Thinking about home lighting doesn’t usually occur to me until this time each and every year. Maybe it’s the fact the table lamps and pendant fixtures are shining brightly more hours of each day. I’ve noticed that my eyes are straining to see more often lately so it’s time to move those table lamps around to get the most out of them.

Autumn is the perfect time of year to work on interior home projects like adding nautically-inspired wallpaper to a room. If you’ve finished your painting and wallpaper then why not add some new light fixtures? Lighting can create instant ambiance within a space; both by the light it emits and the beauty of the piece itself.

Many people probably feel that I have spent too many hours choosing the lights for our beach cottage. It is not for lack of decision-making, but the fact that a light can be a real focal point and needs to be functional for the space it is used in. Over the past decade, I’ve done 90% of my light fixtures shopping from e-Bay and found some fabulous deals. I have no problem in spending a bit more money for a light fixture since it is a practical and functional investment; however getting a good deal is still important. Table lamps…well, that’s another story.

I tend to find table lamps at garage sales, antique stores and the such. Since I steer away from matchy-matchy decor, it is fun to find one lamp here and one lamp there. If I pay a garage sale price then I can more freely experiment with painting the lamp, gluing on shells and ribbon to the lamp shades.

If you find a nautical light style that you like, then save to Pinterest, save a photo to your iPad, or print out the photo for inspiration while searching for one which fits your budget. I forgot one important thing – have fun and enjoy the days of Autumn!

Click on each photo for more details…

Visit Store » Fredeco Nautical Rustic Island Pendant made of brass with 2 lights & grilled wire.

Tropical Kitchen Lighting And Cabinet Lighting design by Lighting Fixtures Fredeco Lighting

 

Visit Store » Hanging nautical pendant with brass shade and large glass available in different finishes

Mediterranean Pendant Lighting design by Lighting Fixtures Fredeco Lighting

 

Visit Store » Fredeco Italian Nautical Polished Brass Round Bulkhead Light.

Wall Sconces design by Lighting Fixtures Fredeco Lighting

Visit Store » Classic Casual Home believes this light makes a nice nautical statement over a front door.

Traditional Ceiling Lighting design by Urban Archaeology

Visit Store » The Barn Light Rocket Pendant light offers an old nautical cottage feeling.

Eclectic Pendant Lighting design by Tampa Lighting Fixtures Barn Light Electric Company

Visit Store » Fredeco Nautical Wall Sconce with anchor on top and grilled around the glass.

Tropical Wall Sconces design by Lighting Fixtures Fredeco Lighting

 

Traditional Wall Sconces design by Lighting Fixtures Circa Lighting

 

Visit Store » Add a nautical look to a room without having to hire an electrician.

Modern Table Lamps design by Kids And Nursery Pottery Barn Kids

 

Visit Store » A small Ceiling Light from Ralph Lauren is simple, modern & nautically-influenced.

Traditional Ceiling Lighting design by Ralph Lauren Home

 

More lighting ideas:

Coastal Lighting at Caron’s Beach House

Light Fixtures at Ocean Offerings

Lighting at Outer Banks Trading Group

Handmade Lights at Peeniiwalli

Coastal Lamps at Ocean Styles

Table Lamps at The Beach House Store

Nautical Lighting at Our Boat House

 

 

A few select and well-thought out exterior upgrades can add some Key West-inspired Curb Appeal to your beach house in a jiffy! Key West is about balmy weather and colors of the sea and sky. While driving around Key West’s Old Town you’ll view vibrant colors, intricate patterns, beautiful trees as well as Colonial architecture.

“Key West is a town of color. Colorful sunsets over sparkling water. Colorful seashells and storefronts. Colorful shutters on Conch houses. And colorful people who fill the streets with festivals and parades. From beautiful furniture and accessories to full service decorating, Style Key West brings that life color to a customer or client’s home.” ~ Style Key West

 

 

After you’ve mowed the lawn, freshened up your flower beds and swept the landing why not add one or more of these pieces to freshen your exterior up a bit? Key West exterior style updates were recently featured in a Southern Living Magazine article titled, Front Door Style. The magazine suggested five fairly easy upgrades to boost curb appeal and I agree with their suggestions of a colorful door; pineapple door knocker; entrance lighting, new door hardware and a door mat.

 

 

The door knocker can be a welcome greeting for your guests. The pineapple has been a universal symbol of hospitality and welcome for many centuries all over the world. Your family and friends will be immediately impressed upon arriving at your home with a shining new Pineapple Door Knocker.

Pineapple Door Knocker

An extremely cost-effective upgrade is a new door mat. Door mats are such an unexciting thing to purchase; however they can also make your entrance look much better in no time at all. Many door mats are created from recycled materials; which are extremely durable and will last for years.

 

Fisherman’s Rope Mat

 

A new outdoor light fixture can beautify your beach home’s curb appeal immediately. Many of your guests will arrive for gatherings after dark so perfectly placed outdoor lighting enhances your home’s architectural design and welcomes guests right. For the most flattering light on people and plants, install blue-white bulbs for your exterior fixtures.

Outdoor lighting also adds value to your home. Judith Patriski, an appraiser and owner of Quad Realty Co. near Cleveland, estimates that for upper-bracket homes, an investment in outdoor lighting can yield a 50% return. “When you pull into a driveway and see a gorgeous home, you’re going to pay more for it,” says Patriski.

 

Hanging Exterior Pineapple Lantern

Your front door is the first thing which catches ones eye, so if you only want to upgrade one item I recommend starting with the front door. A fresh coat of brightly colored exterior paint on your door can be completed in an afternoon.

Bright Front Door Paint in “Yellow Corn”

 

Looking for a more dramatic change? Visit a local home center for a new front door – you might be surprised at all the options available. If you’re interested in something more special, then I highly recommend checking with local or online architectural salvage stores. The beautiful door featured below is available from AMIGHINI Architecturals and Doors.

 

Single Wood Entry Door with wrought iron

 

 

Last, but certainly not least, your Key West Curb Appeal isn’t complete if your entrance door hardware is old, rusty or dirty. As with exterior doors, there are literally thousands of styles of door hardware available on the market. All door locks are important for the safety of your home, but some are so beautiful that you could actually call them “art”.

 

 

About Marie Rhoades: Marie resides along the Washington coast and is self-described as a beach bum, animal lover & social media enthusiast. She is currently renovating her beach cottage home and shares her journey with readers on her Beach House Decorating Blog and Coastal Lifestyle Blog. Marie is also the CEO of the Sally Lee by the Sea, LLC coastal lifestyle brand.