New old light for the office | How About Orange

March 26, 2014

New old light for the office

A recent antique store find: this mid-century ball pendant light, which now graces the office. At night from the street it looks like a big round moon in there. I love it. Plus it coordinates nicely with these awesome globe lamps in the adjoining room.


I guess some bloggers like to decorate their workspace with cute garlands and buntings. I prefer to drape electrical cords all around behind desks for a more linear, modern effect. Who's with me?


Here's the light fixture that got demoted. It's just not cool. The green finish reminds me of sponge painting, which I dislike pretty intensely. Maybe this guy can find a good home on Craigslist.

I bought the vintage pendant light for $90. Not a steal, but cheaper than new and comes with extra character. I see West Elm is selling something similar for $129, or you could shell out $285 at Rejuvenation.

24 comments:

Grandma G said...

Oh, my... my first impression when seeing that light was of our old country schoolhouse! I don't remember what kind of lights we had, but maybe like that! It was definitely mid-century! ;)

Mum

bungalow54 said...

Love it, looks great! Wish I could find one!!

Jessica Jones said...

They must have been similar or you wouldn't have had that flashback! Do you think Pothead Fred was enjoying them before the schoolhouse burned down?

Grandma G said...

I doubt it. It was pretty modernized before he moved in. My cousin lived in it for a while first.

Mum

Karen said...

We have a similar light in our kitchen and we call it the moon!
'Please can you turn the moon on!'
These lights give such a beautiful diffused light.

atout said...

Looks great! I just scored one of these for $5 at our local thrift store! We're currently decorating a nursery in a celestial theme (star ceiling) and will be using it. I love these and it's "moon" resemblance is an awesome bonus.

Jessica Jones said...

$5! That's amazing!

Carolyn Kotlas said...

That looks like the original kitchen light in my 1978 house! Glad I never thought to replace it since it's back in style.

Katia said...

We have this exact light in our house and are about to replace it ... glad to know that it's in demand -- I'll list it on Craigslist!

Jessica Jones said...

Yes! All the mid-century lovers will pounce on it. It's hot right now. Plus, it's a simple, giant round globe. Simple will never go out of style.

Mindy@FindingSilverLinings said...

Love it! It's classic.

kansasgirl1 said...

I like the old fixture! I'd be painting it a dark bronze, though, 'cause you're right - the green is rather putrid. I bet you'll be able to sell it pretty quickly on Craigslist. I like your new fixture, too - looks good with the other fixtures in the room.

Anonymous said...

I like the look of the new light in your office, but I also like the old fixture. It looks Craftsman-style to me. Don't know if you have that style of architexture in the mid-west, but it's big out here in Southern California. If I had my own place, I'd offer you money right now for it! 8-)

xo Linda

Tiffany Gholar said...

I love that lamp! Looks great.

Grey said...

This looks great! And that pocket door is gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Being mid-century modern myself, I know this light fixture well.
How cool would it be to have 3 in a row over a kitchen island?!
I'm going shopping...
Heidi

Jessica Jones said...

It would be gorgeous!

smm said...

Those globular lights always remind me of an past apartment kitchen fixture. I remember it because one night I went to a friend's house to get some paper to pack my dishes and other breakables. While I was away the guy in the apartment above me was taking a sledge hammer to his floor. I came home to find my kitchen fixture shattered all over the floor.

Katia said...

well, you were right! I posted the light on craigslist for $50 and it sold in a day. Some hipster guy came and took it away, no questions asked. I turned around and put the $$ towards a Nelson Criss-cross fixture for the dining room...

Jessica Jones said...

Ha, excellent! And, NICE CHOICE on the new light.

Colleen said...

Ohmygosh! We just took one identical to that out of our kitchen! My husband was going to throw it in the trash- I'm so glad he didn't after seeing how nice it can look in an updated space.

Jessica Jones said...

Sell that puppy! Someone will want it.

Polly said...

If you want to save the hassle of posting on craigslist, I'd recommend donating the light to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They resell building materials and home goods and the profits go to building affordable housing in your community. And while you're there you can shop their treasures.

Somerset Wedding Gal said...

The new update looks great, generally your office looks so welcoming and spacious!