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!

Spanish decor with obelisks - Lorenzo Castillo

In March I posted some photos from Elle Decor of a home decorated by the Spanish designer Lorenzo Castillo - Elegant obelisks in Spain. His web site reveals a love of obelisks!

In this elegant modern entryway he uses a grouping of obelisks to anchor one end of the console table. I count five obelisks of various materials and sizes. How elegant!

 
On this moody dining  table setting, Castillo uses a two obelisks to wonderful effect.

This mantel piece in Castillo's Madrid apartment is classically decorated with a pair of marble obelisks, neoclassical candle sticks, and the smart brass lion. Very chic!

Lorenzo Castillo shows us three great places to decorate with obelisks - the entryway for an elegant entrance, the dining table for drama, and the mantel piece for classic chic!

Eberlein Designs

We went on a wonderful house tour with Barbara Eberlein in Philadelphia. She is a decorator of high end homes, and she took us to see several that she restored and decorated. The tour was under the auspices of the Royal Oak Foundation which is the American affiliate of the national Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Naturally, her work includes obelisks!

In the top photo here are a pair of dressers along the windowed wall. The tableau includes pairs of lamps, mirrors, and striped marble obelisks. It creates balance and harmony in the room.

In Barbara's own Delancey Place townhouse the living room includes a grouping of glass and crystal obelisks of various shapes and sizes on a dresser to the left. This photo is on her website, but she has moved thing around since. I took the photo of the same grouping which now sit on a piano in a rearranged living room. Obviously obelisks are always the right decorative element!

Spring Newsletter

Perhaps the obelisks most preferred by decorators are made of rock crystal. They work anywhere, anytime. They refract the light, and enhance any space.

                             Design: Jeff Lincoln - Taken at Kips Bay Decorator Show house 2011

Here is a mantel decorated with all rock crystal objects, including a pair of obelisks.

                                                           Designer: Robert Couturier

For more ideas using rock crystal obelisks, this tableau design by Robert Couturier uses four! There are two tall obelisks, and two shorter ones below.
I love the asymmetry of this grouping of objects on an ornate console table. There is a lot of contrast between the black bulky bust, and then the translucent obelisks.

At Only Obelisks we currently have two pairs of rock crystal obelisks, with another pair on the way!

This wonderful pair stands almost 18 inches tall. They have great interest in the rock crystal occlusions. These are terrific mantel piece obelisks.

This pair stands an impressive 31 inches tall. These make a statement. They are classic and could even dress up an entryway on either side of your console table.

Visit Only Obelisks for more information, or more on this blog, Obelisk Decorating, for more inspiration!

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.