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!

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!