Vintage Industrial Lighting Suits Rockaway Beach Surf Shack
While many people opt to live near their workplace to cut down on commuting, Courtney and Aristides choose to live where their hearts belong. And that magical place is on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens. Avid surfers, the couple wanted a place close to the ocean with easy access to the waves.
“We both may work a little far from where we live, but the natural beauty and solitude on the peninsula coupled with great surf makes it too hard for us to give up,” Courtney says. “It’s a really nice sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.” An independent interior designer, Courtney works in both residential and commercial spaces.
Courtney and Aristides recently renovated their home which dates back to the 1920s. The house was gutted to the studs which revealed a structure in very good condition. From that blank slate, they adapted the home to both their style and comfort while still maintaining its vintage character. A big part of that character comes from vintage industrial lighting from Barn Light Electric.
“We made a conscious effort to keep to the original integrity of the home while adding small touches of modern comforts,” Courtney explains. “We repurposed most of the materials from the renovation and purchased reclaimed lumber for our floor and shelving. When it came to lighting, we wanted to find something with a vintage flair, something unique, colorful, and playful.”
For the entry where the surfboards are stored for easy access, Courtney chose the Bomber Pendant Light in a 15″ shade size. This hand-spun barn light is customized with a Galvanized finish and standard black cord.
“We chose this fixture specifically because we loved its simple clean lines,” she notes. “The main focus in the entry is all about the surf boards.”
In the kitchen, Courtney wanted a pop of color to play off the kitchen cabinets which are painted a Robin’s Egg Blue. The Original™ 2-Light Stem Mount Pendant offers a colorful, playful feel to the space while adding warmth in contrast to the modern stainless appliances.
Heading up to the master bedroom, another happy yellow pendant lights the stairwell.
“I have a special place in my heart for the color yellow,” Courtney admits. “It’s just a happy color that makes me smile and brightens up a room. It’s a constant color in our home and we even painted our front door yellow.” This American-made Original™ Warehouse Pendant sports a 12″ shade and Buttery Yellow finish color.
In the bedroom, another Original™ Warehouse Pendant adds light to the space with a 14″ shade and Navy finish.
“I chose the deep navy blue to play off the lightness in the room,” Courtney says. “The entire room is painted white from floor to ceiling, and I thought the Navy added a nice pop of color and contrast.”
With the renovation complete, Courtney and Aristides are back doing what they love — grabbing a board and heading to the beach every chance they get.
“We are incredibly happy with how it all turned out,” she says. “I think the lights set the mood for each room and we receive so many compliments on them. We love the vintage industrial feel that Barn Light Electric offers. This made every room feel very special and unique.”
Photos courtesy of Courtney Brokaw Interiors
