Replace your boring light fixtures

Light fixtures are part of what I call the jewelry of the room. Besides their function, they can make a statement and add interest. We are always surprised when we go to stage a home or when I go to sell a house and find that all the lighting is original and doesn’t speak to the decor. Especially since installing new lighting fixtures is an easy and cost-effective way to help update your house as well as personalize it and give it some character.

Below are a few attractive fixtures we sourced in varying styles. When purchasing light fixtures consider the style, size, and color. We would love to hear which ones are your favorites!

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Freshen Your Lamps for Spring - Under $130 a Set!

While sourcing items for a client, we stumbled upon some great lamps at TJMaxx. Who doesn’t love TJ as we affectionately call him? They had a lot of great sets and at an even better price point! Since you guys loved our last post on office items sourcing, we figured we give some ideas for freshening up your lighting this spring.

These little black beauties are the perfect amount of modern and casual simplicity. And the fun base shape is sure to upgrade to any space to a more designer look.

These make a great addition to any sofa table. They are the perfect scale and match just about any interior.

Timeless and sophisticated, these would be a great pair for any transitional to classic space.

These lamps are playful and so fun! They will instantly cheer up a space and bring some extra character to a room. Living room, office, entry table, girl’s bedroom…so many places for these to land.

If these don’t say “welcome to spring!” we don’t know what does. These are the perfect shade of green to bring in some much needed color to any space. We’re happier just looking at them.

Which set is your favorite and where would you put it in your home? We love these so much, we might just have to show you some pillow pairings to finish off the refresh! Stay tuned!

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CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO BE TAKEN TO THE WEBSITE FOR PURCHASING.

Six Stylish Lantern Pendants that won't Break the Bank

Hope everyone has had a good start to their week and have been enjoying the cooler temperatures. Here on the Gulf Coast, we actually had a day over the weekend where we could bust out with our boots, but it was short lived. :) On to design topics....

To give you a quick update on our Bristol Park project, last week we were searching for light fixture options for the foyer. The ceiling in the foyer is sloped, so we needed a hanging fixture that could also be shortened to accommodate the ceiling height. The perfect choice was a lantern pendant in a matte black finish with clean lines. The combination of glass and black metal has a look of strength and elegance about it.

Via Decorista

Via Amber Interiors

Via Style at Home

As you have just seen from the images above, there are a variety of lantern pendants styles available on the market. Some look traditional and others more modern. You can get the look with these six pendants priced under $200.

one // two // three // four // five // six //

Until next time.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Large wall mirrors can make a bathroom feel bigger but they tend to be pretty boring. If you are like the many who have these ubiquitous mirrors and have been considering ripping them out, try layering a decorative mirror on top. It elevates the look without breaking up the expansive feel that the larger mirror provides. Plus, it saves you from needing sheet rock repair work.

David Hicks

The images below take it a step further by installing sconces on top of the wall mirror as well. Not only does it make it more interesting, but it reflects more light into the room.

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J.K. Kling Associates

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Decorpad

Tom Stringer

I went with the wheels instead...

I turned the big 3-0 on Wednesday.  Some of you may laugh at the "big" part of that statement, but I truly did feel this birthday more than others.  Perhaps it's because I'm no longer "in my twenties" or maybe it's because entering into a whole new decade sounds so surreal. Whatever it may be, this birthday hit me more than most.  

The good part about having a birthday, however, is the presents.  I'm convinced that's why we have birthday presents.  It's not to celebrate another year of life (unless you're under the age of 25), so much as it is to help you cope with adding another number to your age.  

My husband had been asking me for weeks what I wanted for my birthday and for weeks I told him I wasn't sure and needed to think about it some more.  I know it's silly, but I felt like whatever I was getting needed to be different since I was turning 30.  Something memorable and I could enjoy for a long time.  See how much it got to me? :)

Well one night lying in bed watching TV, he asked me again, and this time I actually had an answer.  

"A light fixture!" I exclaimed.  I thought I'd come up with the perfect gift-- a pretty little new piece in my home I could stare at each time I walked by for years to come.  He looked at me like I had three eyes.

"Light fixtures?" he said perplexed.  "Really?"

"Yes, a light fixture," I countered.  "But just one will do for now.  No need to get crazy."

I told him that the one I'd like to replace the most was the dining room light.  Allow me to give you a visual--it looks like an octopus holding beautiful (sarcasm) swirled, frosted glass sconces in each tentacle with a ridiculous looking oversized matching frosted cup and spear coming down in the middle of the bottom.  You want one too now, don't you? :)

Sure, the normal person, including my husband, would say "What's wrong with it?  It's fine.  I like it." But the designer in me that hates all things in a builder supply catalog just can't.

Jon was on board with my final decision (and by "on board" I mean glad I'd finally told him a gift idea), but I could tell he was hoping I'd settle on a new idea eventually.  And I did, but not before creating my dining room light fixture favorites list first.  Since I'll wait until later for the light, I thought I'd at least show you guys what I love...and will hopefully replace the octopus with one day soon :)

MY TOP 8 DINING ROOM LIGHT FIXTURES

View fullsize

1 MidCentury Modern $348 2 Prism $450 3 Wood Bead $270 4 Times Square Shade $249 6 Rope $211 5 Stiletto $229 7 Fiona $299 8 Large Orb $499

P.S. If you're wondering about what I picked instead of a light... here she is in all of her mint paint, cognac oversized seat, cup-holder, basket-wearing glory.

I'm all for pretty new things for my home (I am a designer after all), but I felt that getting to feel like a kid again was one of the best gifts I could have entering my 30's!  Plus I've been wanting a beach cruiser ever since we moved to the beach over two years ago!  I'm glad I went with the wheels instead :)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Ochre Arctic Pear

Since this week is all about items we're loving, I thought I'd share one of my dream purchases with you... the Ochre Arctic Pear chandelier.  Ochre is a company started by two friends who met at a London art school.  While still based in London, they now also have two stores in New York.  But back to the Arctic Pear.  This particular chandelier of their's haunts me...in a good way.  Oh how I love it.

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I first fell in love this when I saw it in an Elle Decor feature on Kerri Russell's Brooklyn home a few years ago.  I think part of the love affair was due to the fact that it was in "Felicity's" home, and Felicity was a girl after my own heart back in the day.  BUT the main reason I loved it is because it is simply stunning-- a showstopper with no fuss.  Here it is in Kerri's home.  Yes, we're on a first-name basis.

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Since then, I've seen this light featured in so many beautiful spaces.  It comes in several different sizes so you can get the perfect fit for each room.

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Double the pleasure at this Cobble Hill home designed by Blair Harris Interiors.  

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Unfortunately, these beautiful gems do not fit in my budget (prices ranging from $3,600-$9,000).  Robert Abbey does make a similar one for a fraction of the cost, but it's still around $2,000.   I have a feeling my husband won't go for that either.  *Sigh*  

Another one that I think it worth a look is Jupiter Chandelier from ZGallerie.  It is only available in one size (19.75" diameter), but it's also only $399.  For a fraction of the cost of the other two, I'd say that's a win.

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Not too shabby, huh?  Lighting really is one of my favorite places to splurge in a room because it adds SO MUCH to the overall design.  If you find a light that you truly love, I say save up and splurge.  I bought some Regina Andrew globe pendants for my kitchen over a year ago, and I still love them!  Money well spent if you ask me :)