FRIDAY 5 : LIGHTING : SCONCES

I've been on the search for the perfect sconces for our walls in our little cottage and since we are renters with definite restrictions, I’ll be needing a plug-in option vs. hardwire. 

Here are a few options varying in price range and why I love them. I am looking to place some lights on each side of our sofa but these would work great in a bedroom as side table lighting, in the office or any room/space you choose. 

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via amazon

Love these from @cocokelley from her #oneroomchallenge makeoever.

Photography | Dorothy Brand

WHAT I LOVE: The Price. The style.
WHAT I’M NOT SO SURE ABOUT: The finish. I want a true brass and I’m not so sure this fits that criteria. This pair has a brass finish. Still in the runnings though.

via CB2

The Mantis showing off in the living room of blogger Victoria Smith for Refinery29.

Photography | Laure Joliet

WHAT I LOVE: The shape. The style. How clean and simple it is.

WHAT I’M NOT SO SURE ABOUT: If they will fit the space I need them for (flanking our sofa) and if they will be a little too functional. Also, the price. I will need to purchase two.

via cedar + moss

Design by | Hudson Interior Designs

Photography | Micheal J Lee Photography

WHAT I LOVE: The finishes and the quality that Cedar and Moss brings to all of their products.

WHAT I’M NOT SO SURE ABOUT: May be a bit too mid century in style for our home and my personal style. While I can admire midcentury, it’s not a period that weighs heavily in our current space and I’m not sure I want it to right now.

via poly + bark

(Currently SOLD OUT. Different, but one I like equally linked.)

WHAT I LOVE: THE PRICE!!! Pretty much everything that Poly and Bark has to offer but aside from that, I love how simple these are and how timeless they could be. I also love how the style nods to the traditional but also honors current modern trends in lighting as well.

WHAT I’M NOT SURE ABOUT: The scale and if two flanking the sofa will complement the overall scale of the sofa and room in general.

via cedar + moss

This shows the pendant version instead of the sconce but I do so love the way it effortless steals the show here in Jen of The Effortless Chic bathroom redo.

WHAT I LOVE: THE COLOR! The craftsmanship. The style + shape.

WHAT I’M NOT SURE ABOUT: The COLOR! But, I change things a lot and even though this is technically a neutral I’m just not sure that it will fit for the long haul.

So, those are my top five picks for lighting, guys. I'm leaning more toward black ones in our space but till can't decide between that finish or brass. What's your fave? Are you making any lighting decisions at home and if so, how are you choosing your favorite for your space? Inquiring minds (me) wanna know. Join the convo monthly below AND hop on over to my Instagram feed to chat with the rest of our friends about cool lighting options and making final design decisions in our own homes. Why is it so dang hard?

Now, it’s time to weigh in. Comment below and let me know your thoughts and which one you like best!

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FROM THE KITCHEN: SHEET PAN OLIVE BAR CHICKEN from THE MODERN PROPER

With all the busyness that the fall season brings, I am always looking for ways to cut corners but not taste. This recipe from The Modern Proper 100% delivers in every way and I HAD to share it with you guys. It’s officially my new favorite.

Just take a gander…

Photography | The Modern Proper

See what I mean, guys? You need this one in your life, trust me. From here on out this dish will be in heavy rotation around our home. So, without further ado, here’s what you’ll need to do:

Sheet Pan Olive Bar Chicken

Serves 6

Ingredients

8-10 fingerling potatoes cut in half

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt, divided

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs1lemon, sliced

1 small red onion, cut lengthwise into 8 wedges

1 lb olive bar offerings (peppers, olives, roasted garlic, marinated artichoke hearts etc.)

½ tsp pepper

1 tsp onion powder

Method

Heat oven to 375° F.

Spread the potatoes onto a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Toss to coat. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.

When the potatoes have been roasting for 15 minutes, remove them from the oven. Add everything else (including the remaining olive oil and salt) to the pan with the potatoes, using a spatula to toss it all together. Spread the ingredients out evenly and roast for 35 minutes longer until the chicken is cooked through.

Photography | The Modern Proper

If you give this one a try, come back and let me know. Even better, stop over with the food gurus over at The Modern Proper and give them a big ‘ol thumbs up!

FROM THE KITCHEN: Fall Lentil Soup

Thanks so much for popping in today! I’d love to introduce you to my friend Holly Johnston of the Goose Creek Mercantile. Today she is sharing one of her favorite meals and how to make just about any meal with family and friends an occasion.

It's that time of year again when half the country is still poppin’ on shades and shorts and all of us here in the Pacific Northwest are battening down the proverbial hatches and getting ready for winter (read: fall)

Whatever the season, soup is always a welcome meal in our house. Seriously, we enjoy soup for dinner at least once a week year ‘round.  A grounding & nourishing meal, It can be hearty and warming, cleansing and light.

We have a couple go-to’s that we double up and then freeze (in quart containers) for a quick weeknight meal.  We're also not opposed to dressing soup up a bit for a weekend get together with friends. Good bread, a sprinkle of aged cheese, bright pesto and spicy finishing salt are all welcomed.

So when our friend Dannie Wit of Abeille Photography  joined us for a leisurely afternoon we decided to pull out all the stops.  It was so fun to set the intention that this was an occasion, not just a meal!  We broke out the linens and candle light and then felt our demeanor synchronize.  We were present to the moment and each other and even honed in on some table manners.  Food is my thing, but how a meal can bring people together and nourish relationships is truly magic.

The lentil soup we enjoyed with Dannie is the perfect comfort food.  The flavors are complex yet humble and can easily stand alongside vinegary salad greens or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Lentil Soup with Sausage, Adapted from Ina Garten

Ingredients

1 pound du Puy French green lentils
¼ cup   olive oil
2 cups yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 TB     kosher salt
1 tea    black pepper
2 cups  carrots, diced
2 cups  celery, diced
1 TB     thyme fresh or dried
1 TB     ground cumin
1 6 oz can tomato paste
2 quarts chicken stock
1 pound kielbasa, cut in half lengthwise & then sliced
2 TB     red wine or red wine vinegar

Directions:

In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes.  Drain.

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and saute the onions with half the salt and pepper, until translucent.  Add the garlic, carrots and celery and saute with the thyme and cumin for 10 minutes.  Add the drained lentils and tomato paste, stirring to coat.  Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, partially covered, for up to an hour or until lentils are tender.  Check your seasoning and add remainder of salt if necessary, add kielbasa and red wine.  Simmer until Kielbasa is heated through then serve with your favorite garnishes. Enjoy!

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We're omnivores in our house but many of our friends are not.  This Lentil Soup recipe can be easily adapted for all diets.  Dairy intolerant?  Skip the cheese garnish. Vegetarian?  Substitute the chicken stock for veg stock. You can easily omit the sausage all together or choose a meat-free sausage such as Field Roast.

Photography by Dannie Melissa Wit | abeillephotography | @abeillephotography

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ABOUT HOLLY

Holly Johnston is the owner and curator of bespoke goods at Goose Creek Mercantile. With a background in anthropology and interior design, she has settled with her family in the Pacific Northwest and makes no apologies for her love for the art of making home or inspiring you to live boldly in this world. See more from Holly and Goose Creek Mercantile by following along on her adventures @thejorgenstons.