Obelisks for the holidays!

Obelisks make wonderful gifts. If you have a special friend who loves design, an obelisk or two will fit in to their design scheme - somewhere!

The top photo is from Canadian House and Home - just add a chinoiserie painted obelisk on top of a desk!. The middle photo is a design by Robert Couturier, and the bottom photo is a Timothy Corrigan design. Both classic collections of obelisks on console tables. For Corrigan, the more the merrier!

At Only Obelisks we have obelisks in a range of prices and styles from vintage to antique that make very stylish gifts!

The marble veining makes these stand out. Simple and chic. I always love black and brown. These are vintage (16 1/2 inches tall), and priced at $675 for the pair. 

What could be more chic than black and white! These are a very smart pair of early 20th century black marble obelisks (17 1/4 inches tall) with white marble segments and white marble shield on one side of each plinth. The black marble has interesting and subtle depth to the marble veining. Sourced in Surrey, England. These are priced at $1,100 for the pair.

We recently added this French pair of rouge marble 19th century obelisks (16 2/4 inches tall). I love their proportions, and the fossil like veining in the marble. These are priced at $1,800 for the pair.

 

The designer Mary McDonald knows that just adding a few obelisks on a table finishes the decor in the best possible way! Imagine the surprise when your gift of obelisks is opened! Unique and fabulous. 

Stylish David Hicks

David Hicks' 60's style is on the return. His use of patterns, colors, and obelisks (!) has proven to be timeless. He knew that obelisks are modern and classic at the same time.

 Designer: David Hicks

This grey, white and black design scheme is so very smart. It works as well today as the day it was designed. The pair of black marble obelisks provide just the right amount of decoration in a pared down look, letting the pattern in the wall paper and the rug make the statement.

Designer: David Hicks via The Peak of Chic blog

Here is another wonderful mix of colors: brown, red, black and white. The use of geometrics keep it restrained, and the addition of classical decorations to the glass and steel console table is the perfect complement. I love the mix of obelisk sizes and materials. 

We can take many lessons from David Hicks' style. Be bold, but always refined!

Jaime Parlade decorates with obelisks!

I ran across a spread in the World of Interiors of the home of a well known Spanish decorator, Jaime Parlade. I always have radar for obelisks in decor, but also love the way he ties his obelisk in to the rest of his art.

From Architectural Digest

I love the layers of color, objects and art. This Adalusian living room feels welcoming and comfortable. 

From World of Interiors

These photos show another view of the room, and more detail. In the bottom photo note the specimen marble obelisk on the coffee table, and how it echos the art on the wall behind it. Masterful!

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!