Retro Renovation» lighting

Restored antique lighting from Rejuvenation

pam kueber — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:00:57 +0000

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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Let there be (mid-century) light

pam kueber — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:58:25 +0000

Some nice vintage lighting here, with some ideas for every room. The first two fixtures are mint-in-box Danish Modern lights from Liz’s Antique Hardware. Notice the 1940s to mid-50s bathroom light with swans and their babes, a special find for just the right bathroom. And, I adore the dining room light with the avocado shades. Vintage lighting is da bomb (but remember to get the wiring checked out to be safe.)

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Inexpensive retro lighting from Lowes

pam kueber — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:59:05 +0000

Pat also spotted this simple, retro-styled light fixture at Lowe’s — it’s a mere $12.98. Like the porcelain bathroom sconce, this light fixture style was also ubiquitious, and used all over the house in mid-century America. With the chrome fixture base, it has a definite 50s 60s vibe. Part of the Portfolio brand, at Lowe’s online here. Thanks again, Pat, good detective work.

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