I have always loved the way that hand forged iron lighting looks. You see, I have some very specific tastes in home decor. On the one hand, I am not a big fan of things that are too modern. I do not really like IKEA furniture made out of metal tubes and plastic platforms, and I certainly do not like the little, bubble shaped lamps that are so popular nowadays. On the other hand, I do not like the look of excessive ornamentation. Some of my wealthy friends have pretty out there tastes, using lamps and tables made with intricate, rococo carving. I don't really find this stuff beautiful. It is just too overdone, although I admire the craftsmanship.
What I love so much about the look of wrought iron light fixtures is that they really combine the best elements of the old and new. In many ways, wrought iron lamps are a very old aesthetic. After all, there are more modern, efficient ways to form metal than to work it by hand! The delicate, painstaking, handcrafted work that goes into making wrought iron light fixtures really shows the values of an earlier time where people took a lot more pride in the things that they made.
But on the other hand, a wrought iron light fixture can be pretty functional and efficient in design, and to me, this is the essence of the modern look. Even the more ornamental wrought iron light fixtures are pretty simple and elegant compared to a lot of old-fashioned designs. In my living room, for example, there is a wrought iron chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It manages to look very fancy because there are vines and leaves intertwined around the main branches that hold the lights. That is all it takes to make it look extravagant.
Another great thing about wrought iron light fixtures is that they are surprisingly affordable. The very first wrought iron lamp that I bought only cost me about 20 dollars, the same price as a simple ceramic light of a similar size. Although some of the better work is very pricey – particularly if it comes from a famous workshop – you can still find many good pieces that are within anyones budget. I have found some surprisingly high quality wrought iron furnishings at flea markets, garage sales, and reuse stores. It is all a matter of keeping an eye out for it.
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