19 Jan Light up your lair
I love my dutch door, or what we call our “friend’s entrance,” on the side of our new house. But I’m getting a little tired of the rain and dreary skies, and even my cute westie umbrella is losing its luster. So I decided it was time to take a trip to one of Nashville’s best lighting stores for a little distraction and to get some inspiration for new lamps in my home, and maybe yours too.
Lumen Lamps on White Bridge Road didn’t disappoint. Not only was it a respite from the rain but a place that really can open your eyes to so
many possibilities when it comes to lighting your home.
Whether it’s a floor lamp, tabletop lamp, lampshade, or a unique finial to place on top, they’ve got it.
While I was looking around, a local painter and designer, Lisa Zager, found a pair of lamps for her office.
Amy, of Lumen Lighting, showed Lisa several options of lampshades. Both dark, with gold lining but slightly different shapes.
This lamp will find its new home on a commercial piece of furniture in Lisa’s office. The juxtaposition of this warm iron lamp on a cool modern
table sounds perfect.
Another option for shoppers looking for unusual lamps is to take found objects or something sentimental and turn it into a lamp. All three of the lamps
below were originally containers that Nick Preston, with Lumen, worked his magic on, and they now have second lives as beautiful lamps.
Catherine Snow of Lumen Lighting showed me how three shades, all the same shape, but two white and one taupe, can look so different.
And don’t forget the finials. Catherine is now making them out of various beads, stones and other unique items she finds while at flea markets and
other spots.
This display is like a piece of art! Lovely in texture and color, and the crowning touch to a lamp.
Nick took what used to be a special porcelain piece and turned it into a lamp by using a museum mount.
Nick has turned everything from a client’s toy tonka truck to a turtle shell and everything else you can think of into a lamp.
Lamps can take on so many different looks depending on the shade you select. Like the one below. The shade is made out of craft paper!
Just remember the words of Albert Hadley who said, “I personally try to avoid all ceiling lights because I think that overhead light is a tragedy.”
Oh my gosh. I think we all can relate to that! And when thinking about lighting your home, you may want to pick up this fantastic book by Deborah
Needleman, founding editor of Domino Magazine.
Our niece, Estee, gave me this treasure for Christmas because she knows how much I love anything to do with home. The author, Deborah
Needleman is so gifted. I love the way she writes and her philosophy on decorating your home. The lighting section is full of great tips and
illustrations by Virginia Johnson.
For example, she says besides the light they provide, lamps make for a great starting point for decorating on a table, and can be such strong vertical
statements in a sea of horizontal furniture in a room.
And here’s her thinking on floor lamps. Needleman says they’re wonderful for providing variety and height and prove useful next to a reading chair where
their light is closer and more direct than their tabletop cousin’s could ever be!
So there you go. Some things to think about when choosing lamps for your space.
And before I sign off, a look at one of our favorite lamps. And I have to give my husband credit for this one.
The high stepping heron caught his eye when we were on a vacation in Florida and he found a home in our study. We turn this lamp on every
night and love to see his head perched high above the shade like it’s separated from his body. And, we remember what a good time we had with our
friends on this trip.
Isn’t that what you want to be surrounded by? Things that bring good feelings and memories.
As much as I love lamps, I’ll be glad when I don’t have to turn them on as often for light and can just enjoy them as decor!
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