COTE DE TEXAS: Sconces

Sconces

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One of my favorite blogs that I read is Things That Inspire. Sarah is the voice behind this interesting design blog and she and I email each other regularly to discuss decorating and blogging and other very important topics. Lately Sarah is wanting to talk about chandeliers and sconces and recently, she wrote an interesting blog about chandeliers. She asked me if I would then write one about sconces because she knows that I, well... really love them! Throughout my house, I currently have seven (!) pairs of lighted sconces. Most of these sconces I picked up at antique stores around town, unelectrified. This isn't really a problem because any reputable lighting store can wire a pair of sconces. Some people prefer to use candles in their sconces instead of lightbulbs, but I'm not one of those. I put low wattage, silicon tipped bulbs (7 wattage) in mine.

Another thing I do is leave my sconces on all the time. I never, ever turn mine off. Dimly lit sconces are wonderful because they're a great mood enhancer in a room. It's very atmospheric to see a low light glowing in a darkened part of a house. Rooms just comes alive when some kind of light is on and sconces are a perfect way to do this. I try to convince clients to leave their sconces on, but this is a battle that I sometimes lose (you know who you are!). They are either scared of fire or the electrical bill. These same people aren't afraid to leave a night light on, but I just can't convince them to leave their sconces lit. One person who really doesn't like to keep sconces on all the time is Ben Webb. But he knows this is one battle not worth taking on and after 20 years of marriage he's learned to live with lit sconces. I'm not going to change my mind about this and so he's resigned to living with "atmospheric lighting."

When decorating, I always try to add sconces to a design plan. Sometimes I've installed them without even telling the client beforehand that it was going to happen. I know that once they are installed and lit, the client is going to be happy, but given a chance to decide ahead of time, they would have said "no." To date, I haven't been asked to remove any yet.

Apparently I'm not the only one obsessed with sconces as their popularity seems to be on the rise. The magazine House Beautiful is running an extensive feature on different types of sconces in this month's issue. There are as many kinds of sconces on the market as there are chandeliers. Many sconces come "matched" with a chandelier, but I personally don't have any of these. I just prefer to have a sconce that looks like it was purchased separately from the chandelier. There are sconces made for the living room and dining room, and there are less dressy sconces made for a den or a porch. Some people prefer sconces in the bathroom as opposed to overhead task lighting. Recently, the owner of a company based in New Orleans, Julie Neill - Illumination for a Well Dressed Life, sent me her list of inventory. Hand made and totally customizable, her gorgeous crystal and hand turned wood chandeliers come with matching sconces. Julie Neill just discovered design blogging a few weeks ago and she is still giddy with excitement over her discovery. If you haven't visited her web site, but sure to do so here.

If you don't have any sconces in your house, take a look at these pictures below and see if the look appeals to you. Most likely you will be in agreement with me that sconces are a wonderful accessory that add a finished touch to any room. If you haven't before, take a chance and install a pair in your house - trust me, you'll be very pleased with the results.

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Julie Neill - Crystal Sconce


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Another Julie Neill - Sconce, 4 arm


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David Iatesta Sconce based on a Swedish design



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Niermann Weeks, 3 arm sconce



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Niermann Weeks again, crystal sconce



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Antique crystal sconce

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Charlotte Moss loves sconces and has them all over her apartment.

Here, 3 arm sconces on mantel


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Charlotte Moss, again, 2 arm sconces frame the mantel




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Client's bedroom with Blanc d ivoire sconces



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Antique sconce with unusual double shade



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Sconce in a foyer lights up the space



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My house - one of two period antique sconces, triple arm, from Tara Shaw



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Triple arm sconces surround a fireplace



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Ultra contemporary sconce



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Client's house with antique sconces in dining room




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One of two antique sconces in a living room

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Carolyn Roehm's bedroom with candle sconces



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Antique sconces light up a powder room



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Entry hall with contemporary sconces

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Sconces balanced on either side of armoire in a living room



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Sconces in master bathroom



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Dining room with sconces over buffet



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Contemporary sconces with red shades



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Dining room sconces frame silk curtains




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Another dining room with sconces

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Here, candle lit sconces over an antique mantel



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My house: these iron sconces complement the wood turned chandelier



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Brass candle lit sconces balance window seat



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Large wood sconces frame living room sofa


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Double tiered sconce



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Here, lantern type sconces light a powder room



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My house - large triple arm iron sconces frame a desk




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A sconce in a bath tub enclosure provides the atmosphere


39 comments :

  1. Great round up of sconces Joni! I love the flame tip bulbs that you have in your sconces. They add a nice flair to the fixtures.

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  2. Simply wonderful eye candy....your blog is always such a treat to visit :o)
    ~Des

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  3. What a beautiful post. I too love scounces and it's a good thing. My house came with 13, all but two are double. There are six in my living room alone. They add a beautiful formality and when on dimmers, exquisite drama.

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  4. Oh sconces! i love them too. Especially when paired with wallpaper. How elegant is that?

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  5. Hi Joni,
    Wonderful post as usual!
    I have sone sconce's that I just received from France.
    Please email me for details!
    Hx

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  6. I love sconces too. We have them in our home in several rooms, most of them are original. The ones that aren't original I happen to have a strong dislike for because they are too contemporary for my 1930s home and the finish is shiny brass! But, there are six of them and finding six affordable sconces that I like might be challenging. I've thought of faux-finishing them, but really I would just like to start over!

    Thanks for sharing all of these, they really are wonderful! And I agree, husbands of 20 years start to know what is negotiable and what is not! LOL!

    Melissa

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  8. Thank you for taking the time to share all of these inspiration photos in one spot. Any idea where to get something similar to the Charlotte Moss 2-arm with leaves sconces?

    On a different topic, I recognize that round ottoman from a great old House Beautiful spread. Would you ever consider posting a blog on how to decorate ottomans like that one?--balancing form with function (meaning resting place for husband's feet!)

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  9. Hi, thanks for your comments - for Melissa with the brass sconces - I suggested that you have them replated to another finish, like satin nickel or something like that. And Holly Woods - excuse me, but what are you talking about? haha - I don't get it, email me!!!

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  10. Joni- I have salivated over that Charlotte Moss living room for years now, geez. I want to have a client that will just let me do that in their house! Thank you YET AGAIN for the inspiring post, I too have quite the penchant for sconces :)

    Andrea

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  11. Can anyone help me w/ this: I am trying to save some of the photos to my inspiration folder. When I click, it takes me to photobucket/no dice, and when I ctrl+S it cache's the whole page. Is there another way to do it?

    Thanks in advance :)

    Andrea

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  12. great examples from your own home joni -- love the tara shaw.

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  14. Ummmmm, holly woods....you don't even make sense. I didn't ask what a sconce was, I am well aware of the definition. I was asking how to save the pictures to a destination folder.

    If your here to be a heckler, then you should at least attempt at being a good one. At this point, you aren't even the least bit humorous or remotely as clever as you think you are.

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  16. Joni, a great post! I have no sconces, unfortunately, but I think some sconces are just what I need to spruce up the place and add a note of verticality to some of the rooms (you know, I don't know the word, but when everything is on the floor and there isn't enough happening UP HIGH on the wall).

    I love all the photos and will have a good review soon as I wander through my house and try to decide where I might employ some.

    P.S. I think that Holly woods is a SPAMMER site.

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  17. This was so interesting. I didn't know that much about sconces before. And then all the pictures. Just love them.
    Hope you have a great week.
    Love Elzie

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  18. I'm not a fan of sconces but with all your pictures and ideas , it makes me think I should be

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  19. Beautiful post, Joni!

    I received the magazine while we were away for the whirlwind wedding weekend. I've enjoyed looking through it and getting a closer look at your beautiful home. Thank you!

    Pat

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  20. WOW! I love this post. I knew you would do an amazing job, and you exceeded my expectations!

    I have been out of town since Saturday, with NO INTERNET CONNECTION!!!!! Sorry for the delayed response. I have a very slow connection now, only some of the pictures downloaded, so I will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to really pore over the post.

    Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  21. Oh that room with the ultra modern sconce is just incredible. I want the whole thing.....I am ready to make off with those huge balls and that mannequin. Ahem, one mustn't leave me alone in their beautiful living room clearly...:-)

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  22. I had to go back to the images to figure out what Maryam was talking about :) And I never did quite figure out holly woods . . .

    What a wonderful collection you've put together, and I love that you've mixed antique and modern. I've always loved sconces, especially antique French ones, but I'm sure that comes as no suprise!

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  23. Great post Joni! (I love that tub at the end! So very Jane Austen Romantic!)

    But what I really wanted to say is : HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    And Thanks for the magazine! I got it the mail a day or two ago, and it proudly sits on my coffee table!

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  24. Hi, this is my first time commenting on your site but I've been a lurking fan for quite some time.

    I finally felt I had to come out of the wood work and say something cause I too share a great love of sconces. At this time I only have them in my bathroom but I do intend on adding more.

    I absolutely LOVE the first pic of Charlotte Moss's apartment as she's combined my love of sconces and tufted furniture :)

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  25. Hi Joni,
    Thank you for the wonderful sconce inspirations. I am especially in love with the beautiful antique sconce with the glass flowers. That is a gorgeous picture. I love the soft stripes on the sofa with the aqua pillow...dreamy! That was a great article and thanks for including some of my pieces.
    Love,
    Julie Neill

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  26. Hi Joni
    Lovely pictures. I like your suggestion of leaving the sconces on at all times.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  27. Beautiful sconces. I think they are addictive...and gorgeous. This post made me smile. I'm going to go post some we are using-although I really need to scan some of them, so we'll see how quick I am- haha!

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  28. i have learned so much from your posts. you give such incredible,visually correct, examples. your blog is like having my own interior designer to guide& inspire me. w/3 kids it's so difficult to finish a thought. you, along with the blogs you recommend, have helped me tremendously to short cut/househack my home to gorgeous.
    BTW, the shopping guide, with links, a few posts ago? *LOVE* how helpful. sent that link to everyone i know.
    thank you!
    natalie

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  29. Joni, your pics are always so wonderful to look at! Eye candy, indeed. I would love to have some sconces in my house, unfortunately that would mean getting an electrician in, so it's probably not going to happen anytime soon, but I sure love looking at all these inspirations. You have great style & know how to do it well. I so enjoyed seeing your house in that photo shoot...I just love the entire look & would love to incorporate more of that ambience in my house.

    Rhoda

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  30. Good afternoon,
    just dropped(y) by to say to natalie.. that I love her new word "house -hack"!! how clever!! Mind if I use this word??
    h

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  31. dearest Rhonda,
    How frustrating!!
    can you call the plumbers in town and ask if you can put the "bill" on lay-away program /payments.
    You might have to call 15 or 18 plumbers, before you find the payment arangement/ lay-away,... But so worth it to have proper lighting!!
    h

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  32. Joni, my mother was always a lover of sconces (in most every room), and it rubbed off on me, also. I enjoyed seeing all of the lovely photos today.

    I was also thrilled to see the magazine layout! I'm glad that your talent and vision is appreciated.

    xo

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  33. Hi Joni......I loved all the eye candy! I just put up rustic crystal sconces in my DR on either side of the sideboard buffet. Then in my bedroom, we have one on each side of the bed. I dearly love the look of them too.
    Your home is so pretty!

    Bonnie

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  34. Thanks everyone so much!! Natalie, especially - thank you for sending the links. Anna and Bonnie come back soon. Holly Woods - why would Rhoda need a plumber??????? You are getting just a little annoying, ok? Try to be nicer to my readers, I would appreciate it.

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  35. The ROOM WITH THE PINK tufted loveseat is so adorable....i wish i had one that looked like that! I meant the loveseat in my office...!

    Jen Ramos
    'Earth Friendly DESIGNER Cards'
    www.madebygirl.com

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  36. Dear Cote De Texas - this really is a beautiful post & I can tell you've done a lot of work to put it all together.
    This is my all time favorite post of the week. I'm about to feature this one on my blog. Looking forward to another mazing post like this!
    Thank you!

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  37. It's so fun to "study" your blog! You're wonderful to share your style, sources and talent.

    Would you mind telling us where you find your silicon tipped, low wattage bulbs? Are they available locally?

    Thanks so much.
    Angela

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  38. Angela: thanks for your comment: yes if you are from Houston, BROWN carries the silicone tip candle light bulbs. But online, you can buy them here: http://www.buylighting.com/Flicker-Flame-and-Silicone-Flame-Tip-s/221.htm

    just be sure to scroll down - do NOT order the flicker flame!!!

    Joni

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  39. This cannot have effect in actual fact, that's what I consider.

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