valentine's day My Kitchen Pendant Lights
valentine's day Cool: Matthew Studios
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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.
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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.
valentine's day Dream a Little Dream: Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and ABYU
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
valentine's day House Beautiful and the Tonic Home Deal
Some of you may remember this image from House Beautiful and were thinking how cool the chandelier was. How it sort of made the room complete. I got another reminder when looking at emails this morning.
Tonic Home has been sending out their "Deal of the Week" newsletter lately with some pretty great stuff. And you know I am all about good stuff. This chandelier is from Curry and Company and normally retails for $1750. Tonic's deal price is $875. Not bad. So for those of you who just happen to be needing that Oyster Chandelier, high-tail it on over.
I am sure there will be more great new deals in coming weeks...so you might want to sign up for that Tonic Home Newsletter.
valentine's day Cool: Gardenhouse
Vintage yellow aluminum Love Seat with White Patent Leather Seat Cushion.
I was recently introduced to Gardenhouse, a wonderful shop located in West Palm Beach Florida. Owned by a very creative couple, Cheryl Maeder Antonio and her husband Gary. As with any creative person, Cheryl is multi talented. She studied photography in Switzerland and traveled Europe before moving to San Francisco to start a photography studio there. In San Francisco, she met her sculptor husband Gary. They began antique hunting for fun and the fun soon turned into a passion....which ultimately resulted in their very colorful and happy shop, Gardenhouse.
I am smitten....and knew you would be too. So I am so excited to share some of the objects of my affection.
Red High Gloss Wood Bench for Outdoor Canopy or Indoors
Each piece is lovingly transformed by Cheryl's unique point of view which she describes as "vintage, with a modern twist". Happy paint colors and modern fabrics certainly give each piece new life and vitality.
Vintage Metal Table Lamp with Green Metal Shade.
Cheryl has many more brilliantly reborn vintage finds, so I hope you have minute to click on over and check out Gardenhouse.
Chalkboard Dresser. Unfortunately already sold....but had to show you!
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Black and White Slipper Chair with Decorative Nailheads.
OHHH!! And be sure to check out Cheryl's dreamlike seaside photos on the Gardenhouse site as well. Here is just a little sampling:
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Beach Series VI
Sea and Sky V
I am headed off to dream of new furniture for my naked back patio, and sunny summers at the beach .......while the rain beats steadily outside my window.
valentine's day BLOGGER SALE: PIECES
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I got an email from Lee Kleinhelter, owner of Pieces this morning announcing a
BLOGGER SALE!
You know Pieces, that fabulously stylish shop in Atlanta known for it's brilliant collection of furniture, lighting, art and accessories? If you haven't, for goodness sake, click here and catch up!
And who doesn't love a sale in these economic times, right?! What is so cool about this sale is that it is only open to you blogger readers out there starting TODAY, January 12th. You can get 30% off all items
if you mention where you saw this little "piece" of information. So tell Lynn katiedid sent you.
The blogger sale is on til January 15th when Lynn will open it up to the general public. So if you hurry, you can be the first to get the unique and one-of-a-kind finds special to Pieces.
valentine's day kaarsKoker: Dutch for "Candle Sleeve"
Blue Fretwork Sleeve
Blue Green Marble Sleeve
Gold Silver Cone Sleeve
Solid Yellow Sleeve
Red Gold Clover Sleeve
A clever idea to add a little more detail to a room, and we all know God is in the details. Head on over here to check out all of the options! There are many more, including skulls, polka dots, stripes, and some very "David Hicks" patterns.
valentine's day The Light in the Hall
I just want to say a big "THANK YOU" to Blogger and all of my wonderful readers. Without you all, I would not have realized I really had to clean up all of the junk mail, catalogs, magazines, notepads, used batteries, old receipts, school papers, yellow pages, rubber bands, ( how do they get everywhere?!?) off the counter before I could take this picture:
The sconces are from Hudson Valley Lighting. Hudson Valley is known for their reproduction light fixtures and their very reasonable pricing. To find out more about the details for this sconce, click here. Oh....and thank you to Hudson Valley for the very cool sconces!
valentine's day Correction: Serge Mouille
House Beautiful Sept. 2007, Photo by Don Freeman
Hi all! I wanted to make a correction to an earlier post I did about the very beautiful light fixtures designed by Serge Mouille. I recently received a very nice email from the Jean-Philippe, a representative for the Serge Mouille company. Jean Philippe kindly supplied the correct information regarding the representation for the Serge Mouille light fixtures in the USA:
"Hi Katie,I read your entire blog "David Weeks vs. Serge Mouille" and your input is very interesting. However, I need to bring a correction as to who is representing the Mouille licensed re-edition in the USA. "Inside Modern Living" represents the re-edition in Canada only. The USA is being covered by GUERIDON, a New York based store selling European mid-century furniture. Gin Mouille contracted GUERIDON to be both her representative and distributor for the USA. I think it would be nice if you could redirect your link to http://www.gueridon.com/.I will leave the debate of David Weeks vs. Serge Mouille open. Representing the Mouille lighting collection, my input would not be partial of course. Even though David Weeks admitted to me of being "very inspired" by the Serge Mouille lamps, he still designed lamps of his own without copying them. Congratulations for your blog, it brings an interesting comparison between the lamps I had never seen before. Jean-Philippe "
Thank you to Jean Philippe!
valentine's day Lombok - Eastern Influence
Bobble Painted Wood Lamp
Made from reclaimed woods, the goal at Lombok is to treat the environment in a friendly way, as well as the craftspeople that create their products. Manufactured in Vietnam and Indonesia, the staff are earning above average wages and no children are employed. There is quite a bit of information supplied on their website regarding their ethical policies.
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Camille Tea Light Holder
Lomboch has recently expanded their line to include accessories and lighting.
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Decorative Carved 'Sula' Wall Panel
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Tall Antique 'Song' Lamp and Carved White Screen
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Chunky Teak Mirrors and the Planter's Armchair
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The Keraton Four Poster Bed and the White Washed Oak Dresser.
I am very taken with the presentation of these pieces. Can't you just see them being used in just these settings?
Kambia Embroidered Cushion
Perfect for all the Indigo Blue things out this summer.
Ginger Pot in Stone Glaze
Eco-friendly Summer Bag.
Just the thing for beach or weekend trips!
This is just a peak at all of the beauty that is Lombok. Check it out.








































