LIGHT

In a world where Martha Stewart reigns as queen of the home -- from designing the house itself to feeding those who live there -- it seems only fitting that she should light up people's lives quite literally with her new collection of lighting by Murray Feiss.

Set to hit retail stores this fall, Martha Stewart Lighting debuts with 10 portable lighting lines that offer table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and torchieres. The pieces were showcased in Murray Feiss' showroom in the World Market Center during the recent summer home-furnishings trade show.

"A home is not complete without elegant and thoughtfully designed lighting," said Gael Towey, chief creative officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. "Martha Stewart Lighting encompasses a full range of period styles and forms, all of which showcase superior craftsmanship and materials. The assortment is as beautiful as it is timeless."

Lauren Harris, a spokeswoman for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, said the lighting was inspired by Stewart's antiques, vases and other things she loves.

"They have clean lines and a distinguished style. They are very Martha but can fit into any home," Harris said.

Lamps within the collection were created by Stewart and the design team from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. They worked very closely with the design team from Murray Feiss, counting on their expertise in the field of lighting, said Michele Slater, director of marketing for Murray Feiss.

According to Harris, Stewart is very meticulous and detail oriented. She personally visited the manufacturing facility in China to ensure the lighting would meet her specifications.

She also visited Murray Feiss' facility in New York City, giving the displays as well as the lamps themselves a final look before they debuted, Slater added.

"She (Stewart) puts her blessing on everything before it goes out."

The lighting pieces are constructed out of materials such as silvered glass, alabaster and Venetian glass. Each shade is tailored specifically to match the lamp's body and out of complementary material.

Another feature of the line is that all the pieces were constructed out of organic materials, Slater said.

"This is new for Murray Feiss," she said noting how the company is aiming to have as little impact on the environment as possible.

Featured collections in the line are:

Alabaster: Each of the four one-of-a-kind bases is handcarved from genuine alabaster to retain and emphasize the stone's natural luster. Harris said the lamps are offered at the lowest price points for pieces made from alabaster. The table lamps are finished with fawn shantung bell shades and brass fittings.

30s Modern: A period Austrian lamp inspired the group's streamlined design. Available in fine brushed nickel or heirloom brass, the bases of the floor and table lamps are topped by shallow, covered taffeta drum shades.

Harris said the cover on top of the shades gives the lamps a completely different look when on or off. "(The cover allows you) to use the lamp more as a mood setter. It changes the lighting entirely."

Glazed Ceramic: The colorful ceramic pieces in this group were based on traditional Chinese vases and urns. The five styles come in four colors and offer either a crackle or solid glaze. Each lamp sits atop a wooden pedestal finished in glossy dark walnut and has a matching ceramic finial. Some of the table lamps are paired with warm-toned taffeta and shantung bell shades, while crisp shantung shades add a modern flair to others.

Silvered Glass: Reflecting the light and colors around them, the lamps are offered in three styles and modeled after lamps and vases in Stewart's homes.

"You see a lot of this in Martha Stewart Living -- from the bedroom to the guestroom," said Harris.

The lamps are topped with deep-colored, ivory-lined taffeta bell shades, two of which are accented with woven lattice trim.

Milk Glass: A classic Martha staple, according to Harris, the striking pieces can fit any style and take their inspiration from Greek and Roman forms. There are three shapes, all of which are made of mouth-blown opal glass and finished with pure white. Soft-toned shantung bell shades complete each piece.

Venetian Glass: Mouth-blown in the style of Murano glass from the 1950s, the fluted table lamps suggest ripples of water, while the floor lamps have nickel accents that provide architectural drama. Shantung drum shades, chrome pulls and genuine marble bases complete the look.

Ribbon Glass: Ribbon glass, which is usually only seen in small pieces because of the difficulty creating the blown glass with color pulled through it, is the main focus of the table lamps. The glass bodies are highlighted by white fluid swirls and clear-glass ball finials top the shades. They have polished nickel bases and gently taped drum shades trimmed with white grosgrain ribbon.

Conservatory: Among the more traditional lines, the lamps are available in two finishes: polished nickel with pearl-gray taffeta shades or heirloom bronze with vintage-style Kraft paper shades accented with grosgrain or fabric ribbon. The floor, table and wall lamps in this group are adjustable. An accompanying torchiere, which also is adjustable, is enclosed by white frosted glass.

Limed Oak: The most contemporary offering is based on the limed oak cabinets found in the kitchen of Stewart's Bedford, N.Y., home, Harris said. The oak, which has been limed to show its wispy grain, is paired with nickel and linen drum shades. The torchiere has a spherical shade in perforated nickel.

Ebony Lacquer: Whimsical carved wood bases and finials have been dressed in glossy black lacquer and paired with octagonal string shades. The black finish showcases all the intricate details of the carving.

The lamps will have suggested retail prices ranging from $179 to $799.

A hardwire line of overhead lighting and chandeliers is set to launch in the spring. It is anticipated there will be nearly 150 pieces in the collection at that time.

Additionally, the lighting collections coordinate with Stewart's furniture collection, which is manufactured and distributed through Bernhardt.

Headquartered in New York, Murray Feiss has been manufacturing lighting for more than six decades. In addition to making the Martha Stewart Lighting collection, Murray Feiss designs and manufactures its own lighting.