Posts with tag lighting

The importance of good lighting is often overlooked, but as all good fashionistas, like Cher in Clueless, it's vital that one not stumble into some bad lighting, if it can be helped. And when you have home field advantage, there's no reason whatsoever to have a bad lighting concept. With just a bit of planning, you can get your room to glow.

Domino has five great tips for lighting your home beautifully, and we're including our suggestions on how to best make it happen in the gallery. We'll make sure your lighting concept is hip, flattering, and completely useful!

Over the years, there's no doubt that Oprah Winfrey's look has changed dramatically -- you can check her out right now at StyleList's Look of the Day. Her hair, her weight, her wardrobe -- they've all been switched up on a yearly basis. But, has she gone under the knife to make more drastic changes?

Many experts say no -- as a matter of fact, although the look of her face has changed somewhat throughout the years (most notably, her schnoz), it's more a matter of makeup and lighting than surgical intervention. Because, let's be real, folks -- how many of our faces don't look considerably different now than they did in the '80s?

Men and women alike can be sustainably stylish. Here are the must-haves:

1. The reusable bag. It doesn't have to be Anya Hindmarch's bag you see at right (which we've all seen about enough of, frankly), but re-usable bags are eco-friendly and can say a lot about you. You read? Get one at a bookstore. In fact, you probably already have one. They're called tote bags. Use them when you go to the farmer's market (or the drug store) and feel good about yourself.

There are some decent options out there for environmentally conscious home decor. But really...some of them are kinda beige. Or cookie cutter same-same, or just too burlap-ish crunchy, you know?

Relax, you have options.

For one-of-a-kind decor, in the words of 1stdibs.com, "Do the planet a favor, buy vintage."

Still waiting on spring to arrive where you are? Got those dreary winter day blues? Maybe the d°light Huggable is the answer you've been looking for. This light-up pillow is inspired by sunlight and designer Diana Lin created it to give people the chance to embrace the essence of the sun in their arms.

The pillow is soft and fuzzy like a pillow should be and it's made out of a unique silicone material that feels almost life-like. It's like your cute new glowing pet!

The d°light Huggable is available in three colors (white, hot pink and gold) and for $160 each, this pillow is a bit of a splurge. But it could make a great gift for lonely urban dwellers with the winter blahs, or maybe a last-ditch effort to sooth the kid who just can't get over their fear of the dark? Either way, it's pretty freakin' cool!

If you're a design and decor freak and you happen to live in Los Angeles, you'll be happy to know that the NYC-based Moss has made its way out here. The new store opened last week at 8444 Melrose Avenue at North Croft.

Not familiar with Moss? To get a feel for what kind of cool, beautifully and well-designed stuff they have, pop on over to their online store at www.mossonline.com and browse through their stuff, like a spherical copper lamp shade for $545. It's not just lighting and furniture either. They have gadgets, things for the kitchen and tabletop, and even books.

Usually I'm not a fan of kitschy, gimmicky home decor items -- mostly because they're expensive, and they'll undoubtedly go out of style in about 15 minutes.

However, there are always exceptions.

Take this "Personal Moon," for instance. It's nothing fancy -- just a giant light box in the shape of a moon -- but, especially if you live someplace with an open floor-plan that's otherwise uncluttered, the Personal Moon could be a very romantic, and very dramatic addition to your home.

I imagine it'd feel like having a little piece of a fairy tale, right in your room. How cool is that?

What do this floating lamp, this levitating light bulb, and this sinking lamp have in common? They're all awesome, that's what. Oh, and they're also stunning illusions that light your home.

The floating lamp is actually supported by a steel base that only looks like a loose cable. Awesome. The levitating light bulb is actually wirelessly powered, so it's fully functional. No need to use a lampshade to hide it. Double awesome. As for the sinking lamp, it's just an illusion, but, still, it's awesome.

Have I mentioned how awesome all of these are?

The lights are created by different designers, but I'd love to be able to buy all of them and scatter them throughout my home. It'd be a bit like living in a fun house, yeah? Awesome.

[via Share Everything in Life and Boing Boing]

There are hangers, and then there is this, the hanger lamp from Droog design. You can turn your favorite shirt into a lamp or perhaps this could be the way to lay out the shirt you will wear the next day each night.

The acrylic hanger uses a fluorescent lamp. Droog design recommends that you not use it for wet clothes but everything else should be safe. At $254 it will probably also the be the most expensive hanger you ever own.

They say that lighting is everything. Who "they" are is beyond me, but I do believe that good lighting can do all kinds of things for a room. Good lights can brighten it (natch), make it appear bigger, cozier, sexier; bad lighting can make room appear too small, creepy, the wrong color, and make the people in the room look bad.

The Flos Glo Ball S1, designed by Jasper Morrison, adds elegance to a room with its blown glass orb-shape in a pearlescent opal white. The Glo Ball features a 16' cord that can be adjusted to allow the lamp to hang at any height. The design is ultra sleek, ultra modern, but still retains the softness that I always associate with things that are round.

The lamp will definitely lighten your room, but it will also lighten your wallet. The Glo Ball is $429 at European Lighting. Kind of makes me think looking a little sallow under a fluorescent lamp is okay for now.

They say candlelight makes everyone look about ten times better, but really now, isn't it just the fact that if there's candlelight, you're probably drinking wine, and everyone looks better after three glasses of syrah.

Okay, so low lighting really does do wonders, so why not go full force with that idea in your house? You don't necessarily want to be burning candles all over the place so Mood Light is a great way to get that low-light ambience without the fire hazard. Mood Lights from Earthtech Products use LED technology and re-chargeable batteries that last for up to 10 hours, so they are energy efficient and you don't have to be restrained by cords and plugs. Put one on the dinner table to create a soft glow!

The Ambience model is $104.99 from the EarthTech Products website.

If you're tired of being the center of attention at home, try dressing your lamps in Mibo shades, from 2jane.com. The brightly colored graphic prints and retro silhouettes will be sure to draw a crowd all their own.

With an eggplant background, this shade features a flora and fauna design complete with red berry accents and bright, khaki-colored feathers. The prints take inspiration from Japanese kimonos and 1950's record album covers, among other things and the unlikely marriage of design ideas has resulted in an aesthetically pleasing and fun blend of Asian/contemporary graphics and proportions.

If you like the shade but are in search of a less ostentatious color scheme, this shade, with it's subtle blending of green and white colors and pretty, abstract floral pattern, might be the perfect fit.

Either way, the Mibo lampshades are the perfect solution if you're dealing with a less-than-exciting lighting situation, or if you're like me and just can't resist adding something a little crazy to your home decor.

You can find the shades linked above and several other Mibo designs at 2jane.com, with prices ranging from $24-$164.