Pelle Bubble Lights

A few years ago, I was watching HGTV and saw a bubble chandelier installed in a home. It was stunning. I instantly googled the company, Pelle, and found them online. I was quite taken with these chandeliers and for a while I explored the idea of trying to make one myself. It seemed like if I had one bulb in the middle, I could cluster a group of clear ornaments all around it to make my own version. But the more I thought about it, I realized that the beauty of these chandeliers are the multiple bulbs and after consulting with my electrician, decided that making it myself probably wasn't the best idea.

So a few months ago, I bought them! Two, actually – one for my entryway and one to hang on the second floor. Because the light on the second floor is exposed in the entryway, I thought it made sense to have matching fixtures.

Here's the before of the space, downstairs and upstairs

And here's the after with lights turned off.

And on.

So pretty. I absolutely love them. A side note, though – between the time I bought these and now, the prices of these lights have increased substantially. They definitely did not cost nearly this much months ago. I contacted the company and this is what they said:

Since March we have actually released a new generation of UL/cUL rated Bubble Chandeliers which was debuted at ICFF in May. The lights were totally re-designed with all new machined metal bodies and components, but were made to look as similar to the old design as possible. Because of this change, we are now able to provide our lighting to many commercial clients who require this UL mark and could not spec our previous lights. We will now also be partnering with select retailers throughout the US and Canada, so for those who can not make it all the way to our showroom in Brooklyn there may be a closer solution for previewing and purchasing the Bubble Chandeliers.

Good news for someone who wants to see the lights in person before buying but I still feel lucky to have gotten them when I did!

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top photo of the Original Bubble Chandelier  by Pelle

all other photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Colorfully Eclectic

Here is another inspired interior, this time coming from halfway around the world in New Delhi, India. I love this colorful decorating scheme that features a fun mix of metals, textiles with interesting patterns and textures, and lots of bright colors. 

Check out the full article with more detailed photos of this amazing space here. 

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all images by Anshuman Sen via Casa Viva India 

Making a Cork Board

A while back, I posted about Leslie's office and mentioned the cork board I made for it.

It was an easy (and inexpensive) project. I started with this frame from Vintage Funk. It cost $8 and didn't even have the glass in it so it was perfect for what I had in mind.

I wanted the cork board to relate to the rest of the office area so I sprayed it red to match.

And gathered my materials

Then I cut the cork to fit in the frame and wrapped it with coordinating paper to the faux bois paper that covered the cork board in the office.

Once in the frame, I put a piece of foam core the same size as the cork board behind it, set it inside the frame and taped it all in place.

And there you go – a custom cork board that coordinates with the space. An area that once looked like this

Now looks like this

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all photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Inspired Interiors

Happy Friday! Here is some delightful eye candy from Incorporated Architecture & Design to help celebrate the start of the weekend.

You can view more of their amazing work here and visit Incorporated's incredible website for more design treats.

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first two images: Laight Loft via Houzz
Bohemian Apartment via Houzz
Carnegie Hill Residence via Houzz
Confluence House via Houzz
Gallery Loft via Houzz
Sixteen Doors via Houzz

Spring Lake

Have you ever been to Spring Lake, New Jersey? After a recent trip there, I just had to share some photos. That town has the most beautiful homes and landscaping. It's a beach town but a lake town, too, with a large lake centered in the middle of town. 

You like porches, awnings and interesting architectural nooks? Then this town is for you.

Even their lake and bridges are beautiful.

Walking around and looking at all of the houses and gardens is so inspirational. (The gardens are so pretty – rumor has it that when a house in Spring Lake is for sale, you buy both the house and the landscaping company that has been working on the house for years!) I've been going to Spring Lake for nearly 10 years now and every time I go I try to find my favorite house. It's so difficult to choose! I'm still deciding. I guess I'll have to make another trip there this summer to finalize my pick!

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Decorating with Flash Cards

Inspired by Sarah Richardson and her framed flash cards, I thought I would give this a try for my gallery wall. 

A couple of years ago, I picked up these vintage alphabet flash cards from Clover Market. They are so tiny and cute! Perfect for writing little messages. 

I have a bunch of empty frames without glass that I have collected over the years, too. So I picked one out, painted it white, and lined the back with handmade paper from Pearl River. I simply used double stick tape to adhere the flashcards to the paper, and then spelled out my happy little message.

It's a very different look from Sarah's, but I am thrilled with the way it turned out. I love that I can switch out the message anytime, too.

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images by The Pink Chalkboard

Inspired by...Dressing a Headboard

There are so many options of pretty headboards out there these days. I've written before about some favorite headboard ideas but lately the idea of a headboard that can easily be changed whenever the mood strikes really interests me.

The simplest way to do that? Take a rectangular headboard like this

and lay a large scarf or thin blanket on top of it. This scarf display at J.Crew made me think of it.

How would I put it together?

I'd place the navy/pink scarf over a headboard and add a pink polka dot sheet set with a white duvet on top. Throw pillows in a navy/white pattern and a bright pink bolster in front.

Maybe I still have the 4th of July on the brain, but wouldn't a red, white and blue bed be kind of cute and summery? Using this scarf, I would add blue and white patterned sheets with a white duvet and fold a red blanket at the foot of the bed.

And then there is this mint green and navy stripe scarf. Definitely more subtle than the other scarves but still a great way to jump on the mint green color trend that seems to be everywhere this summer. I would do white sheets with this one and a navy duvet and then accent it all with lots of patterned mint green and white pillows.

So many scarves. So many possibilities!

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West Elm headboard
Scarves by J.Crew