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.
A 1940s Beauty!
My online vintage lighting store. I love fixtures from the 1940s, and at some point I really need to buy a 1940s just so I can fill it with such beauties. The 1940s have a distinct aesthetic. It is post-Deco, not really Mid-Century Modern, and pre-Atomic Age. It is in the middle;…
Continue ReadingInching Along. Ta-Da!
Like everything with the south facade, the top of the tower looked fine from ground level. I thought: A light sanding, primer, and paint! Easy-peasy! Oops. Even the two arched window sashes, which were restored a few years ago, needed attention. I partially reglazed one, and repainted all four sashes…
Continue ReadingMaking Sashes Pretty
The wood will receive an oil-based primer, and two coats of oil-base glossy black. The gloss really makes the sashes pop.
Continue ReadingWhile Rome Burns…
…I have a tiny bit of good news! So, y’all remember about the new Pete portrait in the 1894 parlor? But the hanging cord thingy looked, umm, undersized. It is the fourth one in the room, and I have never been happy with them. Too skimpy. I have been searching for beefier versions and at…
Continue ReadingFlower Power
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingA Political Parlor
In 2016, I was painting the parlor of the 1894 Cross House. Hillary Clinton had been nominated for president by The Democratic Party. And at one point, as my hand was up in the air painting the ceiling, a thought struck me: When this room was was built women didn’t even have the right to…
Continue ReadingAn Inspiring Talent
Jonathan Antoine was 17 when he entered Britain’s Got Talent. He was…an improbable contestant. And a nervous wreck. Then he began to sing. Wow. He’s continued to do well. He’s now 25 and it’s been wonderful seeing him gain self-assurance. He’s got a new song out, which is also improbable But…wow:
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingDANGER, WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!
Proximity alert! Proximity alert! Gray and New Kitty. Masterfully not quite touching.
Continue ReadingA 1940 Lovely
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue Reading