Lamppost/Outdoor sconce question: Kitschy (keep) or ugly (replace)?

last year

last modified: last year

I need to move a lamppost, which is forcing me to face a dilemma that I've been staring at for 22 years. Do I replace the old fixtures (circa 1964) with newer ones? I have two lampposts and two sconces (all with the same lantern style) that would have to go. What are your thoughts on the lantern? Replace or keep?. Cost is certainly a concern but if these are ugly/dated I'd have to bite the bullet. Center hall colonial in background (and yes, I know the trees on either side of the porch need to go. I'm in the middle of landscaping the front, which is why I'm moving the lamppost to begin with).

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Comments (6)

deegw
last year
Can you post a picture of how everything looks from the street? It's a curb appeal question so we really should see how everything looks from the curb before we make suggestions.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I will wait for much better pics of all the things you are asking about. Are the posts electric or gas ?
Pam thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
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apple_pie_order
last year
The construction of popular price level lanterns has changed dramatically from 60 years ago. Now we get pot metal with a couple coats of paint in lanterns under a few hundred dollars. $200 will get you a lantern whose paint will fade and need repainting in a few years, depending on climate and exposure. Homeowners are now expected to treat lanterns as fashion items to be replaced every 5-10 years. For upwards of $500 or so, we can get some much better quality plated metal that has a protective lacquer finish. Spend a half hour at Lamps Plus with their well informed sales person who can show you the differences in new fixtures.

For your current lanterns: Take a close look at the condition of the post lanterns' metal finish. If they are in great shape after 60 years, then have them professionally repainted in glossy black. They are the classic, traditional style for your house.
Pam thanked apple_pie_order
Pam
Original Author
last year
The posts are electric.
Lyn Nielson
last year
last modified: last year
I would replace the lawn lamp post with a walkway accent.

you have a lot of greenery in that area that would be suited to highlighting.

Maybe you'll even add to it and enhance the whole area...
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
A lamp post still seems appropriate for the style of your home unless you decide to create landscape lighting for your total front yard.

If you keep the simple post, there are many more decorative fixtures that can be mounted on posts and have matching wall lights.

If you decide to utilize that electrical supply and create an outdoor landscape lighting installation, then the lamp post would not necessarily be required. You might end up illuminating trees with up-lights to add general lighting.