Out of this World: RW Russell Chandeliers, Part I

Many of you may recognize this image as a room by interior designer Thomas Pheasant which I included in the Neoclassical Moderne chapter of Regency Redux. Illuminating this airy blanc-de-blanc dining room is an RW Russell chandelier, whose creator I had the pleasure of meeting last week.

A sketch on a cocktail napkin

I must admit I've never paid too much attention to lighting fixtures - but that was all B.B.R. (Before Bob Russell). As any set designer knows, far from being an afterthought, lighting is EVERYTHING and just as much attention deserves to be paid to the fixture itself as to the light it casts.

For almost twenty years, Bob's other-worldly creations have been adding luster to some of the most beautiful rooms in the country. Part sculpture, part jewelry, all parts divine, every piece is unique and custom-made out of hand-forged metal, blown glass, and - on demand - Swarovski crystals at his workshop in Williamsburg.

RW Russell chandeliers stand out and shine bright (forgive me!) in an age of mass production and knock-offs. See for your yourselves....

for Beth Rudin de Woody's Palm Beach residence

These hall lanterns are perhaps my favorite and remind me of Jean Schlumberger jewelry (below). Bob says they are his most elaborate commission, and are encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

This commission for designer Robert Couturier's own New York apartment

was inspired by the sword of Damocles. I think it has a bit of a Verdura feel, non?
A chandelier for Kemble Interiors...


installed in this Palm Beach dining room.



Although it's partially cropped out of the photo, this chandelier for McMillen alum Marcy Masterson is clearly dynamite.


A candelabrum for Bunny Williams....
...in a whimsical still-life arrangement



Commission for the Aronow Rausch residence as seen in Elle Decor

Click here for more RW Russell chandelier fabulosity....

...and stay tuned for the outrageous Bob Russell house tour - words can not describe!

DIY: Lamp

I could do this! So fun for Hannah's room or my home office :)

Photo from Flickr: frillie designs

Shades, oh shades

*hearing a jingle in my head*

So the house is about 95% finalised. I am very excited (and nervous at the same time!!!!!). So I've been shopping around for pendant shades/lighting since I dislike the ones already in the vaulted ceiling living room.

I wrote about pink shades recently and I would love to be able to splash $3500 on lighting in the form of my favourites, the Star from Antonangeli.



But since the rich phase has not hit me yet, and I desperately wanted to replace the wrought iron things with something else, Ikea's white Knappa will do fine at a FRACTION of $3500. Got 2 for $40 each! Yay for Ikea!



Made a little moodboard for the living room (yes, already!). This is the before/current.

This is what I see in my head: (Chocolate brown for room paint!)


Might go darker a chocolate paint.

Pink chandeliers and pendant lamps

I've had to look for some pink chandeliers and pendant lamps lately... thought I'd share the goodies with some of you (I've kept mainly to what is available to the Australian market).

FAV: Antonangeli's Stars pendant lamp (designed by design Angelo Mazzatorta & Theo Sogni 2006). A hefty $1700 from ECC Living & Lighting.


Swarovski's Bloom designed by Tord Boontje from dedece.


Midsummer Lights by Tord Boontje. An affordable $125 each from dedece.


Pink capis shell chandelier by Have You Met Miss Jones. $180 each.


Got more?? (I've steered clear of the traditional chandys...)

Flickr Envy

I found this set of photos of Flickr user hibbardjennifer's home and I am STUNNED. Jennifer lives in Arizona in a Charles Shreiber home... and obviously enjoys a spectacular kind of home!

Lightscapes: Valérie Boy

The last pic in my previous post reminded me of another artist who has created a spectacular floral lightscape on canvas. She was featured on AT NY in September. I saved the page because it just caught my eye and perhaps my imagination considered DIYing it. Still considering.

“Féérie Florale” is a six-foot-tall white powder-coated metal with hand-cut spray of flowers. On the back, Miss Boy strung waterproof Christmas lights. By day, it looks like a cool handcut sculpture on white metal. By night, it (and the room) is transformed into a fairyland.

Moma Madness

I took a little virtual shopping tour of the Moma Store and SF Moma and found these fabulous items!

Melamine Dinnerware from Working Class Studio

Alexander Girard Dolls at SF Moma - love, love, love these!!!

Polli Mobile at the SF Moma

Outline Vase by Yuko Takuda

Garland Shade Light by Tord Boontje

Supernatural Chair by Ross Lovegrove

Until Dawn shower curtain by Tord Boontje

I love the whimsical nature of all these pieces. So much fun!

Moma Madness

I took a little virtual shopping tour of the Moma Store and SF Moma and found these fabulous items!

Melamine Dinnerware from Working Class Studio

Alexander Girard Dolls at SF Moma - love, love, love these!!!

Polli Mobile at the SF Moma

Outline Vase by Yuko Takuda

Garland Shade Light by Tord Boontje

Supernatural Chair by Ross Lovegrove

Until Dawn shower curtain by Tord Boontje

I love the whimsical nature of all these pieces. So much fun!

Hot lights for a Cool Fourth!

Months ago, Monica over at Tayo Design sent me information on their Havaleena cordless lights. To me, these are perfect for outdoor picnics and celebrations - not something I was thinking about during a New England winter's day! But, they are perfect for the upcoming fourth of July celebration and the rest of the summer.

Hot lights for a Cool Fourth!

Months ago, Monica over at Tayo Design sent me information on their Havaleena cordless lights. To me, these are perfect for outdoor picnics and celebrations - not something I was thinking about during a New England winter's day! But, they are perfect for the upcoming fourth of July celebration and the rest of the summer.

Welcome Robert Abbey Lighting!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Robert Abbey Lighting for their new sponsorship of ::Surroundings::. I encourage you to check them out for transitional and soft/contemporary lighting.

Welcome!

Welcome Robert Abbey Lighting!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Robert Abbey Lighting for their new sponsorship of ::Surroundings::. I encourage you to check them out for transitional and soft/contemporary lighting.

Welcome!

Beach or Backyard lighting

I was looking at th YLighting website - they carry lots of fabulous contemporary lighting lines - and came across these Oluce Stones Outdoor lights. They take a florescent light bulb that simply screws in. Unfortunately, you still have to deal with the cords, but if you were having an outdoor party and wanted to add an otherworldly twist - these are pretty great!