michael leva's apothecary jar lamps

Michael Leva's Connecticut library
 
I was excited to receive a note from Michael Leva, former J. Jill executive and C. Wonder Creative Director, when his New York apartment was featured in The Fashion Issue of Elle Decor (October, 2012).  You might remember that a few months ago, I featured the gray library, above, from Michael's Connecticut home (also seen in Elle Decor).
 
Michael's Connecticut kitchen
 
Michael's house in Connecticut is full of gorgeous neutrals...

Michael's Connecticut living space
...with one fabulous punch in the form of an antique apothecary jar/lamp filled with colored liquid.
What a stunner.

 
 
Another image of that awesome lamp from New York Magazine.
(But is it green this time?)
 
So I guess it should be no surprise to see Michael's New York apartment was also filled with sophisticated neutrals and kicked up with....
 
Michael's New York digs
 Elle Decor


...an acid green liquid-filled apothecary jar/lamp. 

I fired off an e-mail to Michael and he was kind enough to satisfy my curiosity. Did he have two antique jar/lamps? And did he sometimes change the colors? Or was one moved from Connecticut to New York....? 
 
Michael in Elle Decor
Geez. That chair is the stuff dreams are made of...
Michael ain't so bad either.


"I have a collection of three apothecary lamps." Michael says. "I actually bought the jars and had the fittings made for the them to become lamps. They are in both homes. I bought two in Paris at the flea market and one in Hudson, NY....The color of the water does change from time to time but the poison green just really suits my mood in both houses most of the time."
 
 
Thanks, Michael. For your time and information and mostly for the inspiration those lamps give us.
Antique. Unique. 'Poison' Green.
In my book, that knocks it outta the park.

20 comments:

charmaine said...

Wow! Those lamps are amazing!

Katherine said...

Poison Green! Great name for the addictive colour floating in the jars.
Do the lamps really light? How does that work?

Anonymous said...

Eye catcher, isn't it? Such an interesting idea and even if I don't have a lamp that I can fill with vibrant liquids (the color "Poison Green" sells this concept) you could do this with standard cheap-o apothecary jars and change the color seasonal. Have some type of light focused on the jar and maybe get a **similar** pop / shock of color?

Unknown said...

Donna,
Those apothecary lamps are WAY cool!!! Just like Michael!!

Happy Monday!
xo Elizabeth

red ticking said...

these are AMAZING.... so good you want to take a bite!
catching up my friend... i left you a message on mine...
xoxo

carolyn bradford said...

Love these lamps! Would love to carry some at my shop! Thanks for sharing these great photos!

l o v e l y t h i n g s said...

First, LOVE his Connecticut kitchen...I'm in the planning stages of my CT kitchen and this is on one of my kitchen pinboards. Love the simplicity of it, but the details of the pendant light casting beautiful shadows, the collection of glassware, the chairs with the arrow design...I've never seen anything like those before...and of course the lamp with colored water...brilliant!

An Urban Cottage said...

LOVE the "poison" green name.

And speaking of poison, that kitchen is killer. Very beautiful shot.

AntiqueChase said...

I love this idea... but with teenagers and earthquakes, I'm going to admire from a far :)

Unknown said...

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Stian N. Moen / www.noreeninterior.com

My Interior Life said...

What a nice response from the designer. Poison green is a perfect name, of course. Love the pop of color they add and they are so unique!

Acquired Objects said...

What fabulous homes and love the idea of being able to change your lampp coolor whenever you feel like it.

XXX
Debra~

Anonymous said...

call me an "old lady decorator"
Whatever!

I love the lamps! but the shade is way too short! Sheesh! we do not want to look at the shaft!

Maybe shorten the harp......but this is putting really bad decorating out there!!

Shame on Elle!!

EEEK! W hy didn't someone see this???

Yikes! No showing the shaft and the plastic thing that turns it on???

Who fell off the "turnip truck"?????

It is kinda disgraceful......really...........take another look!

SHERRY HART said...

Some people are so damn cool! He is one of them.

Anonymous said...

Liquid... electricity... what could go wrong?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking the extra step to contact Michael. I concur with Sherry: he's very cool, indeed.

PS So are you, love your blog.

designchic said...

Now that's a statement making lamp...love it!!

Sarah Greenman said...

Okay - "poison" green might be my new favorite color, just for the name.

XO

Amy said...

What a marvellous idea. They look like neon pears!

Abigail Lim said...

Wow, these coloured lamps are a stunner! They sure look like neon pears, totally agree with Amy!