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.
Searching for Elusive Finishes
I glopped paint stripper on the rest of the insert, and then went to paint more on the Great North Wall. While painting, the insert kept swimming around my brain. No, it made NO sense that the original finish was friggin’ gold paint. Paint! Again, my mind kept…
Continue ReadingWanna Meet My Mantels?
The Cross House was built in 1894 and had eight coal fireplaces. All the mantels AND over-mantles are in situ. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Because the house also had radiators, it seems curious that the fireplaces were even used. I mean, why bother with the work and mess? The mantels were, I presume, all ordered from…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingHidden Glamour
As the heavens raged, I received a text from a friend. A house was being demolished tomorrow. He knew I had always admired it. My heart felt crushed. Another text: the house is open. Wanna see inside? It was pitch black outside, save the dramatic streaks of lighting. Rain dashed against my windows. The…
Continue ReadingMy New Baby!
In the archival image it is difficult to tell exactly what the original finial looked like. The original 1894 drawings were helpful, but could not be relied upon as…
Continue ReadingA Damaged Beauty
Normally, I do not buy damaged fixtures, but this one was just too stunning to pass up. Also, depending on how one positioned the pendant, the damaged side of the shade may not even be visible. For example, in the Cross House, if I hung this in the round Receiving Room…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue Reading1970s Hollywood Regency Glamour!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingIntroducing Hollywood-Regency into the Cross House
The Cross House was built in 1894. It is now 2016. So, 122-years have elapsed since the house was built. And during these many years a lot has happened in terms of lighting and furnishings and fabrics. While I am greatly devoted to restoring the architecture of the Cross House to its 1894 appearance, there…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue Reading