window seat sconce

I have been attempting to find a sconce for our window seat for what feels like months at this point. Remember this post? Well, the long and short of it is that none of those options worked so I have been struggling to reselect. At first, I was adamant about wanting a down light - something cozy for reading - but now I am not so sure. Modern? Traditional? Black? I am really all over the place. 

Currently, at the top of my list of considerations is this light by Stilnovo. I am a big fan of their iconic designs which have been around since 1946. I just love the idea of owning such a timeless and modern piece.

1 Light Wall Sconce by Stilnovo via All Modern | THE PLACE HOME

However, I do hesitate with this light because I worry that it might be a touch too modern for the space. Although on the other hand, the sharp juxtaposition could be an amazing detail...The other drawback of this fixture is I can't tell if there is a switch on it. There is no hardwiring to a wall switch so I absolutely need an on/off on the fixture. 

Having sort of a similar look to the Stilnovo is this light by Suri. It has a fixture switch which is great and I like that its styling falls somewhere between modern and a bit industrial. It's downfall is that it is listed as being oil rubbed bronze as opposed to black. If its really dark and the red tones are not super noticeable this isn't a big deal for me but if it lends lighter then its a no go. Also it seems a little large at 10"H x 13"W....

suri wall swing arm sconce via Overstock | THE PLACE HOME

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I am also thinking about this traditional sconce by Restoration Hardware.

petite candlestick sconce with linen shade by RH | THE PLACE HOME

Its basically the safe and easy choice. I know it has a switch and I could order it today and always return it if I didn't like it. It would be a completely different look than the first two options but it could be nice as well. I am still searching so if any readers have recommendations send them my way!

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related posts. 

rattan lights
january 27, 2014

ro sham beaux
april 16, 2014

firm feature: bocci
july 13, 2015

paint color for our living room

We are dangerously close to starting our first floor renovation. So much so that I think its safe for me to start to consider things like paint color! Of course, I have an idea of what I would like to see in the room but narrowing it down to the exact shade is a whole other thing. When it comes to paint selection for this room, I have known since we bought the house that I wanted to do a darker contrasting trim. Back when we were using the space as our dining room, I liked the idea of doing a dark grayish blue color. But then, we painted our den Normandy - a darker blue - so that just seemed like too much. From there, I moved onto dark green and up until recently, I thought that this was the direction I wanted to go in. But now, I have had a change of heart and am thinking something more neutral. I like the idea of opening up the possibility to different accent colors in the art, pillows and chairs. One of things I have discovered having a darker room - our den - is that it is harder to hang art. While the room looks more "complete" with the blue walls, I have had to be very selective in what to hang ie there is nothing currently on the walls. With our living room, I want the freedom to put up family pictures, favorite photography etc. and not be as limited. I also want the room to really flow into the back hallway (which will be white) to create the illusion of a bigger space. Below are some inspiration images I am referencing as well as some paint colors that are under consideration. 

source unknown

This is my leading inspiration image as its the closest to what we actually have/will have in the room - chair rail, base, crown and a vertically paneled fireplace wall (I wish our fireplace opening was going to look like this!). I would describe the color as a beige with some gray and green in it. Our floors are mid tone like the ones in the image (not the amazing wide plank though) and the color seems to nicely bridge between warm and cool tones. 

When starting to thinking about paint colors for any space, I generally turn to Farrow & Ball first. Their more limited color palette is spot on and provides for a jumping off point if nothing else. For our living room, I was initially interested in Hardwick White, French Gray, Lamp Room Gray, Purbeck Stone and Pavilion Gray. When looking at paint colors, I always look for install images to see how the color seems to play out. With beiges and grays, its important to try to gather what the light is like when looking at reference images as these colors can change dramatically depending on their environment. From some image sourcing, I ruled out French Gray for being too green, Lamp Room Gray for being too blue and Pavilion Gray for being too cool in tone.

Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball

1929 Farmhouse design by Rafe Churchill

Purbeck Stone by Farrow & Ball

via wendell

I am leaning towards the Hardwick White but plan to order sample pots of both just to see how they look up on the wall. I also am interested in Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter which is probably one of the most popular grays out there right now. 

Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore

design by Taste Design Inc. via Home Bunch

I plan on pairing our "greige" trim with Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee on the walls. I have been using this white throughout the rest of the house and want to be consistent. I feel like I am still open to other colors at this point but am going to at least get samples of the three above and go from there. Paint can really be so hard!

Want to read more? Check out one or all of these related posts. 

picking paint colors
november 15, 2013

michigan + half painted walls
july 28, 2015

vintage inspired wallpaper
november 12, 2015

a new light for our living room

As we move closer to thinking about our first floor renovation, one of the many pieces of the new plan will be to change out lighting. We will need two (maybe three) new flushmounts in the back hall and then an overhead light in the living room. We are working on a tight budget and with lots of other necessary expenses, the lighting budget is limited. I haven't given much thought to the back hall lights yet but for the living room I am thinking something sputnik like (remember this post when the living room was going to remain a dining room). We will need a piece with multiple bulbs and one that sits closer to the ceiling so as to not obstruct views of the TV. Ideally, I would find something like the Atomium from Lambert & Fils. 

Atomium by Lambert & Fils

I really like its airy sculptural quality and of course, the brass. And while I don't think its unreasonably priced, its just not in our budget. 

I am not sure if I have found the one yet (nor have I reviewed the options with Jeff) but here are a few contenders. 

1. Urban Outfitters 4040 Locust Metal Pipe Pendant Light - $149

4040 Locust Metal Pipe Pendant Light by Urban Outfitters

I think this light is an AMAZING value and it meets a lot of my criteria - light and sculptural, multiple bulbs and a nice width and height. The problem is the finish which is copper and I am just not sure I want to go in that direction. On the one hand, it could nicely pick up the warm tones in the hardwood. On the other hand, it could emphasize color tones that I don't want to play up i.e. red/orange. That all aside I might just have to order it and see because its only $149 and I could easily return it.

2. Modern 6 Arm Chandelier by Etsy seller Illuminate Vintage - $389

Modern 6 Arm Chandelier by Illuminate Vintage

This one is more traditional in nature but still has a bit of that sputnik quality that I like. Similar to the first selection, it has the overall feel that I am after and is the right dimensions but again the finish gives me pause. It just looks quite gold rather than brass in the pictures. Its description says its made of "solid raw brass" which I would assume means unlacquered but I don't know - could be sort of risky.

3.  3 Arm Sputnik by Etsy seller Illuminate Vintage - $299

3 Arm Sputnik by Illuminate Vintage

From the same Etsy seller as option 2, I also really like this three arm sputnik. It has an airer quality than the other two and has the option to do a wire with canopy mount or a down brass rod. Again the finish makes me concerned but at least with this one there isn't as much brass. 

4. Odyssey 4 Chandelier by Schoolhouse Electric - $349

Odyssey 4 by Schoolhouse Electric

The most simple and straightforward of the selections, this Schoolhouse Electric fixture might be the surest bet of the bunch. It is slighting smaller than the other three and has less bulbs but as a big plus I am more sure about the finish.

Like I mentioned I am still on the hunt so we will see what we decide on! Have a good weekend everyone!

If you liked this post check out brass lighting, etsy lighting round up, and/or cedar & moss.