When the well-informed associate at the local lighting store says to you, sort of worriedly, “That is really old fashioned,” you know you’re making a good decision. That’s what I heard when I tried to buy a library-style picture light to illuminate the Vanguard painting behind the bar in my Mahalo Lounge.
I plan to hardwire some spotlights in the ceiling to shine on the larger pieces on the larger expanses of wall in the Lounge. But for this space, I just wanted a bit of light on the painting of the pirate ship. Plus, I like having different styles of lighting throughout the room, all with very dim bulbs.
Plus, I wanted to get something done. Today I am launching my 12 days of Kitschmas: Finish what I started! Mostly stuff in the Lounge, but other projects cluttering up my life — and my mind. 12 days from now should put me right before Christmas — weebit will be home — and we’ll have a clean and tidy room in which to to put up the aluminum Christmas tree and decorate it with our very very best most precious vintage ornaments. Hooray!
Bracket you put on back of painting. The picture light slips into it. The whole thing was super duper easy.
To size the picture light, my store recommended I one about 1/2 the width of the painting. The light is adjustable both up and out — the more you pull it forward, the more of the picture you light. That said, it is not a flood light — I can’t/don’t illuminate the entire ship, only the sky. That’s okay with me, too, I like the mood — moody.
The light also seems to have two settings — low and high. I turn it to low. Again: Moody. When the whole room is dark, and I get all the low-wattage lights on, it looks great, gives the space depth.
On the 1st day of Kitschmas: Painting lit, old-skool.
Related stories
-
Captain Corus Cate’s dining room chandelier (a 1969 vintage Moe 2149)
-
The Hawaiian barkcloth pattern that is setting the stage for my entire Mahalo Lounge project
-
The barkcloth pinch pleat draperies for my Mahalo Lounge home tiki bar are up!
-
Wallpaper for the ceiling of my Mahalo Lounge — which should I choose?
Ad
Get our retrolicious free newsletter.
I’ll take the old school, the incandescent bulbs produce a warmer tone of light that’s perfect for the type of lighting you want – low level mood lighting for dimming the room (what designers refer to as accent lighting). Kudos for supporting your local business to boot.
Pam, I love picture lighting. It truly does give a room depth. That being said, am I the only one who dislikes seeing the cord from the light? Do you or other readers have any suggestions/helpful hints regarding ways to hide it…other than hardwiring a fixture in place?
BTW…the Mahalo Lounge is looking magnificent!
I was told I could add a recessed plug behind the painting. Another idea would have been to request a brown cord, if that were possible — at least that would recede more.
Sorry, I wasn’t being critical of the cord in your picture…in fact, I barely see it due to blending in with the wallpaper (which is actually a good way to disguise it). I was asking in general. When I’ve used picture lights in the past I’m always like “That looks awesome except for that cord!”.
You can buy cord cover channels that adhere to the wall but sometimes that is an attention grabber in itself.
Hahahaha…. cords make me so crazy, my husband put up one of those tv hangy thingys and I made him take it down, and put a plug behind it, about 6″ from the ceiling!! In one house he actually hard wired 12 (yes TWELVE) seperate wall sockets (which required their own fuse box 🙀) for my lava lamp collection/installation!! I know, I know…. insane… he’s a really great guy, and the buyer made the sale contingent on that collection….I really miss it, but at least I know there’s another family enjoying my INSANE vision!!
What a great compliment–the buyer wanted your lava lamp collection. The special wiring probably added to the appeal. Or else he or she thought, “What am I going to do with 12 oddly placed wall sockets?
Hi Mary Elizabeth! It WAS crazy…. we told the realtor we’d (I mean my Gary!, hahahaha) would remove, and repair the room…. she said, “NO!! That’s why they want it!” They had teens, and I believe they used the space for a “hang out” room😃….
I just put a plant in front of the cord. You can also paint the cord to match the wall color.
A low tech DIY solution is to buy a section of wiring raceway at Home Depot or Lowes; its a plastic U-shaped tube that conceals wiring underneath it. A neat straight line will be much less noticeable than a dangling cord.
Redoing my bathrooms, not a period restoration, but mindful of my 1964 ranch. When I told the contractor I had selected 4×4 tile for the tub surround, he commented, “That’s so 1970’s. What about subway tiles?” I just smiled.
Way cool! I know exactly what you mean about being sure you are making a good decision when someone tells you it’s really old-fashioned! Last week a plumber walked through our house and said, “Have you ever thought about remodeling this old kitchen? I’d love to design it for you.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that this WAS the remodel. Obviously we nailed it. Haha!
I use feedback in the same way. If I am the first person who has ordered it in a long time, the last person to order it before it’s discontinued, or go to order it and find out it’s just been discontinued, I know it’s really the appropriate thing for my house.
(I am wondering if I should order a second grey toilet and keep in in my basement as a future replacement. )
Ineffable, I know what you mean! I was tempted to buy another $400 pink toilet to have in case it needs replacing, but I thought, “Oh, this is the beginning of the pink retro bathroom craze, so it will surely be around for years.” Of course, now they have gone and discontinued it.
I’ve had those impulses too…. I HATE it when I pass on something, and it really is the last one…. I kick myself, and think …. great, now I have to come up w/and acceptable “hack”…. sometimes every time I look at whatever it is…. I think,😖 I could’ve gotten the “real” thing!!!😫
I would…. if you have the space….
That’s very nice! Hopefully, you’ll inspire folks to make a return to this way of illuminating artwork. Track lighting led to the demise of these lights back in the 1970’s. People liked the convenience of the lights up and out of the way, and thought that it would lead to more modern and informal ways of displaying artwork. Having spent some time involved in architecture and interior design, I was never happy about track lights. The overall effect was to wash an entire wall with light. I find that individual focused warm light really brings out the details and beauty in the art. It draws your eyes to each highlighted piece, instead of forcing you to focus on an entire wall of work washed with light.
It looks wonderful! I want to add something similar to my home. :> Do you have to worry about it fading the print/picture/photo/art it’s illuminating? Maybe there is a certain type of bulb?
If you want absolutely no fading of any type of art media, use only LED lighting. LED bulbs do not produce UV rays (which is what causes fading). You can illuminate with LED 24/7/365 and it will not harm your artwork! Bonus: LED is the most flattering for all art – the purest colors are drawn out.
WONDERFUL! Best of the old and new. Thanks for the advice Joe :>
“Wow…that is really old-fashioned” always makes me do The Happy Feet Dance. Because “really old-fashioned” is EXACTLY what I’m striving for!
I always do the happy dance when someone looks at My kitchen or something I probably bought at an estate sale and exclaims oh my aunt or my grandmother used to have one of those!
Great story! When I remodeled the bath in my old house with 4×4 yellow tiles the contractors all told me that they are usually ripping this stuff out, not putting it in.
Same thing happened to me when I refreshed my bathroom and later, when I redid my kitchen. It’s so cool when, after it’s done, all the people who didn’t like my ideas now want to copy them!
Classic is always in style.
Wow great story and fantastic look Pam! Love your style. So happy to have found your site.
Could you tell me where to begin looking for a Vanguard ship like the one you have in your Mahalo Lounge? Would be so perfect!
Hi Robert, thank you! I think the best place to find Vanguard paintings is on ebay — Vanguard Lee Reynolds Paintings on Ebay
And here’s search further narrowed to ships:
Vanguard Lee Reynolds Ship Paintings on Ebay
Note, both links are affiliate links that earn me a wee commission if ya buy