Vintage Barn Lights

Vintage Accessories Add a Bit of Timeless Bling to Any Decor

Betty — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:26:23 +0000

No matter what your age or design style, we all like a little bling in our lives. That special something that turns a head and starts a conversation. Or those little extras that pull a room together and make it pop. Often times, this home dècor bling has a history; a vintage piece that isn’t seen on every store shelf or website.

You can incorporate some history into your own home with Barn Light Electric’s collection of Vintage Accessories that include salvaged and decorative accent pieces. These items are a great way to add some new life to a room without the time, hassle, and expense of a major remodel. If you’ve always wanted to try out a new look, but didn’t want to commit to a complete overhaul of your dècor, adding accessories is an instant fix.

This Countertop Mirror in polished brass adds an elegant touch to a guest bath or entryway table. This fixture is an original manufactured by UrbanArchaeology.com and is currently listed at 50 percent off the list price. Or perhaps an Antique Door Knocker, also from UrbanArchaeology.com would make a lovely utilitarian addition to your front door. This American made knocker has a polished brass finish and is also available at half off the list price.

Salvaged Hardware is a great collection to browse for pieces you can install easily and quickly to pep up your dècor. A set of Polished Chrome Hooks in the kitchen to hold towels or tools would be useful or how about dressing up those tired cabinets with some Vintage Crystal Drawer Pulls?

And of course, switching up your lighting is always a favorite way to brighten up a room! A beautifully crafted floor lamp offers a dose of Victorian charm and could be used as an accent in any room. With a detailed shaft, claw feet, and two satin glass shades, the Antique Victorian Double Lamp has been attentively preserved for modern use.

Vintage Porcelain Warehouse Shades Add History, Elegance to Design

Betty — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:46:23 +0000

This adorable little breakfast nook has so much going for it, it’s hard to decide which element we like best! With light streaming in on three sides, convenient bench seating, and a classic warehouse shade to cast light in the evenings, this space is loaded with charming details. The vented warehouse shade complements the vintage look of the apron front sink and the white subway tile that helps keep the narrow space bright and open. These RLM-inspired warehouse shades were popular back in the 1930s and 40s when manufacturers like Benjamin®, Ivanhoe™, and Smoot-Holman used top quality materials and porcelain enamel to craft their rugged lighting. It was made to last for generations.

To get this look in your kitchen or dining room, check out our collection of Vintage Stem Mount Pendants. This fixture looks much like the 16″ Vintage White Vented Warehouse Pendant which features a white porcelain enamel finish both inside and out. The stem on this light, which comes in a variety of sizes to suit your needs, sports a galvanized finish which gives the light a trendy industrial look. If your ceiling is low, you may prefer a flush mount fixture. The Vintage White Westinghouse Warehouse Flush Mount offers the classic barn style look in a ceiling-hugging fixture. It’s 14″ wide shade still offers plenty of downward directed light which is perfect for kitchen counters, island cook tops, and dining room tables.

Porcelain enamel was once the finish of choice in the early 20th century thanks to its high gloss shine and durability. The porcelain enamel process slowly died away when cheaper painting techniques came onto the market, but Barn Light Electric is proud to have revived this manufacturing process. Quality, American made lighting that is once again hand crafted to last for generations!

Top photo courtesy Tess Bethune Interiors and Photographer Brian Kelly

Vintage Warehouse Shades Lend Classic Look to Homes, Businesses

Betty — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:57:51 +0000

There was a time when warehouse pendant lighting was found, well, in warehouses! And also in factories where the wide bowl of these pendant lamps reflected light over a large area, a critical feature where heavy machinery and meticulous work was involved. These lights not only had to provide plenty of illumination, but had to be durable in an industrial setting. Manufacturers in the early 20th century would hand craft these light fixtures using only the finest commercial grade materials of the time.

Companies like Crouse-Hinds, Benjamin® and Goodrich™ spun shades out of steel, then coated and baked them with a porcelain enamel coating that was resistant to moisture, thus preventing rust and corrosion, unlike lights constructed from metal alone.

These days you can find vintage porcelain shades in almost every style of home and in many commercial businesses like the one shown in this shop window. Many homeowners choose to hang warehouse shades over kitchen tables and islands to take advantage of the wide spread of light. Not only do they provide generous downlighting, each fixture has its own history!

We recently added several “new” antique fixtures that have been cleaned, restored, and rewired and are ready to bring a touch of vintage style to your space! The 16″ Vintage White Vented Warehouse Stem Mount Pendant is a classic light that features a tough white porcelain enamel shade and your choice of six different stem lengths. The vented neck on this shade lets heat escape over the top of the shade.

For a slightly larger shade, check out the 18″ Vintage White Smoot-Holman Stem Mount 3-Tiered Shade. This rugged ceiling light offers plenty of illumination from its white porcelain interior and features a unique stacked neck design. Six stem lengths are available to customize this light which has been cleaned and rewired and comes to you ready to hang. For lower ceilings that require a flush-mount version, don’t miss the 14″ Vintage Benjamin® Vented Warehouse Flush Mount!

Top photo courtesy of Remodelista

Porcelain Library Light Lends Vintage Style to Any Table Setting

Betty — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:25:57 +0000

When the electric light was first created and mass produced in the 19th century, society was changed forever. People were no longer at the mercy of the sun or unpredictable and sometimes dangerous gas lighting to find their way after dark. The library industry was one that embraced the new technology with open arms and open doors. More people could come to the library more often, and stay later, thanks to the long industrial lights that were suspended over the tables where patrons would read and conduct research. These lights were perfect for libraries with their rounded shades that didn’t allow a lot of overlighting into neighboring spaces. This style of vintage lighting was also quite popular in warehouses and stockrooms where long tables needed downward focused light without a lot of glare.

To get this look for your space — be it a garage workshop, kitchen island, or retail display — check out our Vintage Benjamin® Stockroom Porcelain Library Light, part of our collection of Vintage Stem Mount Pendants. This classic Benjamin® fixture comes in the traditional vintage green with a white porcelain interior that reflects light so well. It measures more than 20″ long and can handle up to a 200 watt bulb so it will bring plenty of light to any table setting. The mounting features a Galvanized finish and comes in a variety of lengths, ranging from 6″ to 48″ for customizing.

These 19th- and early 20th-century porcelain fixtures were crafted by hand from the finest materials available at the time. The porcelain enamel glass finish was not harmed by the chemicals and conditions often found in factories or warehouses and would give a lifetime of service. And while we love finding these vintage treasures to restore and rewire for our Vintage Barn Lighting site, Barn Light Electric is also proud to have revived the porcelain enamel manufacturing process to create outstanding vintage reproductions of many classic styles of lighting.

Vintage Sconces Add Nautical Style to Coastal Georgia Home

Betty — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:07:17 +0000

Savannah, Georgia, is known as the Hostess City of the South and is brimming with southern charm and style. Close to the ocean and situated on the banks of the Savannah River, this town has plenty of coastal and nautical influences in its architecture, food, and culture. Savannah also happens to be home to our good friend Joel Snayd of Rethink Design Studio. Joel works with both residential and commercial clients in the Savannah area with a focus on showcasing each client’s personality through design. Today we take a peek at a dining room that Joel created featuring some beautiful vintage sconces. These sconces highlight each individual photograph on the wall while providing ambient light to the space as well.

To get this look, consider our Bulkhead Wall Mount Light available in either a Satin Nickel or Polished Brass finish. This rugged, wall-hugging fixture has its roots in the Atomic Era and features a unique cast guard and glass design that throws light around all sides of the fixture. You can customize this light by choosing clear, frosted, or ribbed glass. Originally manufactured by Urban Archeology, these sconces are offered at 50 percent off their original prices.

Another piece in our collection of nautical lighting is the Boathouse Wall Mount Light which features a smooth Satin Nickel finish. This unusual light has plenty of marine influences and would be perfect in a coastal setting — on a boathouse, dock, beachfront condo, or even a cottage on a lake. The clear glass jar of this light can handle a 100 watt bulb and is rated for wet locations.

To create a coastal feel throughout your home, don’t miss the complementary Bulkhead Fixed Pendant, also offered at discounted prices, and available in a variety of vintage finish colors including Polished Chrome, Polished Brass, Statuary Brown, and Green Patina.

Top photo courtesy of Joel Snayd

Flared Glass Shade Pendant Offers Simple Touch to 19th Century B&B

Betty — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:39:42 +0000

The lively city of Antwerp, located on the eastern banks of the river Scheldt in Belgium, is rich in art, architecture, and culture. Though famous for its diamond trade and the fifth largest port in the world, there are centuries worth of nooks and crannies to explore along its cobblestone streets. One of these hidden gems is the Boulevard Leopold, a quaint bed-and-breakfast located in a 19th century home that features a mix of vintage and modern. Here in the kitchen, we find floor-to-ceiling tile including a decorative blue pattern along the top of the walls that flows onto the ceiling. This treatment draws the eye upward, expanding the narrow space. And taking center stage – a delicate glass shade pendant that adds another vintage touch.

This shade would be right at home in our Glass Shade Pendant collection where we offer a variety of Milk Glass, Holophane Glass, and Cased Glass vintage fixtures. This light in particular looks much like our Flared Milk Glass Shade with Cotton Twist Cord. This 9 1/2″ wide shade offers a nice spread of light with its shallow, flared design and can be paired with either an unfinished brass or polished nickel socket. What gives this light a truly unique look is the colored cotton twist cord which comes in your choice of Putty, Brown, Black, or Red and in a range of lengths to fit any space.

Another easy addition that really boosts the character of this light is a nostalgic Edison Style Light Bulb. These bulbs are offered in a variety of shapes and styles and produce a warm, soft light. The Victorian 40-Watt Light Bulb features a quad loop filament while the 1910-Era 60-Watt Light Bulb has a squirrel cage filament. These authentic, replica bulbs put the perfect finishing touch on any vintage and industrial fixtures!

Top photo courtesy of Remodelista

Vintage Glass Shade Pendants Blend with Historic Vernacular

Betty — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:24:53 +0000

You never know what you’ll find when you visit a second-hand store or junk yard. If you have a keen eye for potential, you might spot an old, discarded pendant that only needs cleaning, rewiring, and a new shade to become a spiffed-up version of its former self.

Or perhaps a vintage sink, like the one in this photo, which the homeowners found at a local salvage yard and is now settled into its new soapstone counter. The home is located in the historic Park Slope district of Brooklyn so the homeowners wanted to honor the vernacular with thoughtful details such as the sink and the large pocket doors at the far end of the room which were also salvaged.

We also love the addition of the vintage glass shade pendant which complements the sink with its simple and not-too-fussy cord-hung mounting. This shade looks much like our vintage Glass Shade Pendants which are some of the most popular styles on our Vintage Barn Lighting site.

To get this look, consider the 10″ Vintage Cased Cone Shade Pendant which comes in a classic green finish. This fixture can be paired with either a nickel or brass socket and an authentic-style colored cotton twist cord. The cord comes in a wide variety of lengths to fit almost any space. Add to the vintage flavor of this light with a nostalgic Edison style light bulb which is available in several different shapes and styles.

You can get a bit of a different look with the slightly smaller 6″ Vintage Holophane Shade Pendant which can be customized with an unfinished brass socket and turn key or a polished nickel socket and knob. Colored, cotton twist cords add an authentic look to this vintage pendant and come in putty, black, brown, or red. This shade would work very well in pairs over a kitchen island or as a delicate touch in a reading nook.

Top photo courtesy Remodelista

Vintage Glass Shade Pendants Exude Timeless Style

Betty — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:20:20 +0000

The first person to place a glass shade around a bare bulb changed the course of lighting history. While bare bulbs were certainly an improvement over an open flame, the addition of a glass shade helped throw the light further reflecting it up, down, and all around to help light up a space. Our collection of Glass Shade Pendants on Vintage Barn Lighting features some beautiful examples of antique glass shades that can add the perfect touch of timeless style to almost any room.

Milk glass had its origins in the 1500s but exploded in popularity in France in the late 19th century. Milk glass was also popular among America’s wealthy in the early 20th century. Milk glass shades, such as our 6″ Vintage Clambroth Bowl Shade, offer a delicate spot of light to kitchen islands, side tables, or desk spaces. You can play up the vintage theme by adding a colored cotton twist cord or a nostalgic Edison style light bulb which is available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Holophane glass pendants are another iconic style of vintage lighting characterized by the ribbed glass shade that is often copied throughout the lighting industry. Our collection of Holophane Glass Pendants includes some fine examples of Holophane glass and many have the Holophane markings. The Vintage Holophane Ruffled Bell Pendant is a classic fixture that would serve beautifully in a kitchen setting or perhaps over a hall table in an entryway. Its flirty and feminine edge plays with the light and adds distinctive character to the fixture. Choose an unfinished brass or polished nickel socket for this light and add a colored cotton twist cord available in a variety of lengths. Like all of the lights on our this site, each fixture has been cleaned and rewired with new components so it comes to you ready to hang.

Vintage Goosenecks Add to Historical Ambience

Betty — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 11:00:33 +0000

As you drive through the grounds surrounding the Grove Park Inn, you feel surrounded and immersed in the history of place. The Inn will celebrate its 100th year in operation in 2013 and has served not only as a hotel to presidents and celebrities whose photographs line the hallways, but also as a rest and rehabilitation center for US Navy sailors returning from World War II. There are countless vintage touches throughout the grounds including these handsome vintage gooseneck lights near the Grovewood Gallery and Café.

Old World charm abounds here at the Gallery amidst the sculpture gardens, working artists’ studios, and more than 9,000 square feet of both traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. These gooseneck lights exemplify the talent and craftsmanship of the metal artisans of the early 20th century who created porcelain enamel lighting that would stand the test of time. These fixtures are much like our 16″ Vintage Benjamin™ Warehouse Shade, a classic light with the original Benjamin™ sticker still on the shade. With the traditional green porcelain exterior and the bright white interior, this fixture will throw plenty of downward light onto any exterior site. Like all of the lights in our Vintage Lighting collections, this fixture has been cleaned and rewired with new components and comes to you ready to install.

A slightly smaller gooseneck, the Vintage Green Warehouse Gooseneck Shade, would make a fine addition to a barn, workshop, or garage. This fixture measures 12″ across and can be customized with your choice of several different gooseneck arm styles. It features the classic green exterior and white interior and can handle up to a 200 watt bulb for plenty of illumination. To create a family of vintage lighting, don’t miss the matching Vintage Green Warehouse Shade Stem Mount light, a rugged fixture that will light up your porch or workshop space for years to come!

Vintage Sign Lights Not Just for Residential Lighting Applications

Betty — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:56:25 +0000

When your radar is tuned into vintage lighting as much as ours is — work hazard — you tend to spot vintage fixtures in all sorts of places. A vintage gooseneck on an old barn, a deep bowl stem mount pendant over your neighbor’s dining room table, or perhaps a vintage milk glass shade in a friend’s kitchen. True antique lights can be found in residential settings but not so often in commercial venues. Commercial lighting requirements often place a higher priority on quality and durable materials than on style and aesthetics. But a quick browse through our Vintage Sign Lighting collection and you’ll find plenty of options that offer both style and quality.

This chiropractor’s office chose some vintage emblem shades to get just the right angle of light on their front door and walkway. These lights resemble classic Benjamin™ Emblem Sign Lights such as the 10″ Vintage Benjamin™ that features the standard green porcelain exterior and the bright white porcelain interior to help reflect the light. This fixture comes with your choice of stem mounts ranging from 6″ to 48″ long and can handle up to a 200 watt bulb. The Benjamin™ markings are visible around the exterior fitter.

Also found in our Vintage Sign Lighting group are Angle Shade Lights that include the Vintage Porcelain Enamel Clamshell Gas Station Light. These lights also come with the classic green porcelain exterior and six stem lengths to suit your space. The secret to these antique lights’ longevity lies in the porcelain enamel coating. Porcelain lighting was prevalent in this country back in the early 20th century but fell out of use when cheaper painting techniques came on the market. Only porcelain enamel has the strength and durability to stand up to sun, wind, rain and other elements long term making them an excellent choice for commercial lighting. Barn Light Electric is proud to be America’s only manufacturer of porcelain enamel lighting!