LANTERNS IN THE KITCHEN

Finally, I've had a chance to photograph the big project that I've teased you about, then went on trip after trip before having the time to post about them.  

This project was waiting in the wings (a.k.a. the garage) for a long time.  I purchased these about 8 months ago at our Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  They were brand new in the box so they had several, but they were dated by their bright, shiny, brassy finish.

However, with their classic shape, large size and $50 price tag I knew I had found some winners.  I took the measurements and went home to consider them.  I wasn't sure on the size, so I made a very crude mock-up with some posterboard to get an idea of what they might be like over the island.    

It's may be hard to tell from the photos, but these lanterns are LARGE.  They are about 18" wide and the main lantern portion (not the chain) is 30" tall.  We decided to hang them a little high just to have plenty of head clearance, so the bottom edge is 38" from the top of the counter.  They are spread apart just a little more than I wanted them to be, but we had to work with the position of silly things like studs and ceiling braces.  Whatever.   

Everything in me wanted to paint those lights a fun color, but since our floor plan is so open I thought I'd better keep it consistent with the other lighting, which is all Oil-Rubbed Bronze.

One of the best parts is the cool shadows these lights throw up on the ceiling.

Did you notice the new design on the chalkboard wall?  I borrowed some lyrics from one of my favorite Brad Paisley songs...I think it's so true and applies to so many things in life!

Here's a little before shot without the lanterns:

And after:

Soon I'll have a follow-up post to show you what it took to make these lights work for our kitchen.  (*edited to add- go here to see the details of how we installed the lights.)  It was a semi-major project and there's lots of details!  I have one more project getting done right away in the kitchen, and if you follow my "Kitchen" board on Pinterest you might have a clue as to what it is!

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*A note on Commenting...

I wanted to make sure that you all know that I appreciate your comments SO much!  They truly keep me going. I've made a new commitment to answer each comment in a timely fashion, so if you don't get an e-mailed reply from me, it means that your comment came to my spam folder as a no-reply blogger and I can't respond.  Rats, but that's been happening a lot lately, even with many of you established bloggers!  Just wanted to let you know what the problem is in case you don't hear from me.  

Also, if you've e-mailed me a specific question or comment and I haven't responded, please ask me again!  I'm trying to go back through my inbox to those I might have missed, but I'm afraid some might have slipped through the cracks since I've been gone so much this summer.  I want to be as helpful as possible, so just get back with me again!

Thanks again!

Linking up with:

Sew a Fine Seam

The Shabby Nest

Thrifty Decor Chick Before & After Party

It's Overflowing