I first fell in love with these library-style wall lights in an issue of Domino, which featured the bathroom (shown above) of editor Rita Konig. What an unexpected choice for a bathroom, with those big spidery bold legs sticking out over the sink. I love how the sconces — which are almost swing arms but only move up and down — give Konig's bathroom an extra layer of character and warmth.
Together with the geometric wallpaper, dark toilet seat and small wooden table, the lighting makes this bathroom a true original, one that I flag and re-flag (and pin and repin). The sconces are the Boston functional library two-arm wall lights from Visual Comfort and are available at various retailers, including at Circa Lighting for $336.
Here are some different ways to use these versatile lamps, which look equally good in modern and traditional rooms. (Although I still love the bathroom (first image) the best!)
If spending $700 on two of these is out of budget for you, the Santino swing arm lamp from Home Decorators Collection is only $99 and is somewhat similar. There's also the Princeton Senior from Schoolhouse Electric & Supply, which is $199. Anyone have any other less expensive versions to share?
Images:
1. One of my favorite bathrooms, which I am currently shamelessly copying in my own home. From Domino magazine via Katy Elliott.
2. Another bathroom, this one bold, sleek, and black, makes use of the Boston wall lights. From Ty Larkins via La Dolce Vita.
3. Here is the sconce in a laundry room as task lighting, from the Visual Comfort Blog.
4. From New York designer Celerie Kemble via Attic Mag.
5. A nice little reading nook from Jim Murphy and Associates via Houzz.
6. Three above a kitchen window from the Visual Comfort blog.
(Images: As linked above)
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Well, I'm sold.
Those are super lights, but I think they would be a terrible light source as used in the featured bathroom. There are placement rules for vanity lights placed alongside mirrors -- how high, how far from the wall. You want the light to both flatter the person using the mirror, and to provide enough shadow-free illumination to allow makeup application, hair removal, whatever. Standing under or in front of those harsh lights would be alarming and depressing.
This home is amazing love the wall paper and the kitchen! Framing the inside of the window in a dark color/shade is perfect!
Rejuvenation has a beautiful one that you can customize (finish and shade) and it comes in two versions, one hard-wired and one that plugs in.
http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/reed/configurations/4f5934cee694aa047800006f
http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/wallace?category_id=4ee79f5cf9888e428200000e.
They are $285 and $300, respectively, although choosing a different shade might change the price.
The lights in the first photo look to be just the perfect height for someone to whack their head against in the wee small hours. Also perfect for detecting lint on one's shoulders. Not so perfect for putting on eye make up. Or removing contacts.
I have a similar fixture over each nightstand in my bedroom, it's nice to have them not take up surface space, and being able to direct them when one person sits up reading and the other wants to sleep, is crucial.
I've been lusting over the boston functional library light for at least a year now, but they are totally out of my price range (I want four). I was excited to see you discovered a $99 option, but they are not brass! *sadface*
I like this best in the laundry room, especially if one can easily pull it down for more light.
Sounds like I'm not the only one who has a problem with the inflated sense of scale in the first photo (aside from the clutter)...not to mention the lack of function from these down-casting light fixtures. Yikes yikes yikes.
A little too industrial-looking for my taste. And I bet they rarely get adjusted, making that functionality a "fake out".
Haters gonna hate. I love the look of all the different options. I wouldn't put them in a bathroom unless it was a powder room with a mirror. Be still my pounding heart.