Moravian stars

For more inspirational finds, please visit www.quatrefoildesign.com

In the kids’ playroom/study, there is a built in desk with an arched opening above it.  We put our old desktop computer there (and a kitchen chair from the early 90s), and made the space wide enough so that another chair can be pulled up to the desk.  I have done nothing with this space so far, and it is time to start making it feel more like home.  I have plans for a fabric covered homasote bulletin board so the kids can hang their artwork and creations, and I would also like to hang a light from the top of the arch, as it is wired and we have a switch hidden in the shelves to the right of the arch.

I think that a small hanging light fixture would be charming in this space .  What came to mind immediately is a Moravian star fixture; the arch looks a bit like a window, and Moravian stars are traditionally hung in windows or on porches during the Advent season.  A star pendant would add a lovely element of whimsy and beauty that would be perfect for a space where children spend a lot of time. 

Legend has it that the Moravian star originated in Germany at a Moravian school in the 1850s; they were originally made of paper and tradition holds that they were the basis of a geometry lesson. The stars can have any number of points, as long as they are based on polyhedrons.  According to Moravian lore, the Moravian star became a representation of the Star of Bethlehem, and was displayed on the first Sunday of Advent. The star is an outward symbol of the period of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Image source.

Pottery Barn used to sell variations on the Moravian star light, but they don’t seem to have them in their line up right now. This is the Olivia star pendant (left, image source).

A more recent offering from Pottery Barn was the Reed star pendant, but it does not appear to be available anymore either.

However, with a bit of digging, I was able to find some good sources for Moravian star lights online.  Mermaid Hut in particular had a large selection of Moravian star lights available (click here for their selection). 

This colorful star from Mermaid Hut caught my eye, although if I go with a Moravian star I will either do the clear glass or the opaque glass.

 

Circa Lighting sells an opaque moravian star fixture in either 10” or 18” size.  http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=798

This Moravian star light seems particularly detailed, because of the number of points. I love the look of the seedy glass. http://shop.moravianbookshop.com/browse.cfm/moravian-star-26-point/4,447.html

I came across quite a few inspirational pictures while searching Moravian star lights; this one is my favorite. The Moravian star usually has more points, and stars with fewer points are often called Stars of Bethlehem.  Either way, this is a light fixture that always catches my eye when I see it.  Normally I associate a star fixture with a whimsical or casual décor, but this hall is elegant and somewhat formal, with its groin vault ceiling, stone floor, and symmetrical furniture arrangement at the end. Yet, the star fixtures look beautiful in the area, relaxing the formality yet still providing a special touch.

.

The star fixture adds a bit of brightness to the kitchen.  Image source.

A star fixture works beautifully with the curve of the walls in this small nook. Image via Pinterest.

Image via Pinterest.

Image via Pinterest.

Image via Pinterest.

I love the idea of this light fixture in a kids bedroom.  Image via Pinterest.

I am particularly fond of the star shaped canopy where the chain meets the ceiling. Source unknown.

The star provides a dramatic contrast to the dark tones of this room.  Source unknown.

A whimsical light fixture works beautifully in this casual room.

This light fixture works particularly well in pairs. Source unknown.

A seller on etsy makes pretty moravian stars out of recycled cardboard – wouldn’t this make a pretty painting?  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParkrosePretties

I am heading to Scott’s Antique Market this weekend to see what I can find for the space in the playroom – Moravian star inspired or otherwise! 

Things That Inspire Favorites: Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths

Things That Inspire Favorites: Oz Naturals Vitamin C Serum

Things That Inspire Favorites: Thera Breath Oral Rinse

To subscribe to my blog by email, click here.
To follow my blog on Facebook, click here.
Twitter: @TTIBlog
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ttiblog/
Visit my online store, Quatrefoil Design: www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com'



To see design, architecture, art, and decorative books that I recommend, please visit the Things That Inspire Amazon store.

One of my favorites: the Basil Flush Mount from Circa Lighting

For more inspirational finds, please visit www.quatrefoildesign.com


We ordered most of the interior light fixtures for the house back in December and January, which seemed early but actually turned out to be a smart thing to do; some of the fixtures were available right away, but others took many months to come in.  

It’s amazing how many light fixtures have to be ordered when building a new house.  Thankfully, the process was very smooth given the experience of my designer, who selected a great balance of lighting styles (from lanterns to sconces to flush mounts to chandeliers) and price points.  Every day I walk through the house and appreciate the lighting; it was a very important design element for me, and I am absolutely thrilled with everything we selected.  

Given the sheer number of light fixtures that had to be selected, it is amazing that everything worked out so well.  We only had one small issue, in a vestibule leading to the outdoor room.  Although the ceiling in the adjacent space is 10 feet, the vestibule ceiling drops to 9 feet, so the lantern that was selected for the space (the Honore Lantern, which is a beauty) did not work both because of the lower ceiling height, and because the door would swing into the lantern.  So, we went in a different direction and selected the large Basil flush mount fixture from Visual Comfort, available through Circa Lighting.  I am absolutely thrilled with this light fixture – it has a beautiful finish (we selected the natural brass, but it also comes in gun metal and polished nickel), and it is the perfect touch for this pretty space. Plus, I am happy to have a quatrefoil somewhere in the house, given my affinity for this shape!

We ordered much of our lighting from Circa Lighting, and I will feature different lighting fixtures that we selected in future posts.  A big thank you to the wonderful associates at Circa Lighting in Atlanta for helping us get the Basil flush mount fixtures to the house in time for the photo shoot with photographer Emily Followill!

Lighting information:

Large Basil Flush Mount by Alexa Hampton for Visual Comfort 
Available through Circa Lighting - http://www.circalighting.com/details.aspx?pid=2764

Circa has some of the most beautiful flush mount light fixtures – I think that flush mounts are such an appealing alternative to can lights in a space, as they project light so much better (and are far more beautiful!). Click here to see some of the flush mount options from Circa Lighting: 
http://www.circalighting.com/search_results.aspx?q=flush+mount

Photo credit: Emily Followill


To subscribe to my blog by email, click here.
To follow my blog on Facebook, click here.
Twitter: @TTIBlog
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ttiblog/
Visit my online store, Quatrefoil Design: www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com


To see design, architecture, art, and decorative books that I recommend, please visit the Things That Inspire Amazon store.