Brown Design + Development

Our Latest Obession

We are completely head over heels for this Aspen wall light.  At only $210, you can't go wrong.  We think this looks like it came from the renowned high-end showroom, Holly Hunt (but at a fraction of the cost!).  Pick one up at www.ryanbrownstyle.com.

 

Pick of the Week

We love these library wall lamps because they are both stylish and functional.  We came across these images on a post by one of our favorite blogs, remodelista.  These images showcase the versatility of the lamp, as it can easily go from the kitchen to a bedroom.  

We also offer these lamps on our online shop.  Visit www.ryanbrownstyle.com for more information. 

Images posted on Remodelista.com.  Kitchen from Desire to Inspire, and bedroom by S. Russell Groves inthe New York Times.

Look for Less

This bronzed wrought-iron chandelier pictured below on the left resembles the Ames Ingham fixture (pictured right) that we installed over a dramatic dining room table of a Hollywood Hills project.  This version is from Pottery Barn and completely affordable at only $299.  If the Ames Ingham chandelier is out of your price range, we think this replica is a pretty chic version. 

   

Vintage Lighting

A vintage light fixture can make a powerful statement in any room from the powder bath to the kitchen.  If your home is feeling a little vanilla and all of it's contents match, add a vintage light fixture to bring instant character into the space. 

You can install a vintage fixture in any room of the home, but some of our favorite places are the foyer, over a bed, or over a bath tub. 

 

Of course they can also be installed in the more usual places as well, like the family room pictured below.  One of our favorite vintage fixtures is a sputnik; we found this one in Palm Springs.  Even though this home was far from plain without the sputnik, this chandelier definitely adds the finishing touches to the colorful room.   

You don't have to be confined to hanging a pendant exactly where the electrical wiring is.  In the powder bathroom below, we swagged the vintage glass pendant so it would hang to the left of the sink.

Since we incorporate so many vintage pieces into our homes, our readers frequently ask where to shop for vintage furniture and lighting.  One of our favorite places to look is a store called Downtown in Los Angeles.  Check out their website www.downtown20.net.

Pick of the Week

This chandelier from Jean De Merry definitely caught our eye and we couldn't wait to design a room utilizing it.  We presented the fixture to a current client in the Los Feliz hills who has the perfect home for this chandelier and they loved it as much as we did.  We'll share the final photo of the room once the home has been completed.  

Look for Less

Great design can be done at any price.  Brown Design would like to start offering our blog readers tips on how to find pieces similar to those used in our recent projects, but at various price points.  Many affordable retailers stay on trend and also knock off higher-end designers.  We want to prove that don't have to break the bank to find good style! 

We found this beautiful vintage pendant for a home in Benedict Canyon.  While this exact piece may not be able to be replicated, you may also not want to invest all of your money into one light fixture.  We found two approaches on how to replicate this look for less. 

If your looking for a similar shape and size, try the Globe Pendant at West Elm for $129.00.  This pendant offers a clean and modern approach. 

We also discovered a similar pendant at Anthropologie.  This version offers more of a vintage take and retails for only $268.00. 

How-To Select Lighting in Your Home

An appropriate light fixture will not only improve a room visually, but will also establish the ambiance.  Lighting should be both stylish and functional. 

When selecting light fixtures for a home, keep in mind that they don't have to "match."  Choose a style and then stick to the same linear look throughout the house.  It is OK to mix and match finishes as long as there is an overarching scheme. 

The lighting pieces below were all used in a recent project in the Los Feliz Oaks.  In this home, we used a combination of modern and vintage lighting.  Individually, the light fixtures may seem surprisingly different, but when put together in the completed home, these fixtures make a bold statement and create a stunning aesthetic as you transition from room to room.

This black wood and brass Jonathan Adler chandelier was used in the living room.

A vintage brass sputnik was hung over a large twelve person dining table to anchor the space.



A vintage pendant that was re-plated in polished nickel, was selected for a nook just off the kitchen to make the space inviting and elegant.  The door and window hardware in the entire house was polished nickel, so this fixture did not seem out of place. 



A classic black bamboo chandelier was selected to illuminate the kitchen.  The ebony finish contrasts with the white cabinets selected and compliment the deep graphite counters. 



This brass Jonathan Adler chandelier brightens up the foyer and hangs at the top of the spiral staircase leading to the second floor of the home. 



Flank a bathroom with two sconces to add symmetry and a warm, flattering glow.  These sconces are oil rubbed bronze which plays off the black mirror and wood trim.