I consider ‘lighting and hardware’ to be part of their own family. The more eclectic you are, the more you can ‘extend’ that family (mixed lighting) and the more conservative and simple you like your decor you might lean towards ‘twins’ (matching lighting). For this house I really want it to feel secretly eclectic. I don’t want a ton of patterns or colors in there, but for the lighting I want there to be a mix of styles that feels really custom and modern yet is still appropriate for a mountain house with a Scandinavian bent. I’ve been drawn to everything from woven, to iron lanterns, to fabric and utilitarian. I’m figuring out how much of it I can mix together throughout the house so that it still feels and looks cohesive, but secretly exciting and eclectic. Just like the occasional “crazy aunt” that throws things off, tells the inappropriate joke and starts the party, this house will have some unique and special pieces.
As I was researching for lighting I pinned anything that I loved that felt at all appropriate for this style (scandy, rustic, contemporary, classic, country, cabin) and found seven or eight types of lighting really standing out – all of which I was attracted to and could really see up there. Today you’ll see the first four.
Here’s my thought process. As I have been designing the bathrooms I was craving more warmth. Some of them have gold/brass fixtures, but other than that it’s white, gray, blue, black, and green. What brings in warmth is texture, natural elements, a handmade feel and of course the warmer tones or colors (red, pink, oranges, browns, mustards, etc).
Now I don’t want to throw it all off by adding in a red sconce, but I can certainly go textural, natural or handmade to bring in the warmth I want.
Up first is the super ‘California, yet kinda Scandinavian’ woven rattan or wicker lighting style.


I like how casual the wicker or rattan look is. There is nothing ever pretentious or fancy about it, and it just feels cozy and warm.

Large Cordial
Flynn Single
Grey Rattan
Handmade Rattan Basket
Santa Barbara
Bamboo M1
1-Light Wicker
Element Trient
Headlands
Laika Medium White
Lace Rattan
Gray Wicker
Java
Medium Rattan
Padma
1. Large Cordial | 2. Flynn Single | 3. White Rattan | 4. Handmade Rattan Basket | 5. Santa Barbara | 6. Bamboo M1 | 7. 1-Light Wicker | 8. Elements Trient | 9. Headlands | 10. Laika Medium White | 11. Lace Rattan | 12. Gray Wicker | 13. Java | 14. Medium Rattan | 15. Padma
Obviously, there are a million options out there, but those are my current favorites. They are less bohemian and more simple. I’m very tempted by #2, #3, #5, and #8.
Another material that adds warmth is fabric – again, it’s a texture and texture always adds warmth.



These would likely be for over a dining table as the drop is too low for a ceiling fixture in a bedroom. And there is certainly something kinda weird about using a fabric sconce in a bathroom. But I do love the warmth, texture and casual style of these as well.

Soren
Cumulus
Fabric Geo Shade
Lana
Dancing
Daydream
Ay Illuminate
Felt
Under the Bell
1. Soren | 2. Cumulus | 3. Fabric Geo Shade | 4. Lana | 5. Dancing | 6. Daydream | 7. Ay Illuminate | 8. Felt | 9. Under the Bell
#5 is insanely awesome and #7 is one I’ve used before and it’s GREAT, but not sure if it’s right …
What I really wanted, and what I searched and searched for was WOOD sconces and pendants. Nothing brings in more warmth than wood – especially in a bathroom that has no wood.



Lodge
Terho Small
Edmund
Circlet Sconce
Eikon
Stewart
Cloak
Surya
Wood Lampshade
Terho Medium
Circlet Triple
Knuckle
White Candelabra
Oak
Circlet Dish
Luna
Concentric 15
Timber Grove
1. Lodge | 2. Terho Small | 3. Edmund | 4. Circlet Sconce | 5. Eikon | 6. Stewart | 7. Cloak | 8. Surya | 9. Wood Lampshade | 10. Terho Medium | 11. Circlet Triple | 12. Knuckle | 13. White Candelabra | 14. Oak | 15. Circlet Dish | 16. Luna | 17. Concentric 15 | 18. Timber Grove
UGH. I want ALL of those, in different ways. #11 is the one that fits the Scandi vibe the most, but Brian doesn’t really like it. My favorites are #1, #2, #3, #8. #9. and #13. And yet #17 is SO TEMPTING for sconces. #6 is certainly more traditional but I don’t think that’s a bad thing – it’s just not as exciting as the others. And #5 has been seen a lot so I’ll probably shy away from that.
Next up is ceramic, pottery or porcelain.

It’s really easy just to match the finish of your sconces or pendants to your faucets or hardware, but adding a new material will certainly make it look more eclectic and interesting (if that is what you want). A different texture and finish shakes things up and I’m super into all of the below:

Forchette
Limoges
Teti
Cornet
Everly
Eido
Folk Abagail
Gooseberry
Christie
Free Form
Perforated Bell
Bell Lamp
Ceramic Fluted
Potter
Crackle Pendant
1. Forchette | 2. Limoges | 3. Teti | 4. Cornet | 5. Everly | 6. Eido | 7. Folk Abagail | 8. Gooseberry | 9. Christie | 10. Free Form | 11. Perforated Bell | 12. Bell Lamp | 13. Ceramic Fluted | 14. Potter | 15. Crackle Pendant
All of those excite me in different ways. #2 is one that I’ve eyed for a long time and it might be time to pull that trigger. I love how simple and utilitarian (thus Scandi) #3 is but worry about the scale of it, and #1 and #6 are beautiful and could definitely make it in a bathroom. #13 is more of a classic old-world vibe and #14 is Mud pottery which is stunning in person (it looks a little cold here). Most of these do not give off very good ambient light, as they are more directional but that could be fine depending on where they are used.
One of my strongest assets is also a big downfall – my openness to styles, and need for options. I wish I could be someone who could just pick a theme, style and finish and stick with it throughout the whole house. But I am not one of those people, because the more research you do into your options the more torn you can become. It’s a real battle over here.
Stay tuned for the other 4 styles of lighting that I’m considering (some WILDLY different than these) then the ultimate lighting plan where I mix a lot of these together to be one big, yes you saw that coming, happy family.
Any request or favorites right now?
Update: Check out all of The Mountain House REVEALS here: The Kids’ Bedroom | The Kitchen | The Kitchen Organization | The Kitchen Appliances | The Powder Bath | The Living Room | The Downstairs Guest Suite | The Loft | The Hall Bath | The Upstairs Guest Bath | The Dining Room | The Family Room