I bookmarked this post from Things That Inspire (a really lovely blog) waaay back in 2007. Holly featured some screen shots of these sconces on the set of Gossip Girl (P.S. remember that first season of GG? When the plot was semi-interesting and the fashion oh-so-good?).
Anyway, I remember noticing those sconces on the show too, and seeing Holly’s post confirmed that I wanted/needed/could no longer live without these sconces in my life. To me, they are lighting perfection. A little traditional, a little modern, a little floral, a little quirky.
Somehow I survived for a couple years without them (when I first saw the post no one really knew who made the sconces), but I thought of them fondly from time to time.
A follow up post left some of us wondering if they were made by French lighting designer Jean Royere, who made these lovelies below, priced at about $30,000 each. So beautiful, but…yikes.
Fast forward a couple years. I have this situation in my house (at least this is how it looked mid-project a month or two ago):
I love the star wall sconces, but I’ve decided to move them around the corner to the daybed wall. They’ll be perfect there, but I was at square one again with sconces above my bookshelf.
On Bowery, sort of where China Town is melting into SOHO, there is a string of lighting stores that carry some nice lines like Circa and Visual Comfort. I bought these Thomas OBrien sconces for a client there and thought about just getting a pair for myself too.
But then I stumbled into a little store on Delancey called Lighting Craftsman. You know when a place looks not at all promising from the outside and then you walk in and your insides start screaming and freaking out and you’re all ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh under your breath? That’s how I felt when I walked into this place that does all custom brass light fixtures.
And then, my brain completely exploded. BAM:
Turns out the GG set designer commissioned this shop to make the sconces and they still offer the design to retail and trade customers. They aren’t exactly cheap at $200-$300 depending on the size and the number of arms, but they are really, really lovely (will be even more so with new shades a la the Royere numbers above) and I’ll be so thrilled to see them in my home some time next week. It’s been a long time coming.
Jenny, you were totally meant to stumble upon these sconces. This post read like a mystery novel. Absolutely love it (and the sconces too!)
they are beautiful..though i do not mind the existing ones also..but these will certainly add more polish and glamour to the setting!! great find, Jenny..have a lovely day..do visit my blog when you have a moment! xx meenal
Good for you! Good things come to those who wait…
I imagine you did a little dance in the store when you saw them? :)
It was meant to be! I can't wait to see them in your entryway!
They look organic–and alien at the same time. Totally worth the wait! Congratulations.
Wow! So amazing that you found them. You are brilliant at this, Jenny!
What a great story and every time you look at those sconces, you'll know your patience persevered. They'll be a great convo piece and I think they'll look awesome next to your mirror.
Don't you just love it when the stars align for you like that? Congrats, they will look amazing!
Amazing that it was a few years before you found them! They are really stunning.
Good job! It was obviously meant to be. Can't wait to see them in place.
Many times I have done the ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh under my breath at just about anything! Too funny Jen!
wow that worked out pretty perfectly! Can't wait to see them in your entry
Wow, I love this story!
How serendipitous to find those! I love when you least expect it interesting items pop up!
WHAAAAAAAATTT…Gossip Girl is still like the best thing on TV….it lagged for a couple seasons but its at the top of its game right now.
serendipity!
How awesome for you! Can't wait to see the final result. Just out of curiosity the Thomas O'brien sconce has a sale tag on it but I can't read it. Do you know the sale price on those?
How funny that you found them! It was totally meant to be. I can't wait to see them up in your place. They already look stunning on the store wall so I'm certain they will look out of this world in your living room.
Totally missed you in High Point! Next time you must come.
xo,
C
LOVE IT! It's Design Destiny at it's best!
What a score! I love these serendipitous occasions when you get a stellar deal on something you have been eyeing for a long time!
Wow, I love when that happens you walk into a store thinking, what the heck it's worth a shot and then it turns out to be a jackpot of awesomeness! Congrats on finally scoring those amazing sconces.
Absolutely Design Destiny! It also doesn't hurt that you are in NYC. I'm so jealous that you have so many fabulous resources. Congrats! Can't wait to see them on the wall.
I just had my own freak out moment! I'm calling that store TODAY to order mine! THANK YOU JENNY!
Thanks, guys. I'm excited about them too. Can't wait to get them home.
Anon- That is so good to hear GG is awesome again! Maybe I'll give it another chance. I tried for a while a year or two ago and it was worse than a soap.
Kansasfarmhouse: The sale price was roughly the same price as the online seller I linked to. I think the retail price was about $170ish?
Finding something you have been looking for, for years, and all but given up up is such a fantastic feeling! You must be thrilled!
I love some Bowrey Street lighting! I have a client who is from Taiwan and she is a serious haggler. We spent days down there last summer and walked away with some pretty amazing deals.
i just got goosebumps because i SO know that feeling. woo hoo for you!! those are so so so good!
Gorgeous, thank you for sharing! I was trying to track them down too & the closest I got was something similar from Vaughan or Porta Romana, but they were too expensive. I can't wait to see the results, how exciting :)
I would have totally freaked as well! I just love it when design things come into place like that. Cant wait to see them in their new space!
Ok I know that crazy feeling like if you blink it might just be a dream or this can't be really happening! Bravo on your find. I live for those moments! Thanks for having this blog! finding you has saved me- OMG I am not alone in my passion!!!!
Kate
Great find! I love these sconces; I notice them everytime they are on the show!
I read the post on thingsthatinspire and the update, including all the comments. Christina Tonkin is heck of a gracious. She continually answered everyones Gossip Girl questions. Btw. those new sconces will look beautiful. You have impeccable taste and I'm so glad to see that your perseverance has paid off.
Wow…I may have to have these…PLEASE post when you have them installed!! Awesome find!!
How pretty. Cannot wait to see them up.
Great find! thank you for sharing that NY resource! love those sconces – so elegant!
xo allison
http://www.spicerandbank.blogspot.com
that is one of my favorite things about living in this fabulous city. being able to go on a hunt for things and then having that major moment when you find it. i had that just a few weeks ago when I was looking for greek/roman busts – so hard to find! but i finally had my aha moment! also, running through the flower district during the christmas season and raiding all those stores….PURE BLISS!
Congratulations!!! There is nothing like that feeling of finding something you have wanted and dreamt about…what a great story! Can't wait to pics of them in place!
Wow nice lighting. I gotta make one for my room. I would try and blend my own twist though. 3 Individual lights would be better with different colors. I'm thinking sky blue and light green with a white one.
You should also check out Olampia (around the Bowery) but also on the web.
This is the kind of thing my husband does not understand ….the thrill of the find. My sincere Congratulations!!! :}
This is one of those fashion a-ha moments! I love those!
xox Lexi
Glitter & Pearls
I LOVE that feeling! Congratulations, Jenny, they were meant to be yours!
Btw, I love too many things to count from the set of gossip girl. No matter how bad the storyline gets I'll always watch it for design inspiration :)
What a great find! The sconces will look wonderful with your mirror.
ah, what a great find! you never, ever know what you;ll find in those little shops. i completely understand that feeling of exhilaration. cannot wait to see them up! xo
I just adore a design love story. When girl met sconce…
Hi Jenny! Just wanted to let you know that I ordered the GG sconces today for my home in upstate NY. I'm sooooooooooooo excited! They are exactly what I was looking for and would have NEVER found without your help. I'd love to see pictures of your new sconces installed. Thanks!
As a new reader of yours, it seems that YOU are the only person on this planet that would just "stumble" across the exact GG sconces you were looking for! :) http://adventuresofdutchandme.blogspot.com/
I'm just now reading this post because you linked to the phrase "Gossip Girl sconces" in today's fireplace post, and it totally made me click. :) I just have to share that when I read "star wall sconces" I thought you had written "Star Wars sconces" and that you were just obsessed with naming your lighting fixtures after visual media, hahaha.