La La La Lanterns

I have a certain fascination with lanterns. 

photo by http://www.railroadiana.org/

Not new shiny, pretty lanterns from Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware, but more like old rusty, smelly lanterns that no one else wants.  The crustier the better :). 

 I think lanterns look great inside or out, formal spaces, or casual beachy or cottagy (is this a word?) spaces.  Plus you can get great looking outdoor lanterns at Lowes or Home Depot for a fraction of what you would spend at the designer stores and still get the same look.  Case in point:  Here are two currently for sale at Home Depot and Lowes that would look great in someone's smaller foyer or over a table in your eat in kitchen..

For $59 bucks, you can't beat it. 

Or this one from Lowes   which would be fabulous as a sconce flanking a mirror or your favorite piece of art. 

For me personally, I love the challenge of finding something old that has a story and a past and using it in a different way or giving it a new life.




  I mentioned in a previous post (or did I?) that I found two huge rusty, nautical lanterns a few weeks ago at a Classy Flea.

This is the before

I fell in love immediately.  


First I cleaned them, then turned them upside down and had Mr. Rubbish drill a hole on the top.

I then installed a pendant light kit....

Went to Home Depot and purchased a rope, jute twine and connected them to an old vintage nail.  

And now they are beautiful pendants perfect for a beach house or to add a little industrial flair to your modern country home.  

What do you think?  

xoxo,
Karen


Interested in purchasing? Go to my Etsy store here!