Photo by Maria Killam
Did you know that all the exterior lighting, throughout Paris is basically the same? This (above) is what they all look like.
Why?
Well, once you’ve designed the perfect lantern chandelier, how many variations do you need?
Lighting is hard enough to choose without having to wade through the millions of bad options out there.
I know, one reader noted (from my last post) that she thought the sameness of Paris was monotonous, however, I have seen so much ugly builder lighting in my day, it was just nice to see beauty everywhere this past week, instead of always thinking “Ugh, what were they thinking?!?!”
Photo by Maria Killam
Since it’s exterior season, you might have some exterior lighting that needs to be replaced, so I have taken the liberty of curating some lanterns for you in a few different price points starting with the least expensive (below):
Shades of Light (comes in different sizes, a little more contemporary)
Overstock (also comes in black)
I learned something writing this post. That this kind of decorative light fixture (above) is called a mustache light.
French Market Lanterns (they also have a pretty mustache version)
Make sure you check the measurements before you order to ensure the scale is right for your home.
Also, many of the above lanterns have coordinating hanging chandeliers or smaller and larger sizes in the wall sconces. Also if you need a lamp post at the end of your driveway, you will find them too.
This is one area (outdoor lighting) where it looks the best for all the lighting to be the same which seems contrary because lighting inside your home looks the best when it’s coordinated.
And, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, it’s all the same in Paris too!
When I wrote this review on Brook and Steve Giannetti’s last book, I noticed their outdoor sconces and chandeliers are also almost identical to the style seen throughout Paris.
Terreeia and I left Paris yesterday and took the train to Amsterdam for a week! Now we’re actually working for the next five days doing Business Mastery! Follow along on my stories here.
Terreeia (pronounced Maria with a T) and Maria
We are still looking for a meeting room for 30 people in half rounds in Denver! Please email Kelly here if you can help us out with a recommendation!
See all the dates for my Fall live colour workshops here.
Which lantern is your favourite?
Related posts:
How to Coordinate Coffee and Accent Tables, Like a Designer
Maria – love how we all look at things of beauty different .
Where one sees beauty some one else sees to ornate .
The person who loves ornate sees the contemporary as to plain .
Where one sees wrong another sees right …
Beauty comes in different shapes / sizes etc…
thank goodness we have choices so we can all enjoy what is beautiful to us !
Enjoy your vacation !!!
Thank you for this post – I need black outdoor lighting so this is timely!
I love the streetlights in Paris because they go with the style of the buildings. I also adore the Art Nouveau Paris Metro stations, which coordinate well with the street lights. I agree that having your outdoor lighting from the same fixture family looks best because the outside of your house is generally viewed as a whole, whereas the inside is generally seen as coordinating spaces that can be treated differently as long as they flow well. Your lamp selections would work for many homes, however they would look awful on my contemporary house. My favorite outdoor lighting matches the style of the house. Nothing looks worse than a light fixture that has nothing to do with the style of the house!
Thanks for your comment Amy! Yes for sure the light fixture should go with the style of the home! Maria
I was just speaking to a friend and saying how American architecture and buildings are so blah and shoddy compared to Paris. Over there, walking down the street and looking at the beautiful balconies and how they decorate them is so fun.
I like all of the lantern that you posted. Actually mine is #3. I have had it for years and still love it!
I can’t imagine being bored in Paris. I love history and just the history alone is fascinating! The beauty of the whole country is like walking in a dream. Sometimes sameness is beauty in itself.
Have been looking for outdoor lamps for my deck and property for a long time. I love the lamps in Paris (and in Europe) but they seem too beautiful from my ugly80’s vertical cedar sided House of No Particular Style.The nautical type lamps have no relationship to the house, the mission type lamps are for mission houses (although everyone uses them and it looks strange to me) and my house is def not a colonial despite my being in New England.Im thinking of stucco’ing my house to get a little character , putting a pointy cap on the slanted top silo bump out that are my main stairs and maybe then the Paris lights might look a bit more at home. Right now it looks kind of camp bunk to me….. Can’t wait to see your next adventures in Europe! Enjoy!
Perhaps a contemporary lamp would look best. : ))
You have a contemporary home and need to embrace it, not fight it. There are many ways to update it to the new millennium without going against its basic style. Staining the cedar and adding contemporary lighting are ways to take it from “ugly” to attractive. You could hire Maria to help you!! 😉
Hi Maria –
Our favorite outdoor lighting source, made right in the French Quarter of New Orleans, is Bevolo Lighting.
http://www.bevolo.com
Check out their gorgeous styles, both classic and modern!
Thanks Anne Marie! xo
I was just going to recommend Bevolo also. Scrolling through their gallery on their website is always fun. They also have a design staff to help individuals choose the most appropriate lighting for their application. My personal observation, many choose fixtures that are too small. Don’t be afraid of it!
Thank you for the curated selection Maria. In addition, Brass Light Gallery in Milwaukee has a beautiful selection of exterior lights, and will also make custom. I had them make my interior alabaster and brass ceiling fixture and I love it. They have a store and factory, but I ordered by phone and internet and mailed samples.
Love those beautiful Parisian lanterns! I hope you and Terreeia have a wonderful time in Amsterdam!
Thanks for sharing this great post! Hope you and Terreeia are having a great time!
Yes, i think Parisian styles better.