Obelisks in Rome

We were in Rome last week. I was so inspired with the Roman's passion for obelisks. Of course, they got the real thing from Egypt. Just thought I'd share a view pics, and the fresco from the Vatican museums showing an obelisk being shipped from Egypt to Rome!

See if you can guess where each one is located.

Tribeca loft living with obelisks!

The April issue of House Beautiful includes a fabulous Tribeca loft designed by the decorator Steven Sclaroff.

House Beautiful - Designer: Steven Sclaroff

In one of two living room areas in the loft, Steven Sclaroff designed a warm and inviting room. I love the use of red pops of color along with the soothing mid-blue. The grey walls and the tan curtains make it sophisticated and calming. 

You will also see great use of obelisks in the room. Three obelisks on the left side of the console table balance the bar set up on the other side of the table. Another three obelisks decorate the coffee table. Each obelisk is different, and the mix of marble colors and painted metal in the room creates lots of interest, and instant chic!

Elegant obelisks in Spain

In the April issue of Elle Decor (US) the theme is 'A World of Style'. I am always excited to see obelisks used around the world in great design. The issue profiles the Spanish decorator Lorenzo Castillo. His home in a converted 17th century former convent is elegant in every room.

Elle Decor - Decorator: Lorenzo Castillo

The library in his home is full of wonderful furniture and art. He has such style. The top photo is a broader view of the library desk with the fireplace in the background. I have also included a larger photo to highlight the two pairs of obelisks on the mantel piece in case you missed them!

Timothy Corrigan does it again with obelisks!

I was thrilled to open my latest Architectural Digest and see the home of the designer Timothy Corrigan. He is a decorator who loves obelisks, and as you would expect, he has a lot of obelisks in his home.

This pair are simple and classic. The white enhances the color of the marble and makes them more graphic.

How many obelisks can you fit on one console table! I count six. I love that there are two pairs, but then two mismatched. The tall black and white striped obelisk in the center is very striking. Then there is a white marble single obelisk on the far right. Wonderful tableau!

The obelisks on the book shelf in the center back serve as the perfect frame to the painting and the horse bronze. Very smart!

Gardens are traditional locations for obelisks, and Corrigan uses a very large one to attract your eye and pull you back to the lovely columned pergola.

He must have had fun collecting all those obelisks!

Obelisk simplicity

Obelisks can be made of many materials. The simplest and most modern is probably made of glass or rock crystal. The absence of color allows the shape to speak for itself.

House Beautiful - Designers David DeMattei and Patrick Wade 

These designers place a clear glass or crystal obelisk on the coffee table to add decorative interest. It contrasts with the classical urn it sits besides. Both are set off by the dark color of the table that ties in nicely with the fun zebra fabric on the stool nearby.

I went to the Kips Bay Decorator 2011 Showhouse in New York where I took this picture. The designer Jeff Lincoln used a pair of rock crystal obelisks flanking a rough rock crystal to wonderful effect on this mantel.  The absence of color in all the objects on the mantel allows the fireplace surround to stand out.

I generally like color, but love the way an object that is absent of color makes the thing around it stand out.

Malachite obelisks jazz up the room!

Green is by far my favorite color, so the current issue of House Beautiful pushes all the right buttons. It's title is "All About Green"! There are green paints, furniture, pillows, and, of course, accessories. The most beautiful and interesting green is found in malachite because it has those interesting lines and shades.

House Beautiful - Designer and Event Planner: Bronson Van Wyck

In this fabulous table setting designed by the event planner, Bronson Van Wyck, he makes wonderful use of green. The chandelier drops complement the green candles, and the gorgeous malachite obelisks. He even uses mini green obelisks in front of each place setting. I also love the Chinese pottery horse! It all ties together, and when you see it you know that all the attention to detail means you are about to have a marvelous meal!

My malachite obelisks are part of a tableau on a bedroom dresser. They're just waiting to be deployed to a dining table design!

Only Obelisks January 2012 E-Newsletter

I thought I'd post our first E-Newsletter! If you want to be on our Only Obelisks email list for newsletters and new products, please sign up at the store website. We'd love to have you on our list.

Happy New Year, and welcome to the first Only Obelisks e-newsletter! We hope to inspire you on how you might use obelisks in your decor. We are passionate about obelisks and their decorating versatility!

We started collecting and then selling decorative obelisks because we believe they are the perfect object for any decorating style, from classic to contemporary. They also come in many sizes, so they can sit on a shelf or a desk, or make a big statement on the floor.

Here are a range of styles of decor and obelisks. From left to right the decorators are Michael S. Smith, Timothy Corrigan, and Paula Caravelli.

At Only Obelisks here are a few of our obelisks that would re-create the look:

Michael S. Smith used a colossal specimen marble obelisk in his home. We have a lovely pair that are more manageable in size at 21 3/4 inches tall. They add color in to your home, and are wonderful to look at the various marbles and mother of pearl insets. These are $2,850 for the pair.

The cream marble obelisks are classic and modern at the same time. They are vintage and have acquired a wonderful patina. These stand 16 1/2 inches tall, and are priced at $950 for the pair. These would be perfect on a mantel as in the Timothy Corrigan room.

Grand Tour obelisks cut a fine figure on a coffee table, as in the photo of Paula Caravelli's Manhattan home. This pair Italian Grand Tour obelisks are marble with malachite insets. They are very smart looking, and stand 23 1/2 inches tall. They are priced at $2.750.

Please visit our web site for the full range of obelisks we currently have in stock at Only Obelisks, and check out our Obelisk Decorating blog for more ideas.

Please let us know what you think of the e-newsletter!

Katherine@OnlyObelisks.com