February 24, 2015

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: David Stark

This month, we took a page from David Stark Design & Production. Their team added a great twist to our classic lanterns for this DIY design project.

David Stark
David Stark

At a recent event they updated Jamali’s classic Square Iron Lanterns by adding pre-woven seat caning, creating an original and elegant tablescape. The surprise and fun of any event often comes when you combine a familiar object with an everyday material. The caning is an easy and affordable material that adds depth and texture. When illuminated, the caning creates a soft and nuanced light.

An event table with florals and our Square Iron Lanterns with caning
An event table with florals and our Square Iron Lanterns with caning

In a few simple steps anyone can craft this look; and it’s not just for large events. These lanterns would look great on a sideboard, hung from a wall, as an entry moment, lining a foot path, or grouped together in various sizes for an elegant centerpiece. So often it’s a simple and inexpensive detail that can effortlessly transform a functional object. Try it out and let us know what you think!

Yellow lilies and our Square Iron Lanterns with caning line a table. Note the lanterns hung on the wall.
Yellow lilies and our Square Iron Lanterns with caning line a table. Note the lanterns hung on the wall.

TO MAKE THESE YOU WILL NEED:

LANTERNS
Our Square Iron Lanterns are available in 13-, 17-, and 23-inches high. They used all three sizes throughout the event.

CANING
Pre-woven seat caning of various sizes can easily be purchased online by the foot, so only buy as much as you need.  For our lanterns they used the 3/8- to 1-inch cane webbing.

STEP ONE:
Carefully bend the metal tabs that hold the glass in place and remove the glass on all sides of the lantern as well as the door. You will have four pieces of glass.

STEP TWO:
Lay your caning flat on a cutting surface and use the glass to trace and cut the caning with a heavy-duty utility knife. You can also mark the caning with a pencil and cut it with heavy-duty scissors like the ARS Multi-Purpose House & Garden Shears, which can also be purchased from JamaliGarden.com.

STEP THREE:
Place the cut caning on top of the glass and insert back into the lantern with the caning facing out. Bend the metal tabs back into place to secure the caning and glass. Each lantern fits up to a 3-inch pillar candle. Light a candle of your choice and place inside. Voila!

See more stunning party ideas and event inspiration in David Stark’s book The Art of the Party.

David Stark The Art Of The Party
David Stark’s The Art Of The Party