![Need for Neon!](http://www.katiebartels.com/cdn/shop/articles/Untitled_design_280_1024x1024.png?v=1661291333)
I can't remember specifically when my obsession with neon lights began, but I do know that my trip to Lost Lake (an amazing tiki bar in Chicago that sadly has closed) solidified my need to have neon lights in my home. There was a neon light on the palm leaf wallpapered walls at Lost Lake and as soon as I saw that, I knew it was something I needed in my life. This trip to Lost Lake would have a big impact on my aesthetic and also on my belief that the best type of bar is a tiki bar.
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Soon after I returned home, I purchase a rainbow neon light. That was the beginning of my efforts to illuminate my home in hopes that one day you can see it from space. I added a pineapple and a flamingo about three years ago. And then this past year, I had a neon light made with my logo. Truly one of the greatest conversation pieces in my home. I had the light made by Brite Lite Tribe and they were fantastic.
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I mean, how awesome is this custom light?!
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As you can imagine given my love of neon, I am a huge fan of the work of Dan Flavin. "Untitled (in honor of Leo at the 30th anniversary of his gallery)" is my favorite of all his works. I saw it at SF MoMA a few years ago and was obsessed
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One of the last museum trips we took before the world shut down was to Dia: The Dan Flavin Institute. If you are in the Hamptons this is a must see.
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You can also see Dan's work at Dia:Beacon and modern art museums around the world.
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Interested in adding neon lights to your home or office? Here are some of my top picks:
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0156/3842/files/blank_rectangle_480x480.png?v=1661451088)
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