If you've been to any trendy, industrial-style restaurant or boutique, you've likely encountered bare bulb pendants. Great on their own or in groupings, there are endless ways to make this little bulb-on-a-wire shine. Here are a few inspiration shots that caught my eye:
Even though every other restaurant in Toronto seems to have caught onto this trend, I still like it. When lit, these individually hung bulbs twinkle like a night sky.
Here, an array of colourful wires keeps this look playful. I love the mass of cords hanging from the ceiling.
This bare bulb is transformed into an ultra-modern wall sconce thanks to a cantilevered, sculptural piece of wood.
Wrapped around a metal rod, they're transformed into a sort of messy chandelier. It's a simple solution that's quite eye-catching.
A similar treatment was used in this dining room shot. I'm loving the copper rod, too. Seems easy enough to DIY, no? Try a similar copper rod project here.
What are your thoughts: should bulbs go nude or do you prefer a nice lampshade?
Photo credits:
1. The New York Times Style Magazine, photography by Ambroise Tézenas
2. Mimou
3. Weekday Carnival
4. Sköna Hem, photography by Anna Kern
5. Lokal 54
I recently bought a new house, so I'm dreaming of a new kitchen. Instead of stainless steel for the range, I'm thinking of a colourful version. There are a few companies that carry ranges in pastels and brighter hues. Viking carries brights, neutrals and pastels and Bertazzoni is known for their bold colours. BlueStar even has a light pink! The fridge and dishwasher will most likely be covered with cabinetry so I figure why not have fun with the range? It's an easy way to inject your favourite colour without painting walls.
I'll let you know what the decision is!
BlueStar RNB 36" in Light Pink.
Bertazzoni Professional Series 36" 6-Burner Gas Range in Yellow.
Viking 36" Custom Sealed Burner Dual Fuel Electronic Control Range in Iridescent Blue.
For more appliance picks, see Catherine Sweeney's blog post.
Photo credits:
1. BlueStar RNB 36" in Light Pink, BlueStar
2. Bertazzoni Professional Series 36" 6-Burner Gas Range in Yellow, Bertazzoni
3. Viking 36" Custom Sealed Burner Dual Fuel Electronic Control Range in Iridescent Blue, Viking
Apartment Therapy has a great roundup of colourful storage ideas, and I loved this idea of painting drawers in Pantone-inspired shades. This split chest of drawers is from Danish designer Finn Juhl's own home, via The North Elevation blog.
Pick up a mid-century style dresser or desk from a garage sale or thrift store, choose your favourite colour palette (Reds? Greens? Blues?), and paint each drawer a different shade in that palette. (Paint chips from your local hardware store often have complementary recommendations, as does the Benjamin Moore website.) Leave the wood frame as is like the piece above or paint it white. These multi-hued drawers would add a burst of colour to a home office or kid's room in a snap.
For even more pop, try wallpapering drawer fronts.
Photo credit:
The North Elevation
Last week, Indigo revealed a sample of its fall 2012 products. It's hard to think about cool autumn days given that summer is just about to begin, but many of these decorating finds can work year-round, too. Aside from the stunning books and stationery (who doesn't love a fresh notebook?), here's what interested me most:
A harvest table filled with wood accents, ready for a hearty meal. Farmer's carafe with walnut ball, $33; linen napkins, set of four for $25.
The soft pretty hues of these bowls and mugs, just waiting to be filled with a cuppa hot cocoa or rich soup. Pedestal soup bowl, $12; Bergen mug, $12.
An array of vases ready for blooms. Vases, from $15; seagrass sphere, $13; woodfire-scented candle, $38.
Soft pink floral pillows — featuring chintz-like patterns and textured designs. Cabbage rose pillow, $60; vine appliqué pillow, $55.
The fresh fall products will be in Indigo stores and online in August. For now, check out our latest decorating finds.
Photo credits:
Seema Persaud
Minimalism is often criticized for being cold and harsh. But sometimes, a stripped-down space still has a sense of warmth. Take this three-bedroom, Uruguayan villa, for example. It's so scant that it barely has walls, but the sun-filled spaces feel rich and vibrant.
Designed by prestigious international design firm, KallosTurin Architects, the building won an International Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2010.
A large, two-sided fireplace is an elegant centerpiece to the living-dining space. Wall-to-wall windows allow for commanding views of the surrounding hillsides.
Just a few finishing touches like metallic pendant lights and a warm wood side table make the cool white space feel less like an art gallery and more like a home.
For more information on the house, contact Christie's International Real Estate.
Photo credits:
1-3. Christie's International Real Estate
Two weeks ago, I mused about wanting to spruce up my kitchen window by making a roman shade. I enjoy taking on small projects that require few supplies and tools, and add a personal touch without breaking the bank. With my colleague Cameron MacNeil's easy instructions, I was able to tackle a great DIY.
I picked up almost all the materials I needed from Designer Fabrics, a local Toronto fabric and supply store. I definitely found it useful to first go over the instructions and map out a rough plan in order to visualize the various measurements. For my window that measures 43" high by 45" wide, I needed:
- 2 yards of drapery fabric and dim-out liner
- 1-1/2 yards of 3/4" Velcro
- 20 yards of lift cord
- 5 screw eyes
- 30 lift rings
- 45" x 1"x 1" piece of wood
- 3/4" dowel (to weigh the shade down)
I cut the liner 1-1/2" shorter in width than the drapery fabric, but still sewed the edges flush. Once pressed, this ensured that that liner wouldn't be visible from the edge.
Using the mounting board as a guide, I mapped out the lift ring grid, which I then sewed on by hand, making sure to go through both the liner and the fabric.
Then I used Velcro to attach the shade to the mounting board (on the opposite side of the eye screws), and strung the lift cord though the rings.
And voilà! I'm really happy with the way it all turned out and would happily do it again.
See our DIY & Home Improvement section for even more easy projects.
Photo credits:
1-8. Lauren Petroff