I’m back on the Mahalo Lounge wagon, trying to finish. It’s slow going, I’ll tell you, because it’s all about the itty bitty details — and there are A LOT of them. Mostly, at this point, I’m focused on: the ceiling. The biggest news: I made a decision on where to install the second of two vintage Orchids of Hawaii lights, which came out of my local Luau Hale, a longtime vintage extant tiki bar and restaurant. I put the light, swag style, dead center on the third of the five beamed sections that comprise my 30′ long living room-dining room.
The first one, as you can see and may recall from previous stories, is at the far end above the peacock chair vignette. I belabored the decision — as I belabor so many big decisions — on where to put the second one, knowing that it was a huge statement piece, literally and figuratively.
I have only two, and even numbers are hard to work with. In this room, I am aiming for balanced asymmetry. For the longest time, I was thinking I’d put #2 at the far end of the room. It finally hit me: Dead center of the main seating area — but at a different height, about six inches higher, closer to the ceiling. This isn’t very clear in the photo angle I’ve shown). Importantly, the higher position of the this second, centered pendant light enables your eyes to flow past to take in the rest of the room, including the big matching light beyond. And functionally important, the higher position means we can see the TV from the sofa.
So: The centered light reads more like a ceiling fixture, while the one in the peacock chair reads like a pendant. Once I had it up, I knew it worked!
Then, Dear Husband (DH) came home and Loved It. He is really good with spacial and visual decision like this, so that was the best possible praise.
I picked up these other vintage Orchids of Hawaii products — volcano bowls! — on ebay recently. Weebit is coming home this weekend, and I asked her to pick up a bottle of Lemon Hart 151 to pour into the volcano and light up. DH and I tried regular rum, but it would not light. So we are gonna try it with the higher proof. I guess I’ll google it first, that stuff is not cheap.
Oh, but then we had to drink it. This is one HUGE tiki mug!
On a Sunday, I got crafty and painted and wallpapered and fabricked a couple of shadow box thingies for some smaller tiki items. Crafting makes me so happy, even if I have a pretty slack amount of patience and often have less-than-perfect results.
I picked this up at the Restore. Have an idea for it, for the Lounge. Stay tuned!
- Read all my stories about my Mahalo Lounge project here.
Laura Ainsworth says
This room is tiki paradise! My parrots would be right at home there. (Come to think of it, maybe a parrot would be just the touch for Mahalo — as long as he isn’t thought of as a room decoration but as a member of the family.)
Gawd, those light fixtures are astounding. One question: how high is your ceiling and how big are the fixtures? It looks as though the swag light to the side, over the peacock chair, would work with just about any ceiling height, but what about the one out in the room? So many midcentury interiors (mine included) are only 8′.
BTW, I am a retro jazz artist who has ventured into exotica. I’ll send you my version of “An Occasional Man” (complete with bird calls) so you can play it in Mahalo Lounge if you are so inclined.
Pam Kueber says
The pendant lights are the same size. I have not measured them, but we just held a tape measure up a bit and guess 20″ wide at their widest part.
Per my memory, ceilings are 9′
Carolyn says
Here it is Sunday and I’m peeping at that first picture again – if any of you have looked at it Thur, I suggest looking again. This time I saw the ceiling wallpaper and the art gallery lights on the pictures. The story will continue and there’s more I’ll suddenly see.
When I came in to this odyssey, I was a bit lost as to the vision and not just because I wasn’t viewing it personally. Ugh! the wallpaper debate which ended serendipitously! Design and decorating are a lot harder than it looks. (I’m disappointed female designers weren’t taken more seriously as S-hero career women to emulate.)
Rick G says
I agree with the hubby – perfect spot !!! And I really dig your crafted shadow box too Pam !!
Joe Felice says
I’ve seen those lights, but never knew they were supposed to be orchids.
Pam Kueber says
No, that’s the name of the company — Orchids of Hawaii. They offered many tiki-related items, including mugs.
AH says
Would love to hear about the floor coverings as well especially the carpets. They’re not clearly visible in the photos. Is that a Persian rug I see?
Pam Kueber says
Here’s the story on the rug: https://retrorenovation.com/2017/07/05/will-oriental-rug-work-in-tropical-theme-lounge/
Tom says
WoW!
The Mahalo Lounge looking very cool!
Carol says
I know that ceiling was a labor of love and it shows. It is a major decorative showpiece in the room. I’m so glad you left the hardwoods original instead of staining them dark. The two golden colors sandwich the room, so everything in between is eye candy. I had my doubts about all the pattern and texture, even though individually I loved everything you chose. I have to hand it to you Pam, this is so beautifully executed. I knew it would be after seeing your kitchen, dining and baths, I just didn’t know how. I have talents, but I’m quite sure I would have screwed that room up. My hat’s off to you.
Pam Kueber says
All the wood paneling and beams are faux bois painted! https://retrorenovation.com/?s=faux+bois
Carol says
I know! I’ve read every post on the Mahalo Lounge. God bless your patience to follow your vision.
linoleummy says
What she said! Every choice you’ve made that I wasn’t hot on looks absolutely perfect now that you’ve put it where it belongs. I’ll never doubt you again!
Allison says
You can always opt for smoke rather than fire in your volcanoes; just a few chips of dry ice in your volcano and you’re smokin”!
Pam Kueber says
Great idea!
Nutella says
With a red or blue submersable LED light, maybe….
Jay says
I bought a TV lamp a few weeks ago that would be right at home in your lounge – resembling leaf forms in black and trimmed in gold paint. I thought of using it next winter to put some light up onto a group of tall houseplants. I dislike dark rooms. Your ambient lighting is great and well thought out.
If you haven’t angered either the Tiki or renovation gods, I think you’ll be safe lighting the rum – no singed eyebrows.
Amarissa says
No joke – I thought this was my fave local tiki bar posting (Hale Pele)! You have totally achieved tiki heaven with those lights, and what beauties they are!!!
Pam Kueber says
🙂
And I’m not even done, yet. It will be even more layered… it’s not krazee enough yet, for sure.