Inspired by: Bell Jar Lanterns

I spent most of Saturday hitting a few local antique malls with my Mom and sisters (AKA, my perfect Saturday!) on the hunt for a few upgrades for my Mom's builder basic house. We found an antique bell jar lantern that was just beautiful. It was more than we wanted to spend and needed some work by a professional, so we passed, but I haven't stopped thinking about it.

Bell jar lanterns or hall lanterns were made in the early 19th century for English and American homes. The glass was hand-blown and may have been etched or left clear. Older examples were lit with candles or oil, and the cap on the top was used to prevent scorching on the ceiling. Source.

Antiques range in price based on age and condition, but reproductions are widely available. Here are a few of my favorites.


Small Clear Hall Lantern from Circa Lighting


Bronze and Clear Glass Smokebell at Shades of Light


Hundi Lantern from Pottery Barn

Top image: Kristen Panitch in House Beautiful. Lantern images: courtesy their respective sources.

Inspired by: Matte Black Furniture

I don't usually love black painted furniture -- just not my thing, I guess-- but when the finish is matte I can't get enough. I blame this on my obsession with black basalt.


The new black furniture kick was set off by Haskell Harris' cabinet (I first spotted it on Style Court). She painted it herself with chalkboard paint, which immediately sent me on a quest through my house looking for something I could take a paintbrush to. I didn't come up with much -- the inside of my living room shelves and my blue chest are the only contenders.


I then headed for 1st Dibs for a little more eye candy. I'm quite sure I could find a place for this darling writing desk. Doesn't this hardware remind you of some I was mulling over last month?


And I think I have posted a similar painted secretary before but I couldn't resist including it again. We have an Eastlake secretary (on semi-permanent loan from my dad) but I don't think I could bear to paint it. Though it is certainly tempting!

Day 969: a more simple approach

My antithesis to the more cluttered look that I posted about last week is restrained, simple style that makes me think of a well-appointed farmhouse. The furniture is antique, but not fussy, and the accessories are usually utilitarian objects displayed in collections. Fabrics are made of elements found in nature (cotton, linen, maybe even leather), and the colors are quiet.

This Texas Hill Country house is a perfect example, and this one is a more refined version. Trina from A Country Farmhouse has this look down pat. Tricia Foley is another master.


I love this look, but am definitely not disciplined enough to make it happen. Does it work for you?






Photos: All came from the new-to-me blog Brabourne Farm; click to see the original sources.

Day 836: timeless design

I love this house. It just oozes timelessness, which is probably because it is filled with furniture selected for the homeowners by Albery Hadley more than 40 years ago. With painted gray floors and pale walls, it feels current.


The entry is perfect. Makes me want to buy this from High Street Market.









Photos by Simon Upton for House Beautiful.

Day 816: vintage lighting

Love all the vintage (and vintage-inspired) lighting in this Hudson Valley home, featured in Country Living.


These pendants remind me of the ones I spotted in a local shop last week (still love them!).


I just adore this one. It really makes the hallway special. Vintage industrial and commercial fixtures abound at architectural salvage shops, but you'll want to have them rewired before installation. If you're the industrious type, instructions aren't hard to come by.

If all of that sounds like a lot of trouble, there are plenty of reproductions available. Schoolhouse Electric makes some great ones.


I also love the idea of a wall-mounted swing-arm sconce in place of a lamp next to the bed. It's a great solution for small spaces that require small bedside tables, not to mention those who like to read in bed.

Day 810's favorite country home

I l-o-v-e this little house. It's so simple: just white and the dark wood of the primitive antique furniture. The owner filled it to the brim with what she loves (ironstone, coin silver, baskets and more) and that's all there is to it. Perfect.





Here's what homeowner Sue Chandler says about collecting:
The Mix Dark antiques, white china. "It's bold and dramatic, and it just feels good to me."
The Art 19th Century oils, mainly portraits, from flea markets and antique shops -- always in gilt frames. "I like that touch of gold."
The Strategy "I buy what I like, not what's valuable. I'm always on the lookout for tureens without tops, which are really cheap and still look great."
The Philosophy "I trade up to improve and pare down my collection. For example, I sold six painted black chairs to get my four Windsor chairs, which are nicer and take up less space."



I'm sure not everyone will "get it" with this house, but I can't get enough! What about you? What would your house look like if it were simply filled with the things you loved?

Photos by Jack Thompson for Country Home (October 2006)

Day 809: fun finds

I popped into Hoover Antiques Gallery on my lunch break yesterday. There were several note-worthy items, but I was in a hurry, and only pulled out my camera in one booth. I thought these green pendants were super-cool. Not all that unremarkable, except for the rope detail. Wouldn't they look so delicious with a couple of bird prints? $500 for the pair.


Also loved this iron bench. I like benches, and I like to see garden accessories brought indoors. The pretty linen seat didn't hurt it much, but the $750 price tag -- ouch! -- sure did.


There were two of these chandeliers -- hung too high to get a great picture (unless I stood on the bench!). They reminded me of this one. While I had kitchen lighting on my mind (after seeing the green pendants) I thought they would look lovely over a big center island in a kitchen filled to the brim with white marble. So, in a kitchen I'll never own. Oh well, it's sure fun to dream!

Day 774's exciting aquisition

Wes and I were running some errands about two weeks ago, and were on our way home when he -- totally unprompted! -- asked if I wanted to stop in a local antiques shop. Well, he knew what the answer would be. What he didn't know, was that we'd be coming out with a fabulous antique lantern to hang in the dining room (yes, like I've been wanting!).


It's a bit smaller than the one I spotted in Fayetteville (and didn't cost as much, either), is brass and has possibly been painted. Whatever, the finish, I love it.

We had some wiring work done at a local lamp shop (Palmer's) and I'm just patiently waiting for Wes to get back from his business trip this weekend so we can hang it. Probably should have waited to show it until then, but I knew I could count on you people to share in my excitement.

Day 670: more on Chattanooga

Wes must really love me, because he lets me drag him all over most of the towns we visit to scope out the local decorating/antiques scene. Sometimes, he enjoys himself as much as I do, which was the case at Architectural Exchange.


It's essentially a salvage shop, full of goodies from old homes and buildings just waiting for some love and refinishing and a new lease on life. Check it out:








While we were looking for Architectural Exchange, we accidentally found Dwelling, a brand-new consignment shop for the home.


It had only been open for three days when we visited, so the top level of the restored building that houses the shop was a little bare. There was some great stuff though, and we came home with a couple of framed items that we'll show you soon.


I thought the bathroom vanity was great, and was just begging for an antique venetian mirror above the concrete sink! Dwelling is so new, that I can't find an address for it -- any locals know?
Edit: 3301 Brainerd Rd.


On Sunday (after a delicious brunch at Mercatino) we hit up The Knitting Mill -- all 20,000 square feet of it. Didn't spend any money here, but definitely could have.

You all seem to love Chattanooga, too. What are your can't-miss spots for eating and shopping?