My Upstairs Residential Lighting – Everything I Used (Parts 1 & 2)

Hi Everyone,

Today we are going to look at the rest of the lighting upstairs. If you’ve already read part 1, please click the link below to read part 2. If you’re here for the first time, or wish to review, please begin from the top.

 

Part 2 Begins Here

 

Hi Everyone,

Today, we’re going to begin a post that will delve into the details of all the residential lighting and fixtures I used in my newly renovated historical Boston condo. I will review all the fixtures and also share what I would have done differently, if anything.

However, I was doing better with my back and hip, but over the weekend, just when I let up on the Tylenol, it decided to come back full force on Monday. The upshot is that this afternoon, I was able to go to a walk-in, crawl-in orthopedic clinic affiliated with Mass General in Brighton, a neighborhood located north of Brookline, a different city.

 

I had X-rays and they found a bit of arthritis, and get this, I have mild scoliosis.

 

Huh?

I’ve had my spine x-rayed before, and no one ever told me that. The PA said my sacroiliac looks good, and he thinks it’s a muscular issue. I will start physical therapy (PT) next Tuesday.

So, this post will be in installments. Believe it or not, I began this post last Monday.

 

Laurel, for the love of God, why are you not resting?

 

I am resting, but not posting makes me anxious because it means a loss of needed income. In any case, I have rested. Well, that is… if spending hours figuring out who killed JonBenet Ramsey constitutes “rest.” Let’s just say it’s become a bit of a hobby of mine.

 

Do you mean JonBenet Ramsey, the beautiful little girl who was ‘kidnapped’ in her own home and strangled to death? Didn’t that happen nearly 30 years ago?

 

Yes, it did, and I remember it vividly. JonBenet was born the same summer as my Cale, who incidentally is THIRTY-FIVE today. (June 18th)

I know. How did that happen?


Above is Cale five years ago when we were in Northampton, MA, having a big 30th birthday celebration where he was living.

I didn’t know it then, but six months later, I would be packing to move to my new home in Boston.

 

So, have you figured out who killed JonBenet Ramsey?

 

Yes, I think so.

However, unless you’d really like to debate that topic, let’s return to our discussion of residential lighting. Okay?

 

I bet you think it was her brother Burke, right?

 

Sorry, but the answer is absolutely NO WAY did Burke kill his little sister.

 

But, Laurel, the pineapple! 

 

Sorry. Irrelevant.

Please, let’s move on.

 

Wait, you’re not going to tell us who you think killed JonBenet Ramsey?

 

Sorry, no.

 

Oh, come on, Laurel. You can’t leave us hanging like that.

 

Well, I can, but I believe the late, brilliant Dr. Cyril Wecht, a forensic pathologist and a lawyer, explains what happened in his book, “Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?”

 

So, there. I told you without telling you.

 

 

 

Do I think justice will ever be served for the murder of this beautiful little girl who would be turning 35 in August?

Exceedingly unlikely. At least not in our earthly lifetime. For whatever reason, this individual appears to be above the law. So be it.

 

***

 

Okay, let’s begin upstairs! I think we’ll stick to the kitchen and entry for today as we take a close look at my residential lighting throughout my Boston home.

 

I took these images last Monday and Tuesday in the late afternoon and early evening, and it was a gray day; not the best lighting situation, but I think it’s interesting to look at things in different lighting. Sometimes the camera sees things incorrectly. That might be due to the LED lights.

Below are two similar images of the kitchen. I couldn’t decide, so you get both.

 

[Please note that there will be a widget at the bottom that has all linkable fixtures. For more information, click on the image.]

 

kitchen lighting my Boston brownstone renovated kitchen

 

Knowing that I would have a good-sized hanging fixture in the middle of the living room, I decided it would be best to do two identical semi-flushmounts for the kitchen and entry ceiling lights.

This is a stylized schoolhouse fixture and vintage milk glass. The diameter is 12″, but distortion makes it look smaller than that. I got them on Etsy.

 

The sconce is the Katie Acorn sconce from Visual Comfort.

 

Please note that many of the Visual Comfort fixtures can be found on One Kings Lane. If you use the promo code: 20OFF, you can get 20% off on just about everything on OKL!

 

residential kitchen lighting

In many ways, the upstairs acts very much like an open concept. While there are walls, the entry and kitchen are both open to the living room, which in turn is open to the den, stairwell, and vestibule (the small area located in front of the bathroom).

The upstairs is just shy of 800 square feet, which is the same size as my one-bedroom apartment in Bronxville. However, that apartment was far less open in its layout.

Please, no complaints about the microwave and the fact that the cabinet isn’t styled to your liking, etc. They are low on the triage list. However, I have scheduled my window cleaning for July 3rd!  And tomorrow, a tech from Verizon is coming over to hopefully fix my TV.

 

One of the biggest debates for me was whether to install recessed ceiling lights, also known as high-hats, in the kitchen.

 

Ultimately, I determined that with one ceiling fixture, one sconce, one or two table lamps, range lighting, hood lighting, a glass cabinet light, and LED strip lights, I would have ample lighting for my 90-square-foot kitchen (excluding cabinetry).

 

And, I was right. I never turn everything all the way up.

I’m not saying you can’t have recessed lighting in a kitchen; however, please consider other forms of lighting, especially table lamps and sconces. I’ve always loved how Nancy Keyes used two vintage lamps in this kitchen, as well as her own, which you can see here!

Below are the two lamps I got from Stenella Antiques on Etsy.

 

 

While there are supposed to be two lamps in the kitchen, I have one of them in my bedroom. It looks great in both rooms, but I really love it in the kitchen. However, I need to find two lamps for the bedroom. I’m not in a rush for that.

Kitchen finishes - Mario Buatta for Wildwood porcelain lamp

 

In retrospect, is there anything I would change?

 

Yes, remember how I was fiddle-farting with vintage fixtures and not one, but two came broken from eBay? Then, I got a third glass fixture and hanger, which I didn’t end up using.

 

Beautiful milk glass shades

However, I eventually found the fixture I had wanted in the first place, and there were two of them.  A better view of the two ceiling fixtures is the one on the left. However, I love all of these vintage pieces.

 

Still, the piece I got needed a new fitter as I wanted a semi-flush mount, not a pendant.

 

In the end, I’m super happy with the vintage semi-flushmount milk glass fixtures, and all of the lighting, for that matter.

 

residential lighting in my living room June 2025

 

Above, is an example of how the camera made the kitchen too yellow and removed the orange from the entry lampshade. I can’t wait for the tapestry repro to get installed, but it might take several more weeks. It looks amazing from the living room and will be even better when it’s up for real.

As for the lighting, I love how all of the pieces work together. Next time, we will review the remaining upstairs fixtures. And then, we’ll go downstairs.

 

Below is a widget with all the fixtures I used, as well as a couple I could have used for the ceiling pieces in the kitchen and entry.

 

 

Okay, we’ll continue the review of my residential lighting on Sunday!

In the meantime, I’m still working on the entry wall covering, and David should have the revised print for the living room back to me in a week or two.

Please also enjoy this post from March 2022, when you can see me struggling over my kitchen lighting plan.

There are also numerous terrific lighting ideas in this post.

xo,

 

 

*********************************************************

Part 2 Begins Here

 

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Hi Everyone,

Happy official start to summer!

I understand that a significant portion of the country will be subjected to scorching temperatures. So, please stay safe.

Today, we will finish the upstairs residential lighting.

Before I begin, while most of you are wonderfully kind and supportive, occasionally, there are a few who are not. Those comments are removed. It’s rare, but I’d rather not read them at all.

 

Please be kind to everyone. Don’t be jealous. Everything is on loan.

 

Nothing is ever perfect.

Everything is much better.

I am mostly thrilled with everything, and it’s okay if you’re not.

 

However, please note that what you see in the photos may not always accurately represent reality.

 

When photographing, I usually need to use a wide-angle setting to capture elements that are high up. That’s not a function of photography skills. It’s a function of wanting to show you what is there, and what is there is not the same as what the eye sees. Thus, there’s distortion in some of the shots.

Elements in the middle and at the back appear smaller than they actually are. Elements on the edges look larger and are flattened out.

 

The reality is that one doesn’t usually notice the light fixtures that are above eye level. I mean, not at all.

 

Living room - June 21 2025 - low distortion

 

Looking above, this view is at most what the human eye can see.

 

Not this, below.

Residential lighting - living room Alabaster pendant

Someone complained about the size of the chandelier and the depth of the sofa.

I’ve written about them ad nauseam, and I’m exceedingly happy with them. However, there’s considerable distortion in the image above.

 

residential lighting my Boston Brownstone
There is also distortion in the above photo. The chandeliers are both perfectly level.

iving room lighting looking into the den

Above, the sconce on the right seems a bit too small. That’s distortion again. See? Sometimes the sofa appears foreshortened, as shown in the image above. And sometimes it’s super stretched out.

 

stretched out sofa from lens distortion

The coffee table is also stretched out.

Living room - June 21 2025 - low distortion

 

Do you want to know what makes me happy?

 

It’s when I get things accomplished, which is often difficult for me.

I finally got my TV fixed. Well, fixed so that it turns on. The surround sound isn’t working. For that, I need an AV person. However, Verizon came out and at least got the TV working.

 

Okay, let’s finish the fixtures.

Some pieces, like the tole lamps in front of the windows, I’ve had for a long time.

 

 

The Anglo-Indian sconces I won at an auction in October 2023.

Here’s when they were installed, one year after I brought them home.

 

I desperately wanted to get rid of the track lighting on three of the walls, but needed light up high to help illuminate the art and dark corners.

 

The 18″ Cabinet Maker’s picture lights were a beautiful solution!

In retrospect, while the LED bulbs are okay, they’re not great.

Finally, in the living room are the fabulous Alabaster chandeliers from Brass Light Gallery are truly magnificent, and I was greatly relieved that I did not order the 30″ size. These are 24″ and IN the room, they are hunky and feel just right when juxtaposed with the antique fireplace mantel.

If you recall, I purchased a 30″ tray. As soon as I took it out of the box, I realized that the 30″ size would be too big in the living room, and cartoonishly big in the den.

Den alabaster light residential lighting

The reality is that the den ceiling is a bit too high for the size of the room. Incidentally, above, you can see the distortion of the dining chair seat and the lamp table on the far left very clearly. The den appears to be at least 15 feet across to the opposite wall, but it’s actually only 10 feet.

I’m so glad the Chinese Chippendale coffee table works so beautifully in the den.

 

den residential lighting - yellow Chinoiserie lamps

 

This room needs more work. However, I’m so happy to have the wainscoting, new doors, and lovely teal paint.

In this room, we left the recessed lighting as is. It’s not that I didn’t want it changed, but it would have been very expensive, and I don’t think it’s worth it. Still, the room could use one or two more lights.

 

In addition, my electrician asked if I wanted more outlets in the den, and I should’ve said yes.

 

However, I’m making do with what I have.

There are two more recessed lights. One is located in the vestibule (below) and the other is in the bathroom. I hate them both, but I needed the light.

vestibule recessed light next to smoke alarm
See what I mean? What appears to be a second light is actually some sort of odd reflection. What should I have done instead? A chest with a lamp would be nice in that shallow area where the ugly cabinet was. I’m still looking. The piece I bought for that spot is downstairs in my bedroom, and I’m very happy with it there.

 

entry with tapestry draped over one jib door

I can’t wait to have the tapestry installed in the entry, but it’s still going to be a while.

 

Living Room sunny afternoon June 21 2025

 

Above is the view from the den of the living room, on a bright, sunny afternoon today.

Okay, that’s it for the upstairs lighting. I’m very pleased with how it turned out, and most importantly, the lighting is warm and beautiful.

 

xo,

 

***Please check out the recently updated HOT SALES!

There is now an Amazon link on my home page and below. Thank you for the suggestion!

Please note that I have decided not to create a membership site. However, this website is very expensive to run. To provide this content, I rely on you, the kind readers of my blog, to use my affiliate links whenever possible for items you need and want. There is no extra charge to you. The vendor you’re purchasing from pays me a small commission.

Amazon ad

To facilitate this, some readers have asked me to put

A link to Amazon.com is on my home page.

Please click the link before items are added to your shopping cart. Some people save their purchases in their “save for later folder.” Then, if you remember, please return and click my Amazon link, and you’re free to place your orders. While most vendor links have a cookie that lasts a while, Amazon’s cookies only last up to 24 hours.

Thank you so much!

I very much appreciate your help and support!

29 Responses

  1. Hi Laurel, your curved kitchen cabinet is just spectacular. Every time you post it I mentally swoon. Gorgeous!!

  2. May I take a moment to say how absolutely gorgeous your floors are after all of your consternation and experimentation. WOW! The yellow lamps against the teal in the den are also beautiful! Thanks for generously sharing. Praying for relief of your back and hip pain 🙂

  3. Truly award winning design! Thank you for sharing not only the design, but the thought process behind it.

  4. I was trying to think about what I love most about your place, and I think I finally came up with an answer. It is the feeling I get when I look at the pictures. It’s not just drooling over all the gorgeous details, but the way you’ve put everything together literally makes the tension release from my body as I look at the pics. I can imaging I might have an even stronger experience if I were there in person! There is something so comfortable, welcoming, and livable in your space, even though it’s also elegant and refined. I’m in awe of you and your talents, Laurel! I’m so glad I found your blog so many years ago :]

  5. I know the post was about lighting but I can’t help but admire a few other things that are shouting amazing at me…. 1. palette. The paint colors was after some serious research and wow it’s lovely. Warm and light and interesting and cozy and dressed up. The best w. The fireplace and all the supporting items. Jaw dropping. Lighting my admiration is on table lamps since I’m shopping for them now. The other lighting is wonderful too but I really say wow for the table lamps…. Hope I can do well with my choices. Thank you for sharing.

  6. Dear Laurel, I admire and appreciate the thoughtful way you make decisions and the beautiful results you have created. What I am curious about is function–how you use your spaces. For example, what you do in the living room vs. the den, where you usually eat, and most of all, where you work (and keep all the associated paraphernalia? I personally spend the most time at my desk, surrounded by shelves, work in progress, and of course lots of electronics. So, I always pick my favorite spots for this wherever I live. In your space, maybe the den, or sleep there and use the bedroom. Not suggesting that would be right for you! But I’d love to understand how you originally thought those functional decisions through when planning your layout to begin with? Thank you!

  7. Hi Laurel,
    I had no idea how some pictures can be distorted. I was only aware of how lighting can be altered.
    There’s so much I still can learn. Thanks for being my teacher.

  8. Laurel, teal is my favorite color so seeing so much of it in your beautiful home is a treat. Thanks for sharing it with us!

  9. This double post is as interesting for the problems of photographic distortion as it is for the lighting choices! One often needs a reality check when looking at photos on real estate listings, and the length of a sofa is a good indication that a room is not as big as it’s made to seem.
    Your lighting is as carefully curated as the rest (a lot of agonising as I remember) and it’s turned out beautiful. As always, the only problem is the horrors of LED lighting and its colour distortion. Halogen is now the only alternative here, as our stockpile of incandescent bulbs is fast disappearing.
    Nothing to do with the lighting, but may I ask where you got the long verdure cushion on the sofa? It’s a great addition which provides another repetition with the other cushions and the tapestry in the entry.

  10. Hi Laurel,
    I am a former architectural lighting designer and I have to say, your fixture choices are, IMO, perfect for your elegant, timeless interiors. I have been watching your posts, periodically, for a long time and am so happy to see your kitchen in its glory. Congratulations! What a gorgeous space! And I almost cried when I saw your microwave oven. We used to have one just like it and it died, and there are no more are to be found. Take good care of it, and if you have a source for a replacement, please lmk! Best wishes in your PT journey. Back pain is no fun. Hopefully things will calm down for you. Take care!

  11. Laurel, I really like all the lighting you have chosen and I feel similar about LED. I regret not stockpiling incandescent and halogen bulbs when they were still legal. I have finally found an LED bulb that I can at least live with. It is the GE LED HD light that is equal to 75W (850 lumens). I think it is the “HD” that makes the difference. I know that you like dim lights, but I assume your fixtures have dimmers so maybe these would work for you.

  12. Hi Laurel,
    Have loved following you & enjoying the transformation of your beautiful home. I love your kitchen! I am a retired designer and always felt it was much more difficult to work on your own home than your clients. I am curious about one thing; why did you choose the milk glass fixture over an understated chandelier?

    Hope you feel better soon.
    Best wishes,
    Jane

  13. Although your “style” is not my style, I loved following your Reno journey! There is much to learn from you and the results of the dust and dirt are truly beautiful.
    I also enjoy your sense of humor and all that you share about your family. Nice to know you are authentic!
    Did I miss the final GRAND TOUR? I would love to see the before and after pics. Unfortunately the videos have so many commercials that I just turn it off without seeing the entire video. So frustrating!
    Take care, Laurel!

  14. Hi Laurel,
    I was just diagnosed with scoliosis recently also. I’m a few years older than you. It came as quite the surprise. I think it’s causing me to shrink in height.
    I love all of your lighting. It’s perfect for your home. Recessed lighting needs to be restricted to surgical spaces.
    Since you mentioned a true crime story, I’m surprised it wasn’t the Karen Read verdict. She’s a fellow Boston resident that’s been in the “true crime” headlines. It’s such a horrible story in so many ways.
    Happy birthday Cale!

  15. All of your lighting choices are so appropriate for your home! Plus, the scale of the ceiling fixtures is perfect. As I remember what the rooms looked like before you started the remodeling, it is SO satisfying to see how beautifully the spaces have been transformed. I never get tired of looking at the rooms as you continue furnishing them.

  16. Hi Laurel! Every time you show this view of your home I swoon at the curve of the kitchen cabinet and counter on the left-hand side! Brava! As for the scoliosis – I had an “s” curve at 16 (in 1979) that was corrected with surgery. Send me an email if you want more intel as to this diagnosis. Seriously, I doubt you need to worry too much! Keep your core strong and keep enjoying your dynamic life! xo

  17. Laurel, I love everything. It is all beautiful. Thank you for taking us all on this journey with you. I appreciate that you have taken your time to decide what you want. It gives me hope that I am not crazy taking a considered (slow) path in decorating my home.

  18. PS: and it looks like predictive text decided I didn’t want to spell “Jacob” or “love” either! 🤣🤣🤣

  19. I haven’t looked into the Ramsey case, but my heart was always with Jacib Wetterling’s family when he was kidnapped in Minnesota when I was a child. Such sad stories.

    Your lights, however, led me to a funny story … I live your dolphin lamp, so I clicked the link, and was told it was sold out on Etsy. But “based on my recent search,” Etsy suggested two dragon resin lamps, and two models of the Chernobyl nuclear plant 🤔🤔🤔🤔 It is always a hoot to see what the AI bots think we would like 😂😂😂 No, thanks, I only get what is Laurel-suggested … passing on the Chernobyl models!

  20. Speaking of trees – would a tall tree, palm etc., look good in your living room? Great choices in lighting. They really set the old-world tone.

    Maybe your ballet training kept the scoliosis at bay? Hope it heals quickly.

  21. Your kitchen is beautiful, but when I first saw the drop-dead gorgeous lamp that you chose for the counter, it proved that hiring an interior decorator is worth every cent of the cost. Most people don’t even have a lamp in the kitchen. It is that kind of detail, flair and taste that takes the decor to a professional level that most of us couldn’t have accomplished.

    BTW, the true crime site Websleuths has an extensive forum on the JonBenet Ramsey case. I think the majority feel that her mother accidently killed her in a rage over her bed wetting, and obviously the crime scene was staged.

  22. I have followed you since Bronxville and just love how your remodel has turned out. Wish your little tree had lived . Good luck with your therapy and keep the great posts coming!

  23. Hi Laurel,
    Wishing you all the best in your therapy. I have scoliosis as well, but fortunately it has not caused me any issues. It’s at least a 30 degree curve, probably more now as I haven’t had it reevaluated in many years. Anyway, I was wondering why you don’t have a picture of your kitchen with the ceiling light on? I would love to see how that looks on. Your home is beautiful!

    1. Hi Carrie,

      There are two reasons why there aren’t many lights on.

      One, I can have it on super dim and it looks like there’s a 300 watt bulb in the fixture. The back cabinet also photographs very white as does the range lighting. It makes the tiles look super white, but in reality, all the lighting is warm and soft.

      Two, there are LED lights in most of the fixtures and they flicker; not perceptibly to the human eye, but it confuses the camera lens which usually has trouble focusing. I still have that issue. The only fixtures with incandescent bulbs are the living room wall sconces.

  24. Your kitchen photos reminded me of how much I love all the trim and the cabinets in your kitchen (even though I know I was supposed to be looking at the lighting.)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome To Laurel Home!

laurel-aarons-18th-e1456449963926

Hi, I’m Laurel, and Laurel Home is the website and blog for Laurel Bern Interiors.
I’ve been creating new-traditional interiors since 1988. The blog is where I share all.

New Edition, November 2024! Get The Indispensable Guide For 100s of Home Furnishings And Interior Design Sources That Everyone Is Raving About

laurels-rolodex-final-book-cover-master 11th edition 24-2025

laurel home archives

Categories:

Please click the image below for more info about my rockin’ Interior Design Guides for 2025!

Laurel Home Interior Design Guides 2025
Amazon ad

please click below to check out my favorite decorating & design books

Laurel Bern's Favorite Interior Design and Decorating Books