LA Good Question: Help With Sconces!

Hello, I'm finally getting around to sprucing up my condo but have run into a snag. The sconces that came with the condo are pretty hideous and I'm having trouble finding affordable alternatives. I'm not looking for a point of interest, rather, I'd prefer something very minimal that will blend into the background. I plan on putting more art on the wall, so I don't want it to be too busy. Thanks!

Hi Eric. You might try checking out a good question from last week that has a wealth of clip-on shade options that are pretty low profile and affordable. We also wonder if you can simply remove the sconces altogether and cover with some more art? One other option is that these aren't that offensive in terms of shape, it's just the color that seems to be really at odds with the rest of your modern decor. What if you gave them a little face lift with some white spraypaint? This way they would fade into the wall and stay streamlined with the other artwork!

[Gregory] If you're adamant of adding replacement sconces, here are four options for modern sconce designs that will better blend into your wall: Yuriko Series Ambiance Wall Sconce, Lights Up! Rex Sconces, Oval Wall Sconce, and the Cicheto Wall Light. You might also want to refer to some of the recommendations from a past post about modern sconces here.

Comments (12)

Try websites like:

www.lumens.com
www.lightology.com
www.lampsplus.com

Tons of options and you can search by price range.

posted by Laura on June 17th 2008 at 9:25am
view Laura's profile

You could pull the sconces and use the power for something that could be used to light up your art.

posted by streepyj on June 17th 2008 at 9:31am
view streepyj's profile

Gregory, those are all great recommendations!

posted by Seaside on June 17th 2008 at 9:57am
view Seaside's profile

because you have that rockin mid century classic look going i would suggest a simple (and i mean the basic) bulb socket on the wall with chrome tipped bulbs, they have an awesome way of casting shadows at night and are completely unabtrusive in the daylight hours

http://www.ligne-roset-usa.com/?sec=products&pid=27&cid=32&rid=467&page=0

without the hiddious baroque plexiglass thing

good luck

posted by E.M.H on June 17th 2008 at 10:00am
view E.M.H's profile

I think that one of the major issues with your sconces isn't just the fixture, but the placement - the seems to be randomly placed with no regard for what the space is used for, and your art placement isn't helping matters.

I'd either move the artwork - centered in between the sconces or have an electrician come to move the electrical boxes to more suitable locations for your overall room arrangement.

posted by bepsf on June 17th 2008 at 10:00am
view bepsf's profile

IKEA

posted by hejiranyc on June 17th 2008 at 10:41am
view hejiranyc's profile

Fabby. http://www.fabby.com/

posted by Palmetto on June 17th 2008 at 11:18am
view Palmetto's profile

E.M.H. -I was totally thinking socket with chrome tipped bulb!

It would be perfect for this decor.

posted by SarahinATX on June 17th 2008 at 11:21am
view SarahinATX's profile

All great ideas, but if you don't need the light i would take them right off and cover them with art.

I agree that they seem to be randomly placed. I get super annoyed that my condo converstion guys assumed I wouldn't want overhead lighting in most rooms, but this is somehow worse.

If you want to go there, patching the holes right up wouldn't be too hard, and you could just note their precise location in a book you leave to future owners with appliance manuals and whatnot.

posted by DahliaCactus on June 17th 2008 at 11:42am
view DahliaCactus's profile

We have in our living/dining room the Flos tin square in nickel finish. We used other sconces in our other rooms but these are our favorite - simple, clean lines, nice lighting shadow when on. http://www.ylighting.com/tinsquare.html

posted by mamamd on June 17th 2008 at 2:16pm
view mamamd's profile

I think you should try and make it look more like a gallery- put those pictures or other pictures in large frames with the tops lining up closer to the bottom of the sconces, and put in lights that would highlight those pictures, something simple but long for art lighting. Try getting the sconces to be in the middle of the length of all the frames, just so they blend in a little more. You could also put those small pictures above that counter/ bar.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60037010

posted by Amanda in Seattle on June 17th 2008 at 6:41pm
view Amanda in Seattle's profile

Remove them and cover over with artwork.

posted by tinos on June 18th 2008 at 4:16am
view tinos's profile