This “Rich” Brass Mid-Century Modern Sconce Is Worth the Splurge — I Promise!
I love brass finishes, and I’m all about anything with a fun, squiggly design. So when I spotted this fabulous sconce during one of my late-night Etsy browsing sessions, it immediately shot to the top of my wish list. Once I decided to paint my living room a dark blue (Benjamin Moore’s Midnight Blue, to be exact), I knew the brass hue would pop nicely against that moody backdrop. So I ordered it and couldn’t wait to install it in my revamped space.
Because it cost a little over $300, I wanted to make sure the sconce would hang somewhere it would really stand out. I decided to place it above my Samsung Frame TV, which sits inside of a special ornate frame from Deco TV Frames. The TV is a focal point in my space, whether it’s on or off. For that reason, the spot just above it was the perfect place to install the sconce; it’d get plenty of attention there and look just like a picture light when the The Frame is in art mode.
In my case, I didn’t wire the sconce into the wall — I’m a renter, after all, so I can’t make any major changes like that. Instead, I decided to add Amazon puck lights inside so that I can still use the sconce like a wired light fixture when I want to. This setup has been working amazingly well.
While this sconce is on the pricier end, I know from my work in design that most specialty lighting fixtures will run several hundred dollars. So if I’m spending the money, why not pick something that’s a little more unique looking than what other people have in their spaces? It’s also fun to discover a new-to-me shop on Etsy (BrillianceLightings, which I’m now sharing with you all — you’re welcome!).
Moreover, this sconce is handmade in India from recycled brass — not steel or aluminum finished with a “brass” coating — so you know it’s heavy duty in terms of quality and built to last. Should you want yours to patina over time, there’s even a raw finish option. Yes, it’s an investment piece, but it’s also fairly priced in terms of its composition. The color is so beautiful and warm in person, too; it’s not a gold that looks inexpensive at all, which sometimes can be the case with certain brasses. A fellow Etsy shopper agrees: “Absolutely gorgeous fixture,” writes one reviewer. “The brass color is rich and exactly what I hoped for.”
In case this specific sconce, which has distinct mid-century-shaped cone shades, isn’t for you, note that this shop offers plenty of other stylish, squiggly gems, like this two-tone number and this single sconce that’s extra cute for a small nook. There’s even a three-arm option, because truly, when it comes to this style, you can never have too much of a good thing. You can find other silhouettes as well. I’m loving the look of this piece in my space and the fact that I can bring it with me wherever I move, from here on out.