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What a Difference An Inch Makes
When I did the reveal post about my new dark walls I was a bit surprised that no one commented on the fact that the new cream lampshades (above left) weren’t quite the right size. The shades weren’t new, they were ones I’d pulled out of storage while I had custom shades made. The new shade on the right is one inch taller and one inch narrower; the difference is subtle in the photo, but much more apparent in three dimensions. Yes, the old shade would have looked alright with a slightly smaller harp but I didn’t have one on hand, and anyway, I think a 7-inch harp is just too small for a 16? lamp.
Aristocrat: Longer Hours, Lower Prices
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 by Chris
Aristocrat Lamps and Lighting remains one of my favorite Toronto bargain outlets but the banker's hours have always been a problem. Right now, however, the store is open seven days a week to accommodate a serious sale. The best deals are still found in the dead-stock room, below, where solid brass lamps are among the very best values, but the price reductions continue up front with newer stock and shades.
Let There Be Lotte
Friday, November 20, 2009 by Chris
INabstracto's Kate Eisen and sometime partner Duncan Farnan hit the motherlode recently when they stumbled upon an old warehouse with an impressive stock of vintage Lotte Lamps, circa 1964. The lamps ($195 each) have their original shades and original tags but Eisen and Farnan have rewired them to today's safety standards. Colors include coral, dark blue, robin's egg, golden yellow, celadon, brown and white.
Shops: Queen’s Key Antiques
Monday, October 12, 2009 by Chris
After Saturday's item about the tortoise shell it occurred to me that I really should post about the shop where I bought it. Queen's Key Antiques is a quirky little store with a focus on antique and vintage lighting but there's really no telling what you'll find there: an African wood carving, below right ($25), a gilt Church altar, below left ($150) or a 30 foot Anaconda skin (not shown, $100); I purchased the ornate, gold, Chinese window screen there a few years ago for $40, above.
Step Away From The Lamps!
Sunday, September 27, 2009 by Chris
On Craigslist yesterday, I came across these fab 1950s table lamps priced at $120. Such style! I'd buy them in an instant if our house wasn't already heaving with more lamps than we'll ever be able to use. I've currently got six lamps of my own up on Craigslist, two pairs and a couple of singles. I don't need any more lamps. So help me out, buy these. Please. 'Cause if they're still there on Monday morning, well, there's just no telling what I might do.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by Chris
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