Anthropologie’s Vintage-Inspired Light Looks Like It Belongs in a Paris Apartment

When faced with two similar products — one vintage and one brand-new — I’m often more likely to choose the secondhand option because I love a good old patina (and the potential of a fun backstory, whether real or imagined). My big exceptions to that rule, though? Bedding and lighting.

When it comes to lighting in particular, it’s tough to know whether an older fixture will work, save for testing it at a nearby outlet (which is relatively easy for lamps, but not so much for chandeliers and pendants). I also don’t really want to get into rewiring, which can be an added expense on top of the light.

For these reasons, I tend to shop for vintage-look lighting. And that’s where Anthropologie’s Eloise collection really delivers. I got the chance to test the Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Semi-Flush Mount Ceiling Light for editorial consideration, and I couldn’t be happier with the look and function of this charming pendant.

Beloved for its vintage-look scalloped detailing, intricate metalwork, and the warm glow pieces cast, the Eloise Lighting Collection feels like it’s right out of an early 20th-century apothecary, Victorian parlor, or a Paris apartment. The lights in this range just have an artful presence, no matter which model you choose, thanks to their sculptural shapes and opaque, milky glass construction. 

You can also select from several different glass and metal finishes, depending on the style, so the piece you end up with feels like the right choice for your space. For the Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Semi-Flush Mount Ceiling Light in particular, an opaque white, green, or blue glass shade can be paired with an oiled brass finish (and the first two options come in a matte black finish as well). I chose the green glass and brass colorway, as I wanted to put this light into my home office, which features Farrow & Ball’s Green Blue (No. 84) paint on the walls, and green and white patterned drapery.

Part of what’s made this line so popular is that several different lighting formats are available, from a few wall-mount sconces to a couple of flush-mount ceiling options. There’s even a table lamp and a petite pendant available, which are great for rentals and smaller spaces in particular. Each of these styles can stand on its own, but it’s possible to coordinate, if you have a big-enough room and want a matchy look.

It’s fair to say I’m an Anthro fangirl, so I like pretty much everything the brand does — especially from a home decor standpoint. But the Eloise really hits a lot of high points for me. 

First, you can tell the Eloise is well-made right out of the box; the glass is striking in its shapeliness. It’s such a gorgeous color of green, and has this painterly-like finish — it almost looks like it’s made of jadeite. This really drives home the vintage appeal, as milk glass was common in early 20th-century schools, municipal buildings, and stores. I tend to go a little more mid-century-inspired with my lighting, but this piece feels like the perfect mix between old and new for my 1928 Neo-Colonial Craftsman hybrid home.

Did I mention the size and fittings? They’re perfect for me, too. My office is on the small side and open to the living room through a sizable doorway, and the light I had previously was just a bit too flush to the ceiling to make any sort of statement. Plus, the shape of it cast a pretty harsh downlight.

The Eloise’s semi-flush projection provides just enough tubing so that you can see this light peeking out from the living room, which I love, as it coordinates nicely with a pair of skirted accent chairs I have in there. The canopy and decorative cap have such beautiful, old-world leaf and scroll designs on them, which also hammer the antique look home. They’d probably be a little less noticeable if you went with matte black fittings, but that might be the move if you want a little bit more modern of a look.

Installation was a breeze because the light, despite being substantial and fairly large, isn’t super heavy. You’ll want a partner to help you install it for ease, and safety comes first with cutting power before you attempt to put it in. Definitely hire an electrician or a more skilled installer if you have any qualms at all about working with wiring, though. It take a little bit of time to get all the wirings into the tubing, but a pro would have no issues.

My office gets a ton of natural light, so I don’t find myself putting the Eloise on much during the day. But I do think it’d be a great overhead option in a darker room that would absolutely be more stylish (and less harsh in terms of light quality) than a boob light. I don’t currently have mine on a dimmer, but I think it would be compatible with one.

When it’s on at night, the shade creates such a warm, diffused glow that I find myself switching it on just to look at it from the living room. As far as “big lights” go, I’d say the Eloise is a winner that checks a bunch of boxes for me, from its vintage vibes to its soft glimmer.