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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

Did you guys know that Monica and I love discovering and studying small businesses, right? We both have owned our own businesses, and now run this blog which has turned into a small business in it’s own right. We find it fascinating to watch people do what they love to do and turn their gifts into a fulfilling career! There’s just something so inspiring about the whole thing. A few weeeks ago, I gave you a peek into my dining room complete with three new fabulous light fixtures from Lucent Lampworks. We thought it would be fun to let you in on what it’s like behind the scenes with Brad at his home, and how we both fell in love with a few lights for our own homes.

This is Brad. (and his adorable daughter, Lia)
He is not an electrician. He is not a trained lighting designer. He is a self-proclaimed tinkerer with a creative side who one day decided to make a few custom lights for friends and family as Christmas gifts when money was tight. He opened an Etsy shop, had a sale a few days later and is now creating fabulous light fixtures out of old barn pulleys, found items and whatever gets his creative juices flowing for people all around the world. People, this guy is seriously talented. Since 2010, his lights have been showcased in the following awesome places:
*Extreme Makeover Home Edition – Beautiful New Home in Texas that aired in 2012

*The Winter Collection Catalog for Stylish Home Magazine – www.stylishhome.com
*History Channel show – Abandoned – aired August 2012
*Featured in Soulemama.com
*Food Channel – Restaurant Takeover – Canadian version airing this fall!

Monica and I went to visit his little “shop” in his basement to see how he does it all and quickly realized how out of our element we were when Brad started talking about all the old reproduction wiring, vintage plug ends and exposed sockets. 🙂 But what we did know was that Brad was passionate about that stuff and it showed in his work.
Brad styles all the photos of his lights himself and has an incredible set up. See all those different backgrounds? He makes most of them himself so that his lights pop against them.
He doesn’t mess around with lighting his “sets” either. Every thing this guy does is done right.
See what I mean? We got a few ideas for creating backgrounds for our finished projects, so, thanks, Brad! 😉
Cage light anyone?
Monica got two of these gorgeous green enamel shades made for her. You have to wait for Spring to see what she did with them, but they are incredible!
I had to get my cheesy pic with that cobalt blue beauty and Monica was totally digging this glass cylinder pendant.
And, in case you’re wondering, this trip to his shop was where I first spotted the white, enamel pendant light that is now proudly living above my dining room table.
I also spotted this cage light which inspired the industrial cage light sconces that flank the art in that same room. Brad took my idea, researched and found cages from the early 1900’s and turned them into awesome sconces. I loooooove them!
Isn’t that amazing? We strongly encourage you to take at a look at Brad’s shop to see what other awesomeness he has going on there. You will not meet a nicer guy and he’d be happy to help you create the light of your dreams (please tell me I’m not the only one who dreams about lighting….)
Oh yeah, one more thing just for you guys! You can get 10% off your order at Lucent Lampworks by using the coupon code EC2tenoff! You’re welcome!
Do any of you have a small business? Leave us a comment with the name so we can check it out! It’s one of our favorite things to do!

 

The comments +

  1. absolutely fabulous lighting! love his set idea too! Might have to snatch that idea for staging my refinished furniture pieces!

  2. Fabulous lighting! I’ll definitely check out his site! You can find my small business (with my 2 partners) at http://www.secretsistersely.com … I hope you enjoy! And we’re always open to suggestions!

  3. BradM says:

    Thank you Jess & Monica! What a nice surprise to wake up to today! Cheers!
    Brad

  4. Danielle says:

    Those lights are fantastic! I love the rustic feel they have!

  5. Gorgeous lights!! I love them all! Can I just say the suspense is KILLING me!!? I’m dying to find out the contestants tomorrow!
    I have a small business and a few more things will added soon!

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/owensolivia

  6. Teresa ramos says:

    Where can I find the glass cylinder pendant and the cage pendant..

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