Tuesday, February 19, 2013

How To Introduce A New Old Lamp Into Your Decor



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There it is, my precious new old lamp! I found it in a thrift shop: wooden base, camel skin and golden tassels. It has the most beautiful curvy shape and it lights up my days (and evenings, of course). You all know that my decor style is eclectic, but my furniture is mostly contemporary. So I set for myself a design challenge - how to gracefully incorporate this granny lamp into my current home.




Step one: Choose your colors well. My motto is that "The best things in life are free" and my design corollary is that "Color is one of them". Color unifies objects from different eras or styles and envelops everything in an eye-pleasing cocoon. So I let the warm camel tones of my new old lamp guide me. You can see here similar shades, some lighter (honey, yellow), some darker (burnt orange), some stronger (vivid orange).Complete the rest of your decor with neutrals (white, off-white, tan, brown).




Step two: Choose a function and a space. Every object, no matter how pretty, must serve its purpose. Decide where to use your new item depending on the way you want to use it. If you get a new pillow, is it for the bedroom or for the couch? If you get a new chair, is it for the hallway, the kitchen or the dining room? My granny lamp is quite small, I wanted to put it on my desk but finally I made an impromptu reading spot in the home office, directly on the floor. Just because I feel a little boho today and this wonderful graffiti album  needs to be fully explored :)




Step three: Add lots of texture. Who said that beautiful can't be cozy? Remember that you're not updating your decor for a museum. You're doing it for YOUR home, the best place on Earth. So you've got your color scheme right and you've chosen a designated space. Now you need to add some texture, which will make it all feel great. Notice the solid wood in the herringbone floors, the crochet yarn  in the couch throw, the fluffy sheep skin pillow and the smooth leather pouf. Instant pampering for your senses :)




Step four: Add a twist to your decor. All things matchy-matchy make a boring sight. Remember to always have an element of surprise, in order to save your space from anonymity. Put a quirky picture on the wall. Display some toys in a very grown-up surrounding. Use a striking accent that you wouldn't normally expect to see. In my case, I just added this shiny fantastic plastic Tam Tam stool. It looks like it was stolen from a Karim Rashid hotel, but it completes my otherwise traditional, classical decor.




So there it is, my simple reading spot on the floor created around this new old lamp. Follow these simple rules to welcome any new item into your already existing decor. Don't be afraid to experiment - the more you try, the more you'll get the taste of it. And the results may even surprise you! 





40 comments:

  1. I love that it's on the floor being held up a little higher with a stack of books! So cute!

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    1. Yup, I can't resist the charm of a stack of books, either!

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  2. I love how you have it all set up. Normally I would not gravitate towards a shade w/ fringe, but the lamp is just so cute and the shade totally works with it.

    Angela

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    1. I totally agree, Angela, I am not crazy about fringe in general, but this lamp was awesome and I just had to have it, fringe and all :)

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  3. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, sweet Anne! I hope that my nest room will be more spring - alike :)

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  4. I like your lamp :)
    But then, when I think of it, I like all of your lamps :)
    It is so refreshing to see it directly on the floor, I wish I could do the same - but my inmates are rather intolarant to brakable stuff ;)

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    1. As you can see, dear Ana, my furry friends are also menacing the stability of any object in the house... just a risk that I have to take each day!

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  5. Ciao Meeha,

    A very nice introducing!!!! but the white crochet blanket have stole my heart!!!
    Xoxo,Eva

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  6. Great tips!
    I love the combination of phenomenally not combinable things.

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Tina - the more I exercise, the more I think that all things are combinable, after all!

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  7. Really really good work Meeha! Perfect fusion :)

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  8. I love your new, old lamp and the way you brought it into your decor is perfect! Great colors and great tips - thanks :)

    Hugs to you,
    Stephanie

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie, I was sure you'd be a fan of my "new" granny lamp :)

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  9. I loved your all advises and cute lamp. Everything looks great..

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    1. Thank you, the graffiti book was great to explore, too :)

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  10. Amazing tip! It looks so great and you're really SPOT ON again! So lovely lamp, Thanks for the inspiration and have a happy week!

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    1. Thank you, Mette, I hope that really soon I will exchange the sheep skin and the blankets for sweet spring textiles!

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  11. Surely you are right because you did it at the best! I love the camel/caramel look of the whole room!

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    1. I was lucky because the parquet is in the same caramel color :)

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  12. I just love your style! this once again came out so beautifully, interesting, cozy, and slightly off-beat. Gorgeous!

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    1. "Slightly off-beat" is the best compliment I could get. Thank you, Jutta, for making me feel so cool today :)

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  13. The lamp is such a beautiful find! I also just adore your decorating philosophy. I agree quirky details and lots of fun textures really make a home a home. Too often people worry about getting it 'perfect', but you don't want you home to look like a museum (like you said). It needs to be comfortable and showcase your personality. That is what matters most. :)

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    1. Erica, I'm so happy that we are on the same page. I often wonder why people are so shy to express their own individuality in their home decor and want it to be "perfect" and to comply with others. After all, they don't do the same with their outfits, do they?

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  14. Wow!!!! What a fantastic post! How much life philosophy is behind an aesthetic choice! The outcome is truly amazing and I really like it.
    http://fantasyjewellery1.blogspot.it/

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  15. I'd like to see your "new old" lamp turned on!
    http://fantasyjewellery1.blogspot.it/

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    1. I will try to take pictures with the lamp turned on, but my camera doesn't work so well in night mode.

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  16. Books and magazines make the perfect stand for everything! I love your new lamp and the way you styled it :) thrifted goods somehow radiate very pleasant vibes and although I can't really give up on my addiction on designer lamps I think I'm visiting a thrift store soon :)

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    1. Oh, if I had the money, I would totally splash with a designer lamp, too! From Kartel, in my case :)) That being said, I have learned in the last years to succumb to the charm of thrift store lamps, too, they are soooo cute!

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  17. Great tips! I love how the lamp looks on top of the books!

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  18. Very cool lamp, and I like all the tips you've supplied. Your reading nook looks so cozy!
    I saw you sharing at It's Party Time.
    Debbie :)

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  19. You have some great ideas! I love the different texures (furry pillow!)
    I found you today thru Craft-O-Manic Linky Party, where I'm #318. I hope you will stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206

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  20. What a great idea! Please share it on a terrific linky – Design Décor Tuesday. www.designdecortuesday.blogspot.com. See you there! ☺

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  21. I am about the farthest thing from an interior designer, so this type of post is really beneficial for me!! :) We are starting a link up party on Thursdays (today:), and we would love for you to join us with this post and/or any others you would like to include. We are at allthingswithpurpose.com. Hope to see you there!!

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for the invite, Julia!

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  22. So cute!! Very creative in how you set everything up. Thanks so much for sharing it at Romance on a dime!!

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  23. Thanks! I think it’s going to be quite special.

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