New Year, New Lighting

Isn't this a marvelous pendant lamp? At first, I thought I was looking a fixture inspired by a fancy seashell (forgive my glaring lack of marine science knowledge--the seashell I'm referring to resembles a puffy round ottoman or floor cushion), but then I saw the chandelier arms poking through the covering. Love that duality, along with the way the covering adds mass without sacrificing light. The pendant is the "Zeppelin" by Flos. It's designed by Marcel Wanders and is available through OLC (152-154 N. Third St).

Sidenote: Maybe it is the new year, but I'm leaning more towards neutrals as of late. Shopping the post-holiday sales, I picked up a set of 10 platinum-edged white china plates along with a few place settings of pearlized-handled silverware.

But at least I could shop

My apologies about being AWOL for about two weeks. I will spare you the details, but I came down with a severe bronchial infection. It was decidedly not glamorous.

However, there is one good thing about all that bed rest, besides watching a weekend of That Girl...online shopping. I'm one of millions who puts off shopping until the last available moment, which turns out to work in my favor, since retailers start marking things down. Not that I'm cheap, mind you, just exuberant. I like buying lots at a time, in multiples.

As usual, anthropologie has the best home stuff on sale. Here are a few things that I liked:

- Glass Candlesticks (left), about $8/piece. Glass candlesticks are pretty fantastic, because they give you a nice stately tablescape without entirely blocking everyone's view. The light reflects on the glass, which is a pretty effect.

- Lion Workshop Toy, $10. I'm a big advocate of using children's home accessories as legitimate decor. Buy two, use them as accent pillows--works particularly well on "modern" style sofas.

- Fleur de sel lamp, $60 This lamp sort of reminds me of the fantastic Bodo Sperlein collection for Spanish ceramics maker Lladro. The texture is magnificent. Because it's all in white, the overall texture, not necessarily the rosettes, that is noticed. So I wouldn't worry about this being too frou-frou.

Finding an Alternative to Traditional Crystal Chandeliers

So I got an e-mail today, asking if there were an equally glitzy alternative to a crystal chandelier. The reader had nothing against crystal chandeliers (don't worry, I won't take it personally, just because I would install chandeliers in my refrigerator if I could), but well...we all have our different tastes. That is perfectly understandable. Free to be you and me, that sort of thing.

I was about to recommend entwining christmas lights around a disco ball (kidding), when I thought about the new pendant globe-shaped lighting I've been seeing around town. Round pendant lighting has always either been: a. dust magnets, b. too fussy/small to make a big splash or c. made of flimsy paper.

But now I'm seeing products to the contrary, such as the Schonbek Da Vinci crystal pendant available at Arch Street Lighting (120 Arch St.) and Tom Dixon's Mirrorball pendant at minima (118 N. 3rd). Da Vinci has been making the rounds in the press, mostly because it's the first lamp you can throw in to the dishwasher; but both are equally glitzy alternatives to the stereotypical chandelier. They command a certain strength with mass, which is different to the feeling you get with chandelier tiers or arms.

Tom Dixon Mirrorball, left; Schonbek Da Vinci, right.

Photos from minima.us, schonbek.com

Ghost Decor

As gaudy as my taste can be (at least compared to Zen/Mid-Century Modern Enthusiasts), I have something against seasonal decor. Maybe it is because holiday decor has changed quite a bit over the years, with all the cheery carved jack-o-lanterns being replaced by 6 foot tall inflatable Draculas. In Eagles uniforms.

Believe it or not, some people do bring their 6 foot tall inflatable holiday items in to town. I distinctly remember a large, half-deflated Santa Claus strapped to the exterior of a third floor apartment, and feeling as if the entire holiday season was ruined.

But if you're in the Halloween spirit, these Cerealart Ghosts from the Institute of Contemporary Art (UPenn Campus, 118 S. 36th ) whimsically express that you are indeed celebrating the holidays, but in a whimsical, humorous manner. The Ghosts on the left are salt and pepper shakers, the one on the right is a lamp.

If you like metaphors, then the Louis Ghost chair, middle, from Minima (118 N. 3rd St.) should tickle your fancy.

photos: Cerealart Ghosts, from the Institute of Contemporary Art; Louis Ghost from Kartell

Extraterrestrial Decor

You know, I have no idea what this is supposed to be, either.

All I know is that the photo at left is definitely of a light source, specfically the EL11AC from NY Loft (Philadelphia Design Building, 2300 Chestnut St. Suite 150). I wouldn't necessarily call it a "lamp" since it doesn't give off enough light to illuminate one's late night readings of Little Lord Fauntleroy.

But I was intrigued by the texture of this light source/decorative item. It reminds me of the whitewashed coral trend of the Spring-Summer season, without looking like one has dragged something off the beach and placed it on the mantel. You can only get away with that sort of flourish in the warmer months.

The spikes are an unusual vertical element, but the real interest comes from the variation of height amongst the spikes, giving unexpected mass. It's a clever visual statement that would liven up an area with a lot of horizontals, like a coffee table, forelorn shelf or...a mantel.

Photo from NYLoft.net

Instant Chandelier

So maybe I am the last person to sing the praises of Tord Boontje's Garland Light, which has been all over the design magazines for the past year now. Just add my voice to the chorus.

It's well-deserved praise, though. Unlike most light fixtures, the Garland Light doesn't require an entire afternoon devoted to installation (the garland portion clips on to a bulb). The garland also doesn't obscure the light source, so the piece remains functional instead of purely decorative. You can also control the length of the garland- stretch it for an odd stairway, or leave it massed around the bulb for use in closer quarters.

The Garland Light, at $60, is relatively affordable for the design quality and the overall impact it makes. Available through the AIA Bookstore and Design Center (17th and Samson).

(photo from AIA Bookstore)

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.

Philadelphia Salvage: Where to Go, What You'll Find

The Problem- You live in a castle with gothic stained glass windows. Your neighbor's bratty child threw a baseball through said stained glass windows.

The Solution, presumably after you had a restorative cocktail- Architectural Salvage.

When you've lost something that happens to be irreplacable, when you're restoring a historic home, or when you're just looking for an interesting kitchen sink, the first place you should head to is one of the city's many architectural salvage clearing houses. These stores buy up wonderful old items- from mantles to columns to claw foot bath tubs, and everything in between- from renovators, clean them up and re-sell, at a fair price. Here's a few good places to go:

ReStore (3016 East Thompson St.): A very comprehensive selection, includes cast iron ornaments, tile, doors and sinks. Also offers a design service and never-used pieces.

Found Matter (1320 N. Fifth St., by appointment): In addition to handcrafted furniture pieces made from re-harvested wood, a very good selection of architectural pieces. Stained glass windows, doors (including double-doors), moldings and more.

Architectural Antiques Exchange (715 N. 2nd): If you have a sudden need to buy a complete, paneled library, this is where you go. Gates, lighting, beds, bars...and everything in between.

The quest for decent-looking ceiling fans...

It's hot out. It's been stifling, unnecessarily, non-life-enhancing-ly hot for a past week now, and it's caught everyone by surprise. My unattractive air-conditioning unit (you know, those awful window-mounted models) was in storage, so I was left to wilt on a chaise lounge with a handkerchief. Just call me Blanche.

If the heat isn't enough to make you faint, consider this: An air-conditioning unit (whether you have central air, or the aforementioned window-mounted eyesore) wastes a TON of electricity. How much? In my quest for answers, I stumbled upon Michael Bluejay's page, which deals with saving electricity. Air conditioners use anywhere from 600-3500 watts of energy. If we switch to ceiling fans, we will save roughly $610 on our energy bills, which will be enough for each of us to buy a mid-price pair of Christian Louboutin sandles.

The problem is that ceiling fans can be even bigger eyesores than those air-conditioning units. They bring to mind the faux-country style that worms its way in to suburban households everywhere. Go in to the Home Depot or Lowe's and you will be visually assaulted by fake wood grains, fluted light bulb covers and caning, to the point where you will start to think that paying that extra $610 in energy costs might be worth it.

My advice: head over to Arch Street Lighting (120 Arch St.). Not only do they have a lovely and tasteful selection of lighting (side note: why does Home Depot/Lowe's consider "modern lighting" those pendant lamps that hang at Starbucks stores? That's all they have in terms of lighting that doesn't look salvaged from the set of Evening Shade, or perhaps a Cracker Barrel), but they have an equally well-edited selection of ceiling fans.

At left is the Centauru by Fanimation, which boasts satin nickel and cherry accents in a design that is a whimsical tribute to mid-century modern design and the Fairly Oddparents cartoon show. See more options here.

Mood Lighting with the Help of Outer Space.

Moonlight is praised for its romance-enhancing abilities- the subtle, clear, overhead lighting works wonders for one's mood. When you don't have a skylight or a balcony, remind yourself of the great outdoors with a light source that mimics the illumination of a celestial body.

The Globe lamp from Float, looks like a lovely harvest moon and can be purchased at Philadelphia-based non-profit arts organization Inliquid.com. It's quite a large piece-28 inch diameter- working best with those with high ceilings or very grand sensibilities. Definitely not a bathroom light fixture. Float also sells a similar model that is placed on the floor, for those without children or pets.

Decorating with Candles, without a Grandma result.

I admit that I do have a very small bias against candle-related decor. Just too many of those Yankee candles floating about, I'm afraid. But as the unseasonably warm weather continues with the requisite al fresco dinners, the lure of a well-placed votive candle is hard to resist.

Beeswax vs. Paraffin vs. Soy vs. Everything Else: As the candle market grows exponentially (really, it seems like everyone has a different sort of candle to peddle), manufacturers will surely find a way to make a candle out of dryer lint. Some say that soy candles last longer, while beeswax is more environmentally friendly and then there's that rumor about paraffin generating more soot than in Dickens-era London...well, I say just stick to a basic paraffin candle for an outdoor area. Some people can be quite sensitive to the scent of citronella, and I'm sure that bugs are evolving to be resistant to the smell of it anyway.

How expensive to go: Draw the line between dollar store and Alarmingly Expensive. While a $5 bag of 100 votives seems like a good idea, they are probably filled with air pockets and use a lower-quality wax, leaving you to endless candle replacement duty. A good votive candle should be a bit heavier than you expected, with a slight sheen to the surface (indicating a better quality wax).

Scented or not?: Relegate the scented candles to the bathroom or bedroom. Around food, they tend to numb the palate and might attract bees and mosquitoes.

Make it special: One option is to buy a shaped candle. Personally, I've always felt a bit sad burning these-it's a bit like watching a snowman melt. But if you aren't so sensitive, try a starfish shaped candle, such as this one from Bath & Body Works (17th and Walnut). Place on top of a protective surface, such as a tiny platter (such as the small wood square from West Elm)filled with sea glass, small seashells, sand or smooth pebbles, all of which can be bought at a crafts store.

A charming votive holder is a re-usable option, and keep the breeze from putting out the flame. This starfish tealight holder is similar to the aforementioned candle, and comes from Anthropologie (18th and Walnut). Carrying the oceanic theme are the sea urchin tealights, also from Anthropologie. Buy a few of each size and cluster for an interesting display.

Varying candle height adds dimension to a tablescape. These tulip holders from the Philadelphia Museum of Art come in differing heights and colors. The 24" is a dramatic statement, but might obscure the view of others around the table- keep that particular height to a buffet.