Gaslight sconces and fine art

by brae Email

The Chrysolite sconces had non-replaceable bulbs that I decided to swap out for replaceable ones.  At first, I thought I would have to use candle sockets with thick wires, but I did some research and discovered and Cir-Kit Concepts makes candle sockets with varnished wires...the same type that came with the kits.  :D

The sconces were molded in black plastic, but I still used flat black spray paint to take away the shiny plastic appearance.  These fixtures have beautiful and delicate detailing only possible with plastic kits, but they don't look at all cheap.

Threading the wires wasn't exactly easy but there was no way I could have used regular white wire replaceable bulb sockets.  The varnished wires fit perfectly.

I used some black acrylic paint to cover the red wires so they wouldn't be as noticeable.

Installing these rascals involved a lot of "chicken or the egg" reasoning.  I had made the channels for the wires previously.  The wires will not be poked through the wall to the exterior until they reach a center point.  So, part of the wires will run on the interior wall.  I had to figure out how to get the sconces attached to the wallpaper, paste the wallpaper in place, and run the wires into the channels.  This is why I buy extra paper!  :D

First, I made sure the wallpaper piece was cut correctly.

Next, I marked where the sconce channels began behind the wallpaper.  I poked holes in the wallpaper and fed the wires through, leaving the sconces loose.  I did a quick dry fit, and realized I had the sconces too high.  Since I didn't want to re-cut the paper, I dropped the holes by 3/8" (the size of the sconce back plate) so the original holes would be covered.  I re-cut the channels in the wall to make up the difference.

I put a few small pieces of tape per channel to make a pocket for the wires while still allowing for movement.  I figured a whole strip of tape would just stick to the wires and make it difficult to pull them through.  More on that in a minute.

I then applied Yes! paste to the wall.

Then came the "I hope this is going to work as well as the plan in my head" moment.  I fed the wires behind the tape and out the holes in the wall.  Using my third and fourth hands (bahahahaha), I somehow managed to press the wallpaper down while pulling the wires out through the holes to the outside of the wall, pausing for a second to apply some glue to the backs of the sconces so they would remain in place once the wires were pulled taut.  I taped the wires on the outside of the house so they wouldn't slip as I worked.

I then smoothed, straightened and stopped swearing.  ;D  I also clamped the back edge of the wallpaper to make sure it would seal tight.  This was not something I wanted to have to do over.  This paper doesn't much like to stick, as I noticed when I put it on the pocket door wall.  So, the clamps leave a bit of a mark where they hold the paper in place.  But, this is an old house with uneven walls and failing wallpaper paste.  ;D

I added the glass globes, propped my mockup ceiling in place and tried out the lights with the frame (still to be aged) that will sit between them.  Love!

For a final treat tonight, I tried out two works of art by Giovanni Boldini. These are quick printouts on regular paper.  Before using them, I will sharpen and brighten them in PhotoShop and print on Art Canvas by The Crafty PC.

The first is a 1911 portrait of Princess Marthe-Lucile Bibesco.  I love this painting, though I just discovered it only two days ago when I was searching for the second painting below.

The second, and my original idea for this space, is the 1905 portrait of Elizabeth Wharton Drexel.  I first saw this gorgeous painting in person during a trip to Newport, Rhode Island.  It is located in The Elms, one of the magnificent mansions there.  While the first painting is darker and has sharper brushstrokes, this one ties in the reds and oranges in the room and lightens the mood just a bit.

I am so torn between them.  I think I'll just have to wait until the room is all together and then try them again.  Whichever painting I don't use in the parlor can perhaps go in the bedroom, though I have another painting in mind there.

9 comments

Comment from: Lyssa [Visitor]
Third and fourth hands! Hehehe, I use my third and fourth hands a lot... and my forehead. :)

What a pain! So glad you have a fountain of patience (it appears) to mess with these sorts of things. My house would have been in pieces... well, at least I would have been in tears... drinking a beer and cursing the house. :)

It looks great.

A thought for the paintings, have you thought about aging the picture itself? Might be interesting to try.
02/02/12 @ 05:45
Comment from: PATTI [Visitor]
I like either painting, but like you said, wait until the room is finished to see which one you like. The sconces look nice over the mantle too!~Patti
02/02/12 @ 06:11
Comment from: Lucille [Visitor]
I love those sconces. They create atmosphere. I see something in the second painting. I'm not sure what! Perhaps a certain airy quality about the woman. Perhaps it's the dress and its colour. It goes well with the wall. There's a certain air of mystery about her. Like she's been somewhere or she's going somewhere. I see movement in that painting even though she's just standing. It provides a certain atmosphere of drama that goes with the house!
02/02/12 @ 07:13
Comment from: brae [Member] Email
Thank you! :>>

That second painting has stuck with me ever since I first saw it in person. :yes:
02/02/12 @ 07:51
Comment from: Iris March-Judith [Visitor]
What wonderful bashing for the sconces! I have those same sconces and I am going to try to do what you did. Thanks for the great instructions!

I love both paintings, but I am partial to the Drexel painting.
02/02/12 @ 08:09
Comment from: Amy [Visitor]
I love love the sconces and I vote for the second painting! xoxo, Amy
02/02/12 @ 08:41
Comment from: dale [Visitor] Email
Those sconces really are lovely.

The top picture is my favorite.

I went to Drexel.

I admire you doing the lighting, I can imagine there is some swearing at times. &#59;)
02/02/12 @ 08:53
Comment from: broaddaylight [Visitor] Email
where did you get the file to print out the
1911 portrait of Princess Marthe-Lucile Bibesco
i am dieing to find a large size print of it, please let me know!
wonderful blog btw :)
02/02/12 @ 15:42
Comment from: brae [Member] Email
Thank you! I found the images just by doing a google search - not sure exactly which site I pulled it from.
02/02/12 @ 16:37