The Death of Overhead Lighting: How Olivia Culpo Is Using Antique-Inspired Sconces to Transform Her Entryway

Olivia wall features a black-and-white, marble sconce with candlestick attachments, for a look that meshes tradition with contemporary sensibilities

olivia culpo in a black dress on a cream background
(Image credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for FWRD)

Overhead lighting is overrated; this much we know. That's why you may have noticed sconces making the rounds lately; in particular, candle sconces.

Olivia Culpo is on board with the trend, having recently shared a clip of her entryway lighting, featuring an elegant, modern candlelabra-style sconce, set against a round black-and-white marble.

Shop the Candle Sconce Edit

Design insiders tell us that sconces have long been a go-to lighting choice due to their unassuming yet impactful abilities, as well as their utilitarian nature.

'Wall sconces are perfect for adding soft, directional lighting that can highlight artwork, frame a mirror, or provide task lighting in functional spaces like a bathroom or hallway,' says Westchester-based designer Nina Lichtenstein.

'Unlike overhead lights that can sometimes feel harsh, sconces offer a more subtle, focused light. Adjustable swing-arm sconces are ideal for bedside or desk use, while flush-mounted or hardwired sconces create a streamlined look along walls or staircases.'

For the candle look specifically, we have scored the market for some truly amazing picks, and we have to share them: this super-modern, white sconce from Moda Operandi is a need for any contemporary entryway, while this scalloped metal candle holder from Anthropologie is showstopping and affordable at only $24.

Regardless of which style you go for, you can be sure that the lighting addition will be a fixture in your home for years to come.


Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.