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Showing posts with label lamps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lamps. Show all posts
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Today I am loving...
Today, I am loving this desk space : the wall color, the Jacobsen chair and vibrant tangerine Panton lamp. Simple, clean, mess free. J'aime.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Today, I am loving...
Today, I am seriously in love with this pic : love, love, love the industrial yet minimal feel of this work space {there's actually absolutely nothing I don't like here...}. And this oversized vibrant red marquee letter is just showing off like a giant piece of artwork. Oh, I love vintage!
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Today I am loving...
Today, I am loving this simple workspace. Mess free and stylish with its classic pieces. This makes me realize I really need to clean the mess on my desk.
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| via Sombre Boite |
Thursday, January 27, 2011
WoWé : the interview
You’ve probably seen on other blogs the amazing lamps from WoWé, a French online shop that specializes in vintage inspired lamps and lighting fixtures. I had the huge honor to personally meet the genius creator behind the WoWé lamps on my last trip to Lyon, France, back on October of last year. Meet Olivier Abry.
When I saw Olivier’s creative studio, I thought I would lose my balance, industrial bins {yum} and carts, pipes, tubes and lamps, gorgeous, gorgeous lamps displayed on raw concrete walls waiting for the final touch from the master… So beautiful!
This post is long overdue. So here is a little more about Olivier Abry, the mastermind behind the WoWé lamps {one of which is on my birthday wish-list this year, by the way.}
[Translated from French]
What is your artistic path? What has been you career path?
"My path is pretty atypical. I spent a good portion of my career working for Pier-1 Imports in France, then the company got into financial trouble, so it was a big wake up call for me. I had to think about my career again… and went from Pier-1 store manager to light designer almost overnight…"
Tell us about the creation of WoWé your store…
"I debated quite some time over 2 ideas: opening my concept store with design finds, and both new design items and vintage products, or start designing light fixtures… I had always been attracted to light design, and my first creations were made about 20 years ago.
The creative aspect was a deal breaker for me. So I spent 6 months doing nothing but designing lamps, just to make sure I was worth something as a designer, and used any vintage recycled material I could get my hands on…"
Why WoWé? What does this name mean?
"Because when I was small child, when I wanted to say my name, Olivier, all I could pronounce was “O-wo-wé”, hence the name!"
So tell us, how do you make a lamp, from start to finish?
"I gather in my studio all sorts of pieces, industrial components and parts, and assemble them...like you would assemble a Lego construction game. My main inspiration is the OC white lighting system, famously known in the US : pipes, caps and articulating joint… These elements allow a lot of creativity and flexibility in the creation…"
Who are your design heroes?
"Lighting designers Ingo Maurer, Bernard Alain Gras [from the renowned Gras lamp], Jean Prouve, Serge Mouille, Isamu Nogushi and his Akari Lamps. I have eclectic taste, so the list could go on and on, and on!"
OK, now time sensitive questions, answer as fast as you can... ready? 3...2...1!
Scandinavian or industrial?
"Industrial of course, but this does not prevent me from being a fan of Arne Jacosben’s work, Verner Panton, Alvaar Alto or Hans J. Wegner creations."
Black or white?
"Black, always, but white comes right after!"
Spring or Fall?
"Fall for its magnificent colors, its walks in the woods. Fall for kicking the leaves with my feet or jumping on water puddles. "
Just click on the link to see all of Olivier's WoWé delightful lamp collection or to get a bit of Olivier's inspiration everyday through his super cool blog...
Images: courtesy of ©WoWé
When I saw Olivier’s creative studio, I thought I would lose my balance, industrial bins {yum} and carts, pipes, tubes and lamps, gorgeous, gorgeous lamps displayed on raw concrete walls waiting for the final touch from the master… So beautiful!
This post is long overdue. So here is a little more about Olivier Abry, the mastermind behind the WoWé lamps {one of which is on my birthday wish-list this year, by the way.}
[Translated from French]
What is your artistic path? What has been you career path?
"My path is pretty atypical. I spent a good portion of my career working for Pier-1 Imports in France, then the company got into financial trouble, so it was a big wake up call for me. I had to think about my career again… and went from Pier-1 store manager to light designer almost overnight…"
Tell us about the creation of WoWé your store…
"I debated quite some time over 2 ideas: opening my concept store with design finds, and both new design items and vintage products, or start designing light fixtures… I had always been attracted to light design, and my first creations were made about 20 years ago.
The creative aspect was a deal breaker for me. So I spent 6 months doing nothing but designing lamps, just to make sure I was worth something as a designer, and used any vintage recycled material I could get my hands on…"
Why WoWé? What does this name mean?
"Because when I was small child, when I wanted to say my name, Olivier, all I could pronounce was “O-wo-wé”, hence the name!"
So tell us, how do you make a lamp, from start to finish?
"I gather in my studio all sorts of pieces, industrial components and parts, and assemble them...like you would assemble a Lego construction game. My main inspiration is the OC white lighting system, famously known in the US : pipes, caps and articulating joint… These elements allow a lot of creativity and flexibility in the creation…"
Who are your design heroes?
"Lighting designers Ingo Maurer, Bernard Alain Gras [from the renowned Gras lamp], Jean Prouve, Serge Mouille, Isamu Nogushi and his Akari Lamps. I have eclectic taste, so the list could go on and on, and on!"
OK, now time sensitive questions, answer as fast as you can... ready? 3...2...1!
Scandinavian or industrial?
"Industrial of course, but this does not prevent me from being a fan of Arne Jacosben’s work, Verner Panton, Alvaar Alto or Hans J. Wegner creations."
Black or white?
"Black, always, but white comes right after!"
Spring or Fall?
"Fall for its magnificent colors, its walks in the woods. Fall for kicking the leaves with my feet or jumping on water puddles. "
Just click on the link to see all of Olivier's WoWé delightful lamp collection or to get a bit of Olivier's inspiration everyday through his super cool blog...
Images: courtesy of ©WoWé
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Back to Blik
OK... I love industrial pieces and do carry some unique finds in the shop, among which the famous French Jielde articulated factory lamp... But I admit that unique pieces come at a price and that not everyone can afford a circa 50s Jielde lamp...
So, here is an option for those of you who are addicted to industrial chic pieces like I am...
Via : Blik
Aren't these wall stickers the coolest? OK, you don't get the actual lighting, but you do get the striking effect...
These wall stickers are made by my favorite wall sticker store, Blik (see the February wall sticker trend post) by designer Mina Javid. Best of all, these stickers cost less than $30 a piece...
Thursday, July 22, 2010
New Shop Items
I have been busy as a bee unloading my Provence trip treasures, and they are now ready in the shop. Yummy!
Heads up for the FrenchByDesign shop fans : I am preparing a new shop section called "Ethnic Chic" featuring unique ethnic pieces that work well in contemporary and vintage interiors - I am not talking about giraffe and elephant kitchy statues, I promise!... Stay tuned!
Happy Shopping!
Monday, May 24, 2010
A Classic Icon : Bourgie Lamp
My birthday just passed and I got one of my favorite lamps (remember, I have a thing about lamps!) : The Bourgie Lamp by Kartell.
Here is a selection of Flickr pictures of this instant eye catching design icon...
I loooove this lamp, it is THE piece that draws all attention in the room!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Color Trend : Shades of Blue
I just can’t get enough of these refreshing shades of turquoise, teal or midnight blue... Blue definitely refuses to take a back seat.
Check out a few of my favorite blue hued interiors (including the freshly painted bedroom of my 10 year old daughter who hired me as a painter and did the interior design of her own room - you go girl! I added the STAR vintage letters sign because that's so her!!!).
Friday, March 19, 2010
My Design House Stockholm Sandbox
I already mentioned one of their products in a previous post as one of my fav -the Manana Lamp.
Although the majority of the Design House Stockholm company designers are from Scandinavia, the company works with designers from all over the world in order to find that special Scandinavian touch. Their collection of functional and aesthetically refined design products of timeless appeal ranges from tableware and lighting to furniture and textiles. OK, now that you know a bit more about this company, check out my sandbox...
Oh, by the way, many of their products can be found through Amazon.com or on their online shop!
Clockwise from top to bottom : Arrow Hanger, Cord Lamp, Manana Lamp, Work Lamp, Wave Hanger (just ordered it!), Carrie Bicycle Basket, Bono Mugs.
Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
My Anthropologie Store Sandbox
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You all know by now that I am a vintage addict. But I do browse and sometimes shop for new items. I particularly like the Anthropologie store home section. I like their vintage inspired collections and their beautiful fabric curtains... OK, so this time, I pretend I have money to burn at Anthropologie! There we go...
Clockwise from top to bottom : Pink Poppy Knob, Stenciled Sketchery Curtain, Enzo Lamp, Daintree Apron, Through-The-Jungle Dishtowel - Parrot, Vintage Rotary Phone, Robson Sconce, Oversized Zinc Letters, Terai Folding Chair.
Psss... They ship worldwide too! To shop, click here.
Clockwise from top to bottom : Pink Poppy Knob, Stenciled Sketchery Curtain, Enzo Lamp, Daintree Apron, Through-The-Jungle Dishtowel - Parrot, Vintage Rotary Phone, Robson Sconce, Oversized Zinc Letters, Terai Folding Chair.
Psss... They ship worldwide too! To shop, click here.
Sexy Ceiling Fans and Pendant Lights
Have you ever tried to shop for a funky, sexy ceiling fan for your vintage interior and ended up with a white plain one because all the ones you found where "grandma" looking? Well, this happened to me too.
I just discovered a great website that I need to share with you : this company, called The Original Barn Light, sells industrial ceiling fans AND very cool and sexy vintage pendant lights (AND not too expensive either!). Let the show begin...
Galvanized Ceiling Fan
Industrial Ceiling Fan
Retro Basic Porcelain & Galvanized Pendant Light
Vintage Raw Brass Pendant Light (my favorite one!)
Interested? Click here to access the website and see their entire collection.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
And Then There Was Light
You don't know this, but I have a thing with lamps.... My hubby keeps telling me that there are enough sources of lighting in the house, but I can't.... Some have urges with food, clothing shopping, my thing is lamps... (among other things, like vintage or designers chairs but we'll cover that in another post!).... Anyway, these are lamps I am either saving for or have fallen for already...
Sticky Lamp by Droog Designs - this fabulous lamp brings a new function to packaging. The plastic which would normally be discarded has become the casing. The self-adhesive fixing offers endless possibilities. You can stick it wherever you want, on the ceiling, the door, wall or floor.
Manana Lamp by Design House Stokholm - I love how the lamp is laying against the wall like a human figure...
The famous boudoir-style Bourgie Lamp by Kartell
Also by Kartell, the FL/Y Suspension in retro sexy colors...
And finally, one of my all-time favorites, the Parentesi Lamp from Achille Castiglioni edited by Flos... This lamp is part of the permanent collection in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I have one in the hallway lighting up some black and white pictures, and this one is a stunning piece...
Sticky Lamp by Droog Designs - this fabulous lamp brings a new function to packaging. The plastic which would normally be discarded has become the casing. The self-adhesive fixing offers endless possibilities. You can stick it wherever you want, on the ceiling, the door, wall or floor.
Manana Lamp by Design House Stokholm - I love how the lamp is laying against the wall like a human figure...
The famous boudoir-style Bourgie Lamp by Kartell
Also by Kartell, the FL/Y Suspension in retro sexy colors...
And finally, one of my all-time favorites, the Parentesi Lamp from Achille Castiglioni edited by Flos... This lamp is part of the permanent collection in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I have one in the hallway lighting up some black and white pictures, and this one is a stunning piece...