Come on, who doesn’t want to own a Sputnik chandelier? It’s an icon of mid century lighting, and to find one vintage would surely be exciting. But sometimes, you don’t want to wait forever for a vintage Sputnik to orbit into your hot little hands. Where to buy a Sputnik light made new today, at a relatively reasonable price? Well, two of our readers — Doug and Nancy — turned us on to Practical Props, located in North Hollywood, California. Not only does Practical Props design and manufacture their own Sputnik lights, but they also are a great one-stop shopping place — online or in the store — to find a variety of other classic, reproduction mid century lighting made today.
Practical Props was kind enough to provide some history and information about the company:
Practical Props was started in 1991 by Ian Hardy, who saw a niche market in lighting rentals and sales to the Studios here in LA, after working behind the scene in the industry for a few years. Practical Props offered rentals as well as retail from the start. Initially both divisions were under one roof, but split into two locations in 2005 as the business grew too large for the original location. Our rental division, at 11754 Vose Street in North Hollywood, now features approximately 9,000 square feet of mainly vintage lighting.
The retail store, located at 11010 Magnolia Blvd. in North Hollywood, features approximately 3,000 square feet of new, used, and vintage lighting. Mainly due to our great selection of vintage and retro lighting, as well as our reasonable pricing, the store is a popular retail venue for set designers, interior designers, people remodeling and restoring homes, restaurant and store owners, and the general public alike. We are a destination store, but also get customers that pass us on the street.
A large part of our business is custom lighting. We have supplied custom lighting to many retail stores, restaurants, residences, as well as TV and film productions. A majority of our fixtures are made in house, though we out-source to other companies in California, with some components manufactured off-shore.
At any given time we provide lighting to 40-50 TV and film productions. Here are a few:
TV:
Sons of Anarchy, Mike and Molly, CSI, Parks and Recreation, Community, House, Criminal Minds, Anger Management, Mad Men, 90210, Modern Family, Vegas, Pretty Liars, Army Wives…Film:
Argo, The Artist, X Men, The Fast and the Furious, Transformers, J. Edgar, Poseidon, Rock Star, The Green Mile, Benjamin Buttons, Dukes of Hazzard, Moneyball, Jersey Boys…
Practical Props’ Sputnik chandeliers come in several configurations, five finishes and range in price from $295 – $1,200 depending on size. There are even a few styles of sputnik wall sconces exclusively designed by Practical Props.
In addition to Sputnik lights and cone wall sconces, Practical Props also sells globe lights, which are available in diameters of 10″ to 20″. And, they stock Remcraft’s Retro line of wall sconces.
If you are visiting Los Angeles or live nearby, it is surely worth a trip to ogle the goodies. However, if you are like me and live too far away, you are in luck: Many of their light fixtures — including the hot-to-trot Sputniks — can be ordered through the website.
Diane says
We just bought one from Lowes who is also carrying the sputnik lights–some stores do have them in stock but I ordered mine from the on line store —love it! You can also change out the socket to be able to use a different size bulb for those in need of a brighter or different look for their light.
Tracy says
After reading this article, I went right to the website and purchased a little Sputnik wall sconce for the ceiling in my tiny little entryway. I did initially have some problems, but these guys were awesome about helping me out and solving the problem. Great product line and great customer service.
Jennifer says
When I saw the blurb about the article, I immediately thought- oh Practical Props has those! We have gotten many fixtures from them, more Art Deco styled to go with our era of home. Ian is a really cool guy, and we love supporting our local businesses. They also do repairs and have the right lightbulbs and shades that you need!
Dan T says
This is probably a long shot, but does anyone know of someone who is producing a Sputnik similar to the one below? I am particularly interested in something with half-silvered globes. This one was on eBay recently but had some damage and missing globes, and I wasn’t confident I’d be able to restore it.
I’ve thought about using something like the Practical Props SP17 with half-chrome bulbs, but to achieve a look like this you’d need the biggest globe bulbs (G40) — and the lowest wattage I can find is 60W. I somehow don’t think a 1,440 watt fixture over my dining room table is ideal.
http://ancientpoint.com/inf/107407-28_arm_mid_century_chrome_lightolier_atomic_sputnik_chandelier_light_fixture.html
sprayfaint says
@DanT I’d think you’d have to be dependent on the lightbulbs available, no? Here is a 25W version of the silvered globe: http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/5762/DEC-100609.html
Dan T says
Thanks, Sprayfaint. That one is sadly a G25 (25 x 1/8″ = 3 1/8″ diameter) — I am searching for the G40 (5″); I can find it in 25W or silvered, but not both.
The beauty of the Lightolier fixture is that the globes — despite looking like light bulbs — were actually shades that screwed over a miniature bulb.
John Davis says
hi dan.
Does anyone know where I could find a few of the Lighterolier shades? I have a lamp with two broken shades.
Thanks John Davis
Germany
Roseann says
We bought our outdoor lighting and our gorgeous chrome Sputnik chandelier from Practical Props. It is the jewel in the crown of our 1953 Post & beam home. We love our starburst light bulbs!
Its a wonderful shop that any midcentury lover should visit!
LA Leslie says
WOW – what a small world! When I clicked on today to see the latest posting I was super excited. Ian is fantastic and since my husband and I were lucky enough to live close to his shop over 10 years ago have purchased many things from him and honored to call both him and his lovey wife friends. He has incredible stuff and so happy others across the US can access his inventory for their mid mod needs.
Scott says
One word: Want. 🙂
Question on the raw brass, like a trumpet, wouldn’t it stay bright if you kept it polished?
Joe Felice says
Do they have any flying-saucer lights a la Eames/Miller?
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
Perfect! Just what my moms kitchen needs!
52PostnBeam says
Here are two more versions – 15 and 9 light in chrome, slightly less expensive and easy to buy and ship (just add to cart). I bought the 15 light 5 years ago, I broke one of the sconces and they sent me a new one… someone actually called me on the phone in response to my email. Super great service. Great product. I think they’re slightly more elegant because they don’t have the “can” at the end of each spoke. The sconces are a bit hard to get on (that’s how I broke one), but just call them for tips, there was a little trick to it. I have mine on a dimmer, with 25 watt bulbs in each globe. I’ve seen the vintage version priced in the 900$ range, and usually with pitting / tarnish to the chrome. This light is one of the few reproductions in my home, but I could not be happier with it.
http://www.wegotlites.net/Contempr-Series-Euro-Design-Art-Deco-15-Light-35-White-Glass-Pendant-Chrome-Chandelier-SKU-10934_p_10620.html
http://www.wegotlites.net/Contempr-Series-Euro-Design-Art-Deco-9-Light-24-White-Glass-Pendant-Chrome-Chandelier-SKU-10935_p_10621.html