THE CAVENDER DIARY

The George Nelson Saucer lamp, the most iconic lamps in the history of modern design, is part of the Nelson Bubble lamp series designed by George Nelson in 1947. Their pleasing shapes, based on Chinese paper lanterns, are fashioned in sturdy, light-weight steel with a special woven white polymer plastic over the top.  With about a dozen other shapes to choose from, Nelson Bubble lamps have maintained the same level of popularity for almost 70 years.

I’m wild about the U.F.O. shape.

Almost a “Close Encounter of a Ceiling Kind”. (laughs to self)

They weren’t created just for sterile environments. They should be mixed into a room.

Here are a few interiors that I think “mix in” these lamps just perfectly.

Looks just as natural hanging over a farmhouse table as it does mixed with kitschy 1950’s furniture. Even floating over a Hudson Bay blanket, which is more our style.

That’s what I love so much about these things. There is more than just a “Mid-Century” coolness vibe too. A little campy and Sleek Modern at the same time.

So why the big TOO-DO about Nelson Saucer Lamps?

Because I got one!!!! Happy Birthday to me. (yeah, that was a few months ago – just now posting about it  – so sue me)

Picked up a small one for our guest room. After a little deliberation, we decided that we don’t need a ceiling fan in there. In Texas, all the bedrooms have ceiling fans. Our guests might miss it….but what the heck? We won’t. It’s nice to have one unused jewel-box of a room.

Here’s what’s hanging in there now….

Pretty uneventful, Right? You should have seen the monstrosity that was there when we moved in. At least now, all the fans in the bedrooms match.

We have a theory that if your ceiling is white, the fan should be too.

The box had this awesome seal across the top.

It was honestly a little hard to cut through it. Not literally, figuratively. But at the same time, it felt like opening a present.

If you have ever wired a light fixture then you know how easy it really is. I’m not going to bore anyone with the details…….and just show the spectacular results.

Like a little “Mid-Century” space ship hovering over the bed.

I was worried that the light bulb would be visible from every angle, but you really have to stand right under it and look up to see it.

Like so……

Sidenote: When our dear friend, and more than occasional houseguest, Ivan saw the box,

he squealed with delight, ” I hope that’s going in the guest room !“.

I’m guessing that he doesn’t miss the ceiling fan either……