Wednesday, January 07, 2009

seeing the light


When we bought our home, our 1st home (this home) - We never knew that we would still be here nor did we know about the odd yet witty chandelier that came with the house.  I remember asking the previous owner (the only owner who built this home and raised a family of 3) about the history of the chandelier) and she proceeded to tell me with a spark in her eye, that she had bought it on Madison Avenue in the the 1950's at a Scandanavian Shoppe and the lighting designer was Finnish.

Many a dinner party, this fixture has been the topic of conversation and apparently promised to not one, but to many - should we ever part with it.  

A dear friend had told me when we bought our home to wait a year, watch the garden, live with things.  Wise words my friend.  Here we are, the light still reigns, and while I have envisioned other fixtures, it still hangs, my saavy blog friends have all insisted that it should be restored.

One of my chic and stylish city counterparts, told me immediately after delivering her 3rd in the hospital that she spotted my chandelier in a shelter magazine. (I will locate and post this today)  I was impressed that she had magazines in the midst of maternity, motherhood and madness.  But then of course, she has an "eye" when it comes to style scouting.

I am so glad that I did not throw it out with and leave it for the garbage man.  Surely someone like me would be out for the early morning trash to treasures hunt and pick this up to find out it is worth something.  My husband says I have a way of knowing the worth and finding things that increase in value.  I totally scored in more ways than one.  I think I am finally beginning to see the light.

25 comments:

Tara said...

Patricia

This chandelier is great-looking, different-a keeper!

preppyplayer said...

Never let go of a conversation piece, there aren't many. Please show a pic of the room it is in. I am now curious about what it looks like and the type of light it shines.

Joyce said...

Ahhh... this is one of those moments your inner voice spoke and you listened.

I'm with Preppyplayer hold on to a great conversation piece. I like that this special light hangs over your table that surrounds family and friends.

This little light seems to have a continuing story going. Enjoy!xoxo

Debra said...

It's charming- These pieces are often just what make our homes so individual and pleasing. I imagine it living among many other items that have a story to tell.
Now, if your little lamp could talk.

Kwana said...

You know how much I love it. It it were ever to end up anywhere near the end of your driveway I'd be there in a flash and then you'd be so jealous to find it down the way over my table. It's gorgeous. No matter where it is in your house. You inherited a treasure.

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Wow, is that really what it looks like? It's so wonderful!!! What a great piece to inherit with a house :-)

N said...

You must post about your foyer floor next!

Must say I was also struck by the photo of your house in the snow. Isn't there something neat about seeing your house in the snow? I love ours. Could be that it hides the lack of landscaping for now...

MIMILEE said...

Fabulous chandelier!! So glad you didn't throw it out! I love "conversation pieces" too....they are some of my FAVORITE THINGS!

Lauren said...

Love the outside of your house!

Karena said...

Excellent, so unique, it is wonderful and yes a keeper!

Rachel said...

It's amazing! So glad you didn't toss it out.

Leciawp said...

Gorgeous! I'm not surprised at all that you saw that it was a keeper; you have a great eye!

You have a LOT of snow!!

3 Peanuts said...

That is so neat~I love houses with stories to tell:) I too...would love to see it in your home, in context.

Kim

Style Court said...

Patricia -- first, congratulations on your blog-iversary!

I'm thrilled to see those windows you were talking about, and you do have an eye for great things!

Michelle said...

I love it in the brass colour...I would design a whole room around something like that...

Are you going to use it in the DR?

simply seleta said...

Great story on this light! It's a keeper. And how interesting that the previous homeowner also had 3 children.

erika said...

so glad you kept it up... i love this story. did you read about mrs.blandings lights this week, that she replaced with home depot specials? be glad you didn't get impatient... i think it's fabulous!

pve design said...

erika,
yes, that mrs.blandings story was so cleverly told.
it does take patience in making a home a house and integrity too.
thanks as always for your words and your inspiration.
pve

pve design said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Things That Inspire said...

Wise words, about living with something before making a decision. Someone once told me to live with a new piece of furniture or decor item for at least 48 hours, as it is a shock to the eye to put something new in a place. 48 hours is nothing compared to a year, but the sentiment is the same and this advice has served me well.

I purchased my current home with a hideous chandelier, and lived with it for 11 1/2 years. I finally got rid of it in January, and I am sad that I waited so long to banish it. My dining room looks SO much better now, like it has had a heavy burden lifted.

So Lovely said...

That is the most stunning chandelier. Its so whimsical and different.

Jill said...

It's an amazing one of a kind, unique chandelier...I could go on and on!

Maria Killam said...

I'm finnish and I've never seen that light fixture! It's fabulous and would look great in my 50's house as well.

Emily Evans Eerdmans said...

Your friend who told you to live with things first is a wise soul, and in good company. John Fowler said the same thing and phrased it, "Pig it in."

The chandelier is fab. And yes, please show us it in situ!

EEE

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Wow!! How great is that?! I am so glad you kept it...worth it for the conversations alone.