Lamps. They are a continual source of frustration for me. Lamps in my home are divided into two categories: charming, personality-filled vintage lamps and blah, cheap, mass-produced lamps. I’ve had a couple of lamps bite the dust this year and every time I’ve shopped for a new lamp I’ve been disappointed. Either they are boring and not me or they are ridiculously expensive. Our cottage is decorated in an eclectic/country/cottage/funky style – a style I call “Christmas in Connecticut” after the overstuffed, comfy, cottagey style in that movie. If I could manage it, every lamp in this cottage would be vintage. But they are hard to find and, often, very expensive.
Cut to Sunday: I was feeling restless after having been housebound with Scout for a whole week – a week in which the only place I visited was the Vet’s office. I told Don I needed to get out and suggested we go across the Hudson River to an antique center that we like. It’s a really neat place in a very old building with lots of dealers. At one point I quickly went through a room filled with silver and ‘traditional’ things that I usually ignore. I was on my way upstairs. On the way back through that same room, I spied an interesting lamp base. I stopped. Part of it was done in jadeite green. I think it’s that color that caught my eye. But there was also some sort of metal in a lovely design. It was heavy. I walked away. Came back. Then I realized there were two of them – a pair. My eyes traveled up to the shade. Oh my. Vintage. Whipstitched. Gorgeous. I did a speed walk around the building and found Don. What did he think? He really liked them. We found the dealer and asked him to put in some light bulbs so we could see if they worked. They did.
Then we dithered about them. We are so, so careful with money that we more often than not say no to something like this. Then the dealer gave us a discount. Oh boy. We knew we would never see anything like them again.
We bought them.
This is the base:
Another view:
I’m in love.
And with the shade. The shades…the shades are making me crazy, I love them so much. I’m pretty sure the shades were replacements for something more ornate, but I can’t be sure. I don’t really care. The combination of the base and the shade is splendidly funky – just our style. Look at the whipstitching:
These vintage shades are in perfect condition. As are the lamp bases. (The dealer told me he bought them because of the shades and I totally get it.)
Be still my heart.
On the other table in the den. (This table is usually home to the phone and the remotes. I removed them for this picture.)
And on my little table.
The finials are lovely – one has a lovely glass marble insert, the other insert is missing. We will be keeping our eyes open for a pretty glass marble to replace the missing one.
When I look at the amber marble, which matches the shade, I begin to wonder if the lampshades were indeed original to the lamp. Hmmm.
Honestly, we are in love with these lamps. The golden glow they give to the den in the evening is simply wonderful. They make the den seem so intimate and cozy and warm and inviting. They’re the perfect size – about 21 inches tall. They’re heavy and solid and they make my heart sing.
The price for the pair was truly a steal – the shades alone are worth more than the final cost. But of course, we have to validate every purchase we make. So we went through the list. We needed lamps – check. They’re vintage and we won’t see them in anyone else’s home – check. They suit our style – check. We love them – check.
And our anniversary is this Saturday. They are the anniversary gift we are giving to each other.
Check.
Happy Tuesday.
Oh my Claudia….
Those lamps…..are….beautiful !
I LOVE lighting, most of all, unique, vintage lamps. These are beauties and I’m so happy they’ve found a home in the cottage.
:)
I am so thrilled with them, Lori!
Those lamps are beautiful, and so cosy when the lights are on – perfect for the coming cold days. Happy Anniversary!
We were talking about them and thought they would be especially wonderful in the winter.
Claudia, what a treasure! Perfect find for your cottage. This almost makes me want to run to the nearest antique store for a look around. Thanks.
We were so lucky to find them, Hedy.
You are able to find the most remarkable things. Love the lamp shades.
Happy anniversary to you guys.
Smiles to you.
Linda
Those shades are incredible, aren’t they?
They are so perfectly you…and absolutely lovely. Congrats on the great find, and the anniversary.
Jen
Thanks, Jen!
These are seriously gorgeous! L O V E the shades, oh my! The only thing we didn’t get to see was a whole room picture to see how they fit in. Tomorrow? Happy Anniversary!
I’ll try to take a picture later today, Becky!
Claudia!! I love your lamps!!!! They go beautifully in your home!! What a find….!! And the shades are gorgeous, especially when you have the lamps lit…!! What a nice anniversary gift!!! That made up for a not-so-nice last week…. a special something for the two of you!!! and Happy Anniversary!!! Francine
Yes, you’re right, Francine. A lovely little present after coming out of a tough week!
Oh, I can see why they were hard to resist!
I haven’t seen shades like those in years.
The combination of the shade and the antique lamps
makes them perfect for your décor style too.
I think so, too, Kimberly!
Great new lamps. I love the color. I know what you mean about mass produced lamps they have no character and are down right ugly at times. I think you fount the perfect gift for the occasion.
I think so, too, my friend. Mass produced lamps really leave me cold. Here’s to vintage!
I can’t help but think how pretty one would be in my living room. There is a real “Mother Earth” feel to these lamps and they look beautiful with the light switched on the the shade pattern on display. Happy Anniversary, Claudia and Don.
-Karen
I like that: a “Mother Earth” feel. Perfect, Karen.
I love that they came in a pair for you two! :) They are gorgeous.
One for Claudia, one for Don!
SCORE! Ya gotta love when that happens. Things i’ve acquired the same way have such special meaning to me. I notice I tend to “pet” them as I pass. ;D
Oh, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who pets favorite things, Z!
Oh Claudia – I adore them!!!!! I bought a green metal lamp last year which will appear in my finished living room. No shade, no finial. I’ve been looking for a year for the right shade and finial. Nothing, nothing I saw would work. Now I know what would and you’ve probably got the only 2 in the world. At least I know what to search for. I guess I’ll just have to stick something cheap on it while I search…maybe for the rest of my life. (too dramatic?) J
Yep. That’s what I would do. Use it with a basic shade in the meantime and keep searching!
Yes, I am in love with those lamps, too. They are the perfect anniversary gift.
I suppose we will have to name one “Don” and the other “Claudia.”
Claudia,
They are wonderful. So pretty with lights on and off. I love those shades and the bases, oh my! And the finials! It’s so fun to see the great vintage things you find. Happy Anniversary!
The finials are really amazing, Sarah.
Oh, they are gorgeous Claudia! Just a waiting for you to come in and find them a rightful home! You are so right…the shades make the lamps…love the color of the base too…very nice gift for the two of you, ;)
We are so happy with them, Donna.
What a perfect find for the two of you. The lamps are beautiful and I agree with you, although the bases are pretty, the shades are what draw me in.
Happy Anniversary you two and I’m so happy that Scout is so much better.
Blessings,
Betsy
The shades are the perfect touch – we were lucky to find them in such pristine condition.
You were MEANT to have those lamps. As Donamae says, they were waiting for you to find them. They do look so completely at home in your photos. Like they’d be there forever. Dontcha just LOVE when that happens? Enjoy! And a big hug for Miss Scout.
I do love that! It’s rare, but when it happens, it’s absolutely wonderful.
Love the evening light through that wonderful shade. I also wonder if they are the original shades, they are certainly very vintage. Happy Anniversary Gift.
Joy
Thanks, Joy!
Love, love, love them..How perfect they are for your cottage..the glow of those shades when lit look so cozy and warm..You can’t find character like that in modern lamps girl..Enjoy!
You sure can’t, Nancy!
Love the lamps! If you should tire of them, they’d be perfect in my cottage, too. Oh, and I neglected to weigh in on that beautiful blue vase from a couple of days ago. What finds these are. So happy for you, Claudia…No, really!
Thanks so much, Shanna!
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely!!!!! what a find! I love the metal against the soft green. So happy you found them. Happy Anniversary!
Blessings, Joanne
The combination of the metal and the green is heavenly, Joanne!
Oh. My. Goodness. Gorgeous!! I absolutely love them! So glad you spotted them and for a price you were comfortable with. Major score, Claudia. Happy Anniversary to you both. :) The perfect gift, IMO.
Our anniversary is tomorrow! 32 years. We married the same year as Prince Charles and Lady Di. June was overly popular for weddings and being the scamps that we are, eloped in October.
Happy Anniversary, Kellianne! 34 years is to be applauded, my friend. We married with only two attendants in a quiet ceremony in Nevada City, CA (where Don was doing a play.)
These are beautiful, Claudia, I think they were destined to be in your cottage. The shades are just perfect and I can see the pretty glow they give off. I have a horrible time finding lamps, I’m not even happy with the ones I have!
Happy Anniversary!
XO,
Jane
I know – it’s SO hard to find a good lamp that is attractive and has some character. xo
Those lamps are just gorgeous and so you!!! I think you found a real treasure!
Judy
I think so, too, Judy. So glad you like them!
Nor only did you find a gorgeous lamp you found a Pair!!!! Love them and the shades and the finials and the colors and oh my these are perfect for your home! So happy for you. I’m looking for new lamps for my home and I’ll just pray I find something as amazing as these!!
I’m sending you positive energy for your search, Linda!
WOW! Those are beautiful!!! It is so hard to find lamps with everything you like. Lucky you! :)
Believe me, I know how lucky I am! It’s been years since I found a lamp that I love!
Claudia, I love the lamps! The shades cast such a warm glow. They’re wonderful. The little vase you are using as a pencil holder caught my eye. I have one here that is very similar. It was a wedding gift to my grandparents 88 years ago. My grandmother left a note inside with the name of the person who gave it to them along with the date of their wedding. :)
The one I have is Hull pottery – is yours marked Hull? I love the story behind your vase, Denise. It’s so lovely.
Yes, this one is marked Hull as well.
Claudia, I am late getting in this morning, But I just have to say,even tho you two are usually very frugal with money,and could have bought a lamp anywhere for a few bucks, I don’t think you really had any choice.
I for one think that was a very reasonable and WONDERFUL purchase. Just Gorgeous! Also you know they will last for as long as you need them and beyond! -Judy A-
Yes, they will, Judy! Thank you.
What beautiful lamps AND they passed the validation test! How wonderful is that!! Happy early anniversary to both of you!!!
Thank you, Claudia!
Your lamps are gorgeous! I love green, so I think your vintage marble base is lovely. The addition of that funky floral shade just puts it over the top. I agree that most lamps available today are lacking in personality and style. I always look for vintage when I can, and how lucky you were to find those lamps. What a wonderful early anniversary gift for both of you to share and enjoy!
It was serendipitous to be sure, Diane!
I can’t think of a better anniversary gift to each other than a pair of beautiful vintage lamps. Isn’t it funny how the longer you have been married, you find it’s the simple things that make you the most happy?
Happy Anniversary !!
Vanessa
P.S. Give Miss Scout a hug from our kitties.
Absolutely. We usually don’t exchange gifts but this is our 15th, so we thought we could treat ourselves.
Love the lamps. But, more important love the joy they are bringing you. Isn’t it amazing how just the right find can sometimes fill your heart with smiles? You and Don enjoy your anniversary present. Still holding good thoughts for Scout.
Amazingly, I still can’t take my eyes off them. Scout is doing better all the time, Sue.
They are even better than I thought they would be, how could you pass them up?
GO Rays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mere
Go Sox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, My!! When I saw the first picture of the lamp with the light on I uttered an “ahhh” as if I were having a “moment”!! Love the lamps! Good job!
Happy anniversary!
P.
These are two of my most favorite finds, ever!
Gorgeous! It is my anniversary today, October weddings are meant to last.
Happy Anniversary, Sue! Have a wonderful day, my friend.
Hi Claudia, Love the lamps! I also get a chuckle of you and your sister teasing about your favorite baseball teams!!
She won’t be happy today, Doris! The Red Sox won.
Hey Claudia, its great to find something you really love and not have that “it’ll do” feeling. Just enjoy the lamps, they fit right in like they were just waiting for you. Love your style.
Thank you so much, Kelly.
Claudia,
I love the lamp and the shade! What a great find. I also have that vase under the lamp with your crochet hooks in it :)
I LOVE you style and I do the same thing when I am thinking about buying something. My daughters think I’m nuts because I go back and forth “should I or shouldn’t I?” LOL Some day they will do the same thing I think.
Clara
I bet they will, Clara!
Oh my gosh, those lamps are gorgeous! The base is beautiful, but the shades…oh, my. I can see why you bought them. I have a hard time finding the perfect lamps, too for the same reasons you do. I look at Goodwill every time I’m there, and never any luck.
Unfortunately, my local Goodwill is pretty pathetic and I’ve never seen any lamp possibilities there, either!
Absolutely perfect!
Thanks, Debbie!
I have the same finial on one of my vintage lamps. Now, I will always think of your home when I look at it. Yes, I have bought a lamp purely because of the shade before. Those are a great find!
I love that you have the same finial, Maureen!
LOVE them! WOW! You have another awesome lamp that I saw in a recent post. I believe it is a floor lamp by the piano. Vintage style shade. I wanted to say how much I liked it then but today I get to give you a triple like on the lamps. Glad you both had a good day.
That floor lamp is currently on the other side of the sofa in the den, Debi.
Very funky, vintage, chic, and absolutely YOU!!! Great find. (I understand the lure of funky lamps. Life’s too short to read by the light of a boring lamp.)
Amen!
Absolute perfection!
Thanks so much, Kim!
They are magical! I sucked air when I scrolled down and saw them lit. Wow. And the sweet amber marble is the cherry on top! What a beautiful anniversary gift to each other. A perfect sweet pair for a perfect sweet pair.
Hugs,
Debbie
Aw shucks. ! Thank you, Debbie!
Beautiful lamps.
I need a new lamp for my living room, but I honestly have no idea what I want. Now you make me want to go out lamp hunting.
I LOVE vintage lamps also!!! Those are gorgeous. I truly understand validating every penny spent. I am so happy you decided to get them for your anniversary!
My anniversary today too.
Love the lamps Claudia.
I know what you mean about lamps. I wrote a post on the old gentlement George who lived next door and when he died his son put George’s much loved lamps out in the trash. Well I had always loved those lamps too, especially the shades, The Olde Curiosity Shoppe and the windows in the scene are cut outs, so the light shines through.
Now they are much treasured in my house and every time I turn them on I think of George and his dear wife Gloria, how good that feels.
Enjoy your lamps and happy anniversary.
Christy