Southern Living Idea House by Historical Concepts
One of my favorite design elements in a home is charming outdoor lighting. I’ve added an outdoor lantern to the porch of almost every house we have owned in the past. So far in this house we haven’t changed any outdoor lighting, but these delightful ideas are inspiring me!
Wendy Posard & Associates (you might remember this one from one of my all-time favorite dream house tours in this post!)
Archer and Buchanan Architecture Ltd, Bryn Coed Farm
I know we just took a sudden jump inside after checking out some exteriors :), but don’t forget you can use outdoor lighting inside too! Many of the lights in my home are actually labeled as outdoor lighting, including my dining room light! See the source list for all of my lighting here.
Find outdoor lighting I love HERE on Amazon!
PS. It’s time for nominations at the Better Homes and Gardens 2015 Blogger Awards! I was beyond honored to receive the Reader’s Favorite Decorating Blog 2014. This year’s nominations are open now and it’s super easy to do! Thank you all so much for your support! **Update* I was honored two years in a row, 2015 and 2014 to be voted as the Reader’s Favorite Decorating Blogger at Better Homes & Gardens magazine! Thank you SO much, friends! It means the world to me!
Love your Blog and good luck in 2015!
Much love, Dee Kelly
Using outdoor lighting inside is a great tip. I recently switched out my bathroom fixture & used outdoor sconces in its place. It was far less expensive as well!
Yes, indoor lanterns can be very welcoming. I also have added them to my interiors, especially at the Island home since they are part of the landscape in a marine environment. Do not forget to check out well loved ones since someone is always “updating” their lighting. I love the midcentury ones and the wiring is pretty safe if they have not been damaged (unlike those that are older!).
Melissa, I love these examples of lantern outdoor lighting! Beautiful examples. They make me wish for a front porch!
Lovely photos! I’ve always had a soft spot for onion lanterns — it must have something to do with my love of all things New England! We, too, are planning to use outdoor barn light-style fixtures for the wall above our kitchen sink. Home Depot online — free shipping! The lantern on our front porch came from Pottery Barn — it’s black, to match our exterior doors. My first inclination was to get a black mail box, too, but instead, I think I’ll mix it up + get an antique brass one, from Target online! Free shipping!
What charming photos and lanterns. I really do love traditional lighting and the onion globes have been a favorite of mine forever.
I had fun imagining that the stone gate entry was giving us a view of Jack’s favorite hangout. Maybe it was his brother enjoying the bench on the porch. ;) And it looked like Bella was pretending to enjoy a new playground too. ;)
Hope you’re having a great week, Melissa. I’d forgotten to mention that I like the small changes you’ve made to the blog. I’m sure they are more user friendly for mobile devices… but it’s wonderful for those of us on the standard laptop as well. [hugs}
P.S. We have a new lead that in my heart of hearts seems like it may be what God’s has had us in the waiting room for all this time. Would you add it to your very long prayer list? TX!
Thanks Diane!
Oh, and I’m adding that unspoken prayer to my list! :) Hoping with you!
I love charming outdoor lighting – inside or out! Ours have been up for 13 years. I am either going to repaint them or change them out. It’s on my list. It remains to see where it falls on the priority list, though!
Love the inspiration!
I love lanterns inside or out. I wish I had pictures from the house I own with them so you could see mine! I love them! I’d take some now but I’m not living there anymore!
I love lighting as well! You never know what a difference it can make until it’s up and in your face. My husband has what I call the lightning bug. He is always looking to upgrade and change our lighting. I have to keep him away from the lighting isles in the stores lol.
Ha! That’s great! I love when that happens (when the hubs gets the bug to update things!)!!!
I think it’s a great idea to use outdoor items- lighting, cushions, rugs, even furniture- indoors. If it’s made tough enough to survive the elements, it’s likelier to survive my kids!
I am on the lookout for outdoor lanterns like this. We don’t have many to choose from in Australia though. The US ones are so much prettier, it makes me jealous.
Hi Melissa,
Charming is the perfect word for the lanterns, they are beautiful.
I clicked on the BHG Blogger awards link above in your post and it took me to a page that said error, does that mean it is already closed for voting? Or is there an error in the link?
Hi Kathy! Maybe something was wrong with the link! It should be fixed now if there was an error, thanks for letting me know! :)
Yes, it is working now, thanks!
I LOVE the look of those lanterns! I’ll be they look even more lovely lit up at night!
I am so glad that you posted this!!!! I am currently planning some exterior redo’s and lanterns are on my list! (we have 2 broken ones that need replacing.) I love them all!!!!
For my next home build, I need to remember to use more outdoor lighting than indoor. It just has the “look” I like more often than not. I do have some outdoor lighting used indoors in my current home, but I need more!
And sometimes, it’s less expensive.
I seem to have a growing collection of lanterns…non-electrical…just the ones you put a candle in, real or faux. There is something charming and old-timey about them…..
I just pinned this….awesome ideas for our “soon” to be new home. Thanks
Have a wonderful day
It’s no wonder the Wendy Posard & Associates photo ended up in your “All Time Favorite Dream House” post. It is charming and has a classic feel. The outdoor lighting does a great job of adding additional charm, just as you’ve shared.
Lanterns are such small additions that add so much character to a house’s facade. All of these are so pretty and charming, I can’t even decide which one my favorite is! Thanks for sharing.