Ever wondered why some homes feel a little cozier, more inviting than the others? It isn’t a question of having a sprawling space, the latest home entertainment system to impress guests, or a set of furniture in every room in the house that seems straight from a stylish brand’s catalogue. Guests generally feel more comfortable in homes that project a lived-in feel—proof that the homeowners themselves, more than anyone else, embrace and enjoy living in the confines of their own homes.
Wrought Iron Chandeliers and other Lighting Options and Inspirations
Looking for great wrought iron chandeliers and other lighting options for your home? Style at Home Magazine recently featured timeless, classy lighting solutions that bring an extra level of sophistication to a home or cabin. Three of the items in the magazine’s “10 Lighting Options You’ll Love” article were or could be made from wrought iron, allowing you to enjoy the artisan-crafted stamp of this unique material in a variety of forms. Many enthusiasts of wrought iron love the rustic sheen and powerful statement made by the iconic metal, and these lamps and chandeliers are sure to please.
The following lighting options, gleaned both from the Style at Home “10 Lighting Options You’ll Love” article and Timeless Wrought Iron’s classic selection, will provide inspiration for you to put a bold, decorative stamp on your living space or commercial environment.
Wrought Iron Decorating Ideas from Ashlee Simpson’s Home
When singer and actress Ashlee Simpson listed her 7,100-square-foot villa in the Beverly Hills Post Office area for $3.69 million in spring of 2011, realtor.com posted 20 photos of the fabulous Mediterranean style house on its website. With five bedrooms, six and a half baths, a pool and spa, media room, meditation room and breath-taking views of canyons, mountains and greenbelts, the listing was sure to go fast.
Not surprisingly the listing agent, Sotheby’s International, reported the house had sold by June 2011 for $3.475 million, not too far off the asking price in a slow real estate market. While we’re sure the meditation garden and gourmet kitchen had plenty to do with the quick sale, what really attracted us about the photos of Ms. Simpson’s home were the many and varied uses of wrought iron. From the railing on the second-floor balcony to lighting fixtures and accent pieces, wrought iron is a repeated decorating theme throughout the home.
A Hollywood Mansion for Big Bang Theory Actor Simon Helberg
Charlie Sheen made quite a splash when the drug- and booze-fueled antics in his Mediterranean-style Hollywood mansion came to light. As a result, the new owner of the home – “Big Bang Theory” actor Simon Helberg – will likely be a much more popular tenant in the historic Los Feliz neighborhood. Helberg acquired the mini-mansion, built in 1927, for $2.9 million and now has 4,200 square feet of luxury to explore. The Los Feliz home has been on the real estate market since 2009, just two years less than Helberg has starred on the hit TV series.
Goldie Hawn’s Wrought Iron-Inspired Malibu Mansion
First-time visitors to the Eiffel Tower are surprised when they see this mass of steel curves, scrolls and other delicate ironwork. How could anyone make lace out of steel? French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel did, earning the title of “magician of iron” after the tower’s 1889 Parisian debut, reports Biography.com.
Eiffel — like blacksmiths and ironworkers centuries before him — knew that, behind its rock-hard exterior, wrought iron could be as beautiful as it was functional.
Celebrity Decorator’s Secret: Wrought Iron Chandeliers in the Kitchen
Decorators and celebrities love wrought iron because it makes any space feel timeless and luxurious. There are a variety of architectural styles, from a Mission style house to a Craftsman cottage or Northwoods lodge.
Jeffrey Lubell, founder of True Religion Brand Jeans, says that wrought iron is one of the key design elements used in his Mediterranean style beach home. Lubell currently has the stunning, 3,000-square-foot Manhattan Beach property on the market for $10.5 million, according to Realtor.com.
Among the ways architect Louie Tomaro incorporates decorative wrought iron in the home is with an eye-catching railing that serves as a statement piece on the beautiful curving staircases in the house. The house’s interior railing also emphasizes the curved balcony that overlooks the ocean.
Decorating a Kitchen with Wrought Iron
A kitchen is one part of a home that seems to attract the most traffic. Family members often spend a good bit of their day in this one particular room. When decorating a kitchen, one looks for ideas that are not only attractive but functional. Accents come in a variety of shapes and sizes with numerous finishes.
If you are looking for larger items to fill a void, a wrought iron baker’s rack is a good start. This furnishing looks elegant with lace doilies and your favorite cookbooks. Show off those new pans with a wrought iron hanging pot rack that puts your cookware within reach. Choose from several styles hand-crafted to fit your needs. Don’t forget the wine rack that will demonstrate to others your fine vintage taste. Floor, counter top and hanging racks are available for use in any sized kitchen.
Usher Guests to Your Home with Wrought Iron Welcome Signs
Usher guests into your home with rustic charm and a warm greeting they can’t miss by hanging a wrought iron welcome sign near your entryway. Wrought iron welcome signs are classic. They don’t go out of style – They last for decades – And they are artistically crafted in every imaginable style. Choose from diverse designs that range from classic pineapple and floral designs, to nautical beach designs, to favorite pastimes designs like golfing or fishing, to festive holiday designs like angels. Some wrought iron welcome signs even highlight careers such as firefighting. No matter where your decorating preferences lie, you can find the perfect wrought iron welcome sign to complement your style while welcoming your friends and family into your home with timeless wrought iron charm.
Wrought Iron Numbers and Letters
Classic wrought iron house numbers and letters look outstanding on nearly every home. But they’re not just for displaying your home address any more. Wrought iron house numbers and letters can be used inside and outside your home to give your home the perfect touch of personality and stamp of ownership. For example, use two different sizes of a decorative font to custom design a wrought iron monogram to hang above a doorway inside or outside your home.
Decorate Your Home Right
Your home is not just a place where you eat, drink, and sleep, but it is the one place where you meet and greet neighbors, where your children grow up, where your friends come to relax, and where you can flee to have a relaxing moment away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Because a home is so much more than just a place to live, your home should express some of your personal interests in its styles and designs.