With the new year here, I’ve been eagerly making design choices to make our new house feel like our own. I’ve always loved lantern-style lighting — remember the copper and iron lantern we used in the dining room of our craftsman lake house? It was one of the first types of fixtures I looked for when planning lighting for our bedroom. In this post I’m sharing the new lantern I ordered for our bedroom and why it felt like the perfect choice.
As part of my “A Lovely January” home challenge, I’ve been hunting for a new ceiling light for our bedroom. I shared my bedroom design plans and some updates as the room comes together. Swapping a ceiling fixture is an easy and effective way to add instant personality to a room, so it’s one of the first things I like to change when we move.
Lighting can help define the overall style of a space. Our new house has a definite coastal feel — designed with a Nantucket-inspired aesthetic and located within walking distance of the beach — so I wanted a fixture that nods to that setting while still reflecting our personal style. Over the years I’ve blended coastal elements into different homes, and in this house I’m mixing that influence with the home’s architecture.
When I found this lantern, I felt it was the right statement piece for the bedroom. I wanted something that felt fresh but with an old-world touch — classy without being fussy, timeless but eye-catching. While I often love brass or black finishes, the navy finish on this lantern added a subtle coastal flair I couldn’t resist, especially paired with brass accents. There are also white and iron finish options, so it’s easy to adapt the look to different interiors.
I chose navy for our bedroom because it felt right for the palette and the coastal mood I want to evoke. I’m excited to see how it complements the other elements in the room — it should add a refined, seaside atmosphere while tying into the rest of the home’s style. Once the fixture arrives I’ll take photos and share the finished look.
Below are images of the lantern in other finishes and styled in different rooms for inspiration. The variety of finishes makes it versatile for many design directions, from classic to coastal to more industrial looks.
I can’t wait for it to arrive and will share updates and photos once it’s installed. In the meantime, these images offer a sense of how a lantern can anchor a room’s aesthetic and bring character to a bedroom.
Photo sources from this post: Ballard Designs
I’ll post again soon with more inspiration for rooms that use lanterns and additional fixture options to consider.
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If you missed my post sharing the bedroom design plans, check out the earlier update for more context and ideas.
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Want more lighting inspiration? Explore other lighting posts for ideas on fixtures, finishes, and styling.