The big day is here!!!
Today, I am going to announce the winners of the Aidan Gray contest #AGwithanedge.
But first a word about the contest.
Awww, come on!!!
You didn’t think I was just going to say who the winners were – right at first?!?!?
I know it’s NOT fair!!
But, Patience Please!
And NO peeking!!!!!
Ok. Back to the story.
A few months ago I heard from Randal Weeks, the head honcho at Aidan Gray.
He had just finished completely restoring a 1920s house in High Point and he wanted to somehow incorporate the renovation into a contest. After a rash of emails, Randal and his extremely talented group of co-workers came up with the contest that became known as #AGwithanedge.
Randal wanted the contest to merge artistry and design and he came up with this idea:
Contestants would photograph a room of theirs that would look better with an Aidan Gray light fixture. On that photo, they would merge the actual picture with the fixture of their choice using a photoshop app.
Then, they would load the merged photo on Instagram using the hashtag #AGwithanedge.
Simple enough, right?!?!?
In the beginning, the award prizes were going to be all the Aidan Gray fixtures used in Randal’s renovated High Point house. The contestants would chose a fixture used in that house and then they would pick a room or a space in their own house that the fixture would look good in.
That’s what the contest was supposed to be.
But somewhere along the way, that became too complicated and in my heart, I knew that many of you were fans of the more classic Aidan Gray, as opposed to AGwithanedge – the more updated Aidan Gray fixtures. Not everyone is contemporary today, even though it sometimes seems that way.
And I’m glad we didn’t adhere to the rule “only chose a fixture in the renovated house” because I think it freed everyone up to dream about that one Aidan Gray fixture THEY have always wanted to own!
But still, the actual rules of the contest were complicated.
I was a little - well more than a little – I was very concerned that the contest would be problematic. Not everyone is on Instagram and not everyone knows how to navigate Instagram. Then there was the issue of the merged photo – using a photoshop type app to create the entry photograph.
I was also convinced that no one would know how to “merge” photos except for a small handful of computer literate readers.
In the end…all my fears were for naught.
We had almost 100 entrants in the contest, which is fabulous.
I offered to create entries for those who weren’t on Instagram or who couldn’t do the picture stitching – so hopefully, no one was left out of entering.
Basically, #AGwithanedge began with a house, a 1929 Tudor house in High Point:
Randal had seen this fabulous Tudor for sale and he thought it would be perfect to stay in while he was at market and it would also make a perfect vacation house for his three teenaged sons. The Emerywood house is located at 210 Hillcrest near the High Point Country Club. It had been custom built for W.C. Idol and his wife, who entertained in the house, hosting parties and garden club meetings.
The Idols sold the house to John and Mary Diffendal who lived in the Tudor, with their many children, during their 60 years of marriage. After John passed away, Mary continued to live in the house alone, visited by her doctor who made house calls and the hairdresser and manicurist who both came weekly. Later, when Mary could not walk upstairs, she moved into the dining room, making it her bedroom.
When Randal bought the house, he took it down to the studs, completely renovating every inch of the house. He painted the exterior a soft gray and white which immediately updated the house. This detail was much debated in the Cote de Texas comment section with some of you preferring the dark red brick over the gray paint. My vote is for the painted version!
In the end, the dream of a Weeks vacation house was not to be. Perhaps this house was just too close to work to make it relaxing for the Weeks. Randal sold the house before it was even completely finished: the winter weather did not allow the landscaping to be installed and the garage apartment was left to be renovated by the new owners.
The Weeks ending up buying another property they are currently renovating that is far, far away from the pressures of work and it will be a vacation home for the Weeks.
Despite quickly selling the house, Randal was still able to furnish it with all the latest contemporary light fixtures, furniture and accessories from Aidan Gray. The photos will live on for a long time – and are a wonderful way to show off many of Randal’s newest designs.
Before: Randal took the house down to the studs. It was this beautiful, iconic banister that sold Randal on the house.
After: The wood floors that were once mostly covered by carpet are now stained very dark brown/black.
The view from the entry to the living room on the left and the family room/kitchen past the staircase.
Before: The library was carpeted and had some wood paneling on the walls, along with faux PAPER paneling!!!!!! I asked Randal why he had removed some of the paneling and he said, “Joni, it wasn’t wood.
It was brown PAPER glued to the walls!!!”
After: The library is now very dark gray/black and is a mix of old and new.
The dining room was once where the former owner lived out her twilight years. Now, it is a contemporary space, with the custom light fixture that Randal created out of an antique altar that once held holy water. Other pieces of the altar were used in the living room.
Before: The family room. Randal kept the charming corner cabinets, but he removed the wall on the right side, between the kitchen/breakfast room, to create a large open space.
After: The large family room and kitchen, with the wall now removed.
Randall made this window, between the two corner cabinets, a focal point of the family room.
Before: The kitchen. Randal extended the galley kitchen into the breakfast room, making one extra large space.
AFTER: The galley kitchen is now one large space with a table at the end. Several different pendants from AG were used in this space.
The kitchen has an amazing mirrored hood, while the entire back wall is covered in white subway tile. I think the kitchen is my favorite space in the house.
Upstairs. The new stairs to the attic are contemporary to juxtapose them against the original stairs with the banister that first attracted Randal to the house.
The room that was once the “sewing room” is now a cute guest room with light pink walls.
We didn’t see this in the original story – the master bathroom with marble tile walls. Love!
Another view of the master bathroom.
This bathroom is particularly beautiful with the marble walls.
My favorite bedroom is this attic room. Be sure to look at the original story to see all the photos HERE.
And so…..are you ready for the winners??????
Winner #1:
Winner #1: azrenee4 aka Renee Hoffman
Renee wrote: “How amazing would this Crown & Glory Chandelier by Aidan Gray set the tone for our home's entryway!
The foyer would go from so-so to Hello Gorgeous!”
Renee won Aidan Gray’s #L860 Crown & Glory
Aidan Gray says: The Crown and Glory is backordered and will not be available until next month.
Renee can either wait for the fixture or choose the L839 Globe in Gold.
Winner #2:
Winner #2: elevengables aka Emily
Emily wrote: “Browsing @aidangrayhome for new chandys all over my house!
I think this one is perfect for the formal living! Don't you agree? @jonibwebb Cote de Texas is hosting a giveaway! Pick me! Pick me!”
Aidan Gray says “We agree with Emily's choice: L504 WHITE CHAN Pommard Chandelier, Distressed White.
Note: The L504S CHAN WHT Pommard Chandelier- Small will not be available till July. Emily needs to verify which size she needs.”
Joni says: “This is one of my favorite Aidan Gray chandeliers (of course it is!) Emily is a favorite of décor bloggers and I was so thrilled to see that she had won!”
Winner #3:
Winner #3: KIMMTAFF aka Kim Marrow Taff
KIMMTAFF chose two Aidan Gray Burges table lamps for her living room.
Aidan Gray said: “We agree with Kim's choice: L34 Bruges Table Lamps –the pair.”
Kim chose the light colored shade.
Winner #4:
Winner #4: sdpotts619 aka Brenda Potts
Brenda chose a pair of Aidan Gray Marshal floor lamps.
Aidan Gray said: “We agree with Brenda's choice: L450 Marshal Floor Lamp (pair)”
Joni says: “This floor lamp, the L450 Marshal, is so beautiful. I especially love the base of the lamp and the gilt detailing.”
Winner #5:
Winner #5: thegreydovecottage aka Andi Cox
Andi says “This Aidan Gray Dinard Table lamp would work perfectly in our foyer,
with our chandelier, which we made from a vintage wire basket.”
Aidan Gray says: “We agree with Andi's choice: L616 Dinard Table Lamp in Gold (pair.)”
Aidan Gray says: “Second Choice: Andi can also choose this lamp from the original giveaway: L804 GOLD Sandra Lamp (pair.)”
Winner #6:
Winner #6: blossomsinbatesville aka Blossoms
Blossoms said: “I would love 2 rosebud floor lamps from Aidan Gray in nickel to go at each end of the buffet! Love the blue and white too!”
Aidan Gray said “We agree with Blossoms’ choice: L870 NKL (Pair.)”
Joni says “Randal used two pairs of these floor lamps in the living room of the High Point House.”
Winner #7:
Winner #7: mysweetsavannah aka Melanie Thompson
Melanie said: “Dreaming of winning this solitude chandelier from @aidangrayhome and @jonibwebb 's contest!
Thinking it would add a funky vibe to our newly painted dining room!”
Joni says: I LOVE Melanie’s dining room and LOVE this modern chandelier (I know! Surprise, but I love it!)
Here is what Melanie’s dining room looks like – won’t this fixture be fabulous in her house???
And Aidan Gray says “We agree with Melanie's choice: L547 CHAN HOM Solitude Chandelier, Black.
Her choice of clear or frosted rods will need to be verified.”
“We would give Melanie a choice of the nickel or brass base as well.”
Winner #8:
Winner #8: crystalconner aka Crystal Conner
Crystal says “I love these Aidan Gray Hourglass Gold chandeliers for my kitchen peninsula.
Can you say "Too many pot lights!?"
Aidan Gray said “We agree with Crystal's choice: L838 CHAN GLD (pair)” AND they also said:
“Crystal may choose any shape from the beaded collection (above) if she prefers!”
Winner #9:
Winner #9 entered photos of her kitchen AND her living room:
Kitchen
Living Room
Winner #9 eileenbarlow aka Eileen Barlow
Eileen said: “Browsing @aidangrayhome for new chandys all over my house!
I think this one is perfect for the formal living!
Don't you agree?”
Aidan Gray says “Since we see that these 2 rooms flow together and we agree with all of Eileen’s choices,
she gets her choice of: L839 CHAN SIL Globe Silver;
L830 CHAN SIL Flared Bell Silver (Gray & White also available); or L855 PEND Eureka Bell Pendant:
L839 Chan Globe Silver OR…
L830 Chan Flared Bell Silver (or gray or white) OR…
L855 Eureka Bell Pendant
Aidan Gray says “This will be either a pair of the smaller pendants or a single of the larger chandelier choice.”
Winner #10:
Winner #10: MLZook
Aidan Gray said: “We agree with MLZook’s choice: L532L AB CHAN HOM Large Organic Globe
in Antique Brass, out of stock until July.”
“Since, the first choice is out of stock now, MLZook may wait for her first choice or we can offer a pair of the small version:
L532 AB CHAN HOM Organic Globe- Antique Brass – A PAIR”
Joni says “Hmm…. Actually, I think I prefer two smaller pendants to one larger one!”
Winner #11
Winner #11 paulamarietaylor64 entered two choices – the kitchen and…
…her living room.
Paula said: “My newly repainted kitchen would LOVE to have a beautiful chandelier to replace the ugly ceiling fan that is currently marring the new, bright look. And my newly repainted living room needs the Naples Chandelier to replace the circa 1980's faux wood ceiling fan!”
Aidan Gray: “We agree with Paula's choice of either room: L837 CHAN GW Torch, Gray & White
or L430 CHAN Naples Chandelier, beaded.
If Paula chooses the kitchen fixture, she may choose from the whole beaded collection.
If Paula choose her living room, she may choose from any of the 3 sizes of the Naples Chandelier.
Joni says: “I would choose the Large Naples Chandelier – in nickel! - What a great gift!!!”
Winner #12
Winner #12: atxladybug
Atxladybug says “How could laundry feel like a chore when you're under this gorgeous Aidan Grey Lotus pendant?”
Aidan Gray says “The winning chandelier is the L916 PEND Lotus Pendant.”
“OR TxLadybug can choose our choice from the original giveaway: L523 AB CHAN HOM Modern Basket Weave Chandelier.”
Joni says “Here is the fixture seen in the High Point House’s laundry room! This is a hard choice. If TxLadyBug’s laundry room has gold in it – go with the original choice. If there is silver or chrome, like the laundry room in the High Point house, go with the second choice.”
Winner #13:
Winner #13: conluc98
Conluc98 says: “While I love the lamps on my bedside table, I would love a pair of the Fallon Wall Sconces
to add extra light and depth to the focal wall of the bedroom!”
Aidan Gray: “We agree with contestant's choice: WL305 Fallon Wall Sconce (pair.)”
Joni says: “I LOVE this bedroom! This is one of my favorite entrants!! Love the art work and the two flanking wallpaper panels and the Mary McDonald lamps. Just beautiful. The sconces will be the crowning touch. Congrats!!!”
Winner #14:
Aidan Gray says “We agree with Elizabeth's choice: L522 G CHAN HOM Chan Geo Collection Look #2 Small Chandelier, Gold
OR we would suggest any shape from our beaded collection if Elizabeth would like to choose from these:
Joni says “The beaded collection seen in the kitchen at the High Point house.”
Winner #15:
Winner #15: clrbham aka Cheryl Reitz
Cheryl said: “For the Aidan Gray Contest...our new house 2nd floor sitting area overlooks the park. We plan to put our plum settee in front of this window. This chandelier would look awesome from the inside and even better from outside. Thank you!!!
Aidan Gray said: “We agree with Cheryl's choice: L860 CHAN Crown & Glory.”
NOTE: Crown & Glory is not in stock and will not be available until next month. You can either wait for your fixture OR you can choose from the original giveaway: L733 CHAN Brianne Lantern:
Joni said: “Below is the lantern seen in the High Point living room. This is a tough choice Cheryl! It depends how quickly you want your winning prize!”
The living room at High Point.
Winner #16:
Winner #16 is dmbarny@hotmail.com aka Debra.
Debra chose Two AG Fergus sconces for her bathroom.
Aidan Gray: “Agree with Debra’s choice AG Fergus sconces (pair.)”
Joni says: “Debra had written that she needed me to create her photo for Instagram, which I did. I loved her powder room with the antique marble sink and the new Aidan Gray Fergus sconces. I actually had to create a few of the photos, but this is the only one that won a prize! Congrats!!!!”
AND…
This marks the end of the Aidan Gray #AGwithanedge Contest!!!
I hope you all agree with the choice of winners.
Thank you to all who that entered and created photographs using your favorite Aidan Gray fixtures.
I want to also give a huge thank you to Randal Weeks, the creator and master mind behind Aidan Gray and the designer of the High Point House AND this contest! Whew!
A huge thank you also to Randal’s crew of co-workers who helped develop the contest rules and saw it through to the end. A special shout out to Travis Nix and Kady Olson whom I bothered so much during the course of the past few months!
I loved this contest so much – I loved the creativity it brought out and all the discussions it spurned. And I love how HAPPY the winners will be!!! I wish you all could have been winners!!
A FEW IMPORTANT NOTES:
TO THE WINNERS – READ THIS CAREFULLY TO REDEEM YOUR FIXTURE:
1. All the winners need to first email Kady Olson at Aidan Gray.
Her email address is:
2. In the subject line – be SURE to say:
“COTE DE TEXAS CONTEST WINNER”
3. In the email, first list the Instagram User Name you used in the contest.
4. Next, give your full name and address and phone number.
5. Then, list your winning fixture.
If you have a choice of fixtures, list your first choice, then your second choice.
If you have ANY questions about the fixture- email Kady and she will be able to help you.
AND FINALLY, to all winners. Once you receive your fixture and it is installed, please send me a photo of the fixture hanging! I would love to see it and so would Randal!!! This isn’t mandatory, but we would love to see your fixture in place, if possible.
And…that’s all folks!