I have been restoring vintage lights since I was a teenager in the mid-1970s. An Interstate highway was being rammed through the city where I lived, and I ran (steps ahead of the bulldozers, and with my shag haircut flying) from one incredible building to another, and from one incredible house to another, and salvaged everything I could.
My poor, bewildered parents. Their garage was soon chock-a-block with what I thought were treasures beyond compare. But which they thought was just useless flotsam. I did though once overhear my mom say: “Well, at least he’s not out doing drugs.”
However, when all their boring lights were systematically replaced with the most stunning lights they had ever seen – and all for free, rewired, and restored – they soon had second thoughts about the flotsam. (I paid for new parts by mowing lawns!)
Fast forward many decades.
One day I realized I had a pile of old lights rusting away in my basement. I hauled a few out, restored them (bringing back many old memories), and listed them on eBay.
At the time I had no idea, not a clue, that I had just radically changed my life.
Within months my life was unrecognizable, and I was working full time restoring vintage lighting and selling the fixtures across America.
My new e-commerce website is now online. Whoee! Please feel free to shop and purchase here:
My blog post are below.
Before. And a Golly After.
Golly. Golly. Golly. Today I painted the lattice. It needs some touching-up still, and a thin black trim is going to be installed around the perimeter of the lattice. I also did a gloss finish on the column. And the never-ending door was finished. Squee!!!!!!!! I still have some other details to…
Continue ReadingAnchoring the Dining Room
Normally, when plaster is in such poor condition, I replace it with sheetrock. But the Cross House rather insists that I step it up! Months ago I ordered two 5-gallon containers of pre-mixed plaster from Master of Plaster, This is a two coat process and when I am finished all…
Continue ReadingPaper Chiroptera?
While pondering bats (chiroptera) I thought: Does bat wallpaper exist? Why, yes… What I love about the above paper is that it, at a glance, looks quite traditional. Only closer examination reveals friggin’ bats flying all over the place! I would enjoy this at the Cross House. Perhaps my bathroom?
Continue ReadingA Bat. In the Parlor.
On Thursday I drove to Kansas City to buy lots-o-bread. And I, of course, had to stop by my friend Susi’s house! Susi is an artist and works in a variety of mediums.
Continue ReadingInching Along. OOPS.
Yesterday the top-most horizontal board on the lattice was too wide. And the bottom horizontal board kinda vanished. Today, I took everything apart and redid it. Argh! But I like the proportions of the trim boards better. NOTE: The lattice itself will receive some trim around its perimeter. This will cover the small…
Continue ReadingInching Along. Wild & Crazy!
My mind says: If you paint the background of the curved scrollwork in color #5, you should do the same on the wide scrolled panel above the big window. My eye says: No, What you did today is unorthodox but it works. Trust the eye! Trust the eye!…
Continue ReadingInching Along in a ZOUNDS-like Way
The lattice will be painted in color #5. It will have trim around the perimeter edges painted black. The flat frame will be green. Even unpainted and unfinished it still looks SO much…
Continue ReadingInching Along. SQUEE!!!!!!!!
Today was the day. Today I finished a long-awaited task. Today I was able to stand back…and stare in wonder and appreciation and with much happiness. Today. Wanna see? Scroll way down…
Continue ReadingInching Along. With Excitement.
I removed the porch railing many months ago and it has taken some effort getting it restored. But I have been breathless about its return. Well, today I was able to reinstall it. Sorta kinda. Wanna see sorta kinda? Scroll way down… …
Continue ReadingAnd More!
My online vintage lighting store.
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