Especially for basement dwellers...

...or anyone else living in an indirectly-lit, ultra dreary apartment.

In July's Vogue, I saw a mirrored/metallic-finished bureau that would infuse a dark space with a bit of light and whimsy. And we all know that whimsy is of utmost importance. Remember, you'll never-ever-ever fool someone in to thinking that your 300 square foot shoebox is really a grand penthouse. That just happens to be a basement apartment. You get my point.

But you can fool someone in to thinking that your apartment is a fun-filled space that reflects a bit of personality. And maybe a little light.

So that's where the whimsical metallic furniture comes in. Matthew Izzo carries quite a selection, though you could always spray paint a boring old piece (it took me roughly 3 cans of gold spray paint for a medium-sized desk with drawers). Moderation is key, as if I had to tell you- limit yourself to one metallic piece per residence. Okay, maybe two. But only if they are in different rooms.

P.S: "Gold or Silver?" Normally, I would go with the undertones on this- gold is warm, silver is cold, etc. But some of the silver finishes on the Matthew Izzo pieces appear to be olive-based, so this adds up to a matter of personal style. I'd go with silver if you have a lot of 'modern' boxy type lines, and gold if you have more antiques. For some reason, mixing metallic this way works.

Saw some neat lighting options at Artemide (232 N. 2nd).

First, there's the Dioscuri wall/ceiling lamp. It works indoors, as well as outdoors. What's keeping it from looking like one of those tragic touch-lights, is that there is minimal contact between the sphere casing and the wall. It appears to float. The scale is a bit small- would look VERY skimpy and sad on its own. Buy multiples, and scatter them all over the wall. Would be a stunning effect on an outdoor wall.

The Logico Ceiling Triple Linear is a very tastefully restrained alternative for those of you who dislike the vintage look of most chandeliers on the market. Instead of relying on straight planes, like most 'modern' chandelier-type fixtures, it relies on the movement of wavy forms and the texture of the glass in order to add that unexpected element to your home. Would work best over a very rectilinear dining room table, perhaps with a high gloss to contrast with the softer form and texture. The reflected light would look best with a ceiling painted in a cool-toned metallic color. Works best with low-to-average height ceilings.

DZ 818, an outdoor light source, brings to mind those old, 19th Century cast iron outdoor lights (maybe it's the way the metal appears, or the curve of the arm). The light is just bright enough to illuminate the front of your home, but not so bright that it attracts moths and unsavory types. Works best for citydwellers, especially those in historic districts with near-identical brick homes. Use two.

And finally, the surf sconce. Many buildings, particularly those in the neoclassical style, use dramatic up-lights to highlight intricate architectural details at night. For those who are currently rushing to buy high-ceilinged apartments, this is the indoor equivalent to outdoor architectural lighting. Because at the end of the day, you're left with all that wall space and nothing to do with it. The right, soft, lighting will make even the most basic molding look grand.

Have no fear...

I have not fallen off the face of the earth, or even my chaise lounge. Things have been very busy over here at Domestically Inclined, including a power surge that nearly took the life of this very computer (the television, however, was not as lucky). Not the sort of fireworks I wanted to see in July.

Daily updates will resume by the end of the week.

-Brieanne