This Must Be the Place: A weekly chronicle of designing our forever home
Let There Be (Good) Light
When we first saw our new apartment, I immediately started mentally selecting light fixtures. This is what happens when you’re a designer with a lighting obsession and a blank canvas. Lighting is one of the first layers I think about - not just because it’s practical, but because it’s transformational. One rogue flush mount can derail a room. And if the color temperature is off? Everyone looks slightly unwell, like they're about to ask if you have any Pedialyte.
In our last apartment, I made plenty of smart, budget-conscious decisions around lighting. We opted for affordable flush mounts, plug-in sconces, and off-the-rack fixtures that worked perfectly for the moment we were in. But this time is different.
This time, we’re staying. And with that permanence comes the permission and honestly, the pressure to get it right.
Here’s a room-by-room breakdown of what I’m considering so far. In a few cases, I haven’t landed on a final choice yet, so I’d love your vote in the polls below.
ENTRY
Option 1: Greenwich Globe Light by Vaughan A glowy classic with a Greek key detail and blackened chains. It has the quiet formality of a Grecian moon and emits the warmest, most flattering light. I'm in love.
Option 2: Larme Chandelier by Rose Tarlow Clean, simple, and fabric-shaded. I like that you can customize the panels (though I’d still go neutral) and it would play nicely with the more statement-making dining fixture visible from the entry.
Option 3: Traditional Japanese Lantern from Taiwan Lantern A curveball, but a good one. Tassel and all. Soft, unexpected, and quietly elegant.
DINING AREA
This is a combined kitchen-dining space - something I wasn’t initially thrilled about, but I’m determined to make it feel distinct and chic. There are no competing island pendants (recessed lighting abounds), so this fixture will carry the whole area.
Contender: Pinch Lilio Chandelier Inspired by classical Swedish forms, with a soft glow I can’t get out of my head - the abaca fiber shades! Yes, it’s a splurge. But if any one light sets the tone, it’s this one.
Also on the mood board: a painted floor, an antiqued mirror backsplash, updated hardware, and maybe, just maybe, a cocktail banquette.
LIVING ROOM
This room presented a dilemma: poorly located ceiling boxes that would require dropping the ceiling to reconfigure. And I love the ceiling height. So I’m skipping overhead fixtures altogether… I really hope I don’t regret killing these later.
But I think we can get by with lamps and maybe a couple of wall sconces.
Sconce Contender: Cooden by Collier Webb I love how functional this one is - it articulates in two spots, which is surprisingly hard to find and really useful for adjusting light exactly where you want it. Plus, the shape has a quiet elegance to it. Graceful, sculptural, and still just a little unexpected.
POWDER ROOM
I want to go wild here eventually - wallpaper, custom vanity, bold tile - but for now, we’re starting with lighting. This is where I have the most contenders, and I’m totally torn.
Option 1: Francis No. 1 Rolled Sheetglass Sconce by Henrii Elegant and artistic, with parchment-and-lacquer energy. Feels like Jean-Michel Frank meets Eileen Gray.
Option 2: CARI by Pinch Sculptural, minimal, moody. A vibe. But is it too much Pinch for one apartment?
Option 3: Mini Medici by Atelier Vime Love it. Always have. But probably not enough light for this space.
Option 4: Hieroglyph Sconce by Workstead (in natural oak) Nine bulbs. Mounted horizontally. So weird, so cool. Could be the dark horse.
STAIR HALL
There are sconces at both the top and bottom of the stairs and right now they don’t match, which I find… confusing. I want to unify them with something special but quiet.
Option 1: Urban Electric (Tuck-adjacent design) Not yet on the site, but think: melting ice cube with floral curves. Subtle, transparent, and unforgettable.
Option 2: Kerylos Sconce by François Bazin Studio Minimal projection, sculptural silhouette, and a boned fabric structure. Understated but poetic.
Option 3: Clam Shell Uplighter by Rose Uniacke A dramatic white plaster moment. Soft uplight, sculptural form, and an unexpectedly bold gesture for the stair landing. I thought I was over the white plaster craze, but now I can’t unsee it.
IZZY’S ROOM
I’m hoping not to spend a fortune in the kids’ rooms, but still want each to feel special. If all else fails, I’ll do custom pleated pendants from COM fabric. That said...
Contender: Lola Petite Chandelier by Lostine (in robin’s egg) So sweet. The color against her lilac grasscloth walls would be perfection. My only hesitation is the uplight-only effect.
GEMMA’S ROOM
We all fell in love with a butterfly globe light from Charles Edwards—but the price, plus crating and shipping from the UK, made it a no. The runner-up:
Contender: Surrey Fixture by Urban Electric (custom fabric TBD) Simple, chic, and a chance to add something fun through fabric choice.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
At first, I considered bringing our current Noguchi lantern with us—but replacing it for resale isn’t really worth it. I thought about just buying another (they’re classic for a reason), but I feel like this is a chance to do something new.
Dream Fixture: Vintage Hans Bergstrom Flush Mount Orb-like, poetic, glowy... and expensive. Also maybe too dim. So—
Most Likely: Custom lantern fixture inspired by the one I had made for my UES project (featured in Luxe) I was genuinely jealous of it. Now’s my chance.
Lighting does a lot of the heavy lifting. It sets the tone, adds warmth, and makes everything complete. It also happens to be the one thing in the room that can make you look ten years younger OR like you haven’t slept since 2014… Temperature, people!
So yes, I'm overthinking it. Because in this apartment, I’m trying to make choices that feel like they belong for the long haul. I will NOT be allowed to swap these things out in a few years (I’ve been warned).
Next week: We’re heading into the kids’ rooms - how to design spaces that grow with them, without compromising your taste or their autonomy. Pro tip: edit ruthlessly before involving small opinionated people.
Until then, thank you for helping me decide. If you’ve got strong opinions about sconces, lamps, or lighting in general - this is your moment, k?
I love seeing your new home content! I’m so excited for you! ❤️