You Light Up My Life – Lighting Resources for your Home
I like to think of lighting and chandeliers as accessories or jewelry for your home. They are a fun and relatively inexpensive way to make a style statement in any room and they enhance the feel or mood of the space you are illuminating. As a serial decorator and re-decorator and moving addict I have a few go-to, consistently “good” places for lighting that I will share with you.
- Shades of Light – catalog and online: unique, well-curated selection of chandeliers, pendant lighting, sconces, shades, vanity lighting, etc. $$
- Pottery Barn – catalog, storefront and online: a wide range of classic designs with an established level of quality including ceiling fans, flush mounts, bathroom vanity lighting and chandeliers, etc. I especially like their bathroom lighting. $$
- Ballard Designs – catalog, storefront and online: To me these light fixtures are quintessentially southern with preppy, coordinated designs, shades, etc. $$
- Serena and Lily – catalog, storefront (though not in Charlotte) and online: sophisticated fixtures with coastal feel featuring rattan, seashell and wicker elements. The company sells chandeliers, pendants, sconces, etc. $$$
- Rejuvenation – catalog, storefront (based in the Pacific Northwest and closest store to NC is in Atlanta) and online: their tagline is “Built on the past. Crafted for the future” – quality craftsmanship is their hallmark and you can get beautiful timeless classics or vintage/antique light fixtures. Outdoor lights, wall lights, track lights, chandeliers, vanity lighting and fans are all available. $$$
- Lee Lighting – storefront (in Pineville): wonderful showroom featuring all types of light fixtures at varying price points with helpful sales associates. It can be beneficial to shop in-person so you can see size, dimensions, proportions of potential lighting as well as details. $$
- Cost Plus World Market – storefront and online: inexpensive, unique chandeliers and pendants are mainly what Cost Plus has for lighting and if you have a good eye, you can pluck out something fun and original. I have purchased a modern chandelier there that looked like it was from a much more high-end store. Most products are in-stock which means you can shop, buy and install same-day. $
- Restoration Hardware – catalog, storefront and online: quality, luxury and style. Like everything you getat RH, expect high-end and substantial light fixtures such as chandeliers, flush mounts, sconces, etc. $$$