Here, strings of small paper lanterns are festive
We don't know why but we've been noticing a lot of paper lanterns lately. Sometimes white, sometimes brightly coloured, they're inexpensive and fun. Though they can read as beachy, we also find they're surprisingly versatile and fresh and work well in many settings from mid-century to shabby chic, from the dining room to the kitchen to the outdoors (though not if it's wet unless you've sprayed them with something). Here, we've rounded up
some ideas of how to get the most in your own space...
Arc light out of your price range? Try this lamp from Target. Swap out a bigger shade to give it more "oompf" and use it in your living room.
Since they're so inexpensive, hanging a few lanterns is possible. Even if only one is wired for light, by hanging others around it, you get a high impact look only a few pennies. It's a look that's definitely festive over a table...
...and adds a light and whimsical note to a dark space. You can work this look even if your ceiling isn't quite this high. Note how the line of dark below the chair rail and the dark furniture balances the cluster of lanterns so that you almost pop to the ceiling. Don't be afraid to mix different size lanterns.
Sometimes you can find them in colours or patterns. This blue one is a great colour. Mixed in with green and echoed in the drapes and the sheets, you get nice pops of colour but it's also an easy look to change out as your look changes. Go for size for drama.
Party stores, stationary stores and Oriental Trading Company and Cost Plus are some resources. And, over on AT SF, there's a post on how to make your own folded paper lantern.
[opening image: Joel Zimmer's Flickr, with a Creative Commons License]
I love paper lanterns because they are low-cost yet dramatic chandeliers that can be installed in a snap. I saw some at Cost Plus this weekend that had a different twist.
http://www.worldmarket.com/Flower-Power-Paper-Lantern/lev/4/productId/8923/Ntt/paper lantern/Ntk/Def/Ntx/mode matchallpartial/N/0/Nty/1/view/10000/perpage/0/index.pro
http://www.worldmarket.com/Giraffe-Print-Paper-Lantern/lev/4/productId/8919/Ntt/paper lantern/Ntk/Def/Ntx/mode matchallpartial/N/0/Nty/1/view/10000/perpage/0/index.pro
~Lorrie @ MyDesignSecrets.com
view MyDesignSecrets.com's profile
and where can one buy said string of small colorful paper lanterns?
view Oneformybaby's profile
Wow--love the Cost Plus lanterns. Definitely on the list of things to get if/when our remodel is ever done (at this rate appears questionable).
view outonalimb_2008's profile
I like the sets that are white lanterns, but with colored bulbs. They look like colored lanterns when they're lit up! It makes a dramatic change from day(white) to night(multi-colored)
view Stephie_is_a_dork's profile
I had a friend who is proficient with watercolors paint on a plain white lantern for me and it looked great -- I am thinking of doing another one myself with thin horizontal stripes.
view Tiny Banquet's profile
a long time ago (i'm talking over 6 years ago) I found paper lanterns at big lots and I bought one it was just the shade but I had no clue as what type of cord or size thingy majig to get for it. any tips?
view witchbaby's profile
Pearl River Mart is a great place to get paper laterns - both single and strands...and in just about every color/pattern thinkable:
www.pearlriver.com
view westvillager's profile
Tiny Banquet - Watercoloring on them is a great idea! I bet they look fanstasic!
view MyDesignSecrets.com's profile
I have them in every room, because I really like them. For me, they resemble white clouds. They also connect all the rooms of our pad. Love the soft light they offer.
view nicolezh's profile
I think these can be really classic looking. Lots of places have them, including the old standby (where I got mine), Ikea:
Shade (I got the 17 3/4"): $5.00
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90103409
Cord Set: $3.99
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10175810
I used the existing canopy of my old dining fixture, you'll need something to enclose the wires at the ceiling if you're not hanging it by a hook.
view jendavid99's profile
That top photo is actually of the decor from my and my husbands wedding reception in Brooklyn at ReBar in June, and yup, I bought them at Pear River Mart as westvillager above suggested. They work really well, interconnect easily, and were $12 or $14 per string!
view corin's profile
Corin, OMG - That's beautiful!
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