ready, steady, go!

Welcome to Make+Haus!  Take a look around and let me know what you think.  Over the next few weeks I'll be talking about the Design Services and Camps+Classes pages, but I thought I'd get started with a new kind of post.  As I start loading my treasure chest full of design resources for styling family spaces, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites. You all know that I love to make sculptural lights out of weird things like pastry papers and gold leaves, as it turns out I'm a big time lamp hoarder as well- they cover every surface of my house.  Today I'm sharing some of my favorite lighting sources and styles.

Schoolhouse Electric and Supply Co. makes beautiful vintage inspired chandeliers and flush mounted lights (pictured up top), I plan to use their light fixtures when we remodel next year, but my favorite among all in their lighting collection are these little Ion C-Series lights.  They belong on a shelf, nestled between books, adding a little pop of color and light.  I do think they look a little like upside-down flowerpots with bulbs stuck in them, but in a good way.

The Areaware Orbit Chandelier is like a web of stars floating in space, casting light rather than pooling it onto surfaces.  I think it would be so cool in a more formal dining space or even in an entryway if you had high enough ceilings and well worth the $600 you'll spend to get it.

I love Danish modern design and the collection of lamps from Caravan Pacific are just my style.  The Alberta Lamp comes in pretty colors like peony and sugar maple, and red and black walnut.  I could totally see having 4 or 5 of these around the house.  Lamp hoarder.

And then there are happy strands of cotton string lights, a style only available in Europe until Bright Lab Lights came on the market this August.  Offered in a cheerful color palate, you can design your own 24 or 48 light strands or choose from several packaged sets.  Perfect for a kids space, I also think they could add the right amount of cheeky to a family room or kitchen nook.

images courtesy of Schoolhouse Electric Supply and Co., Jeremy Bittermann for The New York Times,  Horne, Caravan Pacific and Bright Lab Lights