One reason I am obsessed with blogging is that I feel like when I come on here we can all come together and make a decision together & give our opinions together to come to a final decision. As many of you have experienced for yourselves, doing a total fixer upper from top to bottom can be a real challenge to say the least. So having friends who are there for you to offer suggestions, opinions, & just cheer you on as you go is the best thing possible. I’m thankful for you guys and I can’t say it enough. Today I’m back with another post where I’m asking for your opinion. We are going to do something exciting on the outside of the house finally. As many of you know after painting the house last year a month after we moved into the house we really haven’t touched the outside since then. We are on a mission slowly, but surely to add some charm back to the exterior of our house & I think porch lights is a great start. Here is a tiny glimpse at parts of our front porch with those white lights that we are wanting to replace…
& the lights we are considering for the space to replace those wall sconce lights…
I should add that the doors will be changing [new doors to come.. that’s a whole different decision we will get to. Most likely wood or white with that simple farmhouse/cottage vibe]. We are partnering with Barn Light Electric on this project & I honestly had a hard time picking a favorite light from their website, but I’ve narrowed it down to a few that I love, but I’m open to more suggestions from their website if you have one! A few facts to remember about all the lights: The are all available in different colors and finishes, you can change the goose neck on them to any angle/size, & the lights are all made in the USA which is a fun fact that made me fall more in love with them. We are going to replacing all the porch lights on our house [there are quite a few on the wrap around porch area] & I’m hoping to add more of the cottage/farmhouse vibe that we love so much. Here are some more photos of those lights on the porch that we are replacing….
So, what do you think? Which one should we go with? What style, color, shape do you like the best? Bronze, black, white, green, silver? Large gooseneck, small gooseneck, large shade, medium shade? I want to hear from you! What do you think would look good on our farmhouse here on White Cottage Farm? Let me know in the comments below, find me on Facebook, & chat with me on Instagram. Thank you guys so much for stopping by the blog & for being such a huge part in our 1800’s farmhouse fixer upper. xx
I opened your post with surprise as I have been shopping online for outdoor barn lights !!! I am tickled to know of this company as they have a couple that I like, and I am pleased to have the choice of shade size. I can visualize these barn lights on your porch and my bet is, you will be very pleased with this look. Have you measured the distance between your window trim and the door trim to see if the base plate will fit ? The one I like best, “The Original Warehouse Gooseneck Light”. I have seen these installed and ALWAYS….the larger the size, the more impressive they are. The current lights are your porch look too small for the proportion of your house/porch. I would go as large as possible. I have a lakehouse with a lower porch all the way around on all 4 sides, and a covered deck all the way around on 4 sides……..so believe it or not, I need to purchase 13 of these barn lights ! The cost is something I choke to think about but many I have seen are $300 and up !!! I think you should go with the black, no matter which light you choose and go BIG as possible 🙂
I love the first one. The round shape speaks to me. All the choices would look great
I choose the second one. It looks like it would look perfect with the style of house and surrounding buildings.
I think the 3rd works PERFECT for the house! Or gas lanterns from the old south 😉 That’s what we are going to try to do! If the city will pass it in Mi. We lived in Charleston for yrs and just fell in love with the charm. Recreate as much as we can in our fixer upper to bring a little low country to our home here in Michigan.
First one in a black or bronze finish
Good luck with your lights! Barn Light Electric is a fabulous company! We have a similar barn light hanging over our back door, but for lights that flank a door, we chose something that didn’t aim the light straight down. Your porch has other sources of light, so the barn light’s perfect! I like the first galvanized fixture that’s an unusual dome shape. 😉
I like the cup shape of the first one, but I would also consider how each shape throws the light. Torn between black and silver finish…
Because your house is so big, I think you should choose the largest size possible. We made the mistake of getting lights that seem too small in hind-site. I vote for black! Any of those styles will be adorable. My favorite is the third.
Have fun!!
I’m not loving the gooseneck style for your house. If it were me, I would choose the Mission Bell wall mount, and I would go big with it. And definitely go with something that contrasts with the white (which I love!).
Hello! I actually was wondering where the large pillows on the church pew were purchased? I love the size of them!
Thank you.
I like 1 or 2 in black for the lights around the porch but I think you need something different on either side of your front door. Something sort of like a lantern or more glass. I know whatever you and Jose pick with be perfect. Cannot wait to see it. I wish I lived closer to take a couple of the ones you’re taking down off your hands. I have ideas for those little ladies! Feel like sending them to St. Louis? Best
I’m going with the trend and agree with many who’ve already commented. I think the lights should be black (or dark) and with the size of your house and porch I would go with larger lights to fill the space better. It’s always amazing to me how changing up small details can transform the whole look of the house! Good luck!
I think the second ones are the best! They would add a small pop to your porch, but are not too large or too much. Plus I think being able to see the light bulb a tiny bit, adds a bit of texture to the light. Love that one in black!
I also do not care for a gooseneck style for your house. I actually really like the large fixture your porch sign is hanging on – I would just paint it black (the metal parts!). I think the exposed glass would she more light, which would be welcoming to people coming up, as well as shed more light on the porch. The gooseneck style will just give light in a downward-facing cone. I think more light ill be more welcoming & functional. But – I know whatever you choose will look great!!
I love the contrast of the black shade. I think it would be a really good choice.
Gonna be honest, none of those. Your age/style house would not have had that type of light, especially on a covered porch! I would look for a vintage style lantern style in black. Use barn lights on places that are either uncovered or just outbuildings. Just my opinion.
I like the first one in that finish, it suits your aesthetic
The second one!! LOVE!!!
Love the second one with the caged light but have to agree that these might be best in a complementary spot with large lantern style ones on either side of the doors
For sure the third one in black! ??❤️
I love the last one. Black with a bigger shade. I think black would look really nice on your house in any style you choose.
❤️
They’re all pretty!!! But I would go with Option 3! Definitely my favorite!
I think you should stay with the lanterns that you have already, or a different type of lantern, I think that style fits your house better. And I would black definitely!!! :))))
I like the Owings Mill Barn Lantern lights from the website you mentioned, I think they are beautiful. I’m not sold the the one’s listed, they seem more styled towards over a barn door or something different to me. And I agree with the previous comment, that black would be beautiful color to stand out with the white house.
Definitely the ones with the cage ?
The third one! They are all great! Do you mind sharing the paint color of your exterior? I’ve been searching on your blog and your farmhouse’s blog but haven’t seen it, yet! Thanks!
I ❤️ 4!! I think it will go great for your beautiful home!
I love the third one – but in black. They are all so great though!
2nd one…. exactly as pictured. Love the black and galvanized look!!
I love everything you do! Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. I am not a fan of the gooseneck for outside. I went to Barn Light Electric’s website. They have the most gorgeous lighting. I think on your farmhouse the Old Town Barn Lantern would be perfect. I am sure whatever you chose it will be beautiful!!!
Third one down in black. I am currently searching for lights also. Will check out this company.
Number 3! Love it in the brushed silver pictured here!
I say #3, and you can’t go wrong with the color in the pic, matte black, aged gunmetal, or a dark or oil rubbed bronze. I think I would personally go with the darker toned metals if you intend to keep your current set up… those chairs, lanterns, and the basket light call for a darker tone metal, I think. I just wouldn’t do anything glossy like #2 looks. I’m sure whatever you choose is going to look perfect!
Can’t go wrong with a beautiful gooseneck. With the size of your farmhouse I think they should be as large as possible and in black. The black will pop against the beautiful white … the galvanized I feel will get lost…and several posts ago you talked about wanting to add more black elements into your decorating. I love decorating with pops of black … whether it’s paint, metal, in a rug, in a pillow, etc…it’s so versatile and looks classic with white. Win win!
I really like that second light option, and I think it would give a nice contrast in case you guys choose the white doors.
Either the 2nd or 3rd option
Hi,
Since lighting has a HUGE impact on the look of the house…here is my opinion, for what it’s worth.
As much as I love the lights you are considering, a farmhouse such as yours would not have had those types of lights. On the barn yes, but the house is a bit too elegant, although I realize you want to bring in your more relaxed look.
I absolutely can see the La Grange barn Lights on your house, at least by the front door, but they are quite expensive. Let the “grand dame” you now love as home have her due..she deserves a curvy, statement accent. They also seem to fit in their more narrow style, and will fill the space nicely.
Good luck, I don’t think there’s a bad light on that website, lol. Any will be beautiful. I just hope you break out of your comfort zone enough to at least hold one of those up before you decide. That’s the best way, you never truly know until you are seeing them in person.
P.S…I also liked the bell light someone else commented on..really different!
Karen
All gorgeous, but I’m going to vote the top ones!
I think 2 or 4 in black in the large size. But you really can’t go wrong with the choices you’ve selected.