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.

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.

I have been MIA from posting on this blog for a good 6 weeks.  My excuse this week is a trip back to Virginia to visit my family.  In Richmond, my dear high school friend Tracy Sears who is a reporter of CBS 6 WTVR and got me the Good Morning Virginia gig hosted a small party to introduce kaarskoker.  I also visited with Mrs. Amanda Wainscott, the buyer for Shades of Light, to get a behind the scenes tour of the corporate office and showroom and meet the wonderful staff.  Amanda was a wealth of resources as I look to expand the kaarskoker line and offer exclusive products to my retailers (kkSHADES for Shades!).  We also discovered while I was visiting that the April’s Blue kkSOLID I sent to Country Living for the September issue is going to be on a Martha Stewart chandelier that Shades of Light is providing!  Is it this one below?

My final stop for the trip, which seems to have become just as much work as play, was Dolce Designs.  This is home decor store that offers full-service interior design.  Good news Richmond: kaarskoker candle sleeves are now available in your ‘hood.  Carol and Karen totally loved the sleeves and had visions of them on the light fixtures of thier clients and in thier own homes.  Home is definitely sweet.

Shades of Light is the home to all things lighting and retail their products through stores in Virginia, a catalog and a web store.  The company offers antique and exclusive light fixtures as well as lampshades, bulbs and, most recently, kaarskoker candle sleeves.  Many of the chandeliers and sconces offered on the website nicely accommodate kaarskoker, add the right bulbs and Shades of Light is a great resource for do-it-yourself lighting.  Below are my picks of fixtures under $200 with suggestions on how to complement with kaarskoker.

Shades of Light offers some great ‘Shabby Chic’-esque options, which a pictured below and range in price from $59-169. With or without a shade, pair these sconces with kaarskoker Cane or Solid candle covers.

Retailing for $99, the creamy white of this four light fixture provides the perfect background for kaarskoker Houndstooth sleeves.  Place it over any vanity and replace those terribly generic metal and frosted glass lights!

I was in awe when I saw this pendant.  Incredibly unique and the perfect place to nest any style in kaarskoker Marble collection.  The colors of the antique-marbled paper sleeves instantly complement the traditional lines of this piece creating the perfect example of the kaarskoker motto- tradition redefined.  Available for  $175.

One finish I utilize whenever possible is verdigris as it creates instant history to any piece.  Pair this $99 sconce with Mallard Cone or Fancy Feather and call it a day.

This sconce and chandelier, although they differ greatly in style, are great examples of Shades of Light’s commitment to great detail at an affordable price.  As all of the above featured fixtures, they would look fabulous with kaarkoker sleeves.  They retail for $79 and $99 respectively.

Alright, I know that I’ve been focusing on lighting under $200 but this final piece- its clean lines and romantically graceful details- I could not resist.  I especially find it compelling sans shades et avec Coral kaarskoker. Considering its quality and unique character it is priced right at…..