The Bell Jar Lantern {Five Easy Pieces}

Happy Monday, friends! How have you been?

Lately, I've been building a list of classic pieces that--in almost any type of room and in the midst of any style--add something special and have proved to be timeless items worth the investment. These pieces never require too much finagling or effort to work in a space; they're just easy.

That's why all this week, I'm highlighting my favorite classic decorative items in a series I'm calling "Five Easy Pieces". Today it's all about the bell jar lantern.

Where Would You Put This Lamps.com Lamp? (A Giveaway!)

Hello, friends! Happy September! With summer behind us, we could all probably use a fun giveaway to sweeten the return to routine that comes this time of year.

I get approached more and more these days with solicitations to promote products or brands on this blog, but I usually hold off because the fit isn't always right and I only want to feature items on Meet Me in Philadelphia that I'd have in my own home. But, when Lamps.com recently reached out to me, I accepted enthusiastically. I really dig Lamps.com and dream of outfitting my home with their chic offerings, so that's good enough to share with my readers!

To Replace or Not to Replace? That is the Question

In the life of every renter, there comes a time when she asks herself that all-important question, "Do I replace this or live with it?" That time for me, my dear readers, is now.

New Bright White Lamp

Last week, I stopped by Ikea while Mom was around. I was a woman on a mission while there, because I knew I couldn't leave without taking home the new Tisdag work lamp to add a bit more extra bright white feeling to the top of my entry chest.

I'm sinply crazy about it.

I've been very busy all week continuing projects for my guest bedroom (say goodbye to these ugly shelves!), so I'm looking forward to some time with my husband this weekend.

'Til Monday, dear readers.

My Brand New Lamps!

Just last Friday I extolled the cute options from The Land of Nod. 

As I alluded at the end of my post, I had my eye on a few items that I couldn't help but purchase.

What did I buy, you ask?

A pair of Between a Rock Lamps in white that I simply adore!

 I love their unique multifaceted look, and the way that they add a not-so-serious touch to my bedroom. 

...New lamps. I can't think of many better ways to end the week.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Light it Up

I've been on the search recently for a pair of floor lamps with some visual interest for our living room to add some light and much-needed symmetry to the space. My husband Adam and I had been holding on to many gift cards from stores like Crate and Barrel since our wedding last year, so imagine my happiness when I found a reasonably priced pair from CB2 that could be bought for no money out of pocket!

I opted for the X white floor lamp from CB2, which is currently on sale for $99, but quickly decided that the lamp's all-white appearance just wouldn't do.

Here's the basic change I decided to make to each lamp base:

(X white floor lamp via CB2 & Rust-Oleum metallic gold spray paint via Home Depot)

Why spray paint the lamp?
Because, let's be real, is there anything that isn't made better with a touch of gold? I think not.

After a rapid bath of gold, the lamps were ready to be moved back into the living room.

The x-base lamps add a subtle gilded accent, great height, and symmetry to the corners of the room while looking much more expensive than they actually cost me (nothing!).
Hallelujah for gift cards and sales, am I right?

Demijohns

Demijohns have become quite a "thing" in decorating, haven't they?

Originally created as large narrow-necked bottles used for wine or beer brewing, these often-colorful glass vessels have found a second life in vignettes and tablescapes around the blogworld and in shelter magazines. For more on the history of the demijohn, be sure to visit this site.

The prettiest demijohns are often a beachy blue or green color, and are used to inspire artists:

("Arrangement with a Large Demi-John #3," Robert Douglas Hunter)

to bring light to a dark bedside:

(via Pinterest)

(via Searching for Style)

to support a lush branch:

(via Design*Sponge)

or branches:

(via Southern Hospitality)

From the images above, you can see that demijohns come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes.
They can often be quite expensive too, especially if they are vintage.

(a selection of vintage demijohns from Jayson Home & Garden)

Luckily enough though, I stumbled across a vintage demijohn in a thrift store over two years ago for $15! It's been somewhat neglected in my home ever since, but I'm hoping to transform it to a lamp (like the inspiration photos above). To do that, I'll need one of these:

(Cork bottle adapter from Ballard Designs)

Do you have any of these lovely bottles in your home?
What's your favorite way to decorate with a demijohn?

I Love Lamp

(Primrose Lamp from Anthropologie)

...so much so that I bought it, but not for retail.

I scored this lamp for $50 on account of a tiny hairline scratch.

To quote Brick Tamland, "I love lamp."

Do you?