A Touch of Italy: Murano Glass Chandeliers

image credit: bella-figura.com

"The Murano Chandelier (1920) is made with a glass-forging technique developed to amplify flickering candlelight in the 17th century. Produced on the island of Murano, it represents the grandeur of centuries-old craftsmanship. Dramatic in its scale, color and delicate filigree, the design is a reproduction of a Venetian-style chandelier, with scrolling leaf and flower motifs. Due to the artisan craftsmanship that goes into each chandelier, some of the joints will show clear pieces of glass" (www.stardust.com)

image credit: cyandesign.biz

Glass chandeliers are a great way to bring in the elegance and opulence of the traditional chandelier but with a sleek and modern twist. They come in all sorts of beautiful colors as shown below.  I love the concept of placing one of these beautiful art pieces in a modern space.

image credit: bella-figura.com

image credit: designwithinreach.com

The semi-transparent nature of this aquamarine chandelier gives the fixture a light-weight and whimsical feeling unlike many of the traditional chandeliers that are more heavy in nature.

Murano glass chandeliers not only come in a variety of colors but also come in many different styles ranging from very traditional in designs to more modern and even abstract.  

Most all are handmade creating a slight variance in each chandelier, making each fixture unique. 

Whatever size or style you decide, the Murano Glass Chandelier will draw attention and bring focus into any room.

image credit: cyandesign.biz

Presenting the Houston Decorative Center...

First of all, its an exciting day I got my first real account for Leslie Jane Designs.  Its with a local decorative drapery hardware company.  Meaning.. if anyone wants some beautiful drapery hardware (rod, finials, rings, brackets, etc...) standard or custom just let me know and I can order them for you.

Back to the Houston Decorative Center.. I've worked at my interior design job for over two months now and finally made it over to the Dec Center.  For those who are not familiar with the place, its basically a designer hub and dream all wrapped into one. It is open to "trade professionals" only, that is to designers, architects, dealers, etc... aren't I special now :).

image credit: www.decorativecenter.com

image credit: www.decorativecenter.com

There are over 40 showrooms representing over 1,200 manufactures.  What is crucial for designers at the Decorative Center is the easy access to samples.  Most all showrooms loan out samples for designers to show their clients.  You can get lost in 'sample shopping' here. 

The following are pictures I snapped with my phone as I went through the Dec Center to give you an idea of what you may see. 

Thought this light fixture was neat

Interesting Idea for Dressing Up a Window

I like this bed

Nice Fresh Modern Living Room

Pretty Chairs

This is what many showroom wall are lined with...
after awhile it gets overwhelming. 

Fabrics, showrooms, and more

This past week a rep from the Donghia Showroom  showed us some new fabric lines.  If you are not familiar with Donghia, you should check out their website.  The picture below is taken from their homepage... I love the classy, elegant, but still fun designs they come up with.

  

Here are some samples I pulled from the DECORTEX line.  Decortex was founded by Massimo Petrioli in 197, all the company's manufacturing is done in Italy's finest textile mills.  They specialize in cottons and fine linen fabrics.

Below are a few creative and interesting portrayal of some of Donghia's fabric. The drapery fabric in the back comes in other fun colors. I have not decided what I think about the woven chair shown.. any thoughts?

This is one Decortex's beautiful textured fabrics.  Luxurious and classic, let me warn you that luxury from Donghia comes at a price.  

image credit: www.donghia.com

 Another innovative and thought provoking display of their modern damask line.  

image credit: www.donghia.com

   

image credit: jagtar.com

I will leave you with last selection from JAGTAR's new fabric line.  This particular fabric is named Venetian Fantasy.  This pattern, according to Jagtar, references an old tradition taken by the Venice from Ottoman silk brocades that were handprinted on jute cotton ground.  There are three color ways available for Venetian Fantasy.  Jagtar is one of Donghia's represented lines.

image credit: jagtar.com

  

image credit: jagtar.com

The Color Purple

Who would of thought that purple could be a designer color trend? New York designer Amanda Nisbet uses purple in a stylish and chic manner.  I think the use of chocolate brown with striking purple is smart and sophisticated.

Image Credit: www.amandanisbetdesign.com

Sprinkled throughout our showroom are some accessories with a purple flair including this small glass bottle with stopper.  

Below is a 'sharp' glass bowl that I like to call "Sea Urchin" bowl.  

The purple amethyst crystals are a perfect accessory for any home or office.

Recently sold the accompanying pieces to this beautiful and unique Raku vase.

 Kravet fabric has a new line out called 'Modern Colors' where the purples have a star showing. Check out Kravet.com for more beautiful fabrics choices. 

 Another look at one of my favorite fabrics in the collection. 

We will see if this popular color choice can become a classic and timeless design aesthetic or just a trend of the times.  

Chihuly in July

After a beautiful wedding in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I traveled to Ipswitch, MA to spend some time with my Aunts.  One day we were able to go into Boston on the train (where us, southerns, cannot understand the conductors when they yell out the next train stop) and visit the Museum of Fine Arts.  It was a quick museum trip with the main attraction being Dale Chihuly's glass exhibit.

The exhibit entrance is planned so the viewer comes around a corner and is presented
with the beauty and drama of this glass collection

Pictured below is part of what I like to call the 'underwater scene'.  As the viewer walks around the room, each angle tells a different part of the story.  One section would be predominately warm tones with fiery reds and bright oranges in shapes and forms that twisted and turned, while further down would be an area with cool blues and gentle greens.

Below is the anchor piece to the room.  It was placed at the far end of the room entrance, making it so the viewer had to travel through an underwater adventure to make it to the Pièce de Résistance.

One room had a glass ceiling of glass, very similar to the famous ceiling at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. 

Glass ceiling looking upwards

The final scene in the Chihuly exhibit.

The rough birch tree trunks against the smooth glass tubes created a calm but conflicting feeling

It was a beautiful and inspiring exhibit that was showcased perfectly.  It contained element of surprise of what was around the next corner along with putting the viewer in total darkness besides the strong spotlights on the glass pieces.  Without these elements the exhibit would have not had the same impact.