STAND AND DELIVER

Nothing else adds as much character to a room like a unique accessory. Trophy heads, regal dog statues, gazelles, Buddhas, bookends and even artichokes....all just standing there (but delivering) and defining personalities of home owners and decor style from Los Angeles to Dubai! Whether you prefer porcelain, ceramic, glass, stone or iron, these beauties are all the rage in the design business.
Here are a few of my faves in homes around the world!

The peacock in turquoise glaze, adding color, texture and elegance. Silver ram head figurine, perfect modern addition to any table.  
Pure white porcelain greyhound. Adds height and drama to room. 
The platinum octopus climbs atop the mantle for a conversation builder.
 
Another turquoise statue, this large thoroughbred is everyone's favorite.  
For a bookshelf in need of an antique look, these jacks in black do the trick.
 
Horns are so dramatic and provide a wild side to all decor styles.

 
Tone down a space with these organic artichokes on white pedestals.
 
Moosehead bookends in bronze bring eclectic style to a room needing flair.  
Another horse figure adding wood-like texture and rustic charm.
 
Orient sophistication of this dragon brings edge and culture to a room.
 
Another cultural statue, commands attention in a zen environment.

BARBARA COSGROVE LAMPS NOW AVAILABLE AT LOFT32!

There's a certain intrigue associated with antique lamps. I believe it has to do with the mystery and unknown past of antiques, as well as being unique. 
Antique lamps are also known to serve as a "work of art" when decorating. Because of this title, they typically come with a hefty price tag! Today, manufacturers and designers strive to recreate this very look, by coming up with their own version of the "antique lamp".

I fell in love with Designer, Barbara Cosgrove's lamp collection. I decided to offer her lamps as part of my LOFT32 product line. As some of you may already know, when it comes selecting potential new products or textiles for LOFT32-I only carry products and textiles within a price point that my clients/customers (YOU) can afford and only the items I would put in my own home!

Barbara Cosgrove specializes in nouveau-traditional lamps (which can be used in almost any decor style). Owner and creative force, Barbara Cosgrove began designing lamps out of her garage in the mid-nineties. There, a company was born when she put her first collection of lamps together and headed for the Atlanta Market. Cosgrove's lamps are inspired by her background in the Arts. Her lamps sell to retail boutiques from Manhattan to Beverly Hills to Claremont ♥. Neiman Marcus features her styles in their "Make Room" catalog season after season. A commitment to quality, style and good taste has earned her lighting solutions an extensive following in the design community as well.
Barbara Cosgrove Lamps are regularly featured in publications, a few being: Elle Decor, Domino, Southern Living, Veranda, House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Living, Home Magazine, Southern Accents, Country Home and Midwest Living....and now, my blog!


Here are just a few of my favorites from her collection:

Sold as a pair, these light gold horse statue lamps are perfect...nothing better than a lamp that also adds flair! I ♥ these lamps. Antique bronze base and stem, with white shades.

It doesn't get better than these floor lamps, which double as a side table! Choose the white or black shade on either Gold or Silver option.

Another statue lamp! This sitting dog lamp can add eclectic charm to modern sophistication in any room. White dog statue with a grey/brown shade and antique brown base and stem.

Just like at the studio! These amazing theatre/spot lights are still raising eyebrows all over the design industry. They're timeless and brilliant in their chrome finish. Choose from 3 different size options.

Cream Colored Foo Dog lamps! There's always a place for a Foo Dog in your home. Medium brown shades for these puppies and they are sold as a pair.

Who doesn't adore a nice pendant!? Glam it up or bring it to a casual mood with these hanging beauties. They're available in two different shape options and two color options. Silver or Antique Bronze.

So, which lamp fits YOUR style best?



For pricing on the above lamps or others from Barbara Cosgrove's Collection, email me.

A STORY WORTH TELLING......CHAPTER II

As you might recall, from my previous post (Chapter 1), I realized that your home (and our home) is your book and the treasures in your home are small chapters! I promised to share more of my "chapters" with you, so here we are....

Chapter II-Trash vs. Treasure 
 
As you all know, the saying goes..."one man's trash is another man's treasure". Well, I believe there's some truth to that, and the saying that should immediately follow it is "the beauty (or shall I say-potential beauty) is in the eye of the beholder".
  
I wanted a very basic, but solid wood table in an espresso stain. I decided after seeing tons of "almost the right table" (a lot of them in veneer, and some that were VERY close, but way too expensive), that the only remaining option was to have one custom made.

In the meantime, what in the world would I do about the chairs? The furniture maker could make chairs, but I wanted them upholstered, not all wood. I went on another quest, for chairs. If I bought chairs from a retail store and had the table made, how would I get the stain to match? Then, I figured it all out...I was going to mix old and new-old (vintage) chairs and a new table. I narrowed it down to chrome chairs for a classic look and began searching for the perfect chairs-vintage style, classic and still in good enough condition that I can restore them myself. I wanted to keep the cost down, but as you know, once it's called "vintage", the price usually gets increased by about five notches! I searched online for 3 months! I searched Etsy, Ebay and Craigslist...until I found THE ones!

Someone who ate dinner in these chairs from childhood, through adolescence, into adulthood and now couldn't wait to get rid of them-posted six Chrome Vintage Chairs for sale on Ebay for a starting bid of $100! As I scrolled through the pictures, I KNEW they would be absolutely amazing with my new table (or table to be). I HAD TO HAVE THEM! Three days left in the auction and no bids yet.....okay, sounding good.....reading through the description, I stumbled upon the shipping details. The details said "PICK UP ONLY" ....oh noooo....and where were these chairs??? NEW YORK!!! (cue the record skipping noise)

I was NOT about to give up! I contacted the seller to ask if there was ANY way that she would consider shipping them to me (in California) if I bid and happen to win them. She was reluctant at first, but said if I researched the shipping method and found someone to also pack them, then she would do it. So, I researched my heart out and found out that she could ship them via Greyhound from a local station near her and right to a station here in my hometown! The shipping costs weren't too awful either. So, I placed my bid and WON them for only $100! (vision: me dancing around the house) But....then I get a call from the seller...oh no....but it was good news....she called to say that she found two more chairs (8 total) and if I wanted those too, then she would include them....let me think about it....UMMMM YEAH! 

Now, we had to plan on designing a larger table to accommodate 8 chairs, instead of six. Thank goodness the dining room was big enough to fit all of it! So, as you can see from the above picture, the chrome was a little pitted and had some scuffs and rust. The upholstery was a 1968 faux suede in a beige color and should have been replaced about 43 years ago! Once the chairs arrived, we removed the seats and backs, bought some really fine grade steel wool (0000), used a LOT of elbow grease and some chrome polish to clean up the chrome. They shined up really nice. We took them to our local upholster and selected a white leather fabric for them. Drum roll please.....

Once we had the table made, it was a match made in heaven!

NEW PHOTOGRAPH/ARTWORK JUST ADDED!

/I just added some new photography to my Fine Art America page! Here's my favorite one...I'm going to put this one on canvas and hang it in the dining room!

Last weekend, my husband and I decided to visit our local Farmer's Market (here in Claremont). It was such a beautiful day. We had a delicious breakfast on an outdoor patio- while people watching. Then, we made our way to the local market, featuring organic and home grown vegetables, fruit, homemade honey and bread...can't you just smell it! There were also a few vendors selling succulents and other plants. I was drooling over all of the succulents and snapped this shot. 

CLOSET ENVY

Most of us women (and some men...whether they admit it or not) have too many darn clothes! I must admit that I keep everything when it comes to clothes! I try to donate some to Goodwill or charity, but most of the time I talk myself into keeping things that I might "wear again someday"....let's face it, we will NEVER wear it and we can keep dreaming that we'll fit into half that stuff again too! And...do we really believe that these clothing items will be "forever fashionable" so when you do fit in it (just trying to be optimistic), it will actually still be in style and you'll look like the runway model that you are?

I've received some great advice about clothes...."if you haven't worn or used it in the last year, then get rid of it!" Sounds like a great way to live, but until I actually get the courage to follow through, I need more closet space!

I have to confess that every closet in my house is filled with my clothes. No room for guests, kids or husband items....I need the space! So, needless to say, it's time to get some serious closet organization underway. For a little inspiration, I found these photos! Maybe these amazing closets will light a fire under your buns too!

contemporary closet design

contemporary closet design by containerstore.com

contemporary closet design by los angeles architect Lisa Adams, LA Closet Design

contemporary closet design

contemporary closet design by austin interior designer Richens Designs, Inc.

modern closet design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

HANGING AROUND

One of the things I love most about our house is the extended porch. It’s private, covered and has a beautiful view of the front garden area. When we first bought the house, I envisioned sitting out there on a warm evening, enjoying the neighborhood and good company (okay, and maybe some ice cream). Well....two years later, we still have a bare and lonely porch. Hoping to begin remodeling the outside of the house, I've been looking at benches, bistro sets and other possible furnishings that might work in this space. Then I came across these "hanging" chairs! They are certainly unique (a must for me), and might be a nice addition out there. Not to mention they look really cozy! Now which ones should I choose? Hmmm.....

[style files]

[outback chair]

FOR THE BIRDS!

Simple, yet modern.... bird houses! Yes, that's right....even the birds must have a posh pad! Great style to add to your yard. Hang them from your trees, porch or patio cover. Perfect for this time of year, when all the birds are most active. Chirp...chirp!