Silver or Gold?

More and more frequently I find myself tiring of the polished brass/shiny gold hardware and accents trend. 

Ok ok bold statement. Strike that from the record. Not tiring, per se, but let's just say that a year ago, any time I walked into a store (virtually or in person), I was all...

Now I find myself considering the polished nickel and sterling silver color swatches of an online or in-store purchase. I know. I don't even know myself anymore. 

For example. I was in want of a new desk lamp. 

Full story goes... we moved my Ikea task lamp upstairs because it wasn't providing enough light in our very dark first floor living area (lots of exposed brick, few light-colored surfaces to bounce the light around, you get the gist). As fate would have it, I received an email from the kind folks over at Lamps.com asking if I wanted to review a product. Um.. yes please! But let me tell you, the site has a vast, almost overwhelming selection. So many lovely options to choose from. To narrow it down, I filtered through to a brand I knew I liked, Hudson Valley Lighting, and there it was: the Thayer 1 Light Table Lamp.

I loved it. It was the size, color, and shape I wanted with a lovely white silk shade perfect for enhancing whatever wattage I put in it.

But there I found myself struggling with a decision I hadn't debated over in a while...

I loved both! I mean - that polished nickel is looking pretty shnazzy, is it not? And I found myself wondering if the brass was going to look out of style in a year or two. Which to get? Silver or gold? After a few days of pining, I made my choice. Old dog, I am. Anticlimatic end to this story, huh?

Well, it arrived. And I love it. And to my delight, it has a dimmer! It's like the gift that keeps on giving! (I'm a BIG believer in the importance of lighting options.)

But all of that being said, I want ya'll to weigh in. Which would you have chosen? Are you over the brass/gold trend? Or do you believe it's here to stay another decade?

SHOP MY DESK
lamp | mug | desk | notepad | pinboard | A letter object | magnifying glass

Belle: Vote on (pink!) lighting for my bedroom!

Because we all have SO much fun voting on my decor (chairs for dining room, art for living room)... let's throw another poll your way!

Here is what my bedroom has been looking like. Off-black walls (Farrow and Ball), grey upholstered headboard, Serena and Lily duvet that I'm mildly obsessed with, Jonathan Adler Lust Pillow... awesome awesome awesome. I've since added white velvet drapes - super luxe, cozy, and overall fantastic, and a sweet, inspiring little print above my headboard. I realized it needed that finishing touch, however, to tie it all together. And what's better than a lil' pink?!

I was choosing between two pink lamps by Robert Abbey available through Euro Style Lighting: the classic Gourd and the edgy Delta. I may or may not have already decided on said lamps, but I would looove to hear what you think.

Also obsessed with the white mid-century nightstand from West Elm. Methinks a set of these would be perrrrfect against the black backdrop.

VOTE IN THE COMMENTS: gourd or delta?!

pretty much the greatest gift you could get anyone.

I present the J. Schatz egg nightlight. Designed and created by Jim Schatz, these lil' babies are my absolute favorite item for the home. The glossy stoneware orb casts tons of tiny "stars" on the ceiling and walls of your pitch-black room. I got them as super-special, I'm-an-awesome-aunt first Christmas treats for my niece and nephew, and little Lucy was staring at the glow completely mesmerized when they put her down to sleep at night.

The light coming out is actually yellow–not blue.

And they come in a variety of candy-colored hues. Beauuutiful. Like Christmas lights! I know Christmas is over, but this unique item is the perfect gift. Not just for nurseries, but really, it can be for someone of any age. I secretly want one for my bedroom! They're not super cheap so maybe start saving now... or if you're going to be having a baby, add it to the registry!


Happy Weekend!

For more great lighting ideas check out Scotlight Direct website.

Totally and Completely Obsessed

These copper globe pendants are killing me. I love everything about them, and they seem to be popping up more and more frequently on my Pinterest. Not only are they a bold dramatic statement piece for any home, these copper orbs designed by Tom Dixon cast a warm metallic glow throughout the space they light. They're available for purchase through ABC Home and Carpet.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-8

Lighting Inspiration

I'm feeling completely inspired by this home tour Apartment Therapy recently posted. Homeowner John Saint-Denis blended a contemporary Manhattan vibe with vintage details and fixtures when remodeling his 1500 square-foot solar-powered condo in LA. I'm bookmarking these shots of the dining room, kitchen, and bathroom for my sister who is currently in the market for light fixtures for her home renovation. They are dramatic, elegant, and timeless - perfect investment pieces.

via

You can see the rest of the home tour here.

LED strip lights for the home can offer another great way to enhance your rooms with lighting.

Star Light Star Bright

How fantastic are these starburst chandeliers from Downtown? If budget wasn't an issue, one of these would definitely find their way into my home.

Not your ordinary night-light

Ooo how I'm loving the charm and ingenuity of this seemingly normal bedside sconce. You see, it's actually rigged along a wire so that it can be centered and shared by two people, or pulled over to one side to let your bed mate sleep while you stay up finishing A Thousand Splendid Suns. True story - I read that book in one sitting, staying awake until 4:30am. It's that good.

Anyway, I think this is just so perfect for small bedrooms (ahem, fellow apartment dwellers). We've all had one - the awkwardly narrow room that can only fit one night stand, and that's with the bed crammed against the wall allowing only one person to comfortably get in and out to pee in the middle of the night. Or the rooms whose darling but absurdly small night stands aren't large enough to hold a lamp and a book and your glass of wine. Just me on that last one? Don't judge.

I see you, Monkey. Busting out the Michael Jackson moves?

"Ow!"

images via etsy seller SCALEwkshp

Fireflies & Twinkle Lights

Boy do I love twinkle lights. Their soft glow reminds me of catching fireflies in my backyard when I was young. Fireflies are one of two bugs I've never afraid to hold in my hands - those and ladybugs. Anyway, back to twinkle lights. I almost prefer them in the summer than at Christmas. They provide the perfect light to guide a garden pathway or to brighten an outdoor eating area. Now that my brain is churning with how to furnish my back deck at the new place, and I have a gagillion ideas and no solid plan as to what kind of furniture I want, my mind was at least made up that I wanted soft lighting to replace the big, bad spotlight that is currently out there. I knew I needed twinkle lights. Twinkle lights and lanterns. But I'll save the latter for another post.

Aren't they perty?

So when I saw these Globe String Lights in Pottery Barn's newest spring/summer catalogue and noticed they cost $15 a set, I immediately went online to order them. No luck. Sold out. So I called my nearest store. Jackpot. I drove right over and purchased two sets. I hope that's enough.

Globe String Lights

(no longer available online, but in most PB stores)

They have some other cute options still available online...

Galvanized Metal Star Lights

These stars are actually quite dainty and perfect in person.

Cafe String Lights

These are awesome, and I wish they would work on my deck. But I need something I can hang along the side railing (apartment deck, remember). This set would be better overhead.

What kind of lighting do you have in your outdoor space?

*images from Re-Nest, About Patio Design, Sival, Casa Sugar, Pottery Barn*

A New Kind of Shower: Chocolate and Champagne at Co Co Sala

This past weekend Nate and I flew to DC for his sister's wedding shower. To anyone who has ever been to the generic and typically too long bridal shower, the two-hour soiree we attended was a pleasant divergence from an afternoon spent sitting around white tablecloths, pink candlesticks, and finger sandwiches. His aunt hosted the gathering at the chic and modern Co Co Sala - a chocolate bar - located in downtown Washington D.C. We enjoyed bubbly cocktails, savory treats, zero bridal games, and were kicked out after two-hours (versus spending two long hours watching the bride and groom unwrap every gift - we've all been there). I know this is the new trend in wedding showers and all I can say is thank goodness for that!

The room the shower was held in was modern with a hint of swank - golds and reds accented the black furnishings while curtains and modern sculptures adorned the walls. Oh, and all of the art was made of sugar. Crazy, I know.

It felt like somewhere Carrie Bradshaw and the girls would have visited on one of their fabulous nights out. Maybe that's why I drank so much champagne...

The main room of the bar/restaurant has a very lounge-y feel.

That tiramisu was all for us.

There was an original and a dark chocolate variety.

They don't call it a chocolate bar for nothin'.

The mini cupcakes in the middle were to diiiieeeee for.

I particularly liked the tiny chocolate balls - they were crispy and delicious. And I promise there is NOTHING ELSE TO CALL THEM but tiny chocolate balls.

Diversity.

Childhood photos of the bride and groom made up the centerpieces on the tables. Adorable without being too cliche mainly because we weren't all forced to sit with the lights off and stare at a never-ending slideshow.

The photo of little Emily all dressed up and sitting on her dad's lap was my favorite. Is that not beyond precious?

Darling favors - hot chocolate and a tiny whisk.

Sometimes Nate tries to out-girl me in pictures. And succeeds. This makes me laugh.

(My shirt - Anthropologie, pants - J.Crew Minnie, flats - Gucci)

Does anyone else snap random photos in the bathrooms at parties? Because I do. I LOVED this: the sink and counter were all one piece. So cool. So pretty.

My other favorite design element in Co Co Sala was the lighting above the main bar. Bubbly chandeliers. Like the bubbles in my champagne. You can get a similar look for a lot of money here or for a lot less money here.

An afternoon of chocolate and champagne.

I commend you, Aunt Lori!

And congrats Jon and Emily! I cannot wait for their wedding at Martha's Vineyard this summer. I'm guessing I'll have several albums worth of photos to show you from that trip. All in good time...

*all images my own*