Friday, May 2, 2014

To Tole Or Not To Tole?

Tole
/tōl/ noun
1. enameled or lacquered metalware (usually gilded and elaborately painted); popular in the 18th century

 My love affair with tole began years ago when I found this old tole fixture at an estate sale I was working in San Francisco.
It was hanging in the breakfast room of an enormous home in Pacific Heights and came with two sconces.
I was smitten!

 There were many knock-offs at the time that just didn't cut it, until I found this tole chandelier for the dining room.  
Eventually, it was replaced by a less ornate one, but this gem still hangs in the garage with the other cast-offs.
My tole obsession began to wane as I began to feel that the look was just a little too much!

Of course it's too much!
That's the point of tole...
Intricate, painted and gilded metal flowers and leaves creating a work of art.

Your opinion please.
To tole or not to tole?
That is the question!
Pin It!

23 comments:

gme said...

Do you even have to ask?!?!? I love your light fixtures and was just stunned when you replaced the one in the dining room. Please keep them, I just can't imagine any home they could look more perfect in......

Marian said...

I'll give them a good home (especially the basket one) if you don't want them. I do understand being tired of something, though.

Kathysue said...

They are unique and look like your home. I say definitely KEEP them. I know change is fun, but these are keepers and unique and so fitting to the home. You are simplifying the surrounding areas, BUT these light fixtures are so lovely and unique. I think you will miss them.

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, they are wonderful! Tole, of course! If you need a change right now, I understand that. But keep them because you will want them up again!

Ellen, the Bluestocking Belle said...

I have to agree with everyone else! Simply gorgeous! And quite unique.

Sheila @ Maison de Cinq said...

Well, I am with you in many ways Dolores. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have cleared out clutter, reduced accessories and gotten rid of my gold and yellow paint colors for creams. I get why you are questioning the tole, but my other thought is this... then doesn't your house look like every other? Seagrass, light walls, etc.... I like it, but I also think sometimes going with the trends too much can backfire as they go out as quickly as they come. I LOVE the second chandelier (I think it's in your sunroom?) so maybe keep that one (it's simpler) and replace the breakfast room and dining room for something else. Just don't go so simple (trendy!) that it looks like your other house. I always admired your taste and I like both your houses. I thought it was great that you could do your more simple, pared down look in the wine house and do more detail in this one. I think you can come to a happy medium! For instance, I had the same dilemma with the toile in my family room but I ended up keeping it. Just by changing the wall color from yellow to cream, reducing the accessories and switching out the patterned rug for seagrass, the toile didn't bother me anymore. In fact, it's prettier because I actually see it more now! I know it will look great whatever you do! Good luck!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love them all, I think they are stunning. They fit your home too. Perfect.

Curtains in My Tree said...

I like anything tole painted and especially chandeliers.
I really liked your large tole chandelier you said was in the garage ? what ? why? get it out and hang it back up girl

Unknown said...

Keep!! Yes, keep. Very beautiful.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

If you are tired of them then let someone else enjoy them. :) Tastes change and evolve over the years and I don't think you need to hold onto something because you used to love it. If you are ready for a change then go for it!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Maybe a temporary fix might be in order. A while back another blogger used burlap wide ribbon and other crafty stuff to change the look of her chandelier. It can be removed, but could cover the center temporarily. I can't remember the blog, but will try to find it.

Sarah said...

Personally I'd keep them. Even if you take them down, I'd store them in case you change your mind later or find a new spot to use them. I wouldn't leave them behind when you do decide to sell your home.
I've always admired tole fixtures, but we don't have any. Wish I had a spot to hang one. The only overhead hanging fixtures we have are in our dining room and entry, and both are brass and both antiques.
You have exquisite taste. Trust your instinct on this.

Unknown said...

Your beautiful home wouldn't be YOU without those gorgeous chandeliers that are truly are magnificent works of art. It is so comforting to be surrounded with what you love.

Kim said...

I'm with the rest of the group. Keep.

Suzanne said...

Your taste is exquisite, and honestly, your home is so lovely you could go either way. Recently, I had someone recover my porch cushions. She asked what sort of fabric I wanted. I told her I wanted Sunbrella cilantro. Why? Because you had it on your porch cushions, and I love everything about your house. I didn't even look at a sample. It was an "I'll have what she's having" moment. The cushions came this week, and they are gorgeous! My point is that you inspire a good many of us. You probably didn't know you were inspiring me, as I never leave comments. While I cringe a little at your changes only because I love your house exactly as it is, I know that we all get tired of our go-to looks and yearn for change. Our house is filled with antiques, and sometimes I think I'd like a more streamlined look. Good luck with your decision and thanks for your help with my porch cushion dilemma:-)

Mary said...

As others have said, your taste is wonderful, interesting and NOT COOKIE CUTTER. I love that you have color, and fun items in your home. I personally get tired of the all white look, it is trendy and boring to me. I like seeing your chandeliers/lighting. They are a breath of fresh air. KEEP KEEP KEEP.

Mary
From Virginia

A happy reader said...

You have an innate authenticity in your decorating and lifestyle. Trust it. Embrace what appeals to you as beautiful and ignore the trends that are short-lived. Since a stylist some months ago suggested your house is dated (and I disagree with that view), I wonder if you have questioned your taste and have scrambled to update. Change for the sake of change is not necessary. Your taste is naturally exquisite and fresh, trumping the bland almost-now-passé neutral movement. Keep your jazz flowing.

laney said...

...i love them...sometimes too much is exactly the right amount of much...and no one..no one... does that better than you...stay you...blessings laney

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Delores I love them all...they look beautiful in your home! But... I totally understand wanting a change!

Heidi said...

Hi Delores,
It's me, Heidi, feeling I must jump in with a comment! In my opinion: Sometimes change is good, but it doesn't have to be a huge change! In this case you might consider doing something relatively simple, for example just change out the chandy shades with simpe linen covered ones,, or replace the fancy "dripped wax" amber candles with plain white ones. That would make the fixtures slightly less fussy, but they are wonderful and so unique and I think they look terrific in your fabulous one-of-a-kind, filled with love and lots of personality home. Please, whatever you do don't get rid of them until you've lived with any changes you do decide to make for awhile. I don't think you would feel at home in a catalog, cookie-cutter home. That is all, just my thoughts! Good luck! (Oh, and you have my number in case you do decide to get rid of the fixtures!)
xo
Heidi

Lexi said...

KEEP THEM!!!! Your house is so unique and refreshing! Your taste is classic and sophisticated. Your readers, myself included, adore your style and voice. You, Delores, are not "trendy", "streamlined" or "beige."

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

ooohhh. read comment above about changing out the candle drip things and have to say, please don't. they are so lovely and go with your house's style.

Hoping soon you will show some more of your laundry room. You know it's my favorite on your Pinterest boards.

pattyswells said...

Tole, toujours.

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