Blog

Spotted! Possini Euro Modern Pendant Light

Adam — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:22:00 GMT

Sunset magazine just featured this great bathroom remodel punctuated with a Lamps Plus pendant light. The designer, Gina De Pasquale, made some other great choices including sophisticated quartz CaesarStone and that gorgeous blue tile. She highlighted the tile by rimming the top of the shower with LED rope lights. Great idea!

Click to read more about this before & after at Sunset.com

Then, take a closer look at our Possini Euro Design Dandelion Pendant

The "Perfect" Navy and Grey Table Lamp

Adam — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:50:00 GMT

Blogger Arianna over at CaliforniaHomeDesign.com recently discovered the Lamps Plus Design Your Own lighting tool. While decorating her new apartment, she found she needed a way to add some color, pattern, and life to drab, cream-colored rooms.

Using our online design tool, Arianna created this beautiful table lamp (above) to match her wall art and pick up other splashes of blue in the room. In her words:

"I chose my own palette using RGB colors for the perfect navy and gray. The process was fun—the site was super-easy to navigate and when my lamp arrived, it was exactly what I wanted!"

We're so glad to hear it! I made these two alternate versions of Arianna's lamp (below) to show how versatile the tool is. Create all kinds of lighting and wall art, too! Try it for yourself: LampsPlus.com/Design-It. Send me your designs at adam@lampsplus.com and I'll feature them in an upcoming post.

Thanks Arianna!

New Candice Olson Lighting Designs

John — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:51:00 GMT

We all love Candice Olson. If you needed proof of this, the TV design guru is riding high in 2011 with her new show, Candice Tells All, and with the new collection of Candice Olson lighting, including a number chandeliers and wall sconces.

Interviewed by Canada.com (she's based in Toronto), Candice and had this to say about lighting, "I love using lighting tricks to bring up highlights. When I started [as a designer], I had to take a $30 blouse and with proper lighting make it look like a $300 blouse. I use that in residential design. Take drapes -- with the proper lighting, they can look more expensive."

And what does Candice see as the new trend? "People are looking for modern contemporary with natural materials. That element of craft brings softness and warmth to contemporary design."

That mix of the modern with natural materials is clearly seen in her new collecion of lighting. The Candice Olson Sahara Table Lamp (above) melds hand-applied seashell tile with clean, contemporary forms.

Then there's the Cecil Chandelier (seen above), which uses glass panels with hand-made, compass star etchings. A beautiful mix of the old and the modern!

Top photo courtesy of Christine Liber, Postmedia News, and Canada.com.

Lamps Plus Makes a Cameo on The Simpsons

Adam — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:30:00 GMT

Normally we feel pretty removed from the glamor of Tinsel Town, even though we're just a stone's throw away from Hollywood. Well, we're feeling pretty glitzy today after watching the most recent episode of The Simpsons.

The episode called "Angry Dad the Movie" is available now on the Fox website, and there's a Lamps Plus reference at 15:12. While walking the Oscars red carpet, a reporter asks Lisa who she's wearing. Lisa replies, "I believe it's from Lamps Plus."

We don't get it either! But that hasn't stopped us from chuckling all morning. Watch a little further to see them name-drop the area where we're headquartered, Chatsworth. Hey, if you've never been to Chatsworth, you wouldn't understand.

Likewise, if you haven't spent much time in Los Angeles, the rest of the "attractions" on this list won't make much sense, either. But I can tell you the Beverly Connection does have plenty of parking, so that's a plus.

Watch the full episode for free here: http://www.fox.com/thesimpsons/full-episodes/ (Season 22/Episode 14)

Goodnight from Hollywood!

Spotted! Robert Abbey Table Lamps

Adam — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Thanks to blogger Nicole from So Haute, we have a fabulous Before & After to drool over this morning. This is the "After" picture above. It popped up on Apartment Therapy where Nicole shared that "her favorite pieces in the room are the bright pink lamps from Robert Abbey that I got from Lamps Plus."

And here's the lamp that adds such great color to this room: Robert Abbey Genie Silver and Plum Ceramic Table Lamp

Nicole really nailed the subtle color accents by picking up the lamps with the pink flowers on the table. See the "Before" and more at the original post on Brooklyn Limestone.

photo thanks to Brooklyn Limestone

Photos from our Holiday Cheer Photo Contest Winner

Adam — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:06:00 GMT

Kris Lapota was the grand prize winner in our holiday photo contest, and she wasted no time redeeming her $500 shopping spree! As soon as her new lamps arrived, she set them up and shot some great pictures. She chose some very nice pieces to complement her home, which features a sophisticated yet warm Arts & Crafts style. Besides being quite the home decorator, Kris is also a great writer with lots of personality and an obvious passion for lighting and design. I'll let her take it from here:

Everyone always joked that I should enter my tree into a contest as they deemed it prize worthy. Then, as if on cue, there it was on my Facebook wall: a Holiday Cheer contest by Lamps Plus! I entered in haste and was beyond ecstatic when I found out I was the grand prize winner! Then the panic set in....I had picked one lamp as I was sure that if I had a shot, it would be as a $100 winner, never thinking I'd be the $500 winner....$500!!!! Do you know how much you can get at Lamps Plus for $500? A-LOT... So with the help of friends, I narrowed down the area in my house that is lacking adequate lighting, the great room. I have an Arts & Crafts home, but I don't like it screaming Arts & Crafts. It's a very comfortable, feet-on-the-table kind of room, and I wanted the lighting to reflect the same.

The Restoration Bronze Swing Arm lamp serves a dual function. One, it looks great and it emits alot of filtered light (150 watts baby!) and two, because it sits in between the couch and a recliner, the light can swing over each sitting area as needed.

Here's Jack doing some "light reading"! The Kichler Adjustable Balance Arm Floor Lamp is the bomb. The solitary leather chair serves as a homework/reading/sewing area and had no task lighting. What's great about the Kichler is that the down lighting provides awesome lighting to task with, without disturbing anyone else in the room, not to mention that it is a crowd favorite. Seriously, did you see how cool it looks? I was a bit nervous about the aged brass (isn't brass dated?) but the finish is what is so amazing about the lamp. It's a huge seller, now I know why....it's fab, I love it and it's mine.

I thought the Black Bronze Genie Bottle Table Lamp would be an awesome table lamp (it is) between my two chairs. I liked the shape and the style of the lamp so much that I bought another one for the desk of my office and it's equally fantastic there.

And I saved my favorite for last, the Twin Pull Chain Gourd Shaped Table Lamp and I chose a pair of them as bedside lamps in my bedroom. I can not tell you how fantastic this lamp is...but I will make a solid attempt: The shape is fabulous and the finish is PHE-NOMENAL! The detail of the finial and the hand pulls give it such a great finished look. Terrific bedside lighting or elsewhere....my favorite choice of my $500 shopping spree! LOVE LOVE LOVE! If it ever comes in a larger size, you must promise to offer it to me first. I totally got dibs.

All of my choices were based on function, as we are a no-nonsense, middle-class, practical, hard on the furniture type of home. The fact that they are fantastic to look at, well crafted while still being reasonably priced speaks volumes for Lamps Plus.

Thanks Kris!!!

Post Holiday Deals on Party Lights

Adam — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:39:00 GMT

Phew! We made it through another holiday season. Enjoying all that food and family is hard work, eh?

Well, now's the time to grab some post-holiday savings. Check out our assortment of party lights for some great deals on holiday light displays, outdoor decorations, and more. Those of us who really plan ahead can get a great price on next year's decorations. Or, just bring home some color to brighten the mood all year long!

Click here to shop our selection of Party Lights.

A Candice Olson Bedroom for Teens

John — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:25:00 GMT

You may think of her as sophisticated and stylish, and she is, but TV designer Candice Olson can work for kids as well! As seen in this HGTV video clip she turns a basement space into the ultimate teenager's bedroom and family TV room.

I like the use of the TV stand and the swank Candice Olson table lamps on the side tables. The padded ottoman in the seating area acts as a coffee table and doubles as extra seating. The before and after shots are quite dramatic!

Video and room photo thanks to HGTV.

Eight Great Decorating Catalogs from HGTV

Adam — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:50:00 GMT

On HGTV's Design Happens blog, designer Brian Patrick Flynn shares eight of his favorite decorating catalogs. We're happy to report he put the Lamps Plus catalog on the list.

As Brian explains:

Nowadays, I’m a huge fan of designing with catalogs. In fact, some are so well prop-styled and art-directed, that I enjoy flipping through them just as much as my favorite shelter magazines. Here’s eight great catalogs every designer or design lover truly should be subscribing to. They’re free, they show up in your mailbox and you don’t have to leave to house to purchase stuff. What’s not to like?

We agree! Get on the list -- Subscribe to our catalog. And head over to Brian's post at HGTV to see his other picks.

Want to Design Your Own Crystal Chandelier?

Adam — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:11:00 GMT

We're big fans of the trend towards customization. More merchants are letting customers customize their purchases. Beyond the classic monogram, you can create everything from custom sneakers (Nike ID), custom messenger bags (Timbuk2), custom T-shirts and much more.

Now, Schonbek lets you to be designer!

Using our Design Your Own Schonbek Chandelier tool, you choose the fixture, the finish, and the crystal type and color. Choose from chandeliers, ceiling lights, and wall sconces. You can custom create your own heirloom-quality crystal lighting to be crafted by the experienced artisans at Schonbek's factory in Plattsburgh, NY.

Browse the full article over in our Hot Trends section to learn all about the process: Design Your Own Schonbek Crystal Chandelier at Hot Trends

Three for Thursday: New LED Lighting Gizmos

John — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:00:00 GMT

If you had any doubt that LED lighting is the wave of the future, here are three new products that should convince you. Each combines elegant design with new LED technology to produce simple and elegant lighting solutions.

The first two photos are of the Modern Angle LED Desk Lamp. The slim profile is perfect for study or office desks, and the lamp comes with a diffuser lens that helps spread the LED beam out over a wider desk area.

LEDs are capable of taking on brand new forms as well. By Philips, this design features two rechargeable table lights with color changing LEDs. Place the lights on a table or around a room for mood lighting, then place them back in the base unit to recharge them. Philips LED Table Lights.

Finally, the Changing Colors LED Pendant features color shifting LEDs mixed in with bright halogen bulbs. Both types off lighting are set inside light bulb-shaped glass shapes. Use the LEDs for mood, the halogens for general room lighting. Control both types of lights with the included remote control.

Candice Olson Tells All

John — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:26:00 GMT

The new TV show from Candice Olson promises something different from the famed designer. According to the show website, Candice's new show will reveal more of the behind-the-scenes design process. "This is Candice unplugged, as she deconstructs the design process and teaches us her rules in a fun, irreverent way." It airs Saturdays on HGTV. More details here. In addition to her show, fresh designs from Candice Olson lighting are also on the way.

Photo thanks to HGTV.

Hit the Delete Key

John — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Kind of like the easy button, only this one lights up. The Delete Key Accent Light is perfect for computer geeks or for anyone who has panicked and hit the delete key by mistake. The plastic base is 6" high, so it will fit on an office desk or snuggle on a bedside table. Just push the light to turn it on and off.

For less perilous situations, there's also the giant Escape Key Accent Light.

Get Inspired: A Little House in Big Sur

John — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Here's a little sunny inspiration from Coastal Living magazine for your mid-winter blues. This one-bedroom, 1930s cottage was once owned by modern architect Philip Johnson. Updated and restored by its current owner, the little cottage perches above the ocean and has rooms that all open to the outdoors.

You can't beat the view! The deck off the living room is some 1,000 feet above the rocky shoreline. Table and chairs have a comfortable midcentury vibe.

Living room furnishings are in earth tones inspired by the surrounding environment. It's a beautiful, easygoing space.

The floor lamps in the room look very much like this Holtkoetter Olde Bronze Finish Swing Arm Floor Lamp. The curved arm easilry extends and adjusts for reading, making the lamp ideal for use next to a comfy reading chair.

Another view of the liviing room seating area. More midcentury lines in soft neuatral tones. In the corner is a ceramic table lamp that recalls classic California ceramics.

Finally, a shot of the bedroom with a door leading to the outdoor patio.

House photos courtesy of Coastal Living.

Kids and Coffee Tables

John — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:00:00 GMT

A recent New York Times article points out that the humble coffee table is a disaster waiting to happen in households with small children.

As the article says, "The coffee table means your children harm. And when it attacks, results can be ugly. Last year, 143,070 children age 5 and younger visited emergency rooms after table accidents, according to estimates from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Coffee tables, in particular, turn up in more than a quarter of the accident reports..."

Back when my daughter was a toddler, we had a long and low rectangular coffee table on wheels. Great for parties (except that your drink kept rolling away), but not so great for a lurching two-year-old. We banished it to the garage.

What to do? Instead of foam bumpers on every corner, switch to an upholstered ottoman instead. Place a tray on top for drinks and food, drag it off to the side for extra seating. Your old coffee table couldn't do that! If the ottoman you like is a cube or square, group several of them together to form the "table" space.

If you need to hide toys and playthings, several designs, like the Wattley Storage Ottoman above, have storage areas behind removable tops.

There are very practical, and a great way to relieve parental anxiety!