Stayin’ Glassy

Posted: April 25th, 2009 | Filed under: Copycat, Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: Angelo Mangiarotti, DWR, Giogali, z gallerie | Comments Off

As always, I acknowledge the sin against art when I feature knock-offs.  Moving on…

For those, like myself, who have always loved the gorgeous Giogali chandelier, your bargain has arrived.  Designed by the Italian architect Angelo Mangiarotti in 1967, it is a timeless classic.  Z Gallerie has taken it upon themselves to create their own version for only $299. No,  these are not handblown Murano glass links…if they were, it wouldn’t cost only $299!   That said,  I saw one in store and it does cast beautiful light through the glass much like the original does.

Mod Mood Lighting

Posted: April 3rd, 2009 | Filed under: Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: mod patio lighting, modern outdoor lights, retro string lights | Comments Off

Just seen (and purchased) at Target.  No dragonflies or flowers here…cool, retro string lights for the garden at $12.99.  I couldn’t find them on the website, so more poor photos from me – sorry!   A nice thing about these is the transferability -  the cylinders are easy to pop off and attach to another string. If you had a white ceiling, you could put these on a white string of lights in seconds.  These will look great on my future patio with the 70′s plastic chairs I just bought at last week’s flea market.  Upon completion of that backbreaking project, I’ll post results.

Vintage Ice

Posted: February 28th, 2009 | Filed under: Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: ice pendant lamp, metro retro furniture, vintage swag light | Comments Off

I’m always on the prowl for good vintage anything and I just spotted a tres cool pendant/swag light on Metro Retro.  E-bayers will know this guy – he always has good stuff..although prices keep creeping up.  I’ve included 2 of the photos…there are more at the site.  The light is chrome and glass, although you could change out the chrome chain that dates it and make a new cord and ceiling cap for hard wiring.  It’s a great example of how to take a vintage piece and tweak it a bit with minor updates. For $299…you can have a conversation piece that is truly unique.  Since he only has one, if you like it, better go for it!

Luminous Floor Flowers

Posted: February 6th, 2009 | Filed under: Copycat, Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: flower floor lamp, ikea knappa tulpa, janne kyttanen, lily.mgx, materialise, modern floor lamp | Comments Off

I’m obviously in a high/low lighting mode these days.  Another fabulous lamp that’s expensive, another budget version from Ikea.  This time it’s the Lily.mgx (or the Lotus.mgx for that matter).  Gorgeous, especially the red ones.  Janne Kyttanen’s design for Materialise is high tech… and high priced at $1129 from Unica.  I have seen it as low as $899 on gnr8, but…you know.

It looks cheaper, (they usually do) is waaay cheaper, but fills the same empty spot in the room with a conversation piece.  Ikea’s Knappa Tulpan is a mere $50.

Bubbles and Light

Posted: February 6th, 2009 | Filed under: Copycat, DIY, Lighting | Tags: Christian Astuguevieille, diy bubble chandelier, Jean Pelle, Lindsey Adelman, readymade magazine | 1 Comment »

I am really inspired by the bubble chandelier in this month’s Readymade magazine by Jean Pelle.  It has a Christian Astuguevieille vibe to it with the rope that I think is a clever touch.   It’s a $75 alternative to those who might be longing for the Lindsey Adelman bronze bubble chandelier for a mere $13,400.  Adelman’s work is spectacular, but let’s face it, not in reach for most of us.  Jean’s take is more casual, but, frankly, I like it.  If you wanted to change the cord covering to a more formal material, by all means, put your stamp on it.  If you can’t find the magazine, the step by step instructions are available on Jean Pelle’s website.  Love, love Readymade magazine, but their website is really not up to scratch….pity.

Artichoke

Posted: February 4th, 2009 | Filed under: Copycat, DIY, Lighting, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: danish modern, norm69, pendant lamp, ph artichoke, poul henningsen, simon karkov | Comments Off

This is old hat to the mod squad, but for those just dipping a toe into the modernist waters, this is the info you want.

Flashback to 1958, Poul Henningsen’s design for the Danish company Louis Poulsen is unveiled: the PH Artichoke.  Still made today – it is stunning in copper or any of the other metal finishes you may choose from…for $7000.00.

44 years later…..enter Simon Karkov for Normann Copenhagen – another Danish designer and company.  In 2002, the award winning Norm69 is released, and froogs like us snap them up…for $110.00.  The Norm 69 is made from lamp shade foil and comes flat packed in  – you guessed it- 69 pieces.  Have no fear, the Normann Copenhagen site has a “how to” video to assist you in assembly.