Italian Teardrop Chandelier - Paul Marra Design and 1st Dibs
As you may have noticed, Tuesday's weekly Top 10 list often produced more than ten of the chosen subject. What can I say? I want it all. In an effort to remove all barriers, I've redubbed it, "The List," and I'll still be publishing it on Tuesday's. This week is Chandelier's, a form of lighting that seems to inspire designers to the height of their creativity. 1st Dibs makes it so easy to complete this exercise, but if you don't spend as much time on the site as I do, you'll hopefully be delighted by a few of these lovely pieces. What did I miss?
Next week, the List will be dining tables or dining rooms that inspire me (and hopefully you). If you have favorites, please send me a photo or better yet, a link, and I'll include them next week.
Syro Chandelier - Baker Furniture (Laura Kirar Collection)
Art Deco Hanging Light - Svenska Mobler and 1st Dibs
Zodiak Pendant - Circa Lighting
Emil Stejnar Chandelier - Rewire and 1st Dibs
Morris Ribbon Pendant - Baker Furniture
Glass Chandelier - Jan Showers Associates and 1st Dibs
Convex Globe Lantern - Jamb and 1st Dibs
Dramatic Swiss Glass Chandelier - Lost City Arts and 1st Dibs
Bronze and Glass Hanging Fixture by Perzel, French 1930s - Alan Moss and 1st Dibs
Carlos de la Puente and 1st dibs - neo classical style leaded glass light fixture
Cumulus Bamboo Chandelier - 1st Dibs
Crespi Half Dome Chandelier in Lucite and brass offered by Gustavo Olivieri and 1st Dibs
Casa D Magazine
Emmerson troop and 1st dibs - amber glass flower sputnik chandelier
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The List (Formerly Tuesday Top 10) . . . Chandeliers
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . Desks / Offices
Inside Out
Tuesday Top 10 is here again. Today, the category is vague - offices generally and desks specifically. Remember the rules - there can be only ten. It's always tough to narrow the choices down, but be narrowed down they must.
Which is your favorite. Email me your votes, and I'll randomly select a winner to receive a free gift. Tell me more of this gift, you must be saying, scratching your chin. Well, it could be a gift certificate. It could be something in my basement; it could be . . . organic.
Finally, thanks to nobody this week for helping me with this somewhat arduous task and nominating your favorite desks. Nobody? Seriously. (This wouldn't happen on Apartment Therapy.) And a special thanks to "regular reader," Mom.
Next Tuesday we'll do chandeliers. Nominate your favorite now.
British Homes and Gardens
Metropolitan Home
Chicago Home + Garden
Elle Decor
Elle Decor
House Beautiful
NY Magazine
Desk - Svenska Mobler
Pallisandre Curved Desk - Rene Jean Caillette - Alan Moss and 1st Dibs
Glass and linen writing desk - The Antique and Artisan Center and 1st Dibs
Rare custom desk designed by Gio Ponti - Donzella and 1st Dibs
Small desk with Asian influence - Pegaso Gallery and 1st Dibs
Fine French Art Deco Pedestal Desk by Jean Dupas - Yale Burge and 1st Dibs
Desk - Edward Wormley for Dunbar - 20th Century Gallery and 1st Dibs
Milo Baughman Bamboo, Chrome and Glass Desk - Assemblage and 1st Dibs
Karl Springer - Large Goatskin Desk - Eclectiques and 1st Dibs
Paul Frankl Desk - Stellar Union and 1st Dibs
Ico Parisi Desk - Ecola and 1st Dibs
Deco Italian Desk - 1st Dibs and Adesso
19th Century Biedermeier Writing Desk - Birmingham & Co. and 1st Dibs
Blue Parchment Desk with Chrome Base - Pegaso Gallery and 1st Dibs
French Jacques Adnet Chrome and Leather Desk - Therien and Co. and 1st Dibs
1950's Italian Desk - Pegaso and 1st Dibs
Czech Functionalist Desk - Prague Kolektiv and 1st DibsSubscribe in a reader
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . Table Lamps
From House Beautiful
It's Tuesday Top 10 again. The week went fast, didn't it? Sometimes it seems like time isn't flying by but rather slipping by. With that cheerful thought, go take on the day!
Thanks to new nominator Abbe and past contributors Jack and Liz. I love all the lamps too much to pick a winner this week. And I was never good at picking favorites anyway. How does one pick a favorite rock band or movie or color when there is so much coolness? Life can be big and rich and colorful - why limit yourself?
If you're looking for a lamp, here are a few of my favorite resources:
Circa Lighting
Remains Lighting
Lum
1st Dibs
I didn't include this lamp at first:
Rectangular form table lamp in Alabaster - Circa Lighting - $399
But I am adding it because I do love it, and I think that with a chocolate lampshade, it would look good in my living room and coordinate well with the white marble top on my new writing desk. WS Home used to sell it, but I can't find it on their website anymore. You can still get it at Circa Lighting.
I also didn't include these beauties originally because I recently featured them. Upon reflection, I know there is a tiny percentage of you that don't check Strange Closets on the hour, so in the event that you missed them:
Mustard lamp - Lum - $850
Murano Glass - 1st Dibs
What do you think for next week's Tuesday Top 10? How about desks? Actually let's do favorite desks/office spaces. Nominate your favorites now.
Lilac Italian Glass Lamp - John Vaccari and 1st Dibs
Barbara Barry Draped Lamp - Baker Furniture
Pair of 1950's Italian black glass lamps - 1st Dibs and Ed Hardy San Francisco
Thomas O'brien Longacre tall table lamp - Circa Lighting - $420
Circa Lighting - $399
Oval stacked crystal buffet lamp - Circa Lighting - $630
Andersonville Galleria
George Lowell
Green skittles lamp from Lum - $650
Jayson Home and Garden
Studies suggest that Strange Closets subscribers are happier, more creative and 64% more likely to have swell spaces.Subscribe in a reader
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Stop the Presses . . . How could I forget this stairway?
House Beautiful - January 2005
Pretty awesome. There's a lot to chew on in this photo - the dark blue stairs, the eclectic (sorry, I know the word is overused. You got something better?) mix of furniture and art, the brick floor. How did I miss this when compiling my Tuesday Top 10? This is where I want to retire - holed up like a hobbit in a quirky little house with a creaky winding staircase.
Next week - lamps. Keep those table lamp nominations coming. Please help please!Subscribe in a reader
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . Stairs
From Chicago Home + Garden - April 2008
Ok, today's Tuesday Top 10 is staircases. Next week, let's do something more interesting. What do you think? Maybe lamps? Table lamps? Yes? Ok, we're doing lamps next week. I need ten, and I need your help. Email me links to your favorites (no Pottery Barn, please). By the way, I challenge somebody to find something ultra-cool at Pier 1 (speaking of, do they get less press than anybody? I never see anything about them anymore).
And thanks to "Faithful Reader" (aww, that's nice) for nominating a Mies van der Rohe staircase. It's nice, but I'm afraid I can't crown F.R. the winner this week. I'm giving the prize to myself for nominating the other 12. What? Twelve others? You thought it was Tuesday Top 10, didn't you? That goes to show you - literally anything can happen on Strange Closets. It's crazyville.
Remember - lamps. Ten. Or more. No fewer though. Unless . . .
Nominated by Faithful Reader- Mies van der Rohe Staircase from the Arts Club Chicago. According to FR, when the Arts Club was demolished in 1995 "they took the staircase with them. The demolished space was the last intact Mies interior in existence, so Chicago architect John Vinci sensitively incorporated the stairway into the 1997 building he designed for the club." Thanks, F.R.!
Is this THE Stairway to Heaven? From House & Garden
From British Homes & Gardens
From British Homes & Gardens
Twin Staircase - Boston Home Magazine
From British Homes & Gardens
From NY Spaces - April 2008
From Domino
From Metropolitan Home - June 2008
From House Beautiful, May 2008
According to Oobject, French designer, Roger Tallon's famous staircase is being reissued by Sentou.
From Apartment Therapy.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . End Tables
Birds Side Table. - Crystal Fox.
You heeded the call and sent in your favorite end tables, but kudos to Beth for nominating five, making her by far the biggest contributor this week. Thanks Beth! Thanks also to Brenda, Jack (again) and Nancy.
Next week, we're looking at stairways. Where am I going to find stairways? With your help, it'll be easy. So please page through your magazine file (to clean it out if nothing else - it's amazing how many images will no longer appeal to you), scan and email them to me for next week's Tuesday Top Ten.
And what do I get for this effort, you might be asking. If you grant me this favor, I will personally enter your email for a free (that's right 100% free) subscription to Strange Closets; that's my commitment to you.
Marble and Brass Side Table - Daniels Antiques (See this week's review of Daniel's)
Hudson Side Table - Williams Sonoma Home - $795. This one's mine - it reminds me of my favorite desk, which you can see here.
George Nakashima End Table - Ebay
Gilt Wheat Sheaf Table - Aspire Auctions
Meret Oppenheim Traccia Table - Italy 1971. Wright Auctions
Regency-Style Tray Table - Dargate Auction Gallerie
Gold End Table - Johnathon
Bracelet Drum Table - Baker Furniture - $2553
And my favorite is . . .
Tada!. This beauty from Mecox Gardens. I love the variation on clear lucite, which makes the piece a bit less retro and gives it a bit more presence in any room.
Which one is your favorite?
Lucite End Table - Mecox Gardens
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . Chairs
MC9 Chair - Mariana Antinori - Price Available upon request.
It's Tuesday Top 10, and this week we're looking at chairs. There were no rules or subcategories (yet) - just nominate your favorites. Thanks to Liz, Jack and Stephanie for nominating chairs they love; the rest are mine. I was looking for chairs both familiar and shockingly new and at a variety of price points.
Next week is top 10 side tables - nominate yours now - same rules apply.
The Louis Ghost Chair - Available at Design Within Reach - $410. Also available in black and in white. It's everywhere, but it's cool and according to many, a classic.
Chinese Chippendale Arm Chair - Available at Baker Furniture - $2436
X armchair from Andrew Hollingsworth.
Side chair - Available at Casati Gallery. Price available upon request.
Alfresco Armchair - Available at Zella Brown. $429
Gloria chair - Available at Jayson Home & Garden. $850
Antoine classic French fauteuil chair - Available at Gump's. $875
French 1930's upholstered walnut bergere - Available at Amy Perlin Antiques in New York.
Vita Chair and Ottoman - Available at Thos. Moser. $4025
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . Tips for Vintage Shopping
From Spendtimeinlondon.com, Portobello Market, London.
Antique stores and thrift shops have their own culture and social norms, and shopping in those places isn't the same as shopping at the Mall of America. Here are 10 tips to ensure that you have a good experience.
1. Accept that you're going to have to dig a little. Things aren't going to be displayed in the same way as they are at Pottery Barn. The very thing that makes shopping vintage inherently cool (that one of a kind find) also makes them inherently more difficult to display. Like objects usually get displayed together at chain stores, which makes them stand out (which is also a neat trick for displaying your collections at home).
When there's only one of something, that visual Pop is impossible. Factor in space limitations and its understandable that the displays may not look quite as well organized as the ones at Restoration Hardware.
2. Build a relationship with the store owners. They love regulars and will watch for items on your wish list.
3. You can bargain, and it can be fun, but if they won't budge on the price, don't feel insulted. This is how they make their living and at the end of the day, this is a job for them - they know their margins and what they need to make to ensure their business is successful. And look at it this way, you're buying from (and helping) a real person instead of a corporation.
4. Having said that, most malls are authorized to take 10% off the price if you ask. So ask. If not, you're leaving money on the table.
5. Having said that, firm means firm. Allow me to translate; firm means don't ask. They're answering you in advance and annoying them is not advisable (or nice). So be nice.
6. Finally, stop expecting everything to be cheap. We've been trained to assign more value to new things than to vintage or second-hand items. That's not going to change anytime soon, but try to imagine what a similar, mass-produced item might cost, even somewhere as cheap (and low quality) as Ikea.
7. Go against your intuition. Don't look at things holistically. Try to imagine the object in a different color (you can paint it) or with a different fabric/shade/finishing touch. Focus on the lines.
8. As always, context is key. Look at objects by themselves, get them away from the clutter. The change in context will radically change your perception of the object.
9. Keep a layout of your home and measurements with you when shopping vintage. Unlike 99% of mass merchants, the object you love in an antique mall or thrift store may be gone tomorrow. If you love something, you'll be glad you don't have to hazard a guess as to whether or not it will fit in its new home.
10. Linger, don't rush. Walk through the aisles a few times - the longer you wander through a space, the more likely you'll begin to really see each object (and quite possibly, find the perfect piece for your home).
What did I miss?
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Tuesday Top 10 . . . Individual "Case" Basis
Vintage metal cabinets - Scout in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood
It's pretty straight-forward - here are ten of your favorites and my favorites. So what did I miss? What are your favorites? Do large pieces like this even make sense?
I love the idea of a using one of these in a kitchen along with a variety of alternative storage methods (pantry, open shelving) instead of the staid wall cabinets that are in so many kitchens it's difficult to conceive of a different notion.
Next week - Top 10 Chairs. Nominate yours now.
I have no idea how much this is, but it's from Jayson Home & Garden, which explains its undeniable awesomeness (and likely future home in a Dubai royal mansion). Oil money.
1920's French Armoire offered by Salvage One - $2200
Pine Hutch offered by Salvage One - $775
Cerulean Display Case offered by Gump's - $3950
Portman Entertainment Armoire offered by Restoration Hardware - $2195
Oxford Cabinet offered by Urbanest in Chicago - $1499
Quattro Entertainment Center offered by Gump's - $3495
Ikea. $150. Pretty awes0me deal.
Stanhope Glass Cabinet from Williams Sonoma Home - $3950 - $6950
Draper's Cabinet offered by the Sundance Furniture Company - $3495
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Debuting Tuesday . . . Tuesday Top 10
Bungalow 5 Chair
Thanks to Sabrina for suggesting what should be a quick, fun and most importantly (for me) easy weekly post. And to make it even easier (not to mention cool), I'm asking you for help. Nominate your favorites now.
Mass merchant goods are fine if you love them, but I'm hoping for a bit of education about what else is out there - thrift stores, independent designers, antique malls, high-end design, salvage companies or even an heirloom in your house.
Tuesday, May 6th (Case Goods)
Tuesday, May 13th (Chairs)
Tuesday, May 20th (Reasons to visit Chicago if you love design)
Tuesday, May 27th (Favorite furniture companies)
And if you have ideas for future weeks, let's hear them. Cheers.
Tuesday May 6th - Top 10 Case Goods
Today at 1st Dibs . . . Inspiration
Johnson Trading Gallery and 1st Dibs
Pegaso Gallery International and 1st Dibs - French Deco cabinet
And if you need help for Tuesday Top 10 ideas, check out 1st Dibs. Here are a couple that caught me eye. 1stDibs has gotten me through some tough times - meetings without end, insomnia without Xanax, my visit to Pottery Barn last week.
Are you all tired of hearing about 1st Dibs? Where do you go for design inspiration when real life intrudes upon your divine inner sanctuary?
Twentieth Art and Design and 1st Dibs - Wishbone Credenza
Monday, April 28, 2008
Trend Transcendent? . . . Garden Benches
Mecox Gardens
Z Gallerie
Urbanest in Chicago
Gump's
Gump's
The new Gump's catalog came today. I love the San Francisco retailer's Asian-inspired furniture and accessories. While flipping through, I was intrigued with their selection of garden benches (which are also showing up at Williams Sonoma Home and my favorite, Mecox Gardens).
I like this trend, and here's why you should too:
1.) Garden benches are versatile; simultaneously serving as an end table, decorative accessory and extra seating (perfect for smaller city homes).
2.) Garden benches come in a variety of ceramic shapes, colors and patterns, enabling you to bring your personality into the room while still participating in what is admittedly a trend.
3.) Every home should have some type of Asian accessory. Asian furniture and accessories work well with everything from Arts and Crafts to Mid-century modern.
What do you think of garden benches? Will they soon be cast out of the living room and back into the back yard?
Gump's
Gump's
Gump's
Gump's
