With the masses becoming more and more enamored with mid century style, prices have been rising on many vintage items from the era. Furniture, textiles, dishes, decor and even hardware for the home today are selling for prices that we early-adopter, bargain-loving folk now consider astronomical. The amazing deals of five years ago are getting harder and harder to come by — but they can still be found if you know where to look.
We receive tons of questions from readers wondering where they can find reasonably priced vintage decor and hardware. The latest, from reader Andrew, addresses the rising cost of vintage lighting.
Andrew writes:
I have been searching and searching for a new ceiling fixture for in my kitchen. This is not for hanging over a table as I already have an awesome 50’s light fixture but merely a simple ceiling fiture for light in the kitchen. I would also like to replace the boring flush mounts in my hallway that my dad installed from Lowes. I have searched and searched online and to no avail, nothing even remotely retro/mid century inspired under $50. I refuse to go above $50 as this has become a new challenge for me.
So, I gotta ask, since you are the bargain finder of all new/old things, where can I go??? I have read through your past articles. I have scoured ebay, etsy and for some reason, light fixtures have gone through the roof!
Look forward to your wisdom!
Pam, Queen of the Hunt, answers:
Hi Andrew,
Yes, prices are way up for vintage mid century lighting — in fact, this is one of the areas where I have noticed the most significant price increases over the past few years. I attribute this to the fact that lighting is one of the products that makes an enormous design impact — it is “bling” in every room. And, it is an understatement to say: There sure are gorgeous mid century designs out there. There was tremendous innovation — among a pretty large number of manufacturers — to meet the booming housing market.
Price inflation cases in point: I purchased my pull-down kitchen light for about $13 on ebay six years ago. Just this past week, I saw an ebay seller listing a less-attractive pull-down for $800 BIN. Yes: Two zeroes after the eight, that is not a typo. I can’t believe they will get that price, but this anecdote is an example of the inflation that is under way. And see that brutalist Moe light also shown above? I purchased one for $99 a few years ago. Today on ebay there are three listed for sale, each at about $600.
Even so: I greatly prefer vintage lighting to new. And even at the higher prices for vintage lighting today, I still believe that vintage (versus new) generally still nets a better deal. For example, Rejuvenation, which is now owned by Williams-Sonoma, now sells $2,500 mid century modern chandeliers! Jonathan Adler and Design Within Reach mid mod inspired lighting is similarly pricey. Yikes: Shop vintage first — prices for quality vintage lighting Made in the USA are still better than many of these these new reproductions!
So how to find “affordable” vintage lighting — “great deals” even? Here are my six tips:
- Are you watching ebay like a hawk. I see the same light priced very high — and relatively low. Check “Sold” listings to see what prices people are really paying.
- Stalk your Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. At my ReStore in Pittsfield, Mass., I regularly see wonderful mid century lights for $8 – $25. Usually no more expensive than that. But, because we humble homeowners are now competing against lots of dealers and ebay flippers hoping to capitalize on the mid mod madness, you must get to the store regularly. Ask when they put out their latest stock and get there then. My ReStore historically opened on just Friday and Saturday. But the other day when I was there, I heard they now open on Thursday. That’s where I will now be every Thursday morning!
- Put together your own vintage light. Related to my ReStore tip above… When you are at the ReStore look for pieces of lighting that you can put together to create a complete light. This is particularly possible if you are looking for a “simple” ceiling fixture. My ReStore regularly stocks shades only — and the shades are generally the most stunning part of lighting bling. Score a shade. Then, look for a canopy to mount it on. In fact, if you find a great shade, you likely can get a new canopy from an electrical supply store to fit it — a new fitting (vs. vintage) would not bother me.
- Pay eagle-eye attention to renovations going on in your neighborhood. And, to new sales of old houses. If you suspect a major renovation is under way, or about to be under way, you need to overcome your fear of looking obnoxious and go knock on the door. Tell the owner of the house that you are a big fan of the original vintage items in the old houses in your neighborhood and ask super politely if they are going to be removing any of these details. Be super respectful. Don’t criticize their taste. I have heard from many readers over the years who have salvaged gorgeous vintage fixtures of all kinds — for free — from their neighbors’ houses. Get the word out.
- Talk to longtime lighting stores in your town or nearby towns. Do you live in a town with some history? Towns that had a lot of economic action during the mid century years also likely had big lighting stores. If any of these lighting stores are still in place, go visit. Again, super duper kindly, ask the manager if there is New Old Stock anywhere in the store or back in the warehouse. Again, we have had many tips over the years about time capsule stores that had wonderful stashes of NOS that they were happy to unload.
- Consider less trendy-today styles. Vintage colonial or Early American lighting is way less popular among the mainstream than full-on mid century modern atomic style lighting. But, Early American is totally authentic and often fits our houses beautifully. Study this style, get your head around it, and you just might find a lot to love — more easily acquired at much better prices.
Remember: Vintage materials and products can present hazards. Be sure to consult with pros to know what you are working with / dealing with. For more info, see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe.
And final thought: Prices have gone up. Prices will continue to go up. If you are only starting to search now, you have missed the gravy train. Searching now is a time vs. money equation: If you have the time to search, you may be able to save money. If you don’t have the time, suck it up and prepare to pay — even at today’s “inflated” prices, much of the vintage lighting I see on ebay and the like is still what I’d consider a “bargain” compared to equivalent quality lighting purchased new. And in a sense, there still are few new equivalents to compare with the beauty and diversity of real deal vintage.
Good luck!
Pam
These days, it takes patience and determination to find good deals on retro lighting, but it is not impossible.
JP says
Don’t forget office buildings (or schools). A lot of commercial and insitutional building have great stuff that often finds it’s way into a dumpster. Ever pay close attention to the furniture and lighting in old schools, police stations, and other government buildings? I’d say more $$ for public spaces went to Herman Miller than residential $$s.
Jamie D. says
OMG, yes. My childhood library had Bertoia wire chairs at all the tables and 4 wonderful orangey-red Pastil chairs right in front of the main desk. I spent hours rocking on those things and flipping through books.
I never found out what they did with everything when they “updated.” I tried emailing to track them down and never heard a response…I’m sure they think I’m insane.
Lynne says
Were auctions on that list of where to find vintage lighting? The small local and farm auctions are great sources.
Lynne says
Really, don’t be too afraid to knock on a door. This past summer, the house up the street sold. That house was built by the same contractor as mine, and they had identical Andersen windows. Not long after they moved in, we noticed a Pella truck parked outside. Sure enough, they were replacing all of the old windows. So, I summoned up my courage, knocked, introduced myself, and explained that we had the same windows that they were replacing. Long story somewhat shortened, we now have all the necessary window cranks, and replacement parts we will ever need to keep our original Andersen’s in good working order. All for free. They welcomed me to take anything I needed or wanted. They also told the installer to expect us to come poking around.
Also, make nice to the Habitat folks. After a little while, I became known, I like to think of it as affectionately, “the pink toilet lady”. They knew what sorts of things I was looking for, and actually put my phone number up on their bulletin board in the office. They called me whenever anything that might interest me came in.
slopette says
I got all the lights for my recent Art Deco reno on ebay and also did the old shade/new fixture thing… to great success. I even found matching Deco shades (from different sellers) for my hall, each under $25, and got new fixtures for each for under $10. The most expensive, other than my Practical Props Sputnik for the living room, was a gorrrrgeous 20s chandelier in the bedroom which I somehow scored for $45. Let’s not talk about how much the rewiring on that one cost, though.
Janet in CT says
Wendy and all have great suggestions! I started collecting in the mid-nineties although everyone thought I was nuts! The word got around and I have cleaned out many old houses, the best of which was my landlord’s grandfather’s house, an old 1700’s cape but full of mid-century stuff! They were filling up trash bags with everything because they were so sick of cleaning it out. I went through DOZENS of trash bags and some fellow stopped and took the bags I went through for the same purpose! I have never gotten so much “stuff” out of a house as I did that one! I have enough saved to furnish our fifties ranch up in Maine short of mattresses and a TV which my husband wants new. I have a garage full of my stuff and a cousin who does the same, and I figure I will have plenty left over to sell when done which is what she does in her retirement. So Wendy hit the nail on the head – once the word gets around, that’s the best bet. AND if you have a realtor friend/relative as Wendy suggested, that is another great way that has worked for me the best to find more “stuff”.
Wendy in St. Louis says
Hey Janet! I don’t know if you ever saw my thank you post. I posted it right before the forum went down about 6 weeks ago. Anyway, THANK YOU for posting about an “astral light fixture” in Milwaukee. It was the round brass pierced one. I got it!!! It’s missing the bottom metal screen, but that doesn’t bother me. I have been jonesing for one like it for a long time, and this one was reasonably priced. Yay!!
Janet in CT says
No, I didn’t see that message that you got it! I am glad to hear that it worked out. I have emailed several people to ask if they will ship something but so far no-one has been agreeable. I post alot of items that I think are great or bargains but never know if anyone has purchased them from my notice.
Wendy in St. Louis says
Tip: Use your work email if you have one. I always do, which I think puts people a little more at ease that you are not a scammer. I include my personal email as well, which is not a hotmail or yahoo address. I offer a USPS money order, which is easy for people to verify as legit. Some just don’t want the hassle of packing and shipping, which I understand, but it’s always worth a shot!
nickarmadillo says
Prices really are getting out of control, which is a terrible shame. I got into MCM because it was cheap and stylish at the time, but as retro hysteria has set in, logic and pricing completely disconnected. After all, these fixtures may look cool, but they are still just lights. A small part of it is scarcity, but I think that a big component of the pricing problem is also uneducated consumers and overzealous producers and sellers (both resellers and companies like Herman Miller).
Kristina Starr says
I’m with you on some of the pricing getting out of control in the quickly hyper market of MCM. As a dealer I am walking away from more items than I am buying because sellers everywhere think they have gold just because their item is MCM. They are often selling their items for more than what I would as a retail dealer with a brick and mortar store plus a full service web site! I have no problem buying projects and cleaning and repairing them to be ready for the sales floor, but all of that takes time, money, and overhead. I do have a problem paying almost retail though for items that need fixing and clean up as if the seller is a full scale dealer. Auction, garage sales, flea markets, estate sales etc should realize that because the items they are selling are almost never in ready to use condition without at least some TLC and the time the buyer has to take to get the item, that their prices need to reflect that. More of us are lamenting about “the good ‘ol days” , but I still love what I do! There is nothing more satisfying than bringing back the original luster of a cool MCM piece and having a customer get geeked about how cool it looks and that it is in clean nice condition. You really do have to be on your game though to find the good stuff at reasonable prices!
Julia B. says
A good example of this was a listing I found on my local Craigslist for a trio of Lightolier tripod lamps. They were super cool, super mid-mod, and came with a $1700 price tag. Too rich for me! But these are all good tips for scoring better deals.
Erin in Ohio says
ReStore – YES. Also, GARAGE SALES.
My husband and I have had great luck at garage sales over the years, especially at garage sales in rural or small towns where people see midcentury items and still only think of it as “old stuff”.
Wendy in St. Louis says
Yes, the glory days of regularly finding cheap mid century gems, lighting or otherwise, is sadly over for the most part. I have been collecting 50’s and 60’s stuff since…lord I’m old…1980ish when I bought my first vintage radio at a flea market. Then I got into estate sales and could fill my car for very little money. It’s really sad to me that prices are so outrageous.
My tips:
1. Garage sales. ALWAYS stop, especially in older neighborhoods. Even if it looks like a bunch of junk or all kid’s stuff from the street, there might be a dusty fixture that was hauled up from the basement or stored in the garage. And ASK them if they might have any fixtures – some people don’t bother to put them out because they are “junk”.
2. Estate sales. ALWAYS stop. This is a lot harder, since the dealers get there *early*, but treasure is still to be found. I go to the basement first, then the garage.
3. Flea markets. ALWAYS stop. (sensing a pattern here? ? ) Especially if they’re off the beaten path.
4. If you spot fixtures at a sale that aren’t for sale, write down the address. Write a letter expressing your interest, and mail it to the address. Whoever is liquidating the estate, usually the children, might sell to you. Be polite, and you also have to tell them you will replace the fixture with something new. This is a little more expensive to do, but depending on the fixture, it can be worth it.
4a. If they won’t sell to you, keep the address and monitor the real estate listings. Contact the new owners when the home sells. (Again, write a polite letter.) In this case don’t offer to replace the fixture, just offer whatever you’re willing to spend towards a new fixture.
5. Watch real estate listings in zip codes that have older homes. Go to the open houses. Ask the agent to make an offer to the sellers – you’ll replace the fixtures with nice new ones for the old ones. This is a long shot, but it’s a free upgrade for the sellers…they might bite. Changing a fixture is easy, you just need a ladder and some very basic tools and an assortment of wire caps. Don’t forget to turn off the breaker to the light! 🙂
6. Know any real estate agents? Have them alert you if they get a listing with “goodies” and proceed with suggestion #5.
7. Teardowns. If you can find out the companies that do teardowns in your area, ask them to call you whenever they have a new demolition scheduled. Some companies already advertise…do a web search with ‘demolition sale xxxxxxx’ (xxxxx being your city.)
8. “We Buy Ugly Houses”. There is usually one in every city. Call them and tell them you’re interested in their ugly fixtures.
9. Builders. Look for neighborhoods with a lot of teardowns. Find out who the builders are – usually there’s a sign in the yard “Coming Soon…” Many builders don’t bother trying to salvage fixtures, or they sell to scrappers. Contact them and try to set up a deal. They’ll get more $ from you than they will from a scrapper.
10. Craigslist. Prices can be high here too, but there are still good items. You have to be prepared to drop everything and get the item right away, or you might lose it to someone else who offers more money. Yes, I’ve gotten callbacks from sellers cancelling our deal because of this. Pffft!
11. Vacations. Allow extra time to go to sales, junk stores and flea markets in the area. Bonus if you’re driving… there are many huge flea markets/junk barns along rural highways that aren’t advertised other than an old billboard or just “Flea Market” painted on the side of the building.
12. Friends, coworkers, neighbors, acquaintances. Make sure they know your interest in vintage fixtures. If I meet someone new who asks what I do, I mention my job, and then mention my interest in vintage. Two examples:
Someone in my best friend’s office mentioned he was getting rid of a bunch of old stuff, so she asked for any things from the 50’s or 60’s. I scored a triple cone table lamp (the cones are black, white, and orange!!), and a Culver cocktail set. For free.
A coworker of mine bought an old house and told me about it since he knew I “liked old stuff”. Unfortunately there were no goodies, but the more people who know you’re into it, the better.
You never know!
Erin in Ohio says
I second #12! On several occasions, a friend-of-a-friend has entered my home and said, “Oh, wow, I know someone who just threw out/bull-dozed a whole house full of stuff like this. I wish I had known you were into ‘old stuff’. I would have called you.”
Wendy in St. Louis says
“I know someone who just threw out/bull-dozed a whole house full of stuff like this”
That would make me cry.
Jay says
I like nos. 11 and 12. I have pretty much given up on the flea markets in my area because now adays the dealers are quite literally career “dealers” and price everything ridiculously high, perfectly willing to drag the stuff from venue to venue until they get a sucker.
David says
Another way to score vintage lighting or anything from that period is be aware of homes that contractors or home owners will bulldoze. While driving around I will notice a zoning sign for a house they will demo and follow up on it regularly. Often times if you contact the developer he will give it to you free or cheap. It is a way to keep things out of the land fill. Or at an estate sale they may be ok with selling the item that you can take off easily or they may be listing the house as a teardown so the fixtures will be for sale too. I will in addition look on Craigslist for things under teardown, demolished, bulldoze etc. and often times get great items.
Jamie D. says
We have a local resource in my city’s historic district called the Artifacts Bank for this stuff. When old buildings are in disrepair and get gutted or demolished, some of the contractors try to save what they can and donate (sell? I’m not sure exactly how it works) stuff to the Artifacts bank, which they end up selling and then a portion of the proceeds goes to maintaining the historic district. The midcentury items are few and far between, but there are frequently MASSIVE drainboard and farmhouse sinks, doorknobs, doors, small quantities of beautiful old tiles, and light fixtures.
My mom picked up a great little MCM pendant light for me there last week for $15. It has some teak accents and little gold starbursts on the frosted glass. The guy at the register said they salvaged it from the entry of a former downtown fancy schmancy fur boutique. It’ll replace my current boring porch light.
She also picked up a simple white porcelain wall-mount sink for $10. I plan on using it in my rec room half bath, where there is currently a way- too-large oak vanity & acrylic sink.
AtomicHipster says
Hi Pam,
So sad to read that Rejuvenation has sold out to Williams-Sonoma. I used to work in a mom and pop store in Northampton which closed in April of this year. I am a big believer in supporting the small, local businesses when ever possible.
John
Jane / MulchMaid says
John, you may be happy to hear that Williams-Sonoma is taking a pretty light hand with their new ownership of Rejuvenation. All the same people work at our local store, and although, yes, they have cut back on salvage, the Portland store still has that Portland vibe.