There are two things I’ve wanted to tear my hair out over with the renovation of the 70’s Landing Pad – the master bathroom renovation and lighting. Oh wait, I forgot about wallpaper removal. Make that three things. And then there was the paint color selections. Hell, let’s just go on and admit that this whole reno is going to send me to the looney bin sooner than I expected.
Anyway, this post is supposed to be about lighting. To date, I have bought one single light fixture for the 70’s Landing Pad – a lucite chandelier (just like this one) from a local antique store. You guys aided in that purchase by telling me to go ahead and just buy it when we were chatting about the kitchen plans. When I went to go buy it, it was marked down and I got an extra 10% off, so it ended up being $150. Thanks for enabling me, y’all. I am madly in love with it, but can’t decide the best place to put it. Entry? Dining Room? Kitchen?
And then I started looking for lighting for the rest of the house.
And that’s when I lost my shit and preceded to find the nearest corner to go into the fetal position and cry.
Lighting is expensive. Or maybe I should say pretty lighting is expensive. I mean I could just go with the single bare bulb look complete with white ceramic base in every room and it would only set me back $10 each, but where’s the fun in that?
So I scoured the internet. I promise you, there is not a single solitary lighting site (or lighting store within a 100 mile radius) that I haven’t looked for affordable and pretty lighting at.
While I haven’t necessarily set a lighting budget, I knew right off the bat I can’t (nor do I think I could ever bring myself to) spend $800 on a ceiling light – not even a chandelier. In my head, I was looking to spend $300 or less on bigger fixtures – chandeliers, pendants, and flush mount lights. For sconces, I didn’t want to spend anymore than $100. So here is what I’ve come up with…
Lighting for $300 or Less
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Chandeliers & Pendants for $300 or less
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
Chandeliers are my weakness. Seriously, if I could put a chandelier, preferably a lucite or crystal one, in every room I probably would. Unfortunately, my pocketbook doesn’t agree with me…nor does Grunt Labor.
1. Acrylic Framework Chandelier, $300 – this one is begging to be put over my kitchen banquette area, no? There is also a larger rectangle version available, but it’s a bit more pricier at $374.
2. Black Geometric Pendant, $196 – this one could also work over the banquette area, although it isn’t quite as glam. It does come in more colors as well.
3. Millau 9 Light Chandelier, $215 – This chandelier gets the best bang for your buck award. It’s huge and only $215. I’m not a fan of the fabric shades on chandeliers because they can be a pain in the butt to clean, but I’m wondering how this one would look without the shades. I’ve got one ordered to find out. Stay tuned…There is also a smaller five light version available for $155.
4. Top Hat Pendant, $94 – this is in the running for the light fixture in the Circus’ room – how fun is it?! A top hat as a light! And now that I think about this, I may just be able to DIY it…hmmmm
5. Nested Pendant, $274 – a bit crazy, a bit glam, but fun.
6. Penn Brass Pendant, $97 – these are smaller sized pendants, so they won’t work well for over a dining table, but are great for islands. The hall bathroom in the 70’s Landing Pad has two pendants on either side of the mirror and I’m thinking these would work perfectly for that space.
7. Geometric Pendant, $80 – also a smaller pendant and now that I look at them more closely, maybe they would work better in the hall bathroom. And this is why I have only purchased one single fixture. I effing hate lighting decisions. Thoughts?
8. Teardrop Chandelier, $129 (on sale right now) – You’ll never believe where this one is from – PB Teen! The store might be geared for teens, but I love a lot of their pieces for myself.
9. Black & White Drum Pendant, $200 – This is another contender for the Circus’ room. I think the stripes give it a “circus” feel, but could also grow with her.
10. Botanica Drum Pendant Light, $300 – I just found this one and think it would be perfect for the kitchen with that pop of green. There’s also a smaller version for $229. See – I can’t make up my mind in the slightest.
Flush and Semi-Flush Mount Lighting for $300 or Less
1. Bell White Flush Mount, $60 – the award for best bang for the buck in flush mounts goes to this baby. It’s pretty and it’s a hell of a great deal. This light will be gracing the hallway and most likely the master bathroom.
2. Tekoa Semi-Flush, $258 – I’m totally digging the geometric shape of this fixture.
3. Tear Drop Flush Mount, $109 (on sale right now) – another great option from PB Teen. This one may make into our master bedroom.
4. Vega Flush Mount, $249 – this flush-mount is kind of like a chandelier to me – and I like that. A lot. This bad boy is going in my living room at the 70’s Landing Pad.
5. Midtown Vogue, $98 – It does slightly resemble the “boob” lights, but it’s a bit more chic.
6. Cadence Flush Mount, $115 – oh how I wish this one were in brass – it would be a no brainer.
Wall Sconces for $100 or Less
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
Shockingly – all of these came from Wayfair. I thought Wayfair was more pillows and accessories and some furniture, had no clue they had such great lighting. By far, their prices on sconces were the best for what I was looking for.
1. Margeaux 1 Light Wall Sconce, $89 – to me, this one has a “bamboo” feel to it. It is also available in a double sconce here. These were a top contender for my master bathroom.
2. The Saber Wall Sconce, $69 – I am 99% sure this is what will end up in the master bathroom.
3. Dunwoody Wall Sconce, $48 – brass may be my first love, but a good shiny chrome is my 2nd.
4. Urban Renewal Sconce, $98 – a brass industrial feel
5. Winston Sconce, $99 – these had me at hello. The only problem was that I was worried they wouldn’t give off enough light with those tiny bulbs.
6. March Sconce, $61 – another pretty chrome option.
7. Chrome Sconce, $66 – and another chrome option.
8. Digby Sconce, $62 – the touch of black with the shade is nice on this one.
We will still need one more sconce for a wall in the den/man cave and I have no clue what will go there yet, but I’m willing to bet it will be one of these.
Ok, what are your thoughts? Which ones do you love/hate/think I should use?
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Megan says
Love all these options! #8 on the “Scones” list and #5 on the “Chandeliers & Pendants” list are my favorites, though. Yikes…I don’t know how I’d ever decide with all of these options – lol!
-Megan
http://www.lifeonshadylane.com
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I love both of those too!! I’m glad someone else likes the crazy looking chandelier!! It’s so fun!
Emily says
Good lighting is such a PITA. We went looking this weekend and hit a store in Alpharetta. My 13yo was browsing and looked at a tag, and said, “Mom, I don’t think this is the store for us…” Then he whispered,”It’s real expensive!”
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
hahaha!!! I have had sticker shock at quite a few stores myself, Emily!! It is really ridiculous!
sarah says
Run with the acrylic framework chandy and the Vegas flush mount. I love them both!!! My fave find so far is this beautiful 1970’s acrylic chandelier I nabbed for $50 at a thrift store – https://www.instagram.com/p/vbVBDmko06/. It has my heart like no other! Good luck on your hunt 😉
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
SARAH! I LOVE your chandelier. It looks very similar to one I saw online at Home Depot – http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bel-Air-Lighting-Stewart-9-Light-Polished-Brass-Tapers-Incandescent-Ceiling-Chandelier-9647-PB/204217192?cm_mmc=shopping-_-pinterest-_-D27-_-204217192 The photo they have of it doesn’t look that great though, so I wasn’t for sure. Do you think they are similar? Now, you really have me questioning every lighting decision!! haha! I might just need to order it and check it out. I can always return it to Home Depot easily. That acrylic framework chandy is awesome though, right?! And yep, the Vegas one is so going in the living room!
sarah says
I believe your initial thought on the HD light was correct. It doesn’t draw me in with a wow factor and feels a little “meh.”
I’m a total sucker for lighting and always seek it out in my thrifting endeavors – if you let me know the diameter you’re after, I can keep an eye out on my hunts. (Because cheap awesome is always more awesome.)
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Yes! Cheap awesome is always more awesome, Sarah! As of right now, I’m shy one chandy. I think I have decided what to get for it, but am not 100% yet. Thank you for all your help!!
Tammy says
Okay, my taste is rustic as a rule, so my opinion won’t be especially helpful, but of course that won’t stop me from offering it! :o)
C&Ps: LOVE 8, 3 is probably the most classic. Also love the top hat,I think you could absolutely DIY it! Man-cave?. 6 & 7 are very cool-chic. 5…well, it’s probably just my monitor, but it looks like something I ask my husband pull up out of the shower drain every week.
FMs: I love 3, 2 is also very cool. I find the rest rather boring for your taste.
Sconces: Love 8, 3 is also great, and I’d give my left nut for 4,but it’s more my taste than yours. (And I apologize for my nut reference. I have 8 brothers, who taught me horrible language,and I didn’t realize it didn’t mean an actual nut til I was about 19, and by then it was already firmly embedded in my vocabulary)
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
bahahahahahahah!! Tammy, I love your assessments – especially 5 looking like something your husband pulls out of the shower drain! The #3 flush mount is very pretty – the #2 is at the top of the price range, so that’s my only thing there. I’m cheap. haha. And honey – don’t dare apologize for a nut reference!!! That had me rolling this morning!
Paige says
Tammy – I love your reference to C&P #5. Ha, ha! I totally DON’T get that light! 🙂
Sara says
Looking for lighting for my laundry room. I’ve already done two in there that didn’t do it for me!! Third times the charm???!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Always third times the charm! 🙂
Pat says
So many great choices! It is expensive yet you look at it every day and it’s functional so it’s worth it. Have you tried this site, too? http://www.lightology.com/index.php?module=prod_detail&prod_id=191055
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You’re totally right, Pat! I haven’t looked at that site – I will though! Thanks!
Jennifer says
I love the top hat for circus! If you made it yourself you could change the color, add a pattern, add a wild feather or even change it to look like the mad hatter’s hat from Alice in Wonderland! Holy crap the ideas!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Ooooooo…..Jennifer! That is a great idea!
Nicki says
Have you heard of Parrot Uncle? They recently sent me a light for my bathroom to review, and it was great quality. Their prices are pretty good too!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I have heard of them, Nicki, but I found they didn’t have a lot of brass finishes that I want. I’ll look again and see if I was missing something! Thanks!
Shirley says
Love the teardrop chandelier from PBTeen.And the black & white shade is so you. But my favourite is the top hat shade. It would be so easy to do – but then how much do top hats cost???
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Isn’t that top hat adorable?! That’s my question too – how much would one cost? A girl who saw that one my Instagram feed gave me another site that had top hat lights for about $30. At that price, it might not be worth it to DIY it. Gotta check it out!
Susan the Farm Quilter says
You are awesome at DIY, why aren’t you making fabulously cool light fixtures? BTW, you need a case of cheap beer!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
haha! Thanks, Susan! I might try my hand at that top hat fixture – I just need to find a top hat or another hat that would work. And yes, girl, I need a case of cheap beer- maybe two. 😉
Pam says
OMG… Susan the Farm Quilter is genius. And right. How ’bout a cowboy hat with Grannie’s blanket that I am so smitten by…and the boots. Want me to come help???
Braaa-haaa-haaa!!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Ooooooo – I LOVE the idea of a cowboy light fixture!! Yes, yes, yes! And yes, yes, yes – come help! As long as you don’t charge – I can only pay in cheap beer or another cheap libation of your choice. haha!
Pam Scott says
OMG…it would be so much fun. But I dare say you still wouldn’t have lighting when all was said and drunk….I mean said and done! I have my own 70’s Landing Pad. One challenge after another 🙂 But I do love and appreciate how well built it is – a ‘real’ house. You’ll have a ball getting yours all done!!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You’re right – there wouldn’t be a light fixture in site. Except the ugly ones still hanging from the ceiling. 😉
Paige says
Jenna, I believe I told you that I am about to redo my entire house, too. Man, it is exhausting just thinking about it. Anyway, I liked several of the options you selected! I never would have thought about Pottery Barn for lights, but I love the black and white one. I am trying to decide if I would get tired of it. What do you think? Also, would you be willing to share your wall paint colors soon? Pleeease. (Or you could email them to me, I swear that I won’t tell anyone — or at least anyone related to your audience. I mean I would have to tell the painters.)
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Personally, I love that black and white one. I don’t think I would get tired of it, but I love black and white and I think it’s a classic combo that can easily work with many other colors. I’m planning to have a post up next week about my wall paint colors – if you want the info before then though, email me!! You know I’ll share!!
Emily @ The Benson Street says
So many great options!!! Thanks for sharing at the Monday Funday Link Party. Emily @ The Benson Street.
Mary says
http://www.houzz.com/pro/mpdesignshop/s=product
Check out their pendants on houzz, cheaper than actual business site, and thank me later, or at least a “Bless her heart ” 😉 seeing how after reading your blog for awhile and especially after your post this morning I think you and I would get along great, but probably never get anything done. Hope the link is helpful if you’re still looking, and if we are as similar as I think, I can safely bet you are still looking, if not disregard all of the above. Blessings to you and all of yours!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Girl, you know me so well – I’m still looking. I’ve bought a couple more that I needed, but still need quite a few fixtures! Thanks!