Brass obelisks

When I think of obelisks I most often conjure a marble, stone or rock crystal. But brass is not to be overlooked and has a handsome sort of appeal. I think library or study, or a masculine environment.

Architectural Digest

The designer, Grant Gibson, dresses up a Biedermeier dresser with a pair of brass obelisks. The article was about tips for decorating a rental. It's all about the details and the objects that move with you! Obelisks will practically fit in your suitcase. 

Designer Nate Berkus in Elle Decor

In this cool and modern Chicago apartment a pair of brass obelisks adds a layer of decorative detail to the coffee table.

From New England Home via Pinterest

A shiny pair of brass obelisks along with some stacked books decorate this interesting little table.

Brass can add a shine that attracts the eye, or antique ones develop a wonderful patina that gives them even more interest.

Entryway obelisks

What a great way to welcome your guests! The entryway sets the tone for the visit and obelisks will set the style.

http://www.annapolislifestyle.com via Pinterest

Wonderful, simple pink granite obelisks picking up the color in the modern painting and the peach of the walls. 

http://www.lonny.com via Pinterest

Even a small entryway is enhanced by a console table with a tableau of your favorite pieces - including an obelisk!

 http://www.harpersbazaar.com 

In her Moroccan house, Paloma Picasso used a sleek table with some classic objects (and a polar bear!), including a single obelisk. 

 Lonny.com

Fun tableau with a single, simple crystal obelisk in the entry of the NY rental of Jessika Goranson. What a great way to make a rental your own!

Whatever your style, adding an obelisk will always work and enhance the entry tableau.

The perfect obelisks for 'masculine' decor!

Of course I believe that obelisks fit in to any decorating scheme! But some obelisks seem to work their best in a smart decor of chic neutrals with patterns limited to stripes and blocks of color. I have called this 'masculine' largely because it seems the opposite of feminine decor which might be associated with more pattern.

The decor of the 1817 Claverack, NY house of Bruce Shostak and Craig Fitt is a master of understated chic. The living room has such a wonderful grey paint for the walls, and fabric accents are limited to solids and subtle stripes. The library (top photo) has an original mantel piece which is topped by 2 pairs of sleek black marble obelisks of different sizes. They serve as the accent to the Federal mirror. Both photos from Architectural Digest.

I love the style of the Spanish decorator, Lorenzo Castillo. The first two photos are from his own home. The room has a soft grey for the walls, and a simple color scheme of mostly white with black, and a touch of blue. The obelisks on the mantel have two types of marble, both in neutral tones. They make a statement, but don't shout. The third photo is from one of his projects. The modern black obelisk stands among other classic objects in a grey color scheme. The tableau is wonderfully graphic, and a chic mix of modern and antique.

Mary McDonald is one of my favorite decorators. In the top photo above, she has kept the color palate very simple with grey walls and blue velvet curtains. The furniture lets the painted wood make the statement against the white upholstered chairs. The green malachite obelisks and the green ceramic jars pop with their contrasting color. The whole decor is chic and deceptively simple.

The photo on the bottom is a masculine treasure trove of hunting trophies jumping off the black painted walls. The green malachite obelisks on the mantel also pop, and the modern rock crystal obelisk standing next to a saw bill from a shark. This is the work of the decorators Creel and Gow.

Regardless of whether 'masculine' is the right description, a simple color scheme with a minimum of pattern welcomes sleek and simple obelisks as well!

Obelisks in modern decor - Jeffers Design Group

Jeffers Design Group designs clean modern interiors. Obelisks draw the eye, and add a classic but modern decorative element.

I love the attention to decorative detail in their work. The obelisks might be in balanced pairs, or a single obelisk part of a collective scheme.

Obelisks in the Garden

 My focus is generally on decorative obelisks for interiors, but with Spring on it's way, I can see signs of life in the garden. Garden obelisks are classic decoration, and here are some inspiring photos to bring obelisks to your outdoor rooms! (For a related post see my blog Bringing the garden inside - rustic decor).  

All photos from Pinterest

Obelisks in the garden range from solid stone or concrete to wooden constructions perfect for climbing vines. The last one built for storage is both decorative and practical - and so chic! 

You can find vintage stone obelisks for sale occasionally, which add real character to even the smallest garden or patio.

Obelisks on bookshelves

Bookshelves are the perfect place to display art and objects. I particularly like mixing books and objects for the best effect. Obelisks are natural for this!

Via Pinterest

I love the warmth of this display - books all around and forming a frame to two pairs of obelisks along with a small cabinet.

A bookshelf in my home

We put books on the bottom shelves, leaving the top shelves for a mixture of Asian and European antiques, along with a pair of black marble and pink onyx obelisks.

Lonny Magazine via Pinterest

In this clean, black and white display the black framed prints, along with the simple modern black marble obelisk stand out against the white clad books and magazine and white flowers. Very shibui!

 Designer: Timothy Corrigan

The designer Timothy Corrigan puts it all together here! He fills a built in bookshelf with books, hangs a wonderful oil portrait on it, and frames it all with a pair of obelisks. Fabulous!

Robert Couturier loves obelisks!

Robert Couturier is one of those classic and fabulously chic interior designers. My eye often stops when looking through magazines or Pinterest on a wonderful room, and it turns out to be Couturier. He often uses obelisks too, and I have a natural radar for spotting them!

 Couturier uses all types of obelisks to great effect. Love them all!