Cheat Sheet: Lighting
"Cheat Sheets" are documents I create with links to the sources I go to first. I have them for furniture styles (transitional, modern, retro, etc.) as well as specific items like lighting and rugs.
I keep my Cheat Sheets in Evernote, which I use to organize everything I've ever used on a project and everything I've ever seen that I like. When it's time to to look for something specific, I go to my Cheat Sheet page and start clicking to open up the sites. When I'm sourcing online, it's important that I not spend too much time going through, well, un-related stuff (a.k.a crap). So the sites I use are either very well edited, or have good search tools to specify what you're looking for so you don't spend hours looking at table lamps in search of a brass sconce.These are the sites I use and have in my Lighting Cheat Sheet, with a few examples of their offerings.
I keep my Cheat Sheets in Evernote, which I use to organize everything I've ever used on a project and everything I've ever seen that I like. When it's time to to look for something specific, I go to my Cheat Sheet page and start clicking to open up the sites. When I'm sourcing online, it's important that I not spend too much time going through, well, un-related stuff (a.k.a crap). So the sites I use are either very well edited, or have good search tools to specify what you're looking for so you don't spend hours looking at table lamps in search of a brass sconce.These are the sites I use and have in my Lighting Cheat Sheet, with a few examples of their offerings.
This is my favorite, and always my first stop. Shades of Light has a well edited website and an impressive array of designs including many budget-friendly options.
LAMPS PLUS
A big collection with an easy to navigate website, Lamps Plus offers thousands of options. They have a vast array of headings such as finish, usage, style, and size, which really help streamline browsing. They have a good selection of mirrors, too.
A big collection with an easy to navigate website, Lamps Plus offers thousands of options. They have a vast array of headings such as finish, usage, style, and size, which really help streamline browsing. They have a good selection of mirrors, too.
Jonathan Adler Parker collection |
Lighting Universe is big. Really big. Universe big. It can be a bit unwieldy BUT it has some good sorting and refining features for searching. This came from this refined search: Lighting fixtures, wall lights, wall sconces, rustic / lodge wall sconces. Yes, they have a category for that, and that can really narrow things down.
For contemporary design, Eurostyle Lighting has just that, including designs by George Kovacs and Robert Sonneman.
If you want a shortcut to designer lighting, this site is for you.
Alexa Hampton Basil Flush mount |
Eric Cohler Hudson Chandelier |
Some unusual options are available at BurkeDecor.com. The site isn't organized for speediness, but they do have a top menu bar (easy to miss) to refine the search to lamps, pendants and sconces.
They also carry the reasonably priced 'lights up!' lights that allow you to mix and match shades, bases, and pendant styles.
A website with easy-to view collections, and a good 'sorting interface', Circa Lighting has a tasteful selection by Visual Comfort, Barbara Barry, Ralph Lauren and many others. This is also one of my first stops on a lighting search. See the Barbara Barry pendant used in "Urban Renewal" kitchen story on my site.
Small Scallop pendant by Barbara Barry |
Dodecahedron lamp by Ralph Lauren |
As the name suggests, Barn Light Electric sells barn lighting, but with lots of interchangeable options. See the "Indoor Outside" bath on my site:
Alston Wall Sconce |
If you buy a pendant light with an 'adjustable height' you often have to cobble together pieces... But at Rejuvenation, your light is customized at the factory, including the height of the pole that goes from ceiling to fixture -- this way, it's all in one streamlined piece. They also carry school light fixtures, period-inspired lights from Victorian to mid-century, and some great cabinet hardware.