Yeehaw! Dear Husband says that after 10 years of living in the house, he is still tired of our big living room being so dark at night, and can we please add some sconces in order to brighten things up. “Yeehaw,” because I get to do a project… and it’s been while, so I have the patience, desire and money to attack the issue. That said: I didn’t say I wouldn’t make it a torturous project. Starting with my first torturous decision: Where to place the sconces flanking the fireplace — at the edge of the mantle, or on the main wall just beyond and in this case, set back a bit? What is the “right” answer? Is there a “right” answer?
Let me note, the living room and dining room in my 1951 colonial-ranch are one big open concept room, about 45′ long by 15′ wide. See those two round steps to the left of the Barcelona chair? Those are steps up to the dining room. There are a lot of windows, and the light is fabulous in the day time. But, the only built-in lighting fixture in the space is the chandelier in the dining room. The ceilings are quite high in the living room. And at night, when we closed the pinch pleat drapes, it’s very difficult to light the room with table lamps. We also have a pole lamp. I don’t really care if it’s darkish. But Dear Husband wants light. 10 years later, he still wants it. Okay.
We’ll put a pair of sconces flanking the fireplace, and another pair at the far end of the room flanking that window. That’s it, though. The rest of the space will use table lamps. I am concerned that any more sconces will make the room look like an airport runway. I’ll show a panorama of the space later, as I continue to ask your opinions as I eat my kishkas (sp?) out.
I rarely make decisions that involve calling in electricians, cutting holes in walls and carefully applied grasscloth and in general, mean “permanent” changes… easily. This project will likely involve scores of hours of research and much nail-biting and second guessing about not only the right style of sconce, but also how tall, how wide, how far out it will stick, the shade, the finish and of course, the cost. Already, excitedly, I have spent two hours with DH looking at vintage sconces online and kind of getting a general focus in place… then I went to the local lighting store and spent two hours looking at new lighting in catalogs… and then I came home and another three online again, looking at both new and vintage. Let the games begin.
So back to the question of the day — where to place the sconces that will flank the fireplace? Some key measurements: The fireplace and mantle are set on a wall that protrudes about 6″ from the main wall behind. Where you see the light switch by the door at the right, there’s about 10.5″ of wall space. The big decision:
Should I put the sconces on the main wall (outside arrows) or on the mantel wall?
What do you think, readers? Any “original” go-to examples in your homes?
Brian says
I vote to put them on the sides:
–Wiring into the masonry would be more difficult, hence pricier.
–You could take advantage of some existing dead space by putting them on the sides, whereas putting them over the mantel will get in the way of a lot of other things you might want to put there (such as what is there right now, though the vases of greenery would probably compete too much with any sconces, no matter what you choose). The mantel is usually the home’s prime focal point for displaying beautiful things. Don’t hobble yourself by eating up the real estate with the lighting.
–To the fear that putting them on the side will cast too much of their light into the little corners where the fireplace juts out, I say that putting them too close together will focus an imbalanced amount in the center of the room, leaving dark corners. Also, if they’re over the mantel, they’re liable to shine directly into the sunburst mirror, magnifying said imbalance.
–To the fear that putting them on the side will make them seem like an afterthought, I say so? They ARE an afterthought. Pam has survived without them for years. They’re going to be functional little helpers, not the stars of a sconce-themed diorama. The stars of the decor are Pam’s art and whatever she wants to seasonally swap out on her mantel. The sconces are just there to discreetly help from the sidelines. We’re casting the butler here, not the leading lady. (But you should still get the most suitable and elegant butler available.)
–In future years, you (or a future owner) might have a nice large painting that would fit beautifully in the place of honor over the fireplace — but only if the area is not crowded by the sconces.
Pam, I encourage you to step back and take the long view. We’re all excited about the sconces right now, but in the long run you’ll want visitors to say “What a pretty room,” not “”I can’t stop looking at your sconces.”
Retrosandie says
The sconces should be placed above the mantel. Here’s another idea, Pam. Cut a space into the mantel itself and put in long tube lights with frosted glass over them, the glass flush with the mantel. My previous home built in 1949 had this and it was very effective lighting at night. Good luck with your project and be sure to show us the results!! 🙂
Siobhan says
Mantel wall.
Kate says
I agree that the front of the mantel is best, for all the reasons stated, and that standing lamps next to the windows would work better than sconces. If you have your heart set on wall lamps next to the windows, you could always do plug-in ones, and if you find wall lamps really don’t work there, you’d only have small mounting holes to repair and could still have floor lamps… or ceiling swag lamps in each corner.
lisa says
Another vote for on the face of the fireplace wall. A more traditional placement for sure, though probably it will displace your vases. Maybe they would still look right without the flowers in them, though.
You might look into corner sconces that could tuck into the sides of the bumpout, but my quick google search didn’t turn up any that would look great.
TappanTrailerTami says
Oh, this is fun! We actually get to help Pam decide something for her house!
First, I just have to majorly ***swoooooooon*** over your matching (oh MY!) loveseats!!!! Maybe they are actually full size sofas, but the angle of the photo makes them look like loveseats. No matter, they are fabulous! Color me green.
So, here is my humble opinion, on several things.
#1 Fireplace sconces. Yes! On the front – this is traditional placement. There are so many different styles of sconces out there, you will find something that works great with that placement. The most important will be to not have them look like an “add on” but an original feature of the house, and I think the only way to accomplish that is with proper placement (and to some extent, style). If they were on the sides, I would immediately say to myself, oh, those aren’t original to the house – just because of their placement.
# 2 Sconces by the window: No. I wouldn’t do that, honestly Pam. Even though I am the matchiest of matchy people, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. So, I vote down the sconces by the window and instead:
It looks like you have a gorgeous ceiling, box beams and all! Lucky you. I would opt for a matching light fixture in the ceiling (one that matches the fireplace sconces). Bonus that you have the high ceilings! You say you have 5 sections of ceiling in between the box beams. Because the room is so long, I’d even recommend 2 ceiling fixtures….in box 2 and box 4 (assuming your 5 boxes are in a linear row). Is the fireplace centered in the room – ie, lined up with box 3 of the ceiling? If so, I would definitely do sconces at the fireplace (that’s box 3), and matching ceiling fixtures in boxes 2 and 4. This would create a wonderful balance and symmetry in the room.
Really, Pam – we need a picture from one end of the room to the other to include the ceiling 🙂
Something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-and-IMPRESSIVE-1940s-WHEAT-chandelier-AND-sconces-/380412183438?pt=Architectural_Garden&hash=item589255438e
Or fixtures like this (colonial revival) with the matching single glass sconces….I’d pick different glass though….
http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC577-4/templates/selection.phtml
And, I would most definitely put them on a dimmer….there is nothing more wonderful than dimmed lights for ambiance! I am a huge dimmer fan!
Ok, on to the window end, here is what I would do:
# 3 – acquire a 6 way mogul bulb floor lamp, and I’d probably place in the right hand corner, or I would even opt for a matching pair of vintage mogul bulb floor lamps. I have 5 in my house, and if you want LIGHT, these are the way to go, especially the 40’s style with the center bulb and 3 candle bulbs around – they have the milk glass center shade, and have a fabric drum shade that sits on it. The center bulb is usually 3 way – 100 watt, 200 watt, 300 watt, plus the 3 candle bulbs. Let me tell you – nothing better!!!! I love each and every one of mine, and they get used a lot.
Or………
OMG – you could do a pair of torchiere’s….I just found these on eBay, and I would be snapping them up – they are gorgeous and an EXCELLENT price. Vintage matching torchieres are pretty hard to find, and when you do, they command big bucks. The last pair of Rembrandt torchieres I saw out here were $1200. These are an exceptional buy at $425 for the pair, and the glass shades are stunning!
Take a look – they would look so awesome in the corners by your on each side of your window, and are VERY in keeping with the style of your loveseats at the end, and the era/style of your house.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fantastic-Pair-of-OLD-REMBRANDT-Torchiere-Floor-Lamps-Great-Original-Shades-/160756949584?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item256ddc6250
Ok, I’m done now! LOL
TappanTrailerTami says
I should qualify – I’d put the torchieres flanking each side of the window…about where the sconces would have been vs. all the way in the corners…………
Susie Q. says
I vote inner. I’m not keen on a sconce being so close to the door, though in real life that may look perfectly fine. Why don’t you install the other sconces first then see if you actually need the fireplace ones. A new solution may occur to you in the meantime.
pam kueber says
i hear you on this. but if i buy vintage sconces i will need to buy four not two, so this is a consideration
TappanTrailerTami says
Ah, yes…4 instead of 2. I just spent an ungodly amount of money because I just had to have 4 matching antique sconces for my master bathroom. Things just get more expensive the higher quantity of matching lights that you have to have!
julie steenburgh says
I’m casting my vote for the front of the fireplace. I think the symmetry you have now is beautiful, and sconces on the front would enhance this. I agree with Shelley in PHX, that placing them on the side walls would look “weird”. So there you go, just one opinion. I also agree with the comments about choosing the sconces first. Depending on what you get, they might look better on the sides. Good luck, your taste is impeccable, so whatever you choose will be Fab!
pam kueber says
The problem with choosing sconces first, is that there is only 10″ width on the setback wall to the right by the door. If I choose the setback area, I will need to make sure the sconces are not too wide and also have to take into account the 6″ protrusion….
ChrisH says
On the sides of the bumpout, not the front. On the front will make the mantle look cluttery. On the main wall will be asymmetric. There is too little space between the bumpout and the door to the right. That’s if you use sconces. You should reconsider lighting options. Sconces will look busy-ish no matter what.
What about something that runs along the front of the bumpout, but higher up, above the mirror? Something horizontal, which hides the tubes/bulbs?
ChrisH says
Or, if your set on sconces, then up high, on the front of the bumpout. Perhaps round ones (circular on the front – picking up the circular look of your mirror) that are mounted at about the height of the tops of the doors.
ChrisH says
“you’re”
Rachael~The Thrifty Picker says
I’d say the front. The sides are already a bit off balance (you have brought it to balance with the addition of artwork on the left) since the doors on either side are not of equal distance. I think if you put them on the outside, you would throw of the balance you have created there.