Lighting - Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

Charles Edwards Lighting

Posted by Kevin Sharkey

Inspired by 19th and 20th century English, French and American lighting fixtures, Charles Edward's in England, is considered one of the leading lighting designers and manufacturers. I never miss an opportunity to visit their shops. Their beautiful advertisements in decorating magazines always stop me in my tracks.

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1 Charles Edwards' London Showrooms

2 Alabaster casts a beautiful light. Style 8, Charles Edwards Lighting

3 This would be perfect flanking a beautiful front door or used in multiples throughout a house's exterior. Odeon, Charles Edwards Lighting

4 A great, handsome ceiling-hugging light fixture. Square Stepped Deco Light, Charles Edwards Lighting

What is so useful about ceiling-hugging fixtures that are round is that you don't have to worry about a straight line matching up with straight walls. Round Stepped Deco Light.

5 What is so useful about ceiling-hugging fixtures that are round is that you don't have to worry about a straight line matching up with straight walls. Round Stepped Deco Light.

6 A star would look great in any room. Star, Charles Edwards Lighting

7 I've never met a pagoda fixture that I didn't like. The more fanciful, the better. Pagoda Bell, Charles Edwards Lighting.

8 It is all about the graceful lines with this design. Round Whitehall, Charles Edwards Lighting.

9 The frosted section of the glass ensures that the light is diffused. Kew, Charles Edwards Lighting.

10 Globe fixtures can sometimes be too austere. The cap of this one brings lots of character. Pagoda Globe, Charles Edwards Lighting.

11 The opportunity to introduce color through the silk lining is a valuable one. Silk Tole, Charles Edwards Lighting.

12 The perfect and most simple solution for lighting art and book shelves. Grosvenor with Frosted Glass Diffuser, Charles Edwards Lighting.

13 This is a great transitional design. It is both modern and traditional. Rumbold, Charles Edwards Lighting.

14 Martha has a large collection of sconces in this style. Hurricane, Charles Edwards Lighting.

15 The finish on this fixture is absolutely perfect. Ledbury, Charles Edwards Lighting.

Posted on April 10, 2013 in Lighting | direct link to this entry |

On My Radar: Futagami

Posted by Kevin Sharkey

Futagami is one of the oldest brass casting companies in Japan and can be traced back more than 100 years in Takaoka City. I can't get enough of their collaboration with Japanese product designer Oji Masanori, which came about after Masanori wanted to create a brass bottle opener and took a workshop at Fugamati.

The partnership started with just a few pieces but has grown over the years and the results are stunning. Masanori uses sand-casting to create an interplay of faceted ridges that will only look better with the patina of age. Ranging from large pieces like lights and glasses to smaller additions like a bottle opener or a letter tray, each piece is exceedingly elegant. I particularly love the crescent-shaped bottle openers, pendant lights, and desk accessories (above).

As of now, it seems the only place to buy the pieces is via Futagami's website (which is primarily in Japanese) -- so I suppose I'll have to wait until my travels take me there.

(Photos: Futagami)

Tags: Fugamati
Posted on February 20, 2013 in Housewares, Lighting | direct link to this entry |

Book Friday: Michael S Smith

Posted by Kevin Sharkey

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting designer Michael S Smith and he gave me a copy of his latest book, Michael S Smith Kitchens and Baths published by Rizzoli. Page after page are filled with jaw dropping inspiration that every home can benefit from!