Exploring Umbrellas
A brief history of a British must-have…
Although found the world over, the umbrella is a quintessentially British necessity. As a nation, we are known the world over, due to our inclement climate, for our almost…
Spotlight
Glamour in a Glass
Spotlight on the iconic Martini glass.
When one hears the word Martini or even Cocktail, how many of us immediately see the classic Martini glass in our mind’s eye..? The classically shaped vessel cries cocktail,…
Heralding Hurricane Season
A brief history of the Hurricane Lamp.
Time, as always, has marched on, and as the year approaches its half way point, and the days lengthen to the max, our thoughts turn to longer evenings spent…
Ensconced in Ambience
Exploring the wall sconce as a decorative light fixture.
Ever since the discovery of fire, humans have attempted to harness the power of flames to provide heat and light, whether cave or castle, with light ultimately giving comfort…
Gregorian Calendar
Counting the days...
A subject as ‘every-day’ as a calendar is in fact a little more complex. We all use a calendar every single day in some form, whether it is for…
The cocktail shaker
Shake it up Baby…
Any occasion, from an impromptu Friday night get-together with close friends, to a full blown party complete with RSVPs and little black dresses, is enhanced by the iconic bar-tool…
History of Candlelight
From Roman to Romance...
Candlelight and the candle is simplicity itself; a portable light with the fuel already built in. Capillary action draws the wax up through the absorbent fibrous wick, as the…
Art Nouveau
Cosi Tabellini Art Nouveau-style
Art Nouveau – “New Art” – emerged around 1890 and lasted until the outbreak of the First World War, completely transforming decorative arts during this period with its distinctive…
The Hourglass
Time IN our hands…
“The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” Jean Paul Sartre. The humble hourglass, especially a traditional looking…
The Humble Candle
Light up and enlighten
Candles enhance a setting more than any other lighting, as Charles Dickens, over a century and a half ago, said; candles emanate ‘a ruddy, homely glow’. The candle, although…