I've got a small confession to make: I can't stop obsessing over lighting. You would not believe the time I've spent in the past few months e-browsing online lighting meccas like Circa Lighting,Shades of Light and Urban Electric and large home decor retailers with extensive lighting departments like Horchow and Clayton Gray Home. I simply can't get enough. And the biggest problem? With the exception of replacing the ho-hum bedside lamps in the master bedroom (which I have no business buying until I've got a clear vision for the room), I really don't need any more lamps.
So I continue to browse. And obsess. Last week I shared with you some of my favorite turquoise lamps (and interiors featuring said lamps). Today, I thought I'd relieve some of my pent-up lamp tension by sharing my favorite blue and white lamps. A more classic alternative to turquoise, blue and white lamps are right on trend with the resurgence in Chinoiserie. They can bring a bit of sophistication and a dose of traditionalism to a cottage interior, as they do in the bedroom designed by Kim Coleman shown above. Think of these as functional blue and white porcelain. These can go absolutely anywhere.
I'll readily admit that this lamp is not traditional blue and white porcelain, but it is blue and white and I love it and it's my roundup.... Anyway, I do think this monogrammed lamp would be a fairly easy DIY. You could mod-podge (or simply glue) a swatch of monogrammed fabric to a basic column lamp or just stencil a monogram directly to a lamp. Another great detail in this shot is the amazing light blue ribbon trim with the nail head detailing. Such a wonderful way to incorporate the lighter blue into the bed itself.
If you were naming a handful of designers who were instrumental in bringing back wallpaper, Meg Braff would no doubt be top of the list. I love how she's used Bob Collins & Sons' Chinese Lattice wallpaper in this den. She kept patterns on fabric to a minimum here, relying on the large scale pattern of the paper to carry the room. Smaller scale pattern is introduced only in the accessories, like in that gorgeous lamp on the desk. Despite her willingness to go with such a big pattern on the walls, I'd argue that the bravest thing Meg did in this room is hanging the art in front of the windows. That definitely takes a lot of guts -- and I think the risk paid off here as I think it gives context to the desk (floating desks in front of windows often looks a bit awkward to me). What do you think?
If an all-blue and white room isn't your thing, never fear. A blue and white porcelain lamp is an absolute "wow" against chocolate brown walls. The cool tones are the perfect antidote to the warmth of dark woods and rich browns.
The lone spot of blue in a sea of pinks, this blue and white lamp adds a big, mature dose of style to this sweet little girl's room decorated by Ruthie Sommers. I never knew blue could look so good with pink!
And since I love to share, here are some of my favorite blue and white lamps currently available:
Source list (from top left): 1. Isha Table Lamp (Clayton Gray Home; $425). My current obsession. I love the pattern, the height, the lucite base...love it all! 2. Arteriors Alessa Lamp (Candelabra; $399). A navy lampshade is a softer, but equally chic, alternative to a classic black shade. 3. Small Blue Striped Lamp (Emilia Ceramics; $128). If you're house is more hacienda than traditional, but these hand painted stripes would be a great, contemporary (but with that lovely handmade quality) touch to any house. 4. Mandarin Floral Table Lamp (Horchow; $375). Another classic choice; I'd switch the shade out with something a bit more modern to shake it up a bit. 5. Carnaby Hazard Lamp (Jonathan Adler; $225). So I cheated and included this in the turquoise lamp round-up, too...but I love it!! 6. Blue & White Chippendale Table Lamp (Shades of Light; $235). A more Hollywood Glam turn on classic blue and white. Reminds me of China Seas' Java Java fabric. 7. Arteriors Batik Table Lamp (Avid-Home; $262). Not sure how I feel about the pleated blue shade, but the lamp base's shape and pattern are both fantastic. 8. Blue & White Happiness Mini Oriental Table Lamp (Shades of Light; $74.50). A little bit of double happiness at a great price. 9. Dragon Lamp (Modern Dose; $398). The lucite base and neck, together with the navy lining on the lampshade, give this traditional dragon lamp a very modern dose of glam.
What about you? Do you own any blue and white lamps? If so, I'd love to see how you've incorporated them into your decor.
