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.
1950 Bling!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingA Lincrusta Puzzle!
I have NO idea how to reattach all these bits, and am hoping to receive expert advice from you. I assume that I will have to lay out all the bits, on a HOT day, in the driveway so the bits can kinda melt back into a flat shape…
Continue ReadingA Forest Grows…and Grows…at the Cross House
I do not have a fear of heights, blessedly, but I freak out and get knobby knees and a quivering stomach if I am HIGH up on shaky scaffolding, and without railings. I just can’t do it. No way, man! Yesterday, before we finished the tippy-top level, I stood up there to see if…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingSomething New…!!!!!!!!
The main roof is 1920s cementitious tiles. These tiles will last till the end of time, so I am leaving them in place. The new roofing was selected to complement the 1920s tiles, and paint colors. The new…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingThe DREADED Six Rule! PART II.
I recently did a post about adding a structural beam to the foyer/stairhall of the Cross House. This post will not make much sense without reading the previous post. UPDATE: The installation of the new beam is moving along!
Continue ReadingA Frankenlight! EEEEEEEEK!
A Frankenlight is, like the famous monster, made of disparate parts. I never create or sell Frankenlights. But they are common. Few buyers will even realize that they have purchased a Frankenlight. And few sellers indicate as such. …
Continue ReadingLovely porcelain & glass 1930s sconces by Porcelier!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingTuckpointing a Historic Chimney. HELP!
At some point somebody thought it would be a good idea to paint the red brick…red. So, you are looking at red paint rather than red brick. Sigh. As a reader of Old House Journal since the 1970s (yes, I really am that old), I have known for decades the dangers of repointing,…
Continue ReadingAn Amazing 1940s Vintage Lightolier Chandelier
There are cars. And there are cars. You can buy a new Ford Taurus for about $25,000. Or, you could buy a new Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe for $400,000. Both vehicles have four wheels, are fully equipped, safe, and will get you very comfortably from A to B. But there’s still a world of difference between the…
Continue ReadingZOUNDS! A day of discoveries!
Ok. I admit it. And even though it is kinda scary coming out with such an admission…I am going to go for it. Ok. Here I go. Really, I am ready to admit my secret. Really. Ok, I am taking a deep breath. Breathe. Breathe. Ok! Now, scroll way down…but prepare to be…shocked! …
Continue ReadingHow to Create an 1894 Period-Correct Bathroom
I am years away from restoring the bathroom but am nonetheless interested in learning all I can about it, and all I can about what an 1894 bathroom would have looked like for a house of the style/quality of the Cross House. If I were to…
Continue ReadingA 1920s French Gothic Wonder
My online vintage lighting store.
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