Tag: lights

Install new lights without an electrician thanks to new product

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date January 14, 2021
No Comments on Install new lights without an electrician thanks to new product

Professionals take about half an hour to install light fittings; now anyone can in five seconds thanks to a new Aussie product!

Melbourne’s Adam Cusick spent lockdown quietly revolutionising the lighting industry. He created Snap Lighting, a groundbreaking innovation that lets anyone change entire light fittings in just five seconds, safely, without tools. This is something that usually takes a licensed electrician about half an hour and could cost you hundreds of dollars.

You’re probably wondering how on earth this is safe and legal, right? You first have to install a special recessed socket that comes with your first purchase. Once the socket is installed by an electrician or handyman (similar to installing a downlight), then you are ready to instantly click in your choice of light fitting any time you feel like a change.

Look around at your lights. Wouldn’t it be great to update them in seconds? The beauty of the design is that almost any pendant from any retailer can be converted to Snap Lighting. Using their ‘unlimited pendants’ service Snap Lighting can adapt most pendants to work with the system.

Swapping lights as fashion changes sounds amazing, but for some it’s about avoiding the stress of choosing and committing to permanent hard-wired lights – once they’re in, you’re stuck with them! But with Snap Lighting if you choose wrong simply pop it out and exchange for a different one.

In fact, that was the main reason Adam invented Snap Lighting in the first place: “After renovating, we didn’t like some of our new light fittings, so we had to get an electrician to change them, which was a huge hassle and more expensive than the fittings! I knew there had to be a better way,” he says.

The ingenuity of the design has now been professionally recognised with Snap Lighting being selected as a finalist in the Victorian Premier’s Design Awards. Winners will be announced this March.

With the increased popularity in pendant lights over downlights, we can’t help but agree Adam’s onto something!

For more and to buy online

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Lighting with impact – planning the perfectly lit home

Lighting is an important piece of the interior design puzzle, mostly because lighting functionality and design plays a very big role in how you experience a space. The number one…

Tags diy lighting, electrician, light fittings, lights, pendant lights

Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

How to: Achieve consistent style across the home

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 14, 2017
1 Comment on How to: Achieve consistent style across the home

By Naomi Findlay

Whether perusing Pinterest or devouring the latest interior design magazine, you’ll note the most stylish homes have one thing in common–consistency. From paint to flooring, window treatments and hardware, there are plenty of ways to achieve aesthetic unity throughout the home.

Paint

If there’s one single renovation product that can truly unify a home, it’s paint. From warm whites to cool grey shades, running the same hue throughout an abode creates a fabulous sense of visual continuity.

Flooring

Whether it’s carpet, timber or tiles, it’s wise to use the same floor covering throughout your entire home for maximum consistency, flow and to make it feel more spacious too. Conversely, if you really want to combine carpet with tiles or timber, choose complementary shades to connect the spaces.

Hardware

From door handles and pulls to tapware, matching hardware is key to creating consistent style across the home. And while you may not choose the exact same shape of handle for instance, choosing the same finish will ensure a unified look throughout.

Window treatments

A prominent feature in any home, running the same window treatment throughout is a great way to give a sense of cohesion and connect all the rooms. Whether it’s plantation shutters, sheer curtains or roman blinds, try to stick to one style of window treatment for maximum consistency.

Lighting

Aside from a smattering of fun feature pendant lights, try to ensure the rest of the lighting in your home is consistent. Fabulous lighting should be unobtrusive but create ambience and warmth the home.

—Australia’s rapid renovation expert, Naomi Findlay is an internationally renowned renovator, award-winning property stylist and speaker. She’s an industry leader in creating healthy wealthy spaces and creating wealth and profit from renovating property. Learn more about Naomi.

Tags consistency, consistent, floor, flooring, handles, hardware, how-to, interiors, lighting, lights, naomi findlay, paint

Designers Homewares

Siblings’ sustainable rugs from Sugarcane Trading Co

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 24, 2017
No Comments on Siblings’ sustainable rugs from Sugarcane Trading Co

When Tim Barnes went to visit his sister Sally Murali in India, neither of them expected a wrong turn would lead to their next business venture. Travelling through the outskirts of Delhi, a moment of confusion saw them drive by a rug display and both were instantly taken.

“We were totally entranced,” explains Sally. “We decided to visit the village community where artisans were weaving these stunning rugs and floor cushions, all made from off-cuts discarded from clothing production. This craft dated back hundreds of years and has been passed down from generation to generation.”

With a love for handmade and sustainable products, in that moment the siblings decided to go into business together, with a mission to bring ethically created, design-led homewares to Australia. Specialising in rugs and oversized floor cushions, all the wares by Sugarcane Trading Co are made by skilled artisans with nothing more than hand operated looms and simple tools. No electricity, no motors and no machinery. Best yet, the textiles are handwoven from natural jute and cotton waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Since starting earlier this year, the business has expanded. With the slow homewares movement in mind, they have added a range of handmade metal pendants and table lights, each hand etched with intricate detail. “All our products are made to last,” says Sally. “We want to reduce the impact of wasteful consumption on the environment and celebrate the skills of traditional craftsmanship. Conscious consumption is our driving force, not flooding the world with throwaway products.”

The rugs start from $260. Plus every purchase contributes to The Sugarcane Trust, Sally and Tim’s charity in India, which enhances the welfare and livelihoods of the artisans.

Shop online | More sustainable homewares

Tags cushions, design, homewares, interiors, lights, pendants, rugs, sustainable rugs

RENO ADDICT Shopping Styling

Beacon Lighting’s latest range combines sculptured shapes with muted tones

Post author By Lauren Ellis
Post date September 29, 2016
No Comments on Beacon Lighting’s latest range combines sculptured shapes with muted tones

Beacon Lighting’s latest range shows a return to a more natural, relaxed style of living with a collection that features a muted colour palette and subtle shapes and silhouettes to soften a contemporary interior. Check out our top picks below.

Grove pendant – $269

The Grove pendant is part of the natural craft range which celebrates simple and stylish shapes. It was designed to be a statement piece in the room.

Finn pendant – $149

The Finn pendant is part of the urban edge range which features a variety of contrasting textures and materials with simple compositions. The concrete pendants are available in grey and white with adjustable shades.

Orion pendant — from $595

Dynamic in design, the Orion five-light and 15-light pendants are available in black with smoke glass or brushed brass with amber glass shades.

Raleigh pendant – from $299

Raleigh pendants and close to ceiling lights are a new addition to the traditional range. Available in brushed chrome or brushed brass with frosted shades.

Shore pendant – from $149

A new take on the standard drum shade, the Shore pendants are available in two, three and four lights, in earthy tones of natural rattan, tan rattan and white weave. As these are handmade, they are organic in appearance, this being part of their design feature. They are part of the Josh & Jenna range.

Quinn pendant – from $149

The Quinn pendant range embodies an art deco aesthetic, with opal glass shades and a brushed brass or brushed chrome finish. The slender, elegant curved arms are adjustable so the shades can be faced either up or down for versatility.

Shop the look here.

Tags Beacon, design, josh and jenna, lighting, lights, pendant, products, renovating

Art Homewares Interviews

Self-taught artist Clare O’Donoghue turns art into homewares

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date November 17, 2015
No Comments on Self-taught artist Clare O’Donoghue turns art into homewares

It was while working in fashion, prior to becoming a mum, that Clare O’Donoghue’s painting became more than just a hobby.

“It started with my colleagues ordering pieces and then their friends,” explains Clare. “After the birth of my first baby 18 years ago, it become more and more busy and now in the last three years, ridiculously busy, with three more children added and doing a lot of work for interior designers and stylists.”

Now working as a full-time artist, whilst juggling her other role as mum of four, Clare has had a life-long love affair with art. “I am a self-taught artist, although I have always loved art… in primary school I would sneak into the art room at lunchtime! I did a super short-term fine arts school stint, but in the end I just wanted to do my own thing.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”WieQtPojRNbJE7wPAKQnU6ojd81FGHsj”]And clearly that approach worked, with Clare’s artworks proving so popular, she was offered the opportunity to turn them into homewares. “I was approached by Nerdia Hansen about 18 months ago, regarding them using my paintings to create soft textiles. So we selected some portions of my paintings, which were then printed on gorgeous textured linen and turned into cushions. I have also started to create lights, which are combining my paintings with lighting and fabric to create table lamps, wall lamps and pendants.”

With her homewares and prints available via her online shop and a range of bricks and mortar stockists, Clare also makes one-of-a-kind mixed media commissions. “I use inks, pastels, perspex, acrylic, collage and paper, as I love using different mediums to create different textures and looks and creating layers. When it comes to creating art I cannot say I have a particular formula I follow. If it’s a piece for a client I usually have a brief which may require some concepts, but all my other work just leaps almost uncontrollably onto the canvas tweaking the entire way with lots of standing back in between!”

With no grand plans for the future, Clare just hopes she can continue doing what she loves; making clients’ spaces feel good and most importantly, creating colourful, functional artworks that can positively affect the world. “It’s tricky to pick my proudest moment, but the feeling that comes with donating pieces to charity and someone admiring my work enough to bid, and then that money actually making a difference to someone’s life or foundation. Well that makes me feel really proud.”

Shop online.

Photography by Nikole Ramsay | Styling by Emma O’Meara

Tags art, artwork, Clare O’Donoghue, cushions, design, homewares, interior designer, interiors, lamps, lighting, lights, painting, stylist

Appliances

The lightbulb you can play music through. Via your mobile!

Post author By Damian Francis
Post date November 2, 2015
No Comments on The lightbulb you can play music through. Via your mobile!

As with anything tech, we hand over the reviewing to our resident former consumer technology journalist Damian Francis, aka Mr Interiors Addict 😉

Do you remember that time you wished your bedside lamp had a speaker in it? No, not just in the lamp itself, but right inside the actual bulb? Nope, neither can I. And yet here I am, staring at my bedside lamp with a bulb in it that contains a speaker.

The company in question is Sengled and its aim is to turn your home into a connected home in a DIY fashion. No need to call in an electrician or rip down a few walls, just buy some of these Pulse Solo LED bulbs with 2×3-watt JBL speakers in them, download the app, and then boom, connected home. Kind of. In the sense that only the lights and speakers are automated via the Sengled app. Decent start, though. Carry on…

Sengled has four products in the range; the Pulse, Pulse Solo, Boost and Snap. They are all bulbs that can be controlled through the app, some with speakers in them. But they are not cheap. The Pulse Solo I tested retails for an eye-watering $129.99. Yes, it has a speaker in it. Yes, the bulb is LED and should last decades, but it’s quite a serious upfront cost for what essentially costs you a couple of dollars down at Coles for a traditional version sans speaker.

Is it worth the hernia inducing hit to the wallet for the long term benefits and the sweet sound of music coming from your lamp? Yes and no, but mostly no.

Let’s cut straight to the chase. It’s an app controlled light bulb and speaker with Bluetooth. For Interiors Addict readers that likely means a few things prior to purchase. It has to be stylish, it has to be functional, and it has to have a bit of ‘wow’ factor.

In terms of style, it’s heavier than a standard bulb and slightly bigger to boot thanks to the speakers. Largely white, you’re still going to want to hide this under a lamp shade. This isn’t a bulb you can show off naked. It doesn’t look bad, you just wouldn’t leave it bare.

Functionality is a big one for this bulb. It comes in E27 screw or B22 twist. It screws in easy and is ready to pair as soon as you switch it on. Once you download the app (iOS or Android) you can find the bulb and name it for easy access. You then have control of volume and brightness via a well laid out user interface. So installation and set-up are a breeze.

As for use, the Bluetooth is patchy, and that is being generous. Even with the source device within a metre of the bulb the sound would completely cut out regularly. And the sound quality – it’s just not good. Sorry, Sengled, but there is no other way to put it. For the price, consumers shouldn’t expect good sound quality, but this is certainly at the lower end of expectations. No bass what-so-ever, tinny highs, distortion. For anything other than soft background music, the Sengled Pulse Solo just isn’t up to the job.

When it comes to ‘wow’ factor, the Pulse Solo is much like the first iteration of Apple TV, the Toyota Prius or that coffee made from animal droppings. It makes you do a double take, the features seem pretty cool, but the execution just isn’t there to be continually useful or urgently needed.

If you just want a connected bulb, Belkin provides a similar system for cheaper as it doesn’t contain speakers. Personally, I would go in this direction if I really wanted to buy into the app-controlled lighting space. The Belkin solution is called WeMo and it is much closer to home automation in that you can get power sockets as well that can be controlled by the app plus proper light switches (electrician required) and motion sensing detectors. But even then, I probably wouldn’t do that. It’s just not truly necessary unless you live in a very big house.

At the end of the day, the outlay is massive for what is essentially a dimmable light controlled by your phone. Again, happy to acknowledge the bulbs last decades, but still, expensive is expensive, especially when the speaker is sub-par and the Bluetooth is patchy.

Interesting idea, but lacking execution.

RRP $129.99 (Pulse Solo). For further information or to buy online.

Tags audio, bluetooth, boost, bulb, energy efficient, globe, green, lamps, LED, light globe, lightbulb, lighting, lights, machtig, mobile, pulse, pulse solo, remote control, sengled, snap, speaker

Furniture Homewares

Brand Van Egmond’s stunning, sculptural lighting collection

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date July 3, 2015
No Comments on Brand Van Egmond’s stunning, sculptural lighting collection

With one an architect and the other a sculptor, William Brand and Annet Van Egmond (of world-renowned Dutch lighting company Brand Van Egmond) were always destined to create lights that were exquisite pieces of art.

Founded in 1989, their company has grown in leaps and bounds, now being distributed in Australia by Melbourne’s Custom Lighting. Launching new designs in Milan each year, for 2015 Custom Lighting is pleased to present the following five collections from Brand Van Egmond, and just quietly… they are out of this world!

KELP

KELP: This dramatic light source comes in many different shapes, sizes and finishes. It is available in round, conical and oval formations, with stainless steel, red copper, high-gloss brass, black or white finishes.

HOLLYWOOD: Just as nature comes in all forms and shapes the HOLLYWOOD line is equally diverse including round, conical and square shapes. The HOLLYWOOD Chandelier breaks with tradition by hand-crafting wires of steel and accenting them with glass icicles. Available in black, nickel or white finish.

ARTHUR: Finished in nickel, ARTHUR is available in varying sizes of round, conical and oval chandeliers, as well as floor, table and wall lamps.

FLINTSTONE: The branch arm of the FLINTSTONE is flexible, allowing the light to be adjusted and easily shifted through space. The length of the arm can be custom ordered. Available in either black, white or high-gloss nickel finish.

FRACTAL: The organised chaos of the reflecting elements of the FRACTAL disperses light beautifully in all directions. Available in stainless steel, red copper, brass, black and white finishes.

For more information.

Tags Annet Van Egmond, art, Brand Van Egmond, Custom Lighting, design, interiors, lighting, lights, William Brand

Designers Homewares Interviews

Little Bishop: the simple and easy new way to hang lights

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 24, 2015
No Comments on Little Bishop: the simple and easy new way to hang lights

The problem: Nothing but brass hooks to position and suspend cable hung pendant lights.

The solution: A hand crafted, hand cast, truly minimal form, designed for the job!

For years, Melbourne interior designer Dominique Hunter was frustrated with the makeshift method in which cable hung pendant lights were positioned and secured. The common solution at the time – a brass hook – was not appropriate for many of the great lights she used in her interiors.

So she enlisted the help of her partner Antony Richards to create an elegant and natural way to hang pendant lights in her projects. While managing their business Hunter & Richards, Antony used his spare time and background in jewellery design to carefully hand craft a hook that could position and suspend cable hung ceiling lights with no knot, clamp, bolt, screw or clip.

“We wanted a solution that would not stand out as a feature, one that would let the cable hang naturally” says Dominique. A decision made early in the project was to have the cable lock itself down. This lead to a form that was beautiful in itself, but when wrapped with the electrical cable it took a step back and let the design of the light fitting do its job, letting (pardon the pun) the light shine!

“There are so many cool light fittings around, and just because you’re not spending a lot on one doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the minor details of an interior project by using a cheap hook from the hardware store. We wanted something that was designed for this purpose alone, and be a solution that would suit any pendant no matter the budget or style of interior,” Dominique adds.

After some workshop experimentation, a prototype was born. A small run of cast reproductions allowed Antony and Dominique to test the design on one of their interior projects. They were very happy with the result, and decided to develop the product further.

Antony turned to the internet to raise funds and gauge people’s interest. The popularity of crowd funding made Kickstarter an obvious choice, with its ability to spread the word quickly and keep people updated on the status of the project proving to be a powerful tool in the birth of a new product.

Antony said: “The Kickstarter campaign was a great way to get people in on our story and to have them join our journey as a small, independent design practice doing good design work and getting their first product out to market. It’s also a great way for people to be first with a new product or to grab a bargain, as the ideas featured are usually priced a lot lower than existing products and established brands.”

The campaign was successful, raising $15,467 or 309% of the funding goal. This allowed the pair to complete the development of the Little Bishop and then move ahead with production. Next month will see the first batch of Little Bishop Pendant Light Hooks delivered to expectant Kickstarter backers, as well as buyers who’ve purchased from the online store.

For more information and to order.

Tags Dominique Hunter, homewares, hunter & richards, interiors, kickstarter, lamp, lighting, lights, little bishop, melbourne, pendants

Furniture Homewares

The new winter 2015 trend: Hamptons Hardware

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 11, 2015
No Comments on The new winter 2015 trend: Hamptons Hardware

There’s something about Beacon Lighting‘s winter 2015 trend, Hamptons Hardware, that I just love. Combining the coastal, textural and soft hues of the Hamptons, with the masculine and monochromatic palette of Hardware, the new season look is perfect for creating a cozy winter retreat.

Create the look at home with dark colours and lustrous finishes like rust, bronze and matt black, paired with oversized lights (like the ones below) to add instant drama and impact.

The Catena Pendant takes inspiration from an industrial style but shows a more contemporary form with the smooth finish of its stunning white shade, paired with a grey globe cage.

W15_MANOR_V2 — Manor Pendant Range. 3 light bar pendant frame, $199. Coolie Shades, $50 each.

The Manor Pendant Range encourages you to express your creativity and create your own industrial style by mixing and matching looks from Beacon’s extensive range of shades, decorative cages and industrial globes.

Matte black is a must have for this look as it makes a real impact against glossy benches and surfaces. The simple and refined Roto Ceiling Fan in black is great for adding drama to neutral colours.

The Harvest Pendant blurs the lines between old and new with its rust finish, chain hardware suspension and intricate wire cage detailing.

Introduce a touch of rustic beach house with the Nuvo Table lamp. Little touches make a big impact and using lamps is a great way to instantly update a room.

Big is definitely better in this look, as seen in the oversized architectural boldness of the Southampton Pendants in antique black.

For more information.

Tags beacon lighting, furniture, hamptons, hamptons hardware, hardware, industrial, lamps, lighting, lights, pendants

Kitchens Renting

10 DIY updates for your rental kitchen

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date May 18, 2015
6 Comments on 10 DIY updates for your rental kitchen

By Kay Harrison

Rental kitchens are not known for their idyllic makeup. From dim lighting to a lack of storage options, they can be a source of everyday dissatisfaction. However, with a little kitchen-whispering, you can coax more usability from your space. Here are 10 quick and easy tips, ranging from storage to aesthetic, to set you on your way.

Ugly cabinetry?

1. Line your shelves

SZ_lcnfZbGtypakk8VFzEhuPWtDUMiaJcyCdG4pLYRg — Photo credit: Jessica McIntyre Interiors

This is a sleek and simple solution to dingy cabinets. It keeps them neat and chic without tempting the wrath of your landlord. Select from a range of wallpapers and adhesive coverings. This injects pops of colour and personality into your space – understated or brazen according to your taste.

2. Change up your cabinet handles

ART91ymCj5AV0oY5wf5JILPQ_6vr-ena3l69iTnRdac — Photo credit: House to Home

Go shopping for new hardware for your cabinet doors. It’s amazing what a difference this can make to the overall look of your kitchen. And there are plenty of cheerful-on-the-wallet options available.

3. Remove your cabinet doors altogether

NOA4mt_ru2KVRuAwGChQkq_SZtKrYQGhRfFXqNI3wLw — Photo credit: Jenny Steffens

So you can’t stand the sight of those bland pine panels or (worse) that wood veneer? Get handy with your screwdriver and remove them for a fresh open-cubby look. Don’t throw them away! You’ll need to attach them again before you leave but in the meantime clean-lined kitchen shelving is uber-chic. Make-good the edging/cover the holes with wallpaper or adhesive covers.

Starved of storage?

4. Wire shelf inserts

Inserts are a great way for increasing the space available. Hook them under your shelves, over your doors or stand them over your plates to maximise the useable space.

5. Magnets

Consider a magnetic knife board to free up your counter space.

6. Hooks

ym137nA23W6Z9cRDi2pRQnee6v533o_G2wYJVmMn70Q — Photo credit: Fortikur

Add hooks to the insides of or beneath your cabinets. Ideal for teacups and mugs.

7. Think vertically

PFAYcyoldipOE6mwS8WZhOHSbfic26YqPByW81Z6K20 — Photo credit: A Gentlewoman

Install a series of hooks on your ceiling or walls to utilise this hanging space. This is a visually impacting way to display your pots and pans for a rustic aesthetic.

Too dim?

8. Increase the wattage

A wattage of 80-to-100w is recommended for the kitchen.

9. Add swing-arm task lights

L9eaccSE1uMMzYvsdVH80yMRrpOUGqpkUlKpaSwxCXk — Photo credit: Dan The Sparky Man

Add designated task lights above your counters. A couple of swing-arm lamps add vintage accents and increase your functionality ten-fold. You don’t need to hardwire these in necessarily – just ensure some care is taken to secure the cords out of the way.

10. Install LED ribbon lighting under your cabinetry

If you’re a little handy with a drill, LED downlights are to-die-for. I love mine. But I didn’t install them. I’m smart enough to realise that DIY with electricals is not for me. If you’re the same, outsource the install or opt instead for stick-on battery-operated lights – you can buy them in most supermarkets.

La-voila! There you have it. Not too taxing on the grey matter I hope. Happy renting!

— Kay Harrison is a feature, blog and copywriter. She has work published in ACP magazines, ABC fiction, Overland, Seizure, trade publications and online forums and her creative writing has won several awards. Kay wrote this piece for Zanui.

Tags cabinetry, design, hooks, interiors, kay harrison, kitchen, LED, led lighting, lighting, lights, rental, rental kitchen, renting, shelves, shelving, storage, task lights, zanui

Designers Furniture Homewares Interviews

Gorgeous vintage styled lighting used by Sibella Court, Jamie Oliver and The Grounds

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 20, 2015
No Comments on Gorgeous vintage styled lighting used by Sibella Court, Jamie Oliver and The Grounds

Olivia’s Fab Four Insta-Finds 24.09.14

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 24, 2014
No Comments on Olivia’s Fab Four Insta-Finds 24.09.14

Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.

Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)

1. Yellow Black Knots & Crosses Basket, $40, from Shakiraaz. @shakiraazhomewares

2. NUD Concrete Base Pendant Light, $94, from Urban Couture. @urban_couture_design

3. Prickly Cone, price TBC, from Prickly and Cream. @prickly_and_cream

4. Bunch of Blooms, $15, from Sophia Monique. @sophiamonique_

I’ll be back with more next week! Olivia x

Tags art, design, homewares, interiors, lights, olivias fab four

Homewares

LED lights that have warm light, long life and a vintage look

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 22, 2014
2 Comments on LED lights that have warm light, long life and a vintage look

Fed up with having to use uninspiring light bulbs and working under clinical white light, design duo Dan McKinley and Chris Cormack of Vintage LED decided to see if they could design something better. And boy, have they! Their cool new LED designs having a gorgeous warm glow as well as being extremely environmentally and wallet friendly (they use only 5-10% of the power of an incandescent bulb).

Born out of a passion for hip lighting and a commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction, the guys behind Vintage LED liked the look of vintage 19th century light bulbs (also known as carbon filament or Edison light bulbs), but they didn’t like how energy hungry they were. On the other hand they liked how long-lasting LED light bulbs were but they didn’t like the stark, white light they produced. So they decided to combine the best parts of both, creating their own LEDs with a warm light, long life and vintage look.

To complete the look, accompanying fittings are also available. There are cage fittings ($109), traditional ceramic, silicon or timber pendant fittings ($79).

Vintage LED light bulbs have a two-year, no-questions-asked warranty and 30-day returns policy. They come in a variety of sizes and styles (some with honeycomb filaments and others with traditional looking filaments) and range in price from $34.95-to-$50.

Shop online here.

Tags chris cormack, dan mckinley, edison light bulbs, led lights, lights, vintage led, vintage lights

Homewares

Bowen & Kenneth: mason jar lights and DIY terrariums

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date April 25, 2014

I’m a sucker for anything quirky or vintage inspired, so I am very much in love with new online homewares boutique Bowen & Kenneth.

Featuring lights, birdcages and terrariums, partners Sam Pridmore and John McMahon were inspired to start the business after Sam underwent brain surgery late last year. “We both had an epiphany after getting such a shocking reality check,” he explains. “We realised that life is far too short to be doing something you don’t love and I was most definitely sick of being just another number in a huge retail store. So we started creating.”

The collection began with a single birdcage with an LED tree inside it, an idea Sam had while in hospital. After getting great compliments on their one at home, they started creating them for everyone and the range has naturally sprung from there.

A favourite of mine and a best seller of theirs, are the terrariums. A fun and unique take on the resurging terrarium, they come in DIY packs, but when finished look as professional as anything store bought. While the DIY edge wasn’t the initial idea, Sam and John both agree it turned out better than expected.

“A friend wanted me to send her one (terrarium), so I went off to the local post office eager and excited,” says Sam. “When I arrived and explained to the man that I wanted to send the fragile vase but it could not be tipped upside down or on its side, he just laughed at me! He said I was crazy.

“I was devastated. My amazing terrariums were wonderful, but if I couldn’t send them in the post I couldn’t sell them on our website! So after brainstorming ideas including fake plants, glue and resin, we finally came to the conclusion that we should make the terrariums into DIY packs and send everything in its own little package. We figured if we enjoyed making the terrariums ourselves, our customers would too!”

With simple how-to-guides on their website, even those without the DIY gene (myself included) can manage.

Shop online.

Tags birdcages, bowen & kenneth, diy, featured, homewares, john mcmahon, lights, mason jar lights, pendant lights, sam pridmore, terrariums

Homewares

Online Shopping fix: Ayech

With its mix of lights, wallpaper murals and cushions, online boutique Ayech is a one-stop-shop for all that’s new and fresh in the homewares world.

Following a career as a photographic stylist, founder Helen Jaman had spent years searching high and low for the perfect pieces to match her clients’ visions.

Tags art, artist, ayech, cushion, design, helen jaman, homewares, interiors, lights