At House & Garden, we have always thought it was important to spend plenty of time thinking about lighting. Whether natural or artificial, light has considerable power: it affects our mood and impacts how and when we are able to actually use our rooms. There are endless beautiful and practical modern lighting fixtures, and yet vintage and antique lighting has a powerful allure. Just as furniture, objects and textiles from bygone eras can anchor an interior, countering the shiny new-ness of a renovation with patina and charm, so too can vintage lighting transform a room for the better.
Table lamps, (lighting’s most versatile character, in our opinion), floor lamps, the unsung heroes that are sconces, those frilly French pendants with which interior designers are so enamoured–there are myriad vintage varieties of lighting waiting to be rewired, repurposed, reimagined. We spoke to a few of our favourite designers and lighting enthusiasts about why choosing vintage might be a good idea.
For Archie Mackie of Original House, ‘it goes without saying that adding antique lighting into a period property to match the style and era can achieve a refined finish.’ But he is also a fan of mixing and matching. ‘Mixing vintage lighting into a modern interior adds a splash of history and patina that only time can produce.’ Rebecca Hughes of Rebecca Hughes Interiors agrees, explaining that ‘vintage lighting brings an unmistakable sense of charm and character to a space that modern fixtures often can't replicate. Each piece tells a story – through its craftsmanship, patina, and design history – adding depth and personality. Whether it's a gilded chandelier from the 1920s or a brass mid-century sconce, these elements create a layered, lived-in feel that makes a room feel as if it has evolved organically over time.’
Well-chosen pieces of vintage lighting do indeed offer the opportunity to enter into a conversation with design history. Take the Anglepoise lamp, an icon of British design. Eternally stylish and practical, it's not just a talisman of nostalgia, but an ode to craftsmanship. As Top 100 interior designer Brandon Schubert says of vintage lighting fixtures, ‘they are also usually very well made, especially in comparison to mass-produced items being churned out today. And if you’re on a budget, it is often possible to find something lovely and old for a fraction of the price you’d have to pay for a new piece. Plus no lead times!’
Lighting experts and designers will often speak about layering lighting, having different types of lighting from architectural lighting hidden discreetly in alcoves, to task lighting directly over desks. Having layers of lighting helps create atmosphere and depth, vital for comfort. Vintage lighting can help bring variety to a lighting scheme. ‘Mixing different styles of lighting into an interior also gives a great opportunity to play around with scale,’ says Archie. ‘We love an oversize pair of industrial pendants over a modern kitchen island, each reinforcing the other.’
Top 100 designer and vintage lighting connoisseur Tamsin Saunders agrees: ‘Lighting is an opportunity to play with scale, texture, proportion shape and form. Which shade - again think shape, pattern, scale, texture, finish - you choose to put it with will again transform the room.’ Saunders only ever uses vintage lighting, a hallmark of her projects being the sourcing of one-off originals. ‘My mantra is the real thing not the repro,’ she says. ‘Vintage lamps are a great way of adding oomph and interest to a space - even if they are the simplest most humble of pieces - it shows not only that you care but that you’re prepared to hold out for the right thing.’
Lamp and lampshade designer Rosi de Ruig is always ready to proselytise on the benefits of vintage lighting, noting that incorporating it into an interior doesn’t always have to be within the context of a huge renovation. ‘If one isn’t in a position to redecorate, one shouldn’t underestimate what a sprinkling of decoration does to improve the feel of a room.' Re-purposing older objects, like family heirlooms and hand-me-downs invites one to think about the relationship you have with a piece.
Rosi continues, ‘At the beginning of any consultation, I always encourage clients to re-purpose an old lamp. It's surprising what a fresh new woven flex (especially dark brown or burnt orange) and a well chosen lampshade can do to uplift a dear old lamp friend.’
And when you've found the perfect piece and upgraded it perhaps with a new shade, where it is then placed can also make a significant difference. Tamsin encourages experimentation beyond the usual to discover different atmospheres and moods. ‘Not just on side tables next to beds and sofas but on low tables instead of floor lamps, on stools/pianos/shelves/sideboards, accentuating and defining architectural nooks, adding warmth to kitchen islands, murky unloved corners, highlighting interesting little niches, beautifying elegant sideboards and bringing an air of restrained calm to quirky dressers.’
The indie shopping platform Etsy is home to many vintage lights and bases and the unique lampshades to update them. Murano styles, terracotta bases and bankers lamps can all be found there. The key to tackling the vast platform is knowing how to look, who to buy from and what to avoid. Luckily, we have previously put together a handy guide to buying vintage lighting from Etsy.
Architectural salvage company Retrouvius and luxury lighting specialists Fritz Fryer also provide spectacular examples of vintage lighting, from midcentury modern fittings to 1930s pendants. All three of our designers and experts also pointed to Decorative Collective, the online antiques, vintage and contemporary marketplace beloved of interior designers.
'We have a passion for sourcing antiques and regularly explore online platforms such as Decorative Collective, 1stDibs, and The Hoarde.' says Rebecca. The Hoarde is the Decorative Collective’s sister site which focuses more on vintage than antique. ‘Beautiful vintage pieces can also often be found affordably at one of the many antiques fairs across the country – our favourite being Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park Racecourse, held twice a month.’
Brandon recommends ‘starting with online aggregator websites like Vinterior, Pomono, Love Antiques, Decorative Collective, Selling Antiques and so on. Remember that it’s often possible to try antiques on approval from a dealer, or at least to make a return of something if it doesn’t work in your space.'
Rosi recommends The Saleroom, and points out that Decorative Collective can be a good source for chandeliers. But she warns, 'searching for vintage/antique pieces is fun! Be wary of the time you might lose in the wonderful world of online auction searches.’
Time lost (or well spent, you decide) down the vintage lighting rabbit hole isn't the only thing to watch out for when pondering what to buy. ‘I think the most important elements to look out for are condition and size,’ advises Brandon. 'It’s really key to measure your space and check the item’s dimensions before you proceed with a purchase, especially when buying online.’
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For Rosi, just as one might ‘just as one might pick up a plate and look underneath for cracks,’ lighting should also receive the same level of inspection. ‘Check the wiring hole of a lamp, think of the width of the flex which would need to be fed through,' she says. 'Likewise, if you are looking to convert something into a lamp, be mindful of the material–vintage ceramics are tricky.’
According to Brandon, ‘vintage light fittings can be tricky since they often require re-wiring. Where you can, ask the dealer or seller to re-wire them for you. If that doesn’t work, you can take them to a lighting shop or someone who specialises in antique light fittings. Just be sure to factor the cost of that work in, since it may be £200 or more.’
For Archie, it is very important to know what you're getting into if buying unrestored items. ‘There is lots to consider - most importantly, are all the components there? This might seem silly but think about how the wire is going to get to the bulb holder. European wiring is different to ours and often an old lamp will have just 2 very skinny wires coursing through a thin brass tube - you need to make sure there is space to fit thicker UK wiring inside.’
It's good, then, to have a bit of forethought when it comes to the practical steps of fitting the lighting, and remember that Rosi recommends having an ‘excellent electrician’ at the ready. 'They are gold dust these days.’
