Sighs of relief everyone. The dining room light situation is resolved.
Those terrible weeks of baited breath and restless nights are a thing of the past, so feel free to revel in relief as that desperate anxiousness in your heart melts away. Because yes. OH YES. The single most important lighting decision of our time concerning a dining room in a nondescript vintage home in a crappy neighborhood in the armpit of the Inland Empire has been made.
Look at how this lamp can now turn on and illuminate stuff. Stuff like dinner.
Spectacular.
It’s like we finally connected those funny wires that stick out of the ceiling to the funny wires that stick out of the cord in order to fully commit to that good ‘ol ubiquitous Nelson bubble lamp in a dining room thing. And you know what? I love it. Unashamedly.
Goodbye pretensions. Hello thirty six inches of iconic mid century design.
Something feels different here…
Less fibery? More green? Somehow ruggy?
Pointless meandering aside, there’s obviously been a couple of additions and changes in the past few weeks that made the big bubble finally feel like the right choice. Firstly, yes, the amazingly huge fiber art wall hanging has moved (and not very far). Then the crazy grandma plant (or philodendron if you want to get all correct or something) was moved from the bedroom into here for some ‘effing greenery. Finally.
Plants make a room. This truth I live by, but somehow can’t enforce around the house.
Oh, then lastly, I slammed the old living room cowhide rug under the dining table. Rug action in the dining room finally seemed to make sense when paired with the Moroccan rug situation happening in the living room.
This incredible 70′s hand cut paper wall sculpture was a recent thrifty find at a local consignment/antique type shop. I believe I actually gasped out loud when I saw it leaning against the wall and then gasped again when I saw the affordable price.
Huge, handmade, strangely heavy, unsigned and beautiful. I could not love it more.
Reminds me of Greg Copeland for sure, but feels more like a study or experimental piece someone was playing around with.
My once lush and rampantly growing philodendron seems to have gotten a little stressed out after the move. I was hoping to break old patterns of neglect and serial plant killing by being a better and more attentive plant owner, but just ended up over-watering the thing.
Ironically, this baby prefers abuse.
Stupid plants. Make up your minds.
Also, the butterfly’s are back.
I probably should focus on being a better and more attentive blogger. Or on finishing some projects (like painting and fixing up that busted pocket door). Or clearing out some of the piles of vintage stuff laying just outside the cameras frame.
Yeah, this is all an illusion of organized cleanliness. Reality is much more cluttered.
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55 Comments
You’re totally inspiring, you know that right? In addition to being hilarious. I haven’t been to on top of my blog reading but I’m so glad I caught this because you’re home is absolutely beautiful.
The Nelson pendants are truly iconic and they fit into so many settings. A fabulous choice and an even better outcome!
awesome light choice.
frickin’ amazing 70′s paper cut artwork!
most most jealous.
Your DR suddenly SINGS! And not opera, either. Seriously excellent changeup — in other words,i second Natalie heartily.
So envious of that artwork, gorgeous (x100) breathtaking!!!
I can imagine you gasped about that!!!
The butterflies are back, and the daybed (dare I ask)?
Have a wonderful day!!!
Out of curiosity, where did you find the leather covers for the butterfly chairs? I’ve seen a few sets come and go on Craigslist but always pass them up because they have vinyl or cloth covers. Any idea where to pick one up?
Circa50 is where my leather covers are from: http://www.circa50.com/thankscanvas.html
They are great!
I really like how your interior is developing in recent months. It all fits together in a very cool, balanced way. Reading your blog learns me a lot about developing a personal style and that in the end it is worth waiting for the right vintage/thrift buy. Love the combination of the lamp and the artwork!
I would have gasped too. My eyes opened wide when I saw it and that’s saying something because I’m very, very tired this morning.
Thanks! Love the new additions. Your place always looks amazing.
AHHHH I love that papercut art so much! So freakin’ jealous.
Really nice choice. I tried fitting a smaller one of these Nelson bubbles in my (much smaller) dining area, but it broke up the sight lines too much. You’re lucky that it fits so nicely here. The room looks gorgeous!
Lovin the changes! Glad the leather butterfly chairs have been reintroduced. I love those babies.
So cool! I love the constant changes in your home decor. Spicin’ it up is the way to go – especially with insane thrift store finds like that paper cut art! wow!
bubble, paper cut, butterfly? a. freakin’. mazing! can i hang with you on your next shopping spree? i’m sure we’d have to arm wrestle for something, though! your place looks great!
i have the bubble. it lights up my life.
Don’t you have that awesome orbit chandelier in your dining room Victoria? I love those things.
Hemet is not the armpit of the I.E. I believe that would be Romoland. All of the details of the room add up to awesome. Love it.
Hilarious post… Love the lamp and really envious of the trift store find!
That paper cut sculpture thing is amazing. I am so jealous. The bubble pendant looks great too, but of course it does.
I am so freaking excited to read a new post of yours. I found your blog about 3 weeks ago and OD’ed on reading everyone of your posts. Then I had a hard time coming down from the glory of your blog! So thanks for this awesome post.
J. Coffin
I love your new cut paper artwork.
Also, your whole house may not be in order, but at least there are gorgeous parts of it you can show off.
Wow! Your dining room looks absolutely beautiful! That cut paper relief is breathtaking..hence your gasp! Truly inspiring! Love the butterfly chairs, love the cow rug, love the Nelson lamp, love it all! Thanks for sharing…and for being so funny that I laugh out loud when I read your blog!
I just have to say that your blog posts are by far the best thing going in the blog world. You have such an incredible eye! There is so much crap out there, but you have true talent. So thank you!
Thanks guys. I’m really happy with it and want to pull the rest of the house together this summer – sans piles.
Love it all! You can’t go wrong with a Nelson lamp, and that paper art is truly amazing.
Looks Great! I grew up with a Greg Copeland that looks very similar to your piece, except mine is four separate frames grouped together. The one in my living room is rotated 45 degrees to make a diamond. I love how yours fits into the dining room so well.
Morgan, what I am committed to is reading your blog posts. I don’t care how infrequently you do them, I will always read them. Your writing is hilarious, the photos are superb and I am always blown away by the amazing things you find in thrift shops (I LOVE THE PAPER ART!!). Please never stop.
And, plants DO make a room!
EZ SKI Trainer? Getting out to those desert lakes then?
The room looks great! And I need a new dining room pendant, too. My childrens drew on my mine.
Yeah, the boat stuff is part of Jeremy’s work. I know how to ski, duh. We have vintage furniture and boat parts strewn around the entire estate.
I’m pretty sure that the plant is a monstera deliciosa, not a philodendron. Same family, different species.
The paper art is an amazing find!
Holy shit that paper art is incredible. Makes me want to try my hand at it. I’m so in love with lace but it’s really hard to have around without being overly shabby-shic and romantic, and that paper art perfectly hints at the aesthetic without being too much. This new dining room perfectly captures my dream house vibe: super bright, open, dynamic and warm. Love damnit.
Blanders, I think it’s both:
Common Name: Split Leaf Philodendron
Scientific Name: Monstera deliciosa
Or as I like to call it, that grandma plant thing.
Ubiquitous + Iconic = Smart Choice
The last time I oohed and ahhed like this was Morrison Hair. Now your dining room has that same pulled together look. White Nelson, White paper cut (beautiful!),White (Gainey?) pot for the monstera grandma plant, and the butterfly chairs. A perfect balance of white and brown. Pulled together and “of an era” but not like the clock stopped somewhere in the ’60s or 70s. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
DUDE I work in Hemet and the phone wants to say helmet arr but oh your blOG makes me kind of feel like this armpit is a treasure pit. I must do more thrifting here! I know you find stuff elsewhere, but Hemey is so strange and interesting. And genius is born of scarcity, right?
It all looks amazing!
As long as you just gasped, and not climaxed… I think I would have discovering something this awesome for my walls
Love it all ! And now of course I want a bubble light over my dining table…
I’m sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous of your Nelson bubble lamps its not true, a great choice……finally
OH MY! That for sure Greg Copeland..it has to be!
The Nelson combined with the possible Copeland paper sculpture art is so — pretty and sharp and clean. Really nice. And fiber art near food could lead to some unfortunate hair incidents.
I wasn’t familar with Greg Copeland so I did a little checking and started finding people saying their fathers made art that was sold by Greg Copeland, Inc. I finally found a site that explains the history of Copeland’s studio. Originally, he sold his own pieces. Later he sold that of other artists, but it had a Greg Copeland, Inc. label. Maybe that’s why your’s is Copelandesque, but not quite his? Here’s the link:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/70s-copeland-mod-op-pop-art-abstract-105262365
I take back whatever I said about the Nelson — it works really well with your fancy new art (which I will steal as soon as I google satellite search your address).
It’s all very minimal, but it feels good. Awesome job.
I’m a huge fan of bright white light and live plants and your amusing and inspiring style.
Quiet, peaceful, and perfectly minimalist for respite from the summer heat outside. Hemet must be getting HOT, girl!
Obviously this looks gorgeous. Obviously I especially love the secret sly Instagram pic of the hallway. Obviously you read up on Sheila Hicks, RIGHT? That was your homework for last week. Unless you already wrote the monograph on Sheila Hicks, which you probably did. High five for the especially fabulous posts as of late, m’lady.
Hey Morgan, I love what you do inside but what’s happening in your garden! You teased me with all your ideas a couple of months ago and we have seen nothing since. I hope it is not a lost cause.
I have been reading your blog for few months now , totally enjoy your writing
. When I read the phrase ” armpit of inland empire ” , I was alarmed (in a good way) , rushed to your faq page and there it was Hemet , CA . I am from Lake Elsinore , lol, yes armpit of inland empire , indeed.
You’re house is beyond amazing. That paper cut wall hanging is breathtaking.
There’s some greenery going on here too, right in front of my computer. I’M GREEN with ENVY about that papercut thingy. I CRAVE something beautiful like that. Soooooo beautiful. – Perfect dining room.
I love ‘the stuff that goes on just outside the camera frame’. I always think about my mess that’s outside the frame while I’m taking perfectly framed, organised pictures.
GASP. I LOVE that paper cutting artwork business on your wall. jealous.
the paper op art could be nancy miller; i’ve seen similar stuff by her. just a guess though.
Holey Smokes! That paper cut artwork is divine! I would have gasped too!
great choice! when in doubt simple and iconic is best! now you have a nice stable base and can jazz it up and down.
Love the vintage Gainey Pot!!
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