Buy Only What You Love...and Can Afford

This past weekend, something wonderful happened. I went to a thrift store and was validated for my thriftiness that same day. My father came to visit me and we did what we usually do; have a great meal out and visit a few thrift stores. This time we stopped first at a Salvation Army. He found a few odds and ends, including a ceramic pumpkin just in time for this weekend. I found a lamp. Not just any lamp, but one that I have been looking for since this post. 

   

Next to my other favorite lamp 

This beautiful harvest yellow stoneware lamp put me back $8. Yes, this heavy almost 30 in high lamp was less than $10! Not a scratch on it and (of course I checked) it works. Bonus, I got the light bulb free too! Later we went to one of our ritzier malls and since I never get the chance, went into Pottery Barn for the first time in almost two years. Walking around checking out the fake antiques*, I came across this lamp:

 
Brookshire, $200 online 

Same weight, same coloring, and almost the same height but check that price difference. While I do appreciate the Brookshire, I've also always wanted a curvy lamp, pretty similar to their other offering, the Alexis lamp.

  Alexis, $100 

And with my $8 purchase, I think I got the best of both worlds, what do you think?

 
Just look at that wonderful glazing! 

* Did you ever see that hilarious episode of Friends? 

  Images: My own photos, Potterybarn.com

Fiat Lux!*

I'm sorry it took me so long to post these images from my trip to Historic Fredericksburg. I so wanted to do some research about these floor lamps to add to the images but I don't think that's going to happen. So enjoy the purty pictures!

These lamps were definitely eye-catching. I believe that the details are Bakelite and I love how the middle picture will forever remind me of a very ornate Big Bird's legs.




This lamp had marble detailing on the stem and had a lighted "night-light" base on the bottom. You know I have a thing for lamps like this already.



A six-way floor lamp with a lighted base. Luckily they had this one plugged in so you could check to see if it worked. This one is very similar to the one I own and still need to get rewired.

*Latin: Let there be light!

I Have To Know More About These Lamps. Help!

nicoleantoinette

What I do know: These lamps were made in the 1950-60s, sometimes can be found under the description of amber optic glass, the style may be Hollywood Regency, these possess a 3-way switch diffuser light (a nite-lite) in the bottom globe, brass hardware, and an ornate base. Usually around 28" high and 20" to 40" in diameter.

These lamps are everywhere! Someone has to know something else about these. If you do, please contact me at SHELTER via metamorphpursuit@yahoo.com. Thanks!


Jessica and Andrius' Apartment Therapy house tour

Bravo's Top Design

Now that I know it also comes in green, I am really curious. Can you imagine the beauty if it also came in pale blue? Yum!

Here is a similar one I found:

mmadden

Oh, How I Want It!

I don't have cable, so I have never seen Bravo's show Top Design, but I have caught the recaps on Tom and Lorenzo's blog.

Look what they showed today: My lamp!!! In green!!!



Oh, to have the green version too!!

Mine.

Ooooh, PRETTY...

The Campari

Seen here for $111 and here for $179! Well, I can dream, can't I?

Can I make it work?

A few years ago I saw a lamp that I really wanted on sale. The above Colette lamp from JCPenneys. However, I made roadblocks for myself;

Did I want one or two?
Could I justify buying two?
Would they go on sale further?
Which color did I want, orange, yellow, or green?

This went on until they went back to their original price, which I couldn't justify spending at the time. They never returned to a sale price and then sold out. I have regretted it every since.



Every lamp I've seen since (see above) has been $100 or more over their regular price, some even four times the price! Looking back, I most definitely should have bought it at either price.


The lamp would go next to the bed on a blue nightstand.
New situation: Target has a sale lamp in a similar shape, available in white with a black shade. To make this the lamp into one I would be happy with, I will need to change the shade and spray paint the lamp base. The price is $30.

The question is: should I? If not, will I regret this too?

Help!!!

Unique DIY light fixtures

Nimbus
Here is a fabulous explanation on how to create a fractal chandelier like the one above. It has been featured everywhere else in the blogosphere, but we all know that doesn't mean everyone has seen it yet. This particular one, the Nimbus, and its tutorial were created by Sean Michael Ragan.

I highlighted the word particular because there has been a lot of debate on the origin of this design. There are so many commercial versions of this around now, but this article points to perhaps, Irving Harper, a designer for George Nelson, being the earliest known user of this concept.


This is the Harper design seen in his home in the 2001 Metropolis article.


Check out this modern adaption of a bathroom fixture at mod habit.


This is a much easier DIY chandelier project from Martina, shown on AT: San Francisco.

You should also check out DIYLife for posts on creative lighting designs.

What can they tell me about my rocking chair?

I have had this wonderful rocking chair since 1994. I bought it from this awesome furniture place called Stuckey's that used to be on Broad Street, here in Richmond. I have always been curious about its pedigree. I'm pretty sure it's a mutt but I still want to know what time period this is from and who was the manufacturer or designer. Perhaps there are other pieces, like a buffet or a dining room set.

Today I sent its image to Country Living magazine, which offers online and print appraisals of vintage finds for people. In the next few weeks, I hope to find some other places that offer similar services.

I did see a similar rocking chair years ago in an old issue of House and Garden magazine in the early 1990's. However, there was no information besides the fact that the homeowner had found it in a thrift store. Since then, I have seen nothing close.

By the way, I also sent CL a picture of my Amberina Hollywood Regency lamp hoping that they would have some additional information on that too.

Another curvy lamp

Vase shaped table lamp in Orange $99

Also available in yummy high gloss shades of Chartreuse, Mediterranean blue, and Fuchsia.

Curvy Colorful Lamps

Montgomery Ward Asian Gourd Lamp $150 NO


Pottery Barn Alexis $139 NO


Garnet Hill Whitney $128 NO

For the past year I have been really attracted to these types of curvy lamps, both the gourd and teardrop shape. However, everywhere I look they are so expensive OR not exactly what I'm looking for. The one that I should have bought, well, I waited too long and lost out. I am SO regretting that now.


JCPenney Colette $69 (in Red and White only)


LampsPlus Ginger Jar $70

Lighting by Gregory $62

Target Crackle Glaze $60