Friday, January 15, 2010

Collecting Vintage Alabaster Lamps



When we bought our second home in the Wine Country, I decided to put vintage alabaster lamps in the bedrooms. I already had a few, but went on the hunt for more at flea markets, antique stores and Ebay. My criteria was that they had to have a patina to them and be inexpensive.

I love the simplicity of these lamps. The intricate carving of the marble, the weight and heft, and of course the different colors of the veins. Some are grey, some amber.

Most of the lamps were made in Italy and are probably from the 40's.

I love the subtle veining of this lamp in our guest house.

This lamp is a little too shiny, but the price was right.

A very small accent lamp on the dresser.

Then there is this one. It's probably one of my favorite pieces. Originally, it was wired, but now it is a candlestick. My friend Maureen brought back these battery operated candles from Texas and it works perfectly in this lamp. We use it as a nightlight.

Here you can see the lamp in the setting and how it relates to the other elements in the room. I think the grain sack lampshade compliments the alabaster well.

Again, the lamp as part of the vignette.


Guest house shot of the bedroom with unmatched alabaster lamps.

Our most recent purchase. This lamp is the largest in my collection and sits in the living room

And finally, this alabaster lamp in our newly painted living room at home. I found this one on Ebay.


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22 comments:

Cindy said...

Those are beautiful! My mom recently gave me one but I need to find a shade for it....and a place to put it! Your blog is beautiful! I'm going to add you to my list!

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I just love your blog! That dinner in the other post made my mouth water... Thanks for your sweet note on my little tater bug and it is true he is just like his dad... my next one better look like my beautiful daughter!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your lamps are just gorgeous. I love all of them. What a wonderful collection and all so beautiful and so different. Great finds. Hugs, Marty

Heidi said...

HI Delores,
Your lamps are great. I have one that I found in a junk shop, it really added a lot of character to my favorite "nap spot"! You have so many nice ones, and I love the shades you've chosen for them. The guesthouse bedroom is really lovely, I wouldn't mind staying there for awhile!!
Thanks for stopping by and following along. It's true, we are practically neighbors! Have a great weekend.
XO
Heidi - Heart and home

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Lovely... and your guest house so inviting.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

The whole collection is wonderful girl...thanks for sharing...hope you have a great weekend my friend...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Delores, oh my heart went pity patter...and skipped beats. These are truly gorgeous!! I'm sure you've discovered by now I love, love, love lamps.. they have to speak to me.. and these certainly do. I don't have any like this, so will be to be a "mission" to find just the right one. Lovely post..hugs ~lynne~

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your lamps are beautiful! I had a large one that my niece's husband made from marble, and I passed along to my daughter a few years ago. What was I thinking! :-)
Have a great weekend.
Gleda

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

What beautiful lamps! I love them; they are so perfect for your decor also.Thanks for sharing your unique and gorgeous collection!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, what a beautiful collection! I have a little one that was one of my first purchases after getting married. We had no money, and I saw it in a thrift store and decided I had to have it. It wasn't expensive, but I had to put aside coins for a month before I was able to go back and get it. Oh, how I would love to come stay in your guest house. That bedroom looks so pretty. The problem is, you'd never get me out of there! Thank you so much for your sweet encouraging note on my blog. I really shouldn't have even done that post, and if I had thought about it a little longer, I wouldn't have done it. I'm so fortunate that I discovered your blog, because I love coming to see your gorgeous homes. laurie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Forgot to tell you, your new l.r. color does look like my bedroom color. I'm so proud that I picked a color that you also picked! laurie

LENE said...

Hi Delores
I visit you in Calefornia blogland right away... because I want to thank you for the sweet words and that you will follow my blog! You also have a lovely blog with beautiful photos - I like that you use large images:)
Have a lovely Sunday!
Hug from Lene

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

I love the alabaster lamps also. You have some very pretty ones. I have one in my bedroom with big roses on it. They always look good wherever you put them:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Delores, thank you for swinging in and seeing the small vignette, this way I got to come back over and take another look at all of your beautiful lamps.. hugs ~lynne~

Trouvais said...

Hi Delores. Thanks for the comment. Besides our daughters's common love of travel...my daughter is a foodie as well as! Love your Sonoma place, gorgeous lavender! Trish

The Tablescaper said...

Beautiful lamps. You reminded me that I have two that I inherited. I never gave them much thought. I'll have to go back and revisit them.
- The Tablescaper

VINTAGE HOME lifestyle said...

Hi Delores,
Your lamps are just beautiful. You have a great collection going. I have a beautiful one...if I decide to let it go, I will let you know.
Have a wonderful rainy Sunday...Cathleen

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

The lamps are beautiful...all with different personalities. Just lookied through your wine country home photos.

The *thunk* you heard was me. Swooning.

I'll be ok.

Prior said...

Love your room. I think the candlestick is my fav, too! Lezlee

clustres said...

Your lamps are beautiful! I have 2 alabaster lamps but they do not hold a CANDLE to yours!

Sarah said...

Delores, I'm glad you included the link to this previous post in today's post. I've always loved these alabaster lamps. No collection of these beauties here, just one large one that we've had for years. You've found some treasures through the years. It's fun to see them.

RKay said...

Like Sarah, I'm so glad you included this link. I have been in love with alabaster lamps since the first time I laid eyes on one 20 years ago. I now have have 4, 2 in my bedroom and 2 in my living room. They have great beauty and integrity, I will never tire of admiring them! Thanks for showing your collection and also your other lamps. I've known to be a little obsessed with lamps and shades myself. I love to find the old tattered silk chandy and boudier shades. So much character!

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