Ahoy Matey...errr Mirror

Rustic and Nautical Mirrors
By: Priya Patel

My fiancé, Alex, recently finished his five year enlistment with the United States Navy…so you can say that the Navy was and still is a big part of our lives. When moving into our first apartment we didn't know what kind of theme we wanted our living room to have, so we decided to have nautical décor accented with blue hues. We didn't want to ‘go overboard’ with Navy memorabilia so we decided to find key military inspired pieces that made our theme come together.

The Seagrass Wall Mirror is the perfect combination of rustic and nautical. It’s highly detailed with intricate knotted brown rope and is a substantial size which filled up our bare walls.  The teal pillows and wall color really pops with browns and neutrals. The ‘Stuff’ bin holds all of our remote controls and of course, the holy Xbox controller. The handles are tied with rope, which ties the mirror back into the décor. While a finished living room may be miles ‘aweigh,’ a mirror really adds more depth and light back into any room.

Find the Seagrass Wall Mirror at your local home decor retailer...or, online at these great e-tailers;

     

Reading Under Reeler

The Perfect Reading Light
By: Justin Draughn

A look around my house will prove my absolute love and borderline obsession with "tech-toys"...from the latest - thinnest laptop...to the sleekest new smart phone, my home is jam-packed with tech items. With this adoration for all things digital I still have yet to let go of my last remaining "tangible" vice...the book. Music lovers claim to hear the "warmth" in vinyl - book readers like the feel of paper, the experience of flipping the page, and the weight of a heavy volume. I have yet to have the same reading experience from an e-reader. With that, I'd like to tell you about my favorite reading spot in the house...

I enjoy sitting upright while reading - as such, I have a ridiculously comfortable over-sized chair in my reading area. It's well broken in and somewhat swallows your body during lengthy reading sessions. 

  

My ultimate reading light is the "Reeler" floor lamp which features an adjustable curved arm to situate the angle of the light in the perfect position. This particular model features a rich, oil-rubbed-bronze finish which provides exceptional warmth to my reading nook. 

Reeler reminds me of a private investigator's lamp from an old film noir style move - the look of the angles are what I'd describe as "vintage Hollywood". The over all look and feel of the lamp will give your room, or reading nook a decisive "classic cool" appeal.

One of the best features of Reeler is its use of directional light - with the right angle and bulb combination I can illuminate my reading area, while leaving the rest of the room in the dark. Conversely, with a higher wattage bulb and higher angling of the light you can easily warm up a living room.

Reeler can be purchased online, or at a local lighting retailer.

     

Coil: Solar Lantern

Solid Solar Lantern
By: Justin Draughn

The recent streak of cold weather has generally kept me from enjoying my backyard lanai - instead I've been confined inside reacting the type writer scenes from "The Shining". With the first burst above 50 degree temperatures in over two weeks, I pounced on the opportunity to go outside and enjoy cooking on my grille, and perhaps some light reading afterwards. The upswing in temperature also finally gave me an opportunity to review the "Coil" solar lantern. We on the social media team at Kenroy Home have admittedly been putting off a review on this product - we've been so enamored with the beautiful ceramic solar lantern collection "Leaves", that we failed to realize how incredibly awesome the Coil lantern was.

In less than a second after turning on the solar light disc I was treated to an amazing light cast pattern. The coiled rings project an almost bulls-eye light display. While not exactly practical for my outside patio, a series of "Coil" lanterns on a walking path would look outstanding.

The versatility of this lantern cannot be overstated - the lightweight frame made hanging it up by the handle incredibly easy. With "Coil" suspended above the grille, I now had a great downcast of light to prepare dinner. Just as easy as handing it, I transferred it over to the table for a nice "solar lit" dinner.

  
Beyond nighttime entertaining, this lantern would make an exceptional camping accessory - lightweight enough to suspend from a branch, durable enough to withstand walks through the campground, and powerful enough to last through the night on a single solar charge. The possibilities are endless...

Coil can be found at your local lighting retailer, or online;

 

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of...

Clean and Classy Night Stands
By: Priya Patel

Most of our nighttime routines consist of reading a few pages of a New York Times Bestseller - or debating on watching the next 10 episodes of "Breaking Bad" on Netflix. Regardless of what you choose as the last bit of pre-slumber stimuli, one philosophy will always remain consistent...a well organized room will help you sleep better. In this post we'll discuss a classic and clean nightstand - one that provides the right amount of "put-away" storage, with just enough table-top space for your daily go-to items.

An underutilized, plain and simple night stand is just as bad as a cluttered one - it lends zero aura to the room, and presents an "I'm just taking up space" attitude. With just a few simple accessories and must-have items, we can transform this simple piece of furniture into a well organized inspiration platform for the rest of your bedroom.

 
A good nightstand storage policy to adhere to is dividing your items into three categories: infrequent - magazines, "back-up lotions", various chargers, and that shirt button you just can't seem to ever throw away...in my case, I've appropriately named this storage area "stuff". Daily - lotions, jewelry, medications...any item that you'd want easy-quick access too, but don't want to necessarily display to the public. And lastly, the "OMG Where is my..." category - these are items that you'll want easy, uninhibited access to, such as your phone, keys, or glasses.

The most important element of your nightstand arrangement will be your lamp - with the top of your nightstand considered premium real-estate, you'll want to select a lamp with a small footprint. I found that the Emilio Table Lamp from Kenroy Home fits this criteria perfectly. Emilio's base is only 9.5 inches long and has a width a little over 5 inches. An additional benefit is the off-center shade position...while the footprint is small, the shade protrudes out almost 9 inches, this gives you a better viewing angle for nighttime reading or tablet surfing without sacrificing table space. 

      

A few decorative accents such as a chrome etched vase, and white candle positioned on top of a vintage box creates a classy and modernly inspired nightstand that will make your day-to-day routine a snap! 

Emilio can be found at your local lighting showroom - or online at these great retailers;

  

    

Desk Lamps: The Right Light for your Job

Desktop Lighting:
By: Priya Patel

For any work area, lighting is a must. A lamp not only adds lighting to your desk, but could be a decorative, accent piece. We spend so much time at work, so why not make it a place we enjoy?

The Baubles 2-Pack Table Lamp adds a sleek, yet funky touch to my work environment. I wanted to incorporate the silver and polished look from the lamp back into my desk area, so I opted for a tray to hold all of my office supplies. I chose a metallic wide tray which houses a crackled pen/pencil holder, fun and colorful notebooks, polka dotted file holders, and some Lilly Pulitzer for pattern and color. My choice of desktop lighting is primarily for aesthetics - while the soft glow from the taupe shade is easy on my eyes, the silver body finish of Baubles ties the desk together.

Now we'll see how one lamp style can be used in a variety of configurations.    

The GloverTable Lamp is a versatile, bubbled patterned ceramic lamp. Our Digital Media Manager, Justin, uses his Glover lamp to have brightness for his ‘reading nook’ and to have additional lighting for his monitor’s. Having the lamp positioned behind the viewing angle of his monitor helps with eye strain while editing videos and photos. A truly versatile piece, our Human Resource Manager, Tammy, uses Glover to add an additional décor piece for her office. The white glossy base really pops and adds flare and takes the drab out of a traditional office space.

The ReelerTable Lamp has an adjustable pivot to pin point your lighting direction. Michael, our fixture designers, uses Reeler for functionality - the pivoting head is perfect for providing light while sketching out fabulous new designs. The sleek and modern lines is a perfect match for the cleanest office space in the building.

Reeler lightens up for Jordon’s desk area. Jordon, Kenroy Home’s eCommerce Coordinator, mainly uses Reeler for optimal light. Spreadsheets and numbers can be daunting and can strain your eyes…Reeler will point and turn to give your eyes ease throughout the work day.

What do you do keep your office area fun, functional, and fresh?

Find more Kenroy Home Desk and Table Lamps at your local lighting showroom or these great online retailers...

  

Warm and Cozy

Designing a "warm" room - with "worn" furniture
By: Priya Patel

Before our big move to Florida, my fiancé and I were gifted these lovely coffee colored leather sofas from his parents. Due to our tight budget and knowing anything similar would retail far above what we could afford, we graciously accepted. They were upholstered with luxuriously supple blended leather and could easily be turned into a little reading nook, but first we needed to transform these sofas into more of a contemporary setting.

I could add a few blankets and make it cozier, but that’s not necessarily making it fun and fresh. I ran into these patterned pillows at my local home décor store and thought it would be a perfect balance with the dominating rich brown sofas. The shades of teal, silver, and periwinkle blue gave the room more of a balance.

Next came accessories. Accessorizing is the perfect way to add touches of your style and personality. Set the tone with personalized pictures or small plants. I found some inexpensive succulents at my local grocery store and decided to plant it in a plain rounded, crisp white pot. The white accents the periwinkle blue pillows, making everything consistent. I wanted to add more touches of white, but didn't want it to become a central color. So I opted for a textured candle in a warm yet inviting scent of vanilla. To tie everything back I wanted to add a rustic/natural touch…these pine cones did the trick! They are potpourri pine cones, which adds an extra scent to the living room.

Finally, I needed a bold accent piece and most importantly, additional lighting! The Lavo Table lamp was the perfect colored accent piece and it was quite functional for reading. While no two lamps are the same, I had a true unique piece. The ceramic lamp was sturdy enough to withstand play time with my shih-tzu and pretty enough to have lit for an extra beam of light throughout the night.

Have you ever received a hand-me-down piece of furniture? How did you design around it...?

If you are bold enough to design around the Lavo table lamp it can be found at your local lighting retailer, or online at these wonderful retailers.

  

Weather Insurance

Weather Resistant Portable Lighting from Kenroy Home

With the recent onslaught of punishingly cold weather, it’s difficult to even think of outdoor living accessories that aren't fire pits or high output space heaters. Outside dining experiences featuring freshly grilled cuisine aren't planned nearly as often when you subject your guests to single digit temperatures. However, your outdoor living accessories – in this case, outdoor lighting are subject to a wide array of extreme temperature changes; which begs the question…what exactly does “weatherproof” mean?

Kenroy Home’s corporate headquarters are located in Northeastern Florida – our weather patterns have been known to shift wildly, making a wardrobe featuring a heavy jacket and sandals perfectly acceptable. In short – we have an ideal testing ground for various types of weather conditions. Our design methodology is surrounded by the idea of “weather insurance” – nearly any lamp can operate under sunny, 72 degree chamber of commerce days…Kenroy Home’s “weather insurance” is the guarantee that your outdoor lighting products will operate after unpleasant weather systems have passed through your area.

Beginning with the most common of inclement weather…rain; as mentioned in this issue of Casual Living, Kenroy Home actually subjects their lamps to a “rain box” during shows. We do this to not only illustrate the effectiveness of our bulb shields, but to also demonstrate the high quality water resistant materials used for our shades. A quick stop by our Dallas Showroom this Lighting Market to view the display will prove how water just rolls off the shade – leaving no room for the material to become “weathered” over time. Using solution dyed acrylic as the material for the shade also protect your lamp against sun damage caused by intense summer heat.  

Each lamp body is also protected against the elements as well – featuring materials such as high quality resin, concrete, and slate…these outdoor accents earn the title “weather resistant”. During our most recent cold snap (that was mild compared to the rest of the country) each lamp in our testing area performed beautifully the “day after”.

While there certainly is an ideal time to enjoy your outdoor lighting accessories – make sure you select a lighting product that can safely make it through those less than ideal weather conditions. Kenroy Home carries a full line of outdoor lighting products – all of which can be viewed on Pinterest – and purchased at your local lighting retailer, or these home improvement websites.

 

Creative Office Solutions

Folding Laundry...Writing Blogs:
By: Justin Draughn

Before my wife and I decided to have children, our home office was truly a sight to behold. A techie’s dream…sleek tables, weirdly shaped ergonomic chairs, and a host of science fiction movie posters adorning the walls. Then…we had kids – while I don’t ever say that begrudgingly, my sleek-silver office turned into a pink nightmare…a baby girl’s room.

A quick search of the house left me with little options – moving my desk into the master bedroom was out of the question, the glow of the monitor would keep my wife awake during late night gaming sessions. I needed a door, and a reasonably quiet place to work and generally waste time playing video games. Then I realized a desk-sized cutaway in our laundry room…at first the idea sounded crazy, but after a few measurements…I realized it could indeed work.

My workstation was scaled down to a small glass table that supported my monitor, keyboard, and mouse. While we have overhead lighting in the form of fluorescent tubes – these tend to give me a headache, as such I opted for a sleek desk lamp from Kenroy Home called “Amherst”. The pivoting head and three-way touch controls worked perfectly in the arrangement – I have a nice warm glow when typing, or executing commands on my favorite online multi-player game. Additionally, the rich oil rubbed bronze finish compliments my black PC accessories.  

With very limited space, I soon realized that I would need to "build up" in order to accommodate necessities like disc cases, files, headsets, controllers, and general office supplies. A simple wire shelf was installed to hold most of the larger items – however, this solution was not handy for items that I’d be accessing frequently such as my headset and gaming controller. After a quick online search, I located the perfect solution – an iron holder with two supporting arms – this feature solved three storage solutions…a place for my iron, headset, and gaming controller.

I've had my “laundry data center” for five years now – and once you get used to the scaled down area, it’s really quite nice. An unexpected bonus is the warmth from our dryer during the cold winter months. Leave a comment below if you've ever had an unusual home office arrangement…and what were your solutions?

The "Amherst" desk lamp can be purchased at your local lighting showroom- or online at these fine retailers. 

  

Raw and Rustic Design

I'm a world traveler...or am I???
By: Justin Draughn

Sometimes interior design can be a little rough…and that might be the exact look you’re after. In this post we explore a simple side table design theme that can change the look of your room from “daily commuter” to “rough and tumble world traveler”.

We begin with a highly unique light source; the “Sheaf”table lamp from Kenroy Home – this rustic bundle of reeds has a true expedition feel. This stand out accent piece immediately sets a “raw” tone to the room – and would be further complimented in a living space featuring hardwood floors. The fanned reeds filter the shine of the bulb into a nice warm glow.

To further drive home the “world traveler” look you can employ a simple mason jar filled with foreign currency. Ideally these notes would be souvenirs from your “real” world travels – but if you’re content to "stand in the place where you live", you do have a few options. Most banks offer currency exchanges, and some may impose a minimum order...best to check before you stop by your banking establishment, you don't want to end up with a $200 design piece. Your other option...become good friends with someone in the military, more than likely they've picked up several notes during their tours of duty.

Lastly, to round out the look – an aged wood picture frame extends your traveler table display onto your wall space. This balances out the roughness with a series of softer images of family and friends. Extra credit given to at-home designers with proficiency in Photoshop...  

With just a few accent pieces you can modify your living space into an inspiring focal point that will have your guests chatting about your unique taste in design. The "Sheaf" floor lamp can be purchased at your local lighting showroom- or online at these fine retailers. 

  

“Don’t Touch Those White Walls! – No Painting Allowed”

Kenroy Color – "Profile" Lamp of the Month

By: Priya Patel

I just settled into my new place, a nice modern apartment located in a bustling area of the city – great restaurants and shopping are within walking distance, and my neighbor brought over cookies the day I moved in (yum!). Everything seemed perfects until I received my “welcome” letter from the apartment management office. Overall the message was nice; thanks and gratitude for selecting their community, rules and regulations about the pool, etc… - then, located in a bright red font were the words “painting of apartment walls is prohibited”. Bummer…every square inch of wall space was white – like “institutional white”.

With the walls off limits I needed to focus on my home décor accessories – after all nothing in the guidelines prohibited colorful lamps or candles. Starting in my master bedroom I began with a simple inspiration piece – a small orange candle. With my contrasting color in mind, I thumbed through a Kenroy Home catalog (one of the many benefits of working for a home décor company) until I found the perfect set of lamps. The Profile Lamp collection is presented in a tangerine glaze with a poppy floral shade – the perfect compliment to my orange inspiration piece.

Now that my lighting was in place – I added a few floral touches to my night stand to really accentuate the orange pop of color. The white headboard and bedding makes the color stand out in an even more dramatic fashion. The Profile floor model creates a nice contrasting barrier between my wall, and the start of the headboard.

 Just a simple pop-of-color can dramatically change the atmosphere of those “Don’t Touch!” apartment walls. Adding touches of orange are easy to incorporate into your home décor, so be bold and add a pair of tangerine lamps in your living or bedroom. 

The Profile Lamp collection can be found online (follow the links below) or at your local lighting retailer:

Amazon
Bellacor
Home Depot