Thursday, October 15, 2009

Empel Collections and Chinoiserie Lighting


For hundreds of years, the Netherlands has been a wonderful source for Chinoiserie. From the early 17th century, tin-glazed pottery or Delftware made at Delft and other towns in the Netherlands adopted genuine blue and white Ming decoration. Delftware is still highly prized by collectors of Chinoiserie. So I was intrigued when Netherlands based Ron van Empel of Empel Collections contacted me about his love of Chinoiserie and his incredible collection of Chinoiserie lamps. A former interior designer, he turned his hobby and passion for custom lamps into a full-time business, shipping his lighting works of art around the world and especially to many U.S. customers. Enjoy this tour of his lamps as well as his Chinoiserie showroom and home. Be sure to visit his website to view his entire collection. Lighting is such an important element in any room, and Ron's taste and attention to detail is exquisite. It is a primer for the most elegant lamps, lampshades, and finials. A recessed light will never ever give the wonderful pool of light wherever you want it or the beautiful decorative appeal of a great lamp. Instead of paying an electrician to put ugly holes in your ceiling, buy yourself a gorgeous lamp like one of these. Your room will thank you.

























































8 comments:

  1. What an amazing collection of lighting. His show room is so beautiful. Right from the front door. Thank you for this great post.

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  2. Match made in heaven! I had read about Empel's work on Cote de Texas but didn't connect the chinoiserie dots to you. I so agree with you about lamps vs swiss cheese overhead lights. A lamp, as you artfully show, functions on several levels in a room. I am so drawn to golden pools of light. There is a romance to that vs the "What were you doing on the night of January 19?" inquisition kind of lighting you get from canned lights. Might we expect to see a little of Mr. Empel's work gracing your lovely Chinoiserie Chic home?

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  3. Gorgeous, thanks for sharing! And you're right: Just say "no" to recessed lighting and swiss cheese ceilings!

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  4. CC-The showroom is quite the backdrop for this gorgeous collection.

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  5. Home Before Dark-I'm glad that many interior designers seem to be getting away from recessed lighting. Yes, one of these lamps would definitely work in my home.

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  6. Averill-We need to start a "Just Say No" campaign perhaps.

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  7. Walrus1979-Especially perfect for a man's apartment.

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