When Rejuvenation hosted a facility tour for Jane (above) and me in March, we got a first-hand view of the gazillions of vintage lighting fixtures that they had in stock at their warehouse. They use this stock for reference when considering new reproduction designs… They are all just light-lovers and pack-rats like the rest of us, so can’t resist buying them… And, they actually restore them for sale locally and on their website.  I really like their online catalog of restored antique lighting because it shows a good selection of the true diversity of lighting that was available in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. So much of the interior design media today only focuses on the iconic (so far) mid-century *modern* lighting, that it’s easy to forget there were many other really beautiful styles out there, too.

When Jane and I toured, there 10 or more of these beauties on hand — seemingly ready for the set designer at Mad Men to snap them right up for Sterling & Draper’s offices.

For those of you who live in Portland, there’s a big selection of antique lighting for sale in their main store, and if you have particular needs, I bet they will let you see the stock in warehouse.

Tim Wetzel, who works in product design, and Bo Sullivan, historian, took Jane and me on the tour. That's all vintage stock behind them, and then there are rows and rows more to the left beyond.

The rest of us can keep an eye on the website, where they post a selection of restored lights for sale. Here are some of my favorites right now — encompassing the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s:

This circa-1940 chandelier has a wonderful, all-American sweetness to it. I like that Rejuvenation always seems to give some good historical detail: “The streamlined “slip-shade” or “cup-shade” type of fixtures became popular after 1935. This classic example features subtle Colonial Revival decorative details that help it fit comfortably in both traditional and modern interior settings.”

They have two of these unusual gold-finish pendants. The housing is 18″ tall, so the pair has the potential to make quite a decorative statement.

This circa-1945 pendant is very pretty and glamorous.

A very pretty colonial revival hall lamp — available as a pair.

A circa-1935 “tiny lantern” for the hall. I could definitely be happy in a sweet, pre-war colonial revival home.

1955 Scandinavian Modern ceiling fixture — to me, this is bridge between streamline and moderne.

This one was in the warehouse, it’s not on their website. I’m calling it 60s mediterranean, but now looking at it, it could be way earlier — a historic romantic revival. It’s so amazing how the period revivals just keep getting reinterpreted — and that means even today, don’t kid yourself.

Tha tha tha that’s all, folks. A 1935 exit sign – the EXIT printed on both sides. Now couldn’t you have some fun with this?

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Here is a hot tip for anyone doing a major project: Rejuvenation also sells antique lighting, and I noticed on their website yesterday that they have a good-sized stash of circa-1960 lighting from Progress Manufacturing, unused and in its original boxes. And — there are multiples available. Note: Even though it’s unused MIB, Rejuvenation says they rewire this lighting – another good reminder for all of us to rewire anything we find and use vintage. Last but not least — 33 vintage copper-plated cabinet pulls with atomic backplates also are in their antique hardware section — a wonderful number — a gorgeous design — snap ‘em up, someone!

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Porcelain sconce lighting like this was ubiquitous in American homes in the first part of the 20th century. You saw them in bathrooms, often just one above the mirror. You can also put a pair symmetrically to the right and left. And, these also can be used in the kitchen — above the sink, for example. I see these vintage style light fixtures suiting homes from the 1910’s all the way to the very early 50s. Bungalows. Farmhouses. Victorian homes. Maybe even cozy Capes. Once you get into the more “modern” era — say, after ‘52 — then I think that chrome became all the rage.

Another place to look for these sconces: Re-Store/Habitat for Humanity, of course. That said — these are very popular, so salvage will get snapped up fast, I suspect.

Lowe’s does not seem to have this light fixture for sale online… you will have to look in stores. It’s called the Portfolio Applique Simple. The shade can be turned up or down. Thanks, Pat.

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One of the highlights of my recent visit to Rejuvenation Lighting in Portland was when historian Bo Sullivan was able to – immediately – identify the vintage pulldown light over my kitchen table. I don’t think I’ve told this story before: One Friday afternoon after a hard day’s work — when I was driving home – I got the idea that I needed a vintage light NOW. This was when I was putting the final details of my kitchen together before contractor Kevin started. So as soon as I got home, I jumped on ebay and with 12 minutes to go spotted the light shown here above the tulip table. Of course, I snapped it up – for $12. Bo knows lighting – he knew exactly who made the light and showed it to me in a catalog —>

Ta da!: It’s a 1959 Imperialite, made by Emerson-Imperial.

The date on this catalog is Sept. 15, 1959. Hey, my light is 50 years old this year: Like Barbie, and me!

This light – which I spotted on ebay last year – was on the same page with my light, in the catalog:

Aren’t these all swoon-able?

Here’s Bo with another catalog. Over the past 15 years, Bo has been collecting vintage marketing material from 20th century lighting companies. The collection is AMAZING. Rejuvenation is in the process of moving the collection from the factory… over to the store. There, it will be accessible to customers as a research and inspiration resource. And guess what – there’s a latte bar at the store, too. Now, that’s all I need to be happy: Good coffee… and a million vintage lighting catalogs. Bo, are you sure I’m invited back? I’ll never leave! Thank you again for sharing your knowledge. More Rejuvenation posts to come…

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When I visited Rejuvenation on Monday, I was treated to a sneak peek at their latest products just about to be introduced: The Corona pendant lighting fixture… and a mahogany tri-spoke spreader that can be used to group three pendants for dramatic effect.

The Corona — which emulates an original 1959 fixture — has an aluminum pin-hole cylinder around a glass shade. And, the cylinder can also be enamel painted mix-and-match style in 8 colors including Neptune Blue, Aurora Green, Solar Yellow and even Flare Orange. Very ’60s!

The new tri-spoke also can be used with Rejuvenation’s other midcentury pendants, the Aeros, Orbis or Cerise.

Finally – during my visit I had my first opportunity to see this lighting in person. I loved the scale, and the quality.

The new lights are all now on the Rejuvenation website. And you can click through here for some additional photos –

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Where to find a shade for my vintage ceiling fixture – including those you can set into pulldown fixtures like these vintage Progress lights? A popular question recently – and reader Skyla has found a great resource – mylampparts.com. This place has shades — they actually seem to be called diffusers — in a variety of widths and some pretty groovy designs, too. Price is pretty reasonable. You might also check your local Re-Store/Habitat for Humanity… at mine they often have complete fixtures for as little as $3 – you might want to buy one just for the shade.

Click here for the diffuser page at mylampparts.com… this also seems to be a goldmine for all other … well, lamp parts, as well. Thank you, Skyla, for your ace retro-detective work!

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Hi Pam,
here is my entry. When we first moved into our house 20 years ago, the old couple we bought off left lots of goodies for us to keep. Including a 1940’s art deco tray moblie & of all things a malibu surfboard! We aso found this wall sconce in a box in the garage which was originally we think in the longeroom before they did a reno in the 70’s. We haven’t yet found a place for it, maybe when we do up my daughter’s room, it can go in there or it will have to wait until we do that much anticipated extension, but that’s also been put off due to the doom & gloom that has been forecast. Have a nice day & thanks for accepting my entry, cheers, Michelle x (retroppo)

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