Over two years – yes TWO – years into our renovation, I’ve learned quite a few things. But if someone asked me to narrow my advice down to one golden nugget, it would be this: do not move in until your project is complete! Like complete complete. I know this isn’t new advice. People say it all the time, but we did not heed the warning. Instead, we chose in favor of larger living quarters, no longer paying rent and general renovation fatigue. It felt like we’d waited forever. And that was nearly a year ago. So when we did actually move in, quite a bit of finish work remained as well as some major parts of the renovation. And how are all those unfinished projects doing? Yup, still waiting. When you’re suddenly living your life in the space, the frantic need to check finish work off your list disappears, replaced by things like the need to grocery shop, plan a birthday party or I don’t know, write a blog post! This would be why you’ve only seen teeny tiny sneak peeks of the house to date.

One of things still on my finish work to-do list? Finalize my light fixtures. Finding the perfect lighting is seriously hard because there are literally millions of options out there and 99.9% of them are bad. Really freakin’ bad. Then, of course, there are some truly fabulous options, but those cost a bazillion dollars. After a two-year renovation those bazillions have already been spent. So I’m stuck hunting. My current challenge: the perfect sconce for our guest bath. You’ve seen a bit of our guest bath here and there. So you might have caught is has a round mirror and a light color scheme. You’d think finding the perfect bathroom sconce would be a snap.

bathroom sconces that don't suck on apartment 34bathroom sconces that don't suck on apartment 34bathroom sconces that don't suck on apartment 34bathroom sconces that don't suck on apartment 34bathroom sconces that don't suck on apartment 34

But unfortunately, it’s proving challenging. For one, we have very high ceilings so a lot of fixtures look dwarfed. Secondly, I’d like something in either white or brass but not overly utilitarian looking. The piece also does need to give off decent light. So I’ve hunted and hunted and hunted and finally tracked down a list of top contenders.

bathroom sconces on apartment 34

from left to right park studio novato / arne jacobsen bellevue light / park studio rudd sconce / aerin clemente double sconce / applique de marseille / park studio fairfax / aerin charlton wall light / michele varian brass globe sconce

Ranging from industrial chic to more traditional, I think really any of these pieces could work. It’s all about finding that right mix of good style, appropriate scale and honestly, something I don’t think I’ll hate in five years. Obviously this list also isn’t exhaustive. There are pieces I love from Allied Maker, from Lawson Fenning, from School House Electric, Cedar & Moss and One Forty Three, among others. And I’m sure many of you, my design aficionados, have a lighting source or two up your sleeve. Care to share? Because that’s the other thing I’ve learned through this renovation process. Turns out I’m a design commitment-phobe. It’s really hard for me to finalize a choice. So I hope to see lots of your sage advice in the comments below. Because it’s time. I’ve got to finish this house before it finishes me!

 

SHOP MORE LIGHTING

 

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image 1 by tessa neustadt / image 2 by jotun lady / image 3 via elle decor / image 4 by park and oak / image 5 by becki owens design / 

What do you think?

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6 Comments

  1. I love the Aerin Clemente double sconce, but I’m a sucker for all Aerin lighting. Loving your blog!

    1. I’m a sucker for all things Aerin too – and just because I like the away she spells our name better! Thanks for visiting and for the kind words Jennifer!

  2. Do you know who makes the sconces in the first photo? Thanks!

  3. what is the sconce at the top of this post? The linear 3 bulb brass and black on either side of the rectangular mirror?

    1. You know, I”m not sure but they might have something similar at Rejuvenation!