opinions on lighting fixtures wanted
okay — so i’m obsessing over lighting fixtures right now and i’m *hoping* i can get some opinions on brownstoner on how these two would work together. They would be installed on the parlor floor and you would be able to see them at the same time when the pocket doors are opened — and…
okay — so i’m obsessing over lighting fixtures right now and i’m *hoping* i can get some opinions on brownstoner on how these two would work together. They would be installed on the parlor floor and you would be able to see them at the same time when the pocket doors are opened — and I’d like to know what people think about how these two fixtures would look together.
I was thinking putting the ornate one in front of the plainer one would work but i have NO experience in this process — hence my search for opinions.
if you absolutely hate the fixtures, don’t hold back. but i don’t care as much about that as i do about how the two would work together…
http://tinyurl.com/2wopgk (front room)
http://tinyurl.com/yvw2bq (back room)
I like a very modern light fixture combined with antique furniture. Or vice versa. So think about your furniture but you don’t have to match it all up by era or style.
It really depends on the style of furniture and style of house. Think of lighting like accessories to your clothing. You can’t pick out your accessories without considering what you and your clothing looks like.
thanks to everyone on your thoughts. the rear room is actually going to be our master bedroom and i don’t think i’m going to go with the drum… i haven’t ruled out the branchy chandelier and i really love the fixtures in hubbardton forge (thanks 8:57!) so i’m going to look at them closely for the entrance foyer and rear room.
thanks again for your opinions!
They don’t need to match. Just work in harmony. Don’t match them, that’d be too…well too matchy!
is the drum one for a dining area? if so, i think they will look fine together. i like the style you are going for with the more ornate one – it is original and probably won’t ever look dated. and i think the drum shaded one will basically blend into the background. it doesn’t have much personality, but i think that can be a good thing, particularly as a dining room light or particularly where you want attention drawn to that first light.
I am facing exactly the same problem–I am wrapping up a gut renovation and I don’t have a lot of details. I chose to sister crystal chandeliers for the two main parlor lights (where, like you said, both can be seen when the pocket door is open.) I got my fixtures in the Lighting District (along Bowery, south of Delancey). Try Oggi Lighting, 166 Bowery, they are very helpful and have good prices. Remember to bargain!
Good idea, 1:10 about getting a custom chandelier made. But I would use an artist who specializes in light fixtures. I had some cool modern sconces custom designed and made for my old house in CA to echo the shape of the 20’s french normandy style fireplace the sconces flanked, and it was so special to have those. The buyer took them out though and installed some generic stuff. The dopes.
THey definitely don’t go together and I agree that the round one is a look that may go out of style. I like the idea of an organic look in a fixture, maybe not that one but the idea of something welded and sort of industrial with a branchy vibe seems cool.
You might try to see if any metal working shops can do a fixture. There’s a store I went to in Williamsburg that seems to have welders working with them. Sorry I can’t remember the name but I think it’s on Metropolitan off of Bedford.
The drum-shade chandeliers are a bit overdone and starting to go out of fashion. But I really like the chandelier with the leafiness. It’s fresh. It’s not ugly or ornate – I don’t get that. That “toleware” look with metal leaves and stems is great and it adds an organic element to the shapes in a room. It references art nouveau and arts & crafts like you wanted. Yet it has an edgy industrial aspect to it too.
Maybe people’s tastes here are different. I’m a huge fan of putting modern light fixtures in a brownstone. It’s the best way to liven it up and have an offbeat element in your design. Light fixtures are pricey to purchase but are easily installed and easily switched out, so there’s no need and no reason to be uptight about the light fixtures you choose. Have fun and be playful.
You might have better luck OP, posting on Gardenweb on the interior design forums.