Pssst, here's a secret: We're really excited about the Los Angeles Ballet performance of Balanchine next month. It's going to be awesome. For all of you lovers of ballet, we've found three gorgeous ideas that remind us of the beautiful lines, gauzy tutus, and delicate details thanks to this home featured in Skona Hem.
This lampshade gets it structure visually from the strong trim at the top and bottom of the shade, but the wraparound fabric looks light as air with the pleating creating soft vertical shadows around the clear light bulb. We're curious to see if anyone knows how to create something similar? We've found DIY lamp shade kits like this one from the Lamp Shop, but all the materials are pretty opaque.
If there's one thing we learned from our ballet classes from back in the day, it would be this: Ballet is all about making it look easy (especially if your toes are practically bleeding, your legs are shaking, and you never want to hear the word "plié!" again). So if you're into effortless subtlety and don't mind a little bit of elbow grease, take a look at this gorgeous bedroom wall with its tonal gold-beige floral pattern. By experimenting within a monotone color palette or even paint finishes (matte and glossy), you can add interest to a plain wall that won't overtake the entire room.
This lampshade is a bit too obvious with our ballet connection: The Liv lamp by Jonas Bohlin retails at nearly $500, but we're thinking there could be a DIY solution for this one? With enough tulle, you could construct a classical bell-shaped tutu that could cover a plain white lampshade and attach to just the top of the lamp shade frame.
See the rest of this beautiful house over at Skona Hem; and if you're interested in the Los Angeles Ballet's premiere of Balanchine, you can get more info here.
(Images: Skona Hem)
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Comments (12)
All of this is truly lovely, a bit of a tip to Shabby Chic (God rest its soul). But I have to ask a question which perhaps a later comer will be able to answer. The picture directly over the cot in the third photo? Does a real person sleep in that bed I wonder. If I had a photo hanging at the head (or even the foot) of my cot, I would knock it off the wall in my sleep -- regularly. Does anyone else see that as even slightly hazardous, and if the answer is no, there really is no need to tell me how stupid or silly I am. A simple no will suffice.
Not about the rooms but about ballet: you lucky, lucky people. New Yorkers live in the greatest center of dance on the planet. Appreciate it. For some of us, world-class ballet involves a plane ticket.
my husband has nearly given me black eyes from throwing elbows in his sleep..... so yes, a picture above the bed would surely be hazardous but only because of my husband....it is also bad feng shui
For the lampshade: Seems like it could easily be done.
Start with a metal lampshade frame, and for the shade itself, you could use sheer drapery fabric, easily bought at a local fabric store, or you could use a store bought sheer panel. (they come in a multitude of sheer colors)
Follow any directions on making a fabric shade, but however long the fabric should be to wrap around the circumference of the frame, I would multiply that times 3 or 4. Put a row of basting (hand stitching) on top and bottom and then pull thread to "cinch" the fabric, causing it to pleat/gather. Then wrap like you would a paper shade. Finish off with trim or ribbon.
The seam would be hidden in the gathering and the edges shouldn't be a problem since they are then covered in trim or bias tape, hiding the edges.
In Los Angeles? I would lay in that cot awake all night waiting for 'the big one' to bury me in a pile of metal and wood and broken glass.
39520expat, it's their guestroom so nobody sleeps there regularly . If it was me, I'd worry about pulling the Tolomeo lamp down by the cord. :-)
If I were planning to put a framed picture that close to the head of a bed, I'd simply carefully screw down all four corners to the wall -- then you'd only have to worry about sleeping violently enough to smash the glass.
"In Los Angeles? I would lay in that cot awake all night waiting for 'the big one' to bury me in a pile of metal and wood and broken glass."
Fortunately, this house is in Sweden, and they don't have to worry about it. :)
The tu-tu lamp is a little too much for me personally, but I like the idea, and it does seem pretty easy to DIY. I like the bright red tool chest/cabinet in the bedroom. (Isn't that one of those toolboxes you normally see in a garage?)
Is anyone able to translate the true source for the sheer lampshade from Skona Hem? my swedish is a little rusty
I like the idea of the last lamp, but I'd probably make it shorter - and maybe more horizontal? If you put a layer of thicker (cheaper!) netting underneath, it would help it stick out.
You know, I would feel that way about that picture too, but I think some people just sleep more 'calmly' than others! My sister has this weird shelf right above her pillow in her bed (it's only an inch higher than the pillow!). I sleep in her bed fairly regularly when I visit my mum and I have to move all the stuff she keeps on it so I don't knock it but she swears she's never knocked any of the numerous little items she has up there-she thinks I'm weird! So I think it depends on the individual's sleeping pattern.
@Kaviare, why not just buy a child's tutu (the classical type, not the bell-shaped Romantic tutu) and modify as needed? They're very inexpensive: this place has them for $12. http://www.danceskirts.biz/tutu_1.html