All I can say is, “OMG!” Before I launched kaarskoker, I sourced replacement candle sleeves on chandelierparts.com, which has the largest selection of candle covers, chandelier crystals and various other- you guessed it- chandelier parts. I have tried to place kaarskoker sleeves on this site since the launch nearly 2 years ago.  On Wednesday, the email arrived and yesterday I saw my product featured on the site: the only product available under ‘DECORATIVE CANDLE COVERS’. I am going to take the exclusion of all other sleeve styles as a confirmation of kaarskoker as the exclusive source for decorative candle covers!

Today between meeting I stopped at my favorite haunt for fab decorating finds, Pacific Galleries at 4th and Lander in SoDo (South of Downtown, Seattle). On today’s list was a pair of pendants for the kitchen above the peninsula.  Imagine my surprise when one of the vendor stalls featured a chandelier for sale and a pair of sconces each of which were adorned with kaarskoker candle covers!  Who is this mystery retailer?

The black bamboo chandelier was paired with kkHOUNDSTOOTH in Black & White.

The white tole sconces featured kkFRETWORK in Red.

I am fresh off a trip to the East Coast to meet with the Fashion Lighting Buyers of a large chain of Home Improvement stores.  They absolutely agree that the current offerings of socket covers, or candle covers, could use some updating (see below).

kaarskoker is here to help! Please note, the prices displayed are for other products as this is a mock-up shot.

Although the trip was only 36 hours, I made time for a quick visit with Kat Mulford (and her littlest man, Hobbs) of turq jewelry. Here’s the shot of me in the rental she got!

Ashton Harrison of Shades of Light appeared on a NY station shortly before Christmas to offer products that transform your existing lighting.  She discusses new product such as lampshade slipcovers (I am NOT a fan) and decorative lamp pedestals as well as kaarskoker candle covers (at the end!). Follow this link to see her lighting makeover tips: Shades of Light Makeovers

As discussed countless times on this blog, Shades of Light hearts kaarskoker and vice versa.  kaarskoker’s mention in the SOL fall catalog was outdone by a feature in the SOL holiday catalog- recommending kaarskoker candle sleeves in kkCLOVER as a holiday decorating tool.  Not to mention, its a unique and fun stocking stuffer.

I am often asked, “Who sells kaarskoker?” This question has a more complicated answer than you might imagine.  Below is a brief attempt to profile one type of kkRETAILER, the lighting-focused store.

Accent Lighting. Wichita, KS
Whether you’re purchasing a common light bulb or choosing an entire home full of new lighting and accessories, Accent offers a full-range of indoor and outdoor lighting and accessories.  The leading lighting showroom in South Central Kansas was an early adopter of kaarskoker thanks to a referral from Witchita-based interior designer and kaarskoker customer Kristen Clevenger, Principal of KP Designs, LLC.

LiT Shades. Seattle, WA
LiT is the brain child of Dawn Basset. With a love of color and pattern she transforms vintage and contemporary lights with her perfect shades.  With her recent adoption of kaarskoker, Dawn now pairs the sleeves with just the right fabric to create knock-out pieces. As she says, “Anything is possible”.

Mary Davis Lighting. La Conner, WA
Located in historic La Conner, WA, Mary Davis has an eye for the potential in every vintage lighting piece.  The showroom is housed in a great old firehouse with carefully placed fixtures and categorically organized lighting accoutrements, i.e. mercury shades, glass globes, cloth cords, period appropriate bulbs, including Edison & hand painted.  Specializing in restored vintage lighting, Mary Davis Lighting offers a full restoration business and completes spectacular custom work that is used in interiors throughout the Northwest and Western Canada.  Mary chooses just the right kaarskoker candle sleeves to bring her revived creations to colorful life.

Shades of Light. Richmond, VA
Where to start with Shades of Light? Just one visit to their website and you can quickly learn they are the online destination for an vast assortment of well-curated lighting fixtures and accessories.  I have referenced this kkRETAILER in several previous posts, including kaarskoker featured in its most recent catalog.  The September issue of Country Living featured kaarskoker candle sleeves on a Martha Stewart chandelier source at Shades of Light.  All around, a match made in lighting heaven!

Timberlake Lighting. Charlottesville, VA
Timberlake Lighting originated in Lynchburg, Virginia and launched its Charlottesville store in early 2009 quickly becoming a highly sought after local source for lighting.  The showroom manager Ms. Charlotte Block wanted the store to open with kaarskoker on as many fixtures as possible.  With her savvy merchandising, this store has produced an overwhelming number of kaarskoker fans who email me regularly.  I should note that Charlottesville is home to my alma mater and I am thrilled that kaarskoker is available to all the wonderful homeowners in this sophisticated community.

kaarskoker is now well-represented thanks to three new showrooms in Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle.  A showroom provides a permanent home for kaarskoker products to be viewed by buyers for retail outlets big & small, brick-and-mortar, online or catalog.  These showrooms offer incredibly strong brands to which buyers flock such as Chilewich, Roost, babylegs, Dwell Studio, Fat Boy, Caldrea, Voluspa, and Rosanna.  kaarskoker is so thrilled to be along side these fabulous brands of which two are also the Seattle-based Rosanna and babylegs.

Retailers, please visit our showrooms!
JDH & Company
LA Mart
1933 South Broadway, Suite 800.
Los Angeles , CA 90007
(888) 650-6776

Montage Showroom
Denver Merchandise Mart
451 East 58th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 221-0066

Scarlett
Pacific Marketplace
6100 4th Ave South, #219
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 763-2559

To be included in the Shades of Light fall lighting catalog is more difficult than you might imagine. While kaarskoker has been on the website since the beginning of the year, inclusion in the catalog’s prime, scarce real estate is exclusive and reserved for best-sellers. I got word last month that kaarskoker candle covers were in.  Not only were the sleeves pictured but fixtures adorned and bettered with the sleeves were also featured.  The web orders from Shades of Light are HEAVY on the polka dots, which I think has something to do with the before and after highlighted in an earlier blog post.  Both afters made the catalog!  Again, another BIG thanks to Amanda Wainscott, the soon-to-be former buyer of Shades of Light. (What will they and kaarskoker do without her insight into the synergies of the all the lines offered?)

Just as I speculated in my Home Sweet Home post a couple of months ago, kaarskoker graces the Martha Stewart Veneto chandelier in September’s Country Living makeover issue.

The 5-light chandelier retails for $699 at kkREATILER Shades of Light.  Simply remove the white sleeves and trim a kaarskoker 6″ candle cover to approximately 5″. Voila!  This stunning white glass chandelier is instantly transformed and personalized.  The editors of Country Living (big thanks to Frances Bailey) chose April’s Blue Solid.  Imagine Royal or Mustard or Silver or Forest Green or Apple Red or Black….Oh My!

On a trip back to my home state of Virginia last month, I finally met the buyer at Shades of Light Amanda Wainscott.  She graciously introduced much of the staff and hosted a guided tour of the large showroom and warehouse filled with lighting and lighting accessories including custom products exclusively available at Shades of Light. All this while she was preparing for a much-anticipated photoshoot.  Many thanks, Amanda!  I recently stumbled on a these before & after shots Shades of Light featured on its blog “Inspired Spaces.” A picture is worth a thousand words!

The Red Fretwork kaarskoker candle covers retail for $14/pair and the Bamboo Tower Chandelier retails for $298.  The chandelier is offered in white, black, coral, green and yellow in addition to the red below.

The Vintage Vine and Flower Sconce has a charming vintage look adopted by the Shabby Chic style.  The distressed-white finished sconce retails for $59 before kaarskoker candle sleeve.  Pink Dot retails for $14/pair.