UNIQUE DESIGNER LAMPS BY BARBARA COSGROVE

It is important that you choose home lighting that is both functional and fashionable.

Many designers agree that a lamp or light fixture is a focal point in any room.  You will want to choose lamps that make your room pleasant and bright and that are aesthetically interesting for this is one of the first items that you and your guests will see when you enter your room.

During my internet search I found a lighting designer, Barbara Cosgrove, whose credentials include articles about her lighting designs which have been premiered   in over fourteen major home décor magazines including: Coastal Living; Country Home; Cottage Living; Elle Décor; House Beautiful; and New York Spaces, to name a few.  Her designs are sensational, bold, dramatic and, unlike many designers, she has provided something for all tastes and décor genres from extremely modern to lamps that will blend with your most treasured antiques or vintage furniture.

The Acanthus Urn lamp below is ornate and hand painted.  It is listed as “traditional” but the smooth barrel shade moves it into the 21st Century.

This one is dubbed her Chris Table Lamp.  It is a classically shaped lamp with a “twist” and the base is made of solid brass.  It is graceful, elegant, yet bold.  The shade has a lovely shape and is richly made of raw silk.

The base of these French Altar Lamps is extremely eye catching!  It reminds me of French Gothic yet the shades give it a more modern, gentle, sway.

This is quite a daring combination.  The leather-look shade is combined with a pure glass base in her Candlestick Lamp.  No one will  leave your room without being drawn to it for its striking beauty.

This Vintage Floor Lamp is one of my personal favorites.  It is stunning!

Barbara Cosgrove has so many more  high caliber lamps, floor lamps,  and fixtures that I can’t do them justice in this short article.  What I have written here  should just serve to pique your interest, wet your whistle, and compel you to peruse all of her wonderful and unusual designs.

If you click on any of the hyperlinks above you can find, fall in love with, and purchase the best of  the best from premier lighting designer, Barbara Cosgrove.

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Where to Find Vintage Accessories for Victorian Home Decor

Where to Find Vintage Accessories for Victorian Home Decor – Vintage accessories for Victorian home decor are simple to create if you cannot find them online. There are books that show you how to do exactly that. I will also show how a little bit of searching can bring treasures that may very well match you Victorian decor, and help your wallet as well. Victorian design can be broken into groups. There is high Victorian, in which the design is very formal. There is also shabby or country Victorian, which is casual and simplified. Either way, Victorian home decor is a really fun way to decorate your historical Victorian home. Some people do modernize them; but I think that is horrible. History is quaint and worth preserving. There are even places you can get modern conveniences that look and match the old Victorian decor. So, where to start?

First of all, let’s concentrate on the little pieces that will be used to design the home from. Basic color palettes and things that are accents. Head over to your local antique shop and scan for some treasures. The Victorian period dates from 1837-1901. So look for pieces that date to that time. Have fun with it and remember you may find a real treasure at bargain prices.

The second place to find Victorian decor for your home, is at garage sales. Yes, they too may hold the very treasures you seek. While some things are simply junk; there is a way to check the validity of the item.

There are the simple things first. Look closely at the piece. Does it have things on it that are dated to after the period it is from? I see this all of the time. It is ridiculous how often this happens as a shop attempts to sell a “Victorian” collectible, that is really from the mom and pop shop down the street. Look for wording such as authentic. Also, look for papers that validate the piece. Many antique vendors will have these. Some may not so you need a good reference book for this. Check out:

Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide by: Kyle Husfloen (Amazon.com)

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MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS FOR THE “DECORATING MOM”

If you love to shop on the web, then I know that you have been searching for the perfect Mother’s Day Gift. If you haven’t chosen something yet, and your mother loves home decorating items, you still have time to get creative with your choice and find a rare modern treasure online.

Does she have an umbrella stand? Does this seem to be a conventional and old-fashioned idea? On burkedecor.com their owl umbrella stand is one of my favorite products on their website.   For unique decor this somewhat whimsical piece certainly will add fun function to your home.

If she loves; candles, scented candles, pillar candles, designer candle holders or stands, these can be awesome tabletop decorations that can be used in any room for color, beauty, and, well, the obvious….the aromatic scents.

What about dishes? No, not a traditional or classic set of floral china, but very modern artistic place settings with a bold color scheme? Thankfully, we are part of the new technological age and tablecloths made from white linen are OUT for the home décor gift. If you’ve ever ironed one of those, you will thrill over the new designer table coverings! The fabrics are sleek and the patterns are wild, daring, dramatic, and definitely not plain or drab.

Look up stacking boxes by Offi. These creations will give Mom’s home office the organization and modernity.

Some other ideas are: throws in jazzy colors and patterns; bathroom organizer jars; silk botanical arrangements; or colorful, new picture frames for the grandchildren’s pictures.

Bring your home decorating mom into the 21^st century with designer creations for the home. She’ll love the new age Mother’s Day!

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