Birdhouse Lantern Porch Light, Bronze Aluminum Outdoor Sconce

Outdoor lighting does not have to be serious. A cottage entry, a garden shed or a gate into the vegetable patch can carry a light with personality, one that makes people smile as they come up the path.

This rustic lantern is shaped like a birdhouse, with a ridged roof, a small bird on the ridge, a round window and leaf vines climbing its textured glass panels. It hangs from a curved arm on a rectangular backplate and measures 15 inches tall, 9.8 inches wide and 9.3 inches from the wall. It is die cast aluminum in rustic bronze, rated IP56, with a replaceable E27 LED bulb and CRI 80 light on a hardwired 110V to 240V supply.

What makes the birdhouse lantern stand out

The birdhouse shape is charming without being childish. The ridged roof, the tiny bird and the round window read clearly from the path, and the proportions still look like a proper lantern.

Textured glass softens the light. The rippled panels scatter the bulb into a dappled glow that falls gently on the wall and the step with no glare.

Leaf vines add a garden touch. Cast leaves climb across the glass, so the lantern looks at home among climbing roses, ivy and planted pots.

The rustic bronze finish looks aged in a good way. Brushed highlights give it the character of weathered metal that suits brick, stone and painted wood.

It is made for outdoor life, with die cast aluminum, an IP56 rating and a rated working range of 13°F below zero to 149°F.

Where it looks best, around the house

• Cottage front doors. A cheerful welcome that suits a small, pretty entry.
• Garden walls. A dappled glow among climbing plants.
• Potting sheds. A playful light beside the shed door.
• Garden gates. A lantern on the pier welcomes guests into the garden.
• Back porches. A relaxed, warm light for summer evenings.

It suits cottage, farmhouse, country and rustic homes, and it adds a playful note to a garden with a lot of planting.

Choosing the finish and placement

The lantern measures 15 inches tall, 9.8 inches wide and 9.3 inches from the wall, on a backplate 8.3 inches tall and 4.7 inches wide. That compact size suits a standard door, a garden wall or a shed.

A few guidelines help:

• Mount it so the center sits a little above eye level beside the door.
• Place it where climbing plants or pots frame it, to play up the garden look.
• Use one lantern on a small entry, or a pair on either side of a garden gate.
• Plan the wiring with an electrician, who can set the junction box at the right height before the fixture goes up.

All required mounting hardware and instructions are included.

Layering it with other lighting

Along a garden path, low path lights lead the way to the birdhouse lantern at the door and keep the whole route softly lit.

For trees, borders and planting, add a few pieces from the landscape lighting collection, so the garden glows gently around the lantern.

Keep bulbs a warm white. A cool light would fight with the rustic bronze and the textured glass.

A lantern like this also looks good in daylight. The little bird on the ridge, the round window and the cast vines give children and guests something to spot, and the rustic bronze weathers gracefully against climbing roses, ivy or a painted door. In a garden where planting grows up around it, the lantern starts to look as if it has always been there, which is exactly the charm of a cottage entry.

Looking after it is simple. Switch it off and let it cool, then wipe the aluminum with a soft, dry cloth and dry it fully. For the glass, spray glass cleaner onto the cloth rather than onto the fixture, and avoid abrasive cleaners that could dull the finish.

Is the birdhouse lantern right for your space?

This light is a strong fit if you:

• Want a lantern with personality for a cottage or garden.
• Like rustic bronze and textured glass.
• Have a standard door, a shed or a garden wall to light.
• Can have a hardwired light installed.

It may not suit a formal or modern facade that calls for a classic or minimalist fixture.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery, and questions about sizes are answered at info@norafurnish.com.