Let There Be Lights

O, The Oprah Magazine | From the Fall 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Credits: Photographs by Sang An, styling by Sam Cook

The Living Room

Inspired by the grand salons of centuries past, designer Katherine Newman assembled a living room with pockets for reading and conversation. "The room is historically rooted but pared down and simplified," says Newman, who calls the style "loosely interpreted neoclassical."
Newman uses a variety of light sources, including a task lamp, a sconce, a floor lamp, and a chandelier to give the room flexibility. "A space works best when someone can place a book on a table and have a reading light accessible," she says.

Light Sources:
The spiral Paris floor lamp ($1,600, BroadBeach) glows warmly beside a sofa upholstered in velvet from Osborne & Little (right). A brass task lamp from Lost City Arts illuminates the bench by Lona Design, creating an elegant reading zone. Katherine placed a milk-glass wall sconce, also by Lona Design, at the edge of the bay window and hung a chandelier above the alcove.

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