Style Illuminated

I had the pleasure to tour a beautifully renovated, turn of the century apartment in the San Telmo area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Owner Stephen Woods moved to Argentina from the UK almost ten years ago with a background in historical property renovation. He now lives in this gorgeous apartment with his girlfriend Eloisa and their daughter Katia. The renovations lasted approximately four months with meticulous planning ahead of time, including making silicone molds of the original rosette moulding detail and reproducing and installing them around the apartment. Stephen focused on maintaining the integrity of the apartment and honoring the era in which it was built, yet upgrading the space to be livable in this day and age.

The apartment is hidden at the back of a spacious, French-style Neoclassical building, built in 1904, in San Telmo, Buenos Aires' notorious antiques and art district. With the exception of the two back rooms, the apartment has impressively high ceilings, measuring a little over 13 feet in the hallway and 11.5 feet in the rooms. The sitting room and piano room make up the two common areas of the apartment. These spaces are decorated with the period of the apartment in mind, yet with a designer's eye as well. The doors and windows were all fitted with antique hardware and the antique-style radiators were installed to solve the problem of the lack of central heating. These two rooms are accessorized beautifully with antiques and artwork from varying periods of the 20th century that play off each other beautifully. Antique siphons are a cultural touch, as these are hugely popular across the flea markets in the city.

The layout of the apartment remains exactly as it was built, no walls were knocked out or added, however the functions of each room were changed to work best for their family. The original kitchen was located at the back of the apartment, along with the maid's quarters. They were quite small and not centrally located, so Stephen decided to transform them into his daughter’s bedroom and an in-home office. He took up the floorboards from the front bedroom and turned this space into the kitchen. Stephen wanted the kitchen to function in the modern world yet still tie-in with the period-style of the apartment. He found an antique carpenters table at a flea market and sized the stainless countertops to fit its dimensions. Well designed wall light fixtures and ceiling lights are also what defines the period design; the chandelier and sconces were also found at a local flea market.  

The hallway features a large, stained glass window or "ventanal" as it is called in Argentina. The frame is original to the apartment, but Stephen found antique glass to set in the frame. Light blue is a very common color to be featured in stained glass windows in Argentina as a patriotic touch and the corner pieces of the ventanal are typically a different color to the boarder of the window. The window openings are characteristic of the original frame, with a hook and chain mechanism to hold the windows at an angle. A classic chandelier defines the hallway with high ceilings. The chandelier that hangs in the hallway is an antique, again found in a flea market in Buenos Aires, that Stephen had deconstructed from one chandelier with eight arms to two matching chandeliers of four arms. An extra large chandelier would have also looked fantastic with the tall ceilings. The mosaic flooring is characteristic of the period, but was laid during the renovation.

The closet off the bathroom was originally the maid’s "prep" area and was open. Stephen found 100-year old pine wood and had custom doors made to close off the space and create a storage closet and laundry room. Facing the closet is the original wall-mounted lighting outlet, but to accentuate the height of the space, Stephen added a hook to the ceiling and hung an antique chandelier. The bathroom is outfitted with antique fixtures found at a demolition warehouse in Argentina. The matte dark grey color of the wainscoting and fixtures was a unifying design decision. The radiators were made in that color and finish, so Stephen decided to use that color for select hard surfaces throughout the apartment.

The back part of the apartment consists of their daughter’s bedroom and Stephen's office. The marble staircase had to be removed and re-polished, possibly the most arduous process of the entire renovation, and the original pine stairs had to be stripped of their awkward shade of green paint. The plaster ceiling from both rooms was removed to show the original brick and oxidized beams, a very common ceiling treatment and look in Buenos Aires.  

Stephen’s advice to anyone looking to restore a historic property is to not get caught up with making everything 100% historically accurate, but to have a coherence and unity throughout the property that speaks the language of the period. The attention to detail has lent itself to a beautifully restored, historic apartment. With another upcoming restoration project in the city, I can not wait to see what Stephen will create.

All Images: Allison Rosenberg

Ah Roma, *sigh.* The Eternal City is home to not only the Colosseum, Forum, Vatican, and Trevi Fountain, but also home to great shopping, food and design. Design inspiration from Rome will totally surprise you. You may think that a city steeped in such history would be home to over-the-top and fussy design. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of traditional interiors in Rome, but many more Romans want modern design within their ancient walls. Think of it this way... people with straight hair always want curly, people with curly hair always want straight. Make sense?

If you grew up in a crumbling albeit charming apartment, chances are that you would probably want all the mod cons if given the chance. That said, everything Italians do from a design standpoint looks divine - catch the Mother Church reference? As they say about Italy, and thankfully: style over substance. Luckily for us, we can gather inspiration and know that everything we do here in the States will probably look good, work and take less time than in Italy... the most bureaucratic country in the world.

Talk about a design influence. This Colosseum-inspired dining table could not get any more literal. The sleek dining room chairs pull out from under the tabletop. Oh the glory of Rome. Having such imposing dining room tables calls for very large chandeliers.     

Yours truly with an American friend who lives in Rome. Here we are enjoying lunch near the Tiber. Of course the consumption of massive amounts of food is always required on a trip to Rome.

Speaking of food, Italian kitchens, when renovated, are amazing. Italians are on the forefront of cutting edge industrial design. Here is a perfect example. This uber modern kitchen is to die for. Everything in its place, sleek and yet still warm, like the Italian spirit. Can we discuss kitchen bar stools for a minute? A perfect place to perch for pasta.  

Metallic Silver Scooper Adjustable Bar or Counter Stool

Yes, I know, I aim to please. The kitchen bar stools you never thought you would find. 

I know I look crazy, but that is what serious jet lag will do. I do have a point to this picture of me in my hotel room overlooking the Pantheon. Rome is filled with ancient buildings, columns and porticos. There is a way to celebrate this history yet be true to modern design.

Here is what I mean. I’m crazy for this cool wallpaper that is clearly made from a photograph of classical architecture. You can always check online to see if you can get images you have taken on holiday blown up to mount either on a canvas or on a wall. Also, great lighting fixtures goes without saying.

Ouch. Ancient Roman seating, no thanks. Notice how she needed some comfort in the form of an ancient pillow?

This is what I’m talking about. This room is stunning. I love the old beams and pure modern interiors. The curved dining room chairs are form fitting and are the perfect counterpoint to the structure. I need that inset uplighting immediately. 

There are not enough scrubbing bubbles in the world to get this ancient bath ready for my arrival. Although, historically it’s major.

Leave it to the Italians to turn this organic, almost catacomb space into the coolest bathroom, ever. The fluid space is very sensual. I like how the indoor wall lights add the perfect glow. Mamma Mia, I need a dose of Rome, pronto!

Images: Interior Design Pro, idesignarch, Tommaso Ziffer, Art-n-Sewl

Steve Jones of bettershelter is a well known house flipper in Los Angeles. He finds a house that is a "hot mess" (as he calls it) and completely rehabs the home while staying on a tight budget. His method for investing in homes is simple - buy it for a good price, renovate it on a budget, and sell it for a resonable price. As long as he can keep the cost down on all levels of the project, everyone wins (his design team and the future buyer). 

Steve has developed a bettershelter look over the years and many potential buyers stalk his properties that most often end up in a bidding war. Keep reading for inside tips from the designer himself...

LAMPS PLUS: How would you define your style in 3 words?

STEVE JONES: Modern Vintage Surf

LAMPS PLUS: You get a lot of flack for being a house flipper in a down market. However, your renovation and design expertise actually helps the local community.

STEVE JONES: We buy many homes that would not qualify for a typical home mortgage because they are in such terrible shape. Our homes improve communities and neighborhoods and nearby home prices. Who would not want that? We try to preserve the authenticity and integrity of the homes that we renovate; we strive to fit in rather than stand out. McMansions these are not!

LAMPS PLUS: Many of your homes utilize wall light fixtures and chandeliers versus recessed lights as the primary light source. Why do you prefer to use a more focused light versus overall lighting?

STEVE JONES: I like indirect lighting as opposed to recessed can lights; the light is much more flattering on a person's face. I also like dimmers for the same reason.

LAMPS PLUS: You have a fantastic outdoor area for your own home. What are 3 basic tips for outdoor lighting?

STEVE JONES: I use old school colored bulbs - I prefer blue and green bulbs. I like to project the light up through the trees and branches; the effect is magical. I use solar light stakes for my pathways; they are easy and effective.

LAMPS PLUS: What is on your current Lamps Plus wish list?

Crystorama Astro Bronze Ceiling Light Fixture (left), Hudson Valley Petersburg Nickel Semi-Flush Ceiling Mount (right)

Thanks Steve! And... if you love Steve's bright orange outdoor chairs, check out our Zuo Anime Transparent Chairs.

Images: Marcia Prentice/Lamps Plus

Karen Vidal of Design Vidal has extensively renovated a large number of historic homes in Los Angeles. She falls in love with the charm of older homes from the orginal doors to the period wall sconces. Karen makes keeping the integrity of the home a priority when she develops her design concept.

LAMPS PLUS: What architectural elements and details do you like to restore when keeping with the integrity of a historical home?

DESIGN VIDAL: Windows are a surprisingly big deal in a historical home; if I am lucky enough and the house has its original windows I will spend the time to fix them. If some sashes are damaged I have a shop that can make a new sash to match. If windows have been changed, for example all of the old casements have been replaced by louvers, I will take them out and restore the original casement window look with new casements. Seeing windows that don't match the style of the house is very jarring.

LAMPS PLUS: Do you usually try to restore the original hardwood floors in an older home?

DESIGN VIDAL: Wood floors are another element that I like to restore. I have a great floor guy that can stitch in a repair seamlessly. Quite often in a kitchen remodel, once we remove the layers of linoleum, we will choose to refinish what was commonly used as a sub-floor in older homes, which is the old douglas fir planks. This gives a beautiful look and utilizes a material that is already in place.

Thanks Karen! And... if you love the porch lights featured in the image above, be sure to check out our wide selection of patio and porch lights.

Image: Marcia Prentice/Lamps Plus

Who doesn’t love a showcase house? It’s great to see what designers are doing, the latest trends and the ability to go into homes that are rarely open to the public. Of course not everybody has time to visit these houses, so I am bringing the house to you! The 2012 Pasadena Showcase House is a 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival in La Canada Flintridge, California. It was originally designed by John Winford Byers and retains much of its original charm. 

Take a step through this original massive wood door. Clearly there was a time before ADT! The details and craftsmanship is fabulous.

Exterior breezeways are painted to resemble exotic oriental carpets. Stunning. 

The main staircase is a study in classic Spanish style simplicity. The cool terra cotta floors balance harmoniously with the simple walls, heavy timber beams and a classic wrought iron chandelier.

Another authentic Spanish Revival feature is this charming reading nook by Kelly McLeod. Classic wall light fixtures are a must when it comes to lighting in a home such as this. Navajo rugs complete the look.

I love this clever way to display art prints in a long hall. Designed by Paul Devine, the layering of pictures on a standard curtain rod is a great way to create an instant gallery. Notice the woven hemp twine that covers the rod? Do I hear a DIY project brewing?

The gentleman’s study by Jon Jahr has a fresh and modern look albeit still traditional. I must find that metal coated stump table.

This soothing reading room by Traci Larsen lightens the darker tones found throughout the house, although the pale green and cream color scheme still compliment the lush surroundings and work well with the plein air painting featured above. 

The breakfast room by Karina Oldemans features upholstered dining chairs and a wood floor that resembles the terra cotta floor design found in the entry. Upholstered dining room chairs are an elegant and beautiful touch in any home!

The family room by Designs of the Interiors features comfort first. Rustic lighting keeps things earthy.

I love how the guest room by Cooper Gyer introduces some more modern elements like the beveled mirror and sputnik ceiling light. Heaven know the house is close enough to Hollywood to give the touches of glam a hall pass. The chevron pattern on the pillows are a really popular pattern now... take note.

The master bedroom by Kathryne Dahlman marries a fresh Hamptons style with traditional Spanish. 

The master bathroom by KMNelson Design is freshly current, but retains traditional details in keeping with the house. The heavy use of tile is classic Spanish Colonial, but the crisp pattern is totally modern.

Talk about modern, the guest cottage by Mark Cutler is bright, cheerful and up-to-date. A few clues let us know it’s still found within a traditional home such as the heavy timber table that is so similar to the beams in the front hall.

A trip to Southern California would not be complete without a dip in the pool. This scene is as refreshing as some of the design takeaways in the pictures above.

Images: LA Times, Columns From Stauffer

Today we're excited to share some design inspiration and trends from Hinkley Lighting. We recently featured a gorgeous and inspiring Hinkley lighting video on Style Illuminated and we're thrilled to have Tom Patterson, Hinkley's director of product development here today chatting about the company's history (they've been in business since 1922!), where they find inspiration for their designs, and up-and-coming lighting trends.

LAMPS PLUS:  Congratulations on Hinkley Lighting's 90th anniversary! How have you seen the company’s design vision grow and develop over the years?  

TOM PATTERSON: Thanks! We're proud to have evolved to become one of the most well-respected designers and manufacturers of high-quality lighting fixtures in the world. We still keep a solid foundation in tradition and timeless, classic design, but over the years we began to diversify our product offerings while staying true to our history.    

LAMPS PLUS: With the tagline LIFE AGLOW, Hinkley approaches lighting as an essential aspect in creating and enhancing a lifestyle – not just as a product to sell. Why did the company decide to take this unique approach?

TOM PATTERSON: Everyone in the Hinkley family understands and respects that your home is so much more than a physical place; it’s an emotional space and an extension of your personal style. LIFE AGLOW underscores our belief that light has the power to create different perspectives, rekindle emotions and provide protection for loved ones.

LAMPS PLUS: Your lighting ranges from classic and traditional to super chic and contemporary. Where do you find inspiration for your diverse array of indoor lighting?

TOM PATTERSON: Our designers find inspiration in a number of different areas.  Many travel the world, focusing on trends in both interiors and fashion. We look at products that may have some relationship to the lighting industry, like plumbing fixtures or hardware, furniture and wall covering that would allow us to design coordinating products so that the consumer can create seamless ensembles in finish and in style throughout the home.

LAMPS PLUS: How about for Hinkley outdoor lighting?

TOM PATTERSON: We continue to look at our past and get inspiration from traditional styles and designs from different periods in history that we feel could be updated for today’s “cleaned up” traditional look.

 LAMPS PLUS: What trends do you see coming in lighting design?

TOM PATTERSON: We see more and more natural and sustainable materials starting to take hold, mostly in the interior environment.  Various woods and real wood veneers are making a comeback in both contemporary and traditional designs. Glass will continue to change into more organic textures and shapes with more emphasis on hand blown, unique pieces of art that become the focus of the design but that use more subtle color tones and solids with texture. And of course, LED will find its way into a number of interior and exterior lighting products.

LAMPS PLUS: We've noticed those trends too - especially the emphasis on LED lighting. What's the next big thing in lighting finishes?

TOM PATTERSON: Finishes seem to still be headed toward metallic variations with brushed nickel leading the way, but chrome and polished nickel continue coming on strong, as well as slight variations in brushed bronze tones.   

LAMPS PLUS: What are your favorite Hinkley lighting collections available from Lamps Plus?

TOM PATTERSON: I love good clean contemporary design that has staying power as well as classic, well-made traditional. Some of my favorites include the Meridian Chandelier collection and the Lanza bathroom lighting family - it's just beautiful.

Thanks Tom! Visit Lamps Plus to view more Hinkley lighting designs and stay tuned next month for a special guest post from Tom Patterson with tips for using lighting to create ambiance at home.

Images courtesy of Hinkley Lighting

I suppose you can gather from the past few posts that I am itching for summer. That said, I have put together some musings on outdoor terrace must-haves. Please pardon me if you are an apartment dweller with no outdoor space, but I hope to offer you some inspiring posts soon. From the smallest front porch to the wide covered veranda, there are easy ways to make your outdoor space comfortable, inviting and stylish. It doesn’t cost much to design a chic space, just imagination and having a few key items.

Budapest Galvanized Outdoor Wall Light

Like the image above that features a simplistically designed front porch, retro outdoor wall lights play a key role and make enjoying your outdoor space welcoming at night.

Another important element for a successful outdoor terrace is a place for dining. There is nothing more fun than dining al fresco on a summer night. As you can see, you don’t need a large and a sweeping yard to enjoy a meal outside. In fact, this homeowner has created a space right in front of the front door! When there’s a will, there’s a way. A quick note, if your terrace lacks trees and plants, potted boxwood, as seen in the terra cotta pots, are low maintenance and offer a major pop of greenery.

This tropical terrace dining space is calm, cool and collected, don’t you think? I can almost feel the trade winds. A coat of white paint can freshen up old and outdated furniture. If you have room, a side table to hold buffet items and hurricane lanterns will come in handy. A clever design touch in this image is the mirror placed on the wall. Using mirrors outside reflect the greenery of the landscape beyond.      

Set of 2 Cambria Black with Taupe Cushion Outdoor Arm Chairs

Outdoor dining chairs are a must-have this summer. Not only will they stand up to the elements, they are easy to move around the yard, deck or terrace and can always be brought inside for additional seating. You can always keep folding chairs handy if you need extra seating and don’t want to commit to “official” outdoor furniture. 

Along with dining chairs, soft, club chairs and lounges are key when it comes to lazy summer entertaining. How cute are the rolled towels as make shift pillows? If you have power outside, placing a glass outdoor lantern will make entertaining at night that much more enjoyable.

Fun in the sun, or at least in a porch. Some say if you paint the ceiling of a porch in pale blue it will keep bugs away. I’m not so sure about that, but it looks great.

Cheerful fabrics and pillows makes everything comfortable. Soft furnishings are a must if you want to infuse personality into your outdoor space.

Bouquet 18" Square Floral Print Decorative Throw Pillow

If the weather is fine, don’t be afraid to bring pillows outside. Cheerful accent pillows can add just as much sunshine to a space without the hazardous rays.

Images: House of Fifty, Oliveaux

We were so excited to interview Jessica of Black.White.Yellow. Jessica is no ordinary design blogger, she is also an architect! Therefore, she has a unique point of view and as you can see, she is inspired by black, white, and yellow hues.

LAMPS PLUS: What was the inspiration behind your blog, Black.White.Yellow?

JESSICA: I started {Black.White.Yellow} in 2007 when there was far fewer design blogs, no Pinterest, and it was more challenging to share and find inspiration. I wanted a place to share my projects and designs as well as things that I find inspiring.

LAMPS PLUS: What makes you love the hues black, white, and yellow so much?

JESSICA: I have ALWAYS loved the crisp contrast of black and white. The combination is so modern and clean. One day it occurred to me how often the color yellow appeared in images and designs that I liked, almost always in small doses and in combination with black and white. I love a bright pop of color to add a focal point to a clean black and white palette.

LAMPS PLUS: Being an architect, how do you differentiate your content compared to other design blogs?

JESSICA: I try to include inspiration from all sectors of design: architecture, interiors, art, fashion, and nature. I honestly don't intentionally make an attempt to distinguish the content of my blog, but we all have our unique perspective and put our own spin on things.

LAMPS PLUS: You went to school in New Orleans, but now live in Los Angeles. What do you love most about Southern California architecture and design?

JESSICA: I absolutely love the indoor/outdoor living aspect of Los Angeles.

LAMPS PLUS: What is your favorite home in Los Angeles?

JESSICA: One of my favorites is definitely the Stahl House, or Case Study House #22, designed by Pierre Koenig. It is such a perfect example of minimalist, modern architecture so perfectly suited for LA.

LAMPS PLUS: What is one trend that you wish would go away and one trend that you would like to last forever?

JESSICA: I LOVE real flowers and try to have fresh flowers in my house as often as possible. Floral inspired graphics are good, but generally speaking I'm not a fan of floral prints that are popular right now.

I have really embraced this neon pink trend and I kind of really don't want it to go away! It looks good with black, white, and yellow too!

LAMPS PLUS: What are 3 tips for making your house a home?

JESSICA:

• Personal items: Incorporate personal items. It doesn't matter if the items are new or old (a combination is best), but they should be things that make you happy.
• Art: Display art. It's easy to find great affordable art these days.
• Texture: Include a mix of textures and materials.

LAMPS PLUS: How do you create dramatic lighting in a home?

JESSICA: It's important to strategically place lighting throughout your home and make sure it's the right intensity for the area.

LAMPS PLUS: What are your favorite architectural light fixtures from Lamps Plus?

JESSICA:

Jonathan Adler Black and Brass Antwerp Floor Lamp

I love the lines and shapes of this lamp, so modern yet timeless.

Jonathan Adler Meurice Collection 30-Light Nickel Chandelier

I really love a modern take on Hollywood Regency, this chandelier would look good in so many rooms.

LBL Isla Clear with Satin Nickel Pendant Light

I also love clean and simple designs. Several of these pendant lamps would look great hanging together.

Thanks Jessica!

Images: Courtesy of Black.White.Yellow, Ehrlich Architects, Arch Daily

We were so excited to chat with Karen Vidal from Design Vidal again. This time we are discussing tips for staying on budget during remodeling.

LAMPS PLUS: A home remodel can easily become frustrating if you don't stay organized and on top of the budget. What are some tips for staying on budget during the renovation process?

KAREN VIDAL: There is a basic concept to remodeling that I feel most people are not aware of; the number that you get from a contractor is not the whole total. What this means is that the contractor is not the whole total. The contractor will do trades (plumbing, electrical, framing, etc.), but he will also do finish work (tile, hang light fixtures, install plumbing fixtures, etc.).

The trick is it's easy for the general contractor to assign budget numbers for labor and rough materials, but difficult for him to give numbers for lighting fixtures and appliances because there is a huge range and he might not have the same vision as the client. This is where budgets get out of control. The way I handle it is that I have everything chosen before the contractor starts. I know which sink, tub, faucet, tile, light fixture, flooring material, etc. that I am using.

LAMPS PLUS: How do you put together a more realistic budget allowing for the selection of your own fixtures?

KAREN VIDAL: I have a clear vision of my design. I provide my own numbers for all of what we call "allowances" (i.e. items that the client needs to supply the contractor) and combine that with the budget numbers from the general contractor. That way my client has a very clear understanding of the total money needed to achieve the desired renovation.

LAMPS PLUS: If the contractor's bid is too high, what are some tips for getting closer to your ideal price?

KAREN VIDAL: Scope of work drives budget. If the estimate for the work is too high, it's better to reduce the scope of work rather than compromise on materials or try to bid many contractors in the hope of finding someone who will say the number you want to hear - often that number will change as the job starts and things quickly get out of control. It's what we call a "bait and switch."

Image: Marcia Prentice/Lamps Plus

My top five decor updates for summer are inspired by the interchange between indoors and out. Yes, it might be a tad too chilly to lay in the sun, and yes, it’s not quite Memorial Day, but it’s never too soon to dream of lazy days and a sun-kissed glow on your cheeks. That said, nothing says summer more to me than boldly striped awnings on an old fashioned porch. You can bring that lemonade-hazed feeling indoors with a variety of decor tricks. From simple striped cotton rugs and slipcovers to lighting, stripes add a bold and summery feel to interiors.

Fun flush mount striped kitchen ceiling lights like this giclee ceiling light might be the way to make a simple update to your home. Ceiling lights look great in kitchens, bathrooms, halls and bathrooms.

Obviously florals are a classic summer design theme. There is good reason that the British use floral chintz in their homes... the dreary English weather forces them indoors where they can only dream of summer days. Flowered fabric and accents keep an interior cheerful all year round.

Of course while floral fabric is a sure fire way to brighten a space, why not try something a tad more unexpected. This floral jar porcelain table lamp is a touch of the English Countryside without enduring jet lag. Because it is a bold choice for lighting, it will probably look good against and near simple, monochromatic walls and furniture.

Incorporating garden green is another way of bringing nature indoors. While applying a bold green trellis wallpaper may be way too much for you, including green as an accent in your home will instantly bring summer inside. After all, green is the color of nature. 

I love fun accent tables in the “style of” garden seats. Personally I can’t get enough of small accent tables. They fit everywhere, from next to chairs and sofas to chaise lounges and desks. You name it, you will always have a need for these little rascals. The nice thing about small accent tables is that they are extremely portable. From moving them around the house to outside in the yard or on a balcony, they are the perfect piece of furniture.

While I would ever leave this chic polished nickel accent table outside, it does resembles a glamorous version of a rustic outdoor table. 

Anything woven gives off a casual, almost island feel when brought indoors. Casual elegance is how most people want to live, so I think contemplating woven or rattan materials is “of the moment.”

Hello rattan-style poof! This woven cylinder stool is great for weary feet and extra seating for the kids. I suppose the only thing missing after you implement summer decor at home is the official start of summer.

Images: Bogle Street, House of Turquoise