ups and downs
Often people comment on the ceiling fixture over my kitchen table.
It’s a handmade (and signed) ceramic fixture from France. I purchased it a few years ago when we renovated our kitchen, along with two cream coloured wall sconces of a similar style. I bought them from a wonderful french country retail and mail-order store in Niagara-on-the-lake, southern Ontario, however they’re no longer in business. Recently someone asked me to help her track down a similar fixture and I was able to find some online however, not in Canada.
What I love about the fixture is it’s unusual character. It has a lovely homey feel to it with the coloured, earthy ceramic but it’s also got a contemporary feel with the exposed weighted pulley system. It’s also quite practical in that it can be lowered at mealtime and raised up afterward. Enhanced even more when you put it on a dimmer, like all ceiling fixtures.
The only downside is cost. They are fairly expensive and of course shipping is a factor, but to be honest, if you are looking for one special fixture to really do something different in your home, I don’t find them outrageous. There are many lighting fixtures on the market today that cost more, even with shipping and duty added to one of these.
All three companies I found are based in the UK but sell fixtures made in France. They’re all set up to ship to North America however you will need a trained electrician to be sure the electrical fittings are correct for our homes. Here’s what I found….
Holloways of Ludlow sells both contemporary and period lighting fixtures along with many other types of hardware and fittings for homes. Their price is £185.00 (about $288.00 CAN).
They have a number of colours to choose from and offer a very cute smaller size as well for £144.40 (about $225.00 CAN).
The French House is an amazing site just to wander whether you’re shopping or not.
All kinds of gorgeous items from France - I wish they were in North America! Their lamp is £187.00 and comes in this lovely green or cream.
Marston & Langinger is a British supplier of home and garden items. Their fixture sells for £215.00 (about $335.00 CAN) and I contacted them to ask about shipping one ‘Rise & Fall light’ and they estimated it at $60.00 to Ontario (their service was amazing by the way, very personal). Of course there would be GST and duty too.
If anyone finds a source for these beautiful lamps in Canada please write a comment and tell us all. You never know when the next renovation might strike!
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