This one is a real coup — the first photos in the blogosphere of Practical Props’ new spaghetti globe and orb lights — in fact, they took the photos at our urging. Yes, Practical Props, makers of some of our favorite reproduction cone and sputnik lights, has just added a colorful galaxy of spun acrylic globe and ellipse pendant lights to their lineup. These shades are made by a local artist who handcrafts them using the same techniques used to craft the 1960s and 70s originals. Vintage spaghetti lights are relatively difficult to find vintage — and they can be quite expensive — so having authentic reproductions so easy at hand is groovy to the max!
Currently, Practical Props is the only place we know of that sells new spun acrylic spaghetti lights. Pam spotted one lonely example on the website… and asked me to reach out to Practical Props to get the low down on these new lights. The company told us:
Our elliptical acrylic pendants are handmade by a local artist who uses the same techniques as the vintage ‘spaghetti lights’, spinning acrylic in different shapes and sizes. We then custom-make these pieces into pendants for our customers with chrome or brass hardware. Our pendants can be made with rod hardware like our Sputniks, or with chain and cord wired to plug in, the vintage ’swag’ style. The most popular version is the ellipse shape, but they are also available in fully-round globe shapes and in custom colors.
Spun acrylic globes in orange, gray, clear, and yellow.
Spun acrylic ellipses in orange, gray, clear, and yellow.
Chain Hardware is available in Polished Brass, Chrome, and Vintage Bronze finishes – Includes 36″ of chain and ceiling mount hardware.
Rod Hardware is available in Satin Brass, Chrome, and Satin Nickel finishes – Includes a custom rod up to 24” and ceiling mount hardware.
Spun acrylic globes in orange, gray, clear, and yellow.
Each fixture takes a single bulb, 60 watt maximum – we recommend using clear bulbs to increase the sparkling effect of the spun acrylic!
Other colors are available for special order. Each fixture is handmade, so colors may vary slightly.
Above, from left: 12” orange globe with brass chain , 24” gray elipse with satin nickel rod, 18” red elipse with brass rod, 18” orange elipse with brass chain, 12” clear globe with chrome rod hardware.
Above: 15” yellow globe pendant with retro bronze swag hardware.. Designed with a plug and switch to be hung as a swag in the retro style. Any of Practical Prop’s fixtures can be made with a chrome or brass swag for an additional fee.
YELLOW! Our 2015 Retro Renovation Color of the Year!
Above: 18” Ellipse pendant in orange with polished brass chain hardware.
Above: 24” Elipse pendant in gray, shown with satin nickel hardware.
Above: details of spun acrylic texture – handmade retro pendants.
I neeeeeed to get at least one of these when I build my home tiki bar! Pam also asked me to remind everyone that these globe lights are not to be placed under stepladders, as she learned after the bone-breaking Tiki Decorating Incident of 2014.
Who else is in?
Which color and shape will you buy?
Disclosure: Practical Props has just signed on as an advertiser on the blog — but this story is not “part of the deal.” They sold so many double cones when we wrote this round-up story that they got a taste of “the Retro Renovation bump” and signed right up! 🙂
Dina says
I bought the grey ellipse several months ago and I can’t tell you how I much I love it. You will be in for a wonderful surprise when you turn it on at night. I went to their store and they also carry vintage and vintage looking lamp shades, vintage lighting parts, light bulbs and raft of mid century light fixtures.
Grama Robin says
We have an original orange globe with a swag chain we hang from the awning of our camper at vintage trailer meets. Very popular! It turns the awning (and vintage style grass mat) into a cute little outdoor living room.
Kit says
Actually, a trio of colors hung in a corner over my reading chair in the corner would be stunning! But, oh I SO need to get rid of those electrical light sockets! I ant believe the affordability…I’m really giddy!
Kit says
Deliriously happy! I can finally replace the ugly ceramic electric basemet like electric bulb holders currently hanging from my foyer, dining room and kitchen ceilings! You. Have. No idea how very excited this makes me! When we bought our 1959 brick ranch, my husband said I may not purchase any old fixtures because they scared him from a safety point of view, and the expense of them plus the cost of rewireing… Not in our budget since this is our retirement downsizer dream home! YIPEE!
Hel says
I was so lucky! I scored a vintage orange sphere spaghetti lamp from Shopgoodwillonline.com for less than 40 dollars! I have made it and my vintage sleeper sofa in matching orange the focal point of the living room of our first home. It’s great to see that I can now get one of these bad boys in different colors for all of the rooms in my house!
cherie says
OOOOH! I have an original ivory (kind of goldish actually) globe one that I have never had the perfect spot to hang. I LOVE it and always guessed it was 60s more than 70s but whatever, it doesn’t matter – it’s just the coolest. I’m so glad someone is making them again!
Judy says
I’ve been looking for one of these for months! Thank you for the info!! You guys are awesome! I’m going to order the round clear with the chain and plug in cord for my ’63 house.
June Cahill says
Umm hmmm. My, my, my. I’m envisioning the orange or grey swagged over the nightstands in my furnished vacation rental. Retrolicious never looked so darn good! It’s amazing to think that when I went to remodel the kitchen in my former ’63 ranch (a mere 12 years ago) I STRUGGLED to find awesome things like terrazzo, ribbed glass for my cabinets, retro-handles for the cabinets, etc. and NOW – well – My, my, MY!
pam kueber says
I agree — I started 13 years ago — and it was SO DIFFICULT. There were SO FEW OPTIONS! What a difference a revival can make!
Cynthia says
Super cool! I agree, turquoise or green too! I’m thinking maybe for my bedroom, hanging over the Broyhill Emphasis triple dresser instead of a lamp. I wonder why the rod can only be 24″ max…. and only a single 60 W bulb? Maybe the heat of more bulbs or higher wattage would affect the acrylic?
Kelly Wittenauer says
I believe you are correct about why the limit in the wattage. I remember seeing photos of heat damaged ones on ebay when shopping for vintage spaghetti lamps.
Barb S. says
Aw. This is terrible news for a girl who already has over 50.. errrr, I mean an addiction to these lamps.
Barb S. says
I mean terrible news for my husband! HA!!!!!
pam kueber says
wow, i need to see a photo!!! talk about a Galaxy!
ummm, I have “only” four