Vacuum packed

I read an article the other day which asked "Why Vintage Lighting?" The answer was obviously from an online form where you just plug in a title and a couple keywords and out pops a meaningless jumble of ver(gar)bage. I guess it helps to fill some void, much like all the "designer" home decor, found now even at Safeway, where your eye may look at it once then you will never see it again, even if you look right at it. Proof that it must be true that Nature abhors a vacuum.

Now that I have vented a bit, there is no time here to answer "Why Vintage Lighting", which was my original thought. sorry, next time.

Maybe I should wait until after I had my coffee...

Listen to Your Eyes. PB

http://VintageLights.com

Proper Vintage Bathroom Lighting

Another recent query we received and one we often field is "What is the best lighting solution for a vintage bathroom, specifically around the mirror?"

This question is pretty vague so lets try to narrow down some answers for a couple of the most common scenarios. If you have a medicine cabinet or just a mirror over the sink or counter and if room on each side permits, a vintage wall sconce on each side of the mirror at (the woman's) eye level gives the best illumination for detailing the face. Sconces with shades or using inside frost light bulbs help to minimize shadows. Another sconce above the mirror or a small pendant drop close to the wall will also help balance the light.

Sometimes the mirror is the width of the wall above the counter and usually here you find the typical light bar with 6 round bare bulbs (or worse, a fluorescent light bar). Recently a local customer came to us with this dilemma, the mirror the length of the wall. We provided him with 3 matching pendant drops of opaque milk glass which he had mounted into 3 new ceiling boxes. A bit more costly but a solution he was grateful for.

Listen To Your Eyes. PB

www.VintageLights.com

Patience and Planning

With the California Poppies popping up, it is a sure sign of Spring, even though last Friday morning there was 1/2 inch of snow on the deck. And today, Monday, it is going to hit 80 degrees. We are loving it.

Now is the time to start planning those outside projects that are on this summer's list. I mention this because it seems all too often we are hit with requests for a specific type of vintage lighting fixture (in this case vintage porch lights), and the electrician is coming out next week to install it.

When you know that vintage lighting is what you desire there are two things to remember: the first is patience and planning and the second is, if you find something you like, purchase it on the spot. We have a good track record of finding specific vintage fixtures if given enough time. But the "electrician is coming out next week" is one of the surest ways to end up with dandelions instead of golden California Poppies.

Listen To Your Eyes. PB

http://vintagelights.com/

Bring Back the Magic

Some call it beauty, some call it a felt emotional responce, and some just refer to it as magical. That inexpicible sense of self and emotion when in the presence of something that stirs us in a positive way.
The old lighting fixtures have it, the old buildings have it, Nature has it.
Maybe we all need a little more magic in our lives.

Listen To Your Eyes. PB

www.VintageLights.com

Too bad we can't go fishin'

As I kid my father would cut me out of school on Friday for a long weekend of fishing in Eastern Washington. We would meet up with Carl "Curly" Gleason and his son Carl Jr. for the trip over highway 2. Camp out Thursday night in the riverside park in Wenatchee and hit the lakes Friday. Specticle, Wannacut, Alta, and Twin lakes all gave up their treasured trout to us. God, it was just beautiful in the Methow and Okanogon Valleys. Still is.
One thing I remember though was the talks Dad and Curly had about politics. Their respecive views were as divergent as the water spilling from the broken aquaduct high above Specticle Lake. They would sometimes talk the whole drive over and back as well as late into the night. At that age I had no idea exactly what they were talking about, but I knew they had opposite views. But I also saw the respect they had for each others views and how they could put it all behind when another lunker hit the orange Flat Fish we were slowly trolling behind a Ford Fender. They were life long friends despite of, or because of, their different points of view.
Maybe that is why I am troubled by the tone of today's politicial rheteric; I learned a bit about mutual respect rowing that wooden boat around Alta with 3 lines in the water.
Too bad we can't all go fishin'

p.s. Curly was bald.
p.s.s. An old fishing buddy Joseph Demeo in image.

www.VintageLights.com

Port of Indecision

In previous posts I asked why so many people are afraid or VERY cautious when it comes to making decisions concerning design elements in their home (or anything else). It occurred to me that "Politically Correct" could be partially to blame. PC is nothing more than the McDonalds Mentality in a political dress. The least common denominator, acceptable mediocrity, etc etc. And yes I chow down a Big Mac every now and then.
The danger of PC is that it is a form of a lie, an innocuous partial truth or a lie of reserve. PC is another example of giving the illusion that one never needs to venture out of the port of indecision, one never needs to set their own sail, to discover their own strengths and weakness and to see the setting sun from another point of view.
PC obscures the truth, waters it down like the new beers from St. Louis.

There is nothing like a warm summer day, standing with your own two feet planted firmly on the deck of a sailboat under way, with a nice cold micro-brew in hand.

Listen to your eyes. PB

Yep, that's me.

www.vintagelights.com/

A "Great Truth" from the 20s

One of the things I like about cruising the old lighting catalogues is the stark contrast of purpose between  early electric fixtures and today's.  Here is an excerpt from a 1920's Lightolier catolog:
"Throughout the length and breath of the land builders of modern homes have learned the great truth that nothing is more essential to real home beauty and comfort than correct lighting fixtures."

Listen To Your Eyes.  PB

www.vintagelights.com/