STYLEBEST: THE SPUTNIK CHANDELIER

A light fixture or decorative accessory can hit a tipping point in popularity when you start to see it everywhere. If that piece was vintage, it can be hard to get your hands on one. That is where reproductions come in.  The upside is, the redesign can mean the scale has been changed, or the piece just works better in its newest incarnation. This sought-after piece, the Sputnik Chandelier, is a silhouette first came on the scene in the 1950's and 60's, and it has risen in popularity recently.  Known for its spiky, sun ray arms, it adds an interesting shape with its linear yet airy form.  This repro version from Arteriors, the Zanadoo, has become wildly popular with the vintage brass finish. It has the right amount of arms, and a great scale. It was such a hit they recently added to the Zanadoo family, creating a larger chandler and a flush sconce, and they can now be used outside. I think the sconces would add just the right amount of glamour to a powder room.

The large version

The baby 

The sconce has 5 lights

FIRED UP: FIREPLACE ACCESSORIES ARE GETTING CHIC

As the weather starts to get colder, sitting by the fire becomes a viable past time. If you are spending hours sitting cozily gazing at flames, here are some stylish fireplace accessories to create a design worthy moment at the hearth.  Tools and andirons can certainly pick up on locale, whether the setting is rustic or refined.

 The Heath Andirons from Arteriors have a surrealist, sculptural quality to them. They add a bit of worldly glamour to a space, and look like a find brought back from an exotic antique shop. New to the category, Arteriors recently launched an entire array of fireplace accessories with a varied point of view, from streamlined to highly decorative.

A scroll flourish on Arteriors Gil Andirons brings a bit of femme glamour to the flames.

Taking their cue from vintage finds, giant brass spheres sit on a patinated metal base in Arteriors stately Hammond Andirons.

Photos courtesy of Arteriors

The fascination with obelisks continues in Arteriors Howard Andirons of textured polished nickel.

Photo courtesy of John Lyle

Made of hand-forged polished brass and blackened steel, John Lyle's Luxe Andirons provide a strong linear presence.

 Photo courtesy of West Elm

Stacked rings in black iron provide West Elm's andirons with a circular pattern and graphic sensibility.

For a more classic interior, Chesney's Malvern Fire Tool Set pairs antiqued brass and dark steel with ball finial detailing.

Modernists will love West Elm's sleek fire tools with linear appeal in brushed silver.

Photo courtesy of Restoration Hardware

Forged of steely iron, Restoration Hardware's Industrial Hearth Tool Set looks tough and hearty.

KEEP A LOW PROFILE: COFFEE TABLES THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION AT 2013 SPRING HIGH POINT MARKET

Mission: coffee table. Finding THE perfect place to artfully create tablescapes that also fits the style of your living room requires a bit of a search. I scoured High Point, looking high and low for interesting coffee tables to suit a variety of interiors. Many of the new additions with a wide appeal stemmed off the classic Parsons table silhouette. Lucite, brass, raffia, faux finishes and metal add a bit of spark to seating areas that require a spot for a drink, your favorite books, flowers and a hurricane or two.

Based on covered vintage style, the Kemble Interiors for Henredon collection worked brass accents into many of their pieces. A bamboo textured frame supports a glass-topped square coffee table, great for large areas.

Lucite like this is swoon-worthy. Thick lucite column legs with brass end caps and trim on the neo-vintage coffee table from Kemble Interiors for Henredon was a showstopper.

A second shelf provides extra display capabilities in Arteriors elegant-legged hammered metal coffee table.

Worlds Away mixes materials on the Conrad, a lacquer and gold leaf coffee table with a modified Greek key metal base.

A clean classic shape, the waterfall table never fails in appeal, since it's chameleon-line ability allows it to suit many environments. This Raffia Cocktail Table from Pearson is covered in light raffia, which provides the addition of texture.

Another grass cloth-covered classic, this time from Century. Simple lines are enhanced with a curving decorative bracket that works its way around the piece. Aged brass ferrules ground the leg.

An L-shaped leg gives linear impact to Pearson's  ivory faux Shagreen Cocktail Table. The scale is just right.

Subtle painted gold detailing adds charm to Century's Alexa, a low, 2-tiered coffee table with removable tray top.

A stepped base influenced by a Chinese antique table, the Low Cocktail Table covered in vellum at Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill adds a neutral element.

Faux bois can tend to look heavy, but that isn't the case in Mr. Brown's new white painted metal coffee table. Intertwined branches have a lightness to them that is made modern by the white finish and a smoky mirror top.

The finish on this table is what makes it really wonderful. The Paris Cocktail Table from Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill in a swirly cream and brown dragged finish elevates it giving the surface interest.

Festoni also launched an acrylic coffee table. Mixing clear and black plastic, a splayed leg and low profile bring flair to seating areas.

Noir uses repurposed wood in this low, rustic light wood table with zig-zag base. It has heft to it that would look great in a modern barn setting.

Trimmed in white, Bernhardt's large rectangular Bexley Coffee Table has modern lines and graphic punch.

A curved leg reminiscent of classic Chinoiserie pieces on Bungalow 5's Higashi Coffee Table gives it a subtle sophistication. Brass accent cut-outs add a bit of sparkle.

Baker debuted a new traditional collection from Michael S. Smith at High Point. Richly carved details in the Peking Cocktail Table accompany a decorative Chinoiserie scenic on the top. True to the original antique it was based on, Baker has duplicated every intricate detail on the carved textural fretwork border that continues from the border to the leg.

Century's upholstered coffee table with tapered, curved leg and movable, raised center portion allows for a perch and a spot for a drink.

FALL 2012 HIGH POINT MARKET ROUND UP: 15 SMALL OTTOMANS WITH BIG APPEAL

Whether it has an x-base or is fully upholstered, small benches and ottomans are a great addition to the end of a bed or in seating arrangements. Providing an extra perch or a place for a bag or throw, they serve a smart dual function role. Small pieces were aplenty at High Point Market, and here is a round up of some favorite pairs for bunching  and to use stand-alone pieces.

A pair of white Consulate x-base benches in turquoise upholstery at Century Furniture.

Slatted x-base Rockwell benches at Century that feel very Spanish in derivation.

Century's upholstered Canter Ottoman with nail head trim and tapered leg.

A diminutive low footstool at Hickory Chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard from Sherrill has these cut corner upholstered benches with cushioned tops and storage inside. All I could think of is that they would make the best dog beds for a pair of dogs.

Wesley Hall had an upholstered pair of curved ottomans, version 75, with skirted base.

Bernhardt's wooden base bench with leather top is very French 40s.

 Resembling highly coveted vintage finds, Drexel Heritage had the Eve Ottomans. Tufted, upholstered stunners with an arched leg merge the best of old and new. 

Thibault Furniture's Preston Ottoman with a cushion top and bamboo ridged white leg are perfect for country and coastal settings.

Ralph Lauren Home's classic x-benches with tight seat and nailheads in a blue fabric.

A pair of 69W Parsons-style upholstered and tufted x-benches from Wesley Hall have got it going on with contrast trim.

Upholstered in a graphic geometric fabric with orange trim.

Mr. Brown debuted a quatrefoil tufted ottoman with contrast trim on bobbin legs and casters that sits next to an upholstered clean-lined one with button tufting, both in natural linen.

Studio A had a metal bench with an x-base and dog head finials called The Bow Wow Bench.

 In a zippy red, Arteriors x-base upholstered Tennyson Bench with nail head border is a plush option.

WHERE DO I PUT MY DRINK DOWN? WHY A DRINKS TABLE OF COURSE!

You often hear interior designers talk about drinks tables. These are easy to access at the ready chair - side spots that serve as the perfect place to plant a drink, book or reading glasses. Here is a round up of diverse drinks tables that serve a purpose and look great while doing it.

Photo courtesy of Century
The influence of horns, be it antlers hung from the wall or horn inlay, seems to be sticking around. Warm antique brass and creative use of the antlers in the Chairside Table from Century makes the popular motif seem fresh again.

Rich complex glazes and unique garden stool forms keep Emissary ahead of the curve. This new ovoid silhouette with a raised top is a nice new addition.

Photo courtesy of Arteriors
A brass tabouret table that resembles a drum with x-detailing looks incredibly chic, like an antique find.

Photo courtesy of Arteriors
The three legged Sanibel table with a slim gold leaf base and beveled black marble top has sleek French 1940 lines. From Arteriors.

Based on an 18th century naturalized rocaille style table with a tree base, Beeline Home's Albero Drinks Table is the perfect perch for a cold one. Williams is known for her drinks tables and has an appreciation for their functional qualities.

Available in a zingy green lacquer or (fire engine red), this ribbed Column Drinks Table is a diminutive darling from Beeline Home.

I always love anything wrapped in lacquered linen, so no wonder this coral Festoni zig zag table grabbed my attention!

Currey and Company debuted their highly anticipated Marjorie Skouras collection at market with these sexy shell inlay Bix side tables in a blue green mother of pearl with silverleaf legs. Ooh lala.

Global Views introduced a round marble side table called the Arabesque with Moorish cut out details.

Artesia was feeling the same thing, with their hand carved sandstone version called Soraya. It seems this is the sincerest form of flattery, since both these pieces were influenced by Stephanie Odegard's marble classic in the same vein.

Like a slick of shiny red lipstick, this red laquer Flip side table from Currey and Company is all dressed up, ready for any occasion.

Taking it's cue from 1950's bamboo outdoor furniture, this small cerused side table with a glass top from Gabby has an interesting circular composition.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
The Enzo side table is a solid companion from Made Goods that is available in a chic tortoise looking Penn shell or lighter Kabibe shell finish.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
With a lot of shimmer, the Bea ceramic side table in a glazed gold finish from Made Goods adds quiet glamour.