Lighting

The current “lighting look” is post-modern and Circa Lighting and Foundry Lighting are not short of options in this category. When I began my hunt for lighting, I started a shopping cart at both of these online shops and filled it with selections for every room of the house. I purchased an Aerin white glass flush mount for the guest from Foundry, the Ralph Lauren Allan large flush mount for the master and Ralph Lauren Allan sconces for the hallway from Circa.

And then, I stopped short.

I was discouraged that this post-modern look is everywhere and the pieces from the various brands are recognizeable (not unique), not always made well and are not inexpensive. I hate that.

I shifted gears and started to search 1stDibs and WOW did I get excited. While it does take some additional time to investigate, and at times a leap of faith as you cannot always see these pieces in person first, I find I am happily rewarded by 1) a lower relative price, 2) a higher quality item and 3) a truly unique design.

When I am searching 1stDibs I always start by setting the filters to the size of the item I am looking for and the price range I want to fall within. Then, I always negotiate and bid lower than the listed price. Sometimes I will bid over 35% off of the listed price. More often than not, the seller will work with me. I also check Ebay and Chairish as sometimes the same or similar items are listed on these sites for less.

For the dining room, I was initially considering the Aerin Jacqueline chandelier.

Aerin Jacqueline Two-Tier Chandelier / Brass

It is lovely, but after I saw the lacquered paint job I knew it wasn’t right for the space. The Aerin chandelier retails for $2,520 and you can purchase it here. It is constructed of white beads and antiqued brass. It is 38″ high and 32.25″ in diameter.

After a deep, deep dive through 1stDibs I had a “favorites” list of over 15 fixtures. Then, I narrowed down pretty quickly to my favorite chandelier. Behold, a 1980s Staff Leuchten chandelier made of solid brass, listed for $3,535.

1stDibs, Staff Leuchten brass chandelier, circa 1980s, Germany

The light is an adjustable 43” high and 30” in diameter, which is the perfect fit for the space.

I bid $2,000 and ultimately checked out for $2,300 + shipping, or, 35% off the original listing price and less expensive than the Aerin fixture. The chandelier will be delivered next week and I can’t wait to see it in the space!

The Master Bedroom wallpaper has been stripped along with the front entry. Everything looks yellow and pink and smeared today, but soon it will look beautiful! Here is the gap between the bay windows where we will place the dresser, that is currently being constructed in Tennessee.

Master bedroom after wallpaper was stripped

It is always odd to see what lies beneath wallpaper. I would have expected a single color of paint, but that was certainly not the case in this house. We have found everything from pink to green, and nothing that we expected.

Soon to be painted Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball

The baseboards were never properly finished and they don’t look good today, but a coat of paint is all these baseboards need to look fresh and new.

Awaiting a fresh coat of Farrow & Ball paint

The ceiling fixture in this room will be updated with a flush mount Ralph Lauren glass and brass piece.

Ralph Lauren Allen Large Round Flush Mount

The lighting fixture was on sale for 20% off from Circa Lighting, but painfully back-ordered for months, as it was ordered in December and still has not shipped. We are also using a pair of the Ralph Lauren Allan single sconces in the hallway which will help pull the lighting together.

Category: Lighting

Master bedroom, in process