First off, I should clarify something.
I'm definitely not a purist when it comes to using authentic vintage lighting in a kitchen.
There are just so many wonderful reproductions out there but I do notice how my eye is always drawn to the real thing.
That certain worn patina that can't be faked. The weightiness and look of real crystals.
I guess I admire the effort it takes to locate that special "find,' and the patience of having it re-wired so that it can have a whole new life again. And even though using authentic lighting fixtures do involve more work I like the instant warmth and sense of history they inject into a kitchen,
especially a white kitchen which depends on a mix of materials to keep it from being too 'cold' or modern for my taste.
In my last house I had an old crystal chandelier that broke during our relocation. Even though it wasn't large enough for our high ceilings it sealed my love for sparkling chandeliers in the kitchen.
I especially love them paired with rustic wood.
The only problem was I hadn't been able to find a replacement for my broken one.
I even thought about giving up and buying this classic version,
but in the end, it seemed a bit too restrained for me.
I needed more bling.
Or did I?
I started considering old, oversized lanterns like this one which I think looks gorgeous surrounded by marble countertops.
This kitchen was designed with the classic French bakery as inspiration and you can see more of this swoon-worthy house HERE.
Where ever I'd go I'd keep my eye open for the right chandelier...
but I soon realized something.
( love this home in Sonoma, CA)
I realized that even though I have an affinity for quirky, eclectic pieces when it comes to my kitchen chandelier I kept coming back to classic choices.
And teardrop crystals.
And what is it about authentic looking brass right now?
I have no idea if it's "In" or "Out" of style these days---(and I don't really care)
but it's been calling my name lately. So I decided to keep an open mind when Mr. Moss and I went shopping for my Christmas gift last weekend.
I'm not sure if this is a sign of a 27 year-old-marriage, but my favorite Christmas present was a handmade gift certificate for a afternoon of antique store shopping and lunch from none other than my Honey.
I know! How did he know (I believe in hints) that making goo-goo eyes at lots of old chandeliers followed by a glass of wine and lunch next to the pier was my version of a dream date?!
Also we found this chandelier at the first place we went.
Should I be suspicious that he liked it so much?
(He hates shopping)
As you can see we bought an old, oversized brass fixture with crystals and lots of engraved detailing which you can't see in the photo. It was pretty close to an impulse buy and afterwards I had to check my IPhone picture to learn that it has ten lights... yes ten!!
Which kinda made me worry about it's size.
But now that it's home sitting on the table I'm feeling excited.
We both agreed we selected it for our future kitchen which I'm slowly designing in my head.
It goes up on Monday and of course it means re-working my gallery wall--probably removing it
(paired with this chandy, it might be too much of a good thing if-you-know-what-I-mean)
but I'll have some pictures I'll share with you soon
How about you?
What do you think about using vintage lighting fixtures in your house?
xo
Leslie
I'm sharing this post with these friends:
19 comments:
Your chandelier is so beautiful, Leslie! I'm looking forward to seeing how you use it! I love the look of old fixtures...I found three old chandeliers at a garage sale last year, and really want to use them in our home. Your inspiration photos inspire me!
Leslie, first, I have to comment on that husband of yours. I like his gift giving ideas! ;-)
Love you new chandy and am eager to see it hanging in your kitchen. We do have antique light fixtures in our home. Our dining room fixture is a brass fixture from the early 1900s. We bought it for our first home and brought it with us to this home. The heavy brass chandy hanging in our entry is 19th century and one we found in New Hope, Pennsylvania on an east coast trip. Another fixture that hangs in our master bath was found at an antique show in London. Yes, we like living with vintage lighting fixtures for some of our lighting needs. '-)
Great post to start off the year, Leslie!
Leslie,
Like Sarah, first and foremost, what a sweet hubby. I love that he even made you a "gift certificate".
I love anything that is authentic, often no matter how battered and beaten it is. There's so many great stores that can repair/rewire anything. I love the one you've found. It will forever be so special, in part thanks to a wonderful Christmas gift from your honey.
xo,
Karen
Great patina and sparkle...can't wait to see it hung.
Happy New Year, Leslie. What a perfect gift of an afternoon doing your favorite things. Your hubby is a keeper. The chandelier is a beauty! It looks almost identical to the one my husband and I bought at the market in Paris and now hangs in our bedroom. You will enjoy that piece tremendously. I'm all about using vintage chandeliers--even with a modern mix of furniture.
I enjoyed your previous post as well and just linked to it in my most recent blog post--inspiring thoughts for the new year.
xx, Heather
Gwen, this chandelier is aaaawwwsome!!! ...and perfect for your future dream kitchen I believe. To have such a
nice lunch with your husband after buying this gem was the icing on the cake
....I have also an old brass chandelier which now find his place on my
terrace but still looking (for many years) for a chain of chrystals to jazz him up a bit. Do you or someone of your
followers know by chance where I can order it?
Ditto to everything you said about vintage crystal chandeliers, I have one hanging in my kitchen, over a rustic barn-like table. However, I'm a cook and prepare dinner five nights a week, and I'm forever on a ladder cleaning the chandelier, to make sure it sparkles...should have thought of this first. Love your chandelier and looking forward to photos of it in place! Angela Muller
P.S. Your "honey" sounds like a keeper!
YOU are SPEAKING TO THE RIGHT DAME!I ONLY Use VINTAGE chandeliers........they are all over you could say I collect them!
It will be a SMASH........BE certain the installer puts a dimmer on it.YOU will LOVE THAT!
Only you could turn a hunt for a chandelier into a fabulous story and a date! I can't wait to see it hanging.
We don't have any vintage lighting in the house and I wish I did. My sister has the lamps my grandfather made and I'm a bit jealous.
Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!
it's a beauty, leslie! way to be patient and picky in order to get it right. it will be just perfect, adding so much feminity and history. we bought 6 vintage brass and crystal chandeliers and sconces for the cottage over the summer, and i love the aged patina. so far, we have installed the one from sweden in my closet and two sconces in the master. i ended up using an antique silver chandelier from our previous home in the kitchen because i grew attached to it, and i'm so happy i didn't leave it behind! we even have a 1920s ceiling light from our very first home where we made so many happy memories. yep. we like our lights old!
In my old house, there are crystal chandeliers in the living room, dining room, master bedroom/bath, guest room, and laundry room—plus a couple stored in the attic. I've never had one in the kitchen, though; afraid I probably wouldn't clean it often enough.
Your new chandelier is gorgeous, and it will be stunning in your kitchen! Can't wait to see it hanging in all of its light-reflecting glory. (BTW, as you already know, your hubby is a keeper!)
Those are some mighty fabulous kitchens for inspiration. I'm sure your new chandelier will be fantastic! I've got two in my basement that need to be rewired. I would like to hang the brass one in my kitchen but I think my ceiling is too low. Dang it! Loving the transition of your home - as it becomes you.
Wow, stunning inspiration photos! I love them all. I like you just love them whether they are vintage or great repros. But what a beauty you found. I actually picked up a brass one a couple years ago, painted it off white and had hopes of hanging in our spare bedroom in the basement. It's been in our furnace room and I had forgotten all about it. lol! Looks like a project for hubby. Speaking of hubby, yours was a gem to give you a special gift like that. Can't wait to see it hanging in your home. So happy to meet you and thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
hugs,
Jann
Oh, and why do you have to take down the gallery wall if you put the light up?
Oh my! That's some lovely kitchen porn! I must say though that I have three glass teardrop mini chandeliers above my kitchen island and the amount of vinegar and water I have to go thru to keep them sparkling! Oh, have to tell you a story Leslie. I once bought an old brass and blue cobalt glass chandelier (sometime in my 20s and 1st marriage), sold three houses with that chandi in them, (two divorces) and also my mother's apartment, somehow, that chandi always came back to me! Now it's hanging in the dining room of my Vancouver house and I guess it's mine for ever and ever. :D
I love hubby's gift to you ~ it shows that he put some thought into it and got something that he knew you would enjoy. My she's a pretty one ~ can't wait to see her installed. xo
I absolutely adore that fixture for your space Leslie. You have such an eye. I can't imagine a more perfect choice. Your hubby must think like mine. Mine is always happy to buy an antique but anything else...not so much!
That chandelier is going to look gorgeous in your kitchen and provide nice lighting, too, Leslie! What a wonderful gift!
I love the one you found! We have one that is very similar and it came from my husband's grandmother's house. Ours is smaller....at our last it hung in my laundry room and made me smile. We haven't hung it here but you are minding me that we need to. :)
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