It’s very easy to underestimate the impact that lighting will have on Craftsman Style Homes. Using Arts and Crafts lighting fixtures in the right way will add tremendous “mood” and impart a bit of drama to your home that your visitor can’t quite put their finger on. Yes, period Arts and Crafts lighting is very expensive and out of reach for many people, but you don’t have to let that stop you. Take your time, spend a bit here, save a little there, be creative, and you will be surprised what you can accomplish.
What I did in my home was a mix… since it was new construction, I allowed for the usual pot lights recessed in the ceilings and put all of them on dimmers. In the kitchen over the island, I chose pendants with very simple clear shades. But to me where it really counted was what I call the “art glass”. Here I combined reproduction craftsman light fixtures with mid range antiques I collected over time. A huge reproduction Tiffany dragonfly lamp reigns over the piano, reminding me of a memorable trip to New York City with a dear friend. I’ve added a couple of Heintz Art Metal pieces to the great room and a table lamp with a reverse painted shade I picked up an an antiques show. That’s where the bigger money went. To those pieces I introduced quality reproduction craftsman light fixtures to the mix, and I even made a stained glass lantern for over the stairway when there wasn’t enough in the lighting budget for the one I’d wanted.
In my constant search for the unique and undiscovered, I’ve recently found an artist who makes incredible blown glass shades. He even forges the chains and bases used in on his pieces. I only wish I’d found him earlier. His scale is generous and prices reasonable for the exquisite quality he produces. I’d use his pendants over a dining room table, and one or two of his cathedral lamps on a fireplace mantel. Hand crafted artisan lighting is really a great way to add quality to your home, giving the richness of an antique at the fraction of the cost.
Remember to balance overhead lighting with pendants, table lamps, candlesticks and votives to create flattering light from many angles in the room. Mixing lighting fixtures by using various shapes and styles within the movement adds impact to any room.
My favorite way to enjoy the mood in my home at night, especially when entertaining, is to turn off all the overhead lighting, and just keep the art glass pieces illuminated. Oh yeah…there’s that drama again.
