Inspirations

Remodelista Reconnaissance: The Endless Appeal of Silver-Tipped Lightbulbs

Leave it to Copenhagen It couple Frederik Bille Brahe (chef) and Caroline Brasch Nielsen (model/designer) to remind us that a silver-tipped lightbulb can transform an otherwise ho-hum fixture into a design detail worth emulating. (For evidence, see this week’s A Family Kitchen in Copenhagen with Uncommon Style.)

It’s the kind of easy swap we’ve long admired. But where to source such a silvery bulb? Read on.

The Sighting(s)

our reminder of the enigmatic appeal of chrome tipped bulbs came from frederik  9
Above: Our reminder of the enigmatic appeal of chrome-tipped bulbs came from Frederik and Caroline’s kitchen, where they’re paired with simple white sconces (and some creative work with the electrical cord). Photograph courtesy of Reform from A Family Kitchen in Copenhagen with Uncommon Style.
but we’ve previously admired silver bulbs, too, including in the fr 10
Above: But we’ve previously admired silver bulbs, too, including in the French home of French stylist and costumier Céline Sathal, where a solitary silver bulb hangs from the ceiling. Photography by Eefje de Coninck for Remodelista from La Vie en Rose: Inside a Costumier’s Dreamlike, DIY Maison in France.
and small chrome bulbs replaced regular white ones in sarah lonsdale&#821 11
Above: And small chrome bulbs replaced regular white ones in Sarah Lonsdale’s own California bath, as seen in 10 Tips for Transforming a Rental Bath on a Budget. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.

The Source

silvery lightbulbs are easy to source. the keywords you’re looking  12
Above: Silvery lightbulbs are easy to source. The keywords you’re looking for are “half-chrome lightbulb” or “silver-tipped lightbulb.” Shown is the oversized G40 Silver Tip Bulb from Schoolhouse, $16 for the 60-watt version. They also carry the G25 Silver Tip LED Bulb, from $28. Less expensive options are widely available from Nostalgic Bulbs ($4.95), Ace Hardware ($7.99), Lights.com ($8), and Home Depot ($6.58).

Have another go-to source? Let us know in the comments. And for more design details uncovered, see: