With the masses becoming more and more enamored with mid century style, prices have been rising on many vintage items from the era. Furniture, textiles, dishes, decor and even hardware for the home today are selling for prices that we early-adopter, bargain-loving folk now consider astronomical. The amazing deals of five years ago are getting harder and harder to come by — but they can still be found if you know where to look.
We receive tons of questions from readers wondering where they can find reasonably priced vintage decor and hardware. The latest, from reader Andrew, addresses the rising cost of vintage lighting.
Andrew writes:
I have been searching and searching for a new ceiling fixture for in my kitchen. This is not for hanging over a table as I already have an awesome 50’s light fixture but merely a simple ceiling fiture for light in the kitchen. I would also like to replace the boring flush mounts in my hallway that my dad installed from Lowes. I have searched and searched online and to no avail, nothing even remotely retro/mid century inspired under $50. I refuse to go above $50 as this has become a new challenge for me.
So, I gotta ask, since you are the bargain finder of all new/old things, where can I go??? I have read through your past articles. I have scoured ebay, etsy and for some reason, light fixtures have gone through the roof!
Look forward to your wisdom!
Pam, Queen of the Hunt, answers:
Hi Andrew,
Yes, prices are way up for vintage mid century lighting — in fact, this is one of the areas where I have noticed the most significant price increases over the past few years. I attribute this to the fact that lighting is one of the products that makes an enormous design impact — it is “bling” in every room. And, it is an understatement to say: There sure are gorgeous mid century designs out there. There was tremendous innovation — among a pretty large number of manufacturers — to meet the booming housing market.
Price inflation cases in point: I purchased my pull-down kitchen light for about $13 on ebay six years ago. Just this past week, I saw an ebay seller listing a less-attractive pull-down for $800 BIN. Yes: Two zeroes after the eight, that is not a typo. I can’t believe they will get that price, but this anecdote is an example of the inflation that is under way. And see that brutalist Moe light also shown above? I purchased one for $99 a few years ago. Today on ebay there are three listed for sale, each at about $600.
Even so: I greatly prefer vintage lighting to new. And even at the higher prices for vintage lighting today, I still believe that vintage (versus new) generally still nets a better deal. For example, Rejuvenation, which is now owned by Williams-Sonoma, now sells $2,500 mid century modern chandeliers! Jonathan Adler and Design Within Reach mid mod inspired lighting is similarly pricey. Yikes: Shop vintage first — prices for quality vintage lighting Made in the USA are still better than many of these these new reproductions!
So how to find “affordable” vintage lighting — “great deals” even? Here are my six tips:
- Are you watching ebay like a hawk. I see the same light priced very high — and relatively low. Check “Sold” listings to see what prices people are really paying.
- Stalk your Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. At my ReStore in Pittsfield, Mass., I regularly see wonderful mid century lights for $8 – $25. Usually no more expensive than that. But, because we humble homeowners are now competing against lots of dealers and ebay flippers hoping to capitalize on the mid mod madness, you must get to the store regularly. Ask when they put out their latest stock and get there then. My ReStore historically opened on just Friday and Saturday. But the other day when I was there, I heard they now open on Thursday. That’s where I will now be every Thursday morning!
- Put together your own vintage light. Related to my ReStore tip above… When you are at the ReStore look for pieces of lighting that you can put together to create a complete light. This is particularly possible if you are looking for a “simple” ceiling fixture. My ReStore regularly stocks shades only — and the shades are generally the most stunning part of lighting bling. Score a shade. Then, look for a canopy to mount it on. In fact, if you find a great shade, you likely can get a new canopy from an electrical supply store to fit it — a new fitting (vs. vintage) would not bother me.
- Pay eagle-eye attention to renovations going on in your neighborhood. And, to new sales of old houses. If you suspect a major renovation is under way, or about to be under way, you need to overcome your fear of looking obnoxious and go knock on the door. Tell the owner of the house that you are a big fan of the original vintage items in the old houses in your neighborhood and ask super politely if they are going to be removing any of these details. Be super respectful. Don’t criticize their taste. I have heard from many readers over the years who have salvaged gorgeous vintage fixtures of all kinds — for free — from their neighbors’ houses. Get the word out.
- Talk to longtime lighting stores in your town or nearby towns. Do you live in a town with some history? Towns that had a lot of economic action during the mid century years also likely had big lighting stores. If any of these lighting stores are still in place, go visit. Again, super duper kindly, ask the manager if there is New Old Stock anywhere in the store or back in the warehouse. Again, we have had many tips over the years about time capsule stores that had wonderful stashes of NOS that they were happy to unload.
- Consider less trendy-today styles. Vintage colonial or Early American lighting is way less popular among the mainstream than full-on mid century modern atomic style lighting. But, Early American is totally authentic and often fits our houses beautifully. Study this style, get your head around it, and you just might find a lot to love — more easily acquired at much better prices.
Remember: Vintage materials and products can present hazards. Be sure to consult with pros to know what you are working with / dealing with. For more info, see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe.
And final thought: Prices have gone up. Prices will continue to go up. If you are only starting to search now, you have missed the gravy train. Searching now is a time vs. money equation: If you have the time to search, you may be able to save money. If you don’t have the time, suck it up and prepare to pay — even at today’s “inflated” prices, much of the vintage lighting I see on ebay and the like is still what I’d consider a “bargain” compared to equivalent quality lighting purchased new. And in a sense, there still are few new equivalents to compare with the beauty and diversity of real deal vintage.
Good luck!
Pam
These days, it takes patience and determination to find good deals on retro lighting, but it is not impossible.
Ann says
I found some “mid century inspired” (or maybe never discontinued?) styles from Westinghouse (anyone remember them?).
Some sample models (many of which are “basics”):
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/parker-mews-one-light-interior-flush-ceiling-fixture-6225800.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/wall/parker-mews-one-light-interior-wall-fixture-6226000.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/sylvestre-one-light-interior-ceiling-fixture-6227600.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/one-light-interior-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-6422500.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/pendant/one-light-interior-pendant-6619800.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/two-light-interior-semi-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-with-pull-chain-6620000.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/two-light-interior-semi-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-6620100.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/two-light-interior-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-6620300.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/one-light-interior-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-6620900.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/one-light-interior-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-6623900.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/ceiling/two-light-interior-semi-flush-mount-ceiling-fixture-6626300.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/wall/one-light-interior-wall-fixture-with-ground-convenience-outlet-and-pull-chain-6640200.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/wall/one-light-interior-wall-fixture-with-on-off-switch-6665400.aspx
http://www.westinghouselighting.com/light-fixtures/interior-lighting/wall/one-light-interior-wall-sconce-6666200.aspx
In the process of looking through those, I think I just found some more for myself. 😉
While I can’t vouch for prices, I recently paid $15 per light for a round flush mount (clear glass, white stripe) at a local home improvement store. Can’t beat that price when the ones I’m saving for are $300 each.
Annie B. says
“You can be sure, it it’s Westinghouse”……..
Jay says
Westinghouse the company no longer exists as a manufacturer of electrical/mechanical equipment. Most likely, an import company is licensing the name.
Annie B. says
Don’t be afraid to be a trash pick-up “gleaner”. You never know what might appear curbside the night before a scheduled trash pick-up. You can get really lucky sometimes. I know that I’ve set out all sorts of things with still usable parts in hopes that a “gleaner” might come by before the trash truck does – and they do.
As far as actual retail lighting in modern styles, there’s always my favorite fixture: the round, opal glass globe. I’ve used this as a ceiling mount and as a chandelier; it’s simple, inexpensive, modern, and very mid-century.
Good luck with your search for lighting.
pam kueber says
“Gleaner” aka Dumpster Diver And Proud Of It!
tailfin says
RE: Dumpster Diving or Curbside Picking – Be mindful of city ordinances where you do this. In many cities, this is illegal and you can be cited if caught.
pam kueber says
what!!!!!
pam kueber says
I am moving to New Hampshire: Pick Free or Die!
tailfin says
I believe it mainly has to do with the rat & other vermin problems that plague many areas. Picking through garbage – especially in cities that require or provide covered tote-style trash cans – can accidentally expose garbage that attracts unwanted critters. Also, anytime you pick through the trash on a private property, you’re trespassing.
All this aside, I think most people who throw away things don’t have a problem with someone else choosing to recycle items. But it’s just good manners to make sure you don’t leave more of a mess than was there to start with.
pam kueber says
Where I live, lots of folks leave big items out at the curb. The implied message very clearly is: Take this! I don’t thank any of us are talking about breaking open garbage bags!
Janet in CT says
When the landlord cleaned out that old house, they filled at least forty garbage bags up with stuff, and brought a third of them up to my house so the trash men didn’t refuse to pick it up. It was starting to rain and I was out in the front yard frantically tossing stuff out onto the lawn before the deluge started. I sure wish I had gone down to go through the other two thirds of the bags but no time. I felt like I hit the lottery! But seeing how much really dirty old degraded junk was also in those bags, I understand where some places don’t let you do that. It was very messy! Good to know I am not the only one. Phil hates bulk pick up week because I am out there looking. My garage cannot hold one more thing. He is just as bad and just brought home a bunch of fifties era birch wood cabinets they ripped out of an old farmhouse. I guess it is an illness! I am a pickin’addict and proud of it!
Annie B. says
Crikey! I’ve been a retro scofflaw all these years.
Lisa Compo says
I agree with this trespassing policy unless it’s somehow especially set aside or has a sign marked “Free” or something. I remember when we moved here to our regular 1997 suburb house (no MCM neighborhood) we had many garbage bags out and it must have looked like a signal, people were opening the bags and rooting through my personal possessions. I felt violated because the bags were closed. And…I consider it still mine, in my yard until the garbage man takes it away. I went back for something once and it was gone. If we feel that we pitch something decent we sit it aside from the rest of the real garbage..like “Hey OK for the taking”. We also have people that regularly steal our recycling for the aluminum cans. I’m OK with this because it’s an open top container of non personal items.
I think our economy has a lot to do with the changes in flea markets, estate sales and Ebay. I believe these things have gone from weekend hobbies for extra money for folks to full time jobs. It’s no longer just the kids running estate sales, here there are professional firms that buy it all up and sell it. The flea market people clean out the Goodwill stores of vintage items etc..and then raise the price and sell it through their business. Bargain hunting has gotten much more competitive because of the people who have turned it into a profession instead of a hobby. There is even a large company around here called You Got Junk? where you call them and they clean out what you specify..I’m dying to know where all of that stuff goes.
Jay says
All of these comments are interesting. I usually don’t put anything out that is still good and usable – it goes to the ReStore or Goodwill. I am amazed though at what does disapear when I put it at the curb. In my area the leftover unsold house and garage sales are usually left at the curb for the taking or free signs are placed on it. Someone coming onto your property to go through trash not put out yet is creepy. Trash bags at the curb are considered the public domain. The Supreme Court ruled on this years ago, you lose all personal rights when you place it at the curb. Taking someones recycling is a no no where I live because it’s picked up by the private trash hauler and must be recycled by law.
Rick S says
I know with Mad Men out there the 60’s are popular and the prices will reflect that. I did see the “Colonial” and “Early American” as options. My experience with My pair of matching glass shade wall fixtures from 1978 is they didn’t even bring $4.99 for the pair. I don’t know if it is worth relisting them or they should go to restore for donation.
The only reason they are being changed is going with different colors (removing Expresso Brown Kohler toilet) and want fixtures to find good home.
rick
Lisa Compo says
Can you put them on the Forum here for us to take a look at them? Maybe they will be just the right thing for someone. Just a thought.
Rick S says
Lisa,
I think I will give it a shot listing it on the Forum. First time, but have other items needing a home.
rick
Stephanie says
We paid almost $200 for an awesome pull-down light for the dining room. We found it in one of those ‘antique malls’, and knew it was a deal from the prices we were seeing on eBay, so we snapped it up with no regrets. It’s one of the most expensive things we bought for our house, but it’s a real showpiece. I think trying to find something like that for $50 will be a challenge!
There are some of those Mid-Century specialty stores here in Portland, OR that we won’t even walk into because the prices are so outrageous! The whole point of our decorating style was to make it feel cozy like the homes we grew up in, and I couldn’t have done that with $800 lamps or $2000 teak dressers 🙂 We spent about $1500 TOTAL on our whole house – dressers, couches, lighting, the works. It took a few months of bargain hunting, but it is cozy and Mid-Century Modest (I love you for coining that term) and we love it.
pam kueber says
YAY on you! $1500 to furnish an entire house — YES, it is possible — and vintage can have awesome quality, too!
Ana says
These are great tips in the post and the comments. Pam’s eBay carousels have been really helpful to see what’s out there as I look to replace newer fixtures with vintage ones. I discovered how much I like 1940s/30s fixtures — not the really ornate deco/Moderne types, but the simple types that were pre-cursors to mid-century modern. They’re not as popular right now so they tend to be less expensive and still work with 1950s/60s architecture and scale.
pam kueber says
Agreed! “Simpler” is totally authentic, too! It’s the Atomic stuff that’s skyrocketing — no pun intended!
pyrexmaniac says
Great article! I was recently discussing with some fellow midcenturistas that “lighting is the hottest thing now” in MCM design simply because it seems that the prices have absolutely gone crazy. I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned CONSIGNMENT STORES. I have residences in both Buffalo and Toronto and I find that antique stores, co-ops and estate sale purveyors are already “on” to the hot market for lighting, meaning that there are very few bargains to be had. Consignment stores, on the other hand, typically price their merchandise to sell. The two biggest ‘home consignment galleries’ in Toronto sell what I would consider top-quality, mid-to-high end furnishings from all eras at VERY REASONABLE prices. For example, just last week I picked up a vintage 1960s signed Sonneman globe table lamp in perfect condition for less than $100. I used to shop at estate sales and antique co-ops in Buffalo and Rochester, but I have found that ANYTHING midcentury modern is usually priced at what I would consider full retail. In other words, there are few bargains. The other problem with estate sales is that the “feeding frenzy” atmosphere gets tiresome VERY fast. I just don’t have the patience or the time to deal with the hassle when I already know that the bargains are pretty much non-existent.
Mary Elizabeth says
Oh, and I forgot my husband’s favorite vintage find location, the share table at the local transfer station, a.k.a. the town dump. This year’s scores were a large abstract stained glass window hanging for our bay window (not Frank Lloyd Wright, but similar in feel) and a stone base for my bird bath. He’s also seen stuff we weren’t looking for, like candle holders and a huge TV console. If you bring your trash to a transfer station, keep your eyes open for stuff left outside the bins and ask if you can take it.
Robin, NV says
Here’s my tip – get off the beaten path. Out here in rural America, mid mod madness has not hit. Thrift stores sometimes have lighting for cheap. Even antique shops might have some and they still sell it cheaper than Victorian and Arts and Crafts fixtures.
Also – certain types of fixtures haven’t been gobbled up by the frenzy. As Pam said, Early American isn’t terribly popular. Personally, I’m on the hunt for a tension pole lamp for my living room and prices on them haven’t gone through the roof the way table lamps and ceiling fixtures have. But maybe I shouldn’t say that too loud!
mary hershelman says
oh I had one of those that belonged to my grandmother…the shade got terribly ripped and I put it out for someone to save it…but the guy who took it was scraping it….so much gorgeous stuff being scraped for the metal. had one that had three beautiful glass shades…very atomic…in the 90’s…my ex hated it and threw it out. Did I mention he was my ex?
Mary Elizabeth says
Wendy has made most of the suggestions I would have made. I too, have noticed the price of everything retro skyrocketing. I have been collecting tole lamps for my colonial ranch–which I don’t see much mention of here, but which were very popular in the ’50s and ’60s. (Wish I’d thought to ask for the ones that were in my grandma’s house.) I noticed that lately the prices have gone up and the sellers have added the term “mid century” or “Mad Men” to the description, which I didn’t see two years ago when I started. This suggests they are riding a wave of interest.
The only thing I can add is that I have bought a number of items–from kitchenware to tole lamps–at my local Goodwill store, both for myself and for gifts for relatives and friends who I know are into retro style. I also make regular trips to a Goodwill store in a much ritzier area that has really high quality vintage things. Goodwill has a website you can visit that shows all the stores in your area.
Oh, and don’t forget to ask your grandparents and parents for anything they have that they might have in the attic and want to get rid of.
Jay says
I am hoping to find an old difuser in the ReStore to put on the new fixture in the kitchen.
Also consignment shops and rummage sales can sometimes yield vintage treasures – lighting fixtures and lamps.