Sunday 8 January 2012

Light and shade

The down tool phase has been an opportunity to squirrel away some light fittings.  The house is  awash with Italianate brass sprouting waterfalls of etched plastic shades. There are two exceptions - the study with a bare globe and the living room which has the crowning glory - a plastic chandelier.  It has been hung too low and Guy is always getting caught up in the multi-faceted dusty drops.

I've been to a few lighting shops.

Some of the things I've seen makes the current brass look  downright homey. There are lights with so many arms on them, they could only be put up in something the size of the main hall at Montsalvat.
 
There were also birds nests

and things to hang up when you're finished catching crayfish for the day.

That's way we turned to good old Ebay for  shopping.

Here are our buys to date.

The first light is for the hallway and comes with a chrome pole. I just have to make sure it's not too long on account of Guy's head.

Then we come to the second light which is even more beautiful than the photo.  That will also go in the hallway.
 
 The third and final light will probably go into the bedroom. Of course we are still a few lights short.
There is no light for the new room, the living room, the study or the little alcove before you get to the new room.




Yes, even on Ebay people seem to be getting rid of things that are absolutely terrible. Ebayers use the word vintage because it sounds better than demented macrame - See fantasy in red below.
 They also like to push their chandeliers.  I never knew chandies were so popular.  Note the blue plush in background in example above.
Of course there's also those ebayers who had their first trip to Asia and returned with local ware. Once back to their non-stoned selves, they realise  they've bought things that will never even cast enough light to roll a joint - and of course put them up on ebay.





On Thursday we are heading out to stay at a friend's place while the brick wall between the living room and kitchen is taken out.
So there's a bit of furniture moving required before we leave.