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Inspiration

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Gas Station Lighting of the Early 20th Century

How-To, Lighting 101 Betty Leave a Comment on Gas Station Lighting of the Early 20th Century

Like many new inventions, the automobile was, at first, an expensive novelty accessible only to the wealthy. When production techniques improved, the automobile became more affordable for the masses in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The ability to travel, day or night, opened up a whole new era of freedom. As automobile sales increased, as did the subsequent demand for fuel, roadside filling stations began popping up offering not only fuel but service for those with a flat tire or mechanical difficulties.

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industrial lighting wall sconce light

Rustic Industrial Lighting Gives Nod to Steampunk, Nautical

Home Tours, Residential Inspiration Betty 2 Comments on Rustic Industrial Lighting Gives Nod to Steampunk, Nautical

When Lisa and Greg bought their home in 2010, it was only four years old, but they were already thinking about renovations, an addition, and updating the lighting.

“The original house is post-and-beam, a rustic-lux style,” Lisa says. “With the addition and renovations, we added huge windows to improve our view and bring in more nature. With polished concrete floors and rustic lighting, the addition is more industrial chic.”

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schoolhouse pendants hand blown glass

Schoolhouse Lighting Gets Top Marks with Energy Efficient LEDs

At the Factory, New Products Betty 2 Comments on Schoolhouse Lighting Gets Top Marks with Energy Efficient LEDs

You’ve come a long way baby. When schoolhouse lighting first came onto the scene back in the early 20th century, these hand-blown, glass globes were crafted to conceal bare bulbs that were the norm for lighting fixtures. These simple opaque globes instantly transformed a basic necessity into a design element that not only added a certain style to a space, but cut down on the harsh glare of a bare bulb. Schoolhouse lights were quite popular in public spaces such as government buildings, libraries, and yes, even schoolhouses.

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Barn Wall Sconces for Cowgirl’s Coastal Cottage

Laundry Rooms & Mudrooms, Residential Inspiration Betty Leave a Comment on Barn Wall Sconces for Cowgirl’s Coastal Cottage

Elizabeth admits that living in a quaint, coastal town just north of Boston has its advantages.

“Marblehead is a quintessential New England coastal town with one of the most beautiful harbors,” she says. “In the summer, it is home to more than 2,000 boats.” Her home is lovingly dubbed Cowgirl’s Coastal Cottage, and, with two adults, two kids, and a large chocolate lab named Moses in residence, it sees a lot of wet, sandy, muddy feet and paws. Elizabeth, who goes by Eli, found herself spending too much time wiping up dirty paw prints and sweeping the floor, so she knew it was time to turn her rotting back deck into a more usable, enclosed mud room.

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brass lighting ceiling pendant lighting

Bold, Beautiful Brass Lighting Makes Resurgence, Complete with LED!

At the Factory, New Products Betty Leave a Comment on Bold, Beautiful Brass Lighting Makes Resurgence, Complete with LED!

We all fell in love with silver, didn’t we? When those sleek, high-tech-looking finishes took over the design world, they pervaded every room of our house from stainless steel refrigerators and nickel plumbing fixtures to chrome chandeliers. In recent years, however, another shiny metal has been sneaking back into our lives. And we’re happy to say that the bold, and warmer, look of brass is back!

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