Hi Everyone!
Subtle much?! Yeah… the title of this post leaves no room for interpretation, so let’s just dive right in why don’t we.
A little over a year ago one of my sweet neighbors showed up at my house with a brown paper bag and a smile. Now I thougth to myself this could go one of two ways….either she has a bag of pomegranates from her trees, or she has a bag of oranges from her trees! I was pretty positive it was a bag of fruit, becuase who would’ve ever thought it was be a bag of vintage chandeliers!?
The first time they invited us over to their house for dinner I commented on how much I loved these pretty vintage flush mount chandeliers they had as they gave us a tour of their home. Apparently they decided to switch things out and remembered how much I loved them so she brought them to me to have. I was so shocked and surprised. I couldn’t believe it. I had the perfect place for them and I knew exactly where they were going to go: the hallway.
In true Shavonda fashion ….where decorating is a slow process….they sat in that bag for over a year before I got around to addressing them. They needed to be cleaned up a bit, but I knew they would be stunning. This past week I finally got them cleaned up and installed and I couldn’t be happier.
I can’t even tell you how happy I am about them. I definitley shed a tear or two. Receiving Gifts is my love language, and I’m so so sentimental when it comes to these kinds of things. It’s never about the actual material item itself, but rather about the fact that someone thought well enough of me to extend the gesture. Part of why I’m a collector and a maximalist is because things mean so much to me. Whether it be something that triggers a memory of a specific moment, or a gift given to me by a friend or loved one….I love being surrounded by them. They make me feel constantly connected to the people and places I love most in the world. These lights are so much more than lights to me. I’ll cherish them forever and I’ll likely take them with me when we move.
They are a vast improvement from what was there before and Im happy we finally have lighting in the small section of hall that was really dark. We had the electrical run for it 3 years ago so its been loooooong overdue.
Getting them up also triggered another long overdue project…..the hallway is getting a makeover! I’ve been over the dalmation stencil look for quite a while now and have been trying to figure out how I wanted to change things up. Seeing the lights up gave me an aha moment and I’m so excited! I’m finally having wallpaper installed and doing an easy DIY wainscoting to pair it with. The paper installer will be here Monday so I should have an update on the space by the end of next week. He’ll also be installing wallpaper in the laundry room too! So be on the lookout for that makeover, too. Things are happening friends!
Until next time…
Jamala Wallace says
That . is . one. beautiful light!!! Lucky you to have a friend to gift you that
Upstatenow says
Those are gorgeous. How lucky are you?
Shavonda Gardner says
I know!! Im still in complete shock!!
Mary says
Your new light is lovely. In fact…I’ve just decided the kind of flush mount to install in my laundry room once I start updating it. I’m going to start searching for a light like yours. Sadly I don’t have the kind of neighbors you do.