INSIDE & OUT : UNDER FIRE
Nothing sets the mood for a special occasion more beautifully than the amber glow of candlelight. To help set the tone for the holidays, consider some one-of-a-kind candles and candlesticks.
Among unique candleholders available are those created by Aubrey Robin of Newport Beach and sold at Elements in the Irvine Marketplace. Robin uses beads, wire and cement to make her candlesticks ($18 each).
Glass gems from old jewelry are the beads of choice for Robin, 28. “They have the best color,” she said. Robin uses wire similar to that found in tire treads and a plastic cement. “The cement compound is fun to use,” Robin said. “You can make some wacky stuff with it.”
Other unusual holders and candles at Elements:
Scented gourd candles (about $43) are by Arolyn, based in Manhattan Beach. The gourds are cut and scooped, then filled with scented paraffin.
Multicolored candles ($10 and up) by Queen Bee in Los Angeles are dipped, then stripped, for a fishnet look.
Votive holders (about $11) of aluminum and glass by Moshumi of San Francisco look like mini outdoor lanterns.
Glass candlesticks (about $28) handcrafted by Ambient in Chicago double as bud vases.
HML of Los Angeles molds its sticks ($45) from old gate finials. They are available in black iron or gold-dipped.
For information, call Elements at (714) 854-3690.
Stylistic Fixtures
Using silk rope, shades, tassels and convex mirrors on gold brass, white opal and cobalt glass, some traditional lighting fixtures are getting a new interpretation from the American Glass Light Co.
“The fixtures I design echo stylistic themes of the antiques I collect,” said Sandy Littman, an architect by training and president and chief designer of the New York-based company. “I love the look of griffins, stars and urns.”
Littman got her start designing discotheques in the mid-1970s. Her experience with lighting for discos and dance clubs formed the foundation of her present work--which includes sconces, pendants and uplights.
Among American Glass Light’s new pieces ($400 and up) is the Karina up-light, a glass bowl that hangs from a coordinating silk rope. It is adorned with two gold griffins and a central gold ball.
For information, call (212) 371-4800.
Mattress-to-Go
When you need an extra bed, at home or away, an Aero Bed may be the solution.
Not as cumbersome as a futon, but more comfortable than an air mattress, the Aero bed, made of durable vinyl, inflates in less than a minute and quickly adjusts from firm to soft with a one-touch control.
Two models are available: the Extra Bed operates electrically from any wall socket, and the Travel Bed can be used indoors or outdoors with a cordless pump.
The twin bed can support up to 500 pounds, the full up to 750 pounds and the queen up to 1,000. All use standard flat or fitted sheets.
For storage, they roll up like sleeping bags and tuck away in their own duffle bags.
The extra bed is sold with a washable, quilted mattress cover, cord, patch kit and carrying bag. The travel bed includes the mattress cover, rechargeable cordless pump and patch kit.
Both models are offered in twin (about $99), full (about $150) and queen (about $200) sizes. They are available at Bed, Bath and Beyond in Huntington Beach and at Brookstone stores, located at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Main Place/Santa Ana and the Brea Mall.