Norm 06 Puzzle Light

feel more human looks in the obvious places, peek around corners and turn over the unassuming stones for products, information and resources that support a modern lifestyle. They put it all in one place, and let you poke around and shop for new products that turn heads and open minds. One of these products is the Norm 06 Puzzle Light. Inspired by nature, lilies and water lilies, Norm 06 is a sculptural lamp shade with its own expression. It's easy to assemble without the need for any tools or glue and would be a unique and head turning addition to use as decor for a special event.

DIY: Pendant Lamp

I was reading a posting from The Estate of Things on making a pendant lamp. Immediately, I thought this would be a perfect piece to decorate an event. The original idea comes from Crafty Nest. She used a large bouncy ball, clear drying craft glue, hemp string and a light fixture. The size of the ball and the type of string and light fixture used can be tailored to fit the decor of the specific event. Previously, I wrote a post on this same type of project, however. It appears that Ready Made has since taken that project down, so enjoy!

Inspirational Chandeliers

I am not sure what is going on but I am on a lighting kick today. In the past, I've written about how amazing Twitter is. Recently, I've chatted with Chandeliera who owns a website that showcases a stunning range of chandeliers to exquisitely illuminate and luxuriously decorate your home. Or in my case, events! Chandeliera has handpicked a gorgeous selection of chandeliers available online from quality retail outlets. They also have an inspiration gallery if you need some ideas. It's a great source of different chandeliers and interior creations. So check them out!

Affordable Spotlights

Lighting can make or break any event. May times, it is left out of events because the cost can be very expensive. But it doesn't have to be. There are a lot of DIY projects that can bring all the drama without taking all of your bucks. For instance, Jamali Garden, one of my favorite companies, has a set of 3, Acolyte E-SpotLytes for $55. That is a fantastic deal considering the hundreds of dollars some companies charge. These lights are encased in a silver finished body and have 20 super bright white LED lights that are pivoted for precise focal points. And the best part, it uses 3 AA alkaline, replaceable batteries and the battery life is about 8 to 10 hours. FAB-U-LOUS! Oh the possibilities!

DIY Outdoor Chandelier

I love this idea, and can't wait to present it to one my clients in particular who will be head over heels. Apartment Therapy by way of Sunset Magazine posted the idea. It is a simple candle chandelier, perfect for an outdoor wedding or event where the money for an electric version is not there. All you need is a wire basket, a few jam jars, and some pretty crystals. Pick out a wire basket with a handle and a flat base. You can find some in any home and garden shops such as Crate & Barrel, online auctions or thrift stores. It's great to find one designed to hold glassware or small pots ― the built-in partitions will hold the jars in place. Then hang crystals from the base and top. For a real Cinderella look, loop two strands of glass beads across the bottom. Attach your chandelier to a patio roof or tree with a length of matching chain (or use a metal plant hanger). Pop tea lights or votives into the jars, light the candles, and enjoy the glow.

DIY Chandelier

This DIY project will add rustic charm to an event on a realistic budget. Natural Home Magazine, I have NO CLUE how I ended up on this site, posted the adorable project which utilizes used baby food jars, twisted wire, repurposed barrel hoops and some rusty chain. If your venue allows candles, this chandelier will be a special detail that wont not go unnoticed.

Materials

Tie wire (about 40 yards)

15 to 18 baby-food jars

15 to 18 votive or tealight candles

2 barrel hoops

6 eyehook bolts (black or rusty, if possible)

12 nuts to match the bolts

About 9 feet of lightweight chain (dark or rusty, if possible)

Large S-hook

Tools

Wire cutters

Needle-nose pliers

Jigsaw with metal-cutting blade for barrel hoops (if needed)

Clamp

Drill

Wrench

Instructions

1. Measure and cut two 24-inch lengths of tie wire. Make a loop in the center of each wire. Place one loop over the neck of a baby food jar and tighten slightly. Then put the other loop over the neck in the opposite direction. Cinch down.

2. Pulling the loops tightly, twist the end wires around each other to secure the wire on the jar neck. Using needle-nose pliers, tighten loops.

3. Bend the lower wire on each side up so it shoots straight up from the jar. This wire should measure about 8 inches; cut if necessary. Bend the other two wires out horizontally from the jar. Cut these to be about 5 inches long.

4. Grab the tip of the vertical wire and curl it outward to form a spiral. The finished spiral should be about 1 inch across and have about three twists.

5. Spiral the shorter, horizontal wires to about the same size as the ones above, but curl them inward this time.

6. Repeat the spirals on the two remaining wires to make a symmetrical holder. You could stop here and use this wire-topped jar as the votive holder

shown above. To make the chandelier, repeat with all baby-food jars.

To create chandelier:

7. Cut a 20-inch piece of wire and make a loose loop in its center. Loop it over the two top spirals as shown.

8. With the pliers, make three tight twists at the loop’s neck. Create an oval about 3 inches long. Twist to close the oval, then make 12 to 14 twists in the two wires to create a 3-inch twisted section.

9. Use the pliers to bend the twisted portion down as shown. Leave a few inches of wire beyond the twists. Bend the remaining wire ends into 90-degree angles. Cut each end so that about 1 inch of wire extends beyond the bend. Make a small hook on the end of each wire. The hooks should face forward. They clasp onto the wire loop to lock the candle-holder to the hoop of the chandelier. Repeat steps 7 to 10 with all votives.

10. Clamp the overlapping ends of the metal hoop to your work surface and drill a hole through both layers.

11. Thread a nut onto the neck of the eyehook bolt, then push the bolt through the hole. With a wrench, fasten the second nut on the end of the bolt to sandwich together the two layers of hoop.

12. Measure the circumference of your hoop. Drill holes in the hoop at 1⁄3 intervals and affix an eyehook bolt at each position. The chains attach to these bolts. Repeat with second hoop.

13. Insert a link through the bolt’s eye to attach the chain to the bottom hoop.

14. To attach the top hoop, thread the bolt’s head through the chain’s link.

15. All three chains meet at the top in an S-hook from which the chandelier hangs.

16. To complete chandelier, first hang your hoop structure where you like it. Then attach votives evenly—we hung six on the top hoop and 12 on the bottom. To attach votives, wrap the bent, twisted section of wire over barrel hoop and clasp wire ends to underside of hoop.

Set up

The chandelier’s simple structural base is made with two hoops; the top hoop has a smaller diameter than the bottom one. Three pieces of 36-inch chain connect them. The three lengths of chain join at the top in an S-hook from which the chandelier hangs.

We made this chandelier using two steel hoops from a decrepit oak half-barrel planter that had weathered many Colorado winters. You will likely need to cut one or both hoops down to size using a jigsaw fitted with a metal blade. The diameter of one hoop should measure 17 inches and the other 24 inches; add an extra 4 inches so the metal ends overlap at the joint.

2009 Design Trends

If you are interested in incorporating the latest trends from the hospitality industry into your next meeting or special event, head to Miami for the annual Hospitality Design Boutique Expo & Conference. Everyone from architects and hoteliers to interior and furniture designer attend the annual event, presented by Hospitality Design magazine, which showcases the industries newest design trends. What is hot for 2009? According to BizBash, the three emerging trends that stood out at this year's expo are the return of texture, geometric chandelier designs, and a new color combination. 

Texture was visible throughout the convention center both in textiles-including upholstery, linens, flooring, and wall coverings-and furniture design. The emphasis on bold solid colors of past seasons has taken a backseat to fabrics with depth. The new products from designers such as Bliss Studio, David Francis Furniture, Ronald Redding Designs, and the Andrew Morgan Collection are patterned. Fabrics are showcasing multiple colors and incorporating two textures of a single color in one design, while chair backs and tabletops are now receiving more intricate looks.

And when it comes to color, chocolate brown-accented by turquoise, lime green, and orange-has been in the spotlight for many months in home decor and event design. However, exhibitors at the HD Boutique showcased the new color combination for 2009: yellow and black. Though it may evoke the image of bumblebees, furniture designers are welcoming the new palette and incorporating it into their products as accent colors and through bold, statement-making pieces.

Photos Courtesy of Wish Special Events / Simply Stated / The Perfect Palette

DIY: Modern Pendant Lamps

DIY modern pendant lamps from Ready Made. This incredibly easy project will add a tremendous amount of pizazz to your next event and won't cost a fortune. Mix and match colors to keep it in your event's color scheme. Design tip: use punching balloons to achieve the perfect round shape versus oblong.

Custom Gobos

Want to take your event to a higher level of sophistication? Create a Monogram! Monogramming is a classic way to personalize any event. You can print it on t-shirts, banners, aisle runners, rubber stamps, on your wedding stationery, event program covers, wedding favors, party favors. The list goes on and on. Another nifty use of your monogram is to create a custom gobo.

What is a custom gobo? Star Light & Magic breaks it down nicely and provides pictures! Gobos are patterns for lights, and come in a wide range of sizes. A gobo is a stainless steel or glass-etched cutout, that when placed in a pattern projecting light fixture will project that image onto a wall or other flat surface. Basically, gobos are another way to bring the wow factor your event.

Keep in mind, besides customizing and purchasing the gobo, there are other expenses that must be covered. Such as renting the lighting equipment needed to project the gobo, equipment to hang the lighting instrument and labor to set it up and break it down. DJ's may provide gobos, if not, any lighting company can provide these services.

Apollo Design is a reputable company to use to design your gobo. There are design template available to download on their website. Before you go customizing, check with your local lighting company to find out if they carry the correct size lighting instrument to project your gobo.

On a budget? Try searching for floor decals. Visit OrientalTrading.com. They sell “Just Married” Wedding Ballroom Floor Cling which is a vinyl floor decal that sticks safely to most smooth surfaces. The cling can even be customized with the bride and groom’s names and it costs less than $20 bucks.

Remember, there is always a trick to make your event special and unique!

Photo courtesy of Luxury Wedding Society