A Few Things

Here are a few things I'm obsessing over this week...

 

Cafe curtains, having a moment.  I am loving this alternative to blinds or roman shades.

 

This enormous Moravian Star pendant, which we now sell in the store.  How chic would this be over a dining table, or in an entryway?

 

This gorgeous marble floor pattern.  So simple yet so unexpected.  I'm loving this for an entryway, or powder room.

 (all images found on my Pinterest page)

Happy Wednesday!

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3rd Floor Lighting Selections

Having the electrician run all new wiring to the 3rd floor was one of the most exciting parts of this renovation.  Not glamorous and not cheap, but totally amazing nevertheless.  When we bought the house, the walls on this level were crumbling, the wiring was all the original 19th century knob & tube, and it was freezing from a lack of insulation.  I'm happy to say that today, this space is beautiful and warm and we have LIGHT.  And, power outlets.  And, dimmers.  And enough electricity to power a television, plenty of chargers, lamps, and even a vacuum without blowing a fuse.  I'm so happy.  :)

The ceilings in the bedrooms are a little bit low (just under 8 feet).  So, we decided against ceiling fixtures in these spaces and went with recessed cans instead.  I realize that recessed cans aren't EXACTLY historically accurate when we're talking about an 1890s home, but I'm happy we made the choice to use cans.  Very happy, in fact.  They're so discreet and I adore the low profile look.  And, they cast the most GORGEOUS light.  

I chose the 3" LED Recessed Gimbals (which are dimmable) by Lithonia.  They're so tiny and simple, you hardly notice them.  And the light they give off is beyond beautiful.  We used three in the large bedrooms, two in the smaller bedroom, and one in each closet.  Together with ambient lighting (table lamps, etc), they will provide lovely light to each space.  For recessed cans, they're pretty cool.  They claim to use hardly any electricity and you won't have to change the bulb for about 25 years.  All of that is just a bonus because what really matters to me is how pretty they make the space look.  :)  SO, if you're looking at recessed fixtures for your renovation, I highly recommend these.  The Robsons give them two thumbs up.

 

my 3rd floor hallway inspiration board -- 

very simple, very bright, still feeling historically significant

In the center hallway, we wanted to stick with a more traditional/historical lighting plan: one central fixture outside the bedrooms, and one pendant over the stairs.  We also added a pair of sconces to create additional light in the stairway.  We had everything set on dimmers (I'm obsessed), and we wanted these fixtures to feel like they belonged with our 1890s home.  So, they couldn't feel too modern...

First, we decided on the pair of sconces for the stairway:

 

The "Vendome" Double Wall Sconce in Antique Brass by Visual Comfort

We both love this simple sconce, so it was a done deal.

Next, we looked at a series of pendants/chandeliers that would coordinate with the sconces.  Something casual?  Or, something a bit more fancy?  Here's what we considered...

top row: Milton Milk Glass Pendant, Large Hicks Pendant, Small Cornice Lantern

bottom row: Paris Flea Market Chandelier, Large Alabaster Globe Pendant, Westport Chandelier

 

For the hallway fixture (that would sit between the bedroom doors), we selected these options...

 

top row: Large Basil Flush Mount,  Club Square Flush Mount, Star Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture

bottom row: Audrey Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture, Large Randolph Crystal Flush Mount,  Enrique Gilded Flush Mount

This is the 3rd floor after all, so the fixtures didn't need to be that fancy...  But, we didn't want it to feel boring either.  My husband has a clear opinion when it comes to lighting, and I appreciate his perspective.  So, we had to work together on this one.  We matched up EVERY suitable combination (something fancy with something casual, etc, etc), and in the end, we decided to go with this grouping...

We love this group!  The "Vendome" sconces arrived this week and will be installed this weekend, but here is what the hall is looking like now (sans sconces)...

more updates to come...

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New In The Store: The Koleman Lamp Collection

Meet the "Koleman" Lamp Collection-- just added to the store this week!  We're so excited about these gorgeous fixtures.  Each piece is available in either polished nickel or antique brass, and the quality is fantastic.  The Swing Arm Lamps are perfect for bedside reading (they come plug-in ready, but can be easily converted to hardwired sconces).  The Task Lamps would give any desktop a modern update, and the Adjustable Floor Lamps are the perfect complement to a living room reading nook.  Just look at those curves...

Koleman Swing Arm Wall Sconce,

in antique brass or polished nickel

Koleman Adjustable Task Lamp,

in antique brass or polished nickel

Koleman Adjustable Floor Lamp,

in antique brass or polished nickel

To shop more High Street Market lighting, click HERE.

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Things That Made Me Happy (This Weekend)

Just a few things that made me really happy this weekend....

Fresh strawberries and organic eggs from an Amish farmstand.  There's something so wholesome about buying fresh produce from a woman with a bonnet and a man with a beard.  :)

(already, the strawberries are almost completely eaten)

Reebok Easy Tone sneakers

These shoes put an extra oomph into my workout.  Plus, they're really cute on (and super comfortable too).  The weather was so beautiful that I took a 5 mile walk on Saturday and a 6(!) mile walk on Sunday.

Essie "Forever Young" red nail polish

I SWEAR by this color red.  It's sooo perfect-- not too orange, not too blue.  Just right.
Perfect for summer pedicures.

the "Haley" table lamp from Crate & Barrel

I did a little design work for a couple of clients this weekend, and this "Haley" table lamp makes me really happy.  It's so versatile, and the proportions are perfect.  The price is low and the quality is great.

I could probably devote an entire blog post to this single lamp.

and, finally...

The new zig zag pillows on my front porch make me really happy.

(excuse the crappy iPhone shot)

(We bought our club chairs from Target last May.  They're still available and last time I checked they were on SALE.  We have four chairs, two on each side of the porch, and we love them.  I take the cushions off during the winter and leave the frames out there.  During the summer, the frames get hosed down every couple of weeks and that's it!  Low maintenance.  In the warmer seasons, we sit in them almost daily.  They're great chairs and I highly recommend them)

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20% Off at Horchow (Last Day!)

FYI, Horchow is offering a 20% discount on all lighting + FREE SHIPPING...  but, the sale ends today.  So, if you've been eyeing something, buy it today!

If my house weren't a disaster, with extension cords everywhere, and plastic drop cloths protecting us from dust, I would buy this one:

here

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West Elm Fall Preview

I'm digging some of the new items for Fall at West Elm.  Especially this "loft task lamp."  Here are my favorites...

loft task lamp

loft floor lamp

woven veneer pendant

kite kilim rug

chevron floor pillow

A Woven Lamp

I spotted this photo on Desire To Inspire last week, and I was really intrigued by the large, woven, basket style table lamp in the image (I think it might be a little too big for that tiny round table, but I loved the lamp nevertheless).  It's not my normal pick, but it adds such great texture, don't you think?

So, I googled "basket lamp" and "woven lamp" only to face some horrifying results.  Like this:

and this:

But, with a little more time and research, I think that I found some pretty cool options.  Check them out:

Ralph Lauren Home "bamboo lantern" table lamp

Mecox Gardens woven rope table lamp

vintage pair of 1970s woven cane lamps

Mecox Gardens woven table lamp

vintage pair of 1970s white optic weave lamps

Mecox Gardens basket weave glazed ceramic lamps

Haegar ceramic basket table lamp

And then I explored overhead lighting options with a similar basket type feel.  I love what Lee Kleinhelter used in her son's nursery...

Well, Lee has some other basket style pendant options available at her shop, Pieces.

available HERE

available HERE

And, if you are looking for a less expensive route, try Ikea!

Leran pendant

Boja pendant

If you want to take it a step further and make your own overhead basket pendant, check out this DIY from Two Ellie.  Here is what she came up with:

I'm impressed.

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Fancy Chandeliers

There is something special about a fancy chandelier with sparkly glass crystals...  in an unexpectedly modern room.  Like a kitchen, library, or office.  It doesn't feel stuffy or over done.  To me, it's a sophisticated surprise to modern design. So, I like it.

Crystal chandelier from Jayson Home & Garden

Or this vintage chandelier (for only $650!) on 1st Dibs

Here is a simple version from Lamps Plus

It takes some digging (and a little bit of vision), but you can find some beautiful vintage chandeliers at flea markets, or on craiglist...  even ebay!

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