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Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

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Home / Decorating Resources / Lighting

Wagon wheel light with antlers: The “original” put-a-bulb-in-it

pam kueber - Updated: May 3, 2011

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

wagon wheel light with antlersWhat’s more over-the-top than a wagon wheel light? A wagon wheel light with antlers, of course. However, presuming that wagon wheel lights were one of the original “put a bulb in it” lighting ideas…it’s actually Reasonable to think that the cow-town saloon owners also would add antler bones and the like as decorative, trophy accents. The historical precedent for this mid-century revival is not silly — it’s pioneer upcycling genius!  This wagon wheel light extravaganza spotted over on Berkshire County Used Furniture’s Facebook page. You know I want it. It would be #4 in my wagon wheel light collection. Hard to hide these from DH, though. I’m trying to reform. Truly I am.

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Lighting woddities: wonderful oddities

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18 comments

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  1. Cara says

    May 4, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Haha, this post made me laugh as I’m always sneaking things into the house but then I get too excited and show DH anyways. I can only imagine what he would say if I tried to bring one of these in!

    Despite my eclectic taste, I can’t picture these fitting in anywhere in my house. I like too many things so I guess I have to draw the line somewhere.

  2. Upscale Downhome says

    May 4, 2011 at 11:27 am

    I have never seen the two combined! Love antlers and cowboy kitsch. Dreaming of owning a lodge in the mountains some day and this light fixture would be perfect.

  3. Jason says

    May 4, 2011 at 10:37 am

    I might put a bar out in my breezeway and if I did – I think it needs one of these!!

    PS – I think the ceramic planter light in the “put a bulb in it” post is actually a hanging ashtray, given the 2 little v’s in the opening.

    I had never heard of such until I was at the estate sale shop and bought myself one! This was after I asked what is this ceramic ufo looking thing? It’s ugly or cute or something, but I said why not have it – it’s vintage lol.

  4. clampers says

    May 4, 2011 at 9:19 am

    We had one of these growing up…sans antlers but a wagon wheel nonetheless. My mom might still have it up in the attic…I’ll have to take a look sometime.

  5. Allen says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:41 am

    How Funny Pam,
    I was just given two (matching) of these lamps a few days ago. Mine have four lanterns hanging from the bottom of the wagon wheel. They came from a kitchen that had all solid wood paneling and all original everything. Unfortunately, the kitchen is being “improved” (used lightly) to something more bland. Glad they thought of me for the lights though!

  6. Feisty17 says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:40 am

    My ’53 house came with the wagon wheel light (no antlers)! It’s not my taste but it’s still up all these months later simply because I haven’t found a replacement yet and I need the lighting!

  7. Belinda Roccaforte says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:21 am

    These are actually very popular in my “neck of the woods” (TEXAS) and several companies still design them for sale. Log cabin design helps also. With the right design these really don’t look as tacky as they sound!!! lol It helps if a hunter lives in the home though. My cousin has a camp with the wall over the couch festooned with mounted antlers. It is a minimalist design and really looks great.

  8. Nancy Stevenson says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:06 am

    NO! That is where I have to draw the line! LOL, Good taste won’t let me want to!

    • Trouble says

      May 4, 2011 at 8:21 am

      I agree – these lamps minus the antlers are great! The antlers make it a good idea gone bad. Antlers are kool at the right time – esp if you bagged the animal – and in the right design element in rustic, mid century decor. My ’54 ranch is being restored with the ’50s American Colonial flavor, so I think antlers would work into that.

      But not on this! LOL

  9. Jana (Berniecat) says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Believe it or not, I actually saw a similar light a couple of years ago in a local bar/restaurant in Idaho when I was visiting my sister. It only had one pair of antlers mounted in the center of the wagon wheel spokes. Shades of Miss Kitty and the Longbranch!

  10. Trouble says

    May 4, 2011 at 7:07 am

    Th Greater Columbus Antique Mall on S. High St. has two of these upstairs – minus the antlers. They are very kool but my house just wouldn’t be the right scal for one. So, I’m proud of my copper and wrought iron pull down style oil lamp design 🙂

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