Designer Wish List

Don’t know what to get for that picky…ahem…I mean… discerning person on your holiday list?  Here’s a few that caught my eye.  Each one has that unique designer look that will liven up any beautiful home. 

(Front Page Magazine Rack from Front)Is it a sculpture, a flower, or a table centerpiece?  It’s a magazine rack from Front, a Swedish design firm.  Imagine pages riffling in the wind: Front recreated the feel into a beautiful polycarbonate storage rack.     

(24karat Blau pendant from Ingo Maurer and Axel Schmid) We all want that sparkle for the holidays but how about year round? German designer Axel Schmid encased 24 karat gold leaf in plastic to create this sculptural light pendant.  The Blau pendant will cast a warm, intimate glow over your festive gatherings.

(Pillows and throws from Anthropologie)For those cold winter nights, I suggest these pillows from Anthropologie.  The grey Ikat pillow, the Bohemian, has a dual personality: one side is a demure pattern, the other has bright pink sequins. The Bohemian also comes in a throw.  And for a fun color pop, there’s the Puffin pillow with a bright graphic red pattern. 

(Crystal chair from Domitalia)Who says casual has to be boring?  Domitalia designed this eye-catching Crystal Chair in jewel-tone violet, perfect for seating those party guests.

(Marrakesh Planters from Joss & Main)For the green thumb or just those with a global view, we have these ceramic Marrakesh planters from Joss & Main.  The red quatrefoil patterns are reminiscent of Moroccan tile designs. 

(Trays from the Foundary) When you serve your guests, do it in style!  These gorgeous serving trays from the Foundary come in many different styles, the golden Lady Fern, the blue & Green Autumn Fern, and the red Quince. Pick one for your home and for a holiday gift!

Lighting of the Future

(My New Flame by Ingo Maurer)In case you’re wondering, the lighting of the future is HERE now.  You’ve already heard of it – those tiny little lights that can be embedded into just about anything – called LEDs or light-emitting diodes.  You may also be wondering:  yes, I’ve seen light fixtures with LEDs but they’re still not that common and most of my favorite lights still don't use LEDs. 

Well, in just a few years that will change as manufacturing and production slowly ramps up and converts their machinery to creating light fixtures that use LEDs. 

One of the cutting edge lighting designers that use LEDs is German designer, Ingo Maurer. Above is his latest My New Flame light fixture that represents those old-fashioned candles but now re-imagined into a modern LED light.  Just think about it: no more candle wax drips, no more accidental burns! Each My New Flame light fixture contains 128 tiny LEDs that together become an image of a flickering flame. Below is a show-stopping chandelier version of his LED candle fixture – called Candle in the Wind. 

(Candle in the Wind by Ingo Maurer) Designer John Niero from Just Not Normal took a flexible approach to his LED light.  He used silicone, a zipper, and LEDs to create his Zipper Luminaire.  When zipped, the moldable silicone becomes a cylinder and can stand on a table. Unzip it and the light can hang on the ceiling or a wall. The Zipper Luminaire has also the potential to be combined into a large light by just zipping them together.

(Zipper Silicone Luminaire, courtesy of Just Not Normal) 

Interested in learning more about lighting?  Take a look at Sheffield School's Complete Course in Interior Design.  At Sheffield, you will learn how to transform a space, create color schemes, and select furniture, lighting, and accessories.