Clamp Desk Lamp

Industrial Retro Semi Flush Ceiling Light

Clear Glass Globe Industrial Pendant

Glam goes sophisticated:

Gatsby-inspired glamorous design, lavish fabrics, and stunning “jewels” with trendy accents, spurred on by the re-release of the movie. Diamond-encrusted furnishings and designs reinvented so well by Mary McDonald.

Mary McDonald Regal Swag Table Lamp

Mary McDonald Hollywood Glam Sconce

Mary McDonald Regal Swag Sconce

Artsy Origami Inspiration:

Asymmetrical designs and 3-D art forms are showing up in lighting, furniture and fabric designs.

Modern Twisted Twig Sconce

Laser Cut Geometric Sconce

Soft Contemporary

Brush strokes and soft contemporary art forms dominate the market. Curves on upholstery and furniture soften up the austere squared shapes of last year.

Multi-purpose furniture was everywhere: coffee tables that open to desks, islands that have folding leaves, tables that fold to store in closets.

The new rules are to mix and match with what you already own! Layer, balance and display your treasures!

Next year, it’s all about tangerine. Pantone, the design world’s authority on color identification, today announced its much-anticipated color of the year for 2012 —Tangerine Tango, a dramatic reddish orange with a positive energy and warmth. Although it can be intimidating at first, this attention-grabbing orange is a surprisingly flexible hue.

Chevron Stripe Shag Rug

Sizzling Colors Geometric Table Lamp

Tibetan Hand Knot Starburst Rug

Rattan Cage Floor Lamp

Our Elegance Crystal Swag Chandelier stole the show in a Barn Party article in Southern Lady Holidays special collector’s issue!

Our Terrace Silhouette Dhurrie Rug in Lemon Chiffon, Modern Spindle Table Lamp Base, and Carnival Wonderland Lamp Shade were all featured in an article about The Ultimate Bedroom in Storage Magazine ( A Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication).

Bath Dreams 2011

Whether the goal of your bathroom remodel is resale or you are updating for personal use, lighting is one of the most important elements to consider in these makeovers.  Obviously, you need good “task” lighting in your bathrooms (make-up, shaving etc.) but these days people are putting more into their bathroom remodels. They are putting their own personality into these rooms as well.  Master baths, guest baths, even half baths are being decorated in concert with the rest of the house. For relatively little money you can make your bathroom look really special by making it personal.

In creating my “Bath Dreams 2011” theme for our current catalog, I wanted something luxurious yet simple.  The dripping crystal chandelier  and matching dripping crystal wall sconce  express perfectly the mood I wanted to create. They look fabulous and they give me my “layers of light” which as you know, is so essential for a good lighting design.  And while these lights look so undeniably rich, they are actually exceptionally well priced!

Dripping Crystal Shade Chandelier

Dripping Crystal Shade Sconce

Continuing on with this theme of a dream bath that was luxurious, simple and uncluttered, I added just the barest of essentials:  a fabulous hand-knotted Ousak rug (link).  This rug has all my spa colors: turquoise, a soft sand color and a buttery cream color. Not only is this rug gorgeous, it is luxuriously plush and feels so good under foot. It is just about the only thing that could get me out of this dream bath!

Katrina Oushak Rug in Aqua, Sand and Butter Cream

I added a very beautiful and versatile Zen garden stool and to help me relax, a water inspired painting by a local artist, Fran Reidelbach. I finished things off with my favorite oversized soft towels under the watchful eye of my guard dog! And now I am oh so ready for a good relaxing soak!

Large Zen Garden Stool

So go ahead, make yourself a dream bathroom!  Make the bathroom look more spa-like and less utilitarian. Do it for yourself, creating an oasis that you can escape to after a long hard day; or for your guests because let’s face it; most of your guests are going to ask to use the bathroom eventually!

Real Simple Magazine featured 3 of our products (Mod Flower Drum Lampshade, Clearly Modern Glass Table Lamp, and Modern Drum Burlap Shade) in their November 2011 issue in an article entitled Doable Decorating : Shade Trade

We are so glad to have you stop by. If this is your first time on our website, please feel free to explore our wide range of exclusive products created by our in-house designers. The “make your own designer-look pendant light” is a great way to get a designer shade chandelier at a reasonable price!

This Old House has arranged with Shades of Light for readers to get a 15% discount on the Euro Fitter Retro Honeycomb Drum Shade featured on page 84 of the October 2011 issue. Use the code TOH15 when you order and enjoy a great look at a great price!

We also offer over 20 choices in shades to fit the electrical cord shown in This Old House Magazine (see our Pendant Shades under the Lamp Shades category) as well as pendant hardware to fit standard washer (spider) lamp shades. We also offer pendant shade hardware (PE09048A) to take higher wattages (2 bulbs) and a diffuser to soften the light and hide the bulbs.

Click here to read the article on ThisOldHouse.com!

Check out our Modern Spindle Table Lamp Base in Grass Green featured in Better Homes and Gardens September 2011 issue

What is City Chic and how do you get the look? Terms like this are tossed around by design gurus all the time and may seem a little intimidating to your Average Joe. So, I thought I would help you out with some inside designer perspective on the topic.

City Chic 2011

City Chic is the name for our latest catalog collection and the look is defined by a global style with a “well-traveled” eclectic appeal finished with clean lines and classic touches. Picture the apartment of a world-traveling city dweller who has collected beautiful elements from their travels and combined them with a classic and clean foundation to keep the look sleek and not busy.
So the question still remains, how do you create this look in your own space? Let me walk you through a few quick steps that will put you well on your way to City Chic and that much needed update you have been wanting for your home.

1: EDIT! I am sure you have some prized collections of your own that you have picked up from traveling, memorable holidays, etc… but the key is to not display ALL of them ALL the time. Edit your collections down to a few pieces at a time and rotate them out to keep things fresh. This step is a quick easy dash through the house with a box to store your edited items away, EASY RIGHT?!?
2: Think CLEAN AND CLASSIC! Your foundation of furniture in the room should be proven design elements that never go out of style. For instance our City Chic cover featured a basic black console with clean lines and a very faint Asian appeal.

Asian Inspiration Wooden Console Table

I chose this piece because of its classic style that can transition from room to room and trend to trend with ease. Also on the backcover of our City Chic catalog you will find the same look in the bathroom with our simple black Demilune Storage vanity.

Black Demilune Storage Vanity

The idea is to keep it simple!
3: Add some Global Appeal! Maybe you are saying to yourself this is great but I am not a world traveler! Well that is ok because we have brought the world to you with our City Chic collection. Add our “Out of Africa Cowhide” to your space as a simple scatter rug for a bold graphic element that will bring your space to life! Or add our natural Long Horn table lamp which combines modern metallic Polished Nickel with Mother Nature’s unmatched beauty in the natural horn. The soothing grays and whites in the horn add a spa-like environment that will sooth the senses! There are tons of globally inspired products on our website to choose from in all prices so you are sure to find something to complement your space!
4: Let is Shine! Our shiny polished nickel lighting adds the “jewelry” to your space and will bring the look together just like your favorite pair of earrings makes your outfit complete! Our “Pencil Arm Modern Chandelier” is the perfect sleek chandelier for this look with clean lines and an exquisite nickel that shines like glass!

Pencil Arm Modern Chandelier

We also added our Starburst mirror for another shiny element on the walls.

Starburst Mirror

Then we took the look to the bath with our “French Twist Sconce”

French Twist 2 light Sconce

It is all about adding that finishing touch of metallic sparkle to the room that would otherwise feel flat and dull!
Well, I hope these quick tips help your update your space and give you some insight into the elements of a “City Chic” space and I truly hope you were inspired by our latest catalog collection!
Until next time,

Katrina

Our Cluster Chandelier looked awesome in Richmond Magazine’s August 2011 issue featured on a Nouveau Nautical spread!

We had three colorful products featured in the Summer 2011 Issue of Renovation Style. Sizzling Colors Geometric Ceramic Table Lamp, Demijohn Table Lamp, and Colored Seeded Glass Pendant

My favorite part of the show and why I am so addicted, Mary McDonald. A famous designer in the heart of LA, Mary is extraordinarily talented and fashionable. All of her designs are rich and glamorous. As she put it on the show, “Glamour sticks to her”. She is not only fun to watch and be inspired by but I am most excited because I was able to meet her at the Fall 2010 High Point market where she debuted her new lighting collection.

I fell in love with the lighting collection by Mary McDonald immediately, before I even knew it was her collection! The colors and finishes as well as the fluid lines and glamorous elements were not to be matched! It was the most exciting line I saw at the show!

Mary was kind enough to have a meet and greet at market and it was the highlight of the week!

That is why I am so excited to bring her lighting line to our customers!

Mary McDonald Regal Swag Table Lamp

If you are looking to glam up your space instantly, this collection is for you! All of the pieces are designed in intricate detail down to the perfect hue of fabric for her shades.

Mary McDonald Hollywood Glam Sconce

Mary is known for her striking color combinations of including pops of cherry Reds with Black, White, and Gold.

She also picked my favorite hue of gray for the shade on this wall sconce. I must have this!

Mary McDonald Hollywood Glam Sconce

Search for Mary McDonald on our website or click here to shop her lighting collection. More to come soon!

Enjoy, Katrina

Summer Garden 2011

As always you can count on me to bring the latest trends right to your front door and I did with our new Summer Garden catalog. The collection features exactly the feel we found at market and I couldn’t have been more pleased with how the mix came together. My favorite piece, our new Birds of a Feather French Bergere chair I designed myself.

I chose the oversized bird fabric because of the fun it brings and the neutral background makes the colorful birds pop. I matched it with a silk plaid for the back and sides of the chair and matched the painted wood finish to the cool turquoise in the fabrics. I added a Robin’s Egg Blue table lamp to the mix because it had such a classic look as well as our Modern Classic sconces in Matte Gold.

I chose gold metallic tones for our collection because the feel I wanted to achieve was warm and cozy, but I think this collection would mix just as well with silver metallics. I added accent furniture and mirrors in glossy white to keep the crisp appeal flowing from wall to floor.

Finally I finished the collection with an indoor/outdoor striped rug with all the trend colors. Our Indoor/Outdoor rug collection is growing because I love the versatility it gives our customers to use a beautiful rug inside or out with no worries. I only choose rugs that are beautiful and cozy enough to go inside for all our indoor/outdoor rugs and the striped rug on our latest cover fits the bill.

I hope our latest Summer Garden collection inspires you to add a little bit of color to your life. Just a little pop of color can refresh your space and give you a whole new perspective.

Summer Garden

-Katrina

Copyright Shades of Light 2011

Providing lighting at different heights and directions not only adds visual interest and drama to a room, it also provides light for tasks and functions. I like to design lighting “backwards”. I start with the drama and accent pieces (sculpture, wall art, plants, architectural elements), then add for tasks (reading, TV watching, cooking, laundry, office desk, etc.) and lastly add “ambient” (general) lighting. Considering the ambient lighting last allows you to make sure not to “kill” the effects of your accent lighting and make sure you don’t “overlight” the room in this age of energy considerations!

I like to remind designers to consider where the source of light is (height in the room) and which direction the light points (up, down, out into the room, etc.). Varying the height and direction of lighting in a room keeps the room from looking “flat” and unexciting. For example, if you have table lamps on either side of the sofa, use a reading floor lamp beside a chair (gives down light from a different level), plant lights in the corner(s), picture lights, uplights on the mantle, sconces with opaque shades, etc. In the kitchen, use undercabinet lights to illuminate work surfaces, a chandelier over the eating area, cover lighting at the ceiling, soft recessed lights on a dimmer for traffic areas, and uplighting somewhere in the space (sconces or chandelier). This combination of up and down lighting and light sources at different levels in the room produces rich lighting design that brings sophistication and ambiance to your home.

Copyright Shades of Light 2011