The Cesendello Fortuny light came into my life upon seeing a magical house in Los Angeles; I have loved it ever since.
Fortuny is without a doubt my favorite fabric. I have used it in clients’ homes and generously in my own where I like to mix various patterns. I have written about the fabric here and here.
When visiting Los Angeles I would see Fortuny lighting around town in various shops. They were the ultimate light in my opinion, particularly the Cesendello sconce. One day I would have one.
Scroll the Fortuny website to see beautiful images of their various silk lamps. The concubine with plain silk is seen above in the Albergo Hotel, Beirut.
The site depicts primarily commercial uses which illustrate how much more personal these spaces can be with the addition of their lights.
Silks sans pattern can be used for a more understated look.
I have long loved the traditionally patterned silk varieties, but they are all beautifully made with every detail considered from the strings that support the light to the venetian glass beads and long silk tassels.
The Chimorro House.
This Hancock Park Andalusian-style home, designed by Roy Seldon Price in 1928, is my idea of a dream house.
Annie Kelly designed the equally dreamy interiors.
I love a romantic house, and this one is certainly that. The Cesendello sconces against the chalky plaster walls add to that atmosphere.
Ms. Kelly clearly loved them as she repeated them throughout.
Liv Ballard formerly owned this beautiful house. Here she tends to her jewelry designs illuminated by a pair of Cesendellos.
Muriel Brandolini is a fan.
Ms. Brandolini used a Cesendello in this exotic guest room against embroidered silk walls.
In her Paris home, a string of them add glamour to a narrow hallway.
Casa V Interiors is a fan.
The Scudo Sareceno hangs in the Florida bedroom of a Fortuny-loving client.
For my new house I was finally going to have my own Fortuny light. A silk cesendello was always the one, however, I wavered upon seeing the version above. Those are glass which I was unsure about as the silk is so sensual. I worried that glass would not have the same effect. Honestly they don’t, but they are equally special. The metal ring was the deciding factor. That detail added a touch of exotica that I could not resist.
Maybe I will have to be like Annie Kelly and add a silk one, or two, to other rooms.
To see more of the stunning Chimorro house see Ms. Kelly’s book Rooms to Inspire. Photos of the Chimorro house, except where noted, are by Tim Street-Porter as are the photos of the Muriel Brandolini interiors.
Casa V Interiors designs interiors that are romantic and transport to another time and place.