J. Randall Powers Loves Obelisks

The latest issue (November) of Architectural Digest includes a spread on the Houston home of the interior designer, J. Randall Powers. I love his use of color, and obelisks!

This living room uses color masterfully! I love the beige walls, the grey sofas, and the liberal use of red! It all works so well.

This comfortable room with a great mix of checks! The mantel is graced with a simple, sleek pair of rock crystal obelisks!

The dining room mixes antiques and modern in a wonderful contemporary space. It feels light and welcoming. In front of the window is a very large marble obelisk complementing the Regency style furniture and lighting.

Green and red is probably my favorite color combo, and they are used wonderfully in the library The Biedermeier settee is flanked by a pair of large mirrored obelisks that really sets it off.

The decorating flair of Powers creates classic contemporary spaces, in which obelisks fit perfectly!

Funky obelisks!

Obelisks come in all shapes, sizes and materials. On Pinterest I found a few that would not grace my home, but gave me a smile.

All images from  Pinterest

In our business, Only Obelisks, we come across all sorts of obelisks. We have focused on those that we think would be a chic addition to one's home decor. We have passed up many that are either boring or just too funky. We have avoided the mirrors, the shells, and the Oh too cute. But somebody likes them!

Summer Newsletter - Specimen marble obelisks

We shared the following with those on our Only Obelisks mailing list.

Specimen marble obelisks probably first came about as a souvenir of the Grand Tour, allowing the purchaser to buy a decorative object that also serves as an object of conversation with your guests. Just imagine the tales of your travels unfolding through a fabulous obelisk. Many obelisks are made of marble, but when I think of specimen marble obelisks, I think of the ones with the inlays of multiple types and colors or marble, or even layers of different colored marbles.

The first photo is from the home of the decorator Michael S. Smith. What a fabulous way to fill a corner with a huge obelisk.

The middle photo is a room decorated by Timothy Corrigan. He is a great lover of obelisks, and can't have too many on this console table. I love the tall black and white striped one in the middle.

Obelisks on mantel are a classic decorative touch. These specimen marble obelisks are used by the decorator David Phoenix for Rose Tarlow.

We have some great examples at Only Obelisks:

These very smart three marble striped obelisks on a brass base are very handsome. These are a recent acquisition, and we just love them. They stand 31 inches.

This is a 19th century Italian Grand Tour obelisk in cream marble with brown marble insets. This stands 19 inches tall, and is very smart looking.

These are similar to the ones in the photo on the bottom. These are quite beautiful, and have both marbles and mother of pearl inlays. These are almost 22 inches tall.

Obelisks found on Pinterest

I occasionally do a search for obelisks on Pinterest. Found some wonderful photos.

I love the variety of sizes, styles and materials. All these are on tables, which shows that obelisks can be used in more places than mantels and shelves!

Obelisks decorate the table!

A coffee table is not just for coffee, but a design element in your room. Use it to display a few decorative objects for loads more interest.

Via Haus Design blog

When is a 'pair' not a pair'? When you have two obelisks in the same materials but of different sizes. These obelisks look great on this table, and add an ultra chic element to this sitting area.

Obelisk Inspirations via Splendid Sass!

There is a blog I enjoy - Splendid Sass. There have been a few obelisk sightings lately that I thought I'd share with you:

 

 Designer: Mary McDonald via  splendidsass

Mary McDonald often seems to use obelisks - malachite ones in particular. The use of green decorative objects in this room against the grey blue walls is so chic!

Cathedral Antique Show's inspiration house via splendidsass

On this dining table, a grouping of crystal and glass objects in different shapes is subtle and wonderful. I think I count five obelisks of different sizes! A small dining area need not be short on high style!

British Excitement

2012 really is the year of Britain. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee brings out the best in the Brits - pomp and circumstance! Then, there's the Summer Olympics too.

It seems that everywhere I look there is a shelter magazine profiling all things British, and Traditional Home is not to be left out. The June issue includes the English country house of Su Harr, and I was taken by the comfort and color of her rooms.

Her library has such wonderful punches of red in the bookshelves, and then picked up by the pillows on a simple white upholstered sofa.

The living room is a contrast of sophisticated whites and beiges. The shelves are filled with a simple collection of pottery of various shapes, sizes and tones of white. The scene is not complete without the simple cream marble obelisks on the console table in the right rear of the photo. Altogether a very chic English country home!