SUMMER
2016
L ARGER
LIGHT
THAN
A GUIDE TO ILLUMINATING DESIGN
PACIFIC PARADISE
DESIGNER ELAINE CULOTTI TAKES US INSIDE A CALIFORNIA DREAM HOME
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA CORBETT LIGHTING CELEBRATES THE LA OPERA’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY
DESIGN ON THE HALF SHELL HUDSON VALLEY LIGHTING SHINES INSIDE SAN DIEGO’S IRONSIDE FISH & OYSTER BAR
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE It’s time once again for the summer issue of Larger Than Light, which means that the June, Dallas Lightovation market launch, is here. January’s release was a huge success, and our esteemed lighting families – Troy Lighting, Hudson Valley Lighting®, Corbett Lighting and CSL® (Creative Systems Lighting) – are hard at work developing new designs that push the boundaries in lighting innovation and creativity. For the June Lightovation, we hope to surprise the industry with forwardthinking designs that reflect our mission to manufacture individually unique and refined lighting fixtures of the highest quality. We will present some of our most noteworthy collections, as well as our new 2016 releases, which we believe will demonstrate the best that lighting has to offer at this market and beyond. We recently returned from Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas where our global contract division, Littman Brands Contract, introduced ARCHETTO, a kinetic hanging LED light sculpture designed by our manager of design and engineering, Nicolas Baldoni. ARCHETTO is a prime example of how Littman Brands Contract continues to push the boundaries of custom work and advance the lighting industry through cutting-edge technology and complete custom capabilities. Inspired by the movement of sound, ARCHETTO rhythmically moves by way of 48 micro-controllers, while a synchronized color-changing RGBA displays red, green, blue and amber. Visitors to our booth were truly awe-struck. LIGHTFAIR has always been one of our most important trade shows. Every year we make sure to introduce many new products and innovations, and this LIGHTFAIR was no exception for our Troy-CSL and Troy RLM brands. This year we not only introduced a number of new trims and available sizes for our Eco-Downlights and fixtures with new generation LED technology, but we also introduced a new web-based application called Build-To-Order. This “App” allows our customers to specify exactly the CSL downlight products they require for their particular project or application, space and energy calculation requirements. The App is ideal for use in the field, and once a client places their order, they will have guaranteed shipment within a week. This is a game-changer that underscores our commitment to innovation, technology and our dedication to customer support before, during and after a sale. In this issue, we take a look at some high-profile projects and philanthropic causes that utilize our family of brands. The nautical-inspired design of San Diego’s Ironside Fish & Oyster is enhanced through Hudson Valley’s Blaine and Lambert pendants. Elaine Culotti, interior designer and owner of Porta Bella Design considers our lighting a “must-have” in her projects. In her latest showplace, she creates a Mediterranean-inspired oasis with Littman Brands fixtures inside a palatial home in the Pacific Palisades, California. Do you think amazing lighting is instrumental in making great interior and exterior designs shine? Just ask these wonderful design professionals. I continue to take personal interest and am humbled about how through our Brighten the World Campaign we give back to the larger community by partnering with altruistic causes. Recently we worked closely with ELLE Decor Housing Works’ annual Design on a Dime and the American Red Cross Designers’ Show House in Palm Beach, Florida. The proceeds to these events aim to help those affected by fires as well as support new housing developments in Brooklyn. We are also proud to announce that CSL’s LED Cylinders have just won the prestigious Green GOOD DESIGN Award. We expect more great things to come and are thankful for your commitment to make 2016 one of our most successful years to date. David Littman Publisher/Chairman of Littman Brands
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LARGER THAN
SUMMER 2016
LIGHT
Hudson Valley Lighting®’s Belmont pendant brightens up the upper hallway of a Pacific Palisades home
A GUIDE TO ILLUMINATING DESIGN
DEPARTMENTS
4 5 6 8 12 16
Get The Look
Infuse rustic charm into a contemporary setting
Trend Watch
Hot trends enlightening designers this season
What’s New
Littman Brands unveils their newest products
In the News
The latest news from Littman Brands
Real Light
Meet the winners of our “Let It Shine” contest
Inspirations
Corbett sparkles with triedi crystal creations
FEATURES
9 10 18 26 29 32 33 34 35
Design on a Dime
Making a difference through creativity and design
A Night at the Opera
Corbett celebrates the LA Opera’s 30th Anniversary
Pacific Paradise
A grand tour inside a California dream home
Designer Q+A
Elaine Culotti shares her design inspiration
Design on the Half Shell
Hudson Valley shines inside Ironside Fish & Oyster
Red Cross Designers’ Show House Hudson Valley illuminates special anniversary show house
Artistry in Light
Littman Brands Contract debuts ARCHETTO
From The Showroom Floor Shining a spotlight on Brooklyn’s Lighting Palace
Innovations in LED
The latest outdoor LED designs from Littman Brands
Photography by Adrian Anz
For editorial consideration, contributions and questions please contact: David Schlocker DRS and Associates 10844 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601 david@drsandassociates.com While Larger Than Light, Littman Brands and DRS and Associates make a supreme effort to ensure the information in these pages is accurate, they cannot be held responsible for any erratum or inadvertence.
Cover photo: Hudson Valley Lighting®’s Bari chandelier and sconce illuminate the great room of a Pacific Palisades dream home by Elaine Culotti
GET THE LOOK This cheerful space infuses rustic and industrial elements into a cool and contemporary setting
RIGHT ON HUE
RISE & SHINE
Mismatched accessories in a similar color scheme create an eclectic yet unified look
This industrial pendant evokes a vintage farmhouse feel with a natural rust patina
SUN BURST A striking copper mirror warms up a white backdrop
OPPOSITES ATTRACT Pairing sleek metals with natural wood creates cool and warm contrast
GO WITH THE GRAIN Reclaimed barnwood makes up this weathered table with a rich history
RETURN TO FORM Traditional lighting shapes with a modern spin
Rise & Shine by Troy Lighting
Coffey by Hudson Valley Lighting®
Library by Troy Lighting Silverlake by Troy Lighting
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TREND WATCH
Bright Ideas Hot trends enlightening designers this season
Garden City, Exeter and Roslyn by Hudson Valley Lighting®
New Elevations Matthew Quinn, Principal Designer Design Galleria Kitchen & Bath Studio, Atlanta, GA www.matthew-quinn.com “Decorative lighting in the kitchen and adjacent areas need not be relegated to pendants, chandeliers or flush mount fixtures. Using sconces in kitchens, bars and butler’s pantries adds an element of sophistication to a space by creating a layered look. With fewer wall cabinets being used in kitchens today, opportunities to use sconces may include flanking each side of the range, over windows or sinks. They need not match the overhead lighting exactly. Style, scale and proportion should be considered first, then a sconce selection can be made to be featured or to blend in. Eliminating wall cabinets will also eliminate under cabinet lighting – introducing sconces allows you to replace that needed task lighting. As with all lighting, placing them on dimmers is a must to allow them to be utilized more fully by giving you the ability to adjust lighting levels for multiple scenarios from prep work to entertaining. I’ve used many of the Hudson Valley wall sconces in kitchens over the years. My staples for transitional or traditional kitchens have been the Hudson Valley Garden City, Exeter and Roslyn wall sconces. For the 2016 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year, I’m excited to use new additions to the Hudson Valley line. The clean lines and simplicity of the Leyden sconce in brass works seamlessly on the range wall, allowing the Lewis chandelier over the breakfast table to be the star of the kitchen space. Meanwhile, right next door in the bar, the sleek Marlow wall sconce in polished nickel highlights the oval window in an already dramatic space that mixes metal, wood and high gloss lacquered cabinets. Moral of the story, look no further than your walls to find new elevations for decorative lighting.”
What’s Old Is New Anna Warmoth, Interior Designer Bananas & Hammocks, Ventura, CA www.bananasandhammocks.com “Every generation makes its mark in history, but that mark can often fizzle out and be forgotten with time. On the contrary, mid-century design remains a constant source of inspiration for designers around the world. Hudson Valley’s Glendale pendant evokes that era’s sense of wonder and delight, just like the 1957 launch of the Sputnik satellite, which the original fixture was named after. In addition to its nostalgic flair, the Glendale’s aged brass finish and geometric outer frame creates a timeless elegance that will complement any decor.” Glendale by Hudson Valley Lighting® L AR GER T H AN LIGHT | SUMME R
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WHAT’S NEW From statement-making chandeliers to perfectly appointed pendants and sconces, Littman Brands is proud to showcase the latest in lighting design and artistry with new collections from from Troy Lighting, Corbett Lighting and Hudson Valley Lighting®.
Dubois by Hudson Valley Lighting®
Cooper by Hudson Valley Lighting®
Julien by Hudson Valley Lighting®
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Helios by Corbett Lighting
Apogee by Troy Lighting
Motif by Corbett Lighting
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IN THE NEWS
GREEN GOOD DESIGN™
CSL® receives prestigious GREEN GOOD DESIGN™ Award CSL® (Creative Systems Lighting) is proud to announce that their LED Cylinders have won the 2016 GREEN GOOD DESIGN™ Award. This award is presented by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. The GREEN GOOD DESIGN’s goal is to bestow international recognition to those outstanding individuals, companies, organizations, governments and institutions – together with their products, services, programs, ideas and concepts – that have forwarded exceptional thinking and inspired greater progress toward a healthier and more sustainable universe. CSL is deeply honored to be recognized in this way.
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DESIGN ON A DIME
Making a difference through creativity and design Troy Lighting and Corbett Lighting recently gave back at ELLE Decor Housing Works’ annual Design on a Dime, New York City’s popular design benefit held at the downtown Metropolitan Pavilion. The three-day event brought together more than 60 of the world’s top interior designers, architects and decorators to create one-of-a-kind vignettes from products donated by top design industry brands, which were then auctioned off for the charity Housing Works. Designers spent months conceptualizing their rooms and gathering donations to bring it all together in less than 24 hours for the event’s opening night. Designer Miguel Lewis utilized a variety of Troy and Corbett designs in his creative vignette, suspending fixtures of various sizes and styles at different heights to create an illuminating installation. At its center was Corbett’s exceptional La Scala chandelier. The crystal beauty, along with Corbett’s Tangiers hanging lantern, was surrounded by nine of Troy’s Mojitos, eight Porters in polished nickel and two Loz Feliz lanterns. This grouping was set against a geometric wall pattern and suspended above a golden fabric for extra warmth.
Designer Miguel Lewis’ illuminating installation at Design on a Dime
Hundreds of VIPs, designers and tastemakers attended the opening night reception, which was followed by a shopping extravaganza to auction off the designer items. Proceeds from last year’s donated items raised over $1.3 million to support Housing Works, whose mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS. This year, the money raised at Design on a Dime will benefit Housing Works’ newest supportive housing development, the Hull Street Residence in Brooklyn. This from-the-ground-up housing project will transform a vacant 6,000 sq. ft. lot into a beautiful and safe home for 26 single, formerly homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS.
Corbett and Troy Lighting’s La Scala, Tangiers, Mojito, Porter and Loz Feliz designs make up this unique display
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IN THE NEWS
A Night at the Opera
Corbett Lighting celebrates the LA Opera’s 30th Anniversary Corbett Lighting was thrilled to take part in the LA Opera’s 30th Anniversary Concert and Dinner Gala by providing Shoji pendants as part of the “Madame Butterfly” Japanese decor. “Madame Butterfly,” an operatic staple by Giacomo Puccini, tells the tragic story of a young geisha who is abandoned by her American husband in turn-of-the-century Nagasaki, Japan. Renowned singers Plácido Domingo and Renée Fleming reunited for this one-night-only performance of many of the opera’s greatest arias and duets, joined by James Conlon leading the LA Opera Orchestra. Afterwards, 250 guests dined onstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion surrounded by the “Butterfly” scenery and props, with Corbett’s Shoji pendants hanging above the tables for overhead dining ambiance lighting. Shoji is a delicate Easterninspired design constructed from handmade Japanese paper and handcrafted iron finished in a rich bonsai bronze. These pendants beautifully complemented the existing scenery and enhanced the evening.
The LA Opera’s 30th Anniversary Concert and Dinner Gala at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
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Shoji by Corbett Lighting
Corbett’s Shoji pendants, as seen at the LA Opera’s 30th Anniversary Concert and Dinner Gala Photography by Steve Cohn Photography
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REAL LIGHT A room often doesn’t come to life until a designer sees it in real light. We asked designers and fans of Larger Than Light’s Facebook page to enter their best projects incorporating Troy Lighting, Corbett Lighting and Hudson Valley Lighting® to our “Let It Shine” contest. While each entry shined bright, we narrowed it down to these three winning designs.
FINALIST
Silhouette by Troy Lighting Westchester County, NY Designers: Christine Wetzel, Christine Wetzel Design Mari-Lou Nania, Patdo Light Studio Inspiration: “The client asked us to find a modern twist on a lantern in a silver finish. The designer Christine Wetzel and I selected many things and came up with the idea. The homeowner liked this light the best, but it was too small. I suggested to the designer to add two more ceiling canopies, and she loved the idea. She selected the heights, and now they have a special light that is unique to them.” - Mari-Lou Nania, Patdo Light Studio Contact: www.christinewetzeldesign.com www.patdolight.com
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FINALIST
Glendale by Hudson Valley Lighting
®
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Designer: Jill St. Peter
Builder/Architect: Parkwood Master Builder
Photo: Merle Prosofsky Architectural Photography Inspiration: “My concept for The Innsbruck showhome in Graydon Hill could be summed up as ‘Alpine Chic.’ I combined the rustic elements of the great outdoors with hip, designer furnishings and high-end, luxurious decor. It’s an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary decor blending comfortably together in a rustic setting. I wanted to evoke a contemporary chalet feel with its woodsy hints, moody indigos and cozy accents. The showhome showcases the use of mixed metals, stone and exposed wood beams. I chose the Hudson Valley Glendale fixture for my bonus room because I wanted a fixture that had a great presence but was also light and airy so as not to compete with the heaviness of the wood beams on the ceiling. I also loved how it combined two shapes into one fixture – the round starburst lights themselves housed within the rectangular iron cube. This, along with the combination of aged brass and black, relates back to my original concept of mixing different elements and finishes together. It just fit perfectly into the space.” Contact: www.parkwoodmasterbuilder.com L AR GER T H AN LIGHT | SUMME R
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GRAND PRIZE
Amadeus by Corbett Lighting Kingwood, TX
Designer: Pamela O’Brien, Pamela Hope Designs Builder: Ziebarth New Construction Home Photo: Miro Dvorscak Inspiration: “Although the dining room was technically a formal space, the couple preferred a relaxed and unfussy style. The perfect chandelier was critical to creating the appeal to the room since it was open on three sides and really set the stage for their unique style. Amadeus quickly became the favorite. Its antler-like quality paired nicely with the family’s bronze stag trophy. The washed silver finish bridged the gap between cool and warm metallic. The rock crystals are genius – a touch of rustic while just hinting at bling. It looks great during the day, sparkling discretely in the natural light and at night, it positively glows. Elegant without being fussy, it really set the stage of the dramatic dining space.” Contact: www.pamelahopedesigns.com
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INSPIRATIONS
ITALIAN-INSPIRED VINTAGE GLASS Corbett Lighting sparkles with mid-century glam inspired triedi crystal Triedi crystal is back in a big way. While this tri-shaped Italian glass was popularized during the 1960s and ‘70s in decadently modern and multi-tiered chandeliers, these luxurious crystal prisms can now be found across Corbett Lighting’s latest collections. Let’s take a look at some of the ways Corbett is reviving Italian mid-century style by adding triedi crystal to its already exceptional list of ingredients.
CHARISMA Charisma is a bold statement piece with style and personality. Charisma’s clear triedi crystal forms are arranged in a circular, tiered formation, resulting in a retro design with a new and fresh feel. The crystal is complemented by iron extrusions made and capped in gold leaf while a stainless steel frame sparkles from the inside.
SPOTLIGHT ON ITALIAN GLASSMAKERS As one of the leading figures in the production of Murano glass, Paolo Venini is an important contributor to 20th century design. After serving in World War I, he opened a law practice in Milan, where he met Giacomo Cappellin, a Venetian antique dealer. In 1921, they opened a glass factory on the islands of Murano, the historic glass production center in Venice, Italy. Cappellin withdrew in 1925 and Venini founded his own company, becoming a design leader among Murano firms – and one of the largest and most successful of the Murano glass furnaces, still in business today. Venini embraced Modernism trends in art and architecture with new designs in elegant shapes and colors. In addition to directing the company, Venini designed his own shapes and patterns, including several of the firm’s best-known products. From the 1930s into the 1950s, his design output increased in frequency as he worked with countless wonderful artists, including Fulvio Bianconi and Carlo Scarpa. Ninety-five years later, Paolo Venini’s name is still synonymous with impeccable taste, style and entrepreneurship. 16
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MYSTIQUE A throwback to 1960s and ’70s chic, Mystique combines ’70s brutalist metalwork with stunning triedi crystal. The crystal is arranged in staggered lengths for an icicle effect, while the handmade frame is made of pieces of square and rectangular tubing in different sizes, intricately capped at the top and bottom and finished in a textured modern silver leaf.
VOILA Voilà is an attention-getting LED sconce with a dazzling appearance. Pieces of handmade clear Venetian glass are arranged by height and held in place by a handcrafted iron frame. The beautiful Italian glass is handmade by the original company that made original triedi crystal. While the glass looks like it was cast, it is completely handmade.
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Hudson Valley’s Belmont pendants and Troy’s Uni sconces illuminate the hallway in this palatial home by Elaine Culotti
Pacific Paradise
A grand tour inside a Mediterranean inspired dream home Photography by Adrian Anz 19
Nestled in California’s Pacific Palisades, an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood known for its beachy shoreline and multi-million dollar mansions, is a Mediterranean oasis mere steps from the hiking trails of Will Rogers State Historic Park. Situated on nearly 3.5 acres of land, the palatial 14,392-square-foot home is truly a dream come true with eight bedrooms, 14 baths, a two-story foyer, terraces, patio and swimming pool, as well as a guest house and pool house. The home’s construction was overseen and its interiors were designed by Elaine Culotti, interior designer and owner of Porta Bella Design in Brentwood, California. “I was inspired early on by building a house that looked like a contemporary barn but in a Mediterranean flavor,” said Culotti. “Not so much in the East Coast traditional flavor with a metal roof and barn wood rather, it’s stuccoed and has a flat terracotta tile.” Corbett Lighting’s Rockstar pendant illuminates the staircase
Culotti utilized Littman Brands lighting fixtures to give the home its distinct Mediterranean feel. “I was looking for fixtures inside that had a traditional sense about them in terms of something you might find in a communal kitchen or in a really big old barn. But again, with a little bit of a Mediterranean flair.” The two-story hallway is illuminated by Troy’s sculptural Uni sconces and Hudson Valley Lighting®’s Belmont pendants, sturdy metal fixtures complemented by polished prismatic glass. “It’s something you would find a hundred percent in some sort of mill or a dairy or something like that. It’s got an industrial look but it’s in brass.” Across from Belmont at the top of the staircase is Corbett Lighting’s Rockstar, a dazzling creation made of natural Brazilian agate slices in sunset hues surrounded by gold leaf circles. “It literally has these rock agate flat translucent pieces that hang off of it, and light shines through them. It’s organic and absolutely amazing.” To keep the romance in the upstairs bedroom, Culotti chose Troy Lighting’s Delacroix chandelier. “The Delacroix was completely and totally off the charts different to everything in the house,” said Culotti. “I wanted something delicate and feminine and very romantic.” Delacroix is a rustic yet refined design with wood beads flowing from top to bottom, accented by a leaf-shaped crown, curvy iron arms and wooden accents. Its open design complements the spacious room, while its aged wood tones enhance the rich wooden framing around the windows and doors. The men’s bathroom is a standout space with Troy’s Nuage as its centerpiece. With a dreamy appearance perfectly suited to its “head in the clouds” translation, Nuage features clusters of blown glass globes suspended by delicate micro beaded jewelry chain. “I put Nuage in there because it actually offers quite a bit of light, which is nice in the bathroom,” said Culotti. The fixture also pairs well with the heavy, dark walnut cabinetry which defines the space, blending the bath and closet into a dressing room. “That particular fixture was sort of fun and bright and light, and it needed that contrast.”
Troy’s rustic yet refined Delacroix chandelier adds romantic ambiance to the upstairs bedroom
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Another whimsical Troy design is on display downstairs in the kitchen. At the center of the white and bright gourmet kitchen is Barista, an energizing departure from the traditional chandelier, blending luminous crystal drops with porcelain coffee cups on a tiered iron frame. The chandelier stands out beautifully against the kitchen’s white cabinetry, gleaming surfaces and moulded ceiling. Right off the kitchen is the “morning bar,” a unique, all-purpose hang out space which evokes a comfortable pub feel. Troy’s Dine ‘N’ Dash pendants are suspended above the bar, creative designs with embossed and plasma cut words tied to comfort foods and drinks. They blend in beautifully with the room’s richly ornamented wood. “I just wanted it to have a pubby feeling, and whether you were having eggs and a cappuccino at the counter in the morning, or whether you were sitting there at night watching a basketball game, smoking a cigar, I wanted it to feel pubby,” said Culotti. “And so [Dine ‘N’ Dash] was the perfect fixture choice for there.” Troy’s Dine ‘N’ Dash pendants in the “morning bar”
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The dining room is illuminated by Corbett’s Parc Royale chandelier and wall sconces, a luxurious collection inspired by nature
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The elegant Bari chandelier and Westport sconces by Hudson Valley add warm illumination to the great room
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At the center of the modern dining room is a large glass table surrounded by eclectic yet coordinating chairs in contrasting fabrics: ruby red and a neutral zig zag pattern. The dining room is illuminated by Corbett’s traditional Parc Royale chandelier and matching wall sconces – a collection that combines the best of nature with luxury living. “The diffused glass shades on it put just the right amount of lighting into a dining room.” In addition, the fixtures beautifully complement the golden tones in the rest of the space. Inside the office, Troy’s Whitman brightens up the dark space with its creamy linen shade and sculptural, bronze-hued branches. “That particular fixture does two things that are greatly accomplished,” said Culotti. “Number one, it’s quite a dark room, and you can get a lot of light out of that fixture. And because it’s open on the top and bottom, you can have downlight and uplight.” The uplights illuminate the coppered ceiling which has a batted, Chenille leather. “And I needed white, so that fixture had a pretty bright shade even though you could dim the light and make it very romantic like a library.” The great room puts the post-modern Bari chandelier and wall sconces by Hudson Valley on display. “In this particular house, there were a couple of really important post-modern furniture pieces, and I just wanted something attached to the wall here and there that had a post-modern feeling so that the furniture could blend into the eclectic look of the house.” Bari pays homage to Italy’s mid-century design icons with its multi-tiered composition of polished glass rods, perpendicular brass arms and lamp holders. The cozy neutral room can be opened up to the outside, allowing even more light and energy in – not to mention, a gorgeous poolside view. Outside, Troy’s Byron illuminates the cabana, adding a sparkling elegance you rarely see outdoors. “I wanted something warm and a little decadent,” said Culotti. Because wind had to be taken into consideration, she opted for Byron with its heavier cage. “It worked great outside.” Culotti’s outstanding design vision and attention to detail, combined with her use of Littman Brands lighting fixtures, have resulted in a Mediterranean dream home as beautiful as its luxurious surroundings in the Pacific Palisades.
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DESIGNER Q+A Elaine took a break in her busy schedule to chat with us about her design for the Pacific Palisades home. www.elaineculotti.com What was your overall inspiration for this project? I was inspired early on by building a house that looked like a contemporary barn but in a Mediterranean flavor – not so much in the East Coast traditional flavor where you’d expect to see a metal roof and rustic wood. Rather, with this concept, it’s stuccoed exterior and has a flat terracotta tile roof. What did you look for in the lighting fixtures you chose? I was looking for fixtures inside the residence that had a traditional sense about them in terms of Interior designer and owner of something you might find in a Porta Bella Design communal kitchen or in a really big old barn. But again, with a little bit of a Mediterranean flair. There were also hints of “industrial” needed in order for the barn to feel livable on the inside, and Hudson Valley offered this great proportioned lamp that has a big glass bottom on it [Belmont]. It’s the largest I’ve seen of this style. It’s something you would find a hundred percent in some sort of mill or a dairy. So it’s got an industrial look but it’s in brass. And to tie in that color tone, which is so rich and warm – that was something I was looking to do. I mean, we’ve been decorating and designing and manufacturing in oil rubbed bronze finishes and nickel and stainless steel for probably the last ten years, pretty regularly. And the brass fixtures have become less and less popular, but now all of a sudden there’s this resurgence of it… and gold and brass mixed with a vintage look, sort of that yin yang. That’s what was inspiring me. So I have a lot of those style fixtures in the house. How would you describe the home’s overall style? Both the interiors of the house and the lighting are transitional. There are extremely contemporary elements to the house, but as an overall look, it’s transitional. Even Troy Lighting makes these sort of sea urchin slash wheat-looking fixtures [Uni]. If they did it in any type of finish that was really contemporary, say, like stainless steel or even maybe chrome, it would be outrageously contemporary. But the way that they did it in this rustic look finish, you’ve got a very contemporary design that’s toned down enough to fit into a transitional space. It really adds a nice juxtaposition to it, and forget about the fact that they look like bales of wheat that are stuck on the wall! It’s the coolest thing. How did you approach this design style? Typically on these types of projects, my job isn’t to redesign or design something for it. My job is to take my client’s idea and make it really great – and make sure it has balance and symmetry. I just really 26
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research what the client wants and try to turn it into something that’s amazing. On this particular house, I had complete free rein, but I had a lot of requirements in terms of the amount of power (for energy consumption requirements) that we could use and the LEDs versus the hard-wired electrical. And the thing about being able to choose from all three of my lighting sources that I typically use – which are Corbett, Hudson Valley and Troy – I have such a cross-section of innovative and younger material. Much more creative material. Much more economical material in terms of its usage. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s inexpensive, because that type of material can be more expensive, but in the long run you have a better product. Tell us about your choice of Corbett’s Rockstar in the foyer. I really enjoyed when the Rockstar showed up on the jobsite. We ordered the Rockstar when it was just first coming out. It literally has these rock agate flat translucent pieces that hang off of it, and light shines through them. It’s organic and absolutely amazing. And what I was impressed with was the fact that Corbett absolutely refused to release the product until it was perfect. And it arrived and it’s amazing. It’s not good, it’s fantastic. People come up and go, “Wow. Who thought about this? Who made this up?” It’s so perfect for the space too. Why did you choose Corbett’s Parc Royale chandelier for the dining room? There’s a very, very modern wine rack in that room that’s made out of polished steel, so I didn’t want to have a polished steel fixture. I was troubled trying to find something to introduce the transition of that gold or brass feeling, and so looking through finishes, I came across that sort of traditional fixture. There’s posts in [the room] that needed sconces, and I just needed something that would go with the yellow walls and wine rack. The diffused glass shades on it put just the right amount of lighting into the dining room. All of those things combined made it the perfect fixture. Why did you select Hudson Valley’s Bari for the great room? It’s a very post-modern fixture. In this particular house, there were a couple of really important post-modern furniture pieces, and I just wanted something attached to the wall here and there that had a postmodern feeling so that the furniture could blend into the eclectic look of the house. It would be random to just stick it in there, but when you have a post-modern light and desk chair next to it, it just fits better. Troy’s Nuage was a beautiful yet unusual choice for the men’s bath. Can you tell us why you chose it? I put Nuage in there because it actually offers quite a bit of light, which is nice in the bathroom. There’s a lot going on in that bathroom in terms of cabinetry because I believe in a dressing room as part of the space. So, you’ve got the bathroom and closet sort of together. And because it’s walnut, it’s heavy, it’s dark, big and extremely masculine. That particular fixture was sort of fun and bright and light, and it needed that contrast. 2 016 | LIT TMANB RANDS .CO M
Troy’s Byron adds sparkling elegance to the outdoor cabana along with Troy Lighting’s exterior Newton collection.
Why made you choose Troy’s Whitman for the office? That particular fixture does two things that are greatly accomplished. Number one, it’s quite a dark room, and you can get a lot of light out of that fixture. Because it’s open on the top and bottom, you can have downlight and uplight. It needed uplight because there’s a coppered ceiling in that room and it’s got a batted, Chenille leather on the ceiling, and I wanted to display it. And I needed white, so that fixture had a pretty bright shade even though you could dim the light and make it very romantic like a library – like a dark workspace. And as you know, we all use backlit computers now these days, so you don’t need as much light now in the office as you used to need. So I feel like that was a very good fixture choice for that room. Why did you choose Troy’s Dine ‘N’ Dash pendants for the bar? The reason we chose them is because it’s an unusual space. It’s called the morning bar. It’s sort of an all-purpose hang out area because when you entertain, people tend to want to congregate in the kitchen. The L AR GER T H AN LIGHT | SUMME R
reason we had those fixtures, something so playful, is because that actually is ventilation for cigar smoking, and it has a big television in it, and it’s right off of the kitchen. I just wanted it to have a pubby feeling, and whether you were having eggs at the counter in the morning and a cappuccino, or whether you were sitting there at night watching a basketball game, smoking a cigar, I wanted it to feel pubby. And so that was the perfect fixture choice for there. Tell us about your choice of Troy’s Byron for the outdoor cabana. The cabana was a really important place to keep air circulating. We had three fixtures in there and ultimately chose to have the fans on the left and right, but three fans was so cold, and I wanted something warm and a little decadent. Mind you, we get some wind in there, and having a chandelier outside could be tricky, so [Byron] comes in a cage, which makes it a lot heavier, and it tends to blow a lot less even though you have a crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of it. It works great outside.
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DESIGNER Q+A Do you have any upcoming projects incorporating Littman Brands that you’re currently working on? I’m working on a really unusual project in Dana Point [California] – a new development called the Strand. It’s sort of the Riviera of Dana Point and also a very undeveloped area that has been sitting for over 20 years. Finally the developer was able to obtain entitlements to build in this particular area and houses are popping up there, and we’ve contracted five of them. It’s going to be really special, something quite nice.
What was the client’s reaction overall? I think overall it’s kind of like Christmas or some great holiday where you’re getting lots of gifts. You open up everything, and you’re so excited that it takes you a while to get your head around what you’ve just received and you have to really spend some time absorbing all of it – while maintaining a big smile. With a home and new environment, after you settle in and process what you now have – you start to build a character for the house by realizing that everything has a purpose – why it’s there, and how it goes. Even if your first reaction is, “Oh that’s really unexpected,” you might later realize that it goes with so many different things… and it would have been your first choice too had you understood the whole methodology behind the build.
A nighttime poolside view of the luxurious Mediterranean inspired dream home at night
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A beautiful mix of glass and metal, Hudson Valley’s Lambert pendants shine brightly over the bar
Design on the Half Shell Hudson Valley Lighting® shines inside San Diego’s Ironside Fish & Oyster bar Photography by Zack Benson 29
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Mixing nautical chic with modern and whimsical touches, Ironside Fish & Oyster is an irreverent take on the traditional oyster bar. Located in the up and coming Little Italy neighborhood in San Diego, California, the restaurant’s original 1920s era structure was previously occupied by Ironside Metal Works, makers of wrought-iron gates. “San Diego has a long history of being a major seaport and fishing capital, and Ironside’s menu allowed us to honor that,” said designer Paul Basile. “As with all of our projects, the history and origins of the space helped inform our overall design concept.” Basile’s unique, nautical-inspired design takes this history a step further by enhancing it with conversationstarting details, such as a wall adorned with 2,000 faux piranha skulls, and statement piece fixtures by Hudson Valley Lighting®. On a backdrop of whitewashed industrial rafters is perhaps the bar’s biggest focal point: a 14-foot-tall arching steel bar trellis scaling the walls of the back-bar. These iron arms evoke giant octopus tentacles, accented by oversized frosted light bulbs. Other unique touches include plasma cut bar stools, copper tabletops and blended mixed metals throughout the space. Basile customized and fabricated many of the designs in his San Diego warehouse, including elements of the lighting design. “Our process is organic, and inspiration for lighting comes from the space itself,” said Bastile. “We start with the lighting requirements, and once that has been determined, we hone in on the style and materials.” Reminiscent of a stylish cruise ship ballroom, black subwaytiled columns adorned with Hudson Valley’s Blaine pendants separate the bar from the main dining room. Basile created these intricate globe light installations in his warehouse. The pendants encircle the columns from brass chains affixed to massive metal rounds. Hearkening back to 19th century romanticism, Blaine’s intricate construction and sturdy chain suspension provided just the look he had in mind. “The design came first, and we were fortunate to find that the Blaine fixtures so closely aligned with our ideas,” said Basile. “The beading of the Blaine is beautiful, and the antique-inspired glass is spot on. They called to mind a luxurious, bygone era but in a new and modern way.” Adding to the visual harmony are Hudson Valley’s Lambert pendants above the oyster bar, which create a soft balance of glowing glass and smooth metal. “The Lambert’s nautical vibe worked beautifully with our design concept while also referencing the Blaine,” said Basile. “The combination of the two helped keep our design cohesive.” Basile has used Lambert previously in other projects to great success. “We used the Lambert in Broadstone Balboa Park, a high-end mixed use residential building here in San Diego. Our design concept for Broadstone was to incorporate the neighborhood’s storied history and iconic bridges. The Lambert is both classic and entirely new — it was the perfect fit for this project.”
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Hudson Valley’s Blaine pendants create an effect reminiscent of a stylish cruise ship ballroom
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Hudson Valley’s Dayton chandelier and Sanderson pendants add glamour to the bar and lounge at the American Red Cross Designers’ Show House
Red Cross Designers’ Show House Hudson Valley Lighting® illuminates special anniversary show house Photography by Brantley Photography
Littman Brands recently participated in the special 40th anniversary edition of the American Red Cross Designers’ Show House, which highlighted one of the organization’s most critical missions – assisting those affected by fires. Located in the Old Northwood neighborhood of West Palm Beach, Florida, this year’s featured home was the historic former Fire Station #3 for the City of West Palm Beach. Built in 1938, the space was renovated into a four-bedroom Art Moderne-style home, with designer Joseph Cortes utilizing Hudson Valley Lighting ® fixtures inside the relaxing bar and lounge. Hudson Valley adds to the room’s warmth and casual, comfortable aesthetic. “My design intent for the space was to create what I call a ‘soft modern’ interior,” said Cortes. “That is – contemporary and dramatic without being cold or too sleek. To that end, we created a dramatic backdrop using a shimmering metallic gold and grey wallcovering.” A brightly colored, hand-woven wool carpet helps tie the composition together and define the lounge’s central seating area, illuminated by Hudson Valley’s Dayton chandelier. Dayton creates a look of confident glamour with a balance of softly textured tailored shades and crystal columns and metal. “The Dayton chandelier was the perfect complement. The brass tones picked up on the wallcovering, and the faceted ‘rock crystal’ on the arms gave it an elegant and luxurious feeling. It was contemporary but had classic lines which define the ‘soft’ in my soft modern spaces. The scale of the fixture was perfect for the room.” Over the bar counter are three Sanderson pendants, each a stunning and minimalist work of art. To create Sanderson, artisans use a unique Italian technique, inlaying strands of brass into molten glass while blowing it into a soft square shape. The brass remains encapsulated there, coming to life when illuminated and resulting in a work of simple sophistication. “Over the bar counter we needed complementary pendants,” said Cortes. “The Sanderson pendant is blown glass with an inter-layer of brass mesh. This tied it to the chandelier without matching it. The fact that the glass corners were rounded off instead of sharp also offered a classic feel.” 32
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Artistry in Light Littman Brands Contract debuts ARCHETTO – a new kinetic LED light sculpture
Littman Brands Contract proudly introduced their latest creation, ARCHETTO, at HD Expo, the premier trade show and hospitality conference for its industry. ARCHETTO is a kinetic hanging LED light sculpture designed by Littman Brands’ manager of design and engineering, Nicolas Baldoni. Inspired by the movement of sound, ARCHETTO offers vibrant colors with dynamic, symphonic motion. To create ARCHETTO, Nicolas drew inspiration from his great-grandfather, Dante Baldoni, a leading manufacturer of string instruments in Argentina during the early 20th century. With its one-inch thick glass tubes, fastened with laser cut polished aluminum connectors and aircraft cable, ARCHETTO constructs the shape and movement reminiscent of a string instrument’s bow. A representation of sound, this fixture rhythmically moves to one of its programmed settings by way of 48 motors, while a synchronized color-changing RGBA displays the rich hues of red, green, blue and amber – illuminating a sound wave pattern. Perfectly orchestrated, ARCHETTO personifies the fluid motion of a musician playing a violin or cello. See ARCHETTO in action at youtube.com/largerthanlight.
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THE SHOWROOM FLOOR
Lighting Palace Shining a light on Brooklyn’s finest family-run showroom Brooklyn may be the new Manhattan, but that doesn’t mean this big city borough’s lost any of its friendly neighborhood charm. Located on Flatbush Avenue, a bustling crossroad in Brooklyn, New York, is Lighting Palace, a family-run, premier showroom that has specialized in personalized lighting design for over 30 years. “Brooklyn is like that,” said Colette Chehova, lighting consultant and buyer for Lighting Palace. “You may be on a main street, but you’re still part of a neighborhood.”
While online shopping has increased in popularity, Colette believes brick and mortar showrooms will always be integral to choosing the right lighting. “I find that I just don’t know how people buy online because in lighting you have to see it,” said Colette. “You just can’t appreciate it without looking at it, without feeling it, without looking at the metal type.” She cites Hudson Valley’s aged brass as an example. “The Hudson aged brass is a beautiful aged brass, but you have to see it. A cheaper aged brass just doesn’t compare.”
Colette and her husband started Lighting Palace as a family business in 1979, with her son joining as soon as he was old enough. The 10,000-square-foot showroom serves everyone from customers in the surrounding neighborhoods to international clientele. “When we first opened the store, we basically had maybe six, seven companies that we bought from,” said Colette. “Now we buy from hundreds.” In that time, lighting design has shifted. “It’s become a lot more beautiful, a lot more decorative, and it’s because people are understanding that lighting is part of decorating.” She estimates that decorators and interior designers make up around 75% to 80% of their business. Lighting Palace’s relationship with Littman Brands began over a decade ago with Hudson Valley Lighting®. Now they’re just like family. “It’s a very personalized feeling in those companies,” said Colette. “They’re usually the first showroom we go to in Dallas when we go to [Lightovation] because we’re usually the most excited about what they’re coming out with.” Inside Lighting Palace, Littman Brands’ products are organized by families and styles. For example, Hudson Valley products with a cleaner, neater aesthetic go in one section, while Troy’s organic, industrial looking designs go in another. They also take careful consideration not to overcrowd their store. “Everything is very specific. You see each piece. The Corbett collections are like lighting couture or the real fashion brand in the industry so they are merchandised to be a little bit separate from other brands, otherwise you just don’t recognize what they are to appreciate them.”
Lighting Palace continues to grow their business through social media platforms such as Instagram and Houzz. With over 3,000 Instagram followers and counting, Colette posts pictures of new fixtures along with ones they’ve sold. “Our customers love to have their pictures put up on Instagram.” As a result, Lighting Palace continues to carve out a unique space for itself – right in the heart of Brooklyn. Follow Lighting Palace on Instagram at @lightingpalace
COLETTE’S PICK Wellington by Hudson Valley Lighting®
“ That’s probably one of my favorites because it has very clean lines and the quality is amazing on it. There are copies of it but they don’t come close.”
Among their bestselling fixtures are Hudson Valley’s Wellington and Lyons, which offer the same kind of contemporary look in different shapes. Colette says her customers are increasingly looking for cleaner, neater and more modern looks. “We still sell a lot of crystal, but even the crystal has become very clean lines – very linear with an almost organic feeling.” Customers also want LEDs; she estimates that about 80% of what they sell is now sold in LED. Products made in the USA, such as certain Troy fixtures, are also in demand. “My customers want the better quality, so they’ll go for the American-made for sure.”
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INNOVATIONS IN LED When it comes to outdoor design, a little bit of lighting can go a long way. A wall sconce or a small pendant can be a simple way to make a backyard or porch feel warm and inviting. From contemporary LEDs to classic lantern designs, Troy Lighting is proud to present a variety of new Title 24 compliant lighting fixtures for the great outdoors – in energy efficient LED.
Trousdale
Rexford
Verve
Trousdale is a uniquely modern LED outdoor wall sconce with eye-catching appeal. Sitting on a shelf nestled inside the fixture is a uniquely tapered clear glass candle framed by a stainless steel reflector, creating a mirrored effect. Trousdale is made in California.
Rexford is an elegant LED outdoor sconce made in the USA. The design features an upsidedown gloss opal cone, roofed by a solid brass pane and encircled by a perforated brass band. Meanwhile, brass rods connect the two together, and everything is topped off with a historic brass finish. Rexford is made in California.
Verve is a modern outdoor LED sconce. A cylinder of opal or seeded glass is capped by pieces made of solid aluminum and brass, finished in bronze. Connecting bands bridge the two and surround the light. Verve is made in California.
Mumford
Boundary
North Bay
Mumford is a chic solid aluminum lantern with an LED option featuring clear frosted glass panels. Finished in rich bronze, the lantern is held aloft by a long, scrolling bar.
Boundary is a unique, geometric LED outdoor collection. A gloss opal cylinder is encased by a solid aluminum frame hand-fabricated at smart angles and finished in textured graphite, creating open octagons.
North Bay is a refreshing LED outdoor collection with modern attitude. The conical design is framed by aluminum finished in graphite. Between its connecting straps is glass, offered in clear seeded or gloss opal varieties, giving view to its inner LED.
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LET IT SHINE BRIGHTER! ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO
WIN $1,000!
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Do you have an interior design project incorporating a Littman Brands fixture? Show it off for a chance to win our “Let It Shine” contest. The grand prize winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and two runner-ups will receive a lighting fixture of their choice from Corbett Lighting, Troy Lighting or Hudson Valley Lighting® (valued up to $500). All three winners will also have their work published in the Winter 2017 issue of Larger Than Light magazine. Email your entry to largerthanlightcontests@gmail.com and include the following information: Hi-resolution photo Name of project Designer and/or firm The contest ends December 9, 2016, so submit today!
For more information, like Larger than Light on Facebook * Eligibility To enter, you must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident (green card). Littman Brands employees and their immediate family members are not eligible. Immediate family includes only spouses, parents and children. Entry Format Entries may be color or black and white digital images, and less than 5 megabytes in size. Entries must be emailed to largerthanlightcontests@gmail.com. Multiple Entries per Person You may submit any number of entries into the contest. Inappropriate Content Obscene, provocative or otherwise questionable content will not be considered. Littman Brands retains sole discretion as to what constitutes inappropriate content. Timeline Contest will start on January 1, 2016 and final entries will be accepted until December 9, 2016. Copyright You must be the sole owner of the copyright of any image submitted. Your submission of the photo and entry form is your guarantee that you are the author and copyright holder of the photo. Ownership/Use Rights By entering the contest, entrants agree to have their submitted photograph displayed on the Littman Brands website and Facebook page and used by Littman Brands for any purpose, at any time, without any fee or other form of compensation. Littman Brands reserves the right to disqualify and delete any photographs or user profiles, without notice, and for any reason. Judging Entries will be judged on the basis of creativity, visual appeal and effectiveness in conveying the unique character of the Littman Brands fixture. Littman Brands will judge the entries and all contest decisions are final. Entries that fail to comply with these Official Rules may be disqualified. Winners Littman Brands will select three winners. Winners will be notified by email within one week of the winner announcement date, using the email address provided on the entry form. One winner will receive a cash prize of $1000. Two runner-up winners will receive their choice of any Littman Brands fixture valued up to $500 net distribution price.
Troy-CSL 14508 Nelson Avenue I Industry, CA 91744-3514
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626.336.4511 www.littmanbrands.com