I was turned onto Remodelista probably through Atlantis Home and it didn’t take me long to figure out that this site was special.  The contributing ladies have their collective fingers on the pulse that is directly connected to mine.

The site offers a “Browse Products” section that features favorite furniture, appliances, hardware, tile, etc.  No remodeling project would be complete without days, weeks, months of deliberation over the perfect lighting.  Thank goodness Remodelista has shared their favorite lighting fixtures and where to find them.  Do you see why I no longer practice as an interior designer?  So many trade secrets readily available!

For those who need to see the best of the best, this Friday Lights for you!

Schoolhouse Electric

Eric Cohler for Visual Comfort (this is in my guest bath!)

Tom Dixon Pipe Sconce

Michael Anastassiades Ball Light

*Images courtesy of  Remodelista.com

I thought the time had come to spill the beans on the styles that make up the kkCOLLECTION.  There is little doubt that many of the patterns are familiar to many of you formal/informal students of design.  I chose classic patterns for the first collection because the object which the patterns adorned was, well, a bit obscure. No need for everyone to have to wrap their minds around both a new design detail (did you know what a candle sleeve was called before kaarskoker?) and a new motif. Classic Makes Perfect, no?

Every Tuesday, we’ll explore a different kaarskoker pattern: its origin, contemporary applications, inspiration for color palette.  kkY-KNOT is a moniker I thought fitting and is often described as the David Hicks pattern.  While Hicks popularized this pattern in the 1960s, the earliest source I have found is 14th century China.

As far as the color palette,  the more prevalent colors in Chinese arts include tones of pale blue, pale pink, and pale green.  My inspiration for Y-KNOT’s 4 colorways are as follows:

Jade & Silver: A 1960s MG picture I saw in an issue of World of Interiors
Periwinkle: The prevailing color scheme in the early 2000’s of NYC interior designers DiamondBaratta.  A quick browse through their portfolio speaks to a love of periwinkle.
Sahara & Gold: A 70’s infused neutral a la ‘Ciara’ perfume.
Navy & Gold:  I love this combination and thought the pattern lent itself well to the pairing.  Actually, quite Hicks.

This is MG is not the exact inspiration but gives a sense of the bold color.

David Hicks fabric pictured above. Incidentally, both David Hicks textile and wallpaper collections as well as DiamondBaratta’s textile collection are available through LeeJofa.

*Images courtesy of DiamondBaratta, Revlon, Lee Jofa.

Remains Lighting has been on my radar since February 2009 when I visiting the Chelsea Harbor showroom (although Remains is a US lighting manufacturer).  Witnessing the quality of the pieces firsthand and the use of ceramic candle sleeves exclusively on each fixture cemented my enthusiasm for the line.

Recently Remains released (say it 3 times- fast) a series of lighting inspired by the late Tony Duquette, the unparalleled theatrical Hollywood interior designer.  I cannot think of any lighting manufacturer today better suited to execute such stunning reproductions.  I also cannot help myself from wanting to add a few kaarskoker details to each piece.

Magic Forest floor lamb and Splashing Water scone

Magic Forest scone

*Images courtesy of remains.com

Thanks to Redbook for including kaarskoker as 1 of 6 instant makeovers for your home in the March 2010 issue!  kkPEACOCK in Pink shines on a white fixture with globe bulbs.  Love the other suggestions such as hanging a rug on a wall, colorful dustskirts and bold tile in the kitchen!

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I chose my current favorite kaarskoker kkCANDLESTICK ensemble.  Having just introduced the kkCOLLECTOR’s EDITION, the Purple Sky Ziggurat paired with an April’s Blue kkSOLID is true romance. These colors work better with hydrangeas than red roses so I redefined tradition.

I rediscovered Marjorie Skouras’ beautiful lighting on Tobi Fairley’s blog. Tobi is doing a 14 day count to Valentine’s Day, each day featuring a specific thing she loves.  Day 9 covered Turquoise chandeliers and featured this stunner of Marjorie’s.  I also love it in electric blue!

I called Marjorie and she called me back agreeing that there is synergy between kaarskoker and her lighting. We shall see what we can dream up.  Below are a couple of happy design marriages I can envision.

My friend Andrew of wattsmedia.us (I gave him a very hard time about the .us and then he promptly completed project all over Europe and Dubai.) has generously offered to help me complete a series of videos to show how and why kaarskoker. Yes, some people still wonder both.  My brief description of the end goal was simple video with music along the lines of Jackson 5 “ABC” so I could subliminally hit people over the head with the ease in which you can update a fixture.  Well, his sample video to test camera position (I am 6 weeks from baby and want zero belly shots.) is funny for the soundtrack exclusively: Guns & Roses “It’s So Easy!”  STILL trying to figure out how to post videos to the blog so I will add example later.

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

I think I came across Avid Home on twitter. Most of the lighting is from Arteriors and Avid’s pricing is well below many other retailers.   kaarskoker candle covers look fab on most of the fixtures featured on Avid as many kkRETAILERS also offer Arteriors lighting and have replaced the covers with various kaarskoker patterns.

I recently attended the Atlanta Gift Show (and LA and Seattle) and loved walking through the showrooms of my favorite lines. While visiting Currey Lighting, I was inspired to put my novice Photoshop skills to work and apply kaarskoker candle sleeves to the classic designs of the collection. Here are a few before and after.