Finally! My new dining room lantern is here!
One look at the photos shows I chose a different lantern than I first considered — and I’m absolutely in love with it.
You might remember I was given a gift card by Apartment Guide to refresh a corner of my home. Getting to shop for my space with that gift card felt like a dream come true, especially as a parent on a tight budget.
A view from another angle
Even though I was using a gift card, I wanted to make a thoughtful choice since this lantern would be part of our daily life. I’ve always loved lanterns with character and personality; they’ve been a recurring detail in every home I’ve had. They help make a house feel like mine. Do you have pieces that make your space feel personal?
About 650 readers weighed in when I asked for opinions on two lanterns. That’s a lot of great feedback! While I usually trust my own instincts for home decisions, your comments offered valuable perspectives and sparked several “aha” moments.
And now, a view with the lights off so the bulbs aren’t so bright.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share suggestions and personal experiences. Your input helped me think through the options and ultimately follow my gut.
Good-bye, old light.
My decisions often balance cost, using what we already own versus buying new, what both my husband and I will like, and what’s practical versus purely decorative. Shopping with a gift card is different from spending your own money; even so, it can feel stressful when you want to find something you truly love.
A view of the lantern with more of the still-unfinished room
I was taking photos while it was snowing — cozy and moody, just how I like winter!
I tried to find a secondhand lantern first, searching Re-Store and other local sources, but this time I couldn’t find the right piece. In the past I’ve found amazing antique lighting, but that didn’t pan out on this occasion.
And now, a view from below. Don’t you love how bloggers show ten photos of the same light? (When we clean the glass it will be even more beautiful!)
One of the options, a popular Wisteria lantern, went out of stock likely due to the interest it received — so that choice was no longer available. The Pottery Barn bell lantern is lovely and I’ve admired it for years, but after reading readers’ comments (including concerns about dead bugs collecting inside the glass), I decided it wasn’t the right fit for our dining room.
So I kept searching for the right lantern. Yes, I admit I obsessed over it — a dining room light matters more than you might expect — and there were a few sleepless nights debating the decision.
And one final look back from this angle.
After researching options within my gift card budget, checking stock and sizing for the room and table, and consulting my husband, I selected a gorgeous lantern that fit our needs. It was in stock and ready to ship — which suited my impatient side.
Yesterday my husband and I grabbed our ladders and installed this Pottery Barn beauty in its new spot. The lantern added a big step toward the character I wanted for our small dining room.
FINALLY. More old-house character in my new house!
If this peek at our his-and-hers ladders side by side doesn’t warm your heart, I don’t know what will.
One note: this lantern doesn’t put out a lot of light. If you need bright overhead illumination, you may want additional sources. I have large windows and extra lamps so the lantern’s softer glow works well for my space.
Here are the details for the light I purchased from Pottery Barn — some readers mentioned it can be hard to find online, so you might need to call and inquire:
Item # 07-2293991
For those who notice such things, this is the same style Holly has in her dining room; mine has a copper top while hers is black, so we still have our own look. She has excellent taste.
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Thank you to Apartment Guide for inviting me to participate in the New Year New Space Challenge and for the opportunity to refresh our home. Apartment Guide is an online resource focused on making the most of where you live.
Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers for the New Year, New Space Blogger Challenge. As part of that program I received compensation. They did not direct what I purchased or what I wrote about the products used for the challenge. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.