Great Things

In February I introduced you to, "Great Things", and the owner. As I mentioned in that article, it is always changing with new items arriving daily. While on a shopping trip I visited the shop to find it with a beautiful uplift arranged in an array of colors, each vignette seems to display one treasure after another and how clever to arrange it in the colors you are looking for, from clothing to furniture and home goods items. Their talents for designing also shows with a flair and manner appealing to..." what women want"... beautiful clothing and home decor items!!!! Not to mention the fantastic prices and quality!!! How fun is this, shopping for a great pair of shoes and to your surprise you find a great piece of art or chandelier!!!!

At Great Things Showplace you will find quality pre-owned furniture/home décor and beautiful designer clothing and accessories. Many items never or barely used. Best of all, nearly 98% of all items brought into the store sell, and quickly. Everyday new items arrive.” It always changes, which is why you need to shop regularly, so you don't miss a "Great Thing".

Bright Idea

Designers are getting inventive with their use of old books. Not too long ago we saw Not Tom’s Book Bookshelf, which is actually made of unwanted books, both paperback and hardcover (Not Tom does Not discriminate). And designer David Karoff presented Book Chair, a chair constructed of repurposed paperbacks.
Now Ragip Erdem is using old hardcovers to make lamps. The transparently titled Book Lamp (and why not be obvious, since you want people to see the light?) uses one tome to create a unique lighting fixture.



Available as a table light or pendant light, Book Lamp uses all the parts of the book: pages, spine, and front and back covers. The idea behind the design is to emphasize the metaphorical beauty of the book, as well as to take advantage of the book as an object, which may be disappearing as it gets replaced by digitized versions. The romance of the book struck designer Erdem quite early: “When I was in high school just glancing at my books on the book shelves used to take me to the exotic worlds.” His Book Lamp attempts to harness “that lost mysterious feeling.”



But Book Lamp works on a literal level as well, celebrating books as objects, turning them “into sculpturesque icons.” As such, Book Lamp is steeped in the atmospheric and the symbolic. The light it emanates works to set a mood; it is not meant to be used as a task light. Designer Ragip Erdem will custom make any order based on your literary tastes. Art and coffee table books lend themselves quite well to the creation of Book Lamp, which leaves open a world of possibilities. While he has completed Book Lamps around titles such as Maui and Chocolate, the possibilities are as far-reaching as the entire history of literature. You can create a beaming beacon out of fantastic fairy tales or weighty world histories.

Polia

Who knew that the new lighting fixture called Polia by Manuel Vivian for Axo Light was conceived after the designer read a book called “Hypnerotomachia Poliphili”? Apparently within the covers of a book - whose lengthy title means “Poliphilo’s Strife of Love in a Dream” - wandering dreams are written down by the emblematic Italian Renaissance writer, Francesca Colonna.



Like a book of light blowing open in the wind, Polia keeps on of its sides firmly planted against the wall. Pale in color it does not seek more attention than its glowing shade deserves. In fact, the overgrown sconce uses its “novel appearance” to make us think of its resemblance instead of its personalized spin on lighting design. Recommend alone or in pairs, the Polia collection can be used in public or private settings. It can rest vertically or horizontally against the wall as if it is opening up due to gravity or a strong gust of wind. Either way, the design fits well into its surroundings that may include bedrooms, living areas, lounges, or maybe even a lucky library.



Whether you’re into books, lighting, or the fixtures that find a place fusing the two, this Polia Light by Manuel Vivian for Axo Light can help guide the way as you wander through your dreamworld.

James DeWulf

James DeWulf, innovative Los Angeles designer, known for his original creations in concrete has applied his ingenuity in another medium to create stunning light fixtures. Photo above shows the hammered cast iron pendant. Below is the Triton pendant. Made of solid brass, the Triton is sand cast at a foundry to create a texture that plays with the light in a beautiful and unique way.

When asked about his reasons for moving into another medium, DeWulf comments, “I like materials that last and are real.  My mission in life is to bring beautiful things into the world and I do my best to let these come from my deepest self.”  As for the Triton Pendant, he went on to say, “The Triton Pendant is a celebration of light.  The design is a control of negative space while the fixture honors and protects the light.”  For more information about James DeWulf and his designs go to http://dwconcrete.com/lighting.html

Styles of Lighting

Ambient

Ambient is a hidden source of light that washes a room with a glow. It flattens an interior and creates very little shadow. A wall sconce is an example of ambient lighting, as are paper lanterns. Use of a dimmer can also provide ambient light. Design by Troy Beasley.

Accent

Directional lighting or lighting that adds interest or highlights a certain object or unusual architectural feature in a room. A bulb and some kind of shield to direct the light are all that's needed for this type of lighting. Halogen spotlights and table lamps with opaque shades are good ways to achieve accent lighting. Design by Lori Dennis.

Task

Task lighting is just that; lighting that's used to perform daily activities such as reading, cooking, shaving, putting on makeup, etc. Effective task lighting enhances visual clarity and keeps the eyes from getting tired, so it needs to be glare-free. Design by Alia Meyer.

Aesthetic

Lighting itself can be a work of art. A neon sculpture would be purely decorative and an example of aesthetic lighting. A spotlight illuminating a statue on a pedestal or portrait on the wall is also artistic. This type of lighting also needs to be used along with other lighting types. Design by Andreas Charalambous.

Natural

Sunlight, candlelight and firelight; this is light that moves and is sometimes referred to as kinetic. The quality of natural light, sunlight in particular, depends on many things — time of day, weather, what season it is. Fall has a different light than summer, for instance. The setting sun gives a different kind of light than midday sun. Design by Tracy Morris.

All Modern

Felt everyone would enjoy viewing the All Modern site. I found the accessories fun and classic.

Although, I showed you a few accessories they also inventory furniture, lighting, rugs, and much more. Also check out their upcoming giveaway, for a chance to win something fun and unique for your home!

John-Richard's

Design is the heart of John-Richard, his elegant collections illustrate the John-Richard difference - superior craftsmanship, exquisite design, definitive luxury, unsurpassed quality and exceptional value.

At John-Richard, today’s stunning selection of new designs becomes tomorrow’s cherished family treasures.


John-Richard designers travel the globe for inspiration to create and interpret unique lines of furniture, lighting, wall art, mirrors, accessories and botanicals. The creations are expertly crafted by artisans to make a lasting impression of quality and style.

Discover and experience John-Richard’s wide array of collections that create a single resource for luxury home furnishings.

An experience in luxury like no other.

Botanicals and Accessories

Lighting

Furniture

Mirrors

Wall Art

John-Richards collections are also featured at Neiman Marcus.