the great sconce debate.

IMAGE SOURCES: TOP ROW: LEFT / MIDDLE / RIGHT | MIDDLE ROW: LEFT / RIGHT | BOTTOM ROW: LEFT / MIDDLE / RIGHT

Hello again! This post title is a bit melodramatic, but seriously: does anyone ever feel like they have these crazy internal debates about the most non-life threatening decisions? I know I do -- and I can't blame my pregnancy hormones. I'm a perpetual second guesser. It is still a wonder to me that I was able to make so many decisions for our house build while pregnant with {jv}. It is an even bigger wonder that I still love 98.9% of the decisions I did make. (I have a few minor things here and there, which is partially the source for this post.) 

In case you were wondering, the "great sconce debate" arose recently... after one too many run-ins with the lamps under our living room windows by our crazy active 13-month-old. We have a large set of windows (two double-hung windows with a picture window in between) which basically run the length of our living room. These windows do not need window treatments (hooray!) because they face the rear of the house -- and we will never have neighbors behind us (double hooray!). I just love the natural light they bring in and how open they make the house feel. Here's a little peek at the room as it stands today:

PILLOWS: locally made at Fabric Connection with Jonathan Adler for Kravet Collections Fabric | COUCH: Pottery Barn | TOY BOX: Pottery Barn Kids | LAMPS: Pottery Barn | SAILBOAT: One Kings Lane (exact boat not available currently, but it does come up frequently!) | RUG: Dash & Albert

The layout of the room necessitates that the back of the couch is parallel to this "wall of windows". There is roughly two feet from the couch to the windows, in which we currently have two large floor lamps. I loved these floor lamps in our previous apartment. Aesthetically, they work well in our current space -- bringing out the oil rubbed bronze look on the finishings (like the knobs for our built-ins, etc.). However, they do not work functionally in the space with an on-the-go kiddo. In a post a few months back about kid-friendly living rooms, I never even thought to address lamps. I was clearly wrong. In trying to come up with creative solutions, I started searching for things like "lamps over windows", which led me to sconces.

It may be weird, but I have always hated the word sconce. I always thought they were kind of an antiquated way to light a space... until recently. I started to fall in love with the idea of a few sconces over the windows in the living room to replace the floor lamps which are like fire station poles to my toddler. The above inspiration photos are also fueling my sconce love. Even though we have recessed lighting in this living room, I love the warm light that lamps provide. I just need that warmth in a more kid-friendly way!

I'd love to hear your input -- or any other tricks you think could work -- for solving this great debate of sorts. Will sconces be too specific to fit the next homeowner's decor? (Does that even matter?) Would they still give off that warm light I'm craving on a cold winter's night? Can't wait to hear what you think! xoxo {av}

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18 comments:

  1. I love sconces! Not crazy about them *over* windows, even in those gorgeous inspiration images - can you put them on either side of the window? Not sure if that'll work with whatever that frame is on the left, but :) Another option would be to replace the toy chest with a side table and put a lamp on that or, if there's room behind the couch (with room to walk in front of the windows) for a sofa table with lamps on that. Might be sturdier than free-standing floor lamps!

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    1. oh how I wish we could replace the toy box -- maybe in six years? (insert monkey emoji with its face buried in its hands!). the sofa table is an option too! I just am struggling with blocking the window! ahhh! thank you SO much for your input! I love your ideas. xo

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  2. I don't have much to say about sconces. BUT! Your first paragraph about second guessing made me think of this video, which is something I watch quite regularly, and I always want to share it with other women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5f9MGxd5Xo

    Enjoy - and good luck with the sconces!

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  3. i'm having the exact same dilemma! well, i don't have a toddler to worry about, but i am well past the halfway point in construction and in the 'picking out everything' stage (which i believe you are familiar with!), wondering whether i am making sane decisions and fretting over whether sconces - among other things - will match the taste of a potential future owner... even though we're likely holding onto this house for a long time. i will probably play it safe and opt for the restoration hardware french farmhouse sconce (which you should take a look at!) but i so want to splurge on a pair of vintage brass bulkhead lights from a ship salvage dealer (these are perhaps not-so-much your style). good luck!

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    1. yay for house builds! those RH sconces are on my short list -- we used some great vintage barn pendants in our mudroom! I'm obsessed ;) here if you have any questions about the process! xo

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  4. I love the look of the sconces above the window in all the inspiration photos, but I'm not sure it will work in your case. In all the inspiration photos, they are sort of spotlighting something below (i.e., kitchen counters, book case, window seat), but I don't think that would be the case in your room (it's hard to really tell from the photo). Maybe you could spotlight the ship? I like all of Betsy's ideas above. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

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    1. I so agree... this is why I'm glad I asked! Thanks for the ideas, Casey :) xo

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  5. I had a similar dilemma when renovating my apartment this summer. Sconces weren't my favorite, but were my only option to bring more light into the space. I ended up going with the Francis sconce from Pottery Barn and couldn't be happier! Since they are smaller than the typical sconce, I find they blend into the wall. Good luck!

    http://www.potterybarn.com/products/francis-sconce/?pkey=csconces-wall-lamps%7Chardwire-sconces%7C&&csconces-wall-lamps|hardwire-sconces|

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    1. these are so pretty! thank you for sharing your picks -- so helpful :) thank you for helping me narrow things down! xo

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  6. All the arrangement look so beautiful and smart. The interior design should be appropriate according to the size and shape of the room. Sometimes it depends on the number of the family member and the number of the aged people. They might know what is the best essay writing services so that they can select the right place for their own need.There are many options to decor the home and interior room.

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