Things We Love Thursday – Let It Glow!

We are in love with table lamps.

We use them in almost every room in our projects, even kitchens and bathrooms when appropriate.

Table lamps give off a special kind of light that make people look and feel good. We call it ‘side lighting’ because the light shines out horizontally instead of the less flattering downward lighting. Don’t get us wrong, we also appreciate downlighting – flush mounts, pendants, or chandeliers – and specify it in every project, but for every downlight, you have to have a side light so people feel happy. You can’t have one without the other.

But today’s subject is table lamps so let’s get into why every vacation home needs them….

 

Dimming to Create Mood

Most table lamps allow guests to adjust the lighting brightness to create the desired mood. In the morning, when waking up and preparing for their day, people might choose the brightest light to get their brain firing; conversely, after a long day of excursions, they might choose to dim the lighting in order to unwind and relax.

We use vintage lamps, like this German Lava Lamp, paired with handmade fabric shades in many of our projects. This baby nicely warms up the corner of this Santa Monica living room, as well as providing a nice reading light. Design by One Chic Retreat
One of our favorite sources for vintage table lamps is Etsy. This one rocks! Vintage French Green Pottery Ring Dish Table Lamp With Pleated White Lamp Shade

Focal Points

Table lamps offer a unique opportunity to serve as a focal point or “wow” element in a room. The more style they have, the more attention they draw. Can you say conversation piece?

These brass starlights were sourced from an auction in Los Angeles. They instantly get attention in this project’s foyer, providing a ‘wow’ element. Design by One Chic Retreat
“Wow Worthy” Table Lamps from left to right: Snake Bronze Table Lamp by CB2; Dahl Lamp by Jayson Home; Walden Green Marble Table Lamp by CB2

Task Lighting

Table lamps can be used for task-specific lighting, such as reading, studying, or working. Task lighting helps reduce eye strain by providing concentrated light where it’s needed. Guests appreciate this, especially because so few vacation homes provide adequate task lighting.

This desk table lamp focuses light directly on the work surface in this Solvang vacation home. Design by One Chic Retreat
Featuring a fixed, colored glass shade and an elegantly curved metal base, the Simone Task Lamp from Anthropologie brings a retro-inspired aesthetic anywhere you place it.

Ambiance

Lamps with various shade materials and designs can diffuse light in different ways. For example, a natural fiber or fabric shade can create a warm, diffused light that softens the room, while a metal or glass shade can create a more focused and dramatic lighting effect.

This fabric shade provides a very diffuse light into this family room. Design by One Chic Retreat

 

One smooth and one textured, both from Crate and Barrel – The Formosa Stone Table Lamp and the Courbe Green Ceramic Table Lamp with Rattan Shade by Athena Calderone

Pop of Color

As you know, we LOVE color and use it extensively in our projects. One of our favorite strategies is to specify colorful table lamps to layer color here and there. Never underestimate the huge impact they can make on the design of a room.

This Suzanne Kasler Gourd Lamp in a deep French blue will be noticed anywhere it’s placed.

Highlighting Art and Decor

Table lamps can be strategically placed to highlight curtains, artwork, pillows, or other decorative elements in a room. The play of light and shadows can enhance the visual appeal of these objects.

In this Santa Monica bedroom, we chose a green lamp that flowed beautifully with the curtains, artwork, and textiles in the space. We added a touch of whimsy by hanging a beaded necklace over the neck of the table lamp. Design by One Chic Retreat

So that’s it – table lamp lovers who hopefully connected with their fellow table lamp lovers. We hope you are as enamored as we are. Let us know if you are about to buy an inappropriate amount of table lamps for your vacation home – we’ll talk you down. Lol!

Pssst…this post contains some affiliate links. Just letting you know. 🙂

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