......the light fantastic!

The primary function of providing illumination has been elevated to an art form and pure fantasy with these extraordinary and delightful creations.

Archeo Venice Design has captured the ethereal beauty of Mariano Fortuny's original works in art glass. Stunning as shown in Neutral, also available in Amber, Aqua, Green, Ruby and Salmon.

The Cascade Luminaire Grand is available in custom sizes by Boyd Lighting - Kentfield Collection. Imagine a 10' long cascade over a staircase!

Created in 1956 by Tony Duquette for the opening gala of his Robertson Blvd. studios, the Splashing Water Chandelier, in the form of a fountain with drops suspended in mid-air, has been lovingly recreated by Remains Lighting. Shown in Ecru/Tea, and also available in his signature color combinations of Teal/Coral and Forest Green/Red.

Harco Loor Design twists lighting into the magical Diamond Flower Double/Red.

A gift from the sea - Ironies serves up the shell-encrusted, 12-Light Pallas Chandelier.

The Abalone Chandelier was originally unveiled as part of Duquette's one-man exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The original hangs in his own home, Dawnridge. The circa 1952 chandelier has been reproduced in exacting detail by Baker Furniture.

Triple threat

"Three-legged" and immediately recognizable, the tripod comes in a variety of forms - camera stands, easels, stools, tables - but none more varied than when inspiring lighting.

Grand in scale and size, the Royal Marine Tripod Floor Lamp from Restoration Hardware, shown in brown with antique brass hardware. Also available in black with polished aluminum hardware.

With an old-world, European aesthetic, the Middleton designed by Michael Amato through Urban Electric Company.

Porta Romana tops the sinuous Twig Floor Lamp with a sensuous silk shade.

The brilliant Alison Berger Glassworks' Surveyor's Floor Lamp for Holly Hunt.


In bronze, polished nickel, or hand-rubbed antique brass, Circa Lighting's Pimlico Tripod Boom Arm Pharmacy Floor Lamp.

A capiz shell drum shade and antique gold base are a perfect marriage in the Serena Floor Lamp by Oly Studio.

An iconic shape for an iconic era, this all original floor lamp with brass legs, solid walnut detailing and original linen shade. Designed in 1950 by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier. Offered by Modern Living Supplies through 1st dibs.

Jean de Merry

Uber-sophisticated, elegantly cool and unabashedly sexy, Jean de Merry turns heads with their well edited line of case pieces, upholstery and lighting. They also have an exclusive line of textiles from Italy. Their flagship showroom in Los Angeles was the logical next step for a family heritage in the French leather industry, which spanned several centuries. They now have representation and a legion of fans world-wide. All of their pieces represent quality of the highest order, here is a peek at some of their outstanding work.

The Riviera Table with forged iron base and top options in antiqued parchment, shagreen or marble.

Mirror in all of its iterations; foxed, antiqued mercury, clear or dark silver with open work forged iron feet on the Parigi Credenza.

Cerused, satin or lacquered wood finishes highlight the curvaceous beauty of the Cambodia Arm Chair.

The Racine, just about the perfect wing chair for any space.

Filigreed jewelry for your walls, the Venezia Sconce. Available in bronze, nickel, silver-plated or gold leaf finishes.

Quite the explosive exclamation point in a dining room, the Lumiere Chandelier in 3 sizes, up to 60" diameter.

Not one detail has been overlooked in their beautiful collection.

Whimsical Lighting from Pal + Smith

Pal + Smith design principal Melissa Palazzo lends a hand of whimsy and casual elegance to their newest round of lighting designs. I really admire her ability to instill such creativity and bravado into a standard lighting form. The Ming and Chinois lamps above feature dramatic Chinese ginger jar bases in shades of citrus or orange, while the Lola and Lotus designs below showcase original carved white resin bases. I always enjoy a lamp that does not take itself too seriously, and Pal + Smith has created fun, dynamic lighting designs that could work in a multitude of settings.

The French Stingray Double Wall Light from Louis Di Calla

The Stingray wall light from Louis Di Calla is made of carved wood, covered in stingray skin (shown in sport rust), inlaid in solid cast-bronze mounts (shown in polished bronze) and tapered with frosted glass shades. Needless to say, this is a very unusual wall light. The stingray skin really catches your eye as you examine this piece. It is elegant, stylish and original, offering the homeowner a delicious substitute to the standard selection of wall lights.

Lesley Anton Totem Floor Lamp

Lighting is one of the best places to look for a sense of fun and whimsy when you are designing a room. This piece from Lesley Anton is creative and elegant at the same time. I really like the color and form of the piece, it is quite unusual. This lamp is a great way to lighten the mood of a room and provide a good conversation piece for friends and relatives. It almost looks like some kind of tree or vine growing out of the ground, which I find very inviting and calming. It is a very natural piece and will add a touch of Bohemia to your style pallet.

The Shanghai Table Lamp from Louis Di Calla

I won't settle for boring lighting. I need a lighting piece that catches my eye and adds a valuable element to a room or hallway. That is why I adore this dazzling piece from Louis Di Calla. This piece is inspired by the art of the famous Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, and reflects his eclectic yet tasteful sense of refined style. This lamp could complement a variety of styles and settings, mixing in with any semblance of good taste. The lamp is crafted from natural-carved alabaster stone and makes a statement wherever it is placed. What I like about the Shanghai lamp is that it conveys a subtle yet powerful sense of old-fashioned good taste.

It's flora's turn (because it was fauna's last week!)

Why not let one of these scrumptious chandeliers illuminate a dining room, family room, bedroom or powder room with whimsy and panache.




Can you smell the fresh pine while you huddle for warmth around a crackling fire under one of Hammerton's Log & Timber chandeliers?







Such a contrast from the exuberance of Ironies' Neblina with its profusion of acrylic flowers to the spare, icy branches of Porta Romana's Blossom.












What could be more fun, functional and affordable than the Thru the Trees from Urban Outfitters, or the simple, clip-on, etched stainless steel flowers from Tord Boontje through ConranUSA. A light bulb has never had it so good, it's a bit like playing dress-up!







And then for over-the-top, piece de resistance, creme de la creme, pull all the stops out, jaw-dropping WOW ~ the Flowerfall from Oly Studio and the found object magic of the Magpie Chandelier from Anthropologie.

Nature's beauty and bounty, what could be more illuminating?

Punto Singolo Chandelier from Philip Nimmo Ironworks

Saks Fifth Avenue commissioned him to produce an artistic center table, his list of celebrity clients includes Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jim Carrey, among others, and his recent completion of eight Giacometti-style floor lamps for the newly remodeled Crown Plaza in Manhattan has created a palpable buzz surrounding Philip Nimmo. In seven years the Philip Nimmo Ironworks collection has expanded from fire screens to a complete collection including lighting, furniture and hardware. A recent addition to the extensive Philip Nimmo Ironworks collection are this gorgeous Punto Singolo Chandelier, a clear representation of the innovation and fine craftsmanship synonymous with the Philip Nimmo name. His design style has been compared to Bauhaus artists such as Piet Mondrian and I would expand that to include Keith Haring, whose influence is reflected in the bold lines, brilliant colors and combinations of geometric and organic shapes found in the Philip Nimmo Ironworks collection. However, it is the distinctiveness, craftsmanship and innovation that makes the collection so incredibly unique.

Kao Wall-Ceiling from Artemide

Products from lighting manufacturers always seem to push the envelope in terms of creativity and originality. I think the lighting medium lends itself to outlandish and interpretive designs, and we are all the better off for it. Artemide presents us with the Kao, a wall or ceiling light fixture that can brighten an entire room and make a bold design statement. This fixture would go perfectly in an entrance way, reception area or corridor. It is a great way to set a theme of modernity without having to spend money on multiple lights. It is the perfect complement to a modern design scheme, and most of all it just looks really cool!

Bamboo & Linen Floor Lamps from Ibolili

These bamboo and linen floor lamps from Ibolili, a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, made their debut at the recent High Point Market and its no wonder they're creating quite a buzz. In addition to being a great value (did I mention the retail prices range from approximately $75-$100?!) they are also eco-freindly. In fact, the entire Ibolili collection consists of fine, handmade furniture created from natural elements such as leaves, bark, wood and sisal. These lamps are perfect for anyone looking for quality and affordable green design.

Lighting from Trove

As a fan of the distinctive wall coverings that Trove is known for, I am delighted to see that they have extended their design spectrum into lighting with the launch of a comprehensive collection of pendant lighting. The shades are printed with Trove's trademark, nature-inspired designs, providing a stunning effect to any design application. The designs can be customized to create a personalized shade, adding to the luxury of the lighting collection, which includes drums, cylinders and other shapes in a variety of of sizes. Standard hardware finishes are offered in blackened steel and satin brass with custom options available in satin and polished nickel, polished brass and pewter.