WHITE LAMPS: ALWAYS A GOOD CHOICE

I might have a white lamp problem. Okay, yes. Yes, I do have a white lamp problem. I have too many sets of white or off-white lamps in my home to say the number out loud. :-) But white lamps are so versatile, and they elevate the look of any room. I have a small set on my kitchen counters, a pair in the breakfast room, my bedroom, the living room, and the dining room. The dining room set is what inspired this post.  

For the first time ever, I ordered lamps online, from Amazon. I was so happy, and so pleased with the quality, that I decided to do a white lamp round up of only the brand I bought. The brand is Johnathan Y. If you're shopping for lamps, just want to update a room, or step up your lamp game, here are 9 options for you.

Unfortunately, my lamp, which is Number 1 in the picture, is out of stock at Amazon, but I was able to link it for you from Lamps.com. (The price here is slightly higher than what I paid.) All of the other lamps are from Amazon. 

 Number 1  //  Number 2  //  Number 3

Number 4  //  Number 5  //  Number 6

Number 7  //  Number 8  //  Number 9

(affiliate links)

I hope this round up was helpful. Did you see one you like?

WHY I LOVE THIS ROOM: TEN TAKEAWAYS (#2)

Today's post isn't exactly a full room, but it is a beautiful spot in a room. If I had to guess,
it's a work space nestled in the corner of a family room. No matter where it is, I love it! Best I can tell, it's only missing a touch of blue and white.

I've pinned tons of pretty pictures like this one, but this one created by Patricia McLean Interiors is the one I keep coming back to. I have an area in my house that I'm working on now similar to this. It's in our living room. My desk isn't an antique, and I had been considering selling it. However, after being inspired by this picture, I think I've decided to keep it. I'm in the process of decorating it and making a space I will actually use for things like storing mail, paying bills, and maybe even grading papers or working on the blog. 

Here are the elements of this space I'm tucking away for the similar space in my house...

Ten Takeaways

ONE

The landscape picture over the desk is the perfect size and has just the right amount of color. The colors tie in nicely with the desk and all of the accessories. I also like the frame. It looks like layers of wood or metal. The gold finish is also really pretty.

TWO

The collection of books displayed with the decorative bookends is a pretty detail not to go unnoticed. It's the perfect spot for a small set. 

THREE

I really like the family photograph. I don't see many "people" pictures in decorating these days. I don't have any black and white photos printed and on display in my house, and I want to add one to my desk area, too.

FOUR

Greenery (real or faux) is a must in any vignette. But you knew that, didn't you? :-)

FIVE

The lamp is one of my favorite things on the desk. It's the perfect size. The details around the bottom and the handles on the sides give it character.

SIX

The desk itself is so gorgeous. You've probably figured out by now if you've been around Woodbank Lane for any amount of time, I prefer the old to the new. That's probably why this space had me the first time it showed up in my Pinterest suggestions. Plus, it feels like something you would see in an episode of Downton Abbey.

SEVEN

The notes or bills, maybe coupons, filed in the mail organizer helps keep the important things neat. And helps things from getting lost. I need this!!

EIGHT

The white chair and white lamp work in perfect contrast with the dark wood. No matchy-matchy decorating here.

NINE

Details make a space. Have you heard that one before? I'm inclined to agree with that statement, most of the time. Look at the bows on the back of the chair. They add a hint of femininity with that small girl-y accent.

TEN

Okay, you may laugh at his one, but even the garbage can is well-chosen. It coordinates with the white chair and lamp, and has a pretty scalloped design.

Did I forget anything? Is there anything you liked that I missed? Can't wait to get my own desk space finished up.

Kathryn

Lighting to create a lighter look...

One of the things I've been trying to do in our home for the past few years is "lighten up." 

Most of the furniture and furnishings we own were purchased in what my husband likes to call the "burnt brown era." We have dark furniture and many of the accessories we started out with were dark as well. Our house is older with dark cabinetry and darker shelving throughout. 

So, in this modern, neutral and white world of decor, what's a girl with two kids in college and number three starting in a few years to do to update her home? (Hint: I'm not rushing out to replace everything.) I'll tell you what she does. She starts small, slowly adding lighter colored accessories like pillows, pictures, and the one I'm talking about today--lamps. 

A pair of white or almost white lamps is a great way to change up or lighten up any room. It's also a good way to add a touch of modern that won't clash with your existing style.

Here are a few options that will blend with most decor.

Wayfair

Lamps Plus

One King's Lane

Safavieh - Amazon

This last one is the Mix and Match selection from Target. I found these right before Christmas and added them to our bedroom. (Yay for Christmas money!) You pick your lamp base and then add the shade that works for you. A great look, great quality, a great price, and a great starting point for creating a lighter, updated look to your home.

Target

The shade I chose had a linen look and feel to it.

It's the kind that sits right on the base.

If you don't have natural light streaming in from every angle of your house like in the magazines, the lighter look of white, cream, neutral, or even clear glass lamps will help your rooms seem brighter.

Here are a few other posts on lamps and lighting.

A Light Topic 

 DIY White Lamp 

Hand-Me-Down Brass Lamps

Do you like the look of white or cream lamps to create a brighter room? I love hearing from you!

Kathryn

Thrifted lamp before and after...

This year my school system had the entire week off for the Thanksgiving holiday, just enough time for a quick project. A few months ago I came across this large ceramic lamp on a thrifting outing. Y'all know thrift stores make me smile. You can see some of my other finds here and here.

I'd been looking online for a similar chunky style, but this one, with a $6 price tag, caught my eye. I knew all I needed was a can of spray paint, which Lowe's provided for another six dollars. :-)

You can't beat spray paint for changing up a spot in a room, a look, or a style. This apple green lamp, also mauve when I bought it, turned out just the way I hoped it would--my first attempt at spray painting a lamp. And, if I'm remembering correctly, it was $6 also. I love the pop of color it added to my red dining room.

To spray a lamp, start by taping off the cord. I went about half way down, just to be safe--I'm messy.

The paint I used is Valspar Premium Finish in Churchill Hotel Vanilla. It has the primer in the paint, so one step is eliminated. Be sure to spray the surface well, and go back over any spots that aren't completely covered. Let it dry for about an hour (maybe a little less).

From 90's mauve to 2015 neutral...

I moved the shade from the green lamp and added it to this one. My original plan was to put this lamp on my bedside table, but for now it's in the living room on a skirted table (that I hope to update with new fabric soon).

And so, my love affair with lamps, continues... Now this will work in any room in my house. In fact, you may see it somewhere else later on in the week. :-)

Kathryn

Lamp love follow up...

Those of you who know me, know if you come to my house, there will be lamps--several lamps--on in every room. What can I say? I'm not an overhead light kind of girl. 

Remember these lamps from my great aunt and uncle? 

 

After months of searching, I came across shades I liked and I felt were the right size. Originally I had the lamps in my bedroom on the bedside tables, but the boys claimed they were too tall and didn't look right. I finally, for the most part, agreed with them. So now they rest on each side of the couch in the living room. 

The brass serves as a nice contrast with the blue couch (I need to tell you about that couch one day.) and shows up nicely against the wall.

Two or three Christmas breaks ago, I painted the room Shaker Beige by Benjamin Moore. I haven't regretted the soft, neutral color at all and really, wish I had gone a shade lighter. We don't have much natural light and the brighter color lightened up the space. 

Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige HC-45

The shades are from Ross and were only $8.00 each :-) Lowe's and Target are my two other favorite places for turning an old lamp into a new lamp.

Kathryn

A little progress in my son's room...

Ok, so before I begin, here are all the reasons I haven't gotten very far in redoing and updating my son's room:

1. Summer ended.
2. Summer ended.
3. Summer ended.

You get the picture. I shared a little about my plans here. Once I'm back in the classroom full time, the updating, doing, and redoing tends to take a back seat. But, I have managed to get a few things done. And, after all, a little progress is better than no progress. Don't you agree?

I've hung the United States picture that I ordered from Smallwoods. A little more about the picture here. (The cost has gone up slightly.)

I found a shade at Lowe's for the cute lamp I picked up from the Salvation Army thrift store.

I ordered two of the Kallax shelving units from Ikea. (The first thing I've ordered from them - very pleased.)

And, I found a navy striped clothes hamper that I love at Sam's for less than $20.00. Mr. Teenager said it was girlie, but it's staying.

I'm hoping to pick up the pace in the next few weeks. With Thanksgiving break (we get the whole week off this year. Yay!) and Christmas break coming up, I'll have a dab more free time.

That hamper's not girlie, is it?

Have a great week! And thanks for reading along. Don't forget you can also follow us on Instagram, and keep up on Facebook, too.

Kathryn

A light topic...

I can't help it. I love lamps! A pair of lamps is more appealing to me than a pair of shoes. Now don't get me wrong. I like shoes, too. But lamps...that's where it's at for me.

Dining Room

Breakfast Room

Tall, skinny, short, chunky, silver, gold, new or old. They all work for me. I have lamps that I had to save up for and some that were just a few dollars. One of my favorite lamps cost $6 at a local thrift store. I spray painted it with Kilz spray primer and then added the apple green color I had been wanting in my red dining room. The lamp's shade is from Target. I looked online for something similar, but everything this large was well over $100. I felt pretty good about my $40 redo.

My most recent pair was given to me by my great aunt and uncle. I bet the lamps are 30 years old. They are really heavy brass and I love the contrast of the pretty curves and the square base. 

Now I just need to decide what room will value them the most. Bedroom or living room? 
I'm also not sure about the shades. Can't decide if black, white, or cream will work best. What do you think? Enjoy your Saturday!!

Kathryn