APT: Cobble Hill

New light fixture in the bedroom!

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OK, first of all (and I know I’m always saying this), I’m sorry about the quality of these photos. I was half-asleep when I took them this morning, and I didn’t realize my camera was on the wrong setting (the unpopular “grainy and dark” setting, apparently) until I was about to jam my boots on and run out the door. I’m too impatient to wait to take new photos tomorrow morning, so I’m calling these good enough.

Last night I pretty much bolted home after work in order to beat the sunset and get this light wired up while I still had some daylight left. All of the lights and outlets in the apartment are on the same circuit, so when I kill the power it’s pretty much everything…unless I leave the refrigerator open and rely on that to see by, but that seems like a bad idea somehow. Anyway, I managed to take the subway back to Brooklyn, stop in at the hardware store for some masonry bits and pick up a vegan pork banh mi sandwich from Hanco’s (my fourth in four days, OMG…but that’s a whole other post) in time to make it to the apartment with an hour of daylight left. YES!

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I knew as soon as we moved into this apartment that I was going to want a Nelson Bubble lamp either in the bedroom or the living room. I’ve always liked them, but I couldn’t find the right place for one in our narrow house. The apartment is much wider and more open, though.

We did our usual jaunt to the DWR Annex to see if we could get one in less-than-perfect condition for a discount, and we lucked out! They had several in stock and marked down considerably. This one was actually in perfect condition—according to the shipping label on the carton, it was returned by someone named Eileen in Rye, NY, who must have decided she didn’t want it after all before so much as taking it out of the box. Suit yourself, Eileen! Your indecision, my gain.

(This is the Nelson Ball pendant in medium, by the way, in case you’re trying to get a sense of scale. It’s about 19″ in diameter.)

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Perrrrrrrfect. I hate saying stuff like this because it sounds so cheesy, but it really ties the whole room together. I’m not a huge fan of stuff that looks super-retro-y or “atomic” or whatever, but I’ve always thought the Nelson lamps transcend that look and stop on the right side of gimmicky. They really kind of do go with everything, too.

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I couldn’t bring myself to put these photos higher up in the post, but why don’t we do a quick look back at the atrocity that this lamp is replacing? That thing on the left…oh man. I took it down and put it in storage last week, and it even worse up close that it is in a photo. I think the “metal” parts might actually be plastic? I’m not sure, but I’m glad I don’t have to see it anymore. Well, except for the matched pair that’s still hanging in the living room, haha.

As you can see from the photo on the right, I had to do a pretty hasty swag-and-coil in order to hang the new lamp in the visual center of the room next to the skylight. I still haven’t painted the ceiling, but when I do I’ll obviously repair the area around the canopy. This morning while I was in the shower I had a really good idea about how to make the swagging look better (I’ll cut the cord to the right length once I’m positive about the height, too), but you’ll have to wait and see! Unless it doesn’t work, in which case I’ll never mention it again.

And finally, here’s the indoor full moon lit up in the bedroom last night…

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31 Comments

  • Reply Hartendiefje March 19, 2013 at 4:50 pm

    What a beautiful lamp that is. Is it silk? Reminds me of the italian silk lanterns I once saw at Maison Objet fair, a few years back. Pretty full moon. Lovely!

    • Anna @ D16 March 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm

      No, the Bubbles are made from a polymer stretched over a steel frame, but Nelson was inspired by silk Swedish lamps when he designed them.

  • Reply Kari March 19, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Lovely. Pretty sure any fixture would have been an improvement on the original, but this one seems pretty perfect for this space : )

  • Reply katie March 19, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Anna, I love the Fishbone reference! The light looks great in the bedroom. I have one over my dining room table. I love it so much!

  • Reply Francine March 19, 2013 at 5:28 pm

    lol I was waiting to see how long it would take for you to get rid of that light fixture! Did you step on it then heave it into a dumpster after you removed it?

    • Anna @ D16 March 19, 2013 at 5:32 pm

      Nope, I cleaned it and put it in storage very carefully. I’m not leaving the Nelson lamp behind when we (eventually, someday) move, and it’s the landlord’s property. I’ll re-hang it when the time comes. 🙂

  • Reply Tania March 19, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    I have the exact same bubble in my living room, it lives above the chaise. Looks great Anna.

    I love the soft glow at night, it’s a very calming light.

  • Reply Lizzie March 19, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    I swear my mom has that exact light fixture, (the ugly before one!) except it’s in the form of a desk lamp that she’s had for almost 10 years and has never once turned on, hah. So yes, this gave me a good laugh. (Especially the cheer.)

    That’s a definite improvement though! It looks great, and really does tie the room together.

    • Anna @ D16 March 19, 2013 at 6:52 pm

      Oh dear! Hide this post from your mother, then, hahaha.

  • Reply Ruthie March 19, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    Oh no, I have that same light fixture in my dining room (the U.G.L.Y. one) and I kinda like it! When I toured the apartment I complimented it, and the landlord mentioned they “decided to get a little fancy” with the light fixtures. Now I’m seeing it in a whole new light (so to speak). I’ve also got a co-ordinating chandelier in the living room, that’s like the other light fixture times five. Eep!

    • Anna @ D16 March 19, 2013 at 7:47 pm

      Sorry, Ruthie! Everyone likes different stuff. 😉

  • Reply kelly w March 19, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    SO GOOD. I want a DWR Annex!

  • Reply Amanda March 20, 2013 at 9:37 am

    oh my lard, Hanco’s…. that place is amazing and I would absolutely eat there four days in a row if it was any closer to me.

  • Reply Amanda March 20, 2013 at 9:42 am

    Forgot to mention… since the mayo and butter isn’t vegan I usually go condiment-less. But have you tried their peanut-hoisin sauce? It’s amazing and goes really well on the sammies (though a slightly unconventional choice I will admit).

    • Anna @ D16 March 20, 2013 at 9:48 am

      No, I haven’t! I’ve only ordered the sandwiches to go since I just live a few blocks away, so I get them without butter/mayo and then put Vegenaise on at home.

  • Reply Paul March 20, 2013 at 10:25 am

    I have to say, I kind of like the wood baseboards, at least in your pictures.

  • Reply Grumble Girl March 20, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    BEAUTY!! Gosh, that’s great… I love it. xox

  • Reply Juliane at Modern Mural March 20, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    PERFECT lamp! Loving how it hovers over the cloud pillow. Great find. DWR is amazing.

  • Reply peggy March 22, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Oh divine! I’m so jealous! I’ve always wanted a bubble lamp. Your room is really shaping up! It’s so cute! I adore the skylight. That must be divine to lay in bed and look at the stars or a gentle rain.

  • Reply Katie March 22, 2013 at 9:44 am

    That cloud pillow is absolutely the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

    • Anna @ D16 March 22, 2013 at 9:59 am

      Cuter than Fritz and Bruno?! 😉

  • Reply Amanda March 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    that looks so good! i really need to stop being lazy and make a trip to the DWR annex. it’s not like it’s far from brooklyn!!

  • Reply Katrina March 22, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    OH the horror. I had the same tripod light fixture in my bathroom. I just removed it, inches of dust and all. I had been hunting down a side table like the one in your bedroom (!) for the last few weeks after seeing this photo:

    http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2013/03/do-or-dont-low-beds-and-brooklyn-update.html

    I bet you made yours. Did you? The closest I’ve found is the Orbit table.

    Thank you!

    • Anna @ D16 March 22, 2013 at 11:48 pm

      Hi Katrina, the little side table is from West Elm. I bought it on clearance about a year ago, though, so I don’t think they carry it anymore. 🙁

  • Reply Katrina March 23, 2013 at 10:44 am

    Thanks for the reply, Anna. It’s like hearing from a celebrity crush (blush).

    • Anna @ D16 March 23, 2013 at 10:46 am

      Hahaha, oh no!

  • Reply Michelle March 26, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Looks great Anna! So happy to hear DWR had several in stock, did they have any of the saucer shape? I’ve been so jealous of Daniel’s since he grabbed one there. If there’s a chance of getting a good deal, I may take a little roadtrip 🙂

    • Anna @ D16 March 26, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Not when I was there last, Michelle, but you can always call in advance—they’re happy to check stock!

    • Michelle March 27, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Thanks Anna!

  • Reply Maggie August 2, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Do you mind me asking where the bed is from?

    • Anna @ D16 August 2, 2013 at 5:47 pm

      Of course I don’t mind! The bed is from IKEA, and the name is GRIMEN — unfortunately, though, they’ve discontinued it.

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