an obsession with sciolari

This all began with a light I missed at auction.  It was a huge opaque white and amber ice glass chandelier, ugly but good ugly and I had never seen anything like it before.  I googled "ice glass chandelier" and before I knew it I was smitten with mid century modern chandeliers.  

| Gaetano Sciolari Cubic on 1stdibs |70's Gaetano chandelier on 1stdibs |  

I missed the light, I bid a top of $500 and looking back I could have paid triple and still had a bargain, it went for $550.  (Muffled screams of frustration).  I didn't win the auction but I certainly caught the bug: Kalmar the king of ice glass chandeliers; and Sciolari's timeless classics.

|Mid century brass & lucite chandelier |Sciolari used in a modern kitchen on the Marion House Book |

I can't understand why these have not been brought back into production.  I would happily buy a replica.  The pieces are sculptural, much more interesting than the majority of modern and expensive offerings out there.

| Over a dining table via Inspired Design| Brass chandelier via liveaucutioneers | 

Unfortunately I am not alone in my obsession and these lovely pieces are expensive to buy, probably around $3,500 upwards for a good one.  When you think how sculptural they are, and how unique, that is not as extravagant as it sounds.  A a good painting will cost you at least that.

| Ceiling mounted fixture in chrome |

Gaetano Sciolari designed these amazing modernist masterpieces from the 50's to the 70's, working with large lighting firms like Stilnovo (Milan) and Lightolier (New York) before starting to manufacture his own line.

So here I am trawling the web for a forgotten bargain, like the one I missed out on.  Do you have a treasure you hunt for?  Oh well, happy hunting...  

Read More

I need the serenity.....of these calming living spaces

After three days of stormy weather we all have cabin fever.  The kids woke up before 6am, my rhubarb jelly is not a success, its been a grumpy old day.  I need the serenity and space of these  living spaces. Lots of white, a little bit of rustic, mid century vignettes, no clutter.  Feel the serenity! 

The pendant!  I want something with that feel for my entrance.   And isn't that courtyard perfect for a quiet cup of coffee.   Images above and below via South Shore Decorating

 The image below is one I keep coming back to at the moment.  Perhaps because I envy the displays on the low tables, so not possible with a 1 year old!!  Perhaps because I have kelim envy.  Would love to see the rest of the house but I have never been able to find it.

And then I want to wake up, on the right side of the bed, with the summer sun shining and go and swim in this pool.  (both images via Blood & Champagne)

Well I can dream, and I feel a little less grumpy.  Time to go and hug my poor grumped at family.

Read More