Fredrick Ramond Opus Sconces with Egg Glass

I grew up in an Americanized-Chinese household and our family dyed Easter eggs in Spring but ate hardboiled eggs year-round. Chinese celebrations included magenta red eggs for baby celebrations and gingered eggs for new mothers. Dyed tea eggs and five spice eggs were good anytime.

Why has the “egg chair” become so ubiquitous for 2012 home decor? For example, you can find vinyl corded egg chairs for $395 featured on Remodelista. You can also find natural material, plastic and fiberglass egg chairs displayed on Pinterest. Why will customers be ordering Opus egg-shaped sconces by Fredrick Ramond Lighting in the new year?

Egg Chair

If the first egg chair was made popular by Bauhaus designer Arne Jacobsen in 1956, why is this shape making a comeback? Why will the floor lamp by Lite Source, below, be in high demand?

Lite Source Egg Floor Light

Benjamin Moore’s Colorpulse convention relayed that the egg shape is a hot decor trend for the upcoming year. It falls under the idea of “protection”. The “protection” trend includes birdcages and gauze. What do eggs, birdcages and gauze share in common? All three protect something that it shrouds. Although eggshells, wire cages and gauze mesh are vulnerable materials, they buffer the outside world from what they protect. This is one of the four themes of the color and home decor trends for 2012. The egg is also a universal symbol of rebirth and renewal. The egg shape is also considered a futuristic shape. For instance, many science fiction films featured Jacobsen’s egg chair in the 1960s. Likewise, Finnish Designer Eero Aarnio created the ball chair and the bubble chair during the ’60s.

Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair

Though speakers are available as an accessory to the egg chair, ball chair and bubble chair, the basic model cocoons the sitter from outside noise. The shell the shields the sitter varies in levels of transparency and opaqueness. Some modern interpretations fill the round chair with soft cushions and lined walls. Others suspend the ovoid chair so that it hangs rather than sits on a pedestal. Whether clear, translucent or opaque, the egg-shaped chair has made a revival.

Will you choose the modern round chair at all? Do you prefer sitting in a fragment of shell, an egg cup or hanging ovoid ornament? Bauhaus 2 Your House sells their egg chair for $3,650. The swivel lounge chair has an upholstered seat and rigid foam shell. Its base is aluminum and steel. For all these egg chairs, you don’t have to choose white. You can choose primary colors or black. You can even choose gold interiors. The egg and dart pattern used in the <a href=”http://www.affordablelamps.com/justice-design.html”>Justice Design Lighting</a> fixture below borrows a common pattern from Greek and Roman statues.

Egg and Dart Sconces by Justice Design Lighting

My favorite interpretation of the upcoming year’s egg theme isn’t a protective chair but an indulgent whimsical rug. It’s a double yolk pillowed white shag rug! You can find this “fried egg” throw rug by Architect Valentina Audrito on BoingBoing.net.

If individuals are not attracted to the egg motif because of a desire to return to the womb, then it’s likely because of the renewed interest in the farm by urban dwellers. Some cities have amateur chicken farmers. Why buy organic eggs at the store when you can raise them yourself? That would explain the rise luxury urban chicken residences by designers BKLYN and raadstudio. In some cases, the chicken co-ops sell for around $3,000. Because of increased concern about animal raising practices for human consumption, some individuals are raising their chickens in clean, comfortable, spacious homes.

Urban Chicken Raising

Furthermore, you’ll see this mix of country and urban modern in industrial chic decor. This is also called the “new rustic”. You’ll notice mainstream interior design blogs adopt DIYs for reclaimed wood and found metal from farms. If you are not ready to exchange your carpeting for reclaimed oak from barns, you can take part in the egg and farm trend by referencing agriculture in subtle ways. For instance, you can buy Marcel Wanders porcelain egg vase manufactured by moooi for $133. Another glam way to introduce eggs as home decor is to display turquoise eggs. Depending on the size and quality of turquoise, this can cost between $4 to $50. For instance you can purchase a turquoise chip gemstone egg for $10 at an ordinary crystal and rock shop.

Trans Globe Lighting

You may have heard that home decor trends with names like “Process”, “Enlightenment”, “Protection” and “Heritage”. What are three affordable ways to incorporate some of the trendiest ideas for 2012?

First, you can select a subtle version of turquoise or teal for “Enlightenment” to your walls. Why not choose an eco-friendly material such as reclaimed wood for your walls? You can consult ApartmentTherapy.com for advice how to care for salvaged wood from farm auctions and craft fairs. Notice that the wood paneling used in the Trans Globe Lighting room setting above is a subtle teal-gray? You can also set out a homemade fabric covered tray of turquoise rocks for visual interest. Learn how to upcycle a cookie sheet into a decorative tray through a tutorial by FreeStylin’. For the new year, dare to use orange  accent pillows or a dark red Southwestern rug in a room with teal. Choose a lovely worn-looking handmade rug and you’ve adopted a piece of the “Heritage” trend too.

Aladdin Light Lifts

In the trend called “Process”, you are encouraged to decorate rooms by layering the color green. You can manage this without making your house look like a year-round St. Patty’s Day celebration by selecting different textures for your green accents. So second, you can concentrate on green to update your home. For instance, you can vary the depth of green in wools, silks, gauzes and lace. You can also mimic the use of faux greenery like Aladdin Light Lifts has done. If you want to avoid the Scarlett O’Hara curtain look from “Gone With the Wind”, avoid green velvet window treatments. Instead upcycle green sweaters into accent pillows. Craftingagreenworld.com shows you how to transform your old sweaters into modern furnishings. eHow also can give you inspiration how to layer green with their “Tinkerbell and Fairies” tutorial. You don’t have to follow each step. Instead think how green furniture might look with a purple ottoman or table lamp. Purple is another color for 2012 and a fun contrast to green. Just avoid purple and green dino references for a sophisticated palette.

Uttermost Lighting

If you like the idea of silver accents, birdcages but not lace consider vintage-looking light fixtures. This one by Uttermost Lighting looks like a milk can. Beauty can be found in rusted welding seams and oxidized birdcages. The “Protection” theme plays with the idea that something fragile can still create a shield. Use this third idea, if you like vintage silver. Why not place a delicate flower in a vintage birdcage? The flower can be artificial and you can wrap a cloud of gauze around the cage to soften the lines. You can leave the birdcage rusty or repaint it with pearlized paint. You can balance the room decor with the feminine and masculine. Contrast hefty furniture with floating decorations from the ceiling. Try home accessories salvaged from a real life farm such as washboards and fruit labels. Hang farm implements as wall art and use jugs as vases. Add geometrically shaped mirrors in the room against exposed stone fireplaces. Revive a hutch with mirrored squares and inexpensive vintage silver accessories found while “thrifting”. As HGTV Christopher Lowell says, “Merchandise”. Accessorize your mantels and bathroom counters with found items with mirrored surfaces.

What can you learn about home interior design for 2012 from Anjelica Huston? When she asked for her sculptor husband to build their Venice, California home around the idea of an egg she was forward thinking. Believe it or not, one of the four color and design trends for homes in 2012 include the egg or ovoid shape. Why? Because it symbolizes rebirth and the shape lends itself to futuristic interpretations of art, lighting and furniture. PLC Lighting carries a collection called Jewel that has hand-cut crystal and chrome contemporary wall sconces that would fit well with this trend.

What else is coming in 2012? Benjamin Moore Paint held its ColorPulse convention for Color Trend Spotting for the upcoming year. What are some dominant themes? Jewel tones such as amethyst, sapphire and ruby.

Who else agrees with this paint giant? Blogger Susan of YourHomeOnlyBetter and Sabal Homes Realtors.

What are some easy ways to pull off a luxe look without spending too much money? Since texture is big for 2012, you can use tutorials to make cushions out of your wool sweaters and accessories out of your silks. In addition, since leather and wood are in fashion for the upcoming year you can fake it. You can find faux leather ottomans. You can find salvaged wood for tables. In fast, salvaged wood makes beautiful dining tables or exteriors as seen here.

Wilmette Lighting Salvaged Wood Exterior

What if you don’t like the Southwestern look? You may not prefer totems or worn rugs but you may like Southwestern pottery. Why not add Southwestern cookware to your kitchen as a subtle reference? Other choices for what is called the “Heritage” trend allow for upcycling retired suitcases into tables and shelving. Handcrafted lace and fossils are also encouraged. Remember that seashells are a type of fossil. You can also magnify fossilized leaf prints from reference books and create your own paperart. If all else fails, plop a coffetable books about the Southwest or fossils in your living room.

How can you update your home decor further if you already have teal and turquoise accents? Have you integrated your home with navy blue and indigo? These blues are in fashion now and so are darker reds. Imagine what you can do pairing your blues with saturated neutrals such as sandstone or taupe. As seen below, you can even choose dark red walls for your bathroom.

Wilmette Lighting Wall Sconces

If your favorite color is purple, you are in luck. For the trend called “Enlightenment”, grape purple, colbalt blue and silver is highly encouraged. Envision water blue, vapor-like clouds and futuristic design. Create mystery with gauze. Consider gauzy, vapor-like window treatments in a home that uses solar power. Check out new functional acrylic sculptures like Emmanuelle Moureaux’s Shibafu stick table. Be prepared to be amazed by playful designs in acrylic for the home. Lite Source Lighting, among other lighting manufacturers we carry, makes clear acrylic body contemporary table lamps. The off-white pleated shade is the deep cream that is on trend.

What if you are more of a geek? Tech lovers can rejoice. “Process” trend will feature 3D art that makes use of soundwaves. You’ll use digitally pixilated wall art in red, orange and gray to decorate your home. You’ll grow food in portable greenhouses. You’ll show off mazes and maps as home accessories. If you don’t like jewel tones or purple, that’s fine. Layer green upon green and you’ve updated your home.

Wall Light by Wilmette Lighting

What if you prefer vintage? Some of you may collect vintage shirtdresses and feel reluctant to make you home look futuristic. The trend called “Protection” is for you. In 2012, you can decorate your home with bird cages and blown glass. The theme is to showcase the fragile yet strong. We are all strong and vulnerable, right? Select gray for your walls and slate for your table lamps. Adorn your home with bronze, silver and lace. Communicate an inviting home with quilts. Think of pearlized paints, black and gold. Fredrick Ramond Lighting includes pendant lights, like the one below, with hand blown glass ornaments. Allow yourself to experiment with purple, mauve and fig accents.

You think you got problems returning a lamp? Check out this fellow:

Friday. There was another bump at the door. I opened it to see an auburn haired fellow, with a notepad in hand. “Mr. Sherman?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s still me.” I replied.
“I have to ask, Sir, especially in my line of work, you understand?”
“Get on with it, man.”
“I have a delivery for you, sir. They are in the van.”
“THEY?”
“Your clones, sir.”
“What the VOUG are you talking about? I did not order any more clones, you lint licker!”
“Au contraire, mon ami, but this paperwork says differently. Order was notarized in BAYPAL by one R. Sherman. Dated 2/29/2091, encrypted certified. This is a real order.”
“Bobby!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Get your sorry gluteus in here, pronto, clone boy.”
Bobby was there before I finished my sentence. “Mr. Sherman, the delivery has arrived. Excellent! Now we can truly get started.”
“What the Druid did you do?”
“Why, I ordered a dozen clones, sir.”
“What in blue blazes for, you dolt?”
“To increase efficiency, of course.”
“Have you lost your mind, Bobby?”
“Sir, we have the same mind pattern, so if you have not, then I most certainly haven’t.”
The auburn haired fellow stared at us both pensively, “Can someone sign for these?”
“Yes, of course. “Bobby said, and signed. The auburn haired flipped a switch, and the door to the delivery vehicle opened, and a dozen more carbons walked out in unison and proceeded towards my driveway.
“STOP!” I screamed. “I don’t want these freaks.”
“Sir, you can always request an RGA.”
“A what?”
“A return goods authorization, sir. Provided the products are defective, damaged, or uncooperative.”
“Yes, an RGA, OK, give me one of those.”
“You will need to fill out form 669, in quadruplicate, and send a notarized copy to PCH HQ, BOX 777, DALLAS, TX 75244. The process takes seven business days to review, and then a verdict is reached. You will be responsible for all shipping charges, plus a 25% restock fee, of course.”
“Are you out of you Vougann mind? I will not pay a restock fee.”
“Sir, per the terms of Universal Cloning Act of 2075, all returns are allowed to have a restocking fee, plus other incurred expenses like shipping.”
“This is preposterous! I’m going to call the CCC!”
“That is your prerogative, sir. Good day and good luck.” And with that, the auburn haired fellow sprinted off to his van, and down the road.
Happy Halloween Everyone- See You on Monday!

Excerpt from PCH by Alan Williams. © 2010  used with permission.

With the economy in the state it is and with economist’s talk of deflation, the lighting field seems to be going in the opposite direction; against the curve if you will. In a deflationary cycle, like nowadays, inventory exceeds demand forcing a drop in retail prices that can been seen with TV’s, stereos, computers, microwaves and other electronic goods. Since most people already have these goods, there remains far too many on the shelf and so, prices must fall.

However, the lighting industry is a different tale. Last year, at the end of phase one of the recession, most manufacturers had extra inventory on hand, which drove them to embark on a massive clearance of inventory in order to make way for new product. As a result of this, consumers gobbled up the deals with glee, and inventory was sold off. But new orders dwindled overseas and as result of this, many factories closed in China and Europe and so, new products and re-orders of current products were left without parts, glass or frames.

This led to back orders on a larger scale than anyone could anticipate. This hit Tiffany glass suppliers the worst, and as such, Quoizel, Meyda, and Dale Tiffany have had glass shortages that have extended long past their estimated arrival dates. Needless to say, if you were one of those customers waiting for a lamp that has been on back order for six months, you would be understandably upset, to say the least. You blame customer service or complain on a message board and call the company misleading. But the fact is, no one at the upper levels of supply saw this coming. We live in such an interconnected global economy that when one facet fails, it causes a river of problems (remember the housing crises?).

So in essence, light fixtures  are becoming collector items and when a fixture is discontinued from the manufacturer, consumers scramble to find it somewhere, anywhere to complete their lighting design. This is especially true with closeouts as these are drastically reduced in price and when one light sells out from a family of lamps, the others are not far behind. But once they are gone, they are history. Many of the suppliers have sufficient inventory, like Access and Lite Source and as well as others that are built in the USA like Hubbardton Forge, Lazarus Lighting Design and Arroyo Craftsman are made to order; so no shortages.

When in doubt call 1-800-MY–LAMPS and I will tell you what the deal is to the best of my ability. Remember, I am only as good as the information I am provided with.

Strolling through the streets of Odense
and I see her
Walking down Reventlowsvej that day
and I need her
I ask my friend Jesper for a smoke
He’s a jokester
He says “Have a Tuborg, Al, and relax
you can rest here!”
If Hans Christian Anderson were alive
He’d be laughing
To see the dramas played outside
In the aften
“For Helvede,” I say to him
While I’m smiling
You notice that all of the time
I’ve been lying.
Take me back to the Island of Funen
On the night train
Coming back when the winter sets the stage
for reunion

Odense
© 2009 Alan B. Williams

This Trans Globe Lighting ceiling light (product page: http://www.affordablelamps.com/tra-3090.html) probably has little to do with Denmark, except the sharing the name of Hans Christian Anderson’s home town, but who am I to pass up a chance to share some of my personal favorite songs I penned back in my classic rock days?

This song was about a great time in my life when I resided in Denmark and played music over there for the Odense gymnastics team. It was a magical time: the weather was cold but crisp, the Danes were warm, the beer was cold, and I will never forget my friends over there.

This lamp is definitely Danish style architecture, but more similar to fixtures from Jutland, actually. The Odense measures 14” wide by 12” high, and uses three 60 watt bulbs, and comes in a polished chrome finish.

It will be probably be many more winters before I can head back to the island of Funen.

I guess I will have to settle for the lamp, and my song.