Sputnik lights are one of those classic midcentury decor items that seems to have made its way into the mainstream — which is good news because it means they keep getting easier to come by. We recently discovered another source for affordable sputniks — Brooklyn Bulb Co.. Brooklyn Bulb Co. offers the popular style in three sizes and two finishes at what seems to be a pretty affordable prices — from $135 for the small guy… to $240 for Papa Bear.
The news release (edited) puts a sort of industrial steam punk spin on this evolution of the sputnik design:
Introducing Brooklyn Bulb Co. – Vintage Style Lighting …
Whether you make your home in downtown Brooklyn, downtown Los Angeles or somewhere in between, you can electrify your space with the ultra-cool (and ultra-affordable!) vintage inspired lighting from the Brooklyn Bulb Co. …
A take on a timeless fixture, these Sputnik pendants play homage to Gino Sarfatti’s classic 1954 design. Remaining a staple for the modernist movement of the time, this silhouette adds dimension and texture to any space, featuring twenty black-painted steel or chrome-plated stainless steel stems and matching canopy. Shown here with Brooklyn Bulb Co. vintage bulbs. Available in a small, medium, and large version. Similar fixtures can be found for hundreds of dollars more elsewhere!
- Looking for more sizes, shapes and colors of Sputnik lights? See our story about Practical Props sputnik chandeliers — which makes most of its products in-house, in California, it says. Note, we took a quick look and their baby Sputniks seem pretty comparably priced to those by Brooklyn Bulb. Shop and compare.
I asked Aimee Majoros, PR rep for the line, for more information on the bulbs.
Aimee writes:
What is really special about the Sputnik Chandeliers that Lights.com offers I think, is the quality for the price. Sputnik lights (as I am sure you know!) are very pricy and the same style and quality can be found for hundreds of dollars elsewhere.
Lights.com also offers Brooklyn Bulb Co. Edison-style bulbs which are super fun to use with the Sputniks – the bulb used in the above Sputnik photo is the Midwood bulb.
So if you add on the cost of these fancy bulbs — which really can make or break a fixture like this — the total cost would be $195 — offset somewhat by the fact that Lights.com offers free shipping on all orders over $150.
Where to get these sputnik lights:
- Brooklyn Bulb vintage-style lighting at Lights.com
(affiliate link)
Afternoon and 12/9 updates: The company clarified that these fixtures are not made in the USA; they are made in China. Also, they specify their own designs, they said — so this is not the same as the Lowe’s light (which also has a different number of arms). The story has been updated accordingly. Lights.com and Brooklyn Bulb have the same owners, we also were able to clarify.
Myrna Ayala-Simmons says
HOLA! I spent over $350.00 in bulbs and lamp and cant get it mounted ;o( I need to purchase an extension due to my ceiling being to high and lamp is not long enough. I need at least 4 inch length with 1 inch width to fit in other rod.
Can someone help me locate an extension that fits this lamp ???
Ive tried several light stores here in Miami, homedepot and lowes and no luck……….
Funny, I’M from Brookyln yet just figured out to send them a request regarding an extension for thier product.
Thank you in advance
Subject: Sputnik Chrome Hanging Pendant -Brooklyn Bulb Co. 18-Light Chrome Hanging Oval Sputnik Ceiling Pendant Light, ETL Listed
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MAVYQS0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2LJI7DSX8QS5H&psc=1
Pam Kueber says
Myrna, you should contact the seller via Amazon or their website directly. Good luck.
Nina says
Great looking sputnik lights, but do you have any leads on UFO style chandelier lighting?
Linda Goins says
I have an original sputnik from the 1950’s. It is brass and uses candelabra bulbs. I assume those bulbs were used originally, but I’m not sure. It was in my aunt’s house, and when my cousin remodeled, my sister asked for it. She then gave it to me – the 50’s fanatic. I was in a 1954 ranch, but it was more colonial/knotty pine. I am now renovating/restoring a 1964 home and have put it in the entry hall. Almost everything was original except light fixtures and one of three baths was gutted but nothing put back in. I am on the search for period fixtures to complete, and have found blue tile with gold speckles and a blue sink with the hoodie ring (hope I spelled that correctly :))
pam kueber says
hudee: https://retrorenovation.com/2011/06/28/a-short-history-of-hudee-rings-from-the-president-of-vance-industries-including-sex-sells/
connie says
Do Sputnik lamps also come as staninf lamps or Table Lamps
pam kueber says
Not that I am aware; I do see them vintage on ebay occasionally; I don’t know if they are to code today. You could reach out to Practical Props and see if they’d make one for you… Here is our story on them… https://retrorenovation.com/2013/09/17/sputnik-chandelier-lights-where-to-buy/
Nicole says
ModCloth used to have one, but it isn’t available anymore. http://www.modcloth.com/shop/lighting/mod-to-shine-lamp
pam kueber says
Nicole, I spotted this seller on etsy who makes them! https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarlightLighting?ref=l2-shopheader-name
Laurie says
When I bought my Sputnik on ebay and looked for the cool sputnik-y bulbs that look like spun glass, my local lighting shop found some. The owner told me if they ever burn out that the cover can be peeled off the lightbulbs (I think they have to be warmed in water) and slid on new teardrop candelabra-style lightbulbs. Fortunately, I haven’t had to try it yet, but it’s good to keep in the back of one’s mind since the originals were hard to find and pricey.
robert @ Live Better Electrically says
I really want to put two of these in my garage. Who says you can’t have some style while covered in motor oil.
Mary Elizabeth says
Robert, I think guys covered in motor oil are very stylish, especially if the oil happens to come from repairing a 1965 mustang convertible! 🙂
Scott says
Why not!?! And imagine what a spectacular sight they would be gleaming off a fresh wax job.
Janice says
I spotted one of these at Lowe’s quite a while ago and sent a tip to Pam, but it didn’t get posted. I recall that it wasn’t that expensive, too. Wish I had the right spot for it in my house.
Natalie says
I bought a Sputnik style chandelier at Lowes recently and it’s awesome! The vintage style bulbs look neat but they are nearly $8 each at my local store! I switched out the vintage style light bulbs (and I’m selling all 18 bulbs for $3 each plus shipping).
Gus says
Ya, I got mine from Lowes too – I’m thinking for around $160, but can’t quite recall. The vintage bulbs also emit lots of heat and a bit too much light, so I just slightly unscrewed some to lessen the impact. I’ve been considering replacing the bulbs to a more round style but figured I’d stick with what I have now.
Tina says
What did you use to replace them? I was thinking of purchasing the same light from Lowe’s but have seen the reviews of how hot and bright the Edison bulbs are. I want to find something that goes well with the style of the chandelier but a lower watt.
Nicole says
My Lowes had their light on display with Utilitech LED bulbs, and it’s glorious. I have wanted a sputnik chandelier for a while, but 1080 Watts for one light fixture is a bit excessive. With the 40 Watt equivalent bulbs I’m just over 100 Watts.
Here’s the link to the bulbs. With the fixture + bulbs, I was still just around $300: http://www.lowes.com/pd_625157-75774-LA450830LEDG2_4294801215__?productId=50280473
midmichigan says
We had one of these style fixtures decades ago and it was cool…when it was clean. They were a pain to dust but we didn’t have the technology and ease of microfiber tools either. We used window spray and a cloth and it took a long time, and you had to be careful. Now, if I had one, I’d use one of those Swiffer microfiber wands and it would be a snap!
Mark says
A local store to me sells repro sputniks, too. Several shapes/sizes, including sconces — it is “Practical Props” (practicalprops.com) in North Hollywood, CA. They offer various finish, drop and bulb options (including the starlite bulbs). One will be gracing our kitchen soon…
pam kueber says
Yes, Mark — we linked to our story about them in this story. Here is our story on Practical Props again: https://retrorenovation.com/2013/09/17/sputnik-chandelier-lights-where-to-buy/