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.

Acanthus lamp by Barbara Cosgrove

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.

Unique Modern Lamp Style

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.

French Altar Lamp by Barbara Cosgrove

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.

Glass Candle Lamp by Barbara Cosgrove

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

Vintage design floor lamp

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.

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)

In my web search I found so many stylish pet beds just now.   If your décor is modern or Oriental, check out this bed by Akemi Tanaka.

Curve Pet Bed

To begin your web search, just type in “designer pet beds”.  You will find so many jazzy pet beds in a profusion of styles, fabrics, and colors.  This animal print bed is an attractive piece of furniture, not just a floppy “pillow” bed.

Decorative Pet Bed

This Victorian model is very similar to my little guy’s bed though his has a higher and more ornate headboard.

Victorian pet bed

This next example is fabulous.  It is made of wood and could definitely blend with your own bedroom furniture.

cherry wood pet bed

You will have a wide range of prices and composition, too, for the extreme makeover of your pet’s area or room.  Some of the pet beds are made of fine hardwood, various metals, and come in cushioned, upholstered, easy chair or sofa styles.

This daybed (I call it a chaise) comes in 13 spectacular colors to match your home décor.

Brown Pet Bed

ill your pet luxuriate in his or her awesome designer creation?

Well, when I brought Lobo’s pet day bed home and set it down in his spot, my mother looked at me with extreme doubt and said with disdain, “He’s never going to sleep in THAT!”
I’m sure she thought that I was being foolishly extravagant but….in a few minutes, the “little guy” stepped right into it and got comfy!   We’ve both loved the upscale and tidy sleeping area and Lobo, because he is a Chihuahua and is always cold, can usually be found in his bed, covered in his entirety by his “blankie.”

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.

Owl Umbrella Stand

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.

Colorful Multi-Colored Throw by koko

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!

]]> http://indoordecorating.com/2009/04/mother%e2%80%99s-day-gifts-for-the-%e2%80%9cdecorating-mom%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 http://indoordecorating.com/2009/04/quilts-when-choosing-bedding-consider-an-old-favorite/ http://indoordecorating.com/2009/04/quilts-when-choosing-bedding-consider-an-old-favorite/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:30:24 +0000 admin http://indoordecorating.com/?p=39 When choosing new bedding, consider a quilt. There are so many modern quilts available to choose from. The choices transcend all the decorating genres; country, country French, English country, modern, antique décor, and some dramatically modern quilts which will appeal to those of us with more contemporary eclectic taste.

The art and making of quilts spans several centuries at least. Some famous quilts date back to the Colonial Days, the Civil War, and the Victorian Era. After the industrial revolution, when fabric was less expensive and easier to come by, the quilt as we know it today, was really born. Gentile young ladies learned all types of needlecraft: quilting, needlepoint, sewing, etc. and the work was tedious but the finished work was gorgeous.

Different nations and ethnicities stitched hand-made varieties of quilts and from each nation or nationality different styles and patterns evolved. The PA and Ohio Amish are famous for their gorgeous homemade quilts. The beauty and artistry speak highly of the talents of the quilters. One famous pattern that you might find made in the Lancaster, PA area is the double wedding ring pattern. Two pairs of “rings” are joined at top, bottom and sides to another set of rings and another.

The colors you can find to choose from in both the country or modern art quilts is just endless. Some of the advantages of choosing a quilt over a comforter or spread are; durability, functionality, color choices, uniqueness.

In Native American quilts, for example, they included symbols of their culture and spirituality. Some of the pictures that were found on their ancient petroglyphs or eagles and hawks are incorporated into their handiwork. A famous pattern is the star pattern.

Many of the table lighters are made of glass: milk glass; pattern glass; cut glass; and were manufactured in every hue in the spectrum.  A lot of the lighters were made by well-known glass companies of that time period: Westmoreland Glass; Fenton Glass; and the Viking Glass companies manufactured and sold table cigarette lighters, just to name a few.  Viking Glass sold the lighters in smoking sets with matching ashtrays.  These now collectible lighters were also crafted of china or porcelain and were delicately and intricately hand-painted.  Among the 1,000+ specimens that he has accumulated over the years he even has 6 lighters made of Sterling Silver.  The shapes vary, too, from plump little rounded cigarette lighters to taller more graceful and elegant cigarette lighters.  With the reduction of smokers and the health risks involved, it is no longer fashionable to display table cigarette lighters for usage.  Now they can be displayed and collected for beauty, history, and antique value!

Antiqued Copper Owls

What do you wish to collect? The options are endless! Your choices will vary greatly depending on how much space you have available and whether you are enamored with the “hunt” or, perhaps, just want to acquire a small, one time collection or grouping of a particular item. Do you love artwork?

Collector Plates by Thomas Paul

Nothing seems to brighten or personalize your living space as much as a great water color, oil painting or pencil drawing. You might enjoy making a grouping of metal trays or antique plates on your walls or in your curio cabinet. Of course, cost will be a factor in your decision but there are limitless types of items that can be acquired for a minimal cost. Walk around your favorite store, click over to some decorating websites, visit an antique mall, mall, yard sale or thrift store, purchase some item that strongly attracts you and BEGIN YOUR COLLECTION!!!

]]> http://indoordecorating.com/2009/04/collect-decorate/feed/ 0 http://indoordecorating.com/2009/03/wall_trays_with_a_vintage_look/ http://indoordecorating.com/2009/03/wall_trays_with_a_vintage_look/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:01:38 +0000 admin http://indoordecorating.com/?p=22 When I mention the word trays, many of you reading this are thinking of the serving tray. Yes, trays do have a very functional purpose but can you visualize a stunning pair of our trays by ibride hanging on your living room wall? I like to think of trays as multi-functional items. For instance, in one of my recent daydreams I was sitting on the shady veranda of a Victorian three-story reading a book. A tall gentleman, (my butler of course), was bringing me a frosty pitcher of iced tea and a glass of ice on a beautiful serving tray which looked a lot like this tray from this website.

'Anna' Victorian Tray

I almost gasped at the butler in my daydream , “don’t use my favorite tray for the iced tea! I intend to make a wall grouping!”

Trays have been used for decorative and advertising purposes for hundreds of years. Most trays are made of tin but some are crafted from wood and, I have a particulary interesting jumbo tray that was made in the 1940’s and it is two-dimensional. The floral outer edge was formed from hammered aluminum. Right in the center of the aluminum section is an American Limoges dinner plate with a hand-painted still life of fruit and wine. Some trays were hand-painted but most of them were machine- made. Many trays were designed by famous artists as a sort of artistic work sans canvas.

A famous company that issued many different pictoral, advertising trays was the (you all know this answer) Coca-Cola Co. You don’t need to be an antique lover to know that many of these old Coca-Cola trays have fetched thousands of dollars from an avid collector.

I have a serious fondness for trays and have always had at least one on display in each of my “digs.”

If you look under “ACCENT DÉCOR” on this site, there is an entire section on TRAYS!!!

You are not limited to hanging them on the wall in the kitchen or dining area. Last night I noticed that the house in the movie that I was watching had two large trays hanging on the wall in an upstairs hallway. I like to set the larger trays around. If I have a particularly empty space and lack room for furniture in the spot, I set a decorated tray on the floor and prop it against the wall.

A counter display with a tray and flowers is particularly awesome.

Vintage Pictorial Printed Tray

I love the lattice edging on this stunner by ibride. I think it is lace and gentility and innocence.

There are eight other oval trays that are sold on burkedecor.com that if I had the wall space, I would have to purchase them all. The colors are stupendous, cloudy, misty, charming. These, too, are designed by ibride. I’d like to pair them up or have three together.

Burke Decor Beddings starting at $995

Buying a new bed was a daunting experience for me.  I’m not a professional decorator but, over the years, I have decorated dozens

of houses and apartments for myself, family members, and friends.

Beautiful color mash-up

I have  decorated dozens of houses and apartments for myself, family members, and friends.  I have wallpapered, refinished hardwood floors, made my own drapes, and chosen fabric and accents that have gained me innumerable compliments.  I have been an Antique Dealer and decorated booths at the antique mall.   Even though I love to decorate,  there are so many types of  beds to choose from.  I had to consider my tastes and, of course, the  composition (wood, metal, iron).    Also, size  and price and durability were important to me.  I knew that it wouldn’t be cost effective to replace my bedroom suite every few years, so the decision was important to me.  I could always change accessories and wall décor periodically.

Since I had some great antique pieces which included a; wash stand,  dresser,  and chest of drawers,  I chose an iron bed and quilted spread with wall frames of different woods.  Since my functional pieces were old, they were not really a “set”.  Therefore, by using accent pieces of various dark woods, it created a lovely, aesthetic, blended  look.  You can choose new pieces of light or dark wood to match your new, iron bed.

Iron and Bronze Bedding Frames

Browsing through some websites, I located eight great examples of iron beds by Bliss Studio on Burkedecor.com.  The beds are stunning and the price range will fit into most budgets.

Collection of Bliss Studio Decor

Let your imagination flow, if you want a bedroom set that is classy and a bit out of the ordinary check out the Bliss Studio Collection from Burkedecor.com they have a very good selection there.

]]> http://indoordecorating.com/2009/03/shop-classy-iron-bedding-with-a-modern-decorative-twist/feed/ 0 http://indoordecorating.com/2009/02/get-the-perfect-new-look-for-your-home/ http://indoordecorating.com/2009/02/get-the-perfect-new-look-for-your-home/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 03:30:49 +0000 admin http://indoordecorating.com/?p=77 If you are going to decorate your home you need a plan. The easiest way to begin your plan is to first have some ideas that will make it potential. Acquire some useful tips on what kind of paint to utilize, the color schemes that will look great, and what window treatments look best. With help from us you will have the ability to have the home you have always dreamed about.

Having white walls may make a house appear boring – which is why we encourage homeowners to pick up the paintbrush and create a masterpiece. Pick out a color that goes with the kind of individual you are and be imaginative. Who says that every wall has to be the same color. You can create an accent wall that is a much darker color then the other walls that are around it. This aids to make the room more unique.

It is hard to know what decorations to buy if you don’t even know what your theme is. Determine if you desire to have a contemporary or modern house. If you have numerous ideas then why not utilize them all in different rooms. The office may be the travel theme and the living room can be the contemporary theme. In the bathroom you may have pictures of the ocean and other beach theme ornaments.

Window treatments are really important because they serve to determine your privacy and the measure of sunlight that you receive each day. Curtains are always good to utilize as are premium basswood blinds. Both of these can be very elegant or also edgy if you would like. Plus they are easy to clean.