Turn on the furniture and explore the latest developments in smart home technology lighting. Explore the latest innovations from worldwide leaders in lighting design who have unparalleled commitment in creating products that satisfy the most requested smart home lighting needs.

Artemide established its company in 1959 in Milan, Italy, on a 3-word design philosophy, “the human light”. The goal is to innovate not for the sake of innovation, but to create a piece that fulfills a use. Working with talented designers and architects, Artemide lighting has been able to innovate with high tech materials, organic forms and advanced LED technology for nearly 60 years. With award-winning collaborations with some of the world’s most talented contemporary interior designers, Artemide’s extensive product lines are not only modern in Italian design, but iconic in cutting-edge smart home technology.

Eco-friendly and energy efficient, the Sisifo Table Lamp is revolutionary in design. It features an aluminum base, a methacrylate diffuser and an arm that rotates over 360° on the vertical axis. Technological innovation combined with research on human interaction led to the diffuser being free to move in all directions. Restriction-free lighting means endless possibilities and a bright future in smart home technology innovation.

Kartell knows how to blend functionality, style, durability and modern appeal. The Italian brand’s dedication to technical and aesthetic innovation has earned Kartell its global recognition as a leader in modern lighting and a pioneer of modern day polyurethane.

Utilizing Kartell’s industry-leading technological expertise, Ferruccio Laviani has created a simple form table lamp that serves the intended purpose and functionality. The Taj Table Lamp abandons the typical articulated, jointed and mechanical stereotype and is instead an intelligent, luminous, three‐dimensional sculpture. Choose which finish best suits your style.

Let’s play “What’s inside your house?” featuring the homes of the most esteemed contemporary interior designers. The best way to understand an interior designer’s style, or at least try and grasp it, is to explore where he or she lives. At home, interior designers have no boundaries; they’re not capped by budgets or limited with restraints. Let’s explore what happens when imagination runs wild in a designer’s house.

Victoria Hagan is an award-winning interior designer whose work reflects elegance and versatility. At her getaway luxury residence, Victoria filled the living space with a soft palette of neutrals and pale blues. Sound a little bland? Neutrals don’t mean tasteless. Consider a neutral space provides the opportunity for iconic, stand out features like chandeliers. A stunning lighting piece like the Bulles Chandelier will attract attention ­with a muted backdrop.

Rose Tarlow used her home in California as a case study to prove to herself that she could create an ageless space. Designing a room that not only stands the test of time, but also maintains a modern sense, is the ultimate interior designer test. “But the key”, she reveals, “is to include signature design elements.” A leather sofa in timeless décor is the equivalent of canned goods in the pantry: a staple. Though unlike the can of garbanzo beans that expire, leather—such as the American Leather Luxe—is enduring. A classic, durable textile, leather is an ageless essential.

And to those who are committed to their beloved antiques, consider the castle of Axel Vervoordt. Like wine, Axel believes design is better with age and specializes in creating warm, layered spaces using priceless, relic goods.Rugs, such as the captivating Zion, are essential for bringing rooms together; giving the space context and purpose. Even if the space is new and modern, consider adding pieces that are appear distressed and mature. This gives the space depth and antiquity.

Every home is unique with different spaces and tastes. This is why our design team is committed in helping you modernize your home into a space that speaks to your character and interior design.

The 1950s and 1960s were a golden age for American architecture, with architects working in a variety of styles to create homes that were very much of the moment. Some have become iconic enough to feature in movies and photo shoots; some are now museums, while others remain low-profile private residences. For fans of mid-century modern design, these houses offer an immersive experience.

The Case Study Houses

In 1945 the magazine Arts and Architecture commissioned eight architects to design houses to suit Southern Californian living conditions. They were each given a budget but had a great deal of freedom over style and materials. The Case Study project, initially projected to last eight months, ultimately lasted until 1966 and resulted in the design of 36 houses, by architects including Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Pierre Koenig.

Eames House

One of these Case Study Houses was designed and built by the Eameses for themselves. Eames House, in the Pacific Palisades, was originally called Case Study House 8, and was completed in 1949. The couple lived and worked in the house for the rest of their lives. It comprises two rectangular glass and steel sections and features a geometric facade with carefully balanced colored sections. Tours of Eames House are available by arrangement; reservations are required.

Get The Look – Sklar offers a variety of dressers that streamline the Eames design. Explore how you can add this landmark architecture inside your space.

Chemosphere

Once described as “the most modern house in the world”, the modernist Chemosphere was designed by John Lautner in 1960. Its one-of-a-kind appearance is in part a response to its 45-degree building site in the Hollywood Hills, which led the architect to balance the octagonal structure on a monolithic concrete pedestal and install a funicular for access. The result is a fantastic oddity that bears more than a passing resemblance to a UFO. Chemosphere is privately owned by publisher Benedikt Taschen.

Expand Your Space – While your home might not be an octagon of windows standing 200m in the air, the best way to expand your space–making it feel bigger–is with mirrors. Experiment with the illusion of depth in your space.

Stahl House

Stahl House was another Case Study House, designed by Pierre Koenig and completed in 1960. As with Chemosphere, architectural ingenuity turned a badly sloping site into an opportunity for a unique design. This highly recognizable property boasts a boldly cantilevered foundation and glass walls on three sides, to say nothing of its spectacular views of LA. Stahl House is open for tours; reservations are required.

The Conversation Piece – A tulip shaped table or vibrant teal armchair may be the contemporary accent your space needs to reflect the Mid-Century modern movement. Browse our modern home accents to match every style.

Synonymous with luxury, marble is a classic material that is always popular. To get technical, marble is a metamorphic stone composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals that is relatively soft and porous; within that category are a wide range of different marble types.

Grain, color and vein pattern are what differentiate one marble type from another. There are at least 60 types of marble, found in deposits all over the world. The most popular marbles for interior decor and furnishings are:

Carrara marble

Carrara marble is an extremely high quality stone found in Tuscany, which is used extensively by Italian designers. Carrara ranges from white to blue grey in color, and is notable for its linear veining, which can be soft and subtle or quite dramatic. Carerra marble has been used since the days of the Roman Empire, making it quite literally a classic.

Calacatta marble

Calacatta comes from the same region as Carrara marble, and looks fairly similar. However, there are a few significant differences that are worth considering before choosing one or the other. Calacatta tends to be a brighter white than Carrara, and its veining is both larger and higher in contrast.

Emperador marble

Emperador is a distinctive dark brown marble, quarried in Spain. It features fine veining, and is available in two grades; First and Standard. First Grade Emperador is uniform in color, with a small amount of white calcite included. Standard Grade Emperador shows more variation in color, and more white calcite inclusions.

Travertine

Surprisingly, travertine isn’t technically a marble at all. Like marble, travertine starts out as limestone before metamorphosing under extreme pressure into something new. But while marble takes well to polishing, travertine tends to look better in its natural matte finish. Travertine can be identified by the holes or pits in the stone, and its pleasant, warm coloration, which ranges from white to walnut brown.

Glass is so ubiquitous that we tend to take it for granted. People have been making glass for about 3000 years; the earliest glass was made from sand heated to the point where it melted, but glass types became more diverse and increasingly advanced over time. Designers now have a wide variety of glass types to choose from; some fit specific applications better than others, while in other instances, the choice will be entirely aesthetic. Some of the most popular include:

Ultra Clear or Extra Clear Glass

Ultra clear glass, also known as extra clear glass, is formulated with a very low iron content, which lets through more light than regular or annealed glass. This creates a barely there appearance without the faint green tint shown by thick pieces of regular glass. The Ti Coffee Table is available in both glass types.

Crackled Glass

Crackled glass, used to make one-of-a-kind tabletops, involves layering three pieces of glass and laminating them together. The center layer of tempered glass is then cracked into thousands of tiny pieces, held in place by the other two layers. Modern crackled glass is not to be confused with craquele, a much older technique where hot glass was shattered, then re-melted and re-blown.

Mirrored Glass

Mirror finished furniture looks wonderfully modern, especially considering the ancient and virtually unchanged techniques behind it. The first glass mirrors appeared almost 2,000 years ago, and just like today, they were made of simple glass with a metal backing. In fact, mirrored glass is one of the few items in our homes would be instantly recognizable to our ancestors. The Psiche Mirrored Buffet is just one of the many contemporary pieces clad in this ageless finish.

Whether they are functional or strictly decorative, the beautiful objects we surround ourselves with are what make our homes our own. Join us as we explore a few of our favorite contemporary designers and pieces, and how through Sklar Furnishings, you can discover the contemporary side and potential of your space.

Mapoon Area Rug

A rustic allure and neutral palette with a faded and used appearance, the Mapoon area rug is a great backdrop to any contemporary space. Elegant and practical, designer Cattelan Italia knows how to enhance interior prepositions with originality and innovation. Their products are conceived with sensitivity to daily living and passion for contemporary lifestyle.

Elson Bowls

Mixed metals at their finest, this shiny steel and brass trio of bowls is at once rustic and sophisticated. These contemporary bowls with sophisticated designs are the perfect table enhancement for a special occasion or your ordinary sit-down.

Pinkwin Sculptures

The Pinkwin designed by Guy Buseyne is attractive because of its balanced and pure lines in a highly stylised form. The palette of black, white, graphite and optional emphasis of gold and bronze enhances its classy appearance. The sculpture is even more striking in a group arrangement. A game of perfectly graceful waving lines; where black and white are in perfect balance, this is contemporary minimalism at its best.

Looking to rehabilitate a space that feels a little too smooth and glossy? Reconnect with texture and get back to basics with an industrial aesthetic.

The industrial look calls for designers to embrace those aspects of a space that are normally concealed – the parts that make it work. It’s about celebrating the functional and purposeful. Play with wood, concrete and metal as primary elements when creating this stylish, unpretentious and highly liveable look. Showcasing the raw, the unfinished, and the richly textured is part of the fun.

While it’s a strong look, industrial doesn’t have to mean cool or impersonal – it’s completely possible to combine industrial style with a warm and welcoming vibe. Combine modern and vintage pieces. A classic tufted sofa makes a spectacular counterpoint to a gleaming metal side table or light fixture. Anything metal fits industrial style well. Opt for metal light fixtures, especially those with a seemingly aged patina. It’s okay to mix polished and matte metals, but limit yourself on the amount of shine. Furnishings that combine wood and metal elements are pure warm industrial. The Yoda Dining Table is a perfect example.

If you’re planning to paint, select color samples on the warmer side, such as mushroom-like grays. Stick with “rocky” neutrals as your foundation — any hue that you’d expect to see in a dusty warehouse or funky urban loft.

Consciously designing your bedroom for sleep rather than wakefulness is one of the best – and easiest – things you can do for your overall health. Creating a peaceful ambiance can help overcome insomnia and improve the quality of sleep, making the next day a whole lot better.

The case for a calm bedroom is straightforward, but what is less obvious is that the most restful color scheme for your bedroom may not be pale neutrals or airy whites – it may actually be dark. As in, very dark. Used judiciously, black, charcoal gray, deep purple or navy blue walls create a soothing, cocooning effect that’s perfect for unplugging from your digital devices and settling in for a little You Time.

Dark colors used as neutrals is a significant design trend right now, with both paint companies and independent trendspotters indicating a move toward moody tones. Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year is Shadow, a deep, muted purple. Sherwin Williams is promoting a Wine and Taupe color combination of warm dark tones. Farrow & Ball’s new colors for the year include deep brown Salon Drab, and Behr’s Color Currents report highlights Wanderlust, a deep blue-green.

Pair those deep walls with dark furniture and/or accents, and don’t forget the importance of texture. In dark rooms as in light ones, a range of textures adds visual interest and tactile enjoyment. Remember to counterbalance dark walls and furnishings with light or white areas; look for ways to use ceilings, baseboards and floors for valuable contrast. Add sparkle with a large suspended light fixture in glass or metallic finish; recessed and sconce lighting will create highlights and further prevent any area of the room becoming shadowy. Large mirrors, that classic interior design standby, will bounce light around the space to further open it up.

They’re an enormous potential canvas on which to express your style, yet flooring is often treated as an afterthought when homeowners set out to design a room. The exciting news is that the range of available options in terms of materials, treatment and coverings have never been wider. Before settling for the everyday, consider taking your floors in an inspiring new direction.

Durable rugs

Area rugs offer an easy, reversible transformation. But are they strong enough to withstand the rigors of life in your home? Enter durable rugs for indoors and out. New York-based textile designer Liora Manné creates hand-crafted rugs for home, public and hospitality settings. Her Lamontage range is made from felted polyester with antimicrobial nano silver particles, and can endure between 30,000 and 60,000 double rubs in a Wyzenbeck test. Several performance fabric producers, including Sunbrella, create rugs that boast the good looks of indoor rugs, yet are completely fine on the patio.

Painted wood floorboards

Painted wood floors are a classic Scandinavian style statement. Keep it low key by opting for a soft neutral or whitewash; go bold with a full-strength red, yellow, green or black; or take the painted look to a whole new level by painting in stripes or geometric patterns. Painted floors naturally coordinate perfectly with Danish Modern furnishings; but they’re also an option with fantastic potential for transitional and industrial spaces.

Stained or polished cement

On the subject of industrial style, no roundup of contemporary flooring would be complete without a mention of concrete treatments. Concrete is polished using extremely fine grinding tools, which create a glossy effect on the surface. The result is good looking, low maintenance, and has a minimal environmental impact. But if simple polished concrete doesn’t offer quite the amount of drama you desire, there’s always acid staining. In contrast to paint or polish, concrete staining produces interesting mottled effects that are unique to every floor. Color options range from sophisticated walnut browns to fun and fearless aqua blue.

In the 1960s, a lot of different decorating styles suddenly emerged all at once, reflecting the general foment in all creative fields that decade. That means there is no single 1960s style, but there is a huge variety of modern and futuristic elements that are recognizably of the decade. Take a cue from the Swinging Sixties to add a little retro flash and fun to your space.

1960s style was eclectic, and drew on a wide range of influences, from the flowing, organic lines of Art Nouveau to the brand new materials of the Space Age. Entertaining at home was important, and living rooms in particular were designed to facilitate relaxed conversation. Key concepts include playfulness, experimentation, and sociability.

Major figures

Some of the most iconic furniture and interior designers of the 1960s are Joe Colombo, whose Cart Armchair and Sofa have recently returned to production; Arne Jacobsen, creator of the Swan and Egg Chairs, and David Nightingale Hicks, whose interiors revolved around bold combinations of color, heavy patterns, and furnishings from contrasting eras.

Colors

When you think of the Sixties, you probably think of color. There’s a good reason for that; young designers were rebelling against the restraint of the 1950s in a big way, leading them to turn away from neutrals in search of more exciting combinations. Sometimes this led to ultra-high contrast color combinations, like blue and orange; sometimes it meant glossy blacks, ice whites and clear acrylics won the day; and sometimes adjacent colors like red and pink were paired in defiance of conventional wisdom. Colorful patterned fabrics by the likes of Marimekko and Emilio Pucci make exciting and authentic Sixties accents.

Materials

Appropriately for a time when anything seemed possible, designers in the 1960s began to experiment with new materials and concepts. For the first time, furnishings were intentionally designed to be cheap and short-lived, even disposable; Peter Murdoch’s paper chairs were made to last approximately three months. Fun, colorful plastic became popular, and clear acrylic began to emerge as a chic material thanks to Space Age pieces like Eero Aarnio’s Bubble Chair.

Get the look

Thanks to longstanding manufacturers like Matrix, Knoll and Thayer Coggin, some of the most iconic furniture designs to adorn American homes in the 1960s remain in production. These include Eero Saarinen’s neofuturist Tulip Chair, Tulip Armchair and SA69 Table, all of which exude classic 60s cool.

Sixties-style coffee tables and conversational seating tends to be low to the ground, in keeping with the decade’s emphasis on relaxed socializing. The sinuous curves of the Cool Clip Sectional by Thayer Coggin combines that welcoming low height with the rounded shapes that were so popular in the era of futuristic pods, capsules, and Egg Chairs. The Stainless Steel Drum Table, designed by Milo Baughman, is a classic piece from the period and stands just 17 inches high.

Clear acrylic furniture came into vogue in the 1960s, and contemporary designers continue to keep the psychedelic spirit alive with pieces like the Wave Dining Chair. Kartell are also famed for their distinctive, retro-influenced pieces in clear or colored polycarbonate, like the Phillipe Starck-designed Eros Armchair.

Large florals and bold geometric designs are strongly associated with the 60s; an attention-grabbing area rug, like Dellarobbia’s Vertigo or Fiorenza, instantly evokes the era. So do deep shag or flokati rugs, but if that’s too big a commitment, consider introducing a faux fur throw, cylinder or pillow set.

As far as shelving and storage goes, the Sixties look is about letting it all hang out. Modular shelving and room dividers let you create a totally personalized look while putting your favorite items on permanent display. Consider a large, open shelving system like the Fifty, which can be configured to suit any need. The Eileen Bookshelf by BDI is a study in relaxed cool.