Yesterday i happened upon a great internet article “The Louise’s Papers” about the history and legacy of the mirror. From it’s early creation out of rock crystal and silver in antient Syria and  Egypt to it’s mass produced illiterations today the mirror has been a steadfast componant in our culture.  Like with many design crafts the secret behind the mirrors’ creation was safeguarded with steadfast rigidity as with the extreme example of the isle of Murano during the Renaisance periord where the craftsman were forbidden to leave and punished by death if they did.  And, because mercury was a huge ingredient in the creation of the mirror during early times those that did not leave often met an early death or went crazy anyway!

Today we work with a vendor who’s taken the mirror to yet again another station with his patented technology incorporated into his plasma frames.  A special formulation of two way glass, carved wood and other decoration and special venting make his mirror one that could sit in the most formal of homes hiding a television in what would otherwise have been nothing less than a travesty.  (inquire at the store for more info on this.)

Take a minute and give this one a read, it’s worth the effort.

Texture is wonderful especially when it is delivered in a medium where you don’t expect it. The pillow-like surface that is hard to the touch or as in Artistic Tile’s case a carved stone tile that through it’s process takes on two different colors and to me looks more like fabric than a material which you might use to cover a wall in your bathroom. Technology and innovation are impacting daily what we see in the world of design challenging us as the designer and and the consumer to continually ask for more. Ambra By Artistic Tile

And here are a few more mind-benders:

2010 has arrived and as we start this calendar year we’d love to hear from our readers any ideas either specifically about lighting or design in general that you’d like to learn more about.

cool new light - from Design house stockholm

Work lamps in gold-leafed or chrome-plated steel by Form Us With Love. Form Us With Love, through Design House Stockholm.

As seen in interior design magazine - december

This light from Work and Design agian illustrates the power of the circle. In life and in lighting there is just something about the circle, it’s endless line which in this case technically ends, but none the less, it’s endless line brings us a feeling of peace.

hooray for Arturo Alvarez with their Gea floor lamp getting a nod from Interior Design this December. I’m a huge fan of the Nevo which uses this same material. This is what Interior Design Said:

The Gea floor lamp depends on silicone for its otherworldy, undulating figure. Five incandescent bulbs cast indirect light through the body—available in white, black, orange, or blue—which has an 11¼-inch-wide top and is 71 inches high

but what they don’t mention is the cool way the light closes, using an actual zipper you can leave your light in many states of undress….

Unfortunatly we don’t have this on display at Lunaria but you can purchase it through either location so come on in.

A recent installation of the Fiorella by Slamp (currently on display in both locations) shows how important placement is to a light and what a light can really do!

You know when i meet with someone to help them pick a light i always say good design is not always really expensive! I’m just taken with this one!  Great light under $900!!

BTW - Slamp got a design nod in Interior Design for December too with their Goccia.

Description:
Opalflex, a patented plastic, proves as pliable as paper in the Goccia series of sinuous suspension fixtures by Stefano Papi. The 17-inch-high shades come in six color options including Fire and opal—glowing in the light of an E27 incandescent bulb.

As shown here with this carpet design is simply the next action after inspiration! every day millions of ideas pass through our brains the trick then becomes taking that idea and turning it into something… like ink splotches as a carpet design.. how inspired

Crystal:  Chair leg with hand-applied Swarovski crystals, painted tip in shiny platinum finish and polished brass logo. 13oz. 9.5″H x 2.5″D

Like CeCe i have a soft spot for Bling and so when a client brought House of Habit to my attention i was of course swept away by the beauty of their offerings especially their Crystal Leg. Habit creates decorative legs for furniture and some upholstery pcs as well. They run their shop out of Atlanta, Georgia and when i called to inquire about this beauty I was met with that southern hospitality that makes you just want to BUY, BUY, BUY!!! the story on this “not so little” jewel is that it along with a few of its’ siblings are made in Italy by the factory who makes some of the high end heals attached to the Italian greats like Prada… Actually, i have it on good authority that this leg was inspired in fact by one such shoe.

We just put this fixture up in St. Helena on Display. Eye Candy Galore!!

NY Times Article Link