The Entry - Your Home's "Hello" :)

It's official........  Summer is over, and Fall is here!!  :)

Did you realize that more people will walk through your front door between October & January than any other time of the year........

Whether it be friends gathering to watch a football game, trick or treaters ringing you door bell or family coming over for the Holidays - everyone will be coming thru your front door :)

So........ That being said.........  How's your entry looking?????

With this thought in mind I decided to put together a sampling of some of my favorite "Entry's".  They are varied and include contemporary, traditional & transitional.  Each of these spaces is perfect for the homeowners who chose the fixture and design.

Absolutely LOVE this entry!!  The color palette is fresh, crisp and extremely inviting.  Allowing the Alabaster Pendant by George Kovacs to add a touch of warmth to the space.
It's contemporary design is warm and welcoming to everyone who enters.

This two story open entry is absolutely stunning!  The Metropolitan Sconces on the stair wall were actually added a few years after the house was built and they bring so much drama to the design!!

When you walk through the front door you are immediately engulfed in the rich tones of color and your eye is drawn up to the entry dome!  It is truly breath taking :)   

Double entry fixtures have become one of my favorite trends!!  So many of the homes being built have long entry's that are open to the dining and lead to the family room - by hanging two fixtures you brighten and showoff that length - actually leading your guests into your home.  This entry has a 12 foot domed ceiling with wonderful detailing - and the Revolution Alder Cage allows that light to transition up to the dome.

Another example of a double entry is done on a 10 foot ceiling - these Mercury Glass Pendants by Quorum International create a wonderful interest on the ceiling and beg your eye to look up and see their beauty.

This beautiful entry is made even prettier with the addition of crown molding and the smallest Revolution Alder Cage.  The detail provided compliments the window above the front door allowing the eye to continuously have elements of design to absorb.

This entry is a wonderful example of a blending of designs!!  The front door features beautiful wrought iron details which are mirrored with the frame work of the Chrome Chandelier by Golden Lighting!!  The mix of finishes works due to the complimentary shapes within both components!!  YES!!  You CAN mix transitional and traditional!!  ;)

Even a shorter ceiling can be shown off with the addition of crown molding, paint and a decorative lighting fixture!!  This entry is a great example of a 9 foot ceiling being "elevated" to new design levels!!

Whichever style or design you decide to go with - keep in mind a few of these thoughts:

1. Ease of maintenance is key on an entry!  The cages that we featured are extremely easy to keep clean!!  A "Swiffer" on a broomstick and you are good to go :)

2. If choosing a chandelier or pendant with glass - try to select something other than "clear" glass.  The fixtures featuring glass that we have shown have either Alabaster, Mercury or Scavo glass which won't show dirt and make maintenance a breeze.

3. Be true to "your" home!!  The entry is the first opportunity that your home has to say "Hello" to your guests!!  Let it reflect who you are and what you love.  :)

As always.....
Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise

Loving the Mix

One of the most common phrases that we hear in the Lighting Etc. showroom is, "I don't want it to be "matchy-matchy"..........  the next most common phrase we hear is "there are too many choices" - LOL!!
Funny, but people really do say both in the same breath!!  :)

Back in the day, (we won't say what day because I don't want to give away my age)....... the average homeowner only dealt with a couple of design choices and basically they were:

Traditional or Contemporary

Brass or Chrome

With the availability of information and options from both the internet and design TV - the average homeowner now has the ability to develop their sense of design at a much deeper level:

Contemporary

Eclectic

Minimalist

Old World

Retro

Rustic

Shabby Chic

Traditional

and Transitional - just to name a few........

And lighting is right there, every step of the way, to allow you the design elements of your dreams!  Today we are Blessed with a plethora of choices and those choices can be mixed to create a unique composition for each and every home.

The hard part for many people is being able to envision from showroom display or artwork, to actual placement in their home........  This is where you have to "trust" your professionals :)

 A prime example is the Veil series by ET2.  At first glance it may seem as if it can only be used in a contemporary setting.  It is a very current design - transitional and clean.  When viewed in a catalog or online it can be hard to think that it may have a broader range of applications....... 



ET2 Veil



This is where you have to trust what you like!!  :)

This fixture added the perfect amount of fun and whimsy that this beautiful kitchen needed!!  It allowed the homeowner to truly put her personal stamp on the space!!  Exactly what she wanted!!

Another example of current design in a traditional setting is the Carabel series by Fredrick Ramond:


Carabel by Fredrick Ramond

 

It can sometimes be hard to imagine introducing a "current" design into a space with traditional bones.  This is where "Loving the Mix" can truly be inspiring!!  Embracing the layers of color, form and texture can truly bring a space to life!!  But you have to see beyond the "cataloged" picture.

Last but not least is one of the current favorites of many in the lighting world.  The Orb!!
This particular orbital chandelier adds the elegance of crystal in a traditional draping inside the frame - allowing the fixture the ability to play a whimsical role in a traditional setting.

Axis by Capital Lighting

 Not only is the style of the fixture a step away from the "norm" for this space but the "Winter Gold" finish allows the light to truly shine in the space!!  By having this lighter color above the dark wood of the dining table the space truly opens up with the light!! 

These are just a few examples of mixing various design styles, elements and finishes.  I guess what I hope you will take from this post is that YOU need to love YOUR space - because at the end of the day......  You live there :)  Don't be afraid to take a chance - Don't be afraid to try something different.
This is why there are soooooo many choices :)


Thanks so much for the "read" - Have a Blessed Day!  And we will Light It Up again soon!!
Be Blessed!!
Denise