Bringing the Outdoors In with Exterior Pendant Lighting

April 28, 2012 by Ashley

You would be surprised who is buying into the industrial trend being spotted all over the Internet nowadays. This photo from Vogue was featured on Apartment Therapy for the vintage photo gallery wall. Typically, Vogue is looked at as a place to find all things luxurious and lush, but we’re digging the plank wood table paired with the worn-in chairs.

It’s not always acceptable to use items that are primarily for interior use outdoors. For example, that new cowhide rug you spent a small fortune on? Ruined almost right away in the rain. It doesn’t always work the same way, bringing muddy feet and creatures inside from the woods isn’t exactly every housewife’s dream of a “rustic heaven.”

But this room is almost the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor living. There’s no doubt that the chairs and table would hold up in harsh conditions! Our eyes initially were caught by the charming vintage photos, but then we caught sight of the ceiling light above. Bearing a strong resemblance to many of our Exterior Pendants, this one definitely shows some patina of age. Outdoor lantern lights are probably one of the simplest ways to adds vintage character to your dining areas.

Instead of hanging a chandelier or resorting to recessed can lights, consider the Aspen Exterior Pendant. A hand forged iron pendant with seeded amber glass will contribute to an intimate and unique atmosphere. If this is a little too lantern like, something like the Period Basics Circa 1910 Exterior Pendant may be more up your alley. Bridging the gap between warehouse and exterior lighting, this particular pendant comes equipped with a removable wire cage to suit your setting. To streamline the look, check out the matching wall sconce and post mount lantern to add some industrial era charm throughout your home.

Top Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Posted in Blogs, By Room, Ceiling Lighting, Dining Room, Exterior Pendants, Media, Outdoor Lighting, Style Guide | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warehouse Shades Splash Color and Fun in Key West Bar

April 27, 2012 by Betty

Back in the mid 1800s when people had no idea that they could overfish a species, green sea turtles were captured by the thousands off the Florida Keys. The first turtle soup cannery opened in Key West in 1849 and the turtle industry thrived until the early 1970s when the numbers of green turtles had been severely diminished. The old cannery in Key West now bears the name Turtle Kraals — the Dutch African word for “corral” — which is where the turtles were kept prior to being exported in a can. Turtle Kraals, located right on the Gulf, is both a local and tourist favorite for tropical libations, wood smoked barbeque, and fresh seafood — but no turtle soup.

While outdoor seating offers a great view of the harbor and the parade of boats and manatee that float by regularly, the air conditioned dining room is bright and festive as well. Historical photos from the cannery along with preserved turtle shells line the walls. Colorful barn light pendants in primary colors of red, blue, yellow, and green contribute to the fun atmosphere for which Turtle Kraals is well known. These are very much like our Benjamin™ Sky Chief Warehouse Pendant, part of our porcelain enamel collection of barn lighting. These pendants show that lighting doesn’t have to simply be functional, but can also be a vibrant part of your restaurant’s design scheme and something that patrons will remember along with the fabulous conch fritters they had for lunch!

The Benjamin™ Sky Chief comes in the style of old fashioned industrial lighting, with a 16″ diameter. The Benjamin™ line is stem mounted, such as these ,which is a great option for high traffic or outdoor areas. But you can also choose a cord-hung option if you prefer that look. Our color palette includes these vivid primary colors along with traditional finishes, including black, white, and vintage green.

Top photo courtesy of Turtle Kraals

 

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Industrial Decor Brings Treasures from the Past to Today’s Homes

April 26, 2012 by Betty

Just in case you haven’t noticed, there’s been a population explosion of late that begs for our attention. Thrift stores with names like Second Hand Rose or New to You are popping up everywhere along with vintage shops and industrial decor showrooms. No matter where you live, the industrial trend has taken off gathering up new converts like Billy Graham at a 1950s tent revival.

Here at Barn Light Electric, we too love the idea of taking something old and giving it new life much like our line of Vintage Barn Lighting. And what better complement to one of these beautiful antique lights than some industrial furniture in the same space? Take this industrial factory cart for example. It’s loaded with vintage treasures like a discarded tackle box, an old dish drainer, and vintage soda crates that hold odds and ends. And the rolling cart keeps all these pieces tidy with the mobility to move where you need it or simply out of the way! We offer a smaller factory cart called The Armory Vintage Industrial Work Station. This 100 percent American made cart features reclaimed steel, salvaged local wood, and industrial grade cast iron wheels. This heavy duty cart can take on any number of jobs from mobile kitchen island or microwave cart to printer station or craft table.

Another flexible find is our Vintage Industrial Wood Side Table called The Restoration. Constructed of recycled steel for its sturdy base, The Restoration has a raw, turn-of-the-century feel. The top is crafted from reclaimed butcher block hard pine that gives the table a warm look. Suitable for any urban home or loft space, this piece is ideal as an occasional table or night stand.

The newest offering in our Industrial Decor line is the Industrial Factory Stool that comes straight from the Machine Age of the early 20th century. In both a backed and backless design, this stool can be customized with color to coordinate with any look in your home!

Top photo courtesy of Dana Gallagher

Posted in 1890's Factory Carts, Antique Furniture, Architectural Salvage, By Room, Furniture, Style Guide, Vintage Industrial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vintage Deep Bowl Pendants Shine in Industrial Style Kitchen

April 25, 2012 by Betty

Hendy’s Home Store in Hastings, England recently added the Home Store Kitchen where customers can sit and relax after a stroll through the aisles of the retail store. The new venture is described by the owner as “a seafood kitchen serving simple plates of fish where food is for eating rather than for pages of magazines.” This low-key and cozy atmosphere features handmade white wall tiles and a reclaimed brick  floor which has been sealed for easy cleaning. Patrons gather around the zinc-covered island for a plate of fresh fare gathered from the local fishermen under the glow of beautiful deep bowl pendants.

These pendants are very similar to our Barn Light Deep Bowl Pendant which comes in a range of sizes from 7″ up to 16″. This affordable fixture has a clean, universal design that can be adapted to almost any home style. With more than 50 finish colors to choose from, you can create a fixture that matches your decor no matter if you favor a traditional look, an Art Deco style, or even have a more eclectic outlook.

Prefer the look and durability of porcelain? Then check out the Ivanhoe™ Wilcox 10″ Porcelain Deep Bowl Pendant, part of our collection of Vintage Barn Lighting. This vintage version of the deep bowl pendant comes in several classic colors including deep green and red or try the brilliant cobalt blue or creamy jadite for an updated look.

Back in the Home Store Kitchen, we also noticed the bulkhead lights and exposed conduit along the wall which lend the space an industrial feel. These wall mounted lights, much like our Amidships Bulk Head Wall Mount Light Fixture, give a nautical nod to the seaport of Hastings while providing plenty of light over work areas without being obtrusive. Various finish styles are available to make this fixture yet another distinctive addition to your home or work space!

 Top photo courtesy of Remodelista

Posted in Barn Pendants, By Room, Ceiling Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Ivanhoe Pendant Lighting, Kitchen, Porcelain Barn Lights, Restaurant Lighting, Vintage Pendants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Light Bulb 101: Choices, Changes, and Challenges of Light Bulbs

April 24, 2012 by Betty

Those of us immersed in the lighting industry are well aware of the federal legislation that took effect January 1st that alters what light bulbs we can purchase. In an effort to save energy and money, standard incandescent bulbs are being phased out gradually and replaced by higher efficiency halogen incandescent bulbs. Other high efficiency bulbs have also been hitting the marketplace, and we would like to shine some light on what’s available to help you pick the best bulb for your space!

Standard incandesents are being replaced because they tend to be less efficient and heat up when turned on which makes your room warmer. Not a bad idea in winter, but it takes more energy to cool a room made toasty by light bulbs. LED bulbs and compact fluorescents, called CFLs, offer attractive savings both in energy and in your wallet. Consider this question for example. How many light bulbs do you need for 50,000 hours of use? You would need 42 standard incandescent bulbs, five CFLs, or only one LED. LEDs are durable as they have no filament to break, keep their cool, and last up to 10 times as long as CFLs.

In turn, CFLs provide just as much light as incandescents yet use only 1/3 of the energy and last much longer. Yes, these newer bulbs cost more yet the savings add up as replacement costs dramatically decrease. And while the distinctive twirly shape of the CFL bulb didn’t attract too many fans at first, they now come in a variety of shapes, some looking much like their incandescent ancestors, while others, like the new Plumen Light Bulb are downright stylish! Perfect for the popular bare bulb look!

For those who love vintage lighting, the nostalgic Edison Style Light Bulb has a definite turn-of-the-century look. Some of these bulbs are tall and thin while other styles have a rounder, smaller shape. They exhibit a classic exposed squirrel cage filament not found with CFLs or incandescents.

Don’t forget to consider the color temperature of a new bulb. Measured in degrees Kelvin, lower numbers ranging from 2,700-3,000 will produce warm, yellowish red tones while higher numbers in excess of 5,000 will give cooler white and bluish tones.

When purchasing a new light from Barn Light Electric, be sure to browse through all of our bulb options. You truly can have high efficiency and high style all in one!

With thanks to EarthEasy

 

Posted in Compact Fluorescent, LED Light Bulbs, Light Bulbs, Nostalgic Edison Style, Standard Incandescent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gooseneck Warehouse Shades for Classic Red Vermont Barn

April 23, 2012 by Betty

Outside storage space always seems to be an issue when you have lawn mowers, bicycles, gardening tools, and, if you live up north, the essential snowblower. Add in a hobby like woodworking with its own array of space-hogging tools and you start dreaming of a shed as big as your house. Don’t dream bigger, dream better! This beautiful Vermont barn, designed by Mitra Samimi-Urich, holds everything the owner needs and does so with classic New England style including, oh yes, beautiful gooseneck barn lighting.

The barn doors were custom designed and built to have three different functions to address the specific needs of the client. With their home close to Otter Creek and as avid kayakers, the owners wanted a convenient place to store their boats. Also a master woodworker, the owner needed a workshop so another door services that area of the barn. And behind door number three is the garage space for winter month usage. Highlighting the outside of these handsome and functional doors are stunning warehouse shades much like our Original Warehouse Shade. The black finish on these shades is the perfect complement to the deep barn red color and crisp white accents on the building. The gooseneck arms project the lights up and over the door so that the light shines directly below.

Based on vintage RLM warehouse shade designs, our barn lighting recreates the rustic charm of the 1930s when these warehouse shades were first used on barns just like this one. With an arm in the shape of a goose’s neck, these fixtures could be placed at just the right angle for a specific work area.

The American made Original Warehouse Shade comes in more than 40 finish colors so you can find one to match your own decor be it a barn, front porch, or garage. To give your light an even more classic feel, add a wire cage or cast guard and glass!

Top photo courtesy of Mitra Designs and photographer Gary Urich

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Vintage Pendant Lights Spotted in 1840s Antebellum Home

April 21, 2012 by Ashley

When one says the word antebellum, what images pop up in your brain? Perhaps you imagine Gone with the Wind style summer balls, enormous oak trees, and belles in beautiful gowns. Now open up your mind to not only a simpler time, but to a simpler lifestyle. Featured in Garden & Gun magazine, this couple was proud to show off their restored antebellum home. No, it’s not a sprawling plantation home; it’s a Tennessee dogtrot classic, also known as a breezeway house.

Located just outside Madison, Georgia, the Malones relax in their restored cabin, day in and day out. Throughout, the home relates back to vintage, rustic tones. Rich wood has the forefront on the interior and exterior, as well as the lush greenery throughout. In the kitchen, fig vines are growing naturally throughout. Spotted over the perimeter prep area, two vintage pendants hang amongst the vines. The pendant lights have such a true antique look to them that one may think that they came from the 1840s when the home was originally built.

Acquiring vintage pendants like this is possible through vintagebarnlighting.com. However, if you’re looking for that popular “new old” look, check out our selection of Barn Pendants. These American made pendant lights stay true to the quality production of vintage fixture. For the same bell-shaped dome as the pendants in this dogtrot kitchen, the Colby Pendant and the Homestead Pendant keep the same shade style. The benefit about buying a new, custom made pendant? You have the option to choose finishes and mounting options to suit your space and needs. The Colby Pendant is manufactured from high-quality, durable aluminum. For a more delicate look, the Homestead features a glass shade with a vintage cup. The clear ribbed glass appears strikingly similar to the vintage holophane pendants, also available through Vintage Barn Lighting.

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Rustic Wall Sconces for Tower Overlooking Sag Harbor Bay

April 20, 2012 by Betty

If you’re lucky enough to live near the water, be it a lake, wetlands, or even the ocean, taking advantage of the great view becomes an integral part of your home design. Large windows that open to the offshore breezes and provide plenty of natural lighting are critical as are upper levels so you can get a bird’s eye view of the scenery. This home, located in New York, not only has plenty of windows but features a hexagon-shaped tower that overlooks Sag Harbor Bay and the Mashomack Preserve.

Between the windows of this delightful room are rustic wall sconces that blend perfectly with the nautical theme of this home dubbed Lighthouse on the Bay by the owners. The crispness of the room is carried through in the white fixtures that look very much like our Barn Light Industrial Static Topless Sconce, part of our collection of Rustic Wall Sconces. These sconces reflect aspects of rustic, vintage, and industrial designs and were inspired by the Atomic Era.

The real beauty of the Topless Sconce is that its slim profile will fit into so many different spaces and can take on any number of looks depending on how you finish it. Bold and vibrant colors like red and yellow lend a retro feel while colors like black or galvanized go well with a more traditional style. Your choice of glass will also affect how your fixture will both look and function. Choose a frosted, ribbed, or textured glass to soften the glow or go with one of several colors for a distinctive appeal.

To carry the rustic look throughout your home, check out our line of Rustic Pendants which feature many of the same finish options as our sconces. No matter which you choose, rest assured that all of our rustic fixtures are crafted with durable materials right here in America for a lifetime of use.

Top photo courtesy of Rayon Richards

 

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Warehouse Pendant Adds Industrial Touch Over Kitchen Banquette

April 19, 2012 by Betty

This lovely little banquette makes creative use of space in the kitchen where, unless you live in a 5,000-square-foot house, space is often at a premium. The built-in benches with wainscoting details offer a comfy spot for breakfast, homework after school, or as a quiet spot for a cup of tea in the evening.

The lights shown here were salvaged from a warehouse and lend the space a touch of industrial appeal. These are very similar to Barn Light Electric’s Sugarland Pendant, part of our collection of Barn Pendants first made popular back in the 1930s. The Sugarland takes its cues from vintage designs called Lobay Industrial Reflectors. These fixtures were created to direct large amounts of light to a specific work area with a minimum amount of wasted light and high glare.

With the current trend of blending both vintage and modern styles, the Sugarland is a great choice thanks to the finishing options available to you. Finishes like bronze or brass can be applied to this light when placing it in a traditional or historic home, whereas modern day finishes like satin steel or galvanized metal look great with stainless steel appliances. Or choose one of our bolder finishes like trans red or blue or maybe even bright yellow to create a retro look.

The American made Sugarland comes with a ribbed glass shade in three sizes ranging from 14″ to a prodigious 26″ wide. It can be stem mounted such as these or you can select cord mounting or even flush mounting if your space requires it. For a matching yet smaller look, check out the Altamont Pendant. Also with a ribbed glass shade, the Altamont starts at an 8″ size which is perfect hung over a desk area in the kitchen, or hung in pairs over an island or countertop. This pendant gives off a nice ambient light without overpowering the space.

Top photo courtesy of Lisa Romerein

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Barn Light Wall Sconces an Ideal Touch for Outdoor Garden

April 18, 2012 by Betty

One of the great rites of spring is throwing open every window to the fresh air and cleaning up your outdoor living space for the season. Perhaps you have a patio, screened porch, or simply some comfy chairs in the backyard around a fire pit. No matter what space you have in the great outdoors, it increases the amount of living space you already have, so dust off the pollen, add a container of fresh flowers, and get ready for relaxing and entertaining outdoors.

In northern California, this homeowner created a beautiful outdoor living area featuring a sunken, wood-burning fire pit and a garden between his house and the garage on the left. The wide expanse of decking and the angular lines of the buildings are softened by the fluffy ornamental grasses waving in the sea breeze. Adding a touch of light in strategic spots around the space are galvanized barn light wall sconces. These are very similar to our Austin Sconce which represents a slimmed down version of our popular Artesia Wareshouse Shade. These wall sconces provide the perfect spot of light around the garden area providing safety after dark without overwhelming the space with scattered light. The Austin Sconce, like many of our RLM-inspired warehouse shades, directs light downward where it’s needed most. The smaller shade size is perfect for tighter spaces like entryways, hallways, or any place you need just a touch of light.

The Barn Light Austin Sconce comes in two sizes and is a great value starting at under $100. Forty different finish colors are available for this fixture including the galvanized look this homeowner chose which complements the roof and concrete details throughout the space. Like all of our barn wall sconces, the Austin is an American made classic that represents styles that have been around since the 1940s. Browse our entire collection for one that will suit your space!

Top photo courtesy of Marion Brenner for Remodelista

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