Filament Bulbs

While there is some debate about these types of bulbs, especially in regards to their use of trendy restaurants coast-to-coast, it is true that they look pretty damn cool. But what about their energy consumption?

These particular bulbs from Roost burn at Euro 60w, which is only 15w American. This means they don’t actually use that much energy and because of the nature of the filament last longer than a typical 60w bulb.

It also means they aren’t as bright…but great lighting for a “candle”-lit dinner or to set the mood.

These bulbs come in a few styles:

Small ($9)

Tube ($13)

Large ($26)

Warm vintage glow

I don’t know what it is about jars that attracts us so. Perhaps it’s the age old human behavior of always wanting to compartmentalize everything. Perhaps it is that the contents are invariably the result of warm summer sun, that in each jar we release the fresh bounty – berry jams, heirloom tomatoes, or just peaches in syrup.

And these old jars bring us back to a simpler time. A time when all those things really mattered. A time when it was more important to spend a day making pickles from all the cucumbers in the garden than it was to download the latest iPad app. I don’t mean to say they were better times, just different ones. And important ones for us to remember; to not forget that the bounty of our gardens is not to be taken for granted, that winter is, indeed, coming.

These pendant lights from Terrain are made from vintage canning jars, oiled bronze hardware and are hardwired and ready for professional installation in your home.

We think they bring a special warmth.

$400

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Old Jars, New Light

OK. Technically, they’re re-used. Old asparagus jars made to withstand heat make the perfect vehicle for lights in these lights by Etsy producer tbDsf.

Somewhere between the modern and the steampunk aesthetic.

I think they speak for themselves.

$185

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(UPDATE: sorry…this seems to have disappared from Etsy – if you find any, please contact us….)

UPDATE: we found something interesting and close.

Old boxes: new lights

These pendants from graypants are handmade in Seattle, WA of repurposed cardboard boxes. They are unique looking and cast a really cool light. They are coated with a No-Burn spray (it’s green, don’t worry – no VOCs, Class A Fire Rating) so you won’t burn your house down.

We like the “Jupiter” series because they look like flashy planetary lights up in the mooniverse of any loft, apartment or office space. But they also come in bell shapes, stars, bean(ish) and discs.

You can get this whole set (the “galilean moon set”) together for $680 or you can get them individually from $130 to $280.

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Warm light (yet cool to the touch) LED rechargeable lights for indoors or outdoors

These LED lights provide a nice warm glow, inside or outside. After a full recharge, they will stay lit for 8 hours, so you can hang out until the wee hours with your friends if you like.

Safety? They are cool to the touch and won’t (like candles) leave soot marks on your walls (or your lungs).

Expensive? $50 for 2, $80 for 4 or $150 for 8. Seems reasonable to me.

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West coast native lighting

This light from Propellor Design is meant to fit right in on the west coast. Made from reclaimed Douglas Fir (or Doug Fir as we said in Portland), technically it’s biodegradable.

But God knows why you’d throw such a beautiful think in the compost bin.

The twig poking out the bottom is where the lamp gets is name: a wind-downed Arbutus branch from Galiano, BC.

$260

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Steampunk, modern, medieval chandelier

This chandelier from terrain is, simply put, sweet. It has an interesting old world, almost medieval feel, but at the same time a solid modern post-industrial presence.

Fits in with the steampunk aesthetic, but would make a grand centerpiece to modern architecture, Spanish motif and older turn-of-the century homes.

Plan on having an electrician to install – it’s quite heavy duty. It includes a 36-inch chain and the mounting hardware. Takes 40 watt bulbs (max). Amost 4 feet high and 20 inches in diameter.

$2,500

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Steampunk pendant lighting

Steampunk pendant lighting

This hardware store in Portland is awesome. Portland is actually a great place for hardware, oddly enough. Hippo. Chown. But Rejuvenation Hardware has stuff that is new. Which is to say, always in stock. Stuff that you really can’t find anywhere else -  including these really cool steampunk-esque pendant lights. This particular model (called the Wiley) is configurable – you can choose the handle color, canopy style, etc. Another model is a bit simpler, called the Burnside. Named no doubt after the street that slices between North and South Portland.

Both are cool.

Neither will you find elsewhere.

There are more.

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Too much? You decide...