When we looked at this house, I had a feeling it would be a strong contender if not the house we bought. There was a lot this house wasn’t, but it offered a lot of the things we wanted and needed and I was really excited at the thought of a well-built house in a desirable neighborhood back to life. I could see us living here, I could envision our stuff in the house, and I had some ideas for how we make this house our own. Before we even made an offer, I started sketching out the kitchen, dreaming about what it could be.
In that initial sketch, I made the window larger and put sconces on either side. (I didn’t quite have dreams grand enough to remove walls, yet!)
As the kitchen renovation was closer to becoming a reality, each sketch included those sconces. I just really loved the idea of having sconces next to the kitchen window. They would provide some functional lighting for the open counter space as well as some ambient lighting. I also like to add warm, soft touches to rooms that can feel utilitarian and cold, and kitchens and bathrooms can definitely go that direction with all of the hard surfaces. I wasn’t sure exactly what the sconces would look like, but I imagined them as single candle-style sconces with a shade.
The kitchen designer wasn’t sure what to put in the mock-up, so she picked brass sconces with glass shades.
I really wanted a set of antique sconces, but finding a pair that was reasonably priced and ticked all of the design and size boxes was more challenging than I expected. They had to be a matching pair and were wired to be hardwired into the wall. They also couldn’t be too big or stick out too far so the cabinet just to the left of them wouldn’t hit the sconce when opened.
Almost daily, I would look on Etsy and eBay to look for any new posts. I dug into the depths of the “antique brass sconce” search results. With antique ones being elusive (or too expensive), I considered some new options as well…
Clockwise from top left: One – Brass Wall Sconce with Shade, Two – Brass Adjustable Wall Sconce, Three – 1920s Refurbished Sconces, Four – Brass Sconce with Ceramic Shade
The bottom right pair of sconces was an example of one I thought was interesting but was a bit more than I wanted to pay. Sconce number one was almost exactly like the one I drew, but I thought it would feel a bit too modern. Number two, the brass articulating sconce, was the front runner for me, but I felt it might lean a bit too farmhouse/industrial for the direction I was heading.
The more I looked and the more I thought about it, I really wanted to find sconces that would “speak to” the dining room chandelier. You’ll be able to see the dining room through little French doors from the kitchen, so having them echo each other would be a nice detail.
I started focusing my search on brass sconces made in Spain. These lighting fixtures were popular in the middle of the 20th century, so it’s a fitting choice for our 1970 house. They are often referred to as “pineapple” chandeliers, named for the center decorative piece that sort of looks like a pineapple. If you’ve followed me for a while, this chandelier is very familiar to you as a style I’ve had in my last two homes and my studios. I’ve even bought and sold a few over the years.
So, zeroed in on that, I went back to Etsy and eBay to see what I could find. I eventually found this pair of mid-century brass sconces that, I think, were originally sold by Sears. They are in the same style as my dining room chandelier, came with all of the crystals, and were less than $120 for the pair. They just need to be cleaned up a little bit!
I had some little shades already, so I’m going to use them on the sconces…
I can’t access my fabrics right now because the entire contents of my kitchen and hall closet are piled in the guest room, but I’d like to recover the shades in a really cute fabric. It might be this check, which has always been a favorite, but we’ll see. I’m going to use the pleated shade cover technique I shared in THIS TUTORIAL.
Covering the shades will hide the fact that they have seen better days.
We marked out the placement of the sconces last week and everything will fit perfectly to avoid a collision with the cabinet door. I did have a backup plan to put a chain on the door to stop it from opening all the way, but it’s really best if they both have the space they need. We’ll also have a recessed light over the sink, so that area will be well-lit.
In addition to the sconces arriving, I received the glass knobs for the cabinets. I ordered THESE glass and unlacquered brass knobs and they are even prettier in person.
They coordinate with THESE unlacquered brass pulls I ordered for the drawers and appliances.
I had a fun time arranging all of the elements on my studio floor this morning. In my book, Feels Like Home, I talked about creating a living mood board and this is exactly what I’m referring to. It’s one thing to look at a mood board on a computer screen and an entirely different experience to look at it in 3D objects that are actually going to be used in the home. It allows you to see the collection in your lighting and to interact with each object. I arrange and rearrange to play with the components to make sure I like how everything sits together. If you have a tough time making decisions, gather up the samples and elements for the room and put them together on a neutral backdrop. I guarantee you will be able to see what you love and what’s not working.
Today, the crew is building the new staircase to the basement, which is exciting! I’ve had to use Bilco doors to do the laundry or fetch anything from the basement. If you’re not familiar with Bilco doors, they are old-school heavy metal doors that sort of look like they would go to a root cellar or a tornado saferoom. The stairs are concrete and barely 6″ deep. It’s a precarious walk down with a loaded laundry basket (especially with my graceful reputation), so it’ll be nice to have an interior staircase again!
It feels like we’re rounding the renovation corner and things are being put together instead of ripped apart.
40 Responses
Love the vision you have for the kitchen! Those lights are PERFECT!
Do you have a shareable source for the fabric? I love the scale of it and am hunting for a check to recover our dining chairs.
Looking forward to watching it all come together!
Sadly, no. I am going to try to find an alternative, though. It’s a vintage fabric that I bought second hand and it’s been a favorite for years.
I think you’re going to end up having my dream kitchen! I love the choices you’ve made.
Oh, thank you! I am so excited about it.
I like the direction you are heading!
The sconces are just right! So thankful you kept looking and then found them. PLEASE be careful going up and down those steps! Exciting things happening at y’all’s home and I’m loving the way you describe and show each step.
yes, I walk down sideways and take it one step at a time. I broke my foot on one simple step to the garage, so these do scare me a bit!
Love the sconces! What is the old saying “Buy the worst house in the best neighborhood”.
The sconces are a perfect fit for your aesthetic! Fun to watch your kitchen renovation come together.
Absolutely perfect sconces for the kitchen! They’re so pretty and personable.
Thank you for sharing your process and why you make the choices you do – so very helpful & inspiring!
Love the sconces…great find. I like them the way they are. Not sure about the crystals on there…maybe too much with the crystal knobs??? I love the knobs…..since I have the same exact ones!!! Mine are the amber color. I’ve had them over a year and it is still the first thing that puts a smile on my face every morning. You will love them.
Oh, good to know! Yeah, the nice thing about those sconces is they look good with or without the crystals. I can easily switch things up if and when I want to.
I love the sconces! Your kitchen is going to be so beautiful. I can’t wait to see it! I know it’s your dream kitchen.
My folks built a house in 1968 and my mom picked out a chandelier like yours and also a sconce with crystals near the front door. I always loved them, your sconces with the crystals are true to a 70’s house. Go for it!
We sadly had a pipe break which led to a flooding of the downstairs ( the sad part). After seven months of construction, our downstairs is newly renovated and beyond my dreams. They found room for a huge walk-in pantry under the stairs which now houses my endless collection of vintage dishes. I truly dance in my new kitchen. It was a nightmare that became a dream come true. Praying over your kitchen renovation also ❤️
Perfect sconce find! It has also occurred to me that you are constructing your dream kitchen in someone else’s former dream house!
That is going to be so pretty when its finished. What a joy it will be.
I have never written before and certainly do not want to offend you with my first time but my personal opinion is the blue check just does not look good with the other things you are using. I know you love that material and it is a great material but to me the color is off with the other colors you are using and I thought you were trying to get away from the farmhouse look. To me that check reads farmhouse. But hey, if you love it go for it!!!
I agree with Marilyn. Not sure I would go with the blue check. Seems to break the coziness of the group. Just looks out of place. The sconces are beautiful but the blue check just doesn’t seem to fit with their style.
Those shades are small, so I feel a smaller print would be so cute. Maybe a pretty blue floral that “speaks” French or something like a toile.
I always love your taste and sense of style! You’ve inspired me yet again to sneak in some
more changes!
I love your sconces, Marian! They are just beautiful! Your new kitchen is going to be such a dream come true for you!
You have great taste and your kitchen will look beautiful and cozy. Can’t wait to see it finished. We just finished renovating two bathrooms and I can relate to the tearing down process and the rebuilding and watching it come together. At one point I started to second guess myself with my choices and my husband told me to be patient and wait for the renovation to be finished. He was right. You mentioned the second guessing in one of your posts and I knew exactly what you meant. We love our bathrooms and we are enjoying them.
I think you should paint your mural on the lampshade or something like it
Ohh, I like that idea!
we have been renovating for a while…first the basement which is just about completed, with two bedrooms, a bathroom and rec room. My husband did all the work. now we are concentrating on the main floor bathroom…you would think it would be straightforward…oh but the decisions!!!! it is a total gut job. so I am enjoying your posts…once we finish the bathroom, then it will be new hardwood floors throughout the main floor and this will include losing the walls between the kitchen and living room. I love seeing the progress on your house!!!
Random question. What are your thoughts on ceiling madillions? Traditional, out-of-date, painted or left as is. I think I would like one in our dining room. Having trouble deciding. Your thoughts?
Oh, I like them! There are so many styles now and they are easy to install, so it you envision one, I would go for it. I think the key is to get one that suits the size and style of the chandelier and the style of the home.
I have read and enjoyed your blog for years, all the way back to the beginning–even before Lucketts!! In all that time I have never commented. I am doing so now because I have some input that you may want to consider concerning your pool. When we designed our custom pool 25 years ago I wanted to avoid having that unsightly white ring of mineral deposits that eventually develops around the water line. (I have seen it in every pool except mine.) I chose a limestone colored almost matte tile (which looks great with the deck pavers) as the waterline tile. Of course, the inevitable deposits are there but are not visible. It still looks great after all this time and I still love it. I realize how much you love blue and you probably already have a lovely tile picked out but I just had to throw this out there.
Oh, thank you so much for your feedback. We’ve already ordered the tile, but that sounds like a clever option!
Hi Marian,
Love the sconces! They are so elegant! I’m happy that your kitchen Reno is coming along nicely. I know your home will be so beautiful! Can’t wait to see more!
I love the sconces and they will be perfect with the hardware – love the mix of glass/brass knobs w the all brass handles. The little shades will add even more charm to the room. Not sure about the crystals but as you said above, you can switch them out or in as you like and (the sconces) look good either way. Everything seems to be moving along and quite smoothly at that. Before you know it you will have your dream kitchen! It is all looking fabulous and it has been so fun to read your posts about the progress and all the decisions you have made. Thanks for bringing us along:-)
Marian,
I am so happy for you! And I’m glad you are being careful on the stairs.. we sound similar and I hope we both have a bump~less 🙂 spring and summer!
I adore the sconces you found and chose. And to thinks they are from Sears. I’d love to see the small yellow print fabric that you designed on them.. just a thought. Maybe a seasonal switch out.
Have fun!! Your vision is coming together so beautifully!
Cynthia:)
I love vintage sconces. I find replacing the plastic candle with a wax one upscales them quit a bit.
Was thinking the same thing Nancy. I have the same antique chandelier and the pale yellow wax candle “sleeves” just elevate the vintage design. I also use silicone tipped candle bulbs in mine. Google should provide good sources for both. I also wanted to say that they say every room should have a touch of black and little black shades with a gold lining (to tie in with your brass hardware) might be another option. I agree with the others that the blue and white check, although beautiful, may not work with the other colors and elements of your beautiful design. Thanks so much for sharing this exciting journey with us!
I’m wondering how to tell if antique wall sconces are French, or North American? I have a pair that appear to have acanthus leaves on them, double “candle” electric chandelier bulb holders.
Looks beautiful! Can’t wait to see it all come together!
I think the sconces are amazing and I was hoping as I was reading your blog that u would cover the shades. I think the check will most likely be lovely! Check is not just farmhouse…it’s a classic and goes well with many décor styles and fits you perfectly! I am so excited to see your kitchen when finished….I may have to fight off kitchen envy😉. I love your attention to even the smallest detail. You have a true artist’s eye. .
Love how the sconces match your chandelier!
I really like the sconces you went with. They are so pretty and so right for your kitchen. I have your book , FEELS LIKE HOME, and am keeping it as reference material. Just really enjoyed reading it. It is one I will never part with.
Your kitchen is going to be beautiful. You are so gifted with design and decorating.