Lighting. It’s the most under-utilized weapon in your armory of good design decisions for your home. They’re likened to rugs, in our book, for the crown jewel of that final piece to a great space. They’re also the most often overlooked when it comes to detail.
Lately, we’ve received quite a few questions on where our lighting came from for each space. While you can find them if you dig around long enough in our sources section of our gallery, we thought most of you probably don’t want to dig, and we would list them right here in one spot, alongside a few of our fave tips and tricks for picking out that perfect, crowning touch.
Our home came with a slew of boob lights + florescent nightmares. If it wasn’t boob, it was florescent. Or vice versa. Gradually, we either took our time to find the perfect piece at just the right price over the years, or saved up our moolah to add our fave touch. We think it’s all about what you truly want for a space, and deciding where to invest in those key pieces.
We still have, I believe, one {boob light} and we will shamelessly tell you that if we ever move, quite a few of these will be coming with. Because we adore them so.
So room by room, here’s our sources, and a few of our fave tips and tricks when looking for the best pieces.
The dining room actually came with this light! The one light we kept. Don’t be afraid to embellish what you have. We eventually took down the shades, replaced the plain jane bulbs with fun round ones for a modern tweak, and decked it out with some spare chandy crystals for a sweet little contrasting touch. Touching it up doesn’t always have to include spray paint, especially for renters finding themselves in the can’t-touch-this conundrum.
Over time, it’s evolved with the space, and made a great little unexpected fixture for the room.
From the bathroom: Lamps Plus. These two {the chandy and sconces – similar to these} are not from the same collection, per say, but we decided the finishes were close enough to ‘go’ together.
And we absolutely love the result + warm touch it brings to a white bathroom. Never under estimate the power of sconces, and what they can bring to your room design, especially with the lighting at night.
Also, we’d never had a light over our tub… the builder just didn’t bother to add one. So we hired an electrician to come and provide a place for this light to be installed over the tub. It was a total game changer in how we felt about the entire space, and the way the lighting worked in the room. While we aren’t afraid to install our own chandys, we do believe that professionals are professionals for a reason, so hire them. You don’t want your house to catch fire, or have a dangerous accident with electricity if you don’t know what you’re doing. They’re worth the few hundred in extra cost, so that it’s done properly. We weren’t about to crawl into the attic and drill a new spot, because we just weren’t comfortable doing it.
Hire to your weaknesses when it comes to your home… and it’s always worth it.
Lamps Plus is a great little source for lots of finds, and they have sales often… so keep an eye out for great pieces for your home.
School House Electric is a great spot for one of a kind finds. If you’re anything like us, drooling over their fun pieces is probably nothing new. We find ourselves swooning often over their fun, retro-esque touches. We felt like this Isaac Chandy brought a great masculine touch to the space to help balance out our floral bedding, and tie in a touch of metallics throughout the space. And you guys should see it at night. It brings an entirely different dimension in light to the space…nothing we’d ever achieved with that ceiling fan.
Don’t be afraid to make changes.
Which, another question we should address: no ceiling fan?!? I know. Between this, and dumping our dining room, our southern cohorts have now officially defriended us. This is a to-each-his-own kinda situation, but it hasn’t made a difference in our home. We run a floor fan every now and then but mostly it’s stayed the same. Our home sits in the southern tropics of Alabama, so we know it was a risk, but we also have a giant man eating pecan tree in the back. We think that has brought a lot of shade to our home. We’ll also mention we are all on one floor. There is no second floor to stress over with the heat. {For the record, the ones on the second floor would probably stay.} But if you don’t use your fan often, and you’re thinking about making the change, go without it for a few days and observe the space in the heat of the day and with sleeping at night to see if you feel a difference… or if you would enjoy it.
You just may surprise yourself and your ceiling fan addiction.
This chandelier is one of our faves… also from Lamps Plus.
Here’s a fun little story where you can learn from us:
Always measure. Twice. It’s like that adage with fabrics… measure twice cut once? When in doubt, measure again. We accidentally ordered the wrong light for our bathroom. Whoops. When it showed up, I realized our nine year old could climb inside and swing from it, and it was the size of our tub.
The only problem? We were absolutely in love with this light. So we found a home for it in the living room, and it’s made a fun, cozy difference in the entire feel of the space. Totally worth it in every way. I guess it was a happy tragedy that ended up working to our advantage. In retrospect, it’s my new game: Oh, DARN! It’s too big. Guess it will have to go in that OTHER space that also totally needed a light. Sorry!
And pay attention to the length of the cord. Most can be adjusted, but it helps to know what you’ll be doing to adjust the height in the right spot.
Don’t forget the box stores.
This chandy from PB has been one of our favorites over the years, and was one of our first splurges for our home. We scored it on sale and never regretted it. Sometimes, I tend to forget about the options that are right in front of my nose.
I would have never considered PB teen for emerson’s space, and she absolutely loves this addition. Sometimes, kids or teenager sites can carry great accent pieces that you can’t quite find anywhere else. It casts little rainbows on the wall, so between this and her mirrorball it’s a regular Rainbow Brite meets Lisa Frank Partay.
Know where to hang it articles everywhere will throw out numbers. If you’re anything like us, those numbers make our eyes gloss over, because it will be different for every piece and every space. That’s the spice of life, after all. The easiest way to do it? Have someone stand on a ladder and hold it in place to decide on the length/placement. Eyeball it. It’s the best way.
Also, for pieces over a table, know they can go lower because the chances are you won’t hit your head. Jamin is especially tall, so he always hits his head on Emerson’s light {he basically needs a helmet} and the light in our homeschool room now that we no longer have a table there. Always know the way in which you intend to use them, to save on headaches {pun intended} later.
World Market has some great pieces and we loved the simple approach this one brought to the foyer. I’ve been eyeing their options lately as well – they’ve totally upped the anté over the years with their variety of options.
The DIY option.
We made this light from a planter we found at Lowe’s for the boys room years ago…
I was meandering by {read, pulling the kids’s arms out of their sockets while they tried to run away from me in the store with lots of people gawking} when I saw these planters placed upside down. Eureka lightbulb moment. The best part? The draining hole was already in place. All we had to do was install.
I’m still surprised I haven’t found the boys swinging from it, but they love their little shared space.
Don’t forget about the possibilities from a light kit and various elements from upside down baskets to lampshades {ballard designs}, like the one found in the closet here.
Use them in unexpected ways
Light fixtures can bring such a touch of wow to spaces. Once reserved strictly for entryways and dining rooms, it’s fun to break the rules and bring in a punch of charm with the unexpected. Did our pergola need a chandelier hanging from it? Nope. Did it make it instantly cozy with a touch of color? Absolutely.
From bathrooms to the great outdoors, think of the personality and charm they bring.
Social Media
This may sound silly, but there are entire forums online dedicated to the whole one-man’s-junk-is-another-man’s-treasure motto. But I actually found this little gem on my newsfeed when a friend said she didn’t want this in her new-to-her home anymore. Another friend said she would make her an offer later, but I decided I wanted to play, and offered her 75.
She was glad to have it taken off her hands, and I was glad when I saw another hanging in the local flea market {slightly overpriced} for 450.
Flea Markets:
Have been our best resource yet. We’ve found that a little patience and knowledge can go a long way. A few things on shopping at flea markets for great lighting:
• Do your homework while sometimes the best finds are the ones you can do in an impromptu scoop-up, more times than not it doesn’t happen that way. Get on the internet and do a little searching. Alongside your budget, this should tell you how much you’re willing to spend.
• Look off the beaten path, and at the big flea markets. We have one big multi-level flea market here in town, and the owners are super proud of their wares. That’s awesome, but I don’t want to overspend on an item. I’ve found that smaller, lesser-known shops in random locales are a great place to start. We’ve also made some of our greatest finds at the huge flea markets. {The one at the fairgrounds via Nashville, for instance} when there are more competitors, the prices can go lower. So don’t rule them out.
• Know their condition Never assume that a light works when you purchase it. I’ve never had a dishonest experience, but it can happen. If you’re willing to have it rewired, include this in your ideal price, and have a trustworthy technician in mind… just go in willing to work it out. It can always be worth it, if you know what you want.
This little light was scooped up at a flea market in Nashville. But the chain was too short, so we moved it form its original locale in the laundry room + brought it to our closet. It feels like I’ve stepped into a boutique in paris when I walk in… the little chandy lighting it up. Never mind that I’m also surrounded by pillows, christmas decor, and an ill assorted attempt at children’s clothing. Everywhere. The light helps. It’s the little things.
This not-so-little guy was another flea market find. I had no idea where I was putting him at the time, and sometimes that happens. He found a home. Jamin just nodded his head when I came through the door hoisting it over my head. Eventually, he came around.
Ebay
One of our best sources, and where we found these schoolhouse lights, and that vintage chandelier below. Here’s how I win what I want for a decent price {aside from an insane amount of luck}: Look for auctions that end in the middle of the day on a work day. Most people are occupied at that time with things like… I don’t know… their jobs.
Sometimes, this is especially the case with items found overseas, so pay attention to the shipping price. But cue me stealthily stalking the computer until the auction is about to end, and entering a price no one has time to come back on because their boss just came into their office and asked them to take care of Betty’s ear wig infestation down in accounting. It pays to have absolutely no life whatsoever. Because cue me, cheering like I just won the lottery after I scored that antique below.
Also, don’t add anything to your watch list. Just refresh your screen when you can. That way, no one knows you’re watching it. Stealth. Like a ninja. It pays.
I heart lamp.
Don’t forget your lamps. Like the ultimate accessory to the perfect outfit, these guys bring in layers of interest and depth, especially at night with that lighting. They bring in a great ambiance to any space!
We’d love to hear some of your fave tips for choosing lighting for the home! What is some of your best advice? Let us know – we’d love to hear!
Have an inspired day!
Jenna says
I am so glad you listed all of these here. I kept wondering where your schoolhouse lights in the kitchen were from – thanks for sharing that! Sometimes, I actually forget about ebay – thanks for the tips.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much Jenna – I hope they’re helpful!
kat says
Boob light. HAHAHAHA! I love it. Our house came with some boob lights too. One of which mocks me in the laundry room everyday.
Thanks for the sources – we have been on the lookout for a dining room chandelier for about 2 years now…
🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe good luck with your search! Down with the boobies!
Stephanie C. says
Perfect timing on this, thanks! I am working on replacing a boob light above my kitchen sink with a pendant. I thought I found the perfect one online, but when I went to the store to see it in person, it was way too big. I didn’t even think about ebay, I will be doing some stalking on there later. Thanks again!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I hope it helps, Stephanie! Good luck – I know how rewarding it can be when you find just the right one! ;}
Demi says
What you said about social media is totally true – keep an eye out because you never know what you’ll find!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Yes! Things pop up on our Facebook on a regular basis – every now and again there’s a diamond in the rough! ;}
Jessica Hammond says
LOVE this.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks, Jessica! I hope it helps!
Elaine says
Perfection! You guys always pack a ton of info into your posts – really excited to use this while I continue my hunt to bring down those awful fluorescent lights in our home! Thanks a billion.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, Elaine!
Gary says
Great ebay + flea market tips – great timing!
Cami says
Your timing is just perfect. Gearing up to pick out some chandeliers for our home and I needed a little inspiration/kick in the butt because I have been putting it off! Thank you!