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A(nother) Lighting Love Story

To the light in my studio, I love you. Like, a lot. (Scott, too.) Even though you’re surrounded by paint bins, drop cloths and cans of mineral spirits, you still look so fine.

You’re so… big. And bright! Oh, happy, happy sigh.

Um, but, really. We couldn’t be more thrilled with our lighting purchase. However, this is not the happiest of lighting tales (although the ending is), as it could easily contend with the saga – turned love story – of our kitchen fixture (more on that right here).

As far as studio lighting goes, I had one major criteria: I needed lots of it – to detail each and every puppy paw that passes my painting table, of course. After finding this pendant at the Lamps Plus Open Box Outlet (for close to half the original cost), I knew it’d be the right fit. The four bulbs it required would allow all the light my heart desires while being clean, classy and, again, big. At 24,” the size alone was bound to create impact – especially in a room that’s only 8′ wide, but the style and shape would add elegance and simplicity. As an open box item, I knew full well that I risked minor defects – but I didn’t care. The price was right, and my decision was made.

After paying for said light and receiving confirmation, I was told a week later they oversold it. Yes, I was peeved, but let’s just say an ensuing customer service snafu had me seeing red, so I set my sights elsewhere. The problem is, nothing else fit the bill. I was stuck on needing four bulbs. I had a small budget and high hopes. After weeks of (literally) dreaming of the one that got away, Scott took the reigns, called Lamps Plus, and pleaded our case. I obnoxiously perched too close for comfort and tried to whisper things like, tell them it was their fault! They owe us! Nag, nag, nag! I hate to be that person, but desperate times… well, you know.

In the end, he sealed the deal for under $200 (not cheap by any means, but worth every penny, close to 30% off the retail price, and it’s built like a champion), and we got our pendant. And because they oversold the open box variety, we got a new one. Win!

And a day before install, you might remember that this happened:

In a strange twist, this is the light that we were replacing with the new honker. No one was hurt, but dang crashing glass can make some noise. We’re still not sure how it happened, but we’d like to think Helen had a little something to do with it. Creepy timing. And to tie this whole mini saga back to the beginning, the suicidal light is actually the original kitchen fixture from Lighting Love Story number one. Whoa. Now that’s full circle.

As for the fauxdenza – it’s done! You can also see another in process project in the first photo (spoiler), but more to come on all those things. One step at a time, remember?

Now, who wants to get some customer service stories off their chest? Anyone?

See more of our studio ideas on our Pinterest board, right here.

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  • Jillian1.26.12 - 10:26 AM

    I’m just glad that damn thing didn’t fall on our heads! SHWOOO! And people thought they had bikes to worry about!

    oh and p.s. hilarious you sat by scott while he called and negotiated. eric won’t do that. i’m the one to call and kindly ask for the service we deserve, dammit! niceness does work wonders though. if you call all peeved, fuggedabout it! nice but firm, yes indeed! i love that kind of stuff. hahaReplyCancel

  • Jillian1.26.12 - 10:27 AM

    oh and how could i forget? love the new light!!!!ReplyCancel

    • Kim1.26.12 - 10:45 AM

      Thanks, Jill!

      I tried niceness the first time around. You know it’s hard to put on my “mean pants,” so after enough “woe is me!” Scott gave in and called them himself. Luckily when he called (of course!), he got an amazing saleswoman, and she negotiated a fair price after all the initial confusion!ReplyCancel

  • Jane @ The Borrowed Abode1.26.12 - 10:48 AM

    I’m with you, it’s probably Helen’s fault! :)

    I’ve only really fought customer service once. Short version: Spied a gorgeous wood-framed mirror at Pier 1. Clearance priced from $100 down to $19, because of a crack in the mirror. I was broke, thus didn’t mind crack. Carried it to register, where manager said “Oh, that shouldn’t have been out, we can’t sell it.” He tried to get me a different one that wasn’t cracked. I said “only if I still get the clearance price” – of course he said no way. He tried to literally take the mirror out of my arms. I tightened my grip and stood my ground, demanding I be allowed to buy the cracked mirror. Finally I won, I think because he thought I was a nutjob. It was perfect for my space, and the crack became part of its charm. Like a war wound. :)ReplyCancel

  • Kim1.26.12 - 11:08 AM

    Jane, this made me laugh! They didn’t know who they were dealing with!ReplyCancel

  • Jill1.26.12 - 1:11 PM

    Yeah, the right person def. plays a role in giving in to your request. But I’ve also got some mean pants in my blood, unfort. Not usually a good thing. HaReplyCancel

  • Jen1.26.12 - 1:24 PM

    When we bought our new appliances the stove that came was the not the one ordered. It was actually better as it had a fancy warming drawer. No extra charge yada, yada. Come to find out later after a few repair calls that this stove was a floor model/return and warming drawer or not, the thang was jenky. When I tried to return it it was an Abbot and Costello “who’s on first?” as they didn’t see this model in our invoice, blah, blah. DUH! We went round and round until I finally said to the guy, “so what? I magically shop lifted this stove from your shop?” Is that how I came to have this model? I mean come on dude! It was DELIVERED by ya’ll!
    He saw the logic and we got a new stove.ReplyCancel

  • Kim1.26.12 - 1:48 PM

    Jen, that’s too funny! Thank goodness you got the right stove, but “who’s on first” stories always crack me up. Happy cooking :)ReplyCancel

  • Cait @ Hernando House1.26.12 - 1:52 PM

    We (and by we I mean Robert) fought Lowe’s over a mispriced door lock set a while back. I blogged about it and got some mean comment bascially saying “they didn’t have to do that, you’re a jerk” when I mentioned Florida’s Shopkeeper law. Whatever!

    Love the light!

    Also, we have what I have dubbed “Ghost Dog” at our house. Both dogs will be sleeping (or outside) and I hear puppy nails on the wood floor, weird thumps, or a dog drinking water. Strange. But maybe I’m just crazy.ReplyCancel

  • Kim1.26.12 - 2:26 PM

    Cait, oh my goodness! Ghost puppy! I like it.ReplyCancel

  • Cait @ Hernando House1.26.12 - 2:45 PM

    Hehe glad you like it! Maybe Helen is a Ghost Kitty?ReplyCancel

  • Kim1.26.12 - 2:50 PM

    Hmm, I like the sound of that. I would love this to be true, however, a few months ago, I “bumped” shoulders with her when I was in the kitchen. I said “oh, excuse me,” then looked up and realized Scott was on the couch.

    Sadly, I don’t think kitties are that tall!ReplyCancel

  • Persistence pays off! I have been much more proactive in letting businesses know when I’ve had a good/bad experience. If you don’t tell them, how will they know?ReplyCancel

  • rachael1.26.12 - 4:59 PM

    Haha, Helen was just ready for the new light I guess! It is really pretty; at least she’s a ghost with similarly good taste?ReplyCancel

  • Trude1.27.12 - 6:05 PM

    Gorgeous pendant! I’m super jealous of all that gorgeous light you’re getting from that giant window. They just don’t make them that way very much here in SoCal. Can’t wait to see the studio all finished!ReplyCancel

  • Cait @ Hernando House1.30.12 - 8:57 AM

    Wow that’s crazy!ReplyCancel

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