Decorating + Renovation

15 Rooms with Sconce Lighting That Are Incredibly Stylish

Decorate your space with some unique lighting

September 22, 2015

Anyone who’s sat under the harsh glare of a fluorescent bulb knows that good lighting can make all the difference in a room. And different lighting styles can totally change the mood. Chandeliers add elegance, dimmers add romance, and sconces add sophistication, livening up otherwise dull walls. Believe it or not, there are enough sconce styles to suit any type of decor. You can go minimalist with a sleek all-white look or classic with brass accents, eccentric with sculptural pieces or metallic for a futuristic feel. We’ve dipped into the AD archives to find some of the best examples, from statement sconces in a chic New York apartment to vintage-inspired pieces in a charming bath in Kentucky. These 15 luminous spaces are all the inspiration you’ll need for your next interior makeover.

Photo: Roger Davies
1/15
In the great room of Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady’s Los Angeles home, decorated by Joan Behnke, the golden sconces are by Hervé Van der Straeten from Ralph Pucci International. A Gregorius|Pineo ceiling light hangs above a Formations cocktail table, Christian Liaigre stools, and sofas custom-designed by Behnke in a Great Plains silk, with cushions in a Loro Piana linen. The curtains are in a Loro Piana cashmere-wool, and the carpet is by Tai Ping.
Photo: William Waldron
2/15
Inside art collector Becky Mayer’s Palladian-style Florida residence, decorated by Furze Bard + Assoc., the branchlike sconces in the master bedroom are by Porta Romana. The walls are upholstered in an Élitis linen, and a Moooi light fixture is suspended above the B&B Italia bed, which frames an artwork by Luis Caballero.

Richard Powers
3/15
The crisp white master bath in decorator Madeline Stuart’s Santa Barbara, California, home has a marine-style ceiling fixture from Circa Lighting and sconces by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort, which pair perfectly with the dark blue counter and white cabinets.
Photo: Björn Wallander
4/15
In the kitchen of a Martha’s Vineyard getaway by architecture and design firm Ashe + Leandro, the Bernard-Albin Gras sconces are by Design Within Reach, the minimalist pendant lights are by Davide Groppi, and the barstools are by Garza Marfa.

Photo: Scott Frances
5/15
Architect Joel Barkley and interior designer Todd Klein teamed up to make over this historic Louisville, Kentucky, estate, equipping the powder room with sconces by Chameleon Fine Lighting and brass sink fittings by Waterworks; the high-gloss turquoise paint is from Sherwin-Williams.
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6/15
An untitled Joan Mitchell painting hangs above a custom-made sofa in the living room of a New York City townhouse decorated by Jeffrey Bilhuber.

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7/15
The living room of this Manhattan penthouse by Ingrao Inc. features Maria Pergay sconces and Philippe Hiquily side tables, all vintage pieces from Galerie Yves Gastou.
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8/15
Silver-plate sconces from Remains Lighting flank the living room fireplace; the cocktail table is by Holly Hunt. The interiors of this mansion on the North Shore of Long Island, New York, are the work of designer Mariette Himes Gomez of Gomez Assoc.

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9/15
Piccione Architecture & Design renovated and decorated this Shelter Island, New York, home for a young family. The mantel showcases a Harry Bertoia sculpture, flanked by vintage FontanaArte sconces from Fred Silberman.
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10/15
A Terry Winters print, left, and a George Chaplin painting accent the living area of this Manhattan apartment decorated by Trisha Reger. A David Weeks Studio ceiling fixture from Ralph Pucci International hangs above custom-made sofas clad in an Old World Weavers fabric; the cocktail table is by Niedermaier, and the carpet is by Stark.

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11/15
The library of this Manhattan apartment by Brooke Gomez and Mariette Himes Gomez is outfitted with a Charles H. Beckley daybed covered in an Osborne & Little chenille. The 1930s German ceiling fixture is from Alan Moss.
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12/15
In this New York City apartment by Victoria Hagan Interiors, a Milton Avery painting is mounted on the bespoke rosewood chimney breast; the ebony cocktail table, also by Hagan, is in the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann.

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13/15
In the living room of this apartment in Manhattan’s Pierre hotel, designer Alexa Hampton removed the built-in cabinets and introduced lighter, more modern curtains and shades fabricated by Anthony Lawrence-Belfair, which supplied most of the window treatments and upholstery used throughout the residence. A mirror from James Sansum Fine and Decorative Art and sconces by Marvin Alexander are mounted above the marble mantel.
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14/15
A vintage Poul Kjærholm suspended sofa and a Serge Mouille sconce make the most of the living room’s limited space in this Manhattan apartment by David Mann of MR Architecture + Decor.

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15/15
A Jean Royère light fixture is mounted above the library’s fireplace, which is flanked by a Picasso drawing and a Roy Lichtenstein painting. This New York City apartment was designed by Annabelle Selldorf and Francis D’Haene of D’Apostrophe Design.