Gold leaf tole sconces

My grandmother had good taste and a very talented decorator. She passed away when I was 13, but her style had made a lasting impact on me. When I moved to my first apartment in Brooklyn, I visited the "free store" in my Grandfather's basement and, among other things, came away with a pair of gold leafed tole wall candelabra. I had a vision for an all-white apartment and planned to spray paint them white.

sfgirlbybay

Luckily, I came to my senses (with a little input from my mother), and they ended up happily ensconced in a sort of pea green dining room with picture moldings, vintage Queen Ann furniture, tortoise blinds, and, for special occasions, massive amounts of forsythia branches.  (Man, do I wish I had had a digital camera then!)

Heidi Merrick, Glitter Guide

Our next two homes didn't have a spot for them, and they have been in storage for over a decade.  Recently I have been making an effort to get all my cool stuff out of boxes and in to the house, where they can make me happy.

thediversionproject

At the same time, I've noticed that ornate gilded wall sconces are trending. If there's a lot of it out in the vintage stores, it is making a comeback: mark my words! I saw a bunch for sale yesterday at  Hunt and Gather.  And I just spotted these over at Chattafabulous (from New York Social Diary):




My grandmother used hers in a living room with acres of kelly green carpet and all-white, low profile, button back upholstered furniture.  Gorgeous.

What do you think: do you like the look?