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:

The Old Above

My blog post are below.

Inchin’ Along

       

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Inchin’ Along

            In short: Very little progress this week. But….there was progress. And that is all that matters to me. Baby Steps™ in action.    

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Before. After.

    My online vintage lighting store.               My online vintage lighting store.    

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And…back to the Carriage House!

Early in the year I was working steadily on the inside of the Carriage House, with the hope (fantasy?) of finishing the interior by the end of the year. But then, in April, I decided to take a hiatus to work on some long-delayed projects causing problem on the Cross House, and the infamous cat…

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Poison Update

In August of 2023, I got my blood tested for lead. I learned that 3.5 is normal. Anything above 5 is considered a concern. And mine? 13.4. I abruptly stopped scraping off old lead paint from the Carriage House. A month later I had another test. The number had dropped to 11.6. In December, 2023…

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Before. After.

  My online vintage lighting store.         I knew what the missing parts looked like because I’ve sold the fixture many times previously. It’s by Virden, and from their Stratford Line.     And, now…drum roll, please…all back together:             My online vintage lighting store.    

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Only After

  My online vintage lighting store.     Sadly, I forgot to take a BEFORE image.  But the AFTER is well worth your time.       The fixture is circa-1940s, and is a style very popular in 1940s kitchens. And the finial is an on/off switch. How cool is that?       My online vintage lighting store….

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Remember This

This is a political post. If interested, please scroll down.                                                     I’ve gone cold turkey regarding all news. I refuse to have more years of my life dominated by an…

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2024!

  The scaffolding is gone! Gone! Gone! SQUEE!!!!!!!! Look at the GLEAMING lap-siding on the first floor of the tower! That was months of work this year. There is no sheet covering the big window!!!!!!!!! Thanks to help from Godsend Eric, this is year #10 of the 3-story holiday lighted tree!    

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Before. After.

  My online vintage lighting store.                 My online vintage lighting store.    

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THE OTHER HOUSE: 2

If you want to learn about My Other House, click here.                         Working on my house every day, no matter how small or large the effort, is my own Project 2025. And, so far, I am very pleased. I find it diverting and satisfying….

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Before. After.

    My online vintage lighting store.                   My online vintage lighting store.    

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THE OTHER HOUSE: 1

To fully understand what The Other House is, click here.   Room #5 was built in the 1970s. It was a long room, a laundry, and Mrs. Lawrence slept along the north wall in a cot. After I moved in, in 1996, it became my workroom. Later, I expanded the house with several additions, cut…

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Santa Again Visits the Cross House

     

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The Other House. Introduction.

NOTE: This is a very long post. Make sure you have the time. And some wine.     I have been hiding a house from y’all. It is the house I actually live in, in Strong City, 20 miles west of the Cross House. Upon buying the Cross House in 2014, not in my wildest…

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Are you sitting down?

Do you have a glass wine in hand? While sipping, please first re-read this post. Then return to this page and  scroll down. And be prepared to SQUEE!                                                      …

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Inching Along

           

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Inching Along

         

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Kidnapped by Aliens?

This is a political post. Please scroll down if interested.                                                                    

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Before. After.

    My online vintage lighting store.                                             My online vintage lighting store.        

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