Walking through hundreds of exhibits at the international builder show (IBS) can be overwhelming, so it's relaxing to stop and explore products you recognize but don't know much about. Thus my visit at the Lantern & Scroll exhibit where I learned about decorating with lanterns.
To be honest, my expertise in home products is more functional than decorative. That's because I started blogging for my handyman business where I learned how to replace doors, windows, siding and more wood rot repair jobs than I can remember … and that's just outside.
So I was intrigued by two articles I found on the Lantern & Scroll website.
The History Behind Copper & Street Lighting
The History Behind Copper & Street Lighting- The Brilliant History of Copper Lighting in the US – was fascinating as copper has been popular since I began attending the International Builder Show, so I wanted to learn more about this beautiful metal.
- Copper is beautiful, strong and durable. Where cheaper metals like tin deteriorate in extreme weather, copper holds up well with minimal maintenance.
- Copper is a great choice for marine applications and lighting along the seacoast because it's anti-corrosive properties allows it to withstand the salty air.
- Many coastal cities like Philadelphia, Charleston and New Orleans have continued using lanterns.
- Learn more about evolution of street lights from candles to electric lights, reading this fun article about the history of copper and street lighting in the US.
Wherever I travel, I try to take photos of houses to learn how they're similar and/or different across the US. After reading this article I wondered how many photos in my New Orleans collection included lanterns. The answer is lots of my New Orleans photos have lanterns decorating homes, buildings in downtown New Orleans and street lights too. Hope you enjoy the photos I picked to share below …
Decorating with Lanterns
- 12 Reasons Lanterns are Better than Lamps – made me laugh, as they're equally functional. I'll admit that lanterns are more artistic than many basic light fixtures and the industrial look is definitely popular today. Here are a few other points made in the article which I enjoyed reading:
- Lanterns offer nostalgia with memories of US history dating back to colonial times.
- Lanterns have lots of details that are easy to see, from the geometric shapes of the side panels to more intricate cutouts in the metal. These shapes also create light patterns on walls and the ceiling.
- Lanterns can be built using a variety of metals to match your home's decor.
- Lanterns from Lantern & Scroll can be created in many different styles and sizes to match your room's size and lighting needs.
Houses & Decorating with Lanterns
Houses & Decorating with LanternsDo you take lots of photos when you go on vacation? And then forget about the photos once you dive back into your day-to-day life? This happens a lot for all of us, so it was fun to go back and look at all my New Orleans photos to see how much decorating with lanterns they do and …
You'll laugh when I tell you what I focused on when taking these photos.
- Most homes had elaborate iron fencing and gates in front of the house.
- Almost all the houses had front porches which are no longer common in many parts of the US.
- New Orleans homes have lots of decorative trim and I especially love how they've decorated the porch ceilings which is rather unusual but obviously a local custom.
- … and now I know that many of the houses have one or more lanterns!
New Orleans Still Using Lanterns to Light Their Streets
It's a lot of fun to walk the street of New Orleans, and at night you'll find lots of musicians out playing, people on tours and the shops stay open late. Of course I also like to walk the streets during the day … to take photos.
Know other cities with lots of lanterns I could photograph?
Love if you'd share your ideas below & thanks.
Want more tips on how to enhance your home's curb appeal?
- The Zen of Curb Appeal: 4 Tips to Welcome Yourself Home
- Home Improvement Ideas that Boost Curb Appeal
- Curbside Appeal, A Quick Checklist
It’s interesting to know choosing copper lanterns will ensure that you will have a very durable metal that won’t deteriorate easily. My husband and I are thinking about remodeling our garden, and we are looking for advice to choose the right lanterns. I will let him know about the benefits of copper lanterns to help us decide.
I am thinking about getting some romantic lanterns to decorate my backyard for Valentine’s Day and I like that you say there are many different styles and sizes to choose from. This way I can find lanterns that will fit perfectly with the theme of my home. Also, the fact that lanterns create fun light patterns based on the candle would be a fun and unique way to add decor to the backyard.
It sure was nice when you pointed out the decorating with lanterns is a good idea because they have a lot of intricate designs and shapes that are easy to see, to begin with. That means I won’t have to make such a huge effort because the lantern will do it for me. If so, then I will use that to decorate my backyard because I want it to be appealing and romantic at night without trying so hard. Thank you!
Mina, Thanks & hope you have many wonderful evenings in your yard … with great food & friends!
My mom wants to add lighting to our home to make it feel more cozy and friendly with our guests. You mentioned here that lanterns are easy to see because of the figures and geometric shapes. Furthermore, it gives a nostalgic feeling of US history.
Wow, it’s interesting that you talked about how different lanterns will give off different shapes of light and color. One of my younger sisters is looking to buy lanterns online to light up her back garden. I’ll be sure to talk to her about knowing the kind of geometric shape and light she wants it to give off before buying.