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.
Before. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
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 ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
The fixture arrived. Undamaged thankfully. It was apparent that it once had crystals hanging around the stem above the shade. But what style crystals? There are like a zillion to choose from. And I wanted, damn it, the historically correct crystals! The finial on the bottom was also missing. Argh! And what did IT…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingAllllllllllll Aboard!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingA pair of 1920s Spanish-Revival Beauties!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingCollecting Whole House Sets
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingChrome! Glass Spheres! Mirrors! OH MY!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingA 1930s Crystal Star! By Lightolier!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingDoggies!
My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingIt is all Lacie’s Fault. Part 3.
Recently, I did a post about a small pile of lights which Lacie, the realtor who sold me the Cross House, left on the back porch of the house. She emailed: Was I interested? Oh, baby, yes. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingIt is all Lacie’s Fault. Part 2.
Recently, I did a post about a small pile of lights which Lacie, the realtor who sold me the Cross House, left on the back porch of the house. Was I interested, she had emailed. Oh, baby, yes. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingIt is all Lacie’s Fault. Part 1.
Lacie Hamlin was the realtor who sold me the Cross House. She is smart, delightful, and gorgeous, and I have greatly enjoyed getting to know her. Last week, Lacie sent me a text image: a grouping of old lights which were for sale. Was I interested, she asked? If so, how much should she pay?…
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