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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1. Vintage Sears Harmony House vintage kitchen retractable pull down light – unbelievable Wowza. I was away all last week and missed this...
2. Great retro pull down lights for your kitchen, from Progress vintage 1961 I am very excited about my latest vintage marketing material...
3. Mid century lighting at Amy’s replicated with Rejuvenation’s Jantzen light The original, mid century ceiling fixture (above) in Amy’s house...

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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2. Retro lighting: A great ceiling fixture from Liz’s Antique Hardware I received a catalog from Liz’s Antique Hardware today and...
3. eBay pick of the day #3: Cheap and cheerful kitchen ceiling fixture! This would look great over the sink, in the mudroom...