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.
CH: Day 45
Next week…I hope…the entry will be removed. Then the large window can be installed, centered under the turret. The large window has a leaded-glass diamond-paned transom. This has been restored but I cannot, at the moment, pay for it. So it will not return to the house for now. This wall will be primed…
Continue ReadingCH: Day 39
The drip cap cannot be installed after the siding is installed.
Continue ReadingPrepare to be…GOBSMACKED!
In 2018, Blair and his wife, Beth, toured the Cross House. During the visit Blair made a major discovery. To appreciate today’s post you might wish to first read the 2018 post. And this dramatic Part II post. I will have some wine while you read. . . . . . . . . ….
Continue ReadingThank you, Mr. President
Across the nation, Republicans are doing everything they can to demonize the LGBTQ community. My community. By way of contrast, President Biden today announced that he will host the largest-ever White House Pride Month celebration. The difference between the two parties is stark. Democrats HELP Republicans HARM
Continue ReadingCH: Day 38
Drum roll, please. Yesterday I posited two questions. Was there a circa-1920 header above the entry of the Carriage House, under the turret? Or was the turret supported by a full-width 1894 header? Today…I have an answer from the past. This will make removing the entry and replacing it with…
Continue ReadingCH: Day 37
…I have an idea. Above the door is exposed sheathing. The door is later to be replaced by the large window from the living room. The window will be centered under the turret. This will necessitate a new header. Rather than do this from the interior, as I had planned…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
Prepare to gasp… This is the Alexander Black House, in Blacksburg, Virginia. It was threatened by demolition for a parking garage. The city though did something extraordinary: they saved the house. It was moved…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue Reading