I need to change the bi-line of this site to “a blog about seeing,” since clearly my interests have shifted from pure design to something more about how we take it the world around us. Which is not to say that I don’t still experience that visceral joy when confronted with something I love. Most bloggers call it “covet,” but I think it goes deeper. And so, back to design…

Recently I found my heart leaping at this table from Object and Light. I absolutely love the juxtaposition of the exquisitely delicate metal legs with the chunky, warm, wooden top. Love the sense of history.. But also the reasons this table speaks to me are personal. a) Family lore: growing up we enjoying epic meals, lively conversation, and heated card games around similar tables at Stephanie’s and the cabin in Maine. b) Professional education: my aunt Sheila, an architect, has been advocating for long, lean tables for years because they are not only architecturally dramatic, but also they seat many people while keeping the experience intimate. She had one made as a wedding present that measured a generous 8 feet by a mere 30 inches. c) my own experience: while photographing Fiona’s cottage in Maine, I admired the lithe proportions of her antique vintners table from France.

Object and Light happens to sell many other one-of-a-kind pieces that speak to me. I would love to own some of their vintage, industrial lamps, but right now I’m just grateful for the similar light that I bought for a mere $40 from Marnie.

Over the past few years, our urge to pay homage to the inherent beauty and elemental nature of objects has resulted in a fair number of simple lamps, where nothing more than the bulb and base take center stage. One of my favorite examples of this trend are the pure mold lamps by the Korean design firm BMIX.

With nothing more than a concrete base, in either white or gray, and varying bulbs, BMIX lamps are electric lighting in its most minimal form. Yet these lamps are not just utilitarian and cold. Rather, by stripping the form of any distracting “fluff” that seduces the eye but neglects the other senses, the designers at BMIX are able to engage you in a more subtle and intimate way – enticing you to touch the textured concrete base and feel the warmth of delicate filament. The effect is somewhat similar to that of a single white candle: not flashy, but much more pure and personal.

Currently admiring for fall: these burnished brass lamps from the Swedish firm Olsson and Jensen. Graceful and lithe, they add a touch of sculptural elegance to these organic rooms. And yet, at the same time, their bell shapes and arching forms are almost cute – full of personality and character. With their warm tones and polished finishes, they’re the perfect complement to the wonderfully scraggly, scabrous styling.

Last weekend had us pondering possible lighting solutions for the beds in my Aunts’ house. We all felt that the little tables and lamps were too fussy, and we wanted to create a greater sense of drama in the design.

In the master bedroom above, we noted the lovely texture of the original lath and plaster walls, which we wanted to “frame” somehow. My suggestion: a combination of the two photos below: a hanging pendant (and no table) on the right, and an angled task lamp on the left.

For the guest bedroom below, in which the bed is flanked by lovely windows, I suggested eliminating the tables and lights altogether in favor of two delicate, swing arm lamps. These would create a dramatic sculptural element which would complement the lithe bed frame, but at the same time provide a little industrial contrast.

What do you think?

Problem: Bedside lights in my Aunt’s master bedroom are too small in scale. We like all the space above, but felt it wasn’t defined enough. Also we didn’t want to simply add a big piece of art because that would compete with the striking piece (by my Aunt Jessie, see below) on the adjacent wall.

Solution: Create the same dynamic as in this image with a vertical element on one side and an angle on the other. Instead of a ladder one could use a pendant like the one below or simply put a clip lamp on the ladder. Image via Father Rabbit Limited.

above: styling by Susanna Vento. photo by Kristiina Kurronen

Problem: Too much going on distracts from the lovely bed and airiness of the guest bedroom. 

Solution: Add lighting like that above to enhance the drama of the room. Photo by Paul Massey.

photo by Basic Label Sweden

Longtime readers may remember my post about the breathtaking dandelion installation by Swiss artist Regine Ramseier. Since then my fondness for the art and design of this humble weed has not dwindled. There is something powerful about a flower, so plain and common in life, that reaches its pinnacle of beauty and dynamism at the moment of death, just before the winds of time sweep it away for good.

‘Pedestal,’ 2011, dandelion seeds and a taxidermy heron, by UK artist Claire Morgan

dandelion light by Drift; ‘Kleine Ansammlung’ by Danish artist Christiane Löhr; macro photo of dandelion fluff by Carla Dyck

dandelion wine designed by Hara Design Institute, Japan

dandelion in wax paper via The Feathered Nest; dandelion specimen from Tisane Infusion

clockwise from the left: details of Lonneke Gordijn’s ‘Fragile Future,’ subtitled ‘electronics and dandelions'; dandelions in a gold vase via Love Your Place

wedding scene with Ikea maskros lights: photo and styling by Lo Bjurulf, via CocoCozy

Wedding theme inspired by ‘Dandelion Wine’ by Ray Bradbury. Concept by the team of Sara from Sara Gray Photography, Kim and Bonnie from Punch, and Kathy from The Party Place. Via Elizabeth Anne Designs;

above from the left: photo by Donna Watson; photo by Basic Label Sweden; dandelion ring by Sabrina Meyns

detail ‘dandelion’ moving sculpture by Laird Lanier; dandelion lights by OOOMS, via White Bleeding Heart Inspiration

crocheted Glück pendant lights by Naomi Paul

Discovered today via Remodelista’s feature about sustainable style at Folklore: the textile creations of Naomi Paul.

Based in London, Paul creates textiles that combine traditional methods with a clean contemporary feel. Her forms are fluid, organic, but also possess a dash of the exotic. When it comes to color, Paul never equivocates – preferring either minimalist, natural hues or bold brights. Texture is always as least an equal partner to form and color in Paul’s tactile creations. Yet somehow, on balance, these complex juxtapositions of form, tone, and texture are never busy, in fact they seem almost restrained.

It is the mark of a truly sophisticated designer who can produce work that is seemingly simple, but full of depth; that can conjure the past, while at the same time be totally innovative. No wonder then that Paul was named Young Designer of the year 2012 by Homes & Gardens magazine.

clockwise from the left: steamer chair, macaroon cushion and triangle rug; glück pendant in navy; pepper cushion

above: Albers cushions and steamer chair

above: raffia bustier by John Rocha (Though this looks totally uncomfortable, it’s so fabulous I might just grin and bare it. I’m picturing this layered with an open, sheer, linen top in crisp white for the ultimate summer look.); rattan basket from the Japanese design firm F/Style; crib from l’Atelier du Petit Parc (Be sure to check out their entire site for similar retro rattan furniture of all kinds.)

You know that when blogs and magazines start  to feature rattan, raffia, and sea grass, it’s officially time to bust out the shades and sun screen. Ahhhh summer.

clockwise from the top: banda chaise from Anthropologie; summer setting by Anouk B featuring a pendant much like Landscape Product’s rattan “cage” lamp, rattan bracelet at Choice is Yours

above: sea grass is woven into playful footprints in Martin Azua’s Tread Carpet; rattan pouf designed by Johannes Foersom and Peter Hiort-Lorenzen via Archiproducts; Jan Jensen’s rattan shoe via Virtual Shoe Museum

above: rattan bench at Atelier du Petit Parc; rattan swing from Sarena and Lilly; rattan hammock from the Philippines via Natural Modern Interiors

Spanish designer Martin Azua’s “Get Up” collection is a line designed for resting, riding or relaxing. 

hand blown glasses at Riija

Another fab find from Kickcan and Conkers, Riija is a Latvian design store right in the heart of Riga. This “lifestyle barn,” as their website puts it, showcases an eclectic mix of beautiful furniture and home goods, all from local designers. Merging “traditional Latvian craftsmanship with a contemporary world view,” all the designs are a wonderful mix of modern and rustic. Both sleek and sensual, they look like they would be as satisfying to hold as they are to behold.

linen bedding

furniture at lamps by the Latvian design firm Rajada

hand blown stemware

table linens

linen loungewear

accessories. for more see all their products

pendant lamp with crocheted lampshade and textile cable in orange, blue, green or grey by La Casa de Cotó

OK, enough of the subdued for now. With this weird unseasonable weather, we had our first full beach day yestrday (in April!) Time, once again, for summer brights!

Kicking us off are new lighting options from some of my favorite Etsy vendors: La Casa de Cotó and Studio Snowpuppe. Both have recently introduced new products. La Casa de Cotó has expanded on its empire of crocheted cushions and rugs with the introduction of vibrant lamps. And, for a slightly softer touch, Studio Snowpuppe has designed a sleek new wall mount for its original origami shades, which come in several pastel hues. Playful and vibrant, all these new additions make for an unexpected accent in any home.

above and below: crocheted pendant lamps by La Casa de Cotó. I love the patterns it casts on the wall.

above and below: textile cable lamp by La Casa de Cotó adds a dramatic color burst in a white room.

above and below: Klimoppe wall fixture with customizable cords by Studio Snowpuppe

Recently admired (just before Easter): these serenely ovoid ceramics by Farrah Sit and linen child’s apron in pleasing pastels from Bodie and Fou.