High/Low Options: Brass Pharmacy Lamps

March 10, 2017

It’s been a few years now since brass decor came back on the design scene and now it’s one of the most in demand decorative accessory finishes. From brass candlesticks and trays to brass drawer pulls and lighting, it seems brass is here to stay.

One of my favorite brass decor pieces is a pharmacy style brass floor lamp. I love the classic lines and the vintage feel they add to a room design.

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Every now and then I’ll see a brass lamp in a thrift store but usually the finish is worn and the lamp is wonky. If you’re lucky to find a good quality piece while thrifting, great. If not, your best option for shopping of brass floor lamps is online.

One of the great things about shopping online is that you can find high-end as well as budget friendly options for just about anything, including brass floor lamps. What makes a decorative piece more expensive than another comes down the design details, materials, brand and overall quality. And in the end, it’s your budget that may dictate what you purchase.

When considering high/low options, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Is the material solid or is the finish applied over an inexpensive meta? Solid brass floor lamps are usually heavier and sturdier and tend to have a more solid base.
Check out the on/off switch to make sure it has a smooth operation.
Check the bulb wattage. Lower prices lamps may only allow for lower watt bulbs which won’t work if you need ample lighting.

tip: take a magnet with you when shopping–a magnet won’t stick to solid brass but ti will stick to a metal piece with a brass finish

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HIGH/LOW: BRASS PHARMACY LAMPS

HIGH: $358.80 Robert Abbey Kinetic Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp. You can see that the base of this high-end lamp is has more heft and substance to it and the finish has a deep hue. At first glance you’d think this lamp was solid brass but it’s not. This lamp has an adjustable arm, swivel head and takes a 60 watt bulb.

LOW: $39.99 Dawson Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp. This budget friendly lamps has many of the same characteristics as the pricier version–it’s not solid brass, it has an adjustable arm and her and it takes a 60 watt bulb. The only major difference is the light tone on the finish.

HIGH: $385.00 Adjustable Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp. This pharmacy lamp has a sleeker design and smaller lamp head and adjustable arm. While it’s made of solid brass, I don’t like the exposed cord which cheapens the look in my eye.

LOW: $99.99 Brass Finish Pharmacy Floor Lamp. If you want to save a couple hundred dollars and have the same look, I recommend this budget-friendly version. The look is almost identical with the only major difference the finish which has a lighter tone.

HIGH: $174.60 Cal Lighting Pharmacy Floor Lamp. This version of a brass pharmacy lamp has softer lines and a bit more curve than the other. The lamp head and arm are adjustable, I like the design of the base and the more antique finish. While more expensive than the budget-friendly version, the price is still reasonable. p.s. it’s from Wal-Mart

LOW: $56.99 Modern Globe Floor Lamp. I know you’ve all seen this lamp from Target. I actually have the tabletop version on my desk and love it. The finish on this lamp is listed as brassy gold but in real life it looks like a true brass finish. The lamp head has a more modern shape but it swivels so it great as a reading lamp.

There is no wrong or right with these lamps options–all of them are great. The low-price version will add just as much style to your home as the more expensive option, the choice is yours!

Product + Inspiration: Vintage Brass Trays

March 31, 2015

I’m loving my new series, Product + Inspiration and I’m really excited to bring you this latest post which marries my love of vintage, brass and trays.

Brass trays are always on my radar whenever I’m antique shopping and in my book they are one of the best values when it comes to vintage decor. Trays in general top the list of practical and versatile accessories and the list of decorating ideas using trays is endless.

My favorite brass tray style is faux bamboo because of the classic details but if that look is not for you, there are lots of other styles you might run across.

Let me inspire you…

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My 2015 Design Trend Forecast

January 9, 2015

As a designer, one of the requirements of my job is to keep my eye on which design, style, color and fabrics are trending or fading in the home decor industry.

I keep up-to-date by attending trade shows, spending lots of time on the web, reading countless magazines and shopping lots of stores in person and online. Every year I see new trends come on the scene. Some evolve and gain popularity while others fizzle out before they can even get started. Needless to say, the home decor industry is constantly changing but some trends are here to stay (at least for the foreseeable future)!

Here’s a look at my Top Trend List for 2015!

ECLECTIC DECOR

We started seeing eclectic designed rooms a few year ago and I think you’ll see more of this in 2015. While there are a few common threads that tie rooms of this style together (ie: elements of black or gold, floral or geometric patterns), what makes these spaces so great is the artful combination of patterns, prints, colors, finishes and styles. Eclectic decor has and will continue to be a great ways for homeowners to express themselves through their decor and it’s also the ideal design style that effortlessly mixes and matches old with new and refined with funky.

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GOLD & BRASS

When it comes to finishes, silver in no longer the leader of the pack in the design world. Gold and brass have truly become the top accent color and finish choice in furniture, wall decor, decorative accessories and even textiles. If you love silver, don’t worry because you’ll still find this finish in lots of decor and mixing gold and silver is no longer considered taboo!

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BLACK DOORS & TRIM, BLACK WALL and BLACK CABINETS

10 years ago, the idea of having a house full of black finishes would not have gone over well with most homeowners. Back then everyone wanted walls with color, crisp white kitchens and pristine white trim. Today, black is looked as a dramatic not drab and sophisticated not sorrid! One of my design mantras is that every room needs a touch of black and this trend is definitely one way to make that statement in style.

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WATERCOLOR FLORALS

Watercolor prints are one trend I am going to embrace in 2015. Floral patterns have always been a traditional and popular design statement, but watercolor versions give floral patterns a fresh, modern feel. When decorating a room, you don’t want to over-use floral patterns so watercolor floral pillows or artwork are great ways to incorporate this trend into your decor and still have impact.

p.s. black and white stripes will also continue as a hot trend in 2015

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OVERSIZED LIGHTING

Every design magazine I looked at in 2014 and every showhouse I toured featured rooms with oversized lighting. I see people are moving away from multi-arm chandeliers and using large lantern styles for indoor decor. I think you’ll continue to see larger light fixture in both living spaces and kitchens for 2015.

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BLUE AND WHITE

I think blue and white rooms feel fresh for 2015. Once considered super traditional, blue and white is making a comeback through new and modern patterns, updated styles and variations of the color blue being mixed together vs a single tone. The room below feels updated because of the pattern mixing, style mix and texture combinations.