lighting posts and sconces

I love the products from Hanover Lighting — the company just seems very down to earth … high quality … decent prices … lots of selection … lots of finishes … lots of sizes to scale to your home … all, without foofy over-top-marketing that means you end up paying too much.

It’s too cold in many parts of the country to think about doing outdoor work. But how about planning for spring/summer and installing outdoor post lighting. These kinds of lantern posts can do A TON to improve your home’s curb appeal. Last summer in my front yard, I added three sections of decorative split rail fencing, a flower bed and two small trees on both sides to anchor the fence, and a lantern post next to it all — and the difference was dramatic. And of course, now we also can flip the switch and light the end of the drive — which makes the house so warm and inviting when people are coming over after dark. This detail is well worth the expense – and very much in keeping with the postwar aesthetic.

I’ve done a previous post on Hanover colonial style lighting. Here are some modern choices, for a change. Most all these groups also offer matching wall lanterns.

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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

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Rejuvenation Lighting offers two styles of porch lighting that could be a good fit for your retro renovation – whether it’s ultramodern or modern-with-that-colonial touch, as many 50s and 60s homes were.My home is of this latter colonial/modern variety and I used exterior lighting that’s similar to Rejuvenation’s black cast iron lantern model shown here, but with flat glass. It’s on my list to track down the other company, which does not have an online presence; I’ll post that soon.

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