Tiffany's Today

My lava lamps and black lights have worn out their welcome, and I need to find an alternative lighting solution. For a while I considered reverting to normal light bulbs, but that idea didn’t last long. I’ve always liked the look of chandeliers and hanging lights, but they seemed a little too grandiose for my modest apartment.

Then the other day one of my friends suggested I look into Tiffany style pendant lights. I had never seen, let along heard of, a pendant light before, so naturally I was intrigued. Pendant lights are simple yet elegant lighting solutions that hang form the ceiling. And unlike a chandelier, they only have one bulb, making them cheaper and more versatile.

I have come to believe after decades of designing different looks for my home that the most important accents are always those that emit light. The lighting in a room frames the other objects and gives those forms softness. Or they can do the exact opposite, creating harsh edges.

So even if your home decorations are great, if the lighting is terrible then that will be the effect felt in the room. Good indoor lighting is the equivalent of a good frame for a portrait. It is everything and nothing at the same time. When selecting your lighting, don’t neglect the opportunity to have the fixture itself be a furnishing. From chandeliers to a Tiffany style torchiere, there are lighting solutions to complement any décor.

Living in a place like a condominium offers very little space compared to living in a standard sized house. That is why it is very essential to choose furnishings and appliances that will help you maximize that precious space without making it looking cramped. Here are some of the home furnishings and appliances that you can add to your checklist when making a purchase:

~ Love seat, as opposed to a couch

~ Coffee table

~ Small accent and pedestal lamps

~ George Foreman toaster oven

~ Double-burner stove

Many may have never heard of putting cap on their metal chimney. But it should be noted that most pre-fab fireplace installations require metal fireplace chimney caps. Metal chimneys are used commonly for wood stove venting. There are several reasons why theses types of chimneys need caps.

First of all, there is nowhere for rain to go in these chimneys and without a cap water will run into a wood stove, fireplace or heater resulting in damage to walls and ceilings. Also, birds and animals look for warmth during the winter and may build nests in your chimneys, clogging the chimney and locking in smoke. Without a cap the moisture can get into the cracks between the layers of metal in chimney causing premature failure and other problems. In addition to a chimney cap, it’s a good idea to have a fireplace screen as well. Since this piece will actually be in your home, choose a stylish model such as a stained glass fireplace screen.

Old homes can be quite drafty, which presents myriad concerns. There is the worry of constantly being cold, of course, and this is often remedied by turning up the thermostat, therefore increasing your energy bill. If you have an older home, the best options are to install new windows, invest in better installation and have your doors weatherproofed.

But taking these steps is a big undertaking, not to mention expensive. In my home, one of the areas where I noticed the draft was the fireplace. Instead of simply installing a drab fireplace cover, I decided to use it as an opportunity to spruce up the living room. I invested in a Tiffany style fireplace screen, which effectively blocks out the cold are and brings a kaleidoscope of iridescent colors into the room.

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve been infatuated with Tiffany lighting, so when I got my own place, the first thing I wanted to do was go out and invest in some. Of course, my fiancé insisted that we buy some more practical items first, and by the time we were finished furnishing our home, there was barely any money left in the budget. But I didn’t want to go without my Tiffany lighting.

Purchasing a chandelier or elaborate lamp was out of the question, so I decided to see if they had any accent pieces. After doing a quick search online, I was able to find Tiffany style pedestal lamps. Now I can have Tiffany style lighting in my home and we still aren’t even over budget!

Tiffany Style Lamps.  They are WONDERFUL, GORGEOUS, Colorful, amazing, unusual, unique.  I could go on and on.  I love to look at them, own them, talk  about them, and even sell them.   There is one thing that should be mentioned  when you go to buy a Tiffany style lamp.  Be flexible when it comes to colors.

All those colors in a lamp can vary and be many shades different than in the picture. This does not mean the Lamp is less beautiful.  There can be  more colors than you realize, that maybe the picture does not even pick up.  A good idea is to read the description,  IF , they have one.  Not all suppliers have color descriptions.   Another site might  offer the primary colors.   Great!  Other colors could be present as well in smaller degrees.   Some times they get the primary colors WRONG.  This is unfortunate, but true.  I had a company put pinks down as a primary color, but the lamp was clearly orange, not pink.  Returning a lamp can cost you 20 to 30 percent restocking fees, so take your time and be flexible.

Never set your self up and try to match exact colors.  Allowing your self some freedom on the colors and shades of colors will help  you to enjoy your shopping experience and purchase the right Tiffany Style  Lamp or Window Panel for your home.   The bottom line is that they are just so BEAUTIFUL in any color.  They are worth a little color risk.  Remember they are all pieces of art.

For the new office in my house, I wanted to create a warm, inviting décor. And, in my opinion, nothing defines the ambiance of a room more than the lighting. Most in home offices have a modern feel that doesn’t really speak to me as a person.  I have always liked classic art more than contemporary, and I think this is reflected in my home decoration choices.

After looking around for viable lighting options, I decided to go with a Tiffany style hanging lamp. Since my husband and I will be sharing the office, space it at a premium and a hanging lamp was ideal. The bright colors and elaborate design of the Tiffany lamp give a light, whimsical feel to the room—which is nice to have when you’re slaving away behind your desk.

Most people associate stained glass with the artistically decorated church windows that have been part of religious architecture for so many years now. In churches, stained glass windows usually showcase the episodes from the life of Jesus Christ. And in non-religious structures, stained glass may depict a coat of arms or other themes significant for the specific location. Some home designers even choose to incorporate stained glass in special house arrangements that they create.

However, stained glass is also included in the design of art objects that we use to decorate our houses. Stained glass fireplace screens for instance have been popular gift items ideal for any special occasion. They can actually serve as elegant accent pieces at home. With some having holy images or pictures, they make perfect mementos for a religious friend or relative because a religious stained glass picture symbolizes Catholic faith and religion.

You’ve probably heard about Tiffany lamps for many years—but do you know what exactly makes these lamps so special? At the most basic level, a Tiffany lamp contains stained glass panels rather than a fabric shade. They are, of course, marked by the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Louis Comfort Tiffany began making and distributing these lamps in 1895. The production of Tiffany lamps is currently viewed as a major contribution to the Art Nouveau movement.

What is Art Nouveau? Simply put, it was an artistic movement in response to the more rigid, academic movements that preceded it. Nouveau art is marked by flowing lines, dramatic curves and floral patterns. And this is exactly what distinguishes a Tiffany lamp. They are often adorned with stain glass panels showing various flowers such as roses, wisteria, lotus, and others. The dragonfly Tiffany style lamps are also very common.

Today, authentic Tiffany lamps are almost impossible to find. They are mostly housed in museums, and the ones for public sale have fetched upwards of $8 million. This has led to the rise of Tiffany style accent lamps and other lighting which feature the trademark style without the exorbitant price tag.