Exterior lighting for your postwar ranch, colonial or Cape house

Adding the right exterior lighting to your 40s 50s or 60s ranch, Cape or colonial can make all the difference in the world — like the perfect jewelry on a little black dress. I’ve written previously about a few options from Rejuvenation Lighting. But for colonial style lighting similar to what was so very prevalent in the postwar period, I really like the Manor collection from Hanover Lantern.

These are exactly what I put on my brick colonial-ranch. They are especially good because you can get them in small sizes. Today, it seems, so many alternatives promoted are way too oversized, on steroids. But look at a vintage house, and the lighting was smallish, to scale for modest sized, middle class homes. I also like this set because it offers:

A ceiling fixture for above the door that doesn’t drop too far down
A single lantern with ‘curlicue’ scrolls for above the garage (if you have the fascia space)
It’s simple, no florets or swirlies
Complete line available
Custom made in the U.S.A., and of good quality.
BTW you can upcharge for real glass. And, I went for the classic wrought iron black.

Looking at other neighborhood examples, I also see lighting similar to the Salem collection (thumbnail), definitely a colonial revival design, and in particular appropriate for Capes (what do you think, NightingaleJen?).

You have to order these lights from a retailer. But you can get the catalogs from HanoverLantern.com. I’ll be doing some more informational posts about some of their other products soon.

click both images to enlarge